Exercise to simulate horizontal ladder exercise

Apparatus to provide exercise on a single station device equivalent to traveling suspended along underneath a horizontal ladder.

A common gymnastic piece of apparatus comprises a ladder supported horizontally above the ground. The user launches himself underneath the ladder and with one hand grasps the first, rung of the ladder. Suspended from the first rung, the user swings himself toward the next rung. After he grasps it, he releases from the first rung and then swings his body so his free arm reaches for the third rung.

Repeated sequentially the user travels the length of the ladder, underneath it and suspending himself by-his arms, alternately engaging his arms to successive rungs. This is a common apparatus in gymnasiums, provided for exercise of upper body muscles. The movement of the body along the ladder is caused by movements of the user\'s arms and torso. It requires substantial area of the gymnasium to be dedicated to this one type of exerciser.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus enabling equivalent exercise, but requiring only the space and area respective to a single small group of rungs, without requiring the fixed rungs. It thereby makes available the advantages of this exercise in installations when space and rental considerations would otherwise preclude it.

A reactive exerciser is mounted to or suspended from a support stand that stations it well above a ▪ground▪ surface. The ground surface is one above which the user of the exerciser is supported by himself out of contact with the ground while using the device. Any floor of sufficient area is suitable for this. For most installations, the exerciser itself will be supported on a tower-like stand which rests on a floor.

This exerciser utilizes a pair of hand grips each mounted to a respective pivoted lever, each lever is so disposed and arranged that directly or through linkage it is capable of unidirectionally driving a rotor in the same direction. They are so interconnected that each lever periodically oscillates between a forward and a rearward position, the position of each of them being reciprocal to the other, so that the exertions of the suspender (dangling) users drives the rotor.

With this apparatus mounted above the surface, the user can engage grips on the levers as with a conventional ladder, and thereafter will exert himself in a manner very similar to traveling suspended under a ladder but without himself moving forwardly or rearwardly. In effect, the apparatus substitutes for a stationary ladder, but simulates movement along a ladder.

The above and other features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Exerciser 10 is shown in FIG. 1 mounted to a tower-like stand (sometimes called a base) 11 that rests on a ▪ground▪ surface 12. In the illustration, surface 12 may be the floor of a room.

Base 11 comprises upright legs fixed to a frame 13 on the floor. Rungs 14 are fixed to legs 15,16 to enable a user to climb to an operating level. As can be seen, this lever is high enough that when the user utilizes the exerciser, his feet will clear the ground. It is essential of this invention that the user be a freely unsupported body suspended (dangling) from the exerciser out of contact with the ground surface.

Exerciser 10 is mounted at the top of base 11. A central hub 25 is the center of the exerted forces. A rotor 26, in this device a wheel, is fixed to and rotates with the hub around axis 27. A left hand lever 30 and a right hand lever 31 have respective hand grips 32,33 at their free ends. The grips are laterally spaced apart to accommodate the user\'s own dimensions.

Both levers 30 and 31 are freely rotatable mounted to the hub, and include extensions 34,35 on the opposite sides of the axis for driving purposes to be described.

The rotor is coupled to the levers by a unidirectional transmission now to be described. A phase gear 36 is conveniently a sprocket-type. It is rotatably mounted to the base. Respective rigid links 37,38 are fixed to gear 36 on opposite sides of it and an externally aligned with each other, extending in opposite directions from the phase gear. Gear 36 and links 37,38 are fixed to a common shaft 39.

Importantly, these arms are therefore 180 degrees out of phase with each other. Arms 40,41 respectively connect extensions 34,35, to the ends of links 37 and 38. Because of this, which-ever one of the levers 30 or 31 moves forwardly, the other will move backwardly.

A chain 45 is drivingly connected to a reduction gear 46, which is also a sprocket. It drives chain 47 that is drivingly connected to the hub. Thus, relative movement of the major levers causes rotation of the rotor. This is a unidirectional drive

To provide resistance when desired, vanes 50 may be incorporated in the rotor, which may resemble a wheel, as shown. This restraint would be that of reaction with atmosphere. Alternatively, drag means such as a prony brake, disc brake, or compression brake may be provided as desired (not shown), which provide adjustable resistance. Once actuated, its inertia assists the alternating action of the handles.

In use as shown the user 60 suspends himself from the exerciser by grasping the grips, and then exerts his torso to simulate traveling under a ladder by drawing the forward one of it legs rearwardly, and then the other. Ordinarily he will grasp only one of them tightly to pull himself ▪forward▪ and not impede the ▪returning▪ grip. In the next, he shifts his hanging weight and pulls back strongly on the other. Alternatively, he may ▪drive▪ both levers at the same time.

This closely simulates the bodily functions exerted in traveling suspended under a fixed ladder, but in a device which utilizes much less area. This is a considerable advantage in training rooms and the like whose space is scarce and expensive.

This invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the description, which is given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.