U.S. patent application number 11/213859 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-30 for rowing exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Fen-Ying Lai.
Application Number | 20060270528 11/213859 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37020693 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060270528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lai; Fen-Ying |
November 30, 2006 |
Rowing exercise apparatus
Abstract
A rowing exercise apparatus includes a main frame having front
and rear ends, a seat frame mounted on the main frame, two oars
connected movably to the main frame and each having an end, an
oar-coupling grip releasably interconnecting the ends of the oars,
and a resistance unit mounted on the main frame and connected to
the oars.
Inventors: |
Lai; Fen-Ying; (Taichung
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
37020693 |
Appl. No.: |
11/213859 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2022/0084 20130101;
A63B 22/0087 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 22/203 20130101;
A63B 23/0222 20130101; A63B 2022/0082 20130101; A63B 22/205
20130101; A63B 2022/0035 20130101; A63B 21/0083 20130101; A63B
22/0076 20130101; A63B 21/00072 20130101; A63B 23/0211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/072 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/06 20060101
A63B069/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 2005 |
TW |
94208540 |
Claims
1. A rowing exercise apparatus comprising: a main frame having
front and rear ends; a seat frame mounted on said main frame; two
oars connected movably to said main frame and each having an end;
an oar-coupling grip releasably interconnecting said ends of said
oars; and a resistance unit mounted on said main frame and
connected to said oars.
2. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
oar-coupling grip includes two grip members which have first ends
connected detachably to each other, second ends attached
respectively to said ends of said oars, and a releasable connecting
unit interconnecting detachably said grip members.
3. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein said main
frame includes a main beam, said seat frame including a seat slider
connected slidably to said main beam, and a seat member fixed to
said seat slider, said seat slider including two coupling members
projecting leftward and rightward, respectively, from said seat
slider, said second ends of said grip members being respectively
attachable to said coupling members after being detached from said
oars.
4. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said
grip members has a first tube, said first tube of one of said grip
members having a sleeve end, said first tube of the other one of
said grip members having an insert end insertable into said sleeve
end, each of said sleeve and insert ends having a through hole,
said connecting unit including a resilient piece inserted into said
insert end and having a first protrusion projecting releasably into
said through holes in said sleeve and insert ends.
5. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said
grip members has a second tube formed with a sleeve end and a
second protrusion projecting inwardly from said sleeve end, said
connecting unit including a connector having an insert tube, said
insert tube having two opposite insert ends inserted respectively
into said sleeve ends of said second tubes of said grip members,
each of said insert ends being formed with an axially extending
guide hole, and a positioning hole that extends circumferentially
from and that is in spatial communication with said guide hole,
said second protrusion extending into said positioning hole through
said guide hole to thereby engage releasably said positioning hole,
said insert tube further having an annular flange projecting
outwardly from said insert tube between said positioning holes.
6. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said
grip members has a third tube, said third tube of one of said grip
members having a sleeve end, said third tube of the other one of
said grip members having an insert end, said connecting unit
including an internal thread formed in said sleeve end, and an
external thread formed on said insert end and engaged releasably to
said internal thread.
7. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said
oars includes a first section having a first end connected
pivotally to said main frame and a second end opposite to said
first end, and a second section having a first end connected
pivotally to said second end of said first section, said first
section being rotatable toward or away from said main frame for
folding, said second section being rotatable toward or away from
said first section for folding.
8. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a
first retaining bracket connected to a bottom end of said main
frame, said first retaining bracket including a first intermediate
plate part fastened to said main frame, and two first curved end
parts extending outwardly and respectively from two opposite sides
of said first intermediate plate part to retain said first sections
of said oars, respectively, when said first sections of said oars
are folded.
9. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a
second retaining bracket connected to said bottom end of said main
frame, said second retaining bracket including a second
intermediate plate part fastened to said main frame, and two second
curved end parts extending outwardly from two opposite sides of
said second intermediate plate part to retain said second sections
of said oars, respectively, when said second sections of said oars
are folded.
10. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein said
resistance unit includes a single hydraulic cylinder having one end
connected pivotally to said rear end of said main frame and the
other end connected pivotally to both of said first sections of
said oars.
11. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein said
resistance unit includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders each having
one end connected pivotally to said rear end of said main frame and
the other end connected pivotally to a respective one of said first
sections of said oars.
12. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a
pivot unit which includes a first pivot frame connected to a bottom
end of said main frame between said front and rear ends, and a
second pivot frame connected pivotally to said first pivot frame to
rotate about a first pivot axis which is substantially horizontal
and which is transverse to said main frame, said second pivot frame
being connected pivotally to at least one of said first ends of
said first sections of said oars.
13. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first
end of each of said first sections of said oars has a pivot pin
which connects pivotally said first end to said second pivot frame,
and a locking unit to lock releasably each of said first sections
against rotation relative to said second pivot frame.
14. The rowing exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein said locking
unit includes a locking notch formed in said second pivot frame, a
locking pin which projects from said first end in a direction
transverse to said pivot pin and which extends removably through
said locking notch, and a knob threadedly attached to said locking
pin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to exercising equipment, more
particularly to a rowing exercise apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a collapsible rowing boat simulator 10
which is disclosed in British Patent No. GB2389319. The rowing boat
simulator 10 includes a main frame 11 having a beam 111, a T-shaped
front leg support 112 and a rear leg support 113, a U-shaped slider
12 mounted slidably along the beam 111, a seat 13 fixed to the
slider 12, a middle support 14 fixed to a bottom portion of the
beam 111, a pair of T-shaped tubes 15 sleeved rotatably on the
middle support 14 and located respectively on two opposite sides of
the beam 111, a pair of oars 16 connected pivotally and
respectively to the T-shaped tubes 15, a pair of pivot seats 17
connected pivotally and respectively to the T-shaped tubes 15, a
pair of handgrips 18 connected pivotally and respectively to the
oars 16, and a pair of hydraulic cylinders 19 connected between the
pivot seats 17 and the rear leg support 113.
[0005] The oars 16 and the handgrips 18 canbe folded inwardly so as
to rest on or adjacent to the beam 111 with the handgrips 18
superimposed on the oars 16, thereby facilitating storage and
transport of the rowing boat simulator 10.
[0006] In operation, the user sits on the seat 13 with each hand
grasping the respective handgrip 18, and pulls the handgrips 18
together with the oars 16 rearwardly. As a result, the T-shaped
tubes 15 rotate to thereby operate the pair of hydraulic cylinders
19 and create a resistance force. With this rowing boat simulator
10, the user can perform motions that simulate two-oared rowing of
aboat on the water. However, the user is unable to simulate rowing
with a single oar held by two hands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to
provide a rowing exercise apparatus that permits a user to perform
an exercise that simulates rowing of a boat using a single oar or
two oars.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
rowing exercise apparatus that permits a user to perform other
exercises in addition to rowing exercises.
[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a rowing exercise apparatus that includes oars which can be folded
and held firmly in a folded position.
[0010] According to this invention, a rowing exercise apparatus
comprises a main frame having front and rear ends, a seat frame
mounted on the main frame, two oars connected movably to the main
frame and each having an end, an oar-coupling grip releasably
interconnecting the ends of the oars, and a resistance unit mounted
on the main frame and connected to the oars.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible rowing boat
simulator disclosed in British Patent No. GB2389319;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the collapsible
rowing boat simulator of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with oars and
handgrips folded;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
rowing exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partly exploded perspective view of the
preferred embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of an oar-coupling grip
of the preferred embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred
embodiment, but without a seat frame;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an assembly of the seat frame
and a main beam of the preferred embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative
structure of the oar-coupling grip;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another
alternative structure of the oar-coupling grip;
[0022] FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate a series of exercises that can be
performed using the preferred embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with a seat slider
having two coupling members for attachment with grip members of the
oar-coupling grip;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but with the grip
members attached to the respective coupling members;
[0025] FIG. 18 illustrates an exercise that can be performed using
the rowing exercise apparatus of FIG. 17;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a partly exploded view showing that first and
second retaining brackets are additionally provided in the
preferred embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 20 illustrates first and second sections of oars
retained on first and second retaining brackets, respectively;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a sectional view illustrating how the first
sections of the oars are retained on the first retaining
bracket;
[0029] FIG. 22 is a sectional view illustrating how the second
sections of the oars are retained on the second retaining
bracket;
[0030] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred
embodiment, illustrating a pair of hydraulic cylinders provided in
the rowing exercise apparatus of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view of the rowing
exercise apparatus of FIG. 23; and
[0032] FIG. 25 illustrates an application of the oar-coupling grip
of the present invention to a conventional rowing exercise
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same
reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, a preferred embodiment of a
rowing exercise apparatus according to the present invention is
shown to comprise a main frame 20, a seat frame 30, a pivot unit
40, two oars 60, an oar-coupling grip 70, and a resistance unit
90.
[0035] The main frame 20 includes an elongated main beam 21 having
front and rear ends 211, 212, a front support 22 screwed to the
front end 211 of the main beam 21, a rear support 23 screwed to the
rear end 212 of the main beam 21, a counter unit 24 mounted on top
of the front end 211 of the main beam 21, an elongated fixed rod 25
extending through the counter unit 24, and two foot supports 26
sleeved on the fixed rod 25 and positioned at two opposite sides of
the counter unit 24. The main beam 21 is provided with two slide
rails 213 that are located respectively on two opposite lateral
sides of the main beam 21 and that extend along the length
thereof.
[0036] The seat frame 30 includes a substantially U-shaped seat
slider 31 connected slidably to the main beam 21 and having two
spaced-apart side plates 311 and an intermediate plate 312
interconnecting the side plates 311, a seat member 32 screwed to
the intermediate plate 312, and a plurality of rollers 33 connected
rotatably to inner sides of the side plates 311 of the seat slider
31 in a conventional manner, so that the seat slider 31 together
with the seat member 32 can move slidably along the main beam
21.
[0037] The pivot unit 40 includes a first pivot frame 41 and a
second pivot frame 42. The first pivot frame 41 has a fixed plate
411 screwed to a bottom end of the main beam 21 between the front
and rear ends 211, 212 thereof, and a U-shaped pivot seat 412 that
is fixed to a bottom face of the fixed plate 411. The pivot seat
412 includes a pivot pin 43 having a first pivot axis (A) which is
substantially horizontal and transverse to the main beam 2l. The
second pivot frame 42 is connected pivotally to the first pivot
frame 41, and is rotatable about the first pivot axis (A). In
particular, the second pivot frame 42 has a trunk body 422 in the
form of a tube having a polygonal cross section, a top sleeve 421
integral with the trunk body 422 and connected pivotally to the
pivot seat 412 through the pivot pin 43, two opposite lateral
branch parts 423 projecting oppositely from the trunk body 422, and
a rear branch part 424 projecting rearwardly from the trunk body
422. Each of the lateral branch parts 423 has a substantially
U-shaped cross section. The trunk body 422 is rotatable about the
first pivot axis (A) through the connection of the pivot pin 43 to
the top sleeve 421.
[0038] Each of the oars 60 includes a first section 61 and a second
section 62. The first section 61 has a first end 611 connected
pivotally to a corresponding one of the lateral branch parts 423
through a pivot pin 64 so that the first section 61 can move along
with the trunk body 422 to rotate about the first pivot axis (A).
The second section 62 has a first end 621 connected pivotally to a
second end 612 of the first section 61 to rotate about a second
pivot axis (B) which is perpendicular to the first section 61.
[0039] A pivot connecting unit 63 includes a first connecting seat
631 fixed to the second end 612 of the first section 61, a second
connecting seat 632 fixed to the first end 621 of the second
section 62, and a pin 633 extended along the second pivot axis (B).
The pin 633 is integral with the second connecting seat 632, and
extends through the first connecting seat 631. A screw nut 634
engages threadedly the pin 633 so that the second connecting seat
632 is pivoted to the first connecting seat 631, and a decorative
cap 635 is sleeved on the first connecting seat 631 so as to cover
the screw nut 634. Therefore, the first sections 61 are rotatable
toward or away from the main frame 20, and the second sections 62
are rotatable toward or away from the first sections 61. This
allows for easy conversion between folded and ready-to-use
states.
[0040] A locking unit is provided on the first end 611 of each
first section 61 to lock releasably each of the first sections 61
against rotation relative to the second pivot frame 42 or the main
frame 20. The locking unit includes a locking notch 425 formed in
the second pivot frame 42, a locking pin 66 which projects from the
first end 611 of the first section 61 in a direction transverse to
the pivot pin 64 and which extends removably through the locking
notch 425, and a locking knob 65 threadedly attached to the locking
pin 66. The locking knob 65 is operable to rotate between a
tightened position which retains the locking pin 66 in the locking
notch 425, and a loosened position which permits removal of the
locking pin 66 from the locking notch 425.
[0041] The oar-coupling grip 70 includes two connector heads 71,
two grip members 72 and 73, and a releasable connecting unit 74.
Each connector head 71 has a first sleeve portion 711 sleeved on a
second end 622 of the second section 62 of the respective oar 60,
and a second sleeve portion 712 that is substantially perpendicular
to the first sleeve portion 711. The grip member 72 has a first
tube 721, which, in turn, has a sleeve end 723 and an insert end
722. The insert end 722 of the grip member 72 is inserted removably
into the second sleeve portion 712 of one of the connector heads
71, and has a reduced cross section as compared to that of the
first tube 721. A through hole 724 is formed in the sleeve end 723.
The grip member 73 has a first tube 731. The first tube 731 has a
first insert end 733 insertable into the sleeve end 723 of the grip
member 72 and formed with a through hole 734, and a second insert
end 732 inserted removably into the second sleeve portion 712 of
the other connector head 71. Each of the first and second insert
ends 733, 732 has a reduced cross section as compared to that of
the first tube 731.
[0042] The releasable connecting unit 74 interconnects detachably
the grip members 72 and 73, and includes a resilient piece 741
inserted into the first insert end 733 and having a first
protrusion 742 that projects outwardly from the through hole 734 in
the first insert end 733.
[0043] When the first insert end 733 is inserted into the first
tube 721, the protrusion 742 extends into the through hole 724 in
the first tube 721, thereby interconnecting the grip members 72 and
73. When the protrusion 742 is pressed inwardly from the through
hole 724, the grip member 72 can be pulled away from the grip
member 73, thereby releasing the connection between the grip
members 72, 73.
[0044] In this embodiment, the resistance unit 90 includes a single
hydraulic cylinder 91 having one end 911 connected pivotally to the
rear branch part 424 of the trunk body 422 through a pivot member
93. A third pivot frame 92 is provided on the rear end 212 of the
main beam 21, and includes a fixed plate 921 screwed to the bottom
end of the main beam 21 at the rear end 212 thereof, and a pivot
seat 922 fixed to a bottom end of the fixed plate 921. A second end
912 of the hydraulic cylinder 91 is connected pivotally to the
pivot seat 922 through a pivot pin 94.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 9, an alternative oar-coupling grip 80 is
shown to include the pair of the connector heads 71, two grip
members 82, and a connecting unit 83. Each grip member 82 includes
a second tube 821 having a sleeve end 823, a second protrusion 824
projecting inwardly from the sleeve end 823, and an insert end 822
that is inserted removably into the second sleeve portion 712 of
the corresponding connector head 71.
[0046] The connecting unit 83 includes an insert tube 831 which has
two opposite insert ends 835 inserted removably and respectively
into the sleeve ends 823 of the second tubes 821 of the grip
members 82. Each of the insert ends 835 is formed with an axially
extending guide hole 832, and a positioning hole 833 that extends
circumferentially from and that is in spatial communication with
the guide hole 832. The insert tube 831 further has an annular
flange 834 projecting outwardly from the insert tube 831 between
the positioning holes 833.
[0047] To assemble the oar-coupling grip 80, the sleeve ends 823 of
the second tubes 821 are respectively sleeved on the insert ends
835 of the insert tube 831 with the protrusions 824 moving along
the respective guide holes 832. When the sleeve ends 823 of the
second tubes 821 abut against the annular flange 834, the grip
members 82 are rotated in opposite directions so that the
protrusions 824 engage the respective positioning holes 833,
thereby positioning the grip members 82 onto the insert tube 831
and preventing the same from moving axially.
[0048] To separate the grip members 82 from each other, the grip
members 82 are rotated so as to release the protrusions 824 from
the respective positioning holes 833 and move to the guide holes
832, so that the grip members 82 can be pulled away from the insert
tube 831.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 10, another alternative oar-coupling grip
84 is shown to include the pair of the connector heads 71, two grip
members 85, 85', and a connecting unit 87. Each grip member 85, 85'
has a third tube 851, 851'. The third tube 851 has a sleeve end
853, and an insert end 852 that is inserted removably into one of
the connector heads 71. The third tube 851' has a first insert end
853', and a second insert end 852' that is inserted removably into
the other connector head 71.
[0050] The connecting unit 87 includes an external thread 871
formed on the first insert end 853', and an internal thread 872
formed in the sleeve end 853 to engage releasably the external
thread 871.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 11, in a state where the grip members 72
and 73 have been removed from the oars 60, the user uses his two
hands to respectively grasp the oars 60 and perform a rowing
exercise. The rowing exercise as such simulates rowing of a boat
using two oars.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 12, when the grip members 72 and 73 are
attached to the oars 60 and interconnected, the user may perform an
exercise that simulates rowing with a single oar held by two
hands.
[0053] In FIG. 13, the user holds the grip members 72 and 73 with
his two hands to perform a lifting action. The user's feet are
placed on the foot supports 26 during this exercise.
[0054] In FIG. 14, the user faces rearward with his legs resting on
the floor, and holds the oar-coupling grip 70 with his two hands to
move the same forwardly and rearwardly.
[0055] In FIG. 15, the user grasps the oar-coupling grip 70 to
provide additional resistance during a sit-up exercise.
[0056] While performing the exercises shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the
knob 65 is tightened and the locking pin 66 is retained in the
locking notch 425 so that the first end 611 of each first section
61 is locked against rotation relative to the main frame 20.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 16 to 18, according to another preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the seat slider 31 may include
two coupling members 100 respectively projecting leftwards and
rightwards from the side plates 311 of the seat slider 31. The
insert ends 722 and 732 of the grip members 72, 73 are inserted
respectively and removably in the coupling members 100 after being
detached from the second ends 622 of the second sections 62 of the
oars 60. In the exercise that may be performed with this particular
configuration of the rowing exercise apparatus, the user is
positioned in front of the rowing exercise apparatus with his hands
gripping respectively the grip members 72 and 73, after which the
seat frame 30 is pushed and pulled to and fro along the length of
the main beam 21. This exercise can strengthen abdominal
muscles.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 19 to 22, according to still another
embodiment of the present invention, the rowing exercise apparatus
of the present invention may further comprise a first retaining
bracket 110 and a second retaining bracket 120. The first retaining
bracket 110 includes a first intermediate plate part 111 fastened
to the bottom end of the main beam 21, and two first curved end
parts 112 extending outwardly and respectively from two opposite
sides of the first intermediate plate part 111. The second
retaining bracket 120 includes a second intermediate plate part 121
fastened to the bottom end of the main beam 21 between the pivot
unit 40 and the first retaining bracket 110, and two second curved
end parts 122 extending outwardly and respectively from two
opposite sides of the second intermediate plate part 121. The
second curved end parts 122 are disposed higher than the first
curved end parts 112.
[0059] When the first and second sections 61, 62 of the oars 60 are
rotated toward the main beam 21, the first sections 61 of the oars
60 can be supported by the first curved end parts 112, and the
second sections 62 of the oars 60 can be retained by the second
curved end parts 122. As such, the first and second sections 61, 62
of the oars 60 can be securely retained adjacent to the main beam
21 when folded.
[0060] Note that prior to folding of the oars 60 toward the main
beam 21, the knob 65 is loosened from the locking pin 66 so as to
permit removal of the locking pin 66 from the locking notch 425,
thereby permitting folding movement of the first end 611 of each
first section 61.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, according to yet another
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resistance unit
90 may include two hydraulic cylinders 91 each connected to one of
the oars 60. This embodiment utilizes a pivot unit 40' which
includes a first pivot frame 41', and a pair of second pivot frames
42' connected pivotally to the first pivot frame 41'. Each
hydraulic cylinder 91 is connected pivotally to the third pivot
frame 92' at the rear end of the main beam 21, as well as to the
second pivot frames 42'.
[0062] An accessory box (not shown) maybe fixed to the front
support 22 so as to facilitate storage of the grip members 72 and
73, 82, 85 and the connecting unit 74, 83, 87. Hence, loss of these
components may be avoided.
[0063] The oar-coupling grip 70 of the present invention may be
applicable to any conventional rowing exercise apparatus. One
conventional rowing exercise apparatus is shown in FIG. 25 and is
designated by numeral 130. The rowing exercise apparatus 130
includes a main frame 140, a seat frame 150 connected slidably to a
main beam 141 of the main frame 140, two oars 160 connected
pivotally to two opposite ends of a front support 142 of the main
frame 140, and two hydraulic cylinders 170 connected pivotally and
respectively between the front support 142 and the oars 160. The
oar-coupling grip 70 is connected between ends of the oars 160.
[0064] From the above description, the advantages of the rowing
exercise apparatus of the present invention may be summarized as
follows:
[0065] 1. The grip members 72 and 73 of the oar-coupling grip 70,
or the grip members 82 of the oar-coupling grip 80, or the grip
members 85, 85' of the oar-coupling grip 84, are detachably
connected to the oars 60. When the grip members 72 and 73, 82 or
85, 85' are connected to the oars 60, the user may perform an
exercise which simulates rowing with two hands holding a single
oar, in addition to exercises other than the rowing exercise. When
the grip members 72 and 73, 82 or 85, 85' are removed from the oars
60, the user may perform an exercise which simulates rowing with
two hands holding the respective oars 60.
[0066] 2. Because the side plates 311 of the seat slider 31 are
provided with the coupling members 100 for insertion of the grip
members 72 and 73 or the grip members 82 or 85, 85' when removed
from the oars 60, the rowing exercise apparatus of the present
invention permits the user to perform an exercise for conditioning
the abdominal muscles.
[0067] 3. The rowing exercise apparatus of the present invention is
further provided with first and second retaining brackets 110, 120
for securely retaining the first and second sections 61, 62 of the
oars 60 on the main beam 21 when folded toward the main beam
21.
[0068] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *