U.S. patent application number 11/135074 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for portable rowing/exercise device.
Invention is credited to Frederick F. Osten.
Application Number | 20060264128 11/135074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37448886 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060264128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osten; Frederick F. |
November 23, 2006 |
Portable rowing/exercise device
Abstract
A portable rowing device that in one mode can be attached to a
boat to provide a muscle exercise by propelling the boat in a
forward facing direction through a body of water or in another mode
can be attached to an exercise stand to provide the same muscle
exercise without propelling the user through a body of water.
Inventors: |
Osten; Frederick F.;
(Scandia, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON & JOHNSON
ONE WEST WATER STREET, SUITE 285
ST. PAUL
MN
55107
US
|
Family ID: |
37448886 |
Appl. No.: |
11/135074 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
440/25 ;
440/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/06 20130101;
A63B 2022/0082 20130101; B63H 16/102 20130101; A63B 2022/0041
20130101; A63B 22/0076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
440/025 ;
440/102 |
International
Class: |
B63H 16/00 20060101
B63H016/00; B63H 16/10 20060101 B63H016/10 |
Claims
1. A portable rowing device for use on either water or land
comprising: an attachment member; a first gear having an arm
attached thereto; a second gear having a hand grip attached
thereto: and a base supporting said first gear and said second gear
in rotational engagement with each other so that when the hand grip
is pulled said first gear rotates in a first direction and said
second gear rotates in an opposite direction.
2. The portable rowing device of claim 1 including: a paddle on
said arm; a boat with said attaching member comprising a clamp
secured to a first side of said boat so that a user can face in a
forward direction as the paddle is pulled through a body of water;
and a second portable rowing device secured to an opposite side of
said boat.
3. The portable rowing device of claim 1 including: a resistance
member attached to said arm; an exercise stand with said attachment
member secured to a first side of said stand; a second portable
rowing device secured to an opposite side of said exercise stand
with an arm of said second portable rowing device connected to said
resistant member so that pulling a handle of said second portable
rowing device and the handle of the first rowing device is resisted
by the resistance member connected between the arm of said first
portable rowing device and the arm of said second portable rowing
device.
4. The portable rowing device of claim 1 wherein the base is
pivotally mounted.
5. The portable rowing device of claim 1 wherein the first gear and
the second gear have nylon teeth.
6. The portable rowing device of claim 1 wherein the first gear and
the second gear are of the same diameter.
7. The portable rowing device of claim 1 wherein the arm includes
an extension.
8. The portable rowing device of claim 1 wherein the attachment
member includes a slot with a pressure plated therein for
engagement with the side of a boat or the side of an exercise
stand.
9. The portable rowing device of claim 1 wherein said first gear is
repositionable with respect to said second gear to change the
orientation of the arm with respect to the handle.
10. The portable rowing device of claim 1 wherein the arm includes
a yoke with a pin for affixing said arm with respect to said first
gear.
11. The portable rowing device of claim 10 wherein the arm includes
a removable extension.
12. The method of exercising muscles in different environments
comprising: attaching a portable rowing device to a gunwale of a
boat and exercising a group of muscles by propelling the boat over
the water, removing the portable rowing device from the gunwale of
the boat; and attaching the portable rowing device to an exercise
stand and exercising the group of muscles by rowing against a
resistance connected to the portable rowing device.
13. The method of claim 12 including the step of mounting a hand
grip arm on the portable rowing device and a work arm at an angle
to each other.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of attaching to the
gunwale includes the step of clamping the portable rowing device to
the gunwale.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of attaching to the
exercise stand including the step of clamping the portable rowing
device to the exercise stand.
16. The method of claim 12 including the step of rotationally
repositioning a gear member in the portable rowing device to change
the direction of an arm extending from the portable rotating
device.
17. The method of claim 12 including the step of removing a paddle
on the portable rowing device.
18. The method of claim 12 including the step of changing the
length of the arm in the portable rotating device by attaching a
different length arm to a yoke member in the portable rowing
device.
19. A portable rowing device kit comprising: a support for mounting
the portable rowing device on either a gunwale of a boat or on an
exercise stand; a gear joined member having a work extension on one
end and an extension for grasping on the other end with the gear
joined member including spur gears in meshing engagement so that a
rotational force on the end for grasping causes the extension on
the work extension to rotate in a counter direction; and a
resistance member for securing to the work extension.
20. The portable rowing device of claim 19 wherein the spur gears
comprises a non-metallic material to inhibit noise generation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to rowing devices and, more
specifically, to a portable rowing/exercise device that in one mode
can be used for exercise by working against a counter force or in
another mode can be used for exercise by propelling a boat through
the water in the direction the person is facing.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] None
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] None
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0004] None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In general, because of the known benefit of physical
exercise those people whose jobs do not involve physical activity
generally seek some type of regular exercise through an exercise
machine. One such type of exercise machine is a rowing machine that
allows a user to pull on two oar like members in a manner much as
one rows a boat. Springs or weights resist the rowing motion and
thus provide the user with an exercise workout as the oar like
members are pulled toward the user. While such devices are an
excellent way to provide exercise to certain muscle groups they
confine a user to the exercise machine. The present invention in
one mode comprises a portable exercise device wherein two portable
exercises devices are mounted to the gunwales of a boat to enable
the user to obtain the benefit of rowing exercise by paddling a
boat through the water while facing in a forward direction
direction and in another mode a portable exercise device that can
be mounted to the rails of an exercise stand to enable a user to
obtain the benefit of a rowing exercise during those conditions
when one cannot be on the water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A portable rowing device that in one mode can be attached to
a boat to provide muscle exercise by propelling the boat in a
forward facing direction through a body of water or in another mode
can be attached to an exercise stand to provide the same muscle
exercise without propelling the user through a body of water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top view of a boat with portable rowing devices
attached to the gunwales of the boat;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the portable rowing devices attached
to the sides of an exercise stand;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a back view of the exercise stand of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism of the
portable rowing device; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of the portable rowing
device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of a boat 10 with a first portable
rowing device 11 attached to the boat port side gunwale 15 and a
second portable rowing device 12 attached to the starboard gunwale
16. Boat 10 has a tapered or pointed bow 10a and a stem 10b and is
propelled in the direction of the arrow D through use of the
portable rowing devices 11 and 12. A seat 17 is positioned
proximate each of the portable rowing devices 11 and 12 to allow a
user to operate the rowing devices 11 and 12 from a seated
condition.
[0013] Portable rowing device 11 includes a first gear 18 having a
work arm 20 attached thereto with a paddle 21 located on the end of
the work arm and a second gear 19 having a hand arm 22 with a hand
grip 23 attached thereto. Similarly, portable rowing device 12
includes a first gear 25 having a work arm 26 with a paddle 27
located on the end of the work arm and a second gear 28 having a
hand arm 29 with a hand grip 30 attached thereto.
[0014] In operation of the portable rowing device 11, a pulling
motion on rowing device hand grip 23 (indicated by F.sub.2) pulls
the paddle 21 in the direction indicated by arrow F.sub.4 thereby
pulling the paddle 21 through the water which propels the boat in
the direction of the bow arrow D as the rower faces the bow of the
boat. Similarly, a pulling motion on rowing device hand grip 30
(indicated by F.sub.1) pulls the paddle 27 in the direction
indicated by arrow F.sub.3 thereby pulling the paddle 27 through
the water which propels the boat in the direction of the bow arrow
D as the rower faces the bow of the boat.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the portable rowing devices 11
and 12 mounted on an exercise stand 30 having a left side rail 30a
and a right side rail 30b. A seat 35 is mounted to exercise stand
30 to allow a user to sit thereon as the hand grips 30 and 23 are
grasped and pulled toward the user in a rowing motion. A foot rest
38 allows the user to brace his or her feet thereagainst while
pulling on the hand grips 30 and 31. The portable rowing devices 11
and 12, which are shown on boat 10, are identical to the rowing
devices shown on exercise stand 30 except the blade 21 has been
removed from arm 20 and the blade 27 has been removed from arm 26.
FIG. 2 shows the arm 20 has been repositioned at a right angle to
arm 22 and arm 26 has been repositioned at a right angle to arm 29.
The repositioning can be obtained by rotationally repositioning
gear 18 with respect to gear 19 and gear 28 with respect to gear
25. Attached to end 20a of repositioned arm 20 is a first end 32a
of resistance member 32, such as a tension spring or the like, and
similarly, attached to the first end 26a of repositioned arm 26 is
the second end 32b of resistance member 32.
[0016] In operation of the portable rowing device in the exercise
mode, as shown in FIG. 2, the rower pulls hand grips 23 and 30 in
the direction shown by the arrows F.sub.1 and F.sub.2. The pulling
action causes arm 26 to pivot in a clockwise direction and arm 20
to pivot in a counter clockwise direction thereby exerting a
pulling force on resistant member 32 thus causing the user to
expend muscle energy as resistance member 32 is pulled from
opposite ends. For example, if resistance member 32 is a spring one
would expend energy elongating the spring or if resistant member 32
includes a set of weights one would expend energy lifting the
weights.
[0017] The portable rowing devices 11 and 12 are shown in a water
propulsion mode in FIG. 1 and solely in an exercise mode in FIG. 2;
however, in both instances the user performs the same rowing
motion, namely, pulling the handles toward himself or herself
against a resistance. The result is that the user has a year around
exercise device that can be used outside in the summer time and
indoors in the winter time to provide the same type of muscle
exercise. Thus, regardless of where the portable rowing device is
used one can provide the same exercise for the same group of
muscles thus providing a continuity to the user's exercise program.
In addition, when used on a boat the portable rowing device allows
a person to face the direction the boat is being propelled as
compared to conventional oars which require the user to face
opposite the direction the boat is being propelled.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the operating drive members
of the portable rowing device 11. Gear 18 is rotatably mounted on a
shaft 42 on pivotable base member 40 and supported by a washer 48
and 48a. Similarly, gear 19 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 41 and
includes teeth thereon in meshing engagement with teeth on gear 18.
Washer 49 and 49a provide for rotational spacing of the gears on
shaft 41 on pivotable base member 40. A cover plate or shield 45
extends over the gears and is held thereon by screws 46 and 47 that
are secured to shafts 42 and 41. The cover plate can provide a
finished appearance as well as prevent accidental access to the
gears during operation of the portable rowing device 11. One end of
arm 22 includes a yoke having a central opening 22c for rotatable
mounting on shaft 41 and a set of openings 22a and 22b for
inserting pins 60 and 61 therein when the yoke is positioned around
gear 19. That is, the pins 60 and 61 extend through the openings
22a and 22b and through the openings 19a and 19b in gear 19 to
affix the arm 22 to gear 19 thus allowing the user to rotate gear
19 by rotating arm 22 which in run rotates gear 18 which is in
meshing engagement therewith. The arm 20 is attached to gear 18 in
an identical manner and is not described herein. Consequently, the
rotation of arm 22 produces a corresponding rotation of arm 20
through the meshing engagement of gears 18 and 19. In the
embodiment shown the gears 18 and 19 are of the same diameter;
however, gear 18 and 19 can be replaced with gears of unequal
diameter as long as the gears still mesh. By using gears of unequal
diameter one can change the amount of force transmitted from the
hand grip to the end of the work arm. Thus, the invention allows
one to change the nature of the workout. For example, if the user
decides that the work out is to light the gears can be changed to
produce a new gear ratio that increases the effort to move the work
arms against either the resistance regardless of whether the
resistance is provided by the boat and water or by the resistance
member connected to the work arms.
[0019] Located below the pivotable base member 40, which includes
an opening 43 is a clamp 50 having a pivot pin 52 that extends
through the upper part of clamp 50 and base member 43 to provide a
pivoting support for the rowing device 11. A washer 53 and cotter
key 52 allow one to affix the pivot pin 52 into the U-shaped recess
in the top portion of clamp 50.
[0020] Located on the lower portion of clamp 50 is an elongated
slot having a pressure plate 56 with a slot 56a therein for
engagement with a first thumb screw 54 and a second thumb screw 55.
The thumb screws allow one to removably fasten the portable rowing
device 11 to the gunwale 15 through the clamp 50. As the portable
rowing device 12 as well as the fastening process is identical to
portable rowing device 11 it is not described herein.
[0021] With the base member 40 pivotally supported by clamp 50 the
arms 22 and 20 are allowed to pivot in a plane extending
longitudinally through shafts 41 and 42 while pulling on the arm 22
cause the arm 22 and 20 to move in a plane extending through gears
18 and 19 and perpendicular to shaft 41 and shaft 42. Thus, the arm
22 can have an up down motion and a to an fro motion normally
associated with an oar located in an oarlock on a rowboat.
[0022] While portable rowing devices are shown mounted on opposite
sides of both a boat and an exercise stand, if desired, only one
portable rowing device could be used on either the boat or the
exercise stand. For example, when used with a boat a rudder or the
like could be used to steer the boat while the boat is propelled by
a single portable rowing device 11.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of the portable rowing
device 11 showing the position of the base member 40 in the clamp
50 to allow for pivoting motion of the arms 20 and 22 about the
pivot pin 51. In the embodiment shown the arm 22 comprises an
extendible member composed of tubular arm 22a having an opening
22f. The arm 22 includes a tubular member 22b and a tubular member
22c having a diameter dimension smaller than the interior diameter
of tubular member 22a to allow for tubular member 22c to be
inserted into tubular member 22a. A resiliently mounted pin 22d
protrudes radially outward from tubular member 22c so as to engage
the opening 22f when tubular member 22a and 22c are in engagement
with each other to thereby lock member 22b to member 22a. It is
envisioned that with the extension arraignment shown the length of
arm 22 can be changed as well as the type of arm attached thereto.
Similarly, the arm 20 is also extendible through identical members
thus allowing extension or changing of the length of the members in
the portable rowing device 11.
[0024] Thus the portable rowing device includes an attachment
member or a support 50 for mounting the portable rowing device 11
on either a gunwale of a boat or on an exercise stand. A gear
joined member having a work extension 20 on one end and an
extension for grasping 22 on the other end forms a gear joined
member including spur gears 18 and 19 which are in meshing
engagement so that a rotational force on the end for grasping 22
causes the extension on the work extension 19 to rotate in a
counter direction. In order to provide smooth and quite operation
the gears can be made from non-metallic materials such as nylon or
polymer plastics or the like that provide a cushioned contact while
transmitting the rotational forces therethrough.
* * * * *