Abstract:
An overhead exerciser for simulation of traveling suspended beneath a fixed horizontal ladder. The user is suspended freely from two depending levers, the reciprocation of the pair of levers simulating travel, although the person does not progress horizontally.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Apparatus to provide exercise on a single station device equivalent to traveling suspended along underneath a horizontal ladder. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A common gymnastic piece of apparatus comprises a ladder supported horizontally above the ground. The user launches himself underneath the ladder and with one hand grasps the first, rung of the ladder. Suspended from the first rung, the user swings himself toward the next rung. After he grasps it, he releases from the first rung and then swings his body so his free arm reaches for the third rung. 
         [0003]    Repeated sequentially the user travels the length of the ladder, underneath it and suspending himself by-his arms, alternately engaging his arms to successive rungs. This is a common apparatus in gymnasiums, provided for exercise of upper body muscles. The movement of the body along the ladder is caused by movements of the user&#39;s arms and torso. It requires substantial area of the gymnasium to be dedicated to this one type of exerciser. 
         [0004]    It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus enabling equivalent exercise, but requiring only the space and area respective to a single small group of rungs, without requiring the fixed rungs. It thereby makes available the advantages of this exercise in installations when space and rental considerations would otherwise preclude it. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A reactive exerciser is mounted to or suspended from a support stand that stations it well above a ▪ground▪ surface. The ground surface is one above which the user of the exerciser is supported by himself out of contact with the ground while using the device. Any floor of sufficient area is suitable for this. For most installations, the exerciser itself will be supported on a tower-like stand which rests on a floor. 
         [0006]    This exerciser utilizes a pair of hand grips each mounted to a respective pivoted lever, each lever is so disposed and arranged that directly or through linkage it is capable of unidirectionally driving a rotor in the same direction. They are so interconnected that each lever periodically oscillates between a forward and a rearward position, the position of each of them being reciprocal to the other, so that the exertions of the suspender (dangling) users drives the rotor. 
         [0007]    With this apparatus mounted above the surface, the user can engage grips on the levers as with a conventional ladder, and thereafter will exert himself in a manner very similar to traveling suspended under a ladder but without himself moving forwardly or rearwardly. In effect, the apparatus substitutes for a stationary ladder, but simulates movement along a ladder. 
         [0008]    The above and other features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation showing the apparatus in use; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an upward view taken at line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1  showing some of the mechanical features of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Exerciser  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  mounted to a tower-like stand (sometimes called a base)  11  that rests on a ▪ground▪ surface  12 . In the illustration, surface  12  may be the floor of a room. 
         [0012]    Base  11  comprises upright legs fixed to a frame  13  on the floor. Rungs  14  are fixed to legs  15 , 16  to enable a user to climb to an operating level. As can be seen, this lever is high enough that when the user utilizes the exerciser, his feet will clear the ground. It is essential of this invention that the user be a freely unsupported body suspended (dangling) from the exerciser out of contact with the ground surface. 
         [0013]    Exerciser  10  is mounted at the top of base  11 . A central hub  25  is the center of the exerted forces. A rotor  26 , in this device a wheel, is fixed to and rotates with the hub around axis  27 . A left hand lever  30  and a right hand lever  31  have respective hand grips  32 , 33  at their free ends. The grips are laterally spaced apart to accommodate the user&#39;s own dimensions. 
         [0014]    Both levers  30  and  31  are freely rotatable mounted to the hub, and include extensions  34 , 35  on the opposite sides of the axis for driving purposes to be described. 
         [0015]    The rotor is coupled to the levers by a unidirectional transmission now to be described. A phase gear  36  is conveniently a sprocket-type. It is rotatably mounted to the base. Respective rigid links  37 , 38  are fixed to gear  36  on opposite sides of it and an externally aligned with each other, extending in opposite directions from the phase gear. Gear  36  and links  37 , 38  are fixed to a common shaft  39 . 
         [0016]    Importantly, these arms are therefore 180 degrees out of phase with each other. Arms  40 , 41  respectively connect extensions  34 , 35 , to the ends of links  37  and  38 . Because of this, which-ever one of the levers  30  or  31  moves forwardly, the other will move backwardly. 
         [0017]    A chain  45  is drivingly connected to a reduction gear  46 , which is also a sprocket. It drives chain  47  that is drivingly connected to the hub. Thus, relative movement of the major levers causes rotation of the rotor. This is a unidirectional drive 
         [0018]    To provide resistance when desired, vanes  50  may be incorporated in the rotor, which may resemble a wheel, as shown. This restraint would be that of reaction with atmosphere. Alternatively, drag means such as a prony brake, disc brake, or compression brake may be provided as desired (not shown), which provide adjustable resistance. Once actuated, its inertia assists the alternating action of the handles. 
         [0019]    In use as shown the user  60  suspends himself from the exerciser by grasping the grips, and then exerts his torso to simulate traveling under a ladder by drawing the forward one of it legs rearwardly, and then the other. Ordinarily he will grasp only one of them tightly to pull himself ▪forward▪ and not impede the ▪returning▪ grip. In the next, he shifts his hanging weight and pulls back strongly on the other. Alternatively, he may ▪drive▪ both levers at the same time. 
         [0020]    This closely simulates the bodily functions exerted in traveling suspended under a fixed ladder, but in a device which utilizes much less area. This is a considerable advantage in training rooms and the like whose space is scarce and expensive. 
         [0021]    This invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the description, which is given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.