ARRANGEMENT FOR PREVENTING AND PROTECTING CALF BITES WHILE ROWING BOAT
20260077846 ยท 2026-03-19
Inventors
- HRIDIK SINGH (ELLICOTT CITY, MD, US)
- QUINLAN THOMAS O'NEILL (ELLICOTT CITY, MD, US)
- TRISTAN QUAN QUOC TRAN (Ellicott City, MD, US)
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
The invention discloses an arrangement for preventing and protecting of calf bites during rowing boat including a slide endcap and a slide rail. Rowing boat Calf Bites are abrasions or cuts on the calves caused by the repetitive impact with the metal tracks of the boat's slide during the rowing stroke. The slide endcap of the present invention is prepared by three-dimensional printing and which is designed innovatively to protect the user and prevent calf-bites during boat rowing. The slide endcap provides flexibility to absorb impact during the rowing. The invention further discloses a rowing boat with a user having an arrangement for preventing and protecting of calf bites during rowing boat.
Claims
1. An arrangement (200) for preventing and protecting of calf bites during rowing boat comprising: A slide endcap (100) and a slide rail (202); Wherein the said slide endcap (100) comprises an impact face (102) on the front side; a reinforced area (104) on the top; a flange guard (106) on one side of the said slide endcap (100); Wherein the said reinforced area (104) comprises a screw holder (108); Wherein the said slide rail (202) is attached with the said slide endcap (100) using a screw thru the said screw holder (108).
2. The arrangement (200) for preventing and protecting of calf bites during rowing boat according to the claim 1, wherein said slide endcap (100) is prepared either by three-dimensional printing or by molding process.
3. The arrangement (200) for preventing and protecting of calf bites during rowing boat according to claim 1, wherein said slide endcap (100) is made up from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA) or Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).
4. The arrangement (200) for preventing and protecting of calf bites during rowing boat according to claim 3, wherein said slide endcap (100) is made up Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).
5. A rowing boat (310) having an arrangement (200) for preventing and protecting of calf bites during rowing boat comprising: a slide endcap (100) and a slide rail (202); Wherein the said slide endcap (100) comprises an impact face (102) on the front side; a reinforced area (104) on the top; a flange guard (106) on one side of the said slide endcap (100); Wherein the said reinforced area (104) comprises a screw holder (108); Wherein the said slide rail (202) is attached with the said slide endcap (100) using a screw thru the said screw holder (108); and a track (302); Wherein said track (302) is configured to slide on the said slide rail.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is achieved to the following detailed description thereof. Such a description refers to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0028] The present invention is described in brief with reference to the accompanying drawings. Now, refer in more detail to the exemplary drawings for the purposes of illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.
[0029] As used herein, the term comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers or elements but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers or elements.
[0030] As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a device encompasses a single device as well as two or more devices, and the like.
[0031] As used herein, the terms for example, like, such as, or including are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise specified, these examples are provided only as an aid for understanding the applications illustrated in the present disclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion.
[0032] As used herein, the terms may, can, could, or might be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0033] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
[0034] Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0035] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.
[0036] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the invention may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the invention will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0037] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0038] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition and persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0039] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0040] Rowing, often called crew in the United States, is the sport of racing boats using oars. It differs from paddling sports in that rowing oars (called blades in the United Kingdom) are attached to the boat using rowlocks, while paddles are not connected to the boat. Rowing is divided into two disciplines: sculling and rowing. In sculling, each rower (or oarsman) holds two oars, one in each hand, while in rowing each rower holds one oar with both hands. There are several boat classes in which athletes may compete, ranging from single sculls, occupied by one person, to shells with eight rowers and a coxswain, called eights. There are a wide variety of course types and formats of racing, but most elite and championship level racing is conducted on calm water courses 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long with several lanes marked using buoys. While rowing, the athlete sits in the boat facing toward the stern and uses the oars (also interchangeably referred to as blades), which are held in place by oarlocks (also referred to as gates), to propel the boat forward (towards the bow). Rowing is distinguished from paddling in that the oar is attached to the boat using an oarlock or a rowing gate, where in paddling there is no oarlock or attachment of the paddle to the boat. The rowing stroke may be characterized by two fundamental reference points: the catch, which is placement of the oar spoon in the water, and the extraction, also known as the finish or release, when the rower removes the oar spoon from the water. After the oar is placed in the water at the catch, the rower applies pressure to the oar levering the boat forward which is called the drive phase of the stroke. Once the rower extracts the oar from the water, the recovery phase begins, setting up the rower's body for the next stroke. At the catch, the rower places the oar in the water and applies pressure to the oar by pushing the seat toward the bow of the boat by extending the legs, thus pushing the boat through the water. The point of placement of the spoon in the water is a relatively fixed point about which the oar serves as a lever to propel the boat. As the rower's legs approach full extension, the rower pivots the torso toward the bow of the boat and then finally pulls the arms towards his or her chest. The hands meet the chest right at the sternum. At the end of the stroke, with the oar spoon still in the water, the hands drop slightly to unload the oar so that spring energy stored in the bend of the oar gets transferred to the boat which eases removing the oar from the water and minimizes energy wasted on lifting water above the surface (splashing). The recovery phase follows the drive. The recovery starts with the extraction and involves coordinating the body movements with the goal to move the oar back to the catch position. In extraction, the rower pushes down on the oar handle to quickly lift the spoon out of the water and rapidly rotates the oar so that the spoon is parallel to the water. This process is sometimes referred to as feathering the blade. Simultaneously, the rower pushes the oar handle away from the chest. The spoon should emerge from the water perpendicular or square and be feathered immediately once clear of the water. After feathering and extending the arms, the rower pivots the body forward. Once the hands are past the knees, the rower compresses the legs which moves the seat towards the stern of the boat. The leg compression occurs relatively slowly compared to the rest of the stroke, which affords the rower a moment to recover, and allows the boat to glide through the water. The gliding of the boat through the water during recovery is often called run. A controlled slide is necessary to maintain momentum and achieve optimal boat run.
[0041] Rowing boat Calf Bites (also known as slide bites and track bites) are abrasions or cuts on the calves caused by the repetitive impact with the metal tracks of the boat's slide during the rowing stroke. They can be prevented with by adjusting the boat configuration by raising the shoe height or repositioning the footstretchers. For the prevention of the Calf Bites, there are many protective accessories available, such as long pants, thick socks, or Calf Guards (neoprene sleeves) to cover the lower leg. There are also possibilities of making adjustment in the rowing boat, such as ensure the foot-stretchers are positioned correctly so there isn't excess slide in front of the seat; and check that the shoe height is appropriate for the rower to avoid the calf making contact with the tracks. Such adjustments are not always attainable, as the tracks in the optimal rowing position can sometimes induce Calf Bites alone.
[0042] Calf Bites are a discomfort that pester 77,000 rowers in the U.S., This is caused by portions of the track protruding into the calf while rowing. No solution treats the source of the problem, which is caused by the Calf repeatedly coming into contact with the track causing skin tears and abrasions. Rather, these solutions focus on treating the Calf and making it more durable. The present invention provides novel and innovative arrangements for preventing calf bites and protecting calves while rowing boats.
[0043] The slide endcap is fitted at front end of slide rail with the help screw joints or any similar type of joining tools. Further, the slide rail is fitted on the rowing boat. The slide endcap can be prepared by traditional molding method or can be prepared by three-dimensional printing method. In the present invention the preferred method for manufacturing the slide endcap is three-dimensional printing. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a process that builds physical objects by adding material layer by layer from a digital file. Also known as additive manufacturing, it starts with a 3D model from CAD software or a 3D scanner, which a 3D printer then slices into thin cross-sections. The printer uses materials like plastics, metals, or resins to construct the object, enabling the creation of complex and customized designs for applications ranging from medical devices to product prototypes. Various experiments were performed by creating the slide endcap having different angles of the impact face (102). In general, different types of polymeric materials are used for preparing objects by 3D printing techniques, such materials can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA) or Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). The preferred material for manufacturing the slide endcap is Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The objects prepared using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has many benefits, such as easy to print, inexpensive, elasticity, weather resistance, oil resistant, abrasion resistant, grease resistant, biodegradable, and has lifespan of around three to four years. The slide endcap is prepared by 3D printing 100% infill up until about 0.1 inches from where the slope starts after that 10% infill. This combination of infills allows the part to remain structurally intact where it connects with the track and allow for a cushioning effect where the part comes into contact with the Calf. TPU was the primary fabrication material selected for 3D printing, the part had to be produced using 3D printing to retain the flexibility of the material. The flexibility of TPU is highly dependent on the infill, density, percentage of the part. The higher the density, the more rigid TPU becomes. So to remain rigid at the attachment point a 100% infill was used. However, the rest of the part has a much lower density, around 10%, to retain the TPU's flexible properties. In injection molding, this process cannot be done, as the entire part is made with 100% infill, making a completely solid part.
[0044] TPU was selected and tested virtually using Autodesk Inventor to simulate deformation under calf impact, applying a 5-lb force on top of the device at an angle. The endcap was simulated with Rubber, which has less flexibility than TPU. Since Autodesk Inventor does not include TPU in its material library, the simulation was conducted using Rubber as a substitute, which has slightly less flexibility than TPU. Inventors adhered loosely to the original endcap (as normally use commercially and in prior art) dimensions, using that to define the angle we could reach without interfering with rower's form, as the original endcaps are found on every rowing shell. This measurement created a 45-degree angle for the impact face.
[0045]
[0046] The slide endcap of the present invention is also tested by various other experiments. Results are presented in the table below.
TABLE-US-00001 Type of Test performed Results Water Immersion (6 hrs) No change to material properties; design, or physical limits Heat Testing (37 No change to material degrees Celsius) in properties; design, or physical freshwater limits UV Testing (goggle No change to properties of the Cabinet 5x 2 min each) model Saltwater Immersion No change to properties of the Test (24 hrs) model
[0047] The arrangements for preventing calf bites and protecting from the calf bites while rowing boats of the present invention has several advantages and benefits such as it acts as a barrier between the calf and track, it is waterproof, it is long-lasting, does not hinder the rower's ability to perform in their sport, and make the row more comfortable for longer periods of time. All the experiments were repeated around four to ten times.
[0048] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
[0049] The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments.
[0050] While the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.