GYMNASTIC APPARATUS WORKED BY MACHINE POWER
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gustaf Zander, Doctor Medicine, of Stockholm, in the
Kingdom of Sweden, for an Invention of "GYMNASTIC APPARATUS WORKED
BY MACHINE POWER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Gustaf Zander at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th January 1881.
GUSTAF ZANDER, Doctor Medicine, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden.
"GYMNASTIC APPARATUS WORKED BY MACHINE POWER."
This Invention relates to gymnastic apparatus which have for object to produce
various mechanical effects on the human body, such as extensions, shakings,
choppings, rubbings, kneadings, rolling, etc. These apparatus are worked by
machine power, and the intensity of their action can be easily regulated and modified
in various ways to suit different purposes.
An arrangement for expanding the chest according to my Invention is as
follows: A shaft provided with fast and loose pulleys drives a second shaft by
means of spur gearing. On this second shaft is keyed an eccentric disc giving
movement to a vertically sliding rod guided by bearings. In order to diminish
friction, the rod is provided at its lower end with an anti-friction roller running on
the periphery of the excentric.
The upper end of a connecting rod is jointed to a crosshead on the upper part of
the vertically sliding rod, and its lower extremity is provided with a sliding con-
nexion adjustable along a horizontal lever, and capable of being secured by a set
screw. This horizontal lever is moveable round its axis, and is provided at its
outer end with a weight. The oscillatory movement of the lever communicates an
oscillatory movement to a rocking shaft by means of a connecting rod and an arm.
This shaft carries two adjustable arms which support forks that rise and descend
by reason of the oscillatory movement of the rocking shaft. Situated between and
rather behind the forks is a back piece, which receives a forward movement every
time that the forks rise. Springs are provided to give the necessary elasticity to
the action of the forks and back piece on the body of the patient.
The object of this part of the apparatus is to extend the trunk and to dilate the
thorax. The patient sits on a chair, places his arms in the forks, and supports
himself against the back piece. The chair can be raised or lowered, so that in
their lowest position the forks exercise a light pressure under the arm pits. The
back piece may be raised or lowered according to the height of the patient. The
extent of the rise of the forks and the movement of the back piece is determined by
D
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page_text: the position of the sliding connexion on the horizontal lever. The pressure of the
back piece is also dependent on the tension of its spring.
In an arrangement for giving a to and fro movement to various parts of the body,
a driving shaft carries two cranks. A connecting rod from one crank acts directly
on one of the ends of an oscillating board, the other end of which is supported in
bearings. A second connecting rod acts by means of an arm on a vertical rocking
shaft oscillating in bearings. On this shaft is a slide capable of moving vertically,
but prevented from turning by a feather key. It may be fixed at the desired
height by means of a set screw. In this slide a rod is carried that is moveable
horizontally, and which may also be fixed by a screw.
Various appliances may be
arranged at the end of this rod, such as cushions, handles, and the like, according to
the special use to which the apparatus is being put. Vibratory movements of
different parts of the human body are produced by means of the oscillating
table or by means of the appliances, which may be arranged on the horizontal rod.
When the desired effect on the patient is to be produced by percussion the
apparatus is arranged as follows:-The driving shaft transmits rotation to a second
shaft which carries various cranks communicating, by means of connecting rods, an
angular to and fro movement to a number of vertical rods, to which may be fixed
various different appliances according to the special application of the apparatus for
the time being. The vibrating rods may be raised or lowered at will. The patient
places himself in such a position that the machine may operate on the desired
part.
In an arrangement for producing torsion-oscillation of the lower part of the
human trunk I provide a driving shaft, which actuates a vertical shaft by means
of bevil gearing. A crank on this shaft communicates by means of a rod an
oscillatory circular movement to a vertical spindle which carries a seat and a foot
support. The seat is provided underneath with three grooves corresponding to ribs
on a plate or disc fixed to the shaft, and can be arranged in two positions. The
object of this part of my apparatus is to produce alternate contraction and expansion
of the muscles of the trunk and ligaments of the vertebral column.
The move-
The trunk of the patient is rolled by an arrangement in which a fixed axis is
provided with five pulleys, two of them being stepped cones or double speed pulleys,
and two of them driving pulleys, and the fifth a loose pulley. Each of the driving
pulleys is connected to one of the speed pulleys by a finger or carrier.
ment of the driving pulleys is transmitted to a pulley or a short vertical spindle
by an endless belt passing over the speed pulleys, round guide pulleys, and under
a tightening pulley or snatch block hanging freely. On the shaft is an adjustable
arm that gives to the seat which is mounted in the form of a saddle upon a
universal joint a conical movement of rotation or nutation. The amplitude of the
oscillations is determined by the position of the arm, and the velocity of the move-
ment may be modified according as the driving belt passes over the one or the
other of the diameters of the stepped cone pulleys.
The arms of the patient are subjected to friction by the following arrangement :-
A driving shaft carries a crank disc communicating by means of a rod a to and fro
angular movement to an arm fixed on a second shaft, on which is a pulley. An
endless belt passes over this pulley partially round two guide pulleys and under a
tightening pulley. At two points of this belt are fixed double friction pads, which
move in opposite directions the one to the other. The tightening pulley is mounted
in a fork of a lever, and is subject to the action of a moveable counter weight
which regulates the tension of the friction pads. By means of a cord and a lever
the tension of the belt and pads can be instantly relieved. On the frame of the
apparatus is mounted a fork, carrying a telescopic moveable rod provided with a
handle. The object of this part of the apparatus is to produce friction of the arms
and the kneading of their muscles.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Gustaf Zander in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th July
1881.
GUSTAF ZANDER, Doctor Medicine, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden.
"GYMNASTIC APPARATUS WORKED BY MACHINE POWER."
This Invention relates to gymnastic apparatus which have for object to produce
various mechanical effects on the human body, such as extensions, shakings,
choppings, rubbings, kneadings, rolling, etc., and has for object to exercise the
muscles, and to produce different mechanical effects on the human frame. These
apparatus are worked by machine power, and the intensity of their action can be
easily regulated and modified in various ways to suit different purposes. To these
apparatus I give the name apparatus for passive movements as opposed to apparatus
for active movements put in movement by the muscular force of the patient.
These apparatus produce different mechanical actions on the human body, according
to the manner of their arrangements.
Referring to the accompanying Sheets of Drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation,
and Fig. 2 a side elevation of an apparatus according to my Invention for expanding
the chest. The shaft a, on which are the fast and loose pulleys b and c, drives the
shaft d by means of the spur gearing e. On the shaft d is keyed a cam or
eccentric disc f, which gives movement to the vertically sliding rod g guided in the
bearings h and i. In order to diminish friction the rod g is provided at its lower
end with the antifriction roller k, running on the periphery of the cam or eccentric
disc. is a connecting rod jointed at its upper end to the crosshead m on the
rod g, and provided at its lower extremity with the sliding connection n, adjustable
along the horizontal lever o, and arranged to be secured in any given position by a
set screw. o is a lever moveable round the axis p, and provided with a weight q
at its outer end, its other end being forked, the bifurcation commencing at the
point marked The lever o communicates oscillatory movement to the rocking
shaft by means of the connecting rods and the arm u. Upon this shaft v are
the two adjustable arms x, x, carrying the forks y, y, which rise and fall by means
of the oscillatory movement of the rocking shaft v. Situated between and rather
behind the forks is the backpiece 2, which, by means of the rod t, receives a forward
movement every time the forks rise. The springs a¹ and 61 are provided to give
the necessary elasticity to the action of the forks and back piece on the body of
the patient.
The object of this apparatus is to extend the trunk and to dilate the thorax.
The patient sits upon the seat c', places his arms in the forks, and supports himself
against the back piece. The seat can be raised or lowered so that the forks in
their lowest position exercise a light pressure under the arm pits.
The back piece
may be raised or lowered according to the height of the patient. The extent of the
rise and of the movement of the back piece is determined by the position of the
sliding connexion n on the lever o. The pin d serves to regulate the tension of
the spring b', upon which the pressure of the back piece is dependent.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation, and Fig. 4 a side elevation of an apparatus according
to this Invention for acting on the patient by percussion. a is a rapidly rotating
shaft connected to the telescopic shaft b by a universal joint. The shaft c is
coupled to the shaft b by a second universal joint, and is provided with a number
of cranks, which communicate by means of the connecting rods d an angular to
and fro movement to a number of vertical rods e, to which may be fixed various
different appliances, according to the special application of the apparatus for the
time being. g is the fly wheel; h, the stopping and starting lever; and i, a hand
wheel for raising and lowering the rods.

page_text: In using the apparatus the patient places himself in such a position that the
appliances of suitable form may operate on the desired part of his body.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation, and Fig. 6 a plan of an apparatus for producing torsion
oscillation of the lower part of the trunk; Fig. 7 is a plan of the centre of the seat
drawn to a larger scale.
The driving shaft a rotates by means of bevil gearing the vertical shaft b. This
shaft is provided with a crank c, and communicates by means of the rod da
vibratory movement about its vertical axis to the vertical spindle e, which carries
the seat fand the foot rest g. The centre of the seat is provided underneath with
three grooves m, n, o, (see Fig. 7) corresponding to the tenon p fixed to the shaft e,
and can be arranged in three positions. h is a curved bar movable on the rod i,
and which can be fixed thereto in any suitable position; k is the stopping and
starting lever.
The object of this apparatus is to produce alternate contraction and expansion of
the muscles that effect the torsion of the trunk and the ligaments of the vertebral
column. The patient sits on the chair, and a belt is buckled over his thighs; his
feet are placed on the support g, and his back rests against the bar h, the curved
ends of which ought to be surrounded by his arms. In the position in which the
apparatus is shown in the Drawings the movement is equal on both sides of the
longitudinal axis of the seat. If a movement to one side, either to the right or
the left, is required, the seat is raised and turned so that the tenon on the shaft
engages with one of the diagonal grooves on the under side of the seat.
Fig. 8 is a front elevation of an apparatus for imparting a rolling motion to the
trunk of the patient, and Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same. Upon the fixed
axis a are five pulleys b, c, d, e, and f; e and ƒ are stepped cones or double speed
pulleys; b and d are driving pulleys; and c is an idle pulley. The driving pulley b
is connected to the cone pulley e by the stud or carrier q, and the driving pulley d
to the cone pulley f by the carrier h. The movement of the driving pulley is
transmitted to the pulley on the short vertical spindle n by an endless belt
passing over the speed pulleys e and f, and round the guide pulleys i & k. This
belt is stretched by the tightening pulley or snatch block m hanging freely. On
the shaft n is an adjustable armo and rod p that give to the seat q, which is
mounted in the form of a saddle upon a universal joint, a conical movement of
rotation or nutation. The amplitude of oscillation is determined by the position
The velocity of the movement may be modified according as the
driving pulley passes over one or other of the diameters of the stepped cone pulleys
e & f. The patient is seated astride on the saddle, and endeavours to hold the
upper part of the trunk as still as possible.
of the arm o.
Fig. 10 is a front elevation and Fig. 11 a side elevation of an apparatus for
subjecting the arms of the patient to friction. On the driving shaft a is fixed the
fly wheel b, in which is a crank pin which communicates, by means of the rod c, a
to and fro angular movement to the arm d fixed on the shaft e on which is also
the pulley f. An endless belt passes over this pulley under the tension pulley g
and under the two guide pulleys h & i. At two points of this belt are fixed the
double friction pads k, l, which move in opposite directions the one to the other.
The tightening pulley g is mounted in a fork of the lever m, which is movable round
the centre n, and carries an adjustable counterweight o which regulates the tension of
the friction pads. The weight p counterbalances the tightening pulley. At the
extremity of the lever is a cord passing round the pulley for the purpose of
instantly relieving the tension of the belt and pads. On the frame of the appa-
ratus is mounted the fork s carrying a telescopic movable rod provided with the
handle t, and capable of sliding in the direction of its length; n is the stopping and
starting lever. The object of this apparatus is to produce friction of the arms and
the kneading of their muscles. The patient sits on the seat v, which can be raised
or lowered by means of the crank fly wheel x, at such a height that his arm can
pass horizontally between the friction belts and his hand can grasp the handle t.
When the apparatus is put in movement the arm of the patient is rubbed by the

page_text: belts, which have a to and fro movement whilst it is being alternately advanced
and withdrawn. The intensity of the friction is determined by the position of the
weight o on the lever m.
Fig. 12 is a side elevation, and Fig. 13 a plan of an apparatus according to my
Invention for giving a shaking or vibratory motion to the various parts of the
body; a is a rapidly rotating shaft with two cranks b and c; the pin of the crank b
is connected by a rod d to one end of the oscillating or vibrating board e, the other
end of which is supported in the bearings f and g. The pin of the second crank c
is connected by the connecting rod h, sliding rod i, and arm k to the vertical
rocking shaft, oscillating in the bearings m & n; o is a slide capable of moving
vertically on the shaft 7, but prevented from turning thereon by a feather key; it
can be fixed at any height by means of a set screw. p is a rod carried by the
slide o, and moveable horizontally; this rod may also be fixed by a set screw.
Various appliances may be arranged at the end of this rod, such as cushions,
handles, and the like, according to the special use to which the apparatus is being
put. Vibratory movements of different parts of the human body are produced by
means of the oscillating table or by means of the appliances which may be arranged
on the horizontal rod. The table is employed as follows:-If, for example, it is
proposed to subject the patient to the vibration of the legs or of the feet, he sits
in a chair at the side of the apparatus and places his legs or feet on the oscillating
table. The intensity or amplitude of the movement imparted to his feet or legs
will depend on their distance from the bearings f & g. The employment of the
rod p and the appliances adjustable thereon is as follows:-Supposing it to be
desired to produce a trepidation on the back or on the stomach of the patient, a
cushion q is arranged on the rod p, and he stands with the part in question pressed
more or less heavily against the cushion. For the movement of the hands or arms
the cushion is replaced by handles, shewn in Fig. 4.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in
which it is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I would
have it understood that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as secured to me under the Letters Patent herein before in part recited is,-
The use for producing mechanical effects on the human body of apparatus
constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as herein before described with
reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gustaf Zander, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
GUSTAF ZANDER. (L.S.)