Unstable rowing simulator

Abstract

Lever-type rowing machine, whose main rigging dimensions meet the corresponding parameters of sweep rowing or sculling boat is mounted to the base frame by using front and rear elastic suspension so that the simulator makes it possible to rotate (tilt) about its transverse and longitudinal axes and move vertically, thus making it possible to simulate the boat swings on the transverse and longitudinal axes and movement in the vertical direction. In addition, the simulator has passive and active stabilization systems, enabling the athlete to maintain a balance, and stiffness of its front and rear suspension and stabilizer system can be adjusted depending on the weight and balancing ability of user. There is also a possibility to constraint the suspension thus ensuring full stability of the simulator and exercise regime, corresponding to the exercising on common rowing machines.

Claims

1. An unstable rowing simulator, comprising: a stable base; a lever type rowing machine comprising a frame with a central longitudinal beam and a crossbar, the frame resting on the stable base; adjustable elastic supports supporting the lever type rowing machine on the stable base; levers imitating oar handles attached to the lever type rowing machine at knuckles, the levers being equipped with spikes that extend the levers, the spikes being attached to the knuckles behind the knuckles; and viscous friction damping elements connected at one end to the stable base and at another end to an end of one of the respective spikes of the levers imitating oar handles, wherein, the adjustable elastic supports comprise i) one set of adjustable elastic supports for stabilizing roll and ii) one set of adjustable elastic supports for stabilizing pitch and vertical motion, and ends of the central longitudinal beam of the frame are mounted in spherical hinges at vertically movable upper parts of the adjustable elastic supports for stabilizing pitch and vertical motion, the vertically movable upper parts of the adjustable elastic supports being adjustable for stiffness.

2. An unstable rowing simulator, comprising: a lever-type rowing machine (1) equipped with i) a main longitudinal beam (2), ii) a frame crossbar (5), iii) a seat (3), iv) levers (4) imitating oar handles attached to ends of the frame crossbar (5), and v) crutches (6) that attach the levers (4) at the ends of the frame crossbar (5); a cross-shaped base frame comprised of a base longitudinal beam (7) and a base crossbar (12); elastic supports (8) located at ends of the base longitudinal beam (7), the elastic supports (8) supporting ends of the main longitudinal beam (2), the elastic supports (8) being individually adjustable for weight of an athlete using the unstable rowing simulator, wherein top ends of the elastic supports (8) are movable, have an adjustable stiffness, and include spherical hinges (10), and the ends of the main longitudinal beam (2) are supported in the spherical hinges (10); and viscous friction damping elements (14) having a first end connected to the base crossbar (12) and an opposite second end connected to an end of a respective one of the levers.

3. The unstable rowing simulator of claim 2, further comprising: adjustable height rests (11) that restrict an amplitude of tilt of the frame crossbar (5) about a longitudinal axis passing through centers of the spherical hinges (10); and further elastic supports (13) located between parts of the frame crossbar (5) and the base crossbar (12).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows the kinematic scheme of the unstable rowing (sculling) simulator with an active stabilization system controlled by oar handles movements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(2) The basis of unstable rowing simulator (FIG. 1) is the lever-type rowing machine 1. It's equipped with a movable (along main longitudinal beam 2 of cross-shaped frame) or fixed seat 3, and the levers 4, imitating oars handles, attached at the frame crossbar 5 ends by crutches 6. The beam 2 of the frame of rowing machine is suspended at the ends of longitudinal beam 7 of the cross-shaped base frame by means of elastic supports 8 (adjustable depending on weight and capacity of the athlete). The ends of the beam 2 are bed in spherical hinges 10 at the vertically movable upper parts 9 of supports 8.

(3) The adjustable height rests 11 are used to restrict the amplitude of tilt of the roving machine about the longitudinal axis (passing through the centers of hinges 10), and the elastic supports 13 between the frames crossbars 5 and 12 are installed to facilitate the maintenance of a balance. The active control of the balance is ensured by means of viscous dampers 14, attached at one end to the base frame crossbar 12, and at the otherto the ends of spikes 15 of oars handles 4, protruding behind the crutches 6. The center of gravity of the athlete, sitting on a rowing machine seat 3, is above the longitudinal axle of its rotation about joints 10, so the system simulator-athlete is unstable: when the center of mass of the system departs from the vertical plane (when athlete leans on side itself, takes a list together with the rowing machine etc.) system loses the balance and rowing machine tilts around said axis until the appropriate end of the frame crossbar 5 leans on the upper end of the elastic support 13. Being compressed the elastic support 13 helps to maintain the balance, because reacts the tilting of rowing machine: if the stiffness is enoughuntil complete stop, otherwiseslowing down, until the simulator frame crossbar 5 leans on the adjustable rest 11 mounted nearby. Active balancing is actualized by using viscous damper 14. When the athlete lifts oar handles (levers 4) dampers 14 are being compressed and thus they generate resisting force, proportional to the compression rate, which is stabilizing force. This force helps to maintain a balance, because when the end of spike 15 of oar handle 4 is supposed to be restrained in vertical direction the further raising of oar handle 4 leads to raising the corresponding end of crossbar 5 what leads to restoring the balance.

(4) The unstable rowing simulator can be used as stable exerciser if necessary. This is achieved by restraining the upper (vertically movable) parts 9 of front and rear supports 8 and setting adjustable rests 11 height so that the simulator frame crossbar 5 would recline on them.