Exercise apparatus

An exercise apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a crank shaft having two substantially U-shaped throw members. The orientation of each throw member is adjustable with respect to the other throw member, therefore allowing the crank shaft to assume two different configurations. The first setting results when one of the U-shaped throw members is secured in a position one hundred and eighty degrees offset with respect to the other gripping member. This configuration enables a motion similar to that of pedaling a bicycle as the user's arms (or legs) flex at different times. The second setting is obtained when both throw members are secured with their U-shapes facing the same direction. When so configured, the user's arms (or legs) flex simultaneously as both arms (or legs) push and pull at the same time. Each throw member is separable from each other and optionally includes weights positioned along its length. The weights change the resistance of the crank shaft to turning, and hence, the effort which the user must exert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more 
particularly an exercise apparatus having a hand crank shaft with two 
substantially U-shaped throw members. The orientation of each throw member 
with respect to the other throw member adjusts between two distinct 
exercise positions. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Exercise devices employing the use of a rotatable crank shaft are well 
known in the prior art. These devices are utilized when the operator 
manually rotates the crank shaft about its longitudinal axis. Factors 
affecting the feel and performance of these devices include the shape of 
the crank shaft, the resistance (if any) applied to oppose the rotating 
motion of the crank shaft, and the flexibility in the height by which the 
crank shaft may be positioned in relation to the crank shaft support 
system. 
Frequently, the configuration of the rotatable crank shaft comprises two 
substantially U-shaped gripping members fixedly attached with one U-shaped 
member inverted with respect to the other. The operator grips each 
U-shaped member and rotates the crank shaft in a similar manner to 
pedaling a bicycle. Examples of this type of arrangment are U.S. Pat. No. 
1,386,206 issued to Otto Ludvig Samuelson on Aug. 2, 1921, U.S. Pat. No. 
2,416,471 issued to Jean Olivier de Chappedelaine on Feb. 25, 1947, U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,056,603 issued to Sidney Levine et al. on Oct. 2, 1962, U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,058,742 issued to Sarah Jaffe on Oct. 16, 1962, U.S. Pat. No. 
3,526,399 issued to George Hjelte on Sep. 1, 1970, and German Pat. No. 
3046117 issued to Wolfgang Juckel on Jul. 22, 1982. 
In order to increase the exertion required in rotating the crank shaft, 
resistance is often applied opposing the free rotation of the crank shaft. 
One method of employing this resistance is to frictionally restrain the 
ends of the crank shaft attached to the support system. This is seen in 
both the Samuelson patent and the Jaffe patent, which disclose mechanisms 
to selectively increase or decrease the level of resistance. 
The prior art references also disclose mechanisms to adjust the height of 
the crank shaft in relation to the crank support system. One example of 
such a mechanism is the Jaffe patent, which describes an adjustable 
exercise apparatus for use in the sitting or lying position. The variation 
of the height of the crank shaft results from attaching a spanning member 
to a rising member extending from a stationary frame. A retractile eye is 
fixed on the rising member to receive one of a plurality of openings along 
the length of the spanning member. A pin is placed through the retractile 
eye after it has received the spanning member. This secures the spanning 
member to the rising member and therefore establishes the crank shaft at a 
selected height. 
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in 
combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is an exercise apparatus with a crank shaft having 
two substantially U-shaped throw members. The orientation of each throw 
member is adjustable with respect to the other throw member, therefore 
allowing the crank shaft to be alternated between two different 
configurations. The first configuration is provided when one of the 
U-shaped throw members is secured in an inverted position with respect to 
the other throw member. The second setting results when both throw members 
are secured with their U-shapes facing the same direction. Each throw 
member is separable from each other and is optionally furnished with 
weights positioned along its diameter. 
The two configurations of the crank shaft allow the user to exercise at 
different levels of exertion. When the U-shaped throw members are in the 
inverted position, the user has one hand (or leg) pushing on the crank 
shaft while the other hand (or leg) pulls on the crank shaft. This pushing 
and pulling motion alternate as the crank shaft is rotated about its axis. 
This is similar to the motion required to pedal a bicycle. When the 
U-shaped throw members are secured in the same direction, the user's hands 
or legs are not alternating, but rather push and pull in the same 
direction as the crank shaft is rotated about its axis. Each configuration 
strengthens and tones different muscle groups. Additionally, weights can 
be added to increase the resistance required to rotate the crank shaft. 
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an 
improved exercise device implementing a rotatable crank shaft with two 
axially displaced throw members adjustable between two exercising 
positions. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved exercise 
device with a rotatable crank shaft capable of receiving weights attached 
thereto for alternating resistance characteristics. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved exercise 
device which permits the user to exercise in the standing, sitting, or 
lying positions. 
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and 
arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is 
inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended 
purposes. 
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily 
apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently 
throughout the attached drawings. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exercise 
apparatus 10 with its crank shaft 12. Exercise apparatus 10 is used by 
grasping handles 14 and 16 and manually rotating crank shaft 12. This 
rotation can be achieved by using either the hands or the feet to rotate 
crank shaft 12. A support frame maintains crank shaft 12 at a selected 
height above the ground. In the preferred embodiment, this support frame 
comprises support members 18 and 20 stabilized by support legs 22. 
Although the preferred embodiment utilizes support legs 22, other 
appropriate stabilizing methods, such as a concrete base, may be employed. 
Additionally, the apparatus 10 may be placed on any environmental surface, 
such being intended to include a floor, ground, or any other appropriate 
structure. 
Crank shaft 12 has ends 24 and 26 rotatably journaled through and extending 
from support members 18 and 20 respectively. As depicted in FIG. 3, a 
plurality of holes 28 is arranged along the lengths support members 18 and 
20. These holes 28 selectively receive ends 24 and 26 thereby allowing the 
height of crank shaft 12 to be adjusted with respect to support members 18 
and 20. This height adjustment allows for flexibility of exercise 
apparatus 10 as it may be used in the standing, sitting, or lying 
positions. To insure that crank shaft ends 24 and 26 remain within holes 
28 during exercise, ends 24 and 26 are fitted with respective retaining 
caps 29, whose outer diameter is greater than the diameter of holes 28. 
Crank shaft 12 is essentially comprised of two throw members 30 and 32 
radially displaced from longitudinal axis 34 to form gripping handles 14 
and 16. As is readily seen in FIG. 4, throw member 30 is separably 
attached from throw member 32. When throw members 30 and 32 are separated, 
a plurality of weights 35 may be added along the length of crank shaft 12. 
Crank shaft 12 may also be configured to include other separable regions 
therefore permitting great flexibility in the locations where weights may 
be added. Additionally, weights may be added to ends 24 and 26. 
The shape of weights 35 is such that they have an inner circular shape of a 
diameter allowing the weight to be removably secured about crank shaft 12. 
This could be accomplished with a friction fit or through the use of a 
threaded engagement (not shown). 
Throw member ends 36 and 38 are arranged in a telescoping relationship 
where receiving holes 40 and 42 align to receive bolt 44. Bolt 44 is 
secured by nut 46 and opposes the relative rotation of throw members 30 
and 32 about axis 34, thereby securing throw members 30 and 32 on either 
the same side of axis 34 or on opposite sides of axis 34. FIG. 1 
represents crank shaft 12 with throw members 30 and 32 secured on opposite 
sides of axis 34. The motion required to rotate crank shaft 12, when in 
this configuration, is similar to that required to rotate bicycle pedals. 
One hand (or leg) pushes while the other hand (or leg) pulls. 
Alternatively, FIG. 2 represents crank shaft 12 with throw members 30 and 
32 secured on the same side of axis 34. Here, the user's hands (or legs) 
work simultaneously as they push and pull to rotate crank shaft 12. 
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the 
sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments 
within the scope of the following claims.