Improvements in Exercising Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left. 7th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 5th Feb., 1898
Date of Application, 5th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left. 7th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 5th Feb., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Exercising Machines.
I, BERNARD ADOLPHUS MCFADDEN, a citizen of the United States, and resident
of N.W. Corner 38th and Broadway, in the City of New York, in the County
and State of New York, U.S.A., Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to portable exercising apparatus adapted for home
gymnasiums, in which the work is obtained or performed by the expansion of an
india rubber or other suitable spring or springs.
range
of
The primary objects of my improvement are to combine in a single cord appa-
ratus the advantage of obtaining a long range of hand movement for a short
spring movement, giving comparatively uniform spring resistance for all positions
of the hands, together with the advantage of independent motion of the hands,
so that the arms may be exercised with universal motions simultaneously or
alternately; to adapt the machine to be changed in a moment from one position
to another, enabling the operator to use it as an ordinary gymnasium chest weight
pulling from above, as a rowing machine, or a machine with a two-handle pull
from the floor, or with one handle pull from the floor, or with one handle pull
from above, or as a child's machine with point of resistance three to four feet high,
without need for different points of attachment (which are objectionable because
the attachments mar the wood-work); and furthermore, to overcome the tenacious,
chugging, too speedy return tension (which is objected to very emphatically by
physical culture experts almost universally) which is incident to the use of rubber
or elastic cords as heretofore employed in devices of this same general character.
Further objects are to economize in space, reduce the cost of manufacture of
this class of exercisers, and to increase the durability and efficiency of such
devices.
With these objects in view my invention consists essentially of a single cord
exercising apparatus comprising a movable pulley or pulleys and a plurality of
fixed pulleys, combined with a spring or springs connecting the movable pulley
or pulleys with a fixture, and a non-elastic cord having both of its ends free
and which is continuous and unattached to any fixed point but passes about and
connects with free running movement said fixed and movable pulleys, so as to
give it unlimited freedom and variety of movement, while the spring or springs
of short dimension afford economy of construction as well as uniform resistance,
with capability of varying the resistance of the springs to suit different indi-
viduals, as adults and children, or men and women.
In its most simple form the apparatus comprises essentially a spring or springs
adapted for attachment at one end to a fixture and having a pulley secured at
the other end thereof, so that said pulley may move as the spring is distended and
contracted, together with a pair of pulleys attached to a suitable holder or
adapted for attachment to a suitable support arranged at a distance from the
aforesaid fixture, and an unattached, non-elastic single cord passing about and
connecting said movable and fixed pulleys and having both of its extremities free

page_text: .
and provided with suitable handles, whereby the aforesaid cord may be distended
with free running movement between said spring and support.
The primary object, however, being to obtain the greatest movement possible
of the hand cords with small spring motion, I prefer to multiply the sheaves or
pulleys as far as practicable or desirable, and to this end the preferred form of
exercising apparatus embodying my invention; comprises an elastic spring or
springs secured to or adapted for attachment at one end to a fixture and carrying
at the other end thereof a pair of pulleys, together with a holder carrying three
pulleys and adapted for attach nient to a suitable si s
support remote from said fixture,
and a single, unattached, non-elastic, acord passing about and connecting said
movable and fixed pulleys and having both extremities thereof free and provided
with suitable handles ;., said, non-elastic cord being and holder, so as to adapt
adapted to be distended with
free running movement between' said spring or springs'
the movable pulleys to be drawn toward or recede from the pulleys carried by or
secured to the fixed support
support by pulling on said handle
1)
.
or
In that form of my invention in which the sheaves or pulleys are multiplied,
Suitable hooks or other fastening means may be attached to a wall, door-casing, or
other suitable support at the required distance apart, and to the upper hook on
fastening is removably' secured a holder carrying three sheaves or pulleys, which
may be suspended from said holder, the two outer pulleys being preferably
swivelled thereto, and, to the lower hook or fastening is attached or removably
secured by a ring or otherwise one end of an elastic spring or springs at the other
end of which is secured a suitable holder, carrying a pair of pulleys! A single
-non-clastic cord, which may consist of."bell-rope "..or other suitable: material,
passes, over the first pulley of the, upper set, thence downwardly under one of the
pulleys of the lower set, thence upwardly over the intermediate upper pulley,
thence down under, the other lower pulley, and up over the remaining fouter pulley,
of the upper set, and to the free ends of said cord are attached suitable handles,
whereby the cord is adapted to connect said pulleys with a free running move-
ment, so that either, or both ends of the cord may be drawn' against: the resistance
of the spring, or: springs, and as the cord' is pulled the moyable pair (of, pulleys
will be drawn toward the fixed pulleys and will recede therefrom when the pull
on the cord is released, thus permitting a great variety of movements with the
advantages herein mentioned.;
i.
९
Any or all of the pulleys may be swivelled to the holders; or their supports, but
the outer pulleys of the Jupper set are preferably, swivelled in separate blocks' to
allow freedom for opposed: lateral motions of the handles.
When both handles are drawn out simultaneously the upper central sheave
or pulley remains practically inactive, the spring or springs connected withi the
movable pulleys: expanding one-half of the distancevat, which both handles are
pulled out together. At any point of distention of the spring the handles may be
worked alternately, owing to the freedom of travel of the single cord over the
central sheavesor pulley. By holding one handle stationary the other.handle
may be worked with the same resistance as is given when the handle is sbeing
worked; the spring expanding one-fourth of the distance through which the
single handle is moved: When single movement is to be continued tone handle
may be allowed to remain stationary against one of the outer: upper pulleys, or,
if stronger tension and less range beidesired, may be hooked on to the lower hook
or connected with some fixture and the remaining one operated. The apparatus
may be inverted for "floor" movements, the hanger carrying the fixed pulleys
being placed on the lower hook and the spring having litsfend secured to the upper
hook to th
me
In the more simple form of my. invention herein before..referred to a single
shcave or pulley is:connected at ones end of the spring the other end of which is
connected to the lower hook or fastening, while two sheaves or pulleys are
connected with a holder which is secured to the upper hook or fastening, and a
single non-elastic unattached cord passes over one of the upper sheaves, thence
qiz
daw
F
D

page_text: downwardly under the lower sheave, thence up and over the remaining upper
sheave, so as to leave both ends of the said cord free, and to said ends may be
attached any suitable handles; the non-elastic cord in this instance having a
single bight in lieu of a double one in the form first described, and the single
sheave in this latter construction corresponding in function with the intermediate
sheave in the upper set in the said first described construction.
One, two or more springs may be employed and may be so connected that any
one or more of said springs may be attached and detached at will to vary the
strength of the spring.
In still another form of my invention I may provide two rubber or other springs
each connected to a fixture at one end and carrying a sheave or pulley at its free
end, and an upper holder carrying two sheaves or pulleys which are hung or
swivelled thereto, while a non-clastic cord is fixed to the holder at its center (or
two cords might be similarly arranged) with each of its ends passed downwardly
under one of the sheaves secured to one of said springs and thence upwardly and
over one of the upper sheaves; a handle being provided at its outer free end.
Dated "this 23rd day of June, A.D. 1897.
·J
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BERNARD ADOLPHUS MCFADDEN.
F. Wise Howorth,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
ACICISTg machines.
I, BERNARD ADOLPHUS MCFADDEN, a citizen of the United States, and resident:
of N.W. Corner 38th and Broadway, in the City of New York, in the County
of New York, and State of New York, U.S.A., Manager, do hereby declare -the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, -to- be
particularly.. described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
-.
My invention relates to portable exercising apparatus adapted for home
gymnasiums, in which the work is obtained or performed by the expansion of an
india rubber or other suitable spring or springs."
-
The primary objects of my improvement are to combine in a single cord appa-
ratus the advantage of obtaining a long range of hand movement for a short range of
spring movenient, giving comparatively uniform spring resistance for all positions
of the hands, together with the advantage of independent motion of the hands,.
so that the arms may be exercised with universal motions simultaneously or
alternately; to adapt the machine to be changed in a moment from one position
to another, enabling the operator to use it as an ordinary gymnasium chest weight.
pulling from above, as a rowing machine, or a machine with a two-handle pull
from the floor, or with one handle pull from the floor, or with one handle pull
from above, or as a child's machine with point of resistance three to four feet high,
without need for different points of attachment (which are objectionable because
the attachments mar the wood-work); and furthermore, to overcome the tenacious,
chugging, too speedy return tension (which is objected to very emphatically by
physical culture experts almost universally) which is incident to the use of rubber
or elastic cords as heretofore employed in devices of this same general character.
Further objects are to economize in space, reduce the cost of manufacture of
this class of exercisers, and to, 'increase the durability and efficiency of such
devices.
L
With these objects in view. my invention consists essentially of a single cord
exercising apparatus comprising a movable pulley or pulleys and a plurality of

page_text: fixed pulleys, combined with a spring or springs connecting the movable pulley
or pulleys with a fixture, and a non-elastic cord having both of its ends free
and which is continuous and unattached to any fixed point but passes about and
connects with free running movement said fixed and movable pulleys, so as to
give it unlimited freedom and variety of movement, while the spring or springs
of short dimension afford economy of construction as well as uniform resistance,
with capability of varying the resistance of the springs to suit different indi-
viduals, as adults and children, or, men and women.
In the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated several forms of my
invention and its use in different positions,
Figure 1, (Sheet 1) represents a front elevation of my preferred form of
exerciser;
Figure 2, is a side elevation of the same;
Figure 3, is a front elevation of a modified form of exerciser;
Figure 4, (Sheet 2) is a perspective view of the exerciser shown in Figure 1,
illustrating its use with a one-handle pull from above;
Figure 5, is a similar view illustrating its use with a one-handle pull from the
floor or below;
Figure 6, (Sheet 3) is a perspective view of the same exerciser, illustrating its
use with a two-handle pull from the floor or below; the operator in an erect
position;
Figure 7, is a perspective view of the exerciser, illustrating its use with a two-
handle pull from the floor; the operator being seated;
Figure 8, (Sheet 4) is a perspective view of the exerciser illustrating its use as
a child's machine with the point of resistance lowered;
Figure 9, is a perspective view of the exerciser in the reverse position from that
shown in Figure 8, illustrating its use as a child's machine with the point of
resistance from three to four feet high;
Figure 10 represents a front elevation of another modification of the exerciser;
and
Figure 11 is a detail illustrating a preferred form of sheave or pulley for use
with the exerciser.
to
a
In its most simple form as shown in Figure 3, for example, the apparatus com-
prises essentially a spring or springs adapted for attachment at one end to a
fixture and having a pulley secured at the other end thereof, so that said pulley
may move as the spring is distended and contracted, together with a pair of
pulleys attached a suitable holder
to
or adapted for attachment
at distance
support arranged at
from the aforesaid fixture,
and an
connect-
unattached, non-elastic single cord passing about and
ing said movable and fixed pulleys and having both of its extremities
free and provided with suitable handles, whereby the aforesaid cord may be
distended with free running movement between said spring and support.
suitable
The primary object, however, being to obtain the greatest movement possible
of the hand cords with small spring motion, I prefer to multiply the sheaves or
pulleys as far as practicable or desirable, and to this end the preferred form of
exercising apparatus embodying my invention comprises an elastic spring or
springs secured to or adapted for attachment at one end to a fixture and carrying
at the other end thereof a pair of pulleys together with a holder carrying three
pulleys and adapted for attachment to a suitable support remote from said fixture,
and a single, unattached, non-elastic cord passing about and connecting said
movable and fixed pulleys and having both extremities thereof free and provided
with suitable handles; said non-elastic cord being adapted to be distended with
free running movement between said spring or springs and holder, so as to adapt
the movable pulleys to be drawn toward or recede from the pulleys carried by or
secured to the fixed support by pulling on said handles.
In that form of my invention shown in Figures 1 & 2 in which the sheaves or
pulleys are multiplied, suitable hooks as D, E, or other fastening means may be

page_text: attached to a wall, door-casing, or other suitable support F at the required distance
apart, and to the upper hook or fastening is removably secured a holder G carry-
ing the three sheaves or pulleys 1, 2, 3, which may be suspended from said
holder, the two outer pulleys being preferably swivelled thereto, and to the lower
hook or
fastening E is attached or removably secured by a ring I or otherwise
one end of an elastic spring or springs A at the other end of which is secured
a suitable holder H carrying a pair of pulleys 4, 5. A single non-elastic cord B,
which may consist of bell-rope" or other suitable material, passes over the first
pulley of the upper set, thence downwardly under one of the pulleys of the lower
set, thence upwardly over the intermediate upper pulley, thence down under the
other lower pulley, and up over the remaining outer pulley of the upper set, and to
the free ends of said cord are attached suitable handles, C, C, whereby the cord
is adapted to connect said pulleys with a free running movement, so that either or
both ends of the cord may be drawn against the resistance of the spring or springs,
and as the cord is pulled the movable pair of pulleys will be drawn toward the
fixed pulleys and will recede therefrom when the pull on the cord is released,
thus permitting a great variety of movements with the advantages herein
mentioned.
Any or all of the pulleys may be swivelled to the holders, or their supports,
but the outer pulleys of the upper set are preferably swivelled in separate blocks
to allow freedom for opposed lateral motions of the handles.
When both handles are drawn out simultaneously the upper central sheave or
pulley remains practically inactive, the spring or springs connected with the
movable pulleys expanding one-half of the distance at which both handles are
pulled out together. At any point of distention of the spring the handles may
be worked alternately, owing to the freedom of travel of the single cord over the
central sheave or pulley. By holding one handle stationary the other handle
may be worked with the same resistance as is given when the handle is being
worked; the spring expanding one-fourth of the distance through which the single
handle is moved. When single movement is to be continued one handle may be
allowed to remain stationary against one of the outer upper or lower pulleys,
as shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively, or, if stronger tension and less range
be desired, may be hooked on to the lower hook or connected with some fixture
floor
and the remaining one operated. The apparatus may be inverted for
movements, the hanger carrying the fixed pulleys being placed on the lower hook
and the spring having its end secured to the upper hook, as illustrated in
Figures 5, 6 and 7.
"
دو
In the more simple form of my invention herein before referred to and illustrated
in Figure 3, a single sheave or pulley 6 is connected at one end of the spring, the
other end of which is connected to the lower hook or fastening, E, while two
sheaves or pulleys 7, 8, are connected with a holder G¹, which is secured to the
upper hook or fastening D, and a single non-elastic unattached cord B, passes over
one of the upper sheaves, thence downwardly under the lower sheave, thence up
and over the remaining upper sheave, so as to leave both ends of the said cord
free, and to said ends may be attached any suitable handles C, C; the non-elastic
cord in this instance having a single bight in lieu of a double one in the form
first described, and the single sheave in this latter construction corresponding in
function with the intermediate sheave in the upper set in the said first described
construction.
One, two or more springs may be employed, as illustrated in Figure 4, and may
be so connected that any one or more of said springs may be attached and detached
at will to vary the strength of the spring.
In still another form of my invention (shown in Figure 10) I may provide two
rubber or other springs A¹, A', each connected to a fixture E2 at one end and
5 carrying a sheave or pulley 9, at its free end, and an upper holder 1)² carrying
two sheaves or pulleys 10, which are hung or swivelled thereto, while a non-.
elastic cord B¹, is fixed to the holder D³ at its center (or two cords might be

page_text: similarly arranged) with each of its ends passed downwardly under one of the
sheaves 9, secured to one of said springs and thence upwardly and over one of the
upper sheaves 10; a handle C² being provided 'at its outer free end.
I have shown in detail in Figure 11 a preferred form of sheave or pulley which
may be employed in the manufacture of my exerciser, in which a bearing of
fibrous material is provided, to avoid the noise incident to the use of a roller having
a metallic bearing. In said figure K. denotes. the metal roller or sheave having_a
sleeve or bushing of fiber k, to receive the spindle, projecting from a screw L,
which latter is adapted to be screwed into one of the arms, m, of the holder M,
and on which the pulley revolves, thus providing a bearing that will run without
noise, even when not oiled, and which at the same time is durable in use.
In Figures 4 to 7 of the drawings, (Sheets 2 and 3) I have illustrated different
uses of the exerciser in different positions. In Figure 4 a man is represented
as using the exerciser with a one-handle pull from above. In this figure a single
spring A connects the movable pulleys with the lower fixture, while two similar
springs a, a, are shown connected with the fixture at one end, but detached from
the holder of the movable pulleys; the several springs being adapted to be
attached or disconnected at will, for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the
tension, as may be desired, to adapt the exerciser for use by different persons whose
strength may not be the same, or by women and children. In Figure 5 the
exerciser is shown in a reversed position from that illustrated in Figure 4, illus-
trating its use with a one-handle pull from the floor. Figure 6 illustrates the
use of the exerciser in the position shown in Figure 5, with a two-handle pull
from the floor; the operator being in an erect position while in Figure 7 a similar
use is illustrated with the operator in a sitting posture.
Figure 8 illustrates the use of the exerciser by a child, in which case the point
of resistance, (three or four feet from the floor) is lowered as the pull increases.
Figure 9 illustrates the use of the exerciser by a child, in a reversed position from
that shown in Figure 8, in which case the point of resistance is raised as the
pull increases. It will be understood, of course, that the exerciser may be arranged
in different positions and attached in any suitable manner, to a wall, door casing,
or other fixture, where ever it may be most convenient or desirable to use it.
.
Having thus fully described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. An exercising apparatus comprising a spring having a pulley or pulleys
secured thereto and adapted for attachment to a fixture, so that said pulleys may
move as the spring is distended and contracted, a plurality of pulleys adapted
for attachment to a suitable support arranged at a distance from said fixture, and
an unattached non-elastic single cord passing about said movable and fixed pulleys
and having both extremities free and provided with handles, whereby the cord
may be distended with free running movement between said spring and support,
substantially as described.
2. An exercising apparatus comprising an elastic spring adapted for attachment.
at one end to a fixture and carrying at its other end a pair of movable pulleys,
together with a holder adapted for attachment to a suitable support remote from..
said fixture and having three fixed pulleys attached thereto, and a single un-:
attached non-elastic cord passing about said movable and fixed pulleys and having
both extremities free and provided with handles, said non-elastic cord being
adapted to be distended with free running movement between said spring and
holder, substantially as described.
3. An exerciser comprising a pair of springs adapted for attachment at one end.
to a fixture and each carrying a pulley or sheave at its free end adapted to move
as the spring is distended, a holder carrying a pair of pulleys adapted to be.
secured to a fixed support a suitable distance from said movable pulleys, and a
non-elastic cord or cords secured between its ends to said holder and having.
both ends free; each of said ends being passed under or over one of said movable.

page_text: pulleys, thence back and over one of said fixed pulleys and carrying a handle at
its free end, substantially as described.
4. An exercising apparatus comprising an elastic spring carrying a ring at one
end for attachment to a fixture, and having at its opposite end a holder to which
are attached two pulleys, a second holder adapted for attachment to a support at
a distance from said movable pulleys, and having three pulleys connected thereto,
and a single unattached non-elastic cord passing about the several movable and
fixed pulleys from one to the other and having both extremities thereof free and
provided with handles; said cord being adapted to be distended with free run-
ning movement between said holders, so as to connect the same and adapt the
movable pulleys to be drawn toward or recede from the pulleys attached to the
fixed support, substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of October 1807
BERNARD ADOLPHUS MCFADDEN.
F. Wise Howorth,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.