Patent Publication Number: US-5024433-A

Title: Manually adjustable ropes suspended therefrom

Description:
This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 07/297,257 filed as and international application PCT/NO88/00041 filed on May 11, 1988, as WO88/08730 on Nov. 17, 1988 now abandoned 
    
    
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for hoisting, pressing, stretching and keeping-fit exercises comprising a bar and two manually adjustable ropes each provided with supporting loops. 
     For a substantial time period conventional gymnastics rings were used for hoisting and pressing exercises both to rebuild a weakened body and for keeping-fit. Rings were also used for stretching or straining exercises, and the like with the user hanging from the rings at a certain level above the floor. Such conventional rings, however, were not very convenient to a person requiring a frequent changing of the exercises. For the various exercises it would be convenient to enable readjustment or resetting of the level of the rings above the floor in a simple and rapid manner. 
     By the apparatus according to the invention a variety of exercises can readily be achieved for rebuilding physical strength, keeping fit, and the like, independently of the length of the user. The user may, based on his or her own strength and desire, adapt the exercises to a selected force which is to be used for the various hoisting, pressing and stretching exercises. Thus, the user may combine any exercises, e.g. arm hoisting and leg pressing, stretching and leg pressing, stretching and leg pressing and arm pressing and leg pressing. 
     According to the invention this is achieved by an apparatus of the aforesaid kind which includes means for suspending the bar and the bar includes rope guides for turning the direction of the ropes, and associated cleat locks for temporarily locking the respective ropes whereby the ropes are easily releasable by withdrawing movements of the rope. 
     Preferably the bar is suspended from a roof (ceiling) structure by an articulated link to enable swinging movements of the bar by means of the ropes. 
     Optionally the bar is provided with rope pulleys and rope guides to guide the ropes in the desired directions. 
     The bar may be provided with a projection to which the cleat locks are secured. If desired, the bar may be provided with means for suspending the ropes. 
     The cleat locks may optionally be replaced by power driven winding means permitting remote operation for use by handicapped persons. 
     It is convenient for the bar proper to be designed to provide a suitable handgrip to permit straining exercises whereby the user is suspended from the bar. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages will appear from the following disclosure of two embodiments of the invention which is at present preferred and is shown in the drawings for illustrating purposes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view of the manually adjustable hoisting, pressing, stretching and keeping fit apparatus according to the present invention, 
     FIG. 2 presents the apparatus according to FIG. 1 in an end view, 
     FIG. 3 presents the apparatus according to FIG. 1 partly in section of the central area of the apparatus, and 
     FIG. 4 presents a diagrammatical view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. 
    
    
     In FIG. 1 reference number 1 designates the complete manually adjustable hoisting, pressing, stretching and keeping-fit apparatus suspended from a roof structure 9. The apparatus 9 includes a bar 2 which is suspended from the roof structure 9 via suspension means 10 which is preferably an articulated link. The link is preferably arranged in such a way that bar 2 is able to swing slightly in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. The bar 2 is provided with a projecting bracket 6 near its center and cleat locks 7 are secured to said bracket. Furthermore, the bar 2 is internally provided with outer pulleys 5 and inner pulleys 5&#39;. Said pulleys may obviously be replaced simply by shafts or guiding means in order to simplify the structure (FIG. 4). A rope 3 runs over and between the pairs of pulleys 5,5&#39; and extend downwards and out of the bar 2 at each end through guides 8. The ropes also extend downwards and out of bar 2 centrally, through cleat locks 7 and then hang down freely. At the opposite ends of the ropes 3 gripping loops 4 are provided. Said gripping loops 4 may consist of a flat padded material of such a design and dimension suitable for a wrist, or, if desired, an ankle or a heel. In addition the loops 4 are designed in such a way that rings having a suitable outside profile can be inserted in the loops 4 in order to act as gymnastics rings. Naturally, these rings may have a circular configuration or, if desired, a more triangular configuration. 
     FIG. 2 presents the apparatus in an end view clearly indicating the cross sectional profile of the bar 2. As shown the upper portion of the bar may be rounded to provide a good handgrip. The pulleys 5 are rotatable via axles inside the bar profile. Suspending means 10 is secured to the roof structure 9, e.g. by the aid of French wood screws or other suitable fastening means. As shown in FIG. 2, the suspending means 10 is a linkage permitting swinging movement perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the bar 2. The guide 8 provides good control of the rope 3 and causes a smooth and even junction for the rope 3 when swinging aside, as indicated by broken lines. 
     FIG. 3 presents a sectional view of the central portion of bar 2 including a mounted inner pulley 5&#39;, which is freely rotatable inside the bar profile. As previously stated, a projecting bracket 6 is attached to the central portion of bar 2, e.g. by a welded connection or a screw connection. The cleat locks 7 are in turn, secured to the bracket 6. The cleat locks 7 are of a kind known per se and are commonly used inter alia in yachts such as sailing boats, for rapid and reliable locking and releasing of ropes or lines. An example of such cleat lock made of a plastic material is a CLAMCLEAT (reg. trade mark) cleat lock. The locks 7 have a cross sectional profile presenting an internal wedge shape in which the rope 3 is inserted, the wedge shape being tapered towards the base of the lock. In addition, the side walls of the cleat lock are provided with inclined grooves, as indicated in FIG. 3. By moving the rope 3 upwards (FIG. 3) the rope is guided upwardly and into the cleat by means of said grooves which provides a reliable and quite immediate locking of the rope. When the rope is to be released for adjustment the rope 3 must be pulled downwards (according to FIG. 3) and out of the wedge, as indicated by broken lines. In this way the level of the gripping loops 4 can readily be adjusted by simple manipulation of the ropes 3 out of and into the cleat locks 7. 
     The apparatus may also be provided with a hook (not shown) or the like supporting a wound up coil of rope. The suspension means 10 including its linkage is, preferably, provided with a rapidly removable pivot for simple disassembly of the entire apparatus when it is to be used elsewhere.