Dynamic rowing simulator

Abstract

An exercise device is disclosed including a first elongated structural member extending in a longitudinal direction. A resistance element is connected to the first elongated structural member, the resistance element providing a resistance force. A seat is connected to the first structural member, the seat includes a seating surface. A drive which drives the resistance element includes a handle to be held by a user. The seat and resistance element are moveable with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction and a centroid of the resistance element is arranged lower than an upper edge of the first elongated structural member.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising: a first elongated structural member extending in a longitudinal direction; a housing movable in the longitudinal direction along said first elongated structural member; a resistance element connected to said first elongated structural member and positioned in the housing, said resistance element providing a resistance force and configured to move in the longitudinal direction along said first elongated structural member; a seat connected to said first structural member, said seat comprising a seating surface having a middle; a drive which drives said resistance element, said drive including first and second drives, the first drive configured as an endless loop and the second drive comprising a handle and an elongated element, the handle having two ends to be held by a user and the elongated element connected to the handle between the two ends; a foot rest connected to said housing; wherein said seat and said housing are moveable with respect to each other and with respect to said first elongated structural member along said first elongated structural member; wherein a centroid of said resistance element is arranged lower than an upper edge of said first elongated structural member and said second drive positioned such that the elongated element extends from a middle of the handle along a middle plane which passes through the middle of the seat and the first drive extends from above to below the first elongated structural member to drive said resistance element, wherein said first drive moves along the longitudinal direction with said resistance element.

2. An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said centroid of said resistance element is positioned below the first elongated structural member.

3. An exercise device according to claim 2 further comprising: a second elongated structural member extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first elongated structural member, the housing connected to said second elongated structural member and the resistance element positioned between said first and second elongated structural members; wherein said first drive extends from above to below the first and second elongated structural members and passes between the first and second elongated structural members.

4. An exercise device according to claim 1 further comprising: a second elongated structural member extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first elongated structural member the housing connected to said second elongated structural member and the resistance element positioned between said first and second elongated structural members; wherein said first drive extends from above to below the first and second elongated structural members and passes between the first and second elongated structural members.

5. An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the centroid of said resistance element is arranged in a vertical plane extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of said first structural member and intersecting the middle of said seat.

6. An exercise device according to claim 4, wherein said resistance element comprises a flywheel between two bearings and the first drive drives the flywheel off center with respect to middle plane.

7. An exercise device according claim 6, wherein a rotating portion of said resistance element is at least partly arranged between said first and second structural members.

8. An exercise device according to claim 4, wherein the first elongated structural member and the second elongated structural member are supported at least partly by least one spring.

9. An exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one spring is disposed at or near a rear end zone of the first elongated structural member and the second elongated structural member, the rear end zone positioned on an end of the exercise device positioned such that the seat is between the end and the resistance element.

10. An exercise device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one spring comprises a gas spring.

11. An exercise device comprising: an elongated structural member extending in a longitudinal direction; a resistance element connected to said elongated structural member, said resistance element providing a resistance force and having a rotating flywheel member which rotates about an axle having an axis of rotation and has vanes which provide air resistance when the rotating flywheel member is spinning; said axle supported from two bearings, the two bearings positioned such that the rotating flywheel member rotates between the two bearings, said resistance element moveable with respect to said elongated structural member; a seat connected to said elongated structural member, said seat comprising a seating surface having a center and moveable with respect to said elongated structural member; a drive which drives said resistance element, said drive comprising a handle to be held by a user connected to a flexible elongate member and an off center drive element which is driven by the flexible elongate member and drives the rotating flywheel member between the two bearings, wherein the off center drive extends from above to below said elongated structural member; the flexible elongate member configured to be pulled by a user in a direction substantially aligned with respect to a vertical plane passing through the center of the seat; the rotating flywheel element being positioned such that the two bearings are positioned on either side of the vertical plane.

12. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein said seat is moveable with respect to said resistance element along said elongated structural member.

13. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein said resistance element is moveable with respect to said seat along said elongated structural member.

14. The exercise device of claim 13 wherein said resistance element and said seat are movable along said elongated structural member.

15. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein said elongated structural member comprises two elongated members spaced apart at a distance with at least part of said rotating flywheel member positioned between the two elongated members.

16. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein said elongated structural member comprises two elongated members spaced apart at a distance to create a space therebetween and said off center drive element passes through the space.

17. The exercise device of claim 15 further comprising a foot support element having left and right foot support areas with a space between the left and right foot support areas, wherein the elongated structural member is aligned with the space.

18. The exercise device of claim 16 further comprising a foot support element having left and right foot support areas with a space between the left and right foot support areas, wherein the elongated structural member is aligned with the space.

19. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein the axis is located lower than an upper edge of said elongated structural member.

20. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein at least part of said drive element extends from above to below the elongated structural member, passing through a horizontal plane containing part of said elongated structural member.

21. An exercise device comprising: an elongated structural member extending in a longitudinal direction; a resistance element connected to said elongated structural member, said resistance element providing a resistance force and configured to move along the elongated structural member; a seat connected to said elongated structural member, said seat comprising a seating surface and configured to move along the elongated structural member; a drive which drives said resistance element, said drive comprising a handle to be held by a user connected to a flexible elongate member; a support system connected to said elongated structural member and including a first support and a second support; said first support connected to one side of the elongated structural member and extending in a downward direction with respect to the elongated structural member; said second support having first and second ends, the first end connected to another side of the elongated structural member, the second support extending in a downward direction with respect to the elongated structural member; a spring element positioned between the first and second ends of the second support thereby allowing the second support to extend and retract in a vertical direction to change a distance between the first and second ends and absorb force thereby allowing the another side of the elongated structural member to displace vertically wherein a height of the elongated structural member is adjustable separately from the ability to change the distance between the first and second ends in order to absorb force.

22. The exercise device of claim 21 wherein the spring is positioned such that the seat is between the spring and the resistance element in relation to the longitudinal direction.

23. The exercise device of claim 21 wherein said drive further comprises an off center drive element which extends from above to below the elongated structural member to drive the resistance element off center with respect to a middle plane in which the elongated structural member travels.

24. The exercise device of claim 21 wherein the second support has an unloaded length measured between the first and second ends which is adjustable.

25. The exercise device of claim 24 wherein the unloaded length is adjustable by activating an actuator positioned on the second support.

26. The exercise device of claim 21 wherein said elongated structural member comprises two bars spaced apart at a distance with the resistance element positioned between the two bars; and wherein said drive element comprises first and second drives, the first drive being an endless loop extending from above to below the elongated structural member and between the two bars.

27. An exercise device, comprising: a first elongated structural member extending in a longitudinal direction; a housing movable in the longitudinal direction along said first elongated structural member; a resistance element connected to said first elongated structural member and positioned in the housing, said resistance element providing a resistance force and configured to move in the longitudinal direction along said first elongated structural member; a seat connected to said first structural member, said seat comprising a seating surface having a middle; a drive including an elongated element and a handle, the drive positioned at least partially in said housing and said drive drives said resistance element; the handle positioned above the first elongated structural member and having two ends to be held by a user and the elongated element connected to the handle between the two ends; a foot rest connected to said housing; wherein said seat and said housing are moveable with respect to each other and with respect to said first elongated structural member along said first elongated structural member; wherein a centroid of said resistance element is arranged lower than said first elongated structural member and said drive positioned such that the elongated element extends from a middle of the handle along a middle plane which passes through the middle of the seat and a portion of said drive moves along the longitudinal direction with said resistance element while passing from above to below the first elongated structural member.

28. The exercise device of claim 27 wherein a diameter of the resistance element is less than a height of the first elongated structural member.

29. The exercise device of claim 27 wherein the centroid is positioned below the first elongated structural member a distance which is less than a radius of the resistance element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exercise device according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic top view of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a schematic open side view of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a detail of the exercise device of FIG. 1 in a perspective view.

(6) FIGS. 6A-C respectively show top, perspective and rear views of one of the supports of the device in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of a flywheel of the device in FIG. 1.

(8) In all figures, like reference numerals represent like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Directions such as vertical and horizontal are used to provide information on the orientation of parts in a normal use of the exercise device. Front and rear are defined as seen by a user using the exercise device in a normal way.

(10) FIG. 1 shows an exercise device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The exercise device 1 is in particular a rowing simulator, also referred to as rowing machine. In this example the exercise device has two vertically arranged legs 12, 12 that support a first elongated structural member 10 and a second elongated structural member 20, such that the first and second structural members 10, 20 extend more or less horizontally at a predetermined, chosen distance or height from a floor or the like on which the device 1 is placed. The legs 12, 12 connect to horizontal beams 13, 13 which rest on the floor and which extend substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the first and second structural members 10, 20 in order to provide stability to the exercise device 1. In this embodiment the front beam 13 is provided with transport wheels 14. In this embodiment the rear leg 12 is adjustable in height, such that the structural members 10, 20 may be adjusted between extending horizontally and slightly inclined. The two structural members 10, 20 are here of the same size and shape and are disposed parallel to each other between the legs 12, 12. A seat 30 is moveably attached to the two structural members 10, 20, such that the seat 30 may be moved along at least a part of the length of the two structural members 10, 20. The seat 30 has an upper seating surface 31 on which a user may sit. Furthermore the exercise device 1 comprises a resistance element, in this example a flywheel, 40 that is disposed vertically and symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane p that is parallel to the elongated structural members 10, 20 and passes through the centre of the seat 30, see also FIG. 3. As in this example the seat 30 is connected to the structural members 10, 20 in a symmetrical (centred) way, the resistance element 40 is also centred with respect to the structural members 10, 20 and the exercise device 1 in general. The resistance element 40 has a centroid 41, defined as the geometric centre of the resistance element 40, which centroid 41 is located at a lower position than the seating surface 31. In this case the centroid 41 is also lower than the seat 30 and the structural members 10, 20. The resistance element 40 is disposed partly between the structural members 10, 20. The resistance element 40 is connected to first and second drive 50, 60. The resistance element 40 and first and second drive 50, 60 are in this embodiment at least partly accommodated in a housing 81, which housing 81 is moveably attached to the two structural members 10, 20 such that the housing 81 may be moved along at least a part of the length of the two structural members 10, 20. Additionally the exercise device 1 according to this embodiment includes two foot rests 80 for the user to rest his/her feet on and/or to push against, which foot rests 80 are attached to the housing 81.

(11) The example embodiment in FIG. 1 also shows a spring 17 that supports the first elongated structural member 10 and the second elongated structural member 20. The spring 17 is disposed at the rear end zone of the exercise device 1 as seen from a user using the exercise device 1. In this example the spring 17 are attached to the first elongated structural member 10 and the second structural member 20 at a rear end zones of the first elongated structural member 10 and the second structural member 20. The spring 17 are integrated in the leg 12, i.e. more or less form the leg 12. The spring 17 allow at least a part of the first elongated structural member and the second elongated structural member to move slightly in the longitudinal direction of the leg 12 in which the spring 17 is integrated, i.e. with respect to a supporting surface on which the exercise device is placed, for example a floor or the like. In this example the spring 17 is a gas spring comprising a cylinder 15 and a piston 16. The cylinder 15 is connected to the end zones of the first elongated structural member 10 and the second elongated structural member 20 and the piston 16 is connected to horizontal beam 13.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the exercise device 1 of FIG. 1. It is shown in FIG. 2 that the first elongated structural member 10 has an upper edge 11 and that the centroid 41 of the resistance element 40 is arranged lower as both this upper edge 11 of the first elongated structural member 10 and the seating surface 31. The upper edge of the second structural member 20 is not shown in FIG. 2, but this upper edge extends parallel to and at the same height as the upper edge 11 of the first structural member 10. The seat 30 comprises wheels 32 by means of which the seat 30 is moveable along the two structural members 10, 20. In FIG. 2 a handle 61 is schematically shown, which handle 61 is attached to a free outer end of second drive 60. The housing 81 includes a foot support or footstretcher 80 where the user's feet can push to separate the seat and resistance unit while holding the handle. The foot securing members show in FIG. 3 are spaced apart a distance sufficient such that the elongated members 10,20 can fit in the space therebetween.

(13) In FIG. 3 is depicted a simplified top view of the exercise device 1. The exercise device 1 in FIG. 3 is simplified because FIG. 3 does not show the housing 81 with the resistance element 40 and the first and second drive 50, 60. These parts are left out in order to clearly show the two structural members 10, 20 which extend parallel to each other with a chosen distance d there between. The seat 30 connects to both structural members 10, 20 in the way described above. A vertical plane p that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the structural members 10, 20 and through the centre of the seat 30 is also shown in FIG. 3. The resistance element 40 (not shown in this figure) is arranged symmetrically with respect to this plane, such that the mass of the resistance element is provided symmetrically to the user sitting on the seat 30. The plane p may also be seen as the (vertical) plane of symmetry of the exercise device 1. The distance d is sufficient such that the flywheel 40 can rotate in the such space. FIG. 4 shows part of the flywheel 40 extending above and between the bars 10/20 but with the centroid or central axis positioned below the bars 10/20.

(14) FIG. 4 is the side view of FIG. 2, but than partly open (i.e., one side of the housing 81 is left out). This FIG. 8 shows the first and second drive 50, 60 more clearly. The first drive 50 are in this embodiment an endless drive chain which connect to both the resistance element 40 and a transmission axis 55, see also FIG. 1. The second drive also connect to transmission axis 55. The second drive 60 comprise said handle 61 to be held by the user of the exercise device 1. When the user pulls the drive 60 in an outward direction with respect to the housing 81, said outward direction being indicated by arrow 62, the transmission axis 55 is rotationally driven, thereby also rotating the first drive 50 and thereby driving the resistance element 40. A one way clutch is provided such that when the second drive 60 return in an inward direction with respect to the housing 81, i.e. opposite to arrow 62, the first drive 50 do not move in a reversed direction. This way the first drive 50 may continuously move in only one direction or may temporarily not move, but in particular not move in an opposite direction.

(15) FIG. 5 shows a part of an exercise device 1 according to the invention in more detail, in which figure the housing 81 is partly transparent so that the resistance element 40 may be more clearly seen. The resistance element 40 is mounted to housing 81 by means of a rotatable axis 71 and is driven by said first drive 50 (not visible) that connect to said axis 71. A hub gear 70 is provided in said axis 71, which hub gear 70 may change the gearing ratio between drive 50 and resistance element 40. As can be seen in viewing FIGS. 2 and 5, the flywheel 40 is supported on both sides thereof, in certain embodiments by bearings. One side of the flywheel 40 has a gear or other element which engages the drive 50. As can be seen in FIG. 5 drive 50 extends from above to below the bars 10 and in certain aspects passes through the space between bars 10 and 20.

(16) Referring to FIGS. 6A-C, the height adjustment mechanism is shown in further detail. This mechanism allows for the height of the elongated support to be moved up and down to account for uneven floors and/or to account for varied weights of the user. The block 604 connects to the elongated support(s). The actuator 610 can be depressed by the user to rotate bar 616 about a fulcrum to depress the button at the bottom of the spring. The bar 616 is on the inside of bar 608. A screw 612 connects the actuator 610 to the bar 616. Once the actuator is depressed the cylinder 606 can extend or retract to the desired height. The block 604 may be included with a level indicator 602 (bubble level) which the user can see to ensure proper positioning. The actuator 610 is then released and the spring (shown as a gas spring) will operate from the position set based on the level or other indicator the user desires to utilize. The screw 600 may adjust a tension/resistance rate of the cylinder 606. The support is shown with plastic or nylon feet ends 614 that reduce or prevent marking/scratching of the floor and/or slipping of the device. When reaching what is referred to in rowing as the finish position the spring may depress, thus absorbing some of the compressive forces which would otherwise be transferred into the user's spine if not for the spring. It is understood that the foregoing shows a specific embodiment of a gas spring but that the scope of the disclosure extends to other types of spring/resistance elements which can be positioned to absorb vertical forces. As can be seen the spring/cylinder 606 is integrally part of the support for the elongated structural member. In preferred embodiments, the spring is part of the rear support element. The actuator is positioned spaced off center from the spring so that when the user sits on the seat, that user's heel can be positioned to depress the actuator and the user can then use their body weight to assist in adjusting the unloaded position of the spring. It is understood that the unloaded position relates to when the exercise device is assembled but not being used/occupied.

(17) FIG. 7 shows further detail of the flywheel which includes bearings 700/702 on either side thereof. A sprocket or gear 704 connects to the drive system, in certain embodiments the continuous drive element connects to gear 704. Vanes 706 provide air resistance when the flywheel is spinning. The shaft 708 has the bearings, gear and flywheel connected thereto. The bearings 700/702 provide support to the flywheel on both sides thereof to reduce the effects of gyroscopic forces and provide longer life through reducing the stresses on the shaft/axle 708. Typical rowing simulators have been provided with a cantilever style shaft where the flywheel is supported from only one side which may result in more difficulty balancing the flywheel which can often spin at a relatively high rate of RPMs. However, by lowering the flywheel, it can now be centered without interfering with the handle/drive. The drive element can incorporate the flexible elongated member (e.g. a chain) which is connected to a bungee element/pulley system which allows the chain to return on its own due to bungee retraction from finish to catch. This chain then drives the continuous element 50 which passes from above to below the elongated structural member. Thus, the user drives the flywheel from a centered position relative to the seat and this force is transferred to the offcenter continuous element 50 which connects to the sprocket/gear 704 to drive the flywheel. The one way clutch/freewheel element may be part of the sprocket/gear 704 or may be positioned closer to the transmission axis. As shown in FIG. 2 the handle extends on either side of the second drive 60 such that the second drive 60 connects to the handle approximately in a middle thereof. In this manner, the user can hold either side of the handle to pull the second drive 60 which causes the resistance element to rotate. Therefore, the handle can be held such that it is pulled in a manner that allows the user to remain centered with respect to the seat and the foot support elements and for the handle to generally be pulled along a straight path.

(18) As also shown in FIG. 1, the foot rests 80 are on either side of the elongated structural member such that the user's feet can push on the foot rests to the outside of the elongated structural member (which may include two bars). The flywheel/resistance element rotates between

(19) It is noted that the invention is not limited to the shown embodiment but also extends to variants within the scope of the appended claims.