Improvements in Dumb-bells for Physical Culture Exercises.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dumb-bells for Physical Culture Exercises.
JOSEPHI ROBINSON, Tower Ramparts, Ipswich, Engineer, in the County of
Suffolk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of dumb-bells; and
consists in the application of one or more springs attached to the dumb-bell, thus
causing, the dumb-bell to require a firm grip when held in the hand. The firm
grip of the dumb-bell is intended to, and does cause a continuous tension of the
muscles of the arms when used for physical culture exercises.
My invention consists of one or more flat steel springs, steel spiral springs,
rubber, springs, or compressed air springs, or a combination of these several
springs, attached to the interior, or in the handle portion of the dumb bell in
such a position and manner as to cause the dumb-bell to be firmly grasped when
in use.
My invention consists of a dumb-bell constructed of wood, compressed pulp,
metal or other suitable material. The usual method of construction I adopt
is to form the dumb-bell in two longitudinal sections and insert the steel or
other springs between the two sections of the dumb-bells.
My invention may be constructed by fixing the steel or other springs, by
screws or other suitable means; a joint or hinge is fixed at one end of the inside
of section, to allow the dumb-bells to open at one end, the springs being arranged
so as to keep the two sections apart, when not being held in the hand.
Two
peices of leather or rubber are attached to the open end of the sections to prevent
the springs extending the sections too far apart.
The special advantage is that by the application of a combination of springs, it
causes a continuous tension of the muscles, thereby enabling a person using these
dumbbells to gain strength and health in a much more efficient manner, and
with less, exertion, causing the person to feel refreshed after such exercise.
Dated this 17th day of toust 1808
JOSEPH ROBINSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dumb-bells for Physical Culture Exercises.
I, JOSEPH ROBINSON, formerly of Tower Ramparts, Ipswich, in the County of
Suffolk, now of 109, Brook Green, Hammersmith, London, Engineer, 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 improvements 'in dumb-bells, and consists in the appli-

page_text: cation of one or more springs to the dumb-bell so as to cause the same to require
a firm grip when held in the hand. This firm grip of the dumb-bell is intended
to, and does, cause a continuous tension of the muscles of the arms wrists hands,
and fingers when used for physical culture exercises.
i
The invention consists principally in the application of flat, curved, or spiral
springs, or a combination of several springs, to the interior or to the handle
portion of the dumb-bell in such a position and manner, that when in use the
grasp on the handle will cause the spring or springs to be compressed.
The dumb-bells may be constructed of wood, compressed pulp, metal or other
suitable material.
The manner in which my invention is to be performed or carried into practical
effect will be readily understood on reference to the sheet of drawings hereunto
annexed and the following explanation thereof.
It will be obvious that various ways of giving this expansive action to the bar
or handle may be adopted without departing from the distinctive features of my
invention, but for the sake of illustration I have shown on the drawings various
different forms which the invention may take.
In the modification shown at Fig. 1 the bar a and the two "bells" b are divided
into two parts longitudinally, being hinged together at cat one end and a bow
spring fixed between the two to keep the two sections apart when not being
held in the hand, the open hands being prevented from being extended too far
apart by a band e of leather or other suitable material.
In the modification shown partly in section at Fig. 2, the two sections are held
together by screws f and are distended by coiled springs g.
In Fig. 3 the two sections are separated by a bow spring d (as in Fig. 1) and
are kept in place by steady pins and are prevented from expanding too much
by india rubber rings e.
In the modification shown in longitudinal section at Fig. 4 and transverse
section at Fig. 5 the "bells" bare hollow and are divided transversely instead
The handle consists of
of longitudinally they are held together by a screw f..
a series of springs bars a bowed out in the centre, which must be compressed
when the handle is grasped.
The modification shown at Figs. 6 and 7 is somewhat similar, with the addition
of a spiral spring inside, the tension of which can be increased or diminished
by turning the screw f.
Figs. 8 and 9 resemble Fig. 2 with the exception that two coiled springs g are
used at each end instead of one and the sections are kept from expanding too
much by india rubber bands e.
" bare
In the modification shown partially in section at Fig. 10 the "bells
made hollow with conical centres j inside, the handle is made of a series of bars a
bowed in the centre, and with their ends x bevilled to fit against the cones inside
the "bells." The latter are held together by the screwed rod f and the cones
are forced inwards so as to expand the handle by coiled springs g.
In the modification shown in partial sectional elevation at Fig. 11 and
transverse section at Fig. 12 the interior of each "bell" b is made in a box
form, and the ends of the curved bars a which form the handle fit inside the
same being expanded by split circular springs & inside the cranked ends.
Having now particularly 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 The improvements in dumb-bells. for physical culture exercises which
consist in making the handle or bar (which unites the two bells) compressible
and at the same time resilient by means of springs, so that when in use the
grasp of the hands compresses the springs thus causing a continuous tension and
play of the muscles of the arms wrists and hands, thereby enabling a person
using these dumb-bells to gain strength and health in a much more efficient

page_text: manner and with less exertion than with the ordinary dumb-bells, in the manner
substantially as herein before described.
2. A dumb bell having a handle consisting of two or more parts, and resilient
means for expanding said parts, adapted to be compressed by the hand, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
D
1 1
131
M. 1900
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
Agents for the Applicant,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.