Adjustable Resistance Exerciser

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to exercise equipment designed primarily for use by gymnasts for strengthening generalized muscle groups. The devices are adjustable in size and applied torque according to the needs of the user. In the immediate invention, a pivoting handle bar rotates on two independent sprag clutches with the abduction action capable of independent variable torque adjustment over the adduction movement.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Exercise and physical therapy equipment designed for manipulation of human muscles groups have been in use for a considerable time. Weight lifting has been the prime mover for eons. A variety of mechanical devices now supplements or completely replaces weight lifting as the equipment of choice in many muscle building gymnasiums. In keeping with the modern trend, the present invention is a unique variation in a complete mechanical muscle exerciser designed as a weight lifting supplement. The main purpose of this invention, however, is providing an all purpose adjustable tension device particularly useful by gymnasts.

In developing a device useful for the type of exercising required by the gymnast, I provide in my invention mechanics directed towards that need. My invention is basically a horizontally aligned tubular handlebar attached pivotally by adjustable side arms to a handlebar carriage and braking mechanism affixed to a vertical support frame. The vertical frame fits removably into short tubular base tubes attached vertically along the sides towards one edge of a substantially square platform. The platform is a tubular frame supported horizontal panel structured to adequately support the exerciser superstructure and a human user. Leveler feet under the support frame allow adjusting the platform to a useful level position. Non-slip padding on the upper surface of the platform provides the user with safe and sure footing during exercising. The edge of the platform towards which the vertical support frame attaches is designated the back with the opposite edge being designated the front. The sides are designated right side and left side in relationship to a user standing behind and facing towards the handlebar.

The vertical support frame consists of four main vertical square tubular members placed in track-like pairs. One pair is positioned on each side of the rectangular platform towards the back. Two short horizontal frame members for each pair of vertical supports, one at the top and one somewhat below midway, connect the two vertical support frame members together and maintain the track-like positions of the pairs. Two long horizontal frame members paralleling the back edge of the platform maintain the vertical alignment of the two pairs of vertical support frame members. One long horizontal frame member is at the top of the support frame structure and the other attaches approximately midway between the pairs. A narrow padded backboard is affixed centrally vertically between the two long horizontal frame members.

The pivoting handlebar is part of a U-frame assembly attached at the opened end movably to the vertical framing members by means of a handlebar carriage. The handlebar carriage rides like an elevator in the track-like arrangement formed by the pairs of vertical support members. The handlebar carriage includes a disc brake system which functions to provide torsion to the rotating handlebar. Braking calipers are manually adjustable against a disc to provide the required torsion. The connection between the braking system and the distal ends of the handlebar assembly is made by means of a sprag clutch which permits one way rotation of the shaft and disc brake. One handlebar arm is restricted when moved upwardly and the other is restricted when moved downwardly. Both handlebar side arms turn simultaneously with selected adjustable braking being applied in both up and down movements of the handlebar. This allows variation between the torsion applied to the abduction and adduction movements of the handlebar. The horizontally positioned handlebar is mounted perpendicularly solidly to the two parallel side arms. The parallel side arms are structured of square tubing which in turn is telescopically fitted into two mounting arms which are endwardly attached to the sprag clutch. For adjusting the length of the parallel side arms, an axle is incased in the tubular handlebar. Each end of the axle is affixed with a bevel gear which turns a bevel gear on the end of a jack screw encased in the side arms. A screw nut embedded in the inner end of each side arm extending member rides along the jack screw and shortens or lengthens the side arms by pull adjustment or adjustments made by turning a wheel knob at one end of the handlebar. A jack screw limiting washer bolted to the end of the jack screw prevents the two telescoping arm sections from separating. This arrangement removes slop in the handlebar telescoping fittings, provides the handlebar assemblage with precise adjustments, and maintains the handlebar in parallel alignment with the front platform edge. Knobbed turn down lock bolts in both adjustment arms prevents undesired movement after the handlebar has been adjusted for the user.

An overhead sprocket and a vertical chain combination raises and lowers the handlebar carriage in the track-like pairs of vertical support structures. A crank fitting on the end of a shaft to which the sprockets are attached is used to adjust the position of the handlebar carriage. The sprocket shaft is attached in parallel alignment adjacently above the upper long horizontal support member. Positive locking of the sprocket shaft is accomplished by a double bar loose bolt hinge lock. The loose bolt allows an upper bar over the sprocket shaft to be locked down on a lower bar under the sprocket shaft by a thumb turn screw opposite the loose bolt. The loose bolt acts like a hinge and a second side bolt locks the double bars as a extra precaution. The handlebar carriages, one in each pair of track-like vertical support pairs, is additionally locked into position manually y turn-down screw knob bolt locks.

As previously mentioned, my exerciser is directed towards use by gymnasts. It is designed to strengthen the arm, stomach, thigh, and leg muscles of the gymnast. The user stands on the platform and the equipment is adjusted both in size and tension for that particular user. The user presses his or her back against the padded backrest. When the handle bar is lowered and raised from a position below the user's waist to a position of arms fully stretched upward above the user's head, the full range of leg to arm muscles, including thigh, stomach, and chest, are effectively exercised.

Therefore, a primary object of the invention is to provide a complete leg to arm exerciser for gymnasts in a single device.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a single exercising device multi adjustments so the single device can be sized and conditioned for use according to the size and requirements of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple adjustment exerciser particularly for gymnasts with fixtures easily dismantable for transportation or storage.

Other objects and the many unique features of the this invention will become clear and understood by reading descriptions of numbered parts in the following specification and comparing the described numbered parts with like numbered parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the adjustable resistance exerciser illustrating a user in dotted lines facing the handlebar with his back to the padded backboard.

FIG. 2 shows the exerciser in a left side view of which a right side view would be substantially similar.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the handlebar and handlebar assembly illustrating the precise length adjustment mechanics.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the disc braking system and sprag clutch to which the handlebar arms attach.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the overhead sprocket and chain assembly illustrating the work chain section between track-like members of the vertical support frame and the free end encased inside a tubular frame member.

10 exerciser structure

12 tubular handlebar

14 adjustable handlebar side arm members

16 outer telescoping arm member

18 inner telescoping arm member

20 sprag clutch attachment

22 sprag clutch

24 handlebar carriage

26 braking system

28 vertical frame

30 short tubular base members

32 platform

34 platform tubular support frame

36 leveler feet

38 human user

40 non-slip padding

42 platform front

44 platform back

46 platform right side

48 platform left side

50 vertical tubular members

52 track-like pairs.

54 short horizontal frame members

56 long horizontal frame members

58 narrow padded backboard

60 brake disc

62 braking calipers

64 handlebar adjustment axle

66 bevel gears

68 jack screw nut

70 jack screw

72 arm length adjust wheel

74 knobbed turn down lock bolts

76 arm bevel gear housing

78 jack screw limiting washer

80 sprocket axle

82 sprocket

84 chain

86 sprocket clamp lock

88 manual clamp lock tightner

90 handlebar carriage position adjust crank

92 sprocket housing

94 tubular bracing

96 brake torsion control

98 loose bolt hinging

100 handlebar movement

102 jack screw end bolt

104 arm attachment gear

106 arm attachment gear housing

108 clutch shaft

110 chain stirrup

112 bearings

114 guide pin

116 brake pad

118 brake pressure adjust bolt

120 brake pressure adjust bolt knob

122 shoulder bolt

124 secondary carriage lock

126 secondary carriage lock slot

128 assembly bolts

130 axle support

132 horizontal track brackets

134 vertical track brackets

Referring now to the drawings at FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and to exerciser structure 10. A single horizontally aligned tubular handlebar 12 is attached pivotally by two adjustable handlebar side arm members 14 to sprag clutches 22 at sprag clutch attachments 20 which in turn are affixed to handlebar carriage 24. Handlebar carriage 24 is a box-shaped structure apertured centrally with a bearing 112 shaft and affixed upwardly by a chain stirrup 110 to which a supporting chain 84 is attached. See FIG. 4 for details. Handlebar carriage 24 which supports braking system 26 is affixed mobile to move elevator-like between the track-like pairs 52 of vertical frame 28. At the top of vertical frame 28 a sprocket axle 80 runs transversely and is supported mobile by axle support 130, one at each end. Just inside of axle support 130 at each end of sprocket axle 80 is sprocket 82. A chain 84 around sprocket 82 attached to handlebar carriage 24. The chain and sprocket arrangement is explained in detail further on in this specification.

The working space between tubular handlebar 12 and vertical frame 28 is precisely adjustable through mechanics inside outer telescoping arm member 16 and inner telescoping arm member 18. These mechanics are described further on in this specification. The lower ends of vertical tubular members 50 which make up vertical frame 28 fit removably into short tubular base members 30 attached along the sides towards one edge of platform 32. Platform 32 is a substantially square horizontally positioned panel. A platform tubular support frame 34 under platform 32 provides a base structured to adequately support the exerciser structure 10 and a human user 38. Leveler feet 36 under platform support frame 34 allows adjusting platform 32 to a useful level position. Non-slip padding 40 on the upper surface of platform 32 provides human user 38 with safe and sure footing during exercising. The edge of platform 32 towards which vertical frame 28 and short tubular base 30 attach is designated platform back 44 with the opposite edge being designated platform front 42. The sides of platform 32 are designated platform right side 46 and platform left side 48 relative to human user 38 standing behind and facing towards tubular handlebar 12. As can be seen in FIG. 2, vertical frame 28 consists of four main vertical tubular members 50 placed in track-like pairs 52. One track-like pair 52 is positioned on each side of platform 32 towards platform back 44. Two short horizontal frame members 54 for each track-like pair 52 of vertical frame 28, one at the top and one somewhat below midway, connect the two vertical tubular members 50 together and maintain the track-like positions of track-like pairs 52. Two long horizontal frame members 56 paralleling the platform back 44 edge of platform 32 maintain transverse vertical alignment of track-like pairs 52 which form vertical frame 28. One long horizontal frame member 56 is at the top of vertical frame 28 and the other attaches approximately midway between the rearward positioned vertical tubular members 50. A narrow padded backboard 58 is affixed centrally vertically between the two long horizontal frame members 56. Tubular bracing 94 supports the short tubular base 30.

The lower ends of each vertical tubular members 50 are removably retained within short tubular base members 30 which are vertical tubular supports permanently affixed and braced through the top edges of platform 32 directly to platform tubular support frame 34 adjacent platform back 44. Tubular handlebar 12 is attached pivotally to the vertical frame 28 by means of handlebar carriage 24. Handlebar carriage 24 rides up and down like an elevator in the track arrangement formed by track-like pairs 52 of vertical tubular members 50. Handlebar carriage 24 supports braking system 26 which includes disc brake 60, braking calipers 62, controllable by brake torsion control 96 at brake pressure adjust bolt knob 120, and sprag clutch 22 to which adjustable handlebar side members 22 are attached. Brake pressure adjust bolt knob 120 in braking system 26 functions to provide controllable torsion by brake torsion control 96 to rotational handlebar movement 100. See FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, the precise mechanics inside of adjustable handlebar side arm members 14 for shortening and lengthening the arms is illustrated. Inside of tubular handlebar 12 is handlebar adjustment axle 64 having bevel gears 66 at both ends connected with bevel gears 66 on the ends of jack screws 70. Jack screws 70 run perpendicular to handlebar adjustment axle 64 and are housed inside of adjustable handlebar side arm members 14. A jack screw nut 68 attached to the inside of inner telescoping arm member 18 moves along jack screw 70 when handlebar adjustment axle 64 is turned by arm length adjust wheel 72. The movement shortens or lengthens adjustable handlebar side arm member 14 when inner telescoping arm member 18 moves inside of outer telescoping arm member 16. When in the desired position, knobbed turn down lock bolts 74 can be tightened and the two arm sections retained in place. With knobbed turn down lock bolts 74 loosened, the arm adjustment mechanics are sufficiently smooth that inner telescoping arm member 18 can be pulled or pushed manually into a desired position by pressure applied against tubular handlebar 12. The illustrations at FIG. 3 show bevel gears 66 housed in arm bevel gear housing 76 and a jack screw limiting washer 78 held in the end of jack screw 70 by jack screw end bolt 102 which prevents the two telescoping arm sections from separating at the end of the screw run.

FIG. 4 illustrates the handlebar carriage 24, the braking system 26, the sprag clutch 22, the sprag clutch attachment 20 with arm attachment gear 104, and the arm attachment gear housing 106 at the end of inner telescoping arm member 18 in an exploded drawing. Handlebar carriage 24 is adjustable up and down in track-like pairs 52 of vertical tubular members 50 by chain 84 attached to chain stirrup 110. Inner telescoping arm 18 attaches by arm attachment gear housing 106 to arm attachment gear 104 and sprag clutch attachment 20. Sprag clutch attachment 20 fits into sprag clutch 22 which in turn is attached by clutch shaft 108 inserted through bearing 112. The inside braking caliper 116 attaches to lower horizontal track bracket 132 by assembly bolts 128. Brake disc 60 is positioned on clutch shaft 108 opposite sprag clutch 22 faced against brake pad 116. The outside braking caliper 62 is attached with brake pad 116 against the outside face of brake disc 60 by shoulder bolt 122 and brake pressure adjust bolt 118. A guide pin 114 is aligned through the two calipers 62 in aligned apertures to prevent side movement of the calipers during braking. Braking is accomplished by turning brake pressure adjust bolt knob 120 which tightens down on brake pressure adjust bolt 118 putting braking pressure against brake disc 60 from brake pads 116 as braking calipers 62 are pulled towards each other. Brake pressure adjust bolt knob 120 is also the brake torsion control 96 which applies reversed torsion to adjustable handlebar side arm members 14. Handlebar carriage 24 is suspended elevator-like between the track-like pairs 52 of vertical tubular members 50 which make up vertical frame 28. Horizontal track brackets 132 maintain handlebar carriage 24 in track-like pairs 52 of vertical frame 28. Vertical track brackets 134 attach to horizontal track brackets 132 on the outside of vertical tubular members 50 as end guides. Secondary carriage lock 124 inserted through secondary carriage lock slot 126 can be tightened and loosened to hold handlebar carriage 24 in a locked position.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 in a view from platform right side 46, overhead sprocket 82 housed in sprocket housing 92 operates vertical chain 84 which raises and lowers handlebar carriage 24 in track-like pairs 52 of vertical frame 28. The support side of chain 84 is positioned between track-like pairs 52 of vertical tubular members 50 with the free side of chain 84 protectively encased inside the rearward vertical tube member 50. In platform left side 48 view of FIG. 2, handlebar carriage position adjust crank 90 on the end of sprocket axle 80 can be seen and is used to adjust the up and down position of handlebar carriage 24. Sprocket axle 80 is attached in parallel alignment with and adjacently above the upper long horizontal frame member 56. See FIG. 1. Positive locking of sprocket axle 80 is accomplished by sprocket clamp lock 86, a double bar loose bolt hinge 98 lock. The loose bolt hinging 98 allows an upper bar over sprocket axle 80 to be locked down on a lower bar under sprocket axle 80 by a thumb turn screw, manual clamp lock tightner 88, opposite the loose bolt hinging 98 end. A second side bolt locks the double bars as a extra precaution.

To exercise, human user 38 stands with his/her back braced against narrow padded backboard 58, grasps tubular handlebar 12 with both hands and rotates tubular handlebar 12 from an arms down position in the knee area to an arms fully stretched overhead position. Braking calipers 62 are manually adjustable at brake torsion control 96 to press against brake disc 60 and provide the required torsion. The connection between braking system 26 and tubular handlebar 12 being sprag clutch 22 permits only one way rotation of clutch shaft 108 and brake disc 60. This allows variation between the torsion applied to the abduction and adduction movements of tubular handlebar 12.

As my exerciser structure 10 is directed towards use by gymnasts, the design is primarily to strengthen the arm, stomach, thigh, and leg muscles of the gymnast. Human user 38 stands on platform 32 and the equipment is adjusted both in size and tension for that particular human user 38. Human user 38 presses his or her back against narrow padded backboard 58. When tubular handlebar 12 is lowered and raised from a position below human user's 38 waist to a position of arms fully stretched upward above human user's 38 head, the full range of leg to arm muscles, including thigh, stomach, and chest, are effectively exercised.

Though I have described my adjustable resistance exerciser in a particular structure in the foregoing specification, it is obvious that one skilled in the art could modify the device in useful forms for similar standup gymnastic exercising; therefore, any changes made which fall within the spirit and scope of my appended claims will be considered as my invention.