U.S. patent application number 12/018702 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for rowing machine simulators.
Invention is credited to Mark Campbell.
Application Number | 20080261782 12/018702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39872829 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080261782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell; Mark |
October 23, 2008 |
Rowing Machine Simulators
Abstract
One aspect is an energy storage device for a rowing machine
simulator having a rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation
device. The energy storage device is configured to be disposed
intermediate the rowing handle and the energy dissipation device
and configured to elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of
the force applied to the rowing handle by an oarsman during the
early phase of a stroke. The elastically absorbed energy is
released during later phases of said stroke.
Inventors: |
Campbell; Mark; (Harbord,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKE, BILLIG & CZAJA
FIFTH STREET TOWERS, 100 SOUTH FIFTH STREET, SUITE 2250
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
39872829 |
Appl. No.: |
12/018702 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0063 20130101;
A63B 2022/0079 20130101; A63B 22/0076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/72 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/06 20060101
A63B069/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2007 |
AU |
2007900315 |
Claims
1. An energy storage device for a rowing machine simulator having a
rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device, said
energy storage device configured to be disposed intermediate said
rowing handle and said energy dissipation device and configured to
elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of the force applied
to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the early phase of a
stroke wherein said elastically absorbed energy is released during
later phases of said stroke.
2. An energy storage device according to claim 1 wherein said
energy storage device is configured to absorb between 15% to 35% of
the force applied to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the
early phase of a stroke.
3. An energy storage device according to claim 1 wherein during
said later phases of said stroke as the force applied by said
oarsman reduces below a predetermined applied force said energy
storage device releases said stored energy.
4. An energy storage device according to claim 1 in the form of a
compression spring configured to be connected to said rowing handle
at one end and to a cable, chain, belt or other connection means
connected to said energy dissipation device at the other end.
5. An energy storage device according to claim 1 in the form of an
expansion spring configured to be connected to said rowing handle
at one end and to a cable, chain, belt or other connection means
connected to said energy dissipation device at the other end.
6. An energy storage device according to claim 1 in the form of an
elastomeric material or other of elastically deformable material
configured to be connected to said rowing handle at one end, and to
a cable, chain, belt or other connection means connected to said
energy dissipation device or connected directly to said energy
dissipation device at the other end.
7. An energy storage device according to claim 1 in the form of a
pneumatic piston and cylinder the configured to be connected to
said rowing handle at one end and to a cable, chain, belt or other
connection means connected to said energy dissipation device at the
other end.
8. An energy storage device according to claim 1 wherein said
energy storage device includes a variable energy storage capacity
to simulate force applied by rowers having different strengths.
9. An energy storage device according to claim 1 wherein said
energy storage device is configured to elastically absorb said
instantaneous force applied by said oarsman during approximately
the first 20% to 80% of a stroke.
10. An energy storage device according to claim 9 wherein said
energy storage device is configured to elastically absorb said
instantaneous force applied by said oarsman during approximately
the first 40% of a stroke.
11. An energy storage device according to claim 1 wherein said
energy storage device is configured to elastically absorb
instantaneous force applied by said oarsman when said when said
oarsmen is applying a force of between 200N to 1200N or between
400N to 800N.
12. An energy storage device according to claim 4 wherein said
energy storage device includes a stop means configured to limit the
movement thereof in response to an applied force exceeding a
predetermined force.
13. An energy storage device according to claim 4 wherein said
energy storage device is enclosed in a housing.
14. An energy storage device according to claim 1 wherein said
handle includes: a left hand hand grip spaced apart from a right
hand hand grip; and a hook disposed intermediate said left and
right-hand hand grips, said hook having a head end extending from a
front of said handle and a shank end partially or completely
disposed within said handle, said shank being slideably mounted
within said handle between an a non-storage position and an energy
storage position wherein said shank is configured to be resiliently
biased by said energy storage device towards said non-storage
position.
15. An energy storage device according to claim 1 wherein said
energy dissipation device is configured to simulate the mass of a
rowing boat with or without rowers and/or a coxswain.
16. A rowing machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to
a static or dynamically mounted energy dissipation device, said
rowing machine simulator including an energy storage device
according to claim 1.
17. A method of providing an energy storage device in a rowing
machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to an energy
dissipation device, said method including the steps of disposing
said energy storage device intermediate said rowing handle and said
energy dissipation device, and configuring said energy storage
device to elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of the
force applied to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the early
phase of a stoke and configuring said energy storage device to
release said absorbed energy during later phases of said oarsmen's
stroke.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said energy storage
device is configured to absorb between 15% to 35% of the force
applied to said rowing handle by said oarsman during the early
phase of the stroke.
19. A method according to claim 17 including the step of
configuring said energy storage device such that during said later
phases of said stroke said force applied by said oarsman reduces
below a predetermined force said energy storage device releases
said stored energy.
20. A method according to claim 17 wherein said energy storage
device is selected from the group consisting of compression
springs; expansion springs; elastomeric materials; pneumatic piston
and cylinders; and/or any combination thereof.
21. A method according to claim 17 including the step of pivotally
mounting said rowing handle to said energy storage device directly
or indirectly via a cable, chain, belt or other connection
means.
22. A method according to claim 17 including the step of
configuring said energy storage device to elastically absorb said
instantaneous force applied by said oarsman during approximately
the first 40% of a stroke.
23. A method according to claim 17 including the step of
configuring said energy storage device to elastically absorb
instantaneous force applied by said oarsman when said when said
oarsmen is applying a force of between 200N to 1200N or between
400N to 800N.
24. A method according to claim 17 wherein said energy storage
device includes a variable energy storage capacity to absorb energy
in response to different forces to simulate forces applied by
rowers having different strengths.
25. A method according to claim 17 including the step of disposing
a stop means in association with said energy storage device, said
stop means being configured to limit the movement of said energy
storage device in response to an applied force exceeding a
predetermined value.
26. A method according to claim 17 including the step of enclosing
said energy storage device in said handle.
27. A method according to claim 14 including the step of
configuring said energy dissipation device to simulate a mass of a
rowing boat with or without rower(s) and/or a coxswain.
28. A method of providing a rowing machine simulator having a
rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device, said
method including the steps of providing an energy storage device
according to claim 17.
29. A dynamically balanced rowing simulator including: a beam
having a predetermined length and a substantially horizontal
central portion; a seat slideably engaged with said beam and
horizontally movable therealong, said seat being disposed a
predetermined vertical height above said beam; and an energy
dissipating device slideably engaged with said beam and
horizontally movable therealong independent of said movement of
said seat, said energy dissipating device including: a frame
configured for supporting a flywheel, said flywheel being rotatably
mounted on a flywheel shaft wherein said frame supports said
flywheel shaft a vertical height less than a radius of said
flywheel above said beam; a handle; a rotatable indirect drive
means connected to said handle and being disposed a predetermined
vertical height above said flywheel shaft; a rotatable direct drive
means disposed about said flywheel shaft and connected to said
indirect drive means, said direct drive configured for transferring
rotation of said indirect drive into rotation of direct drive and
said flywheel; and a footrest attached to said frame.
30. A dynamically balanced rowing simulator according to claim 29
including a take-up means, attached to said frame, said take-up
means rewinding and maintaining a predetermined tension on said
drive means, said take-up means comprising one of a constant
tension spring element or an elastic cord and a plurality of
pulleys.
Description
[0001] This Utility Patent Application claims priority to
Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007900315 filed on
Jan. 23, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to rowing machine simulators
and, in particular, to various improvements to and in rowing
machine simulators.
[0003] The invention has been developed primarily for use with
dynamically balanced rowing machine simulators and will be
described hereinafter with reference to this application. However,
it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this
particular field of use and is applicable to many different types
of rowing machine simulators as would be understood by a person
skilled in the art.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Static rowing machine simulators have been long known for
use in both general strength and fitness training, or for use
specifically for oarsmen to practice their rowing. In these known
static simulators, a seat is slideably mounted to a rail so as to
simulate the sliding motion of a seat in a rowing boat. A typical
example of a static rowing machine simulator can be found in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,396,188, and reference is made to FIG. 1 which
reproduces a drawing from this US prior art patent.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 1, the static rowing machine simulator
includes an energy dissipation device in the form of a flywheel
that is driven by a chain connected to a handle in front of a
rower. When the rower is seated on the sliding seat, the feet are
placed on footrests which are attached to the frame upon which the
seat slides. A rowing or pulling motion on the handle causes the
chain to move and thereby rotate the flywheel.
[0006] Unfortunately, static rowing machine simulators such as the
example shown in FIG. 1 do not properly simulate the forces an
oarsman is exposed to during normal rowing action. As such, the
known static rowing machine simulators are acknowledged by health
professionals as being potentially detrimental to the oarsman by
increasing the likelihood of injury to the oarsman's knee, back and
shoulders.
[0007] In order to more accurately simulate the forces that would
be experienced by an oarsman in a boat, the subject of U.S. Pat.
No. 5,382,210 (Rekers) was developed. A right hand side view of the
Rekers simulator is shown in FIG. 2. The disclosure of the
specification of the Rekers US patent is hereby incorporated herein
in its entirety.
[0008] In the dynamically balanced rowing machine simulators such
as Rekers, the energy dissipation device (flywheel in the Rekers
patent) is also slideably mounted to the frame independent of the
slideable movement of the seat. That is, during use by an oarsman,
the slideably mounted seat and energy dissipation device move
independently of each other apart and together as a function of the
stroke of the oarsman. In the Rekers prior art, the dynamically
balanced rowing machine simulator stabilizes the energy dissipation
device (flywheel) and the oarsman independent of internal friction
and/or hysteresis in any elastic elements in the simulators.
[0009] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when
an oarsman sits on the seat of the simulator of the Rekers patent,
they place their feet on the foot rests which are slideably mounted
with the energy dissipation device flywheel so that pulling on the
rowing machine simulator handle and release thereof causes the
energy dissipation device and seat to move apart and together
during the initial stages of a stroke and the final stages of a
stroke respectively. It is known that the disclosure of rowing
machine simulators such as those of the Rekers patent provides
significant improvements in the simulation of the experience an
oarsman would receive when rowing a boat on the water as not only
is the movement of the sliding seat simulated, but also the
movement of the boat by means of the movement of the energy
dissipation device flywheel unit. Use of simulators such as those
of Rekers reduces the risk of injury that is presented by the use
of static simulators.
[0010] Whilst the rowing machine simulators of the type disclosed
in the Rekers patent are significant improvements over what is
known, it would be preferable to have a rowing machine simulator
which yet more realistically simulates the experiences of an
oarsman rowing a boat on the water. As would be understood by a
person skilled in the art, other conventionally known dynamically
balanced rowing machine simulators typically only address one or
two specific conditions experienced during an oarsman rowing.
GENESIS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is the genesis of the present invention to provide an
energy storage device and a rowing machine simulator employing the
energy storage device, and an improved dynamically balanced rowing
machine simulator to simulate the forces experienced by an oarsman
during rowing, or to provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided an energy storage device for a rowing machine simulator
having a rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device,
said energy storage device configured to be disposed intermediate
said rowing handle and said energy dissipation device and
configured to elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of the
force applied to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the early
phase of a stroke wherein said elastically absorbed energy is
released during later phases of said stroke.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a rowing machine simulator having a rowing handle
connected to a static or dynamically mounted energy dissipation
device, said rowing machine simulator including an energy storage
device according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0014] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of providing an energy storage device in a rowing
machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to an energy
dissipation device, said method including the steps of disposing
said energy storage device intermediate said rowing handle and said
energy dissipation device, and configuring said energy storage
device to elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of the
force applied to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the early
phase of a stoke and configuring said energy storage device to
release said absorbed energy during later phases of said oarsmen's
stroke.
[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of providing a rowing machine simulator having a
rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device, said
method including the steps of providing an energy storage device
according to the third aspect of the invention.
[0016] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a dynamically balanced rowing simulator including: [0017]
a beam having a predetermined length and a substantially horizontal
central portion; [0018] a seat slideably engaged with said beam and
horizontally movable therealong, said seat being disposed a
predetermined vertical height above said beam; and [0019] an energy
dissipating device slideably engaged with said beam and
horizontally movable therealong independent of said movement of
said seat, said energy dissipating device including: [0020] a frame
configured for supporting a flywheel, said flywheel being rotatably
mounted on a flywheel shaft wherein said frame supports said
flywheel shaft a vertical height less than a radius of said
flywheel above said beam; [0021] a handle; [0022] a rotatable
indirect drive means connected to said handle and being disposed a
predetermined vertical height above said flywheel shaft; [0023] a
rotatable direct drive means disposed about said flywheel shaft and
connected to said indirect drive means, said direct drive
configured for transferring rotation of said indirect drive into
rotation of direct drive and said flywheel; and [0024] a footrest
attached to said frame.
[0025] It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously
provided an energy storage device for use with a rowing machine
simulator which allows the simulation of some forces experienced by
an oarsman when rowing a boat on the water. Furthermore, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that use of the dynamically
balanced rowing machine simulator with the energy dissipation
device (flywheel) configuration provides a more stable
simulator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which,
[0027] FIG. 1 is a left-hand side view of a static rowing machine
simulator known to the prior art;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a right-hand side view of a dynamically balanced
rowing machine simulator known to the prior art;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of an energy storage device
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for
use in a rowing machine simulator;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an energy storage device
according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention
for use in a rowing machine simulator;
[0031] FIG. 5 is an energy storage device according to another
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of an energy storage device
according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;
and
[0033] FIG. 7 is a side view of a rowing machine simulator
according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7 generally, like reference numerals
have been used to denote like components. Referring firstly to FIG.
7, there is shown a rowing machine simulator 1 having a rowing
handle 2 which is connected to a dynamically mounted energy
dissipation device 3. It will be appreciated that the rowing
machine simulator 1 can be a machine in which the energy
dissipation device 3 is static and not moveable.
[0035] The rowing machine simulator 1 includes an energy storage
device 4. The energy storage device 4 is configured to be disposed
intermediate the rowing machine simulator handle 2 and the energy
dissipation device 3. The energy storage device 4 is configured to
elastically absorb a proportion of the force applied to the rowing
handle 2 by an oarsman (not illustrated) during the early phase of
a simulated rowing stroke. The elastically stored energy in the
device 4 is released during later phases of the simulated rowing
stroke when the force applied by the oarsman reduces below a
pre-determined force.
[0036] The energy storage device 4 is adapted to absorb between 15%
to 35% of the force applied to the rowing handle 2 by an oarsman
during the early phase of a stroke. In the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 3, the energy storage device 4 is configured to elastically
absorb the instantaneous force applied by an oarsman during
approximately the first 20% to 80% of the simulated rowing stroke.
Most preferably, the storage device 4 is configured to elastically
absorb the instantaneous force applied by the oarsman during
approximately the first 40% of a stroke.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the energy storage
device 4 is configured to elastically absorb instantaneous force
applied by the oarsman during the early phase of the stroke of
between 200N to 1200N. In other preferred embodiments, not
illustrated, the energy storage device 4 is configured to
elastically absorb instantaneous force applied by the oarsman of
between 400N to 800N.
[0038] It will also be appreciated that the energy storage device 4
can include a variable energy storage capacity to absorb
instantaneous forces during the early phases of a stroke applied by
oarsmen having different strengths. It will also be appreciated
that the energy dissipation device 3 is configured to simulate the
pre-determined or preferred mass of a rowing boat with or without
rowers and/or a coxswain. That is, the energy dissipation device 3
can be selected to correspond to the mass of a lightweight scull,
or, if preferred a heavier boat, or indeed any preferred
weight.
[0039] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the energy storage
device 4 is in the form of a compression spring 5 that is
configured to be connected to the rowing handle at one end and to a
cable connected to the energy dissipation device 3 at the other
end. It will be appreciated that the cable 6 can be indirectly
connected to the energy dissipation device 3, as shown in FIG. 7,
or it can be directly connected to the energy dissipation device 3
(not illustrated) as preferred.
[0040] It will also be appreciated that the cable 6 can be a chain,
belt or other connection means connected to the energy dissipation
device at the other end and the handle at one end. The cable could
be a combination of a cable, a chain, a belt and/or other
connection means as preferred and as would be appreciated by a
person skilled in the art.
[0041] The energy storage device 4 includes a stop means 7 to limit
the compression of the compression spring 5 during absorption of
instantaneous force applied by the rower to the handle 2. The stop
means 7, as shown in FIG. 3, most preferably limits the total
compression of the spring 5.
[0042] As schematically shown in FIG. 7, the energy storage device
4 is disposed within a housing formed by the rowing machine
simulator handle 2. The handle 2 includes a left handgrip 8 (not
illustrated) spaced apart from a right handgrip 9. A shaft 10 is
disposed intermediate the left and right hand handgrips 8 and 9
wherein a head 11 of the shaft 10 extends from a front 12 of the
handle 2 and is releasably connected to the chain 6. The shaft 10
includes a shank end 13 configured to be substantially disposed
within the handle 2.
[0043] The shank end 13 is slideably mounted within the handle
between a non-energy storage position, as shown in FIG. 3, and an
energy storage position (not illustrated) wherein the shank 13 is
resiliently biased by compression spring 5 towards the non-energy
storage position. It will be appreciated that the shank 13 can be
configured to protrude a pre-determined distance from the handle 2
rather than simply being substantially enclosed within the
handle.
[0044] In use, the oarsman places each hand on the respective
handle handgrips 8 and 9 and applies a pulling force thereto.
During the early phases of the stroke, the compression spring 5 is
caused to compress and store energy thereby elastically absorbing a
proportion of the force applied to the handle by the oarsman. Once
the oarsman ceases applying a force of a pre-determined magnitude
or greater, the compression spring 5 being under compression will
recoil. This happens during a later phase of the simulated rowing
stroke and most preferably during the final 60% of the stroke.
[0045] In this way, it will be appreciated that the energy storage
device allows the simulation of some forces experienced by an
oarsman when rowing a boat on water. That is, elastic flexing
experienced by an oarsman when rowing on the water with real oars
in a real boat. It will be appreciated that the shaft 10 can
include a hook, clip or other fixed or releasable fastening means
to connect the energy storage device 4 to the chain 6.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a top view of an
energy storage device according to another preferred embodiment of
the invention for use in a rowing machine simulator. The rowing
machine simulator can be a static or dynamically balanced
simulator.
[0047] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, an expansion spring 16 is
configured to be connected intermediate the handle 2 and the energy
dissipation device 3 of the rowing machine simulator (not
illustrated). In this preferred embodiment, the energy storage
device is configured to be disposed within the rowing machine
simulator handle (not illustrated) and be releasably connected to
the chain 6 at the shaft head 11.
[0048] In use, one end of the expansion spring 16 is connected to
the handle of the rowing machine simulator and the other end
connected to the cable such that application of force by the
oarsman on the handle causes the expansion spring to elastically
absorb energy. As in the case with the preferred embodiment of the
energy storage device 4 described with reference to FIG. 3 using a
compression spring 5, a stop means 7 is employed to prevent the
expansion spring being stretched beyond its elastic limit.
[0049] The energy storage device 4 using the expansion spring 16 is
configured to absorb about the same amount of force applied by the
oarsman to the handle during the early phase of a stroke as is
described for the energy storage device 4 with reference to FIG.
3.
[0050] In FIG. 5, there is shown another preferred embodiment of
the energy storage device 4 in the form of a pneumatic piston and
cylinder 20 and 21 respectively. As with the other preferred
embodiments, the energy storage device 4 of FIG. 5 is configured to
be connected to the rowing handle at one end and to a cable (not
illustrated) at the other end which is in turn connected to the
energy dissipation device of the rowing machine simulator. In this
way, force applied by an oarsman simulating the rowing stroke
causes the cylinder and the piston to be pulled apart and to
elastically absorb the energy applied during the early phases of
the stroke. Once the force applied by the rower reduces below a
pre-determined magnitude, the piston and cylinder are caused to
return to their initial positions thereby releasing the stored
energy. It will be appreciated that the energy storage device 4 of
FIG. 5 performs the same function as the preferred embodiments of
FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown yet another preferred
embodiment of the energy storage device 4. In this embodiment, the
energy storage device 4 is not configured to be disposed within the
handle 2 but is most preferably configured to connect at one end to
the handle and to a cable connected to the energy dissipation
device at the other end. The energy storage device 4 is in the form
of an elastically deformable elastomeric material which is
configured to absorb between 15% to 35% of the force applied to the
rowing handle by the oarsman during the first 40% of a rowing
stroke. In this embodiment, a substantially inelastic cable 7 is
attached to or adjacent to each end of the elastomeric cable 4 to
act as a stop 7 to prevent over-extension of the energy storage
device 4.
[0052] As with the other embodiments of the energy storage device 4
described above, the elastomeric material can be configured to
elastically absorb force applied by the oarsman during the first 20
to 80% of the stroke where the oarsman is applying between 200N to
1200N of force to the handle. In this way, the material elastically
stretches and elastically absorbs the applied force releasing it
when the force applied by the oarsman reduces below a
pre-determined value.
[0053] It will also be appreciated that the preferred embodiments
of the energy storage device 4 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 also
advantageously provide the simulation of some of the forces
experienced by an oarsman when rowing a boat on the water, for
example, the flexing forces of an outrigger canoe.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a dynamically
balanced rowing machine simulator 1. The rowing machine simulator 1
includes a beam 31 having a pre-determined length and a
substantially horizontal central portion 32. The simulator 1
includes a seat 33 slideably engaged with the beam 31 and
horizontally moveable therealong. The seat is disposed a
pre-determined height above the beam.
[0055] The rowing simulator 1 includes an energy dissipation device
3 slideably engaged with the beam 31 and horizontally moveable
therealong independent of the movement of the seat 33. The energy
dissipation device 3 of this embodiment includes a frame 35 that is
adapted for supporting a flywheel 36. The flywheel is rotatably
mounted on a flywheel shaft 37 and, importantly, the frame 35
supports the flywheel shaft 37 a vertical height above the beam 31
that is less than a radius of the flywheel.
[0056] The dynamically balanced rowing machine simulator 1 further
includes a chain take-up mechanism 39 disposed intermediate a fixed
point 46 on the frame 35 and a rotatable drive means 40 disposed
about the flywheel shaft 37 and connected to the handle 2 at the
other end. The direct drive means 40 is configured for transferring
the linear motion of the chain 46 away from the shaft 37 into
rotation of the drive means 40 and rotation of the flywheel 36.
[0057] It will therefore be seen that disposing the flywheel 36 at
a vertical height above the frame 35 being less than a radius of
the flywheel 36 that a more stable rowing machine simulator is
provided in use. Additionally, the use of the energy storage device
4 intermediate handle 2 and the energy dissipation device 3
provides a more realistic simulation of the flex of an oar when
rowing in water.
[0058] It will also be appreciated that in some preferred
embodiments that an indirect drive means (not illustrated) can be
disposed intermediate the handle 2/chain 46 and the drive means 38.
In this way, the handle can be geared up or down to provide the
required resistance. For example, the indirect drive means may be
disposed at a vertical height above the beam 31 and the flywheel
shaft 37 and the chain 6 may loop over the indirect drive means and
then over the flywheel shaft 37. This is most advantageous when the
flywheel shaft 37 is some relatively close height above the beam 31
and the handle 2 would be uncomfortably low relative to the
flywheel shaft 37.
[0059] Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that the
energy storage device can also be formed as part of the handle. For
example, the left and right hand handgrips 8 and 9 may be mounted
to a handle body such that application of a force by a user causes
the handgrips to elastically deform. In this way, the handgrips
absorb force over the first part (20% to 80%) of a stroke and
release the energy once the applied force has reduced a
predetermined amount later in the stroke.
[0060] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the energy storage
device can be disposed at any preferred location from the handle(s)
to the energy dissipation device and still simulate the effects of
a flexing oar.
[0061] The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present
invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art,
can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *