Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
Gymnastics, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertainedin and
by the following statement:-
The apparatus for gymnastic exercise as hereinafter described is preferably made
of tough wood, such as birch or ash and forged iron.
The size of the apparatus may be adapted to the size of the room it is to be
placed in.
The apparatus is illustrated on the accompanying drawings whereon:--
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation.
Figs. 3 and 4 show different applications of the apparatus.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views.
The new or improved apparatus consists principally of a ladder «, a beard B
(which is the same length as the ladder), a movable bar C, a bar D to be used as a
horizontal bar and a short board E.
The ladder a has usually a width of 22 to 24 inches (56 to 60 cm.) and a length
of about 3 yards (2·7 m.). The distance from one step to the next one is different
on different parts of the ladder. The ladder is to be fastened by two strong iron
hooks at such a height in the wall as to just let the lowest step touch the floor,
where it is advisable also to fasten it by two hooks.
The board B may be fastened by two hooks (Figs. 5 and 6) to two steps at the
middle or ends of the ladder as shown at Fig. 2. Besides the hooks there are two
more hooks or clamps 6 on this board, to fasten the other board E as explained
below. The respective hooks are marked b, and be on the drawings.
The
The movable triangle C has rails C' of 39 to 59 inches (1 to 15 meters) long.
These rails are supported by short vertical supports which are at right angles to
them and from which project inclined struts e' which support the outer ends of the
rails C. The supports which are connected with one another by three rungs c
are so shaped that they can easily slide along the side beams of the ladder a.
rails which form "parallel bars are connected together by iron bolts, which are
close to the ladder end of the rails as shown. The triangle hangs on two iron
hooks, which are preferably covered with leather, either from a step of the vertical
ladder or from an iron bar put through the two side beams of the ladder.
<
To use the apparatus as a horizontal bar the pole D must be fixed across the top
rails or parallel barsi of the triangle. It may be fixed in clamps as shown at g.
The short board E can be used as a seat or foot-board, when it is placed between
the rails of the triangle, and upon the horizontal bar and the bolts connecting the
rails. The middle of the longer board can also be strengthened with it when it is
used as a balancing board. In this case it will be fixed by the clamps b, aforesaid.
The method of arranging the balancing board. is by turning over the triangle C and
then fitting the boards B and E thereon as shown at Fig. 6.
When the lower end of the ladder is rested on the triangle C, the latter being
placed on the floor in different ways, the ladder can be inclined at a greater or
smaller angle as desired. If the triangle is hung upon one of the highest steps of
the ladder, a trapezium, a swing, or some swinging rings (which latter would be
otherwise rather difficult to fix) may be easily hung upon it.
According as the ladder is put nearer the vertical or more oblique, it may be
used by children for climbing or as a step ladder or stand for those gymnastic
exercises known as "Swedish." The iron rod when put between the steps may be

page_text: adapted to support larger or smaller feet so as to afford an orthopedic hanging
stretcher for deformed children &c.
The advantage of the new apparatus as compared with other apparatuses for
indoor gymnastics are:-
.
(1) Its varied applicability, namely for more than a hundred different exer-
cises, which would afford to anyone possessing the apparatus great pleasure and
attraction for a long time.
(2) The small space it requires ;
(3) The simple and easy way in which it can be adapted to the different exercises
for different ages within a few seconds.
Its being fastened to the wall and not to the ceiling.
(5) Its great durability.
(6) Its cheapness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) An apparatus for gymnastic exercises to be used by both children and
grown up people and composed of a ladder and a triangle, substantially as herein-
before described with reference to the drawings annexed.
(2) The combination with the apparatus herein before described of a horizontal
bar for fixing across the parallel bars of the triangle, substantially as hereinbefore
set forth.
(3) The combination with the apparatus herein before described of a balancing
board B and short board E substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 8th day of April 1891.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.