Not applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to skiing simulation devices and, more particularly, to training and exercising equipment for simulating muscle and aerobic activity during skiing, such as Alpine and downhill skiing. Skiing is often referred to as a non-instinctive sport. Accordingly, the advancement of skiing skills involves a continuous repetition of proper form. Because most geographic areas have a short season wherein skiing is available, and because it is time consuming and expensive to ski at most ski slopes even during the skiing season when skiing is available, there has been, and prior to the instant invention, remained an unfulfilled need for a moderately priced device that allows skiers to properly prepare for skiing off of the ski slopes—such as (a) at indoor skiing classes, (b) at recreational centers, and (c) at home.
2. Related Art
A few skiing simulation devices are known in the art. However, these few machines are very limited and don't properly permit simulation of alpine or downhill skiing. In general, these devices are mostly focused on providing an aerobic exercise rather than improving skiing skills. As an example, some of the other devices incorporate a large resilient band to facilitate motion in that greatly distracts from realistic skiing simulation.
The most relevant patents were U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,811 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,621
In view of the unfulfilled need for an accurate downhill skiing simulation device and in view of the limitations in the existing devices, the present, ski sensation, high accuracy, ski simulation device was developed.
A primary object of this invention is to provide a skiing simulation device for more accurately simulating the motions performed during skiing conditions. Another object of this invention is to provide such a skiing simulation device that is appropriate for a broad range of skier's—from the expert skier to the beginner skier, or novice. Another object of this invention is to provide an exercise device for accurately simulating muscle, aerobic, and balancing activities during such skiing conditions.
Simulated Ski Motion Machine has a frame structure including rails, a pair or foot vehicle of which various layered panels revolving independently around axis above a carriage, a roller guide on which the foot vehicle rolls for direction and guidance, a dampening member inducing the foot vehicle to align the member via transverse bar that joins to footrests atop the foot vehicle, handrail tilting for slippery effects, and roller guide moving away for workout with or without poles, and resistance members being used to propel carriage to centers of rails.
One aspect of the invention, a ski simulation device includes an air cylinder of which one end is mounted on a front section of said frame structure and the other end mounted on said transverse bar that is relative to said foot vehicle. A further aspect of the invention, there is an assembly of rollers that is mounted on frontal sides of cradles wherein footsteps are nested. Another aspect of the invention is a platform rotates around an axis just as the footrests rotate counterclockwise and clockwise and swing simultaneously.
The present device, unlike the other related devices, allows simulation of most of the essential motions in skiing including downhill and Alpine skiing. The present invention enables one to obtain (a) technique training, (b) aerobic exercise, (c) specific muscle strengthening/training, and (d) balance exercise/training—all while having fun and exercise in practicing skiing. Thus, the present invention can be used to provide a program sufficient to maintain the interest and enthusiasm of even an advanced skier.
The present device achieves a realistic skiing simulation in a relatively simple and inexpensive mechanism. The structure of the present design can provide a freedom of action and movement that encourages proper form, but not forcing form. The present invention maintains a balance between the machine's ease of use for lower skill levels while allowing for the implementation of more advanced skills. The present device's forgiving realistic simulation helps skiers identify and develop areas in their form that may need improvement.
The broad range of motions available on the present device makes it an ideal trainer/exerciser simulator for all levels of ability. From those who have never skied to black diamond experts, this device facilitates progressive advancement to higher levels of skill and technique. Even further, this device could also greatly assist training of blind skiers. For example, a reachable height of the footrests was considered and developed for their use.
The skier and gravity, as in actual skiing, drive the present device and not a combination of the skier and a large resilient band as found in other devices. This translates into a much greater control for the skier over the type and timing of turns, etc. The skier is able to hold a position, or turn, for however long he desires to. As a result, this not only provides for the possibility of mixing different types of turns, but it also allows the skier time to concentrate fully on technique, positioning, and action. The skier does not have to concentrate on responding to contraction of an outstretched resilient band. And the skier does not have to strengthen muscles to learn ski techniques. A ski apparatus is originally designed to serve a specific function of which body parts are developed. A ski simulation device is known for something designed to achieve a particular effect that is skiing. Such as apparatus and devices have its limitations of use. Special features in the present device filled further missing gaps.
One of these novel features is an assembly of rollers mounted on frontal sides of the cradles so that they roll securely on the roller guide. A dampening member is secured at a pivot point of foot vehicle and the said cradles are aligned with the pivot point at bay of frame structure. The said foot vehicle rides on track. These properties allow a novice skier to focus on proper ski movements. This helps the beginner to recognize development in body parts when performing various routines. The developed body parts sense the ski movements as if on a slope. It is an automation machine that helps to replace ski instructors.
A strenuous exercise can be done when the roller guide is separated from the rollers. when resistance, not resilient, members induce the carriage to propel to centers of the rails. The cradles wherein the versatile footrests are nested would move backward and forward at will. The handgrip would be not be used when the expert use his or her own ski poles.
The other feature on the present device is an air cylinder mounted to induce the cradles pivoted at foot vehicle to align with the air cylinder via said transverse bar. It also dampens and absorbs vibrations and shocks on foot vehicle. The beginner can focus on techniques needed for skiing. Anything that distorts a thought would misguide the beginner into thinking that it happened on a slope, too. The present device is intently and strictly engineered for quiet performance even at all joints of motion in such invention.
The present inventor is physically deaf and he is familiar with sound barriers, vibrations, and noise creations. Consequently, the considerations of those improvements to the device were given in such invention.
As a teaching tool, the present device is ideal for beginners and experienced skiers, alike. It is as equally proficient in helping new skiers begin to develop a feel for skiing, and in learning the important basic fundamentals required on the slopes, as it is in helping experienced skiers improve and strengthen their form, providing all levels a greater enjoyment and confidence on the slope.
Left outer support pipe 101 continues rearward in left outer curve 113 to connect to non-breakage sheet 62. Right outer support pipe 103 continues rearward in right outer curve 115 which connect to right side of non-breakage sheet 62. Left inner support pipe 105 curves rearward and upward and terminates as left end of support duct 119. Right inner support pipe 107 curves rearward and upward and ends on right side of support duct 119.
At center rear of non-breakage sheet 62 is attached base 121 for training ball 33. Base ball support 123 is attached to center of support duct 119 and is inwardly turned to become flexible rod 51. Training ball 33 is affixed to the end of a flexible rod 51.
A pair of paralleled rails 14,16 with downwardly curved outermost rail 16 and downwardly curved innermost rail 14 are placed on an elevated section that is left inner support pipe 105 and right inner support pipe 107 of the frame structure 12. Innermost rail 14 and outermost rail 16 are mechanically affixes and moveably affixed to arching handrail 23 with a left bent 131 and a right bend 133. Arching handrail 23 with a left bent 131 and a right bend 133 is movably affixed with rope loop bolts 54 to the respective ends of rear rail 14. Both ends of outermost rail 16 are movably affixed via front rope loop bolts 58 to right and left bent ends of roller guide 25. Arching handrail 23 has curved ends on each terminus that is affixed to the front rail 16 via front rope loop bolts 58. Guy bars 60 are affixed to both ends of front rail 16 and in turn affixed to arching handrail 23 left bent 131 and a right bend 133 with a set of knobs 56.
A set of bridge plates 34 with a pair of small friction-reducing wheels 38 affixed to them, shown in
As illustrated in
A friction-reducing member 26 being sandwiched between the carriage 24 and the revolving platform 28 that spins around the carriage 24, respectively in
The cradles 30 with friction-reducing wheels 38 inserted in the undersides of the cradles 30 through which a pair of the small pivot bolts 40 driven, each rotating side by side atop platform 28 in
The user is learning a change in the foot positions when they are in opposite directions at a turning point around the ends of the rails, as actual turning at a corner on a ski slope. The illustration
A set of roller assemblies for the two cradles comprising a set of hinges 42A and 42B, roller guide 25 a set of rollers 44A and 44B, and a set of short bars 46A and 46B. These assemblies affixed to the frontal cradles 30A and 30B positioning the rollers 44A and 44B onto the roller guide 25 in
The rollers 44A and 44B together rolling securely against the sides of the roller guide 25 as shown in
As illustrated in
The air cylinder 50, impending from the front section of the frame structure 12, connecting to the transverse bar 48 on its midpoint, thus harnessing the foot vehicle 22 shown in
A training ball 33, affixed to the end of a flexible rod 51 that extends from the front section of the frame structure 12, when necessary, positioned behind the user's knees in
The training ball 33 keeping knees close together, as actual turning at a corner on a ski slope, also making the user's knees bend for exercising his or her lower body.
A set of adjustment levelers 52 leveling the frame structure 12, shown in
set of rear rope loop bolts 54, a set of knobs 56, and a set of front belt loop bolts 58 securing an arching handrail 23 via a set of guy bars 60 and the innermost and outermost rails 14 and 16, respectively in
As illustrated in
The belt loop bolts 58 affixed to the ends of the outermost rail 16 being a pole holder as shown in
A non-breakage sheet 62, with its edges affixed to the middle tubes 63 of the frame structure 12 in
An arcuate holder 64 propping the outermost rail 16 and positioning the pulleys 20 on which the resistance members 18 relies for providing a constraint on the foot vehicle in
The long pivot bolt 66, affixed to the underside of the carriage 24 in
The resistance members 18 providing a restoring force, propelling the foot vehicle 22 back to the centers of the rails 14 and 16 in
While the invention has been described in detail by specific reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application claims priority in part application of application Ser. No. 61/014,835, filed Dec. 19, 2007.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5429567 | Gerschefske et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
6231484 | Gordon | May 2001 | B1 |
20060189454 | Bull | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060247105 | Baydzhanov | Nov 2006 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20090176631 A1 | Jul 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61014835 | Dec 2007 | US |