Flexible sheet exercising apparatus

• US 4,199,136 A
• Filed: 06/03/1977
• Issued: 04/22/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley J. Mansfield
• Original Assignee: Stanley J. Mansfield
• Inventors: Mansfield, Stanley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, William R.
• Application Number:
  US05/803,229
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 272/65, 272/66, 272/109, 272/135, 272/116, 182/222, 182/179, 182/112, 248/251
• US Class Current: 482/26
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/08 Spring-boards of trampoline type A63B5/11 ; in the form of spring mats A63B6/00

Abstract

An exercising apparatus is similar in its mode of action to a trampoline, and uses a flexible semi-rigid and elongated sheet which may be made of plastic or metal. A frictional pad is provided to avoid slipping as the user bounces on the apparatus. The flexible sheet may be supported at both ends either by a structure which is secured to both ends of the elongated flexible sheet, or by supports upon which it rests. In order to accommodate both heavy and light persons, and persons who want more vigorous bouncing action than those who desire less bounce, the apparatus is provided with various arrangements for increasing or decreasing the deflection versus force characteristic. In one species of the invention the underside of the elongated flexible sheet is provided with a number of grooves for selectively engaging the underlying support either closer or farther away from the end of the sheet. In another embodiment two sheets of different flexibility are provided and the apparatus may be turned over to get greater or lesser flexibility. In another embodiment made of one piece of metal with the ends turned under, arrangements are provided for mechanically engaging the upper and lower portions, thereby reducing the effective length of the flexible member. The supports may be provided with underlying rubber cushions with frictional engagement with the floor.

Claims

1. A lightweight, portable, exercising apparatus comprising a rectangular, substantially unconstrained, semi-rigid sheet member, less than 3 feet in length and less than 11/2 feet in width, said sheet member being horizontally disposed and sufficiently flexible so that it deflects by approximately 3% to 5% or more of its length when a person of normal weight stands on it;

stable transverse support means for supporting said sheet member and for permitting unrestrained vertical movement of said sheet member during an exercise program, said transverse support means having a substantial length and, extending across each of the end portions of the underside of said sheet member, for supporting said sheet member above a floor by less than 6 inches so that the center of gravity of said apparatus is close to the floor, said support means including spaced members for restraining opposite lateral movements of said sheet member;

said apparatus further including adjusting means for selectively positioning the transverse support means with respect to the sheet member, and said adjusting means including a plurality of notches at each end of said apparatus, for longitudinally shifting the position of said support means relative to said sheet member to change the distance between the support lines for said sheet member, thereby adjusting the deflection versus load characteristic of said sheet member to a predetermined plurality of discrete settings to accommodate persons of different weight; and

a friction means attached to said sheet member for avoiding slipping when a person stands, sits, or bounces on said sheet member.

2. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said member for restraining lateral movement includes a portion of said support means extending above both sides of said sheet member.

3. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least three spaced nocthes are provided at each end of said apparatus for providing more than three deflection versus load characteristics.

4. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means makes line supporting contact with said sheet member only along two spaced transverse lines, one at each end of said sheet member.