Rockable Exercising Platform For Skiers

Abstract

An exerciser for skiers in the form of a hollow bowl having a platform on which the skier strands; the outer surface of the bowl having a spherically shaped base portion and angularly related essentially conical portions which permit the skier to select angles at which the platform is tilted to predetermine the intensity of the exercise; the bowl containing a fixed weight at its base portion to lower its center of gravity and a vertically adjustable weight to change the center of gravity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sport of skiing requires special development of muscles particularly in the feet, ankles and legs. This was recently indicated in an article appearing in the Nov. 1968 issue of "Skiing Magazine." It is desirable, in fact imperative, that a skier perform exercises to condition his muscles prior to the first ski runs of the season, or greatly increase his chance of serious injury. Few skiers have exposure to skiing conditions for the period necessary to develop the muscles by gradually increasing exercise on the ski slope; consequently, special apparatus is required. Such apparatus has been developed; however, the more successful apparatus has been expensive and confined to gymnasiums. Attempts have been made to provide inexpensive portable exercising devices for home use, but these have been deficient for the proper progressive development of the muscles.

A type of toy has been developed, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,021, which consists in a platform placed on a ball or portion thereof so that one may stand on the platform and rock. Such devices while suitable as a toy and a general purpose exerciser, fails to accomplish the objectives of a skier's exerciser and particularly does not provide for exercise of progressively increased intensity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an exerciser particularly adapted for the muscular conditioning of skiers, and is summarized in the following objects:

First, to provide a simple and inexpensive exerciser whereby a skier may initiate his exercise at low intensity, then progressively intensify the exercise as his muscles strengthen; that is, the skier may control the intensity of his exercise to correspond to the condition of his muscles.

Second, to provide an exerciser for skiers on which the skier may simulate the various maneuvers he is required to perform when on skis.

Third, to provide an exerciser for skiers which is in the form of a bowl having a specially contoured outer surface defining angularly related conical areas so that the device may be tilted to present a selected area to the floor.

Fourth, to provide an exerciser for skiers as suggested in the preceding object which contains a fixed weight and an adjustable weight so that the center-of-gravity may be adjusted to the needs of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exerciser.

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are other side views thereof, showing the exerciser in different angular positions.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, taken through 6--6 of FIG. 1.

SPECIFICATION

The exerciser includes a base member 1, preferably formed of plastic material and bowl-shaped in contour. Externally, the base member 1 forms a spherical apex portion 2, the periphery of which merges into a first conical area 3, which in turn, merges into a second conical area 4 of greater slope, the areas forming therebetween a narrow transition zone 5.

The outer periphery of the base member forming the second conical area 4 is joined to an annular internal reinforcing rib 6, which in turn, is joined to an upwardly directed marginal rim 7. A platform 8 also preferably formed of plastic material, and having an annular groove, is received on the marginal rim 7 and secured thereto by cement 9. The outer periphery of the second conical area, the juncture between the internal rib 6 and the marginal rim 7, and the lower peripheral corner of the platform 8, designated respectively 10, 11 and 12, define a third conical area.

Centrally located in the base member 1 is a fixed weight 13, which may be secured thereto by a cement 14. The fixed weight 13 supports a vertically extending stud bolt 15, which receives an adjustment nut 16. The adjustment nut may be provided with friction producing means 17 so as to prevent free rotation. Molded around, or otherwise secured to the adjustment nut 16, is a disk-shaped movable weight 18. The platform 8 is provided with a central aperture 19 to expose the nut 16 for adjustment.

Cemented to the upper surface of the platform 8 is a sheet of material 20, having a high friction surface which may include suitable ridges and grooves. Alternatively, the surface of the platform 8 may be finished to provide a high friction surface.

Operation of the exerciser is as follows:

The user stands on the platform 8 in such a manner as to balance thereon, with the spherical apex portion 2 in engagement with an underlying floor surface. By manipulation of his weight, the user may tilt the base member to the first conical area 3. He will sense the transition zone 5 if he causes the base member to move from the first conical area 3 to the second conical area 4, as shown in FIG. 4, and can with a little practice, avoid movement to the second conical area.

By appropriate manipulation, the user may simulate various movements which are made when skiing. These include the following movements or actions:

Anticipation: Series of movements used to initiate a christie-up-unweighting, an increase of forward lean, banking and a partial rotary (in the direction of the turn) motion of the hips, shoulders, arms and outside ski pole.

Blocking: The shoulders are used to supply the turning force and the muscles allowing the hips and legs to swivel around at the ankles must be contracted (or blocked) at the right time so that the torque generated by the shoulders is passed on to the feet and skis.

Counter-Rotation: This occurs when the shoulders and hips rotate in a direction opposite, or counter, to that of the feet and skis. Counterrotation usually occurs in conjunction with heel push.

Foot Swivel: A form of turning power where the strength of the lower legs is used to swing both ends of the skis so that they swivel or pivot around directly underfoot. This is often used to initiate parallel christies.

Heel Thrust: Using the toes or the shovels of the skis as pivot points, the heels can be thrust to either side to produce a powerful turning force.

Knee Crank: The knees, either singularly or together, can exert a strong turning force when pushed in toward the center of an intended turn.

Rotation: When any part of the body twists, or rotates, in the direction of the turn, it can influence the turn. Thus, there can be foot rotation, hip rotation, shoulder rotation, etc.

Steering: Snowplow and stem turns can be spoken of as steered turns because the strength of the legs and feet is used to steer the skis around.

Tip Thrust: By using the heels or the tail ends of the skis as pivots, the tips can be thrust or pulled to either side to induce a quick change of direction.

Turning Power: Any of the many sources of force used to initiate or continue a turning movement of the skis.

Twisting Angulation: A combination of counterrotation and angulation performed simultaneously. The result is often referred to as the comma or reversed shoulder position.

It will thus be seen that the user can perform a series of exercises, especially useful in practicing feet, ankle, leg and body coordination, and including heel thrust, foot swivel, tip thrust and combined displacement. More particularly, the user can, by confining the movement of the base member 1 to the spherical apex portion 2 and first conical area 3, limit the intensity of the exercise, and thus it serves to begin muscular conditioning. Following initial muscular conditioning, the user may increase the intensity of the exercise by including the second conical area 4; that is, the base member may be tilted to the position shown in FIG. 4. Finally, the user may further intensify the exercise by tilting the base member 1 to its extreme position, shown in FIG. 5.

The adjustable weight 18, by effecting change in the center of gravity, changes the stability of the exerciser. More specifically, if the weight is adjusted to its lower position, it is easier for the user to balance on the exerciser. As the weight is adjusted upward, greater skill is required in order to control the exerciser. As a result, the user can proceed initially, with the weight in its lowermost position, to manipulate the exerciser at different angles; then, repeat this with the weight raised to different levels until finally the weight is at its highest position. Of course, the sequence of weight adjustment and angles of tilt may be adapted to the needs and skill of the user.

The present embodiment of this invention is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

We claim:

1. An exerciser for skiers, comprising:

a. a base member having an apex of spherical contour and a series of concentric angularly related conical surfaces of increasing slope;

b. and a substantially flat platform covering the entire base member to define the uppermost surface thereof and dimensioned to receive substantially only the feet of the user whereby the user, when standing on said platform, may rock the base member to a selected conical surface to control the intensity of his exercise, said apex of spherical contour being of a diameter that is a minor portion of the diameter of said platform and centrally located therebelow whereby to be between the feet of a user standing on said platform.

2. An exerciser, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said base member includes a fixed weight at its apex portion.

3. An exerciser, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said base member is hollow and includes a centrally located weight and means for adjusting the position of the weight to move the center of gravity.

4. An exerciser, as defined in claim 1 for skiers, comprising:

a. a hollow base member having an apex of spherical contour and a series of concentric, angularly related surfaces defining conical areas of increasing slope for presentation to an underlying floor, said base member terminating in a rim;

b. a platform covering the base member and secured to said rim, the platform having an aperture for access to said base member;

c. and vertically adjustable weight means in said base member accessible for adjustment from the central portion of said platform.

5. An exerciser for skiers, as defined in claim 4, wherein said weight means includes:

a. a fixed weight secured in the apex region of the base member;

b. a screwthreaded post projecting upwardly therefrom;

c. and an adjustable weight carried by said post.