IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PERFORMANCE OF GYMNASTIC EXERCISES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Fry Ralston at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th November 1877. A communication
from abroad by John Arthur Chandor, of New York, United States of
America.
SAMUEL FRY RALSTON, of Paris, in the Republic of France, but temporarily
residing at Cannon Street Hotel, Cannon Street, in the City of London.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PERFORMANCE OF GYMNASTIC
EXERCISES." A communication from abroad by John Arthur Chandor, of New
York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to apparatus having for its object facilitating the per-
formance of gymnastic exercises, more particularly in imitation of the operation of
rowing and of the action of lifting, and it consists of a frame carrying, say, two
wheels or pulleys mounted on axles in the same axial line, but independent the
one of the other, to each of which axles there are attached two straps or sets of
straps, bands, or cords, wound partially round the axle in contrary directions
respectively, and attached the one to one end of the frame and the other to an
india-rubber or other spring or springs secured to the opposite end of the frame or
at a point midway between its two extremities in such a manner that by the act
of the exercisor pulling, by the aid of handles, cords attached to and passing round
the wheel or pulleys, the latter, with their axles, shall be turned and the springs be
elongated, and that on relaxing his action upon the cords the parts shall, under the
influence of the springs, resume their normal position.
The frame, which may be supported on suitable feet, is constructed on its upper
side with guideways, to which is adapted a slide of papier maché or other suitable
light material forming a seat for the exercisor when performing exercises in
imitation of the action of rowing, the seat fulfilling the same function as the sliding
seat of a boat. When thus engaged, the exercisor seated upon the side supports
his feet upon an incline formed at one end of the frame, and laying hold of the
handles of the cords and pressing with his feet against the support, he throws back
his body, and the seat carrying the exercisor is moved to the rear end of the course,
Dan 31

page_text: the springs being thereby elongated, after which, by relaxing any pulling action
upon the cords, the springs are allowed to contract, and the seat carrying the
exercisor returns to the front end of the course, the motion being again reversed on
repeating the former operation, and so on in succession.
When it is desired to perform gymnastic erercises in imitation of the action of
lifting the exercisor stands upon the frame, and laying hold of the handles of the
cords, and alternately pulling the cords and allowing them to recede under the
influence of the springs, the muscles of the arms and legs are moved, and the chest
is expanded, and a highly salutary effect generally is obtained.
The springs are so fitted as to be capable of being readily detached when
required. By removing one of them and disconnecting the handles from the cords
and attaching them to the spring an instrument is obtained which may be used in
a variety of ways for exercising different parts of the human body.
The apparatus is arranged so as to be self-contained and to fold up into a small
compass. It is preferred to employ it in its folded or closed condition when being
utilized as a health lift.