Cross-country Skiing Machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for physical exercise comprising a pair of skis (2) having a top side and a bottom side, a frame (5), two pendulate arms (19), each of the pendulate arms has an upper end rotatably connected to the frame about a rotational axis, and a lower end pivotably connected to one of the skis, and at least one resistance unit (13, 15) connected to the pendulate arms. The device comprises at least one support parts (1;29;30) located below the skis respectively, and two movable elements (20;26;28) connected to the bottom sides of the skis respectively, and each of the movable elements are arranged linearly movable along one of the support parts.

Claims

1. A device for physical exercise comprising: a pair of skis having a top side and a bottom side, a frame, two pendulate arms, each of the pendulate arms has an upper end rotatably connected to the frame about a rotational axis, and a lower end pivotably connected to one of the skis, and at least one resistance unit connected to the pendulate arms, wherein the device comprises: at least one support parts located below the skis respectively, and two movable elements connected to the bottom sides of the skis respectively, and each of the movable elements are arranged to glide or role along the support parts, and wherein the device comprises a pair of first cords connecting the pendulate arms with the resistance unit, and each of the first cords is adjustably attached to one of the pendulate arms to enable a connection point between the cord and the pendulate arm to be raised and lowered along the pendulate arm.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said support parts are two elongated support parts.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said elongated support parts front and rear end are height adjustable.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said support parts are gliding rails arranged with a longitudinal axis in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the skis.

5. (canceled)

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein a raiseable rail is pivotally attached to a front side the skis, such that the rail can be raised from the skis when gliding or rolling over the support parts.

7. (canceled)

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first cords extend from the connection point on pendulate arms, to a pair of first wheels mounted at a lower end on the frame and positioned vertically under the axis of the pendulate arms thereafter upwards to a pair of second wheels at an upper end of the pendulate arms and therefrom to the at least one resistance unit.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first cords extend from the connection point on pendulate arms up between the pair of first wheels mounted at a lower end on the frame positioned vertically under said rotational axis thereafter upwards to the pair of second wheels via said rotational axis, and the first cords from the two pendulate arms then become a common cord continuing to the resistance unit.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first cords extend from the connection point on the pendulate arms down to the pair of first wheels mounted at an upper end on the frame positioned vertically under said rotational axis thereafter downwards through second wheels at a bottom of frame and then continuing to the at least one resistance unit.

11. (canceled)

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first cords extend from the connection point on the pendulate arms up between the pair of first wheels mounted at an upper end of the frame positioned vertically under said rotational axis thereafter to the at least one resistance unit.

13. The device according to claim 8, wherein the attachments of the pair of first wheels on the frame are individually adjustable in height along a length of the frame.

14. The device according to claim 8, wherein the attachments of the pair of first wheels on the frame are individually laterally adjustable both behind and in front of a vertical position of the pendulate arm.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a pair of pole handles, a pair of second cords connecting the pole handles to the at least one resistance unit.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resistance unit drives at least one flywheel, fan, centrifugal fan and/or magnetic resistance.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second cords are detachable connected to the resistance unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention will now be explained more closely by the description of different aspects of the invention and with reference to the appended figures.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an aspect of the invention in its initial position.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the aspect of the invention from the side, when the practitioner performs diagonal skiing and where the cord from the skis runs between wheels such that the resistance for pushing back is similar to that of pushing forwards. The arrow indicates movements of the arms of the user.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows an aspect of the invention from the side, when the practitioner performs diagonal skiing and where the cord runs from a resistance unit to a height of choice along the pendulate arms.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an aspect of the invention from the side, when the practitioner performs diagonal skiing and where the cords run to/between wheels such that the resistance when pushing back is larger than the resistance when pushing forward.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows an aspect of the invention from the side, when the practitioner performs poling at the start of the poling movement, where the practitioner, by leaning forward, first moves backwards with the skis and then when poling moves forward.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an aspect of the invention from the side, when the practitioner performs poling in the middle of the poling movement and the practitioner acquires a forward leaning position because of the resistance. The arrow indicates the movement of the arms.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows an aspect of the invention from the side, when the practitioner is in the end of the poling movement.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a resistance unit.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative aspect of the invention from above, where the first cords from the skis join to a common cord.

[0047] FIG. 10 shows an alternative aspect of the invention, where the skis instead of gliding over a rail, glide on fixed wheels.

[0048] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative aspect of the invention from the side, where wheels attached to skis are rolling on a circular shaped rail.

[0049] FIG. 12 shows an alternative aspect of the invention, where the pendulate arm is attached to the back side of the ski instead of to the front side and where the practitioner poles with poles attached to a glide element on a gliding rail, which drives the freewheel.

[0050] FIG. 13 shows a side view of the aspect in FIG. 12.

[0051] FIG. 14 shows an alternative aspect with poles attached to a gliding rail, where the pendulate arm are connected to the front side of the skis.

[0052] FIG. 15 shows a side view of an alternative aspect of the invention, where the resistance units is arranged on top of the frame and each cord has a separate adjustable resistance, flywheel attached.

[0053] FIG. 16 shows a top view of the aspect in FIG. 15.

[0054] FIG. 17 shows a top view of the aspect in FIG. 15, where each resistance unit drives one common flywheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0055] Terms, such as increased, reduced, larger, as used herein are relative terms comparing an values with a starting or middle position, (e.g. resistance) unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0056] The figures show a device for physical exercise. The device comprises or consists of a frame 5 supporting a crossing support element 9, which supports the pendulate arms 19. Pendulate arms 19 are each rotatably connected to skis 2.

[0057] The pair of skis 2 have a top side and a bottom side and may be connected to the pendulate arm 19 at a front side or a back side of the skis 2.

[0058] Two movable elements 20;26;28 are connected to the bottom sides of the skis respectively. Each of the movable elements are arranged linearly movable along a support part 1;29;30. The support parts 1;29;30 are located under the skis 2. The support parts may be elongated. The movable elements 20;26;28 are arranged to glide or roll on the support parts. As shown in FIG. 2, the support parts 1 are gliding rails arranged with a longitudinal axis in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the skis 2. The movable element 20 is attached to the bottom side of the ski 2 and glides over the rails 1. A rotatable wheel 6 may be present between the movable element and the bottom side of the ski 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the support part 29 is a block and the movable elements is a wheel 28 fixedly attached to support part 29 over which the skis 2 roll. FIG. 11, 13 shows a support part 30, which may be a rail 24 and which may have a circular shape as shown in FIG. 11, 13. The movable element 26 is a wheel that may be attached to the bottom side of the ski 2.

[0059] The movable element allows the practitioner to move the skis forward and backwards over the support parts 1;29;30 during skiing on the device. The steepness of the gliding rail or circular shaped support part may be varied to vary the angle of the skis in relation to the horizontal axis of the floor on which the device is placed. This allows varying the resistance of the skis during exercise.

[0060] Because skis 2 can either glide along a gliding rail 36 or, for example, roll with wheels 26 on a circular rail 24, the practitioner can vary the velocity of the pendulate arms by means of varying steepness of the support part or the leaning of the movable element. The practitioner's weight naturally causes the pendulate arms to return to its vertical starting position. If the rear part of the gliding rail 1 or circular rail 24 is raised, the ski 2 and gliding element 20 or wheel 26 will, upon return, need to push upwards to the raised rails 1, 24. The pendulate arms return after pivoting will then be slower compared to a straight flat rail. On the contrary, if the front part of the gliding rail 1 or circular rail 24 is raised, the return of the pendulate arms will be faster compared to a straight flat rail as the gliding element 20 of the gliding rail 1 or wheel 26 gets downhill and the pendulate arms with practitioner falls faster back to the starting position.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, a raiseable rail 37 may be pivotally attached to the skis 2 on a front side of the skis, or on the front side and top side of the skis. This allows the rail 37 to be raised from the skis when gliding or rolling over the support parts 1;29;30.

[0062] Bindings may be attached or mounted on the skis or raiseable rail 37. Any type of binding can be used for this purpose, such as clips, strips or straps to removably attach jogging shoes or ski boots.

[0063] The two pendulate arms 19 comprise each an upper end rotatably connected to the frame 5 about a rotational axis and a lower end pivotably connected to the skis. The pendulate arm 19 may be connected on the front side of the skis as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. The pendulate arm 19 may also be connected to the back side of the skis 2 as show in FIGS. 12 to 13.

[0064] The distance between the feet or a front side of the feet and the lower end of the pendulate arms is such that the practitioner has freedom to perform the skiing movement without being hindered by the pendulate arms, frame or cords. The distance may be between 0.2 and 3, or 0.3 to 2, or 0,4 to 1.5, or 0.5 to 1 meters.

[0065] At least one resistance unit 13, 15 is connected to the pendulate arms so that a resistance occurs when the skis 2 are pushed apart in the longitudinal direction of the skis.

[0066] The pendulate arms 19 are connected to the resistance unit by a pair of first cord 7. The resistance unit 13, 15 drives at least one flywheel, fan, centrifugal fan and/or magnetic resistance 14. The pendulate arms 19 may be connected directly to a drive shaft 17 of the flywheel 14 via first cords 7 and drive the flywheel 14 through the least one resistance units 13, 15. The resistance unit comprises or consist of the drive shaft 17, a freewheel hub 23 with freewheel function mounted on drive shaft 17, a spring, elastic band or coil 21, which is at one end attached to a loop 25 and at the other end attached to the first cord 7. (FIG. 8). It should be noted that the flywheel, fan, centrifugal fan and/or magnetic resistance 14 may be formed as an integral unit of the resistance unit 12, 13, 15, 16.

[0067] The first cord 7 is coiled on the freewheel hub 23, such that when first cord 7 is pulled out, the drive shaft 17 starts to rotate and wind up the cord. The first cord 7 is retracted to its start position by the spring or elastic band 21. The spring or elastic band 21 strives to hold a predetermined tension in first cord 7.

[0068] First cords 7 may be adjustably attached to the pendulate arms to enable a connection point between the resistance unit 13 ,15 and each of the pendulate arms. The first cord 7 may be connected so that it extends directly from the pendulate arms 19 to a drive shaft 17 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0069] First cords 7 may be adjustably attached to the frame 5 to enable a connection point between the resistance unit 13,15 and each of the pendulate arms.

[0070] The first cords 7 may extend from the connection point on pendulate arms 19 along the pendulate arms 19 up between a pair of first wheels 18, 22 mounted on the frame 5.

[0071] As the first cords 7 pass through first wheels 18, 22, the first cords are pulled out both when skis 2 are pivoted forwards and backwards.

[0072] The wheels 18, 22 may be positioned vertically under the rotational axis of the pendulate arms 19, whereby the first cord 7 passes through the pair of first wheels 18, 22 at a lower end of the frame 5 and thereafter continue upwards through a pair of second wheels 4 at an upper end of the pendulate arms and from there continue to the at least one resistance unit 13, 15 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the first cords 7 may extend from the connection point on the pendulate arms along the pendulate arms down between the pair of first wheels 18, 22 mounted on the frame 5 positioned vertically under said rotational axis at the upper end of the pendulate arms or frame 5 and thereafter continue downwards over the pair of second wheels 4 at a bottom of frame and then continue to the at least one resistance unit. In a further alternative, the cord continues from the pair of first wheels 18, 22 directly to the at least one resistance unit. The variation in height of the attachment of the first cord 7 to the frame 5 or pendulate arm 19 allows the resistance to be varied by the force of the leverage effect. The leverage effect is different depending on where the first cord 7 is attached to the pendulate arm 19 and where each of the pair of first wheels 18, 22 are attached to the frame 5. If the pair of first wheels 18, 22 are connected on the frame 5 or the pendulate arm 19 in the proximity of the rotational axis, a larger leverage effect and a reduced resistance is obtained compared to when the pair of first wheels 18, 22 are attached far down on the frame 5 or the pendulate arm 19 in the proximity of the skis, where leverage effect is reduced and the resistance increased.

[0073] The wheels may be positioned on the frame 5 in different ways to vary the resistance for the practitioner during skiing as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of first wheels 18, 22 do not need to be positioned next to each other in a horizontal direction along the longitudinal axis of the skis. For example, if one of the first wheel 18 is positioned closer to the bottom of the frame 5 than the another of the first wheel 22, e.g. at the level of the skies, the leverage effect is reduced compared to when the wheels are in parallel in a horizontal direction. In FIG. 4, the resistance of the movement backwards with the ski 2 will be increased when the cord 7 is pulled out. If, at the same time, another of the first wheel 22 is attached to the frame 5, e.g. in the proximity of the rotational axis, the forward movement of the ski will have an increased leverage effect and reduced resistance when the first cord 7 being pulled out.

[0074] The position of the pair of first wheels 18, 22 can also be varied in a lateral direction, i.e. in front or behind the rotational axis of the pendulate arm 19 along the longitudinal axis of the skis. If the pair of first wheels 18, 22 are mounted closer to the skier, it will cause no direct resistance to the skier in the ski 2 that is pivoted backwards. Instead, the resistance will be directly on the ski 2 that is pivoted forwards. Similarly, when the pair of first wheels 18, 22 are positioned further away from the skier, there will be more resistance in the back push and less in the forward push. If the pair of wheels 18, 22 are placed in line with the vertical starting position of pendulate arm, resistance occurs directly at the backwards push as well as forward push of the respective ski. This is because the starting position of the pendulate arm 19, with help of the user's weight, is vertical and when the pair of first wheels 18, 22, for example, are behind the rotational axis in a longitudinal direction in relation to the skis, the first cord 7 will first be pulled in when the pendulate arm passes the pair of first wheels 18, 22 and then the first cords 7 is pulled out again.

[0075] The first cords 7 may be connected to a common cord 10 as shown in FIG. 9. The first cords 7 continue from the two pendulate arms 19 to become a common cord 10. When the skis 2 pivot, a right ski 2 will move forward as much as a left ski 2 moves backwards. Common cord 10 is connected to the resistance unit 13.

[0076] The first cords 7 may be disconnected from the resistance 13, 15.

[0077] The device may comprise a pair of pole handles 3 and a pair of second cords 8 connecting the pole handles to the at least one resistance unit 12, 16. In this aspect, the cord 8 runs over the pair of second wheels 4 arranged at or in the proximity of said rotational axis at the upper ends of the pendulate arms 19. Each of the second cords 8 extend from one of the pole handles 3 via one of the pair of second wheels 4 to the at least one resistance unit 12, 16.

[0078] When the practitioner performs a poling movement, and pulls second cord 8 backwards, the velocity of the flywheel 14 increases. When the arms are moved forward for a new pull with handle/pole handle 3, the second cord 8 is pulled in again without affecting the speed of flywheel 14.

[0079] The second cords 8 may be disconnected from the resistance 12, 16.

[0080] The pole handles may be real poles 3. A top of each pole 3 may be pivotally attached to a gliding element 35, which glides along a gliding rail 36. The gliding rails 36 are mounted on an outside of one of the pendulate arms 19 in a lateral direction and parallel to the swing direction of the pendulate arms 19. The poles 3 may be attached to the gliding element 35 so that the angle of the pole 3 in relation to the gliding rail 36 can be varied in relation to the rails, thereby naturally following the practitioner's position during the skiing movement.

[0081] The device may comprise a rear 31 and a front 32 pulley with connecting endless belt 34 and mounted at the ends of each of the gliding rails 36.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the pole handles 3 may be pivotably and rotatably mounted on gliding elements 35 with their tips and adapted to glide along the gliding rails 36 and an endless belt 34, so that when the belt is actuated by a pulling force in the rearward direction, the at least one resistance unit 12, 16 is activated. At both ends of gliding rails, there may be pulleys 31, 32 connected to an endless belt 34. The at least one freewheel hub 23 of the resistance unit connects each of the first and/or second cords 7, 8 or rear and/or front pulleys 31, 32 with at least one drive shaft 17. The pole handles 3 drive the endless belt 34, the drive shaft 17 and the flywheel 14 when they are pushed backward by the practitioner. Movement of the first cords 7, and/or second cord 8 or the endless belt 34 in one direction drives at least one flywheel 14 in the opposite direction. The speed of the flywheel 14 is not affected, when the pole handles 3 together with endless belt 34 are thereafter pushed forward for a new pole strike.

[0083] By varying the size of freewheel hubs 23, the gear ratio can be varied. If the freewheel hubs 23 of the resistance unit 13, 15, which are connected to the skis, have a smaller diameter than the freewheel hubs 23 of resistance units 12, 16, which are connected to the pole handle 3, the resistance on the movement of the skis is larger compared to the resistance on the movement of the pole handles 3. The skis then affect the flywheel with greater force compared to when skis 2 and pole handle 3 are connected to equally sized freewheel hubs 23.

[0084] The gear ratio effecting the resistance 12, 13, 15, 16 can also be varied by attaching the freewheel or resistance to a second shaft (not shown), which through an endless belt and pulleys is connected to the driveshaft 17. The size of the pulleys can be varied to vary the gear ratio and power to the flywheel.

[0085] The construction also allows, for example, to stand still on the skis 2 and drive the flywheel 14 by simply poling the pole handles 3. Another possibility is to drive the flywheel 14 by pivoting the skis 2 without moving the pole handles 3. Cords 7, 8, 10, are detachably connected to the driveshaft 17, which allows them to be disconnected. For example, the first cord 7 may be disconnected from the pendulate arms 19, to get a clean swing without any resistance from the movement of the skis as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This still gives the desired forward movement at the poling itself.

[0086] In an alternative embodiment to those described above in connection to FIGS. 1 to 11, the at least one resistance unit is arranged on top of the frame 5 as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. The figures show a support part 30 as the one shown in FIG. 11, but it should be noted that it is merely an example; any support 1;29;30 part of the embodiments described in connection to FIGS. 1 to 11 can be combined with arranging the resistance unit on top of the frame. All features in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 can be applied to the embodiment, where the resistance unit is located on top of the frame except for the feature, when the first cords 7 are adjustably attached to the pendulate arms to enable a connection point between the resistance unit 3, 15 and each of the pendulate arms as shown in FIG. 3. This alternative device is less spacious.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims. For example, the resistance of the flywheel 14 can be varied by being connected to a magnetic brake, belt brake, back brake, air brake, water brake or any other type of brake. The resistance can then be connected to a computer that can be programmed so that the resistance is varied automatically. Skiing profiles similar to skiing on motion tracks in nature can be created by automating the device.