Power actuated leg exercising device

Nov. 4, 1952

J. A. GILLMEIER

POWER ACTUATED LEG EXERCISING. DEVICE

Filed Dec. 6, 1950

2,616,416

<img file="US2616416A_D0001.tif" />

Patented Nov. 4, 1952

2,616,416

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,616,416

POWER ACTUATED LEG EXERCISING DEVICE

John A. Gillmeier, Maplewood, N. J. Application December 6,1950, Serial No. 199,511

Claims. (Cl. 128—25)

This invention relates to improvements in exercising devices, and has reference, more particularly, to a power actuated device for exercising, the legs of the user.

The invention has for an object to provide a 5 power actuated leg exercising device of the rotary pedal type suitable for general use, but especially adapted for use by individuals afflicted with infantile paralysis, motor paralysis or muscular atrophy or weakness. 10

In leg exercising, devices of the power driven rotary pedal type as heretofore known to the art, power transmission from a prime mover to the ped^ rotating shaft can only be interrupted by means of manually controlled clutch mechanism, 15 manipulatable power switch or cut off means, or like means requiring manual operation. As a result of this, in the event accidental displacement of the user’s, foot or feet from proper engagement with the rotated pedal means, said 20 pedal means continues its power actuated rotation with grave risk of injury to the feet or legs, of the user, if the latter are interposed in the path of pedal movement before power transmission can be manually interrupted and the pedal 25 means brought to a stop. In addition to this, there is risk of damage to the device itself if the rotating pedal means be accidentally brought into contact with an obstruction. Having possibility of these undesirable occurrences in view, 30 it is a further object of this invention to provide a novel construction of power actuated leg exercising device of the rotating pedal type wherein the power transmission includes automatic means for immediately interrupting operation 35 of the rotating pedal means in the event movement thereof is obstructed, thus avoiding possible injury to the user and to the device itself.

The invention has for another object to provide a novel construction of power driven leg 40 exercising device of the rotating pedal type which is of simple and compact structure, and which can readily be applied to the legs of a user while the latter is sitting upright, as in a chair, or is reclining on a reclining chair or couch. 45

Other objects of the invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention 50 is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a leg exercising device according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. ⁵⁵

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on line 3—3 in Fig. 2, but drawn on an enlarged scale, the same showing the pedal rotating shaft in normal clutched relation to the power transmission mechanism by means of a self-releasing clutch mechanism; and Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, but showing the clutch mechanism released.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character iO indicates the base of the leg exercising device, which is provided at its forward end with laterally spaced, upstanding standards 11 which terminate at their upper ends in bearing members 12. Journaled in and across the bearing members 12 is a transverse horizontal pedal rotating shaft 13. Affixed respectively to opposite ends of the pedal rotating shaft 13 are pedal crank arms 14, which are preferably arranged to extend in opposite directions. Extending outwardly from the free end of each pedal crank arm i4, at a right angle thereto, is a pedal pin 15. Rotatably mounted on each pedal pin 15 is the bearing sleeve 16 by which a suitably shaped foot engageable pedal 17 is pivotally supported.

The base 10 is provided with a platform section 18 which inclines upwardly from the rear end portion of said base toward the bearing standards 11. Supported upon and affixed to the rearward portion of the platform section 18 is an electric motor 19 which serves as the power source by which the pedal rotating shaft 13 is driven through intermediate transmission mechanism. Electric current is served, to the motor 19 through a switch box 20 having a connector receptacle 2t to which current service wires (not shown) can be detachably connected.

The transmission mechanism includes a reduction gear means 22 which is also supported upon and affixed to the platform section 18 of the base 10. The motor shaft 23 is connected to the power input side of said reduction gear means 22, and the power output side of the latter actuates a transmisison shaft 24. Fixed on said transmisison shaft 24 is a driver bevel gear 25. . Mounted upon the pedal rotating shaft 13. to turn freely thereon, is a driven bevel gear ' 26 which meshes with and is driven by the driver bevel gear 25. The driven bevel gear 26 is held against axial movement by abutment against the inner face of a bearing member 12 of a standard 1 i, being thus held between the latter and the

2,616,416 driver bevel gear 25 which meshes therewith. The driven bevel gear 26 is releasably clutched in powei^- transmitting relation to the pedal rotating shaft 13. To this end, said pedal rotating shaft 13 is provided with a transverse clutch pin 27 which extends diametrically therethrough, so that at least an end of the clutch pin projects radially from the pedal rotating shaft. The driven bevel gear 26 is provided with a forwardly projecting clutch hub 28 having in its face a clutch notch or notches 29 in which the clutch pin 27 is normally engaged, thereby to clutch the driven bevel gear 26 in power transmitting relation to the pedal rotating shaft. Said pedal rotating shaft is permitted limited axial movement in its supporting bearing members 12. Means is provided for yieldably moving the pedal rotating shaft axially in direction to normally hold the clutch pin 27 engaged in the notch or notches 29 of the clutch hub 28 with which the driven bevel gear is provided. This means comprises a compression spring 39 which is mounted around the pedal rotating shaft 13 between a thrust or stop collar 31, with which the latter .is provided, and the outer face of the bearing member 12 the inner face of which is abutted by the driven bevel gear 26. The tension of the compression spring 30 can be desirably regulated by shifting the thrust or stop collar 31 toward or from the adjacent bearing member 12. The thrust or stop collar 31 is releasably held in selected adjusted position by a set screw 32 or other suitable means adapted for such purpose.

In use of the leg exercising device, the same is positioned in front of the user as the latter sits or reclines on a chair or couch, whereupon the user’s feet are placed upon the pedals (7. Thereafter, when current is served to the motor 19 to cause its operation, the produced power is transmitted, through the interconnecting transmission, to the driver bevel gear 25 and by the latter to the driven bevel gear 26. Since the driven bevel gear 26 is normally clutched to the pedal rotating shaft 13, the latter will, in turn, fie rotated and thus will cause the pedals 17 to be revolved.

As the pedals 17 are revolved the user’s legs are put in motion, and thus are automatically exercised, so that blood circulation is stimulated and the muscles alternately tensed and relaxed, all in aid of restoration toward normality.

In accordance with this invention, a safety factor has been incorporated in the leg exercising device, by virtue of which risk of accidental injury to the user’s legs, or to the device itself, has been practically eliminated. This safety factor is provided by the self-releasing clutch means by which the driven bevel gear 26 of the power transmission is normally coupled in driving relation to the pedal rotating shaft 13. So long as the user’s legs are properly engaged with the revolved pedals 17, so that the user’s legs respond to the motion imparted thereto by said pedals, the clutch pin 27 remains in engagement with the notch or notches 29 of the clutch hub 28, whereby power is transmitted by the driven bevel gear 26 to the pedal rotating shaft

13. If, however, a leg or legs of the user should be accidentally disengaged from a pedal or pedals of the device, and be brought into the path of movement of the pedals or their crank arms 14, or if for any other reason movement of the pedals and crank arms is obstructed, the resultant resistance to pedal movement is im- mediately impressed upon the pedal rotating shaft 13 in sufficient force to permit the clutch pin 27 to ride out of the notch or notches 29 of the clutch hub 28, as tension of the spring 39 is overcome, thereby permitting the driven bevel gear 26 to turn freely on the pedal rotating shaft f3 without imparting movement to the latter. By reason of this, motion of the pedals 17 is arrested, and consequently injury to the user’s legs or feet is prevented. The same release of the pedal rotating shaft from driven relation to the transmission will occur in the event the pedals are accidentally brought into contact with any relatively immovable object, with the consequence that damage to the device is thereby avoided.

It will be obvious that variation in the arrangement and detail form and construction of the device and its parts may be made within the scope of the herefollowing claims. It will therefore be understood that the matter shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification shall be considered as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.