The present invention generally relates to the field of personal training equipment, specifically relating to novel improvements to a conventional rowing machine. The present invention recites an assembly of parallel resistance elements enabling simultaneous, independent exercise of opposed muscle groups.
Rowing machines, indoor rowers, or sometimes ‘ergometers’ are common implements in any well-equipped gym. Most conventional rowing machines employ a resistive element fixed to a slide-rail, onto which a seat and foot pedals are mounted. The seat itself is free to traverse across a single axis of the rail, sliding underneath a user to enable full extension and flexion of their legs against the foot pedals. A common iteration of this type of equipment is the ‘Dreissigacker/Williams device’, wherein the seat moves relative to the foot pedals. In some implementations, the seat and foot pedals are both mounted to independent sliding assemblies to enable greater flexibility or range of motion during exercise; this multi-body arrangement is called a ‘Rekers device’ to differentiate from simpler designs. Further developments of the conventional rower design relate to the resistive element itself, wherein the outward draw or unspooling of a retracting cable may be counteracted by linear pistons, air resistance (i.e. over-rotation of a fan/turbine), water resistance (similar turbine arrangement, within a sealed fluid reservoir), magnetic resistance (e.g. a manually-driven induction motor), or mechanically-braked flywheel assemblies across multiple known and available embodiments of similar exercise systems. The common element to most current iterations is the use of a single resistive element, with a single retracting cable grasped by a user to provide metered resistive force throughout an exercise session.
It is proposed that the available or supported exercises may be expanded in both form and efficacy with the addition of a second resistive element, adjacent to but independent from each other. This arrangement may be further improved with the addition of a rotationally-adjustable seat, wherein the user may deflect the primary seating position laterally across the rail to enable oblique or core-strength exercises in conjunction with the more conventional exercises associated with indoor rowers. The double-resistance element arrangement is further considered to synergize with the laterally flexible seating arrangement to enable a user to focus and isolate muscle groups that may otherwise be neglected during a simple linear routine.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole.
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The first handle 12 is torsionally engaged to the first resistance assembly 10 and the second handle 13 is torsionally engaged to the second resistance assembly 11. Further, the clutch mechanism 14 is operably engaged between the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11, wherein the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are rotationally coupled by the clutch mechanism 14. The clutch mechanism 14 refers to any operable means of binding the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 together, whereby the resistance across the first handle 12 and the second handle 13 is at least partially equalized. In one embodiment, the clutch mechanism 14 configures the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 to exert proportional resistance across the first handle 12 and the second handle 13, wherein the sum of the resistance of both the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 is exerted across both the first handle 12 and the second handle 13. In at least one alternate embodiment, the clutch mechanism 14 engages the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 to exert disproportionate resistance between the first handle 12 and the second handle 13, wherein either the first handle 12 or the second handle 13 may selectably offer greater or lesser resistance to target selected muscle groups during an exercise.
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As outlined above, the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are configured to operate cooperatively or independently via the clutch mechanism 14. Accordingly, the clutch mechanism 14 comprises an arbor 21, a first engagement element 22, a second engagement element 23, a first receiver socket 24, and a second receiver socket 25. The arbor 21 is positioned concentric with the axle 16, wherein the arbor 21 traverses between the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11. The arbor 21 is an elongate cylindrical member configured to rotate relative to the axle 16 during engagement to either the first resistance assembly 10 or the second resistance assembly 11 but is otherwise unbound to any other moving part at the interstitial position shown in
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In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the clutch mechanism 14 is operable by a single user, absent the need for any tools or specialized training. It is therefore proposed that the clutch mechanism 14 be released and engaged by a single reversible operation, wherein a user manually fixes or releases the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 without requiring direct adjustment of each disparate component. Accordingly, the clutch mechanism 14 further comprises at least one linear adjustment mechanism 29, a first spring, and a second spring 31 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the linear adjustment mechanism constitutes a threaded rod engaged into a corresponding threaded hole, thereby allowing the overall length of the arbor 21 to be adjusted via the rotation of the first engagement element 22 relative to the second engagement element 23. The first spring 30 and the second spring 31 maintain tension across the arbor 21, forcing the first engagement element 22 and the second engagement element 23 clear of the first receiver socket 24 and the second receiver socket 25 as the linear adjustment mechanism increases the overall length of the arbor 21. In reverse, the force of the first spring 30 and the second spring 31 are overcome by the linear adjustment mechanism to reengage the first engagement element 22 and the second engagement element 23 into the first receiver socket 24 and the second receiver socket 25.
Common rowing exercises, as outlined above, typically involve the flexion and extension of major muscle groups in the legs, back, and arms with a particular focus on the linear compression and extension of these muscle groups along a linear ‘stroke’. It is therefore advantageous for the seating position to be slidable and adjustable to enable the full flexion and extension of a user's legs during this exercise, enabling a user to selectably isolate muscle groups by fixing or displacing the seating position along the elongate frame 17. Accordingly, the seat assembly 18 further comprises a bearing pin 33, a platform 34, and at least one locking mechanism 35 as shown in
In at least one additional embodiment, it is proposed that a user may benefit from a configuration wherein the platform 34 is positioned at a variable angular offset relative to the frame. In reference to
In the broadest conception of the present invention, the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 constitute any type or variety of resistance element suitable for use in exercise equipment. In at least one embodiment, the use of rotation counter-mass is proposed as an optimal source of said resistance, wherein the resistance force generated is immune to the fall-off and variation inherent to pressurized damper systems as they become heat soaked during continuous use. Likewise, elastic elements eventually lose structure and resilience over time and use, thereby weakening the exerted resistance force as a user grows stronger due to regular exercise. Accordingly, the first resistance assembly 10 further comprises a first shell 38 and a first flywheel 39. The second resistance assembly 11 further comprises a second shell 40 and a second flywheel 41. The chassis 15 further comprises a first annular cavity 42 and a second annular cavity 43, wherein the axle 16 traverses between the first annular cavity 42 and the second annular cavity 43. The first flywheel 39 is positioned within the first annular cavity 42 and the second flywheel 41 is positioned within the second annular cavity 43. The first shell 38 is perimetrically mounted over the first annular cavity 42, wherein the first handle 12 traverses through the first shell 38. The second shell 40 being perimetrically mounted over the second annular cavity 43, wherein the second handle 13 traverses through the second shell 40.
The first shell 38 and the second shell 40 individually define protective coverings for the first flywheel 39 and the second flywheel 41, respectively. As shown in
A key functionality of the present invention is the selectable independent motion of the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 about the axle 16, thereby enabling a multitude of new exercises that are not conventionally possible with standard rowing machines. Accordingly, the axle 16 must provide a rigid central support for both the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 while simultaneously enabling the clutch mechanism 14 to operate therethrough. As shown in
Further embodiments of the present invention support a data logging or metric-gathering functionality, enabling a user to accurately track performance during an exercise routine. More specifically, the chassis 15 further comprises a controller 47, at least one sensor 48, and a display 49. The controller 47 is electronically connected to the at least one sensor 48 and the display 49. The at least one sensor 48 is mounted to the chassis 15, wherein the at least one sensor 48 is configured to measure rotation of a first flywheel 39 of the first resistance assembly 10 and a second flywheel 41 of the second resistance assembly 11, and wherein measurement data is received by the controller 47. The display 49 is configured to execute display commands received from the controller 47, including both contemporaneous outputs of rotation data and historical data mapped and rendered over time. Across a variety of embodiments, the controller 47 broadly refers to any type of data processor or unitary monitoring system as may be realized by a reasonably skilled individual. Likewise, the at least one sensor 48 refers to any observational component suitable for converting rotational data into a machine-readable format for use by the controller 47. The display 49 constitutes an interface and output component, wherein the display 49 may be permanently associated with the present invention or implemented on an external device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or another similar device).
As with many other conventional exercise equipment, it is recognized that deployments within a temporary ‘home-gym’ require frequent relocations of the present invention. For both ease of transport and space efficiency, it is contemplated that the present invention includes an integrated means of converting between a deployed, a stowed, and a transport configuration as shown in
Embodiments of the present invention are ideally configured to take advantage of any type or rotating resistance brake, including combinations thereof, to provide an optimal resistance force for exercise. As previously outlined, pressurized resistance elements (e.g., gas springs, hydraulic dampers, or other similar sealed cylinders) used in conventional exercise machines are prone to resistance fatigue as they become heat-soaked through repeated pressurizations. In contrast, rotating resistors provide consistent resistance across all rotational speeds and throughout any period of use.
In one embodiment, the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are air turbines. The first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are configured to convert pneumatic resistance into tension against the first handle 12 and the second handle 13, wherein the air turbines resist movement against the air as they are forced to rotate by the user. This embodiment provides an added benefit in self-cooling and air circulation, as the user is effectively powering a manual air recirculation device throughout an exercise. This capacity for air recirculation may, in at least one embodiment, be directed to provide direct air cooling to the user or various parts of the present invention.
In another embodiment, the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are fluid turbines, wherein the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are configured to convert hydraulic resistance into tension against the first handle 12 and the second handle 13. This embodiment may utilize similar overall components to the air turbine embodiment, with the addition of a viscous fluid into the chassis 15 to provide greater resistance to the rotation of the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11. It is further considered that the volume and type of viscous fluid may be adjusted to provide an analogue resistance adjustment, wherein greater volumes of fluid equate to greater resistance against the movement of the first handle 12 and the second handle 13.
In yet another embodiment, the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are fluid turbines, wherein the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are configured to convert hydraulic resistance into tension against the first handle 12 and the second handle 13. This embodiment may utilize similar overall components to the air turbine embodiment, with the addition of a viscous fluid into the chassis 15 to provide greater resistance to the rotation of the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11. It is further considered that the volume and type of viscous fluid may be adjusted to provide an analogue resistance adjustment, wherein greater volumes of fluid equate to greater resistance against the movement of the first handle 12 and the second handle 13.
In additional embodiments, the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are magnetic brakes, wherein the first resistance assembly 10 and the second resistance assembly 11 are configured to convert magnetic resistance into tension against the first handle 12 and the second handle 13. This embodiment provides ultimate variability in resistance force, wherein the overall braking force is fully adjustable via the adjustment of any magnetic element within the first resistance assembly 10 or the second resistance assembly 11. Further, the rotation of magnetic and conductive elements past each other produces useable electrical current; the user provides motive force for a dynamo generator by performing any standard exercise. This electrical energy may be recaptured and directed to various functions related to the operation of the present invention, including the provision of power to any external devices and components through appropriate connections.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 63/082,301 filed on Sep. 23, 2020.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63082301 | Sep 2020 | US |