Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 BACKGROUND OF ~HE INVENTION
In our ~anadian Paten~ No. 689~069,Kolbel,June 23,1961,there is
described a spring type exerciser involving a telescopic
arrangement including a spring so that as the telescopic
system is collapsed the spring is placed under compression;
also an endless rope is connected to the handles at the ends
of the telescopic system so that as two runs of the rope are
pulled apart the spring is again placed und~r compression.
In use certain exercises comprise squeezing the spring by
applying force to the handles at each end and certain exercises
comprise pulling the two runs of rope apart and again placing
the spring under compression. In this way the exercises bring
into play diferent muscles involving forces of both compression
and tension while at the same time the work by the person using
the exerciser always acts on the spring to place it under
compression.
An object of the present invention is to provide a
physical exerciser of the type described in our Patent No.
689,069 which is simpli~ied in construction and allows the user
the possibility of carrying out a wider range of exercises.
It is another object of the invention to provide an
exerciser which give a greater amount of contraction for the
same initial length of telescopic sys~em.
It is still a further object of the in'vention to produce
an exerciser which allows the user to vary the movement distance
during an exercise and to vary the strength required to move
the tension elements during exercise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a physical
exerciser comprising an elongated telescopic system having en~s,
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1 arrows a considerable portion of the inner runs, that is those
nearest to the tubes, runs around the sheaves so that the
outer runs are extended. By this appern of movement a block
and tackle effect is obtained which reduces the force to be
applied for compressiny the spring while at the same time
the movement distance is increased. This is of greater
importance for many exercies than a short distance with a
high tension force. A stepped change in tensile force
can be obtained by first gripping both outer runs only, then
both runs of one element and the outer run of the other,
then both runs of both elements.
In addition to large movement distances being
ohtainable more exercies can be carried out in tension
training. For example, between the feet and the upper body
exercisPs can be carried out which are not possible on
exercisers having a smaller movement distance. For example,
one can wrap one strand of cord round the nape of the neck
while the other strand is around the feet. Furthermore,
compression and tension exercises are possible simultaneously,
for example by pulling the appara~us between one foot and
the nape of the neck in a sitting position with simultaneous
pressure support by both hands. The number of such combina-
tion exercises is more than double that possible with the
exerciser according to the aforesaid Canadian Patent 689,06
A ring 23 slides on the exterior of the tube 12
pushed by the end of a tube 13 and indicated the deyree
of compression on a scale marked on the exterior of the
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tube 12.
A further feature of the invention is the formation
on the outer surfaced of the tubes 13 of a grip surface as 3
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32~3
1 seen at 26. This allows an important compression exercise
with the hands gripping parallel to the telescopic system.
The serrated exterior of the tubes extends for exa~ple for
a 17 cm length of each tube, and for the first time renders
possible gripping with the hands in the position parallel to
the exerciser. This allows additional classes of muscles,
hitherto not loaded, to be exercised.
The design of the telescopic system allows easy
assembly by merely slipping the rings 18 over the central
tube 12, pushing the end tubes 13 onto the central tube and
pushing the rings 18 back over the ends of the end tubes
to assemble the whole telescopic system. In addition the
design of the handles allow almost their whole lengths to
contribute to the telescopic movement so that the movement
obtainable with compression exercies is 50% greater than with
the exerciser of the aforesaid Canadian Patent 689,069, for the
same initial rest length. ~his is best seen in Figure 3 where
the central tube 12 nearly abu~s against the interior of
the end of the handle 11.
The exerciser of Figures 4 to 8 comprises a ~elescopic
system 30 having hollow handles 31 at i~s ends. The ~elescopic
system comprises a main central tube 32 and two end tubes
33 telescopi~ally slidable on the central tube. Each end
tube 33 is integral with ~he main part of its associated handle-
31 formed by two outer side walls 34, 35 and connecting
ribs 36, and end of each handle is closed by a separately
fabricated end plate 37. The resilient biassing means in this
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embodiment is formed by two springs 38. It will be appreciated
that although only one end of the exerciser is shown the
other end is similar, so that only one of the springs 38 and Y
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1 the exerciser of Figure 4 to 7.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a physical exerciser
comprises an elongated telescopic system 10 having hollow
handles 11 at its ends, the system being contractible
longitudinally by the application of manual pressure.
In known manner the handles may be formed with finger
indentations to aid gripping. The telescopic system
comprises a main central tube 12 and two end tubes or
shafts 13 integral at their outer ends with the handles
11. A resilient biassing means in the form of helical
spring 14 extends within the central tube with both its
ends extending beyond the central tube into the tubes 13
and abutting against the ends of the hollow interior of
the handles. The ends of the central tube 12 are outwardly
flanged at 15 and the inner ends of the end tubes 13 are
inwardly flanged at 16 so that interengagement of flanges
15 and 16 prevents the end tubes from disengaging from
the central tube. The inner portions of the tubes 13
are of bifurcated form as a result of two slits 16 tonly
one of which is seen in Fig.l)extending for pQrt of their lengtns.
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~his allows the end tubes 13 to be expanded slightly so
that the flange 16 can ride over the flange 15 for initial
assembly. A simple end riny 18 is then pushed over each
end to retain it against such expansion-in the assembled
condition. Extra guide tubes 19 inte~ral with the handles
and coaxilly within the tubes 13 fit inside the tube 12
and provide additional strength and guidance. A modified
form of these is shown at l9A in Figure 3..
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1 ~- The handles 11 extend outwardly of the tubes 13 in
; a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the telescopi~
system and at each side carry a rolling member in the form sf
a sheave 20, mounted across a groove 21 opening to the side
of the handle. Two tension elements 22 located on opposite
sides of the telescopic system connect the ends of the system.
Each tension element takes the form of a substantially
inextensible endless cord which extends in two runs between
the handles and passes around a pair of sheaves. These elements
can be, for example, of plastic coated wire or any form of
rope, they can ke flat or of round cross section and they
may be initially limp or under slight tension in the rest
position of the exerciser. Each tension element could extend
round a single sheave or other guide element and have both
its ends fastened to one handle so that it is effectively
endless.
The tension elements can be gripped approximately
at their mid points and pulled apart in the direction of
arrows 25 this causing the handles to move towards each
other and compress the spring. The movement distance
which is available for an exercise is determined by the
distance which the telescopic system can contract in
conjunction with the length of the tension elements between
the handles. However, by the use of a double run of cord
this distance and the force required can be varied by the
person doing exercises. If both runs of each tension element
are gripped, then maximum for~e will be required for a
relatively small movement. If only the outermost runs of
the tension elements are gripped the movement distance
increases, since when pulling apart in the direction of the
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1 -- arrows a considerable portion of the inner runs, that ~ 5 those
nearest to the tubes, runs around the sheaves so that the
,~ outer runs are extended. By this pattern of movement a block
and tackle effect is obtained which reduces the foxce to be
applied for compressing the spring while at the same time
the movement- distance is increased. This is of greater
importance ~ox many exercies than a short distance with a
high tension force. A stepped change in tensile force
can be obtained by first gripping both outer runs only, then
both runs of one element and the outer run of the other,
then both runs of both elements.
In addition to large movement distances being
obtainable more exercies can be carried out in tension -
training. For example, between the feet and the upper body
exercises can be carried out which are not possible on
exercisers having a smaller movement distance. For example,
one can wrap one strand of cord round the nape of the neck
while the other strand is around the feet. Furthermore,
compression and tension exercises ar~ p~ssible simultaneously~
for example by pulling ~he apparatus between one foot and
the nape of the neck in a sitting position with simultaneous
pressure support by both hands. The number of such combina-
tion exercises is more than aouble that possible with the
exerciser according to Patent Specification No. 3268225.
A ring 23 slides on the exterior of the tube 12
pushed by the end of a tube 13 and indicated the degree
of compression on a scale marked on the exterior of the
tube 12.
A further feature of the invention is the formation
on the outer surfac~s of the tubes 13 of ~ grip surface as
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-- 7 --
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r>~
1 seen at 26. This allows an important compression exercise
1th the hands gripping parallel to the telescopic system.
The serrated exterior of the tubes extends for exa~ple for
a 17 cm length of each tube, and for the first time renders
possi~le gripping with the hands in the position parallel to
the exerciser. This allows additional classes of muscles,
hitherto not loaded, to be exercised.
The design of the telescopic system allows easy
assembly by merely slipping the rings 18 over the central
tube 12, pushing the end tubes 13 onto the central tube and
pushing the rings 18 back over the ends of the end tubes
to assemble the whole telescopic system. In addition the
design of the handles allow almost their whole lengths to
contribute to the telescopic movement so that the movement
obtainable with compression exercies is 50~ greater than with
the exerciser of Patent Specification No. 3268225 for the
same initial rest length. This is best seen in Figure 3 where
the central tube 12 nearly abuts against the interior of
the end of the handle 11.
The exerciser of Figures 4 to 8 comprises a telescopic
system 30 having hollow handles 31 at its ends. The telescopic
system comprises a main central tube 32 and two end tubes
33 telescopically slidable on the central tube. Each end
tube 33 is integral with the main part of its associated handle
31 formed by ~wo outer side walls 34, 35 and connecting
ribs 36, and end of each handle is closed by a separately
fabricated end plate 37. The resilient ~iassing means in this
embodiment is formed by two springs 3B It will be appreciated
that although only one end of the exerciser i5 shown the
other end is similar, so that only one of the springs 3B and
- 1 ~ one tube 33 and one handle 31 are shown and need to be des~ribed.
The tube 33 has its outer end, that is the end remote
from the central tube 32, turned in to form a partially closed
end 40 and then turned in again to provide an inwardly projecting
annulus 41, the inner end 42 of which is counterbored to provide
; an annular shoulder 43. The end plate 37 has an inwardly pro-
jecting annulus 44 with an outwardly turned lip 45 so that is
a push fit in the annulus 41 with the lip engaging over the
shoulder 43 to retain it. The end plate 37 is also formed with
bearing parts ~7 which are a push fit between the side walls
34, 35 of the handles. These bearing parts carry pins 48
on which are rotatably mounted rollers 50.
A cruciform sectioned spring guide 51 has a disc
52 at its outer end from the outer side of which projects a
boss 53 which is a push fit in the annulus 44 of the end plate
; with the disc bearing against the end surfaces of the annulae
41 and 44. The spring guide 51 thus extends coaxially within
the tube 33 and had its inner end within the central tube 32
in the expanded condition of the exerciser. Within the end
of the central tube 32 is located a spring retaining tubular
member 54. This has an outer diameter adjacent its outer end
which is a close fit within the tube 32 and has an outwardly
turned flanye 55 which abuts against the end of tube 32. The
retaining member 54 tapers inwardly slightly towards its inner
end which is turned over to provide a spring retaining end
surface 57. The spring 38 fits over the spring guide 51 and
within the retaining member 54 with its ends abutting the
disc 52 and the retaining surface 57. The spring 38 has a
slight outward taper towards its inner end.
As seen in Figure 6 the inner surface of the end
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1 ~ tube 33 is formPd at four substantially e~ui-angularly spaced
. points with inwardly projecting rib members 58. At one Siae
instead of a single rib 58 there are two spaced ribs 58A and
58B. The central tube 32 has a groove 60 formed in its
exterior surface along its length in which groove are received
the ribs 58A and 58B. This prevents relative rotation of the
tube 33 and tube 32. The tube 33 tapers outwardly to increase
its outer diameter towards the centre of the exerciser and
the depth of the ribs 58 increases in this direction to retain
the internal diameter of the notional cylinder defined by the
ribs substantially constant. The inner end of tube 33 is
outwardly flanged at 51.
In the contracted condition of the exerciser the
ends of the spring guide 54 substantially abuts the bases of
the tubes 33 so that the majority of the handles contribute
to the telescopic movement as described in the embodiment
of Figures 1 to 3.
As in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, two end-
less tension elements each having two runs connect the ends
of the telescopic system on opposite sides thereof. In
this embodiment each tension element 62 is in the ~orm of
a band of webbing material which passes round a pair of the
rollers 50. The sides of the handles are open thus effec-
tively defining grooves to accommodate the rollers and
tension elements. As described with reference to the embodi-
ment of Figures 1 to 3 either one or both of the runs of
these tension elements can be gripped and pulled to provide
the variation in movement distance and force for doing
exercises. The tension elements are taut in the exapanded
condi~ion of the exerciser as shown and prevent the end tubes
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1 `- 33 from coming off the central tube 32.
A grip surface, as seen at 63, is provided on the
exterior surface of the tubes ~3. A ring 64 similar to the
ring 23 slides on the exterior of the tube 32.
It will be apprecia~ed that the use of tension
elements having a double run can be applied to telescopic
systems, comprising only two tubes or more than three tubes.
It could be applied to a telescopic system which had
two or more coupled sets of telescoping tubes or a system
which was contractable and expandable without using telescoping
tubes.
The spring biassing means may be replaced by other
suitable resilient means such as elastic balls or a pneumatic
assembly. The biassing means need not be within the telescopic
system but could for example be a pair of stiffly flexible
straight or bowed rods connecting the ends of the system and
themselves capable of being grasped and pulled apart.
The flexible elements need not pass through the
handles but could be secured to separate mounting or guide
members carried by the telescoping system or could pass through
or over the ends of the tubes.
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