US3561772A — Reclining exercising device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 346 words

An exercising device for stretching and strengthening the body muscles, including: a. an elongate, flexible, rectangular body-supporting panel; b. two U-shaped tubular metallic frames having parallel sides with the ends thereof being free and in adjacent relationship; c. first means for pivotally connecting said free ends of one Ushaped frame to the free ends of the other of said frames; d. second means on said free ends of said U-shaped frames for transversely reinforcing the same; e. third means for removably supporting said panel within the confines of said U-shaped frames with said third means comprising longitudinally extending zipper means on said panel, which when in closed positions maintain longitudinally extending edge portions of said panel in encircling positions about said sides of said frames; f. two pairs of upwardly extending links, the lower ends of which are disposed adjacent intermediate positions of said sides; g. fourth means for pivotally connecting said lower ends of said links to said sides; h. two parallel, laterally spaced and laterally connected side pieces, each of which are defined by a plurality of tubular members pivotally connected to one another, with each of said side pieces being adapted to expand into an M-shaped configuration that include two upper apex portions as well as a lower apex portion and two end portions which rest on a flat supporting surface, with each of said side pieces being capable of collapsing into a second position where said tubular members are substantially parallel to one another; and i. fifth means for pivotally connecting the upper ends of said links to substantially the center of said upper apexes whereupon when a user rests on said panel when said side pieces are in said first position and moves to dispose said frames in a plurality of angularly disposed positions, the weight of said user is equally distributed to said upper apexes, with said upper apexes in turn equally distributing said user''s weight to said lower apexes and end portions of said side pieces to minimize the strain placed on any localized portions of said side pieces.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 346 words

An exercising device for stretching and strengthening the body muscles, including: a. an elongate, flexible, rectangular body-supporting panel; b. two U-shaped tubular metallic frames having parallel sides with the ends thereof being free and in adjacent relationship; c. first means for pivotally connecting said free ends of one Ushaped frame to the free ends of the other of said frames; d. second means on said free ends of said U-shaped frames for transversely reinforcing the same; e. third means for removably supporting said panel within the confines of said U-shaped frames with said third means comprising longitudinally extending zipper means on said panel, which when in closed positions maintain longitudinally extending edge portions of said panel in encircling positions about said sides of said frames; f. two pairs of upwardly extending links, the lower ends of which are disposed adjacent intermediate positions of said sides; g. fourth means for pivotally connecting said lower ends of said links to said sides; h. two parallel, laterally spaced and laterally connected side pieces, each of which are defined by a plurality of tubular members pivotally connected to one another, with each of said side pieces being adapted to expand into an M-shaped configuration that include two upper apex portions as well as a lower apex portion and two end portions which rest on a flat supporting surface, with each of said side pieces being capable of collapsing into a second position where said tubular members are substantially parallel to one another; and i. fifth means for pivotally connecting the upper ends of said links to substantially the center of said upper apexes whereupon when a user rests on said panel when said side pieces are in said first position and moves to dispose said frames in a plurality of angularly disposed positions, the weight of said user is equally distributed to said upper apexes, with said upper apexes in turn equally distributing said user''s weight to said lower apexes and end portions of said side pieces to minimize the strain placed on any localized portions of said side pieces.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

An exercising device as defined in claim 1, Wherein said panel is recessed adjacent said first means to permit said first means to be replaced without removing said panel from said frames.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 86 words

An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein said free ends of said frames are flattened and overlap, and in which said overlapped flattened ends transverse, axially aligned openings are formed, which first means includes: j. a plurality of antifriction washers disposed between said flattened ends of said sides and in axial alignment with said openings therein; and k. a plurality of rivets extending through said openings in said flattened ends of said sides and said washers for pivotally connecting said frames to one another.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 54 words

An exercising device as defined in claim 3, wherein said second means comprises a U-shaped tubular member having two laterally spaced, parallel tubular legs, with free end portions of said legs being flattened and in which transversely aligned openings are formed and with said openings in said legs being pivotally engaged by said rivets.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 122 words

An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of pairs of openings are defined in said sides by application of an inward force thereto that forms a circular, inwardly extending rib of metal about each opening to prevent enlargement of said opening when a radially directed force is applied to said rib, which fourth means includes: j. a plurality of rivets having heads, each of which rivets extends through one of said pair of openings; k. a plurality of rigid blocks having openings formed therein through which said rivets project, with said blocks being in abutting contact with said sides and including projecting portions of circular transverse cross section that pivotally engage openings in lower portions of said links;

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercising device as defined in claim 5, wherein said fifth means is of substantially the same structure as said fourth means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 80 words

An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular members in each side piece include: j. two first tubular legs having curved upper apex-defining portions; k. a curved tubular lower apex-defining member; l. two straight tubular members extending between said lower apex-defining members and said upper apex-defining portions; and m. a plurality of rivets that pivotally connect the lower ends of said tubular members to the ends of said lower apex-defining member and to said upper apex-defining portions.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-02-08	1974-08-10	1975-02-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-02-08	1978-08-10	1979-02-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-02-08	1982-08-10	1983-02-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Reclining exercising device

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