Inventors:
Ronald E. Useldinger - Scotts Valley CA
Paul Eric Peterson - San Francisco CA
Assignee:
Fitness Motivation Institute of America - Scotts Valley CA
International Classification:
A63B 21018
Abstract:
An improved friction type exercise device of the type in which a housing has an outer wall forming a hollow cavity with a central axis. A central shaft is positioned within the cavity and positioned to allow axial and rotative movement relative to the housing when moved in one axial direction and preventing axial rotative movement relative to the housing when moved in the other axial direction. A hub is positioned in the cavity and fixed to the shaft to move axially therewith while allowing rotation of the shaft relative to the hub, the hub being nonrotatable with respect to the housing and includes a first and a second opening. A rope-like member extends through the first opening in the hub, around the shaft and out the second opening in the hub whereby when the rope-like member is pulled frictional resistance is exerted on the rope-like member in proportion to the number of turns around the shaft. The rope-like member is attached to the shaft whereby with relative rotation of the shaft and the hub, the number of turns the rope-like member about the shaft is changed. A releasable mechanism for holding the shaft against rotation relative to the housing which when released allows rotation of the shaft within the cavity thereby to change the number of turns the rope-like member is wound around the shaft.