Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Nov., 1899-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1899
I, WALTHER VOLKENRATHI, Merchant, of 62, Regentenstreet, Muelheim, on the
Rhine, in the Province of Rhineland, and Kingdom of Prussia, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
The present invention relates to an apparatus for training and strengthening
the muscles especially of the arms, the shoulders and the breast, which can be
used in various manner as an utensil for a gymnasium or as a hygienic apparatus.
The handling and effect of said apparatus is based on a new application and
use of the spiral spring used for similar purposes.
Whereas in the well-known gymnastic apparatus and in the rowing apparatus
for rooms having spiral springs, the exercise consists in drawing out the spring,
the peculiarity of the present muscle strengthener lies in the exercise consisting
in bending the spring.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing shows an apparatus of this kind.
It consists of a closely wound spiral spring forming a right pipe with a securely
attached handle at each end.
The material of the spring may be advantageously of steel wire of round, square
or rectangular section, or some other suitable metal may be chosen.
A considerable amount of activity of the muscles of the arms is necessary to
bend this spring in the manner shown in Fig. 2, and this amount is increased if,
at the same time the arms are stretched out.
If the spring is bent while the arms are stretched out, the muscles of the chest
will be called into play to a considerable extent.
If the muscular force required to bend the spring is suddenly relaxed without
the handles, however, being let go, the spring immediately, endeavours to return
to its ordinary position.
In consequence of the force stored up in the spring during the operation of
bending it, it exerts when changing its position a considerable pull on the wrists
which is transmitted to the lower and upper arm.
In many cases this renders the application of massage unnecessary.
Dated this first day of February 1899.
For WALTHER. VOLKENRATH,
Beruh. Brockhues.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.

page_text: 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:-
The present invention relates to an apparatus for training and strengthening
the muscles especially of the arms, the shoulders, and the breast, which can be
used in various manner as an utensil for a gymnasium or as a hygienic apparatus.
The handling and effect of said apparatus is based on a new application and
use of the spiral spring used for similar purposes.
Where as in the well-known gymnastic apparatus and in the rowing apparatus
for rooms having spiral springs, the exercise consists in drawing out the spring,
the peculiarity of the present muscle strengthener lies in the exercise consisting
in bending the spring.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing (filed with the Provisional Specification)
shows an apparatus of this kind.
It consists of a closely wound spiral spring forming a right pipe with a securely
attached handle at each end.
The material of the spring may be advantageously of steel wire of round, square
or rectangular section, or some other suitable metal may be chosen.
A considerable amount of activity of the muscles of the arms is necessary to
bend this spring in the manner shown in Fig. 2, and this amount is increased if
at the same time the arms are stretched out.
If the spring is bent while the arms are stretched out, the muscles of the chest
will be called into play to a considerable extent.
If the muscular force required to bend the spring is suddenly relaxed without
the handles, however, being let go, the spring immediately, endeavours to return
to its ordinary position.
In consequence of the force stored up in the spring during the operation of
hending it, it exerts when changing its position a considerable pull on the wrists
which is transmitted to the lower and upper arm.
In many cases this renders the application of massage unnecessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. An exercising device, consisting of a lengthwise expansible and contractible
spiral spring having a hand grip rigidly secured to each end thereof, for bending
the spiral spring when the hand grips are brought towards each other, substan
tially as described.
2. An exercising device consisting of a longitudinal expansible and contractible
spiral spring, and hand grips inserted into and rigidly secured within the hollow
ends of said spring, substantially as described.
Dated this tot dore of Navana 1800