Improvements in Exercising Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1890-Accepted, 26th Apr., 1890
Improvements in Exercising Apparatus.
A communication from GEORGE S. SANBORN, of Lynn, in the County of Essex,
and State of Massachusetts, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., 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 :-
1
•
This invention relates to improvements in exercising apparatus in which a
representation of a human figure, constructed wholly or in part of resilient or elastic
material, is struck by the fist and bent away from the blow a distance depending on
the force thereof.
I
The object of this invention is to produce a more attractive exercising apparatus of
this class and to afford an exercise similar to that of an actual boxing contest.
accomplish this object by the mechanism of which the accompanying drawings are
an illustration.
Figure 1 shows a side view of the apparatus. A is a representation of a human
figure constructed wholly or in part of resilient or elastic material and firmly fastened
to the base d. E represents a flexible strap used to control the motion of the figure A.
T represents a curved rail running partially around the figure A, supported by
standards, and at a point in the rear of the figure held in position by a springs, the
springs being wound round a rod fixed to the rail and passing through the centre of
the block o, as shown in figure 2. The figure a shows one of the positions that may
be assumed by the figure A after receiving the blow. When the figure is brought in
contact with the rail T, the rod passing through the springs is forced downward
through the block o, and by any simple mechanical device may be made to indicate
the force of the blow. When the force of the blow is overcome, the figure, through
its own elasticity or resilience, tends to resume its original position, but by the
momentum gained in so doing is carried beyond that position until checked by the
regulating-strap E, assuming the position shown in figure a. By lengthening or
shortening the strap E the movements of the figure may be confined within any
desired limit. The arms of the figure a, being themselves constructed of resilient or
elastic material, would, in the positions a and a¹ of the figure, assume the position.
shown in said figures; and when the motion of the figure is suddenly checked by the
regulating-strap E the arms will be thrown forward with considerable velocity, forcing
a person using the apparatus to retire quickly to avoid a smart blow. Positions a
and a are chosen simply as convenient illustrations. The figure A, bending freely in
any direction, may assume an indefinite number of positions, depending on the force
and the direction of the blow. The arms, through the motion of the figure and the
momentum acquired, are constantly changing their position.
The details of construction of the figure are shown in figure 2, a front view of
the apparatus.
vand represent closely-wound spiral springs firmly fixed at the
base and to the body of the figure, which is of itself made of wood or other light
material. 9 and gl represent two closely wound spiral springs bent in such a manner
as to form elbows to the fore-arms w and w³, being fastened at one extremity to the
shoulders of the figure and having the other extremity free, the free extremity
carrying a boxing glove or pad. f represents a similar spring forming the neck of the
figure. b and show the position of the figuro B after receiving a side blow. All
parts of the figure above the belt, as shown in Fig. 1, are covered with a thick
covering of padding or soft material, so that it may be safely struck with the bare
fist, but such covering may be omitted from part of the back of the figure.

page_text: Fig. 3 shows a horizontal view of the curved rail, the two small circles indicating
the position of the base of the figure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
foreign correspondent, who does not consider the invention limited to the arrange-
ment of springs above described. I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination of the base and a representation of a human figure mounted
thereon and constructed wholly or in part of resilient or elastic material, substantially
as set forth.
2. The combination of the base and a representation of a human figure mounted
thereon having legs constructed wholly or in part of resilient or elastic material,
substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of the base and a representation of a human figure mounted
thereon having arms constructed wholly or in part of resilient or elastic material,
substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of the base and a representation of a human figure mounted
thereon having a neck constructed wholly or in part of resilient or elastic material,
substantially as set forth.
5. The combination of the base and a representation of a human figure mounted
thereon and constructed wholly or in part of resilient or elastic material, and a
flexible strap used to control the motion of the same, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of the base and a representation of a human figure mounted
thereon and firmly fixed thereto, but bending freely in any direction, and a spring
acting to keep said figure in an upright position, all substantially as set forth.
Dated this 21st day of March 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.