Patent Publication Number: US-4225131-A

Title: Portable exercising device for multiple routines

Description:
This invention relates to exercising devices, and more particularly to a portable device with a small rebounding bed and an auxiliary frame which enables the user to practice a variety of routines including running in place, sit-ups and hand stands, as well as other exercises which are limited only to the imagination of the user. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a portable exercising device which can be easily dismantled for shipment and quickly assembled for use without the use of special tools. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device which can be attached to a small rebounding bed of known construction or similar device such as a small treadmill, or may be used alone to make it possible for the user to perform a variety of routines which cannot be performed by use of the rebounding bed alone. 
     Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following specification in connection with the annexed drawings, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1-3 are perspective views of a preferred form of portable exercising device constructed in accordance with the invention in which 
     FIG. 1 illustrates its use for jumping, or simulated running in place; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates its use for practicing sit-ups; 
     FIG. 3 shows the user doing a shoulder and hand stand; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of that portion of the device which is detachably connected to a small rebounding bed, and; 
     FIG. 5 is a vertical section looking towards the rebounding bed illustrating the manner in which the bed and auxiliary support are detachably joined together. 
    
    
     In the drawing the numeral 10 indicates generally, a small rebounding bed of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,590,049, numeral 11 indicates generally a framework for supporting hand grips, indicated generally at 12, leg supports indicated generally at 13, and shoulder pads indicated generally at 14. 
     The rebounding bed 10 is preferably rectangular and includes a horizontal framework 15 made of tubing which is supported by at least two outwardly and downwardly divergent legs 16 which may be provided with telescoping adjustable extension 16a, which allows the bed to be tilted as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be disposed in the horizontal position of FIG. 3. The bed itself consists of a flexible sheet secured by the frame 15 by a series of tensioned springs which may be connected to the frame by adjustable connectors to permit varying the spring tension and the springs may be covered on their upper sides by appropriate padding or by the interweaving of an elastic cord. 
     The auxiliary frame 11 is also preferably formed from tubular material which comprises a first tube 17 and a second tube 18. The first tube is generally U-shaped and formed to provide a pair of horizontal portions which support a pair of shoulder supporting pads 19 and terminate in a pair of down wardly extending legs 20 which may be provided with telescoping extensions 21 which can be adjusted in length by a pin inserted through opening 22. 
     The second tube 18 is generally L-shaped, and joined to the tube 17 so that one end 23 extends in an upward direction to telescopically engage with a vertically extending tubular section 24, the portion of which may be adjusted by a pin inserted through matching openings 25. The upper end of tube 24 supports a pair of outwardly extending hand grips 26 for use as shown in FIG. 1. The other end of tube 24 extends generally in a horizontal direction away from the first 17 and is joined, as by welding, to the center of a transverse horizontal member 27. 
     Horizontal member 27 is welded, or otherwise attached, at its respective ends to a pair of elongated half-sleeves 28 which are disposed angularly with respect to each so as to mate with the inner surfaces of legs 16 of the rebounding device. In this connection it should be noted that the length of the legs 20 of the exercise framework 11 should preferably be short enough so that with the extensions 21 fully retracted the framework 11 may rest in a level position on the floor or ground when used alone. Another elongated half-sleeves 29 is connected to the upper ends of the half-sleeves 28 by elements 30, or the half-sleeves 28 and 29 could be formed integrally. 
     The horizontal frame member 15 of the bed 10 may be provided with a pair of downwardly projecting bolts which may extend through matching holes drilled in half-sleeve 29 to receive wing nuts 31 which allow the half-sleeve 29 to be drawn upwardly toward frame member 15 when the device is assembled. In this connection it should be noted that the relationship between the half-sleeves 28 and the half-sleeve 29 is such that when the former are in firm engagement with the diverging legs 16 there will still remain some space between the horizontal members 15 and 29 to ensure the rigidity of the connection between the two assemblies 10 and 11. 
     The leg support 13 may comprise an elongated rod 32 which passes through one of a series of openings 33 drilled in the vertical extension 24, the protruding ends of the rod being fitted with cylindrical pads 34 to the legs of the user down when executing sit-ups, as shown in FIG. 2. If desired, the vertical tube 23 may extend upwardly a sufficient distance that openings in this tube can also be drilled to match with various ones of the openings 33 whereby the height of the hand grips 26 can be adjusted by removal and insertion of rod 32 instead of a separate pin inserted in openings 25. Either arrangement, however, will allow the adjustment of the grips 26 and pads 34 with respect to the plane of the rebounding bed 10 or the should pads 19. 
     Other objects and improvements will be obvious to those skilled in the art which would come within the scope of the annexed claims.