referring particularly now to fig1 there is illustrated a partially cut - away view of the invention 10 . the elongate strut portion 12 is seen adapted with an optional shock absorbing tip mechanism 26 - 36 . the longitudinal chamber 14 in the strut 12 serves to contain a compressible , resilient mechanism , in this instance , spring 16 . chamber 14 is only long enough to contain the expanded resilient media or spring 16 and the piston 18 portion of piston / extender shaft 20 . as was mentioned earlier , piston 18 may be distinct from extender shaft 20 or may be contiguous ( as shown here ) therewith . extender shaft 20 terminates at its uppermost portion in crosspiece 22 , which is normally fitted into the armpit of the user . handle means 24 are provided at the exterior surface of strut 12 approximately 16 - 19 inches down - strut from crosspiece 22 . this allows the avenger person to make comfortable usage of the device . in some instances , it may be necessary to shorten extension shaft 20 , but this technique is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art . also disclosed in the prior art , are means for affording some reduction of the contact shock if the strut is laid down too rapidly by the user . these means comprise the shock absorbing mechanism 26 - 34 that is depicted also in fig1 and fig2 ( not shown in detail ). ideally , this shock absorbing mechanism is not required as the experienced user of the invention will soon discover that a traumatic contact with the ground at tip 26 is not envisioned by the inventor nor is it likely to be too common an occurrence . nonetheless , the tip shock absorbing means are provided and comprise a crutch type end tip 26 , tip extension shaft 28 in registry with coil spring 32 and strut end 30 , the latter three members being fully enclosed by shock absorbing cylinder or housing 34 in fig1 and held to the lower end of strut 12 by exterior springs 36 . once again , as will be envisioned by those having ordinary skill in this art , there are other efficacious means of providing shock absorbance for the tip of the strut such as seen in fig2 . as will be discussed in the next section , an application of the invention is envisioned by the illustration of fig3 . here the user 38 is in an exaggerated forward slant posture so that the reader may readily discern that he is employing a pair of the invention 10 , 10 &# 39 ; in the cross - gait exercise mode . note that the left arm 40 has compressed device 10 and the upper left side of the torso is in tension , while the right leg and foot 42 are clearly off the ground . because of the exaggerated pitched forward posture , it appears that the individual 38 is actually supporting his weight on right &# 34 ; fore leg &# 34 ; strut 10 &# 39 ;. as mentioned briefly , before , this may not be so ; the entire weight of the body may in actuality rest on left leg 42 &# 39 ;. most of the actual action of the exercise is performed using the upper extremities and torso while manipulating the paired invention . it therefore follows that the next step or frame in this sequence would be the placement of the right leg and foot 42 on to the ground and the near simultaneous compression of device 10 &# 39 ; while the left device 10 is allowed to relax by the relaxation of arm 40 , while bringing the strut into a near vertical position . the following is an explanation of the methods of exercising that will employ the instant invention and may be followed by users of this novel and useful exercise equipment . for the purposes of making a comprehensive disclosure in this section certain definitions and terminologies will be used : a pair of the invention that will function like animal forelegs . the touching down on the surface or ground of any single foreleg or backleg upon the completion of a step forward by that member or the touching down of a foreleg simultaneously with a back leg in completing a collective step , e . g ., the touching down of the right backleg and the left foreleg simultaneously , so as to make one sound , constitutes one point . a gait in which the right backleg and the right foreleg execute a joint and simultaneous forward step ( one point ) and the left backleg and the left foreleg execute a joint and simultaneous forward step ( one point ), and the locomotion is continued in such fashion . a gait in which the right backleg and the left foreleg execute a joint and simultaneous forward step ( one point ) and the left backleg and the right foreleg execute a joint and simultaneous forward step ( one point ), and the locomotion is continued in such fashion . a gait in which the limbs make separate and complete steps individually in a regular , repeated pattern . essentially , the method of exercising the upper extremities and upper torso , employing the instant invention , comprises two basic steps : posturing at least one upper extremity foreleg in the armpit , and grasping the exerciser &# 39 ; s handle with the respective hand ( and ) repeatedly exercising the respective arm and upper torso by compressing the exerciser and alternatively allowing relaxation of the apparatus . several four legged gaits may be emulated by combining the normal walking exercise of the user with the aforementioned method of exercise ( with the instant invention ) so as to maximize the benefit of the apparatus - supplemented regimen . the inventor believes that the most beneficial and most easily executed exercise comprises what is known as the &# 34 ; diagonal two point walk &# 34 ;. in this method , the right backleg and the left foreleg are lifted at the same time , the left foreleg obviously by compressing the invention , while completing a simultaneous one - point forward ; then the left backleg and the right foreleg are lifted at the same time and the user completes another simultaneously one - point forward step ; and , the user continues walking in that pattern . as the forelegs are individually retracted upward by the hand , and the interior spring of the preferred embodiment is compressed , the exerciser can take note that the muscles of the upper side of the forearm and the biceps of the shoulder ( deltoid ) muscles are all flexed . the higher one lifts the foreleg handle , the more vigorous that part of the exercise . when the lower tip of the foreleg has been placed on the floor or ground to continue with the walk , it is inportant that the novice user relax somewhat , forearm stiff , and allow the foreleg handle to bear the weight of his forward leaning upper body , in order to acquire initial skill with the invention . thid action will not be without benefit , as when such is performed , the muscles of the underside of the forearm and the triceps , shoulder and chest ( pectoral ) muscles are all flexed . the inventor is of the belief that during this exercise the letissimus and other muscles of the back are involved to a certain degree . if one pulls back on the handles as one walks along , the letissimus muscles will definitely be contracted and exercised . the &# 34 ; parallel , two point walk &# 34 ; is achieved by lifting the foreleg and the left backleg at the same time in completing a simultaneous one - point step forward , followed by lifting the right foreleg and the right backleg in completing another simultaneous one - point step forward . continuation of the exercise is made by walking forward in such a pattern . many variations of these two walks can now be entertained as well as a more rapid walk or trot . in fact , it is possible to emulate the trot , pace , canter and gallop of a for legged animal by simply observing how that animal executes its gait and emulating it with the instant invention . lest the user acquire an erroneous belief , the instant invention is useful in nonwalking types of exercise . this is best exemplified in what the inventor terms the &# 34 ; push - up , knees - up &# 34 ; exercise . this exercise is not a gait . to accomplish it properly , the user places the forelegs in a normal parallel starting position with the tips on the floor somewhat forward . then he or she squats downward until the elbows are fully flexed and the interior springs are totally compressed . the exerciser then gives a push with one or both back feet to propel him - or herself in an arc forward . immediately after the push with the foot , the exerciser raises himself or herself upward by straightening the arms while at the same time , raising the knees until the thighs are more or less parallel to the floor . being thus suspended , the user continues moving until the arc is completed and the legs are thrust forward ( slanted ) to the floor to stop the movement . the primary purpose of this exercise is to strengthen the stomach muscles , which are largely unaffected by the gait exercises . this also serves as a powerful supplementry exercise for the arms , shoulders and chest muscles . the embodiments , methods and procedures disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the novel aspects of this invention . disclosure of the invention bearing such common trappings as compression springs and crutch - like profile are not meant to be restrictions but rather have been provided so as to clearly point out and exemplify the invention . those having ordinary skill in this area of endeavor , through constant practice with the invention , will be able to develop modifications therefor and expansive regimens of physical exercise to be conducted therewith . such activity and development is to be limited only by the appended claims .
an upper - extremity foreleg - emulating exerciser comprising an elongate strut with a handle affixed on its exterior housing and containing a reciprocative compression - expansion mechanism coupled to an armpit - engaging crosspiece . the crosspiece is fitted into the armpit of the user who must then grasp the handle and repeatedly pull the strut toward the armpit and relax it so as to gain the benefit of compressing and releasing the mechanism , to adequately exercise the upper extremity and upper torso of his or her body . contemporaneous use of a pair of this invention allows the user to perform a plurality of exercises emulating the gait of a four - legged animal and thus , in conjunction with normal walking or rapid pacing , exercise the upper , lower and back portions of his or her body . alternative in - place exercises may be used to develop pectoral and abdominal muscles as well .