Untitled record

Application filed January 2, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, John H. Weeks, of the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain 5 new and useful Improvements in ExercisingApparatus, of ivInch improvements the following is a specification.

The objecfof my invention is to provide an apparatus for physical exercise which will be io simple aud cheap in construction, conveniently portable and adjustable for nse, and capable of ready adaptation to the strength of the operator and the description of exercise which is desired to be taken.

To these ends my improvements consist in the combination of two pulleys, each fitted for attachment to a stationary support, a main cord passing around each of said pulleys, said cord being divided into two sections and hav20 ing snap-hooks or catches upon its ends for attachment, respectively, to a fixed support and to a pulling-cord provided with handles, and a series of springs or elastic connections interposed, with the capacity of detachment 25 of one or more between the two sections of the main cord.

The improvements claimed are hereinafter more fully set forth.

The accompanying drawing is a view in 30 perspective, showing my improvements, and illustrating different methods of using them for the purpose of physical exercise.

To carry out my invention I provide two pulleys, A and A', each of which is mounted 35 in a block or bearing capable of attachment to a Avail or post either by a screAV or a hook. The pulleys may be secured to any suitable stationary support, one being placed about six feet and the other about six inches above 40 the floor, so as to enable the apparatus to be conveniently operated by a person of average height. Tavo inelastic sections, each having a snap-hook or catch upon each of its ends, constitute, when connected together, the main 45 cord B. The connection of the two sections of the main cord is effected by means of a series of elastic cords or springs, C, each having a ring or hook upon one or both of its ends, so as to be readily attached to and detached 50 from the sections of the main cord.

The elastic cords C may be of uniform or of | different tensions, and the series may contain both single and double cords. By unhooking one end of one or more of the elastic cords from one of the sections of the main 55 cord the resistance afforded by the series to the pull of the operator may be readily varied and graduated as desired. The length of the elastic cords C is such as to admit of their being extended to their greatest permit- 60 ted limit within the space between the pulleys A and A', and the united length of the main cord and connected elastic series G should be about twice the distance between the pulleys A and A'.

An upper hook, a, and a lower hook, a', are secured in the wall or post, either of which may serve as a point of attachment for one end of the main cord A in the operation of the apparatus; and tbe snap-hook of 70 the other end of the main cord is connected to the frame of a pulley, d, around which passes a pulling-cord, D, having a handle, d', upou each of its ends, to be grasped by the operator.

In the operation of the apparatus, the sec- 75 tions of the main cord being connected by the elastic cords, each section is passed around one of the pulleys, one end of one section is connected to either the upper or the lower wallhook, and the pulling-cord is connected to the 80 free end of the other section. The operator grasps tbe handles of the pulling-cord, and by exerting his strength against the resistance of the elastic cords can obtain safe and healthy exercise without undue strain or risk of inju- 85 rious exertion.

The drawing exhibits three different modes of using the apparatus, and others may be adopted, as desired, by the operator. The resistance of the elastic connections of the main 90 cord may, by detachment of one or more of its members, be graduated to the strength of the operator with convenience and accuracy, and the apparatus is thus rendered adaptable to use by ladies and children, as Avellastothe 95 requirements of stronger and more athletic persons.

The apparatus can be conveniently packed and transported and readily adjusted for use in a dwelling, and affords at a small expense 100 the advantages, without the objectionable features, of a specially-constructed gymnasium.

1232,57»

I am aware that elastic cords or springs as an exercising device are not new, and do not, therefore, broadly claim the same.