A ROWING SEAT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rowing seat (1) for rowing and kayaking boats and exercise equipment, comprising a first face (2) adapted to support and carry a user, a second face (3) arranged opposite the first face, a first end (4) and a second end (5), a first side (6) and a second side (7), and a longitudinal axis (8) extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first face (2) comprises a middle section (9) arranged substantially between the first and second sides (6, 7) and extending from the first end (4) towards the second end (5) with a length of at least 8 cm, the middle section (9) having a substantially convex support face (10) extending along the longitudinal axis, the support face (10) being adapted to support at least 50% of the user's weight during use of the rowing seat. The present invention also relates to a rowing, kayaking or exercise system comprising a rowing seat according to the present invention.

Claims

1-28. (canceled)

29. A rowing seat for rowing and kayaking boats and exercise equipment, comprising a first face adapted to support and carry a user, a second face arranged opposite the first face, a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first face comprises a middle section arranged substantially between the first and second sides and extending from the first end towards the second end with a length of at least 8 cm, the middle section having a substantially convex support face extending along the longitudinal axis, the support face being adapted to support at least 50% of the user's weight during use of the rowing seat.

30. A rowing seat according to claim 29, wherein the first face further comprises a first section arranged between the middle section and the first side and a second section arranged between the middle section and the second side, the first and second sections being arranged lower than the support face of the middle section, the first and second sections being adapted for providing partial support for a tuber ischiadicum of the user.

31. A rowing seat according to claim 30, wherein the first and second sections each having a concave second support face.

32. A rowing seat according to claim 30, wherein the first and second sections each comprises a hole for providing room for a tuber ischiadicum of the user.

33. A rowing seat according to claim 31, wherein the concave support second faces are converging into the convex support face.

34. A rowing seat according to claim 29, wherein the convex support face has a curved extension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the curved extension having an apex, and wherein the curved extension having the apex has a radius which is larger than 1.5 cm.

35. A rowing seat according to claim 29, wherein the second face has a first area arranged opposite the first support face of the first face, and a longitudinal recess is arranged in the first area, the longitudinal recess extending along the longitudinal axis.

36. A rowing seat according to claim 35, wherein the longitudinal recess has a rectangular shape having a width, a length and a depth.

37. A rowing seat according to claim 35, wherein the rowing seat comprises an insertion part adapted to be inserted into the longitudinal recess.

38. A rowing seat according to claim 37, wherein the insertion part has a width, a length and a height.

39. A rowing seat according to claim 38, wherein the width and length of the insertion part substantially correspond to the width and length of the longitudinal recess.

40. A rowing seat according to claim 38, wherein the height of the insertion part is larger than the depth of the longitudinal recess.

41. A rowing seat according to claim 37, wherein the insertion part has a body portion and a flange portion for providing a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, the body portion being adapted to be inserted into the longitudinal recess and the flange portion being adapted to abut the second face while the body portion is inserted in the longitudinal recess.

42. A rowing seat according to claim 41, wherein the flange portion has a flange height.

43. A rowing seat according to claim 29, wherein the middle section has a first stiffness (shore).

44. A rowing seat according to claim 37, wherein the insertion part has a second stiffness (shore).

45. A rowing seat according to claim 44, wherein the second stiffness is different from the first stiffness.

46. A rowing seat according to claim 29, wherein an accelerometer is connected with the rowing seat.

47. A rowing seat according to claim 29, wherein a pressure sensor is arranged in the rowing seat.

48. A rowing equipment kit comprising a rowing seat according to claim 29 and at least two insertion parts, wherein the two insertion parts have different stiffnesses.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094] The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which

[0095] FIG. 1 shows a rowing seat according to the present invention,

[0096] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the rowing seat,

[0097] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B of FIG. 1,

[0098] FIG. 4 shows the rowing seat partly from below,

[0099] FIGS. 5-7 show different embodiments of connecting means,

[0100] FIGS. 8-12 show another rowing seat according to the invention,

[0101] FIG. 13 shows a second face of the rowing seat,

[0102] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the rowing seat of FIG. 13,

[0103] FIG. 15 shows an insertion part,

[0104] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the rowing seat with the insertion part of FIG. 15 inserted into a longitudinal recess,

[0105] FIGS. 17-18 show another embodiment of an insertion part,

[0106] FIG. 19 shows a rowing boat in a top view,

[0107] FIG. 20 shows a kayak in a top view, and

[0108] FIGS. 21-24 show a rowing machine and a sequence of a rowing stroke.

[0109] All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0110] FIG. 1 shows a rowing seat 1 according to the invention. The rowing seat 1 according to the invention may be used in connection with rowing boats or kayaks. In addition, the rowing seat 1 may also be used for exercise equipment such as rowing machines and kayaking machines.

[0111] The rowing seat 1 comprises a first face 2 adapted to support and carry a user and a second face 3 arranged opposite the first face 2. The rowing seat 1 further comprises a first end 4 and a second end 5, and a first side 6 and a second side 7, and a longitudinal axis 8 extending between the first end 4 and the second end 5. In this embodiment, the rowing seat 1 has a substantially rectangular shape. However, the rowing seat may, in other embodiments, have other designs and shapes.

[0112] According to the inventive idea, the first face 2 furthermore comprises a middle section 9 arranged substantially between the first side 6 and second side 7 and extending from the first end 4 towards the second end 5 with a length L of at least 8 cm, the middle section 9 having a substantially convex support face 10 extending along the longitudinal axis 8, the support face being adapted to support at least 50% of the user's weight during use of the rowing seat. The rowing seat 1 according to the present invention has properties and a design that are not known from other rowing seats today. Especially the design and size of the support face 10 ensure that the pressure exerted on gluteus maximus during use of the rowing seat is distributed in a more ergonomically optimal way, so that the sciatic nerves are stressed less when the user is sitting on the rowing seat for a longer period of time.

[0113] Moreover, the convex support face 10 has a width W which is larger than 3 cm when seen in a top view. Also, the width W of the convex support face 10 may vary along the longitudinal axis as shown in FIG. 1.

[0114] Moreover, the first face 2 comprises a first section 11 arranged between the middle section 9 and the first side 6 and a second section 12 arranged between the middle section 9 and the second side 7. The first section 11 and second section 12 are arranged lower than the support face 10 of the middle section 9, the first and second sections 11, 12 being adapted to provide partial support for a tuber ischiadicum of the user. In the shown embodiment, the first and second sections 11, 12 are arranged symmetrically on each side of the middle section 9.

[0115] In addition, the first and second sections 11, 12 each have a concave second support face 13. Advantageously, the support face 10 is so high in relation to the second support faces 13 of the first and second sections 11, 12 that the main load from the user of the rowing seat 1 will be distributed to the support face 10 of the middle section 9 rather than to the second support faces 13 as in the known rowing seats.

[0116] Furthermore, the first face 2 also comprises a concave portion 14 arranged between the middle section 9 and the second end 5, the concave portion 14 being adapted to provide room for the coccyx of the user. In other embodiments, the portion behind the middle section may be cut away in order to obtain the same effect.

[0117] In the shown embodiment in FIG. 1, the first face 2 comprises a first projection 15 extending from the middle section 9 to divide the first section 11 from the concave portion 14 and a second projection 16 extending from the middle section 9 to divide the second section 12 from the concave portion 14. The first and second projections 15, 16 also assist in relieving the pressure on tuber ischiadicum and thereby create an effective sitting position when exercising rowing.

[0118] The projections 15, 16 and the middle section 9 of the rowing seat improve the overall sitting position of the user, and therefore it creates a more effective use of gluteus maximus and the muscles of cingulum membri inferioris than the known rowing seats. This has a positive effect on the sitting position during the rowing stroke and the effect of the rowing stroke.

[0119] Furthermore, the first face 2 comprises a first indentation 17 and a second indentation 18, each arranged at the first end 4 on opposite sides of the middle section 9, providing room for the user's thighs.

[0120] In FIG. 2, the rowing seat 1 is shown in a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis and the line A-A as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a height H of the middle section 9 may vary along the longitudinal axis. The height H is, in this embodiment, taken from the second face 3 to the support face 10 at a given position along the longitudinal axis. Also, as can be seen on FIG. 2, the height H of the middle section decreases from the first end 4 towards the second end 5, so that the weight and loads from the user are distributed in an ergonomically optimal manner, providing an enhanced seating comfort. Furthermore, a pressure sensor 20 may be embedded in the rowing seat 1. The pressure sensor will be described further below.

[0121] In FIG. 3, the rowing seat 1 is shown in a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the concave support second faces 13 are converging into the convex support face 10. Furthermore, the convex support face 10 may have a curved extension 21 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, the curved extension 21 having an apex 22, and the curved extension 21 having the apex 22 having a radius R which is larger than 1.5. The curved extension 21 may substantially be the same as the width W of the middle section and support face 10, so that the load and weight of the gluteus maximus may be distributed in an ergonomic manner. Thus, at present, it is preferred that the support face 10 is slightly curved and that this face converges into the two concave second support faces 13 as shown in FIG. 3. The height difference between the support face 10 and the second support faces 13 may also be seen in FIG. 3. Indeed, the radius may vary along the longitudinal axis so that the weight and loads from the user are distributed in an ergonomically optimal manner, providing an enhanced seating comfort.

[0122] In FIG. 4, the rowing seat 1 is shown partly from below. The second face 3 is, in this embodiment, shown as a flat surface. The second face 3 may comprise connection means 25, here in the form of embedded nuts, wherein bolts may be screwed, so that the rowing seat may be connected to a boat, kayak or exercise equipment. Other embodiments of connection means will be described further below.

[0123] As described above, a pressure sensor 20 may be incorporated in the rowing seat 1. The pressure sensor 20 may be adapted to measure the load exerted from the user during a rowing stroke on the rowing seat. Additionally, a plurality of pressure sensors may be arranged on the rowing seat 1 for again measuring the load and pressure exerted on the rowing seat during the rowing stroke. The pressure exerted on the rowing seat provides the user with information on how expediently the mass of the body is used. If the mass of the body is used properly, the pressure will be in the interval between 0-100% of the user's weight. If the body mass is used incorrectly, the pressure will be in the interval between 0-140% of the user's weight. When 140% of the body mass is pressed into the seat, the rowing boat will be pressed further down into the water, thereby increasing the drag from the surface covered by water and thus slowing down the boat speed. Proper use of mass is a key element in rowing efficiently.

[0124] Also, an accelerometer 24 is connected with the rowing seat 1. The purpose of the accelerometer 24 is to provide the user with technical equipment to improve their technique by measuring the acceleration speed of the rowing seat 1 during a rowing stroke and during the recovery phase.

[0125] The accelerometer 24 may be a detachably connected rowing seat or it may be incorporated or embedded in the rowing seat. Furthermore, the accelerometer may comprise a power supply 26 such as a battery.

[0126] The accelerometer 24 and/or pressure sensor 20 may be connected with a transmitter 27 adapted to wirelessly transmit data from the accelerometer 24 and/or the pressure sensor 20 to a receiver (not shown). Moreover, the transmitter 27 may communicate via a short-range wireless data communication, such as Bluetooth™, WLAN, Radio Frequency (RF), HomeRF or IrDA.

[0127] Acceleration data can be used to guide the user, i.e. a rower, with regard to how to coordinate legs, trunk and arms during the drive of the stroke. The speed of the legs is a key element in mastering the most efficient stroke. High leg speed is one of the elements that differentiate good rowers from excellent rowers.

[0128] When more crew members are using a rowing seat according to the present invention with an accelerometer installed, it is possible to compare each set of data from the single accelerometers with each other. Coaches and rowers might be able to have a tool to help them synchronise a crew's drive and recovery phase by means of the data received.

[0129] Furthermore, the rowing seat 1 may comprise a cradle or other attachment means adapted for connecting a mobile device, such as a cellular phone or a smartphone, to the rowing seat. The mobile device may comprise one or more inertial sensors, for instance an accelerometer, a gyroscope etc., adapted to measure the acceleration of the rowing seat. The data from the sensors may be stored in the mobile device or it may be transmitted to another unit using the data communication unit of the mobile device.

[0130] In FIGS. 5-7, different embodiments of connection means for connecting the rowing seat with a boat (or a sliding carrier or wheels), a kayak or exercise equipment are shown. The rowing seat 1 may either be releasably or securely connected with the boat, kayak or exercise equipment.

[0131] The connection means may be arranged on the second face 3, on the first end, on the second end, on the first side and/or on the second side of the rowing seat 1. Further, the connection means may be adapted to engage or be attached to corresponding connection means arranged on the boat, kayak or exercise equipment.

[0132] In FIG. 5, the rowing seat 1 is shown from below, so that the second face 3 is visible. The connection means 25 is, in this embodiment (as in FIG. 4 above), nuts inserted or embedded in the second surface. The nuts are adapted to be connected with bolts and may for instance be used to replace an existing seat from a rowing machine.

[0133] In FIG. 6, the rowing seat 1 is shown in the same manner as in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the connection means 25 are magnets arranged on the second face 3. By applying the magnets, the rowing seat 1 may easily be detached from the boat, kayak or exercise equipment.

[0134] In FIG. 7, another embodiment of the connection means 25 is shown. In this embodiment, hook and loop attachments are used.

[0135] In other not shown embodiments, the connection means may comprise a click system, tape, adhesives, a skirt, tongue and groove attachments, elastic bands, or the like. The click system may for instance be similar to those used for racing bikes etc. The click system is made of a bolt with a clamping entity and a piece of rubber. The bolt fits to the product and to Concept2™ rowing seats. The bolt has to be turned into the hole in the product or the Concept2™ seat, meaning that it is possible to mount both seats to a rowing machine.

[0136] In another embodiment, the second face may be provided with a negative form so that the rowing seat can be positioned on top of another rowing seat, for instance an already known Concept2™ rowing seat.

[0137] The rowing seat as described above may be made from a rigid, a semi-rigid or a soft material or a combination thereof.

[0138] For instance, the material may comprise carbon-reinforced resin, which may provide a thin and very rigid rowing seat.

[0139] Moreover, the material may be a polymer, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). EVA material is characterised as a material which is hard when temperatures are relatively low (less than 40 degrees Celsius) but capable of moulding under high temperatures (over 80 degrees Celsius). The EVA material is available in different hardness measured in shores. Furthermore, EVA material is a lightweight material available in many different colours. If the rowing seat is made of soft material, it may be advantageous to have embedded stringers.

[0140] Furthermore, the material may also be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS).

[0141] In addition, the rowing seat may be made of a first material, for instance EVA material having a first stiffness (shore) and rigidity, and a second material, for instance having a second stiffness (shore) and rigidity, the second material being closest to the first face, and the first stiffness being larger than the second stiffness.

[0142] Furthermore, the rowing seat 1 may be coated with a surface other than EVA material for design reasons, and/or to improve the friction between the user and the rowing seat. The first face may for instance be imprinted with a flag, so that when the users are carrying their boat to the water, for instance during competition, the audience may easily detect which country the different competitors represent.

[0143] Moreover, a plurality of channels, apertures and/or grooves (not shown) may be arranged in connection with the first face for venting between the user and the rowing seat and for leading fluid away from the seat.

[0144] In FIG. 8, another rowing seat 1 according to the invention is shown in a top view. The rowing seat 1 comprises a first face 2 adapted to support and carry a user, and a second face (not shown) arranged opposite the first face 2. The rowing seat 1 further comprises a first end 4 and a second end 5, a first side 6 and a second side 7, and a longitudinal axis 8 extending between the first end 4 and the second end 5.

[0145] The first face 2 furthermore comprises a middle section 9 arranged substantially between the first side 6 and second side 7 and extending from the first end 4 towards the second end 5 with a length L of at least 8 cm, the middle section 9 having a substantially convex support face 10 extending along the longitudinal axis 8, the support face being adapted to support at least 50% of the user's weight during use of the rowing seat 1.

[0146] The first face 2 further comprises a first section 11 arranged between the middle section 9 and the first side 6, and a second section 12 arranged between the middle section 9 and the second side 7, the first and second sections being arranged lower than the support face 10 of the middle section 9, the first and second sections being adapted for providing partial support for a tuber ischiadicum of the user. The first and second sections 11, 12 each comprises a hole 40 for providing room for a tuber ischiadicum of the user.

[0147] FIG. 9 shows the rowing seat 1 from the first end 4. In FIG. 9, the shape of the middle section 9 is shown, and the configuration of the support face 10 where the concave support second faces 13 of the first and second sections converge into the convex support face 10. Furthermore, the first end 4 is from the middle section 9 towards the first and second sides made as low as possible to provide room for the user's thighs.

[0148] In FIG. 10, the rowing seat 1 is shown in a side view. The second side 7 comprises a second indentation 41 provided substantially between the first 4 and second end 5. Even though not shown, the first side may also comprise a first indentation. Furthermore, the height of the second end 5 may be higher than the height of the first end at each side 6, 7.

[0149] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view along the A-A line in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 shows how the middle section 9 with the support face 10 extends from the first end 4 towards the second end 5, but not all the way to the second end 5.

[0150] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the rowing seat 1 of FIGS. 8-11.

[0151] In FIG. 13, the second face 3 of another rowing seat 1 is shown in a top view. The second face 3 has a first area arranged opposite the first support face (not shown) of the first face. Furthermore, a longitudinal recess 45 is arranged in the first area, the longitudinal recess 45 extending along the longitudinal axis 8. Furthermore, additional recesses 46 are arranged at the second end 5 of the rowing seat 1. The longitudinal recesses 45, 46 have a rectangular shape having a width, a length and a depth. The longitudinal recess 45 has width w and length l, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0152] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view along the B-B line of the rowing seat 1 of FIG. 13. The longitudinal recess 45 has a depth d and extends from the second face 3 up into the middle section 9. In this embodiment, the longitudinal recess has a length l which is slightly smaller than the length of the middle section. However, in other embodiments, the longitudinal recess may be shorter, and in some circumstances even longer, than the middle section.

[0153] The rowing seat 1 may also comprise an insertion part 50, as shown in FIG. 15. The insertion part 50 is adapted to be inserted into the longitudinal recess 45. The insertion part 50 has a width w.sub.p, a length l.sub.p and a height h.sub.p. The width w.sub.p and length l.sub.p of the insertion part 50 substantially correspond to the width w and length l of the longitudinal recess 45. Furthermore, the middle section 9 may have a first stiffness (shore) and the insertion part 50 may have a second stiffness (shore).

[0154] The rowing seat and the insertion part may be made of the same material and may have the same stiffness, whereby the first stiffness is equal to the second stiffness. In this way, the middle section 9 of the rowing seat will have the same stiffness as the rest of the rowing seat 1 when the insertion part 50 is inserted into the longitudinal recess 45.

[0155] Even though the rowing seat and the insertion part are made of the same material, they may have different stiffnesses. This makes it possible to change the stiffness of the middle section by inserting an insertion part 50 having a different stiffness compared to the stiffness of the rowing seat. The stiffness of the insertion part 50 may be higher or lower than the stiffness of the rowing seat. Hereby is obtained that the rowing seat 1 may easily be configured to a specific user's weight and anatomy.

[0156] The second stiffness of the insertion part 50 may be between 5 and 80 shore.

[0157] In addition, the height h.sub.p of the insertion part 50 may be larger than the depth d of the longitudinal recess 45. Hereby, a portion of the insertion part 50 will project out from the second face 3 when the insertion part 50 is inserted into the longitudinal recess, whereby the insertion part 50 will be compressed and/or pushed further up against the support face of the middle section when the rowing seat is placed on a surface or another rowing seat and the user is seated. This has the consequence that the stiffness of the insertion part 50 increases, whereby the stiffness of the middle section also increases.

[0158] In FIG. 16, the insertion part 50 is inserted into the longitudinal recess 45.

[0159] Another embodiment of the insertion part 50 is shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 17. The insertion part 50 has a body portion 51 and a flange portion 52 for providing a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, the body portion 51 being adapted to be inserted into the longitudinal recess 45 and the flange portion 52 being adapted to abut the second face 3 while the body portion 51 is inserted in the longitudinal recess, as shown in FIG. 18. Hereby is obtained that the overall height of the middle section 9 increases, whereby the rowing seat 1 may be configured to the specific user. Indeed, the flange portion may have a flange height which may have different sizes on different insertion parts.

[0160] Furthermore, the insertion part 50 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 may also have a different stiffness compared to the stiffness of the middle section, thereby providing a further opportunity to change the configuration of the rowing seat 1.

[0161] A rowing boat 30 is shown schematically in a top view in FIG. 19. The rowing boat may be many types of boats, such as outriggers, inriggers, Edon boats, etc. The rowing boat 30 comprises the rowing seat 1 according to the invention. The rowing boat 30 may comprise a storage unit 31 adapted to store data received from the rowing seat, so that the data may be assessed and analysed later. The data from the rowing seat 1 may also be transmitted directly to a coach who follows the rowing boat so that the coach may advise the rowers. The data might also be transmitted to a technical device placed in the boat, so that the user is able to receive the data instantly. The data might be transmitted to different devices such as but not limited to StrokeBoxes™, cellphones, tablets, watches, glasses, or other mobile devices.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 20, the rowing seat 1 may also be used in a kayak 32.

[0163] In FIGS. 21-24, a sequence of a rowing stroke of a user 33 on a rowing machine 34 is shown. The rowing machine 34 comprises the rowing seat 1 according to the present invention. The rowing stroke is a cyclical movement which can be split into different phases: The catch (FIG. 21), the stroke (FIGS. 22-23), the finish (FIG. 24) and the recovery phase where the rower moves from the finish to the catch to prepare for the next rowing stroke.

[0164] The catch is executed by a fast movement on the legs, activating the gluteus maximus and lifting the rower's body weight from the rowing seat 1. The catch is followed by an opening in the angle between the legs and the chest, pushing the bag towards the bow of the boat, still using the legs, but now activating the trunk. In the next phase, the legs and trunk are still active, now supported by a pull in the handle, activating the arms and the abdominal wall. The stroke is finished by a turn from bow to stern using the arms, trunk and abdomen, leading the rower to the recovery phase.

[0165] In the catch, the vertical seat force is around 40% of the body mass (FIG. 21) followed by a boat acceleration phase where the vertical seat force is almost zero (FIG. 22). The third phase is characterised by a vertical seat force increasing from around 0 to up to 140% of the body mass, meaning that a person weighing 80 kilograms is putting approximately 112 kilograms on the seat in the finish.

[0166] Furthermore, the rowing, kayaking or exercise system according to the present invention may further comprise a display 35 to display data measured from the accelerometer and/or pressure sensor. The display 35 is for instance shown on the rowing machine 34 in FIGS. 21-24. However, it may also be arranged on the rowing boat or kayak.

[0167] Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.