CA1213918A - Downhill trainer - Google Patents
Downhill trainerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1213918A CA1213918A CA000417551A CA417551A CA1213918A CA 1213918 A CA1213918 A CA 1213918A CA 000417551 A CA000417551 A CA 000417551A CA 417551 A CA417551 A CA 417551A CA 1213918 A CA1213918 A CA 1213918A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- support arm
- frame
- exercise apparatus
- footrests
- footrest
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/18—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for skiing
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An exercise apparatus primarily intended for downhill skiers includes a frame defined by a front bracket and ground engaging arms connected to such frame; a pair of support arms pivotally mounted on said bracket for rotation around first parallel, inclined axes; springs and turnbuckles connecting the arms to the frame for resiliently resisting swinging movement of the arms relative to the frame; and a pair of footrests mounted on the rear ends of the arms for rotation around axes parallel to the first axes, whereby the footrests remain aligned with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
An exercise apparatus primarily intended for downhill skiers includes a frame defined by a front bracket and ground engaging arms connected to such frame; a pair of support arms pivotally mounted on said bracket for rotation around first parallel, inclined axes; springs and turnbuckles connecting the arms to the frame for resiliently resisting swinging movement of the arms relative to the frame; and a pair of footrests mounted on the rear ends of the arms for rotation around axes parallel to the first axes, whereby the footrests remain aligned with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
Description
This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and in particular to an apparatus for training downhill skiers.
There are presently available many exercising or training devices for skiing or skating. Examples of such devices are described in Canadian Patent No. 632,029, issued to P. Tamini on December 5, 196l, and in United States Patent No. 3,756,595, which issued to G.V. Hague on September 4, 1973. In general, the available training/exercising devices are either unnecessarily complicated or do not accurately simulate downhill skiing.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of the prior art devices by providing a relatively simple exercise apparatus, which enables the user to make the body movements required in downhill skiing.
While the apparatus of the present invention is designed primarily as a downhill ski trainer, the apparatus is equally useful for conditioning the lower torso. Thus, the apparatus can also be used to condition the body for sports such as hockey, baseball, football, golf, tennis and racquetball.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an exercise apparatus comprising frame means for supporting the apparatus on a flat surface; support arm means pivotally connected to said frame means for rotation around a first inclined axis; foot-rest means for supporting the feet of a user for rotation around a second inclined axis substantially parallel to said first inclined axis; and tensioning means resiliently connecting said support arm means to said frame means for limiting lateral move-ment of said support arm means and said footrest means relative to said frame means.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front and above of a ski training apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from one side and above of the apparatus of Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a cross-section taken generally along line III-III of Fig. 1 with parts omitted;
Figure 4 is a partly sectioned perspective view from one side and above of the front end of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view from one side and below of tensioning elements used in the device of Figs. 1 to 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective view from one side and below of footrests used in the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 5.
With reference to the drawings, the basic elements of the ski training apparatus of the present invention include a ground engaging frame defined by a bracket generally indicated at 1 and from legs 2, 3, 4 and 5, a T-shaped handle 6, a pair of foot~
rests generally indicated at 7, a pair of footrest support arms 8, and a tensioning device generally indicated at 9.
The bracket 1 is defined by a generally C-shaped metal plate 10 with three sockets 11, 12 and 13 welded to the bottom thereof. The sockets 11 and 12 have a square cross-section for receiving the legs 2 and 3, respectively. The legs 2, 3, 4 and 5 are merely straight lengths of square metal tubing. The front ends 15 of the legs 4 and 5 are welded to the bottom of the plate 10 between the legs 2 and 3. The front ends 15 of the legs 4 and 5 are spaced apart, and are also connected to the sockets 11 and 12. The legs 4 and 5 converge rearwardly, and the rear ends 16 thereof (Fig. 2) are welded together. The socket 13, which extends upwardly and rearwardly receives the bottom end of the inclined stem 17 of the T-shaped handle 6. Arms 18 of the handle 6 are at the top end thereof, and inc~ude rubber or plastic hand grips 19.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the plate 10 includes a pair of arms 20 and a web 21 interconnecting the arms. The foot support àrms 8 are pivotally connected to the plate 10 by a pair of sleeves 22 welded to the front ends of such arms 8. The sleeves 22 extend between the arms 20 and are retained in the bracket 1 by bolts 23 and nuts 24. The web 21 is inclined for-wardly; consequently, the arms 8 extend upwardly and rearwardly from the bracket 1.
The arms 8 are resiliently connected to the legs 4 and 5 by the tensioning device 9. As best shown in Fig. 5, the tensioning device 9 includes a crossbar 26 extending between the arms 4 and 5 near the rear end thereof. A post 27 extends upwardly from the crossbar 26 for rotatably supporting a sleeve 28~ A
crossbar 29 is welded to the sleeve 28. Helical springs 30 connect 20 the ends of the crossbar 28 to turnbuckles 31. One end 32 of each spring 30 is connected to one end of the crossbar 29, and the other end 33 of the spring 30 is connected to the rear end of the turnbuckle 31. The front ends of the turnbuckles 31 are pivotally connected to lugs 35 extending downwardly from the arms 8 near the front end thereof for rotation around a horizontal axis. A clevis 36 is connected to the front end of each turnbuckle 31, and the clevis is rotatably connected to the lug 35 by a bolt 37.
Referring to Fig. 6, the foot rests 7 are defined by a ~2~
pair of plates 39, each of which has upwardly extending flanges 40 for retaining the foot of a user. A pair of blocks 41 and 42 is provided on the bottom of each plate 39 for rotatably mount-ing the plate 39 on the rear end of the arm 8. The short arm of a generally L-shaped rod 43 is welded to the rear end of the arm 8, and the longer arm 45 extends through the blocks 41 and 42.
The rods 43 are retained in the blocks 41 and 42 by washers 46 and by nuts 47 on the threaded ends of the rods 43. A post 48 extends downwardly from each arm 45 of the rod 43 between the blccks 41 and 42. A sleeve 50 is rotatably mounted on each post 48. The sleeves 50 are held on the posts 48 by washers 51 and nuts 52. A crossbar 53 extends between the sleeves 50. An arm 54 extends forwardly from each sleeve 50. A ball 55 at the front end of each arm 54 is disposed between the arms of a U-shaped socket 56, which is connected to the block 41.
In operation, a user stands erect on the footrests 7 with knees bent slightly, and grasps the hand grips 19. With both feet firmly on the footrests 7, t~e user pushes outwardly with one foot and then with the other foot so that the arms 8 and the springs 30 begin to move from side to side, the arms 8 rotating around the inclined axes defined by the bolts 23. The posts 48 are substantially parallel to the bolts 23. Thus, the footrests 7, remain aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame 1 of the apparatus ~hile the arms 8 swing from side to side. At the same time, the footrests 7 are free to cant. Because of the ball and socket structure and the crossbar 53, the footrests 7 move lateral together, but can cant separately. By ~xerting maximum effort, the footrests 7 can be moved a considerable distance laterally. The turnbuckles 31 can be adjusted to alter the force required to move the arms. Obviously, the tension created by the tensioning device 9 is increased as the strength of the user increases. When the user has good balance or following sufficient use, the handle 6 can be removed or replaced by a pair of ski poles.
There are presently available many exercising or training devices for skiing or skating. Examples of such devices are described in Canadian Patent No. 632,029, issued to P. Tamini on December 5, 196l, and in United States Patent No. 3,756,595, which issued to G.V. Hague on September 4, 1973. In general, the available training/exercising devices are either unnecessarily complicated or do not accurately simulate downhill skiing.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of the prior art devices by providing a relatively simple exercise apparatus, which enables the user to make the body movements required in downhill skiing.
While the apparatus of the present invention is designed primarily as a downhill ski trainer, the apparatus is equally useful for conditioning the lower torso. Thus, the apparatus can also be used to condition the body for sports such as hockey, baseball, football, golf, tennis and racquetball.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an exercise apparatus comprising frame means for supporting the apparatus on a flat surface; support arm means pivotally connected to said frame means for rotation around a first inclined axis; foot-rest means for supporting the feet of a user for rotation around a second inclined axis substantially parallel to said first inclined axis; and tensioning means resiliently connecting said support arm means to said frame means for limiting lateral move-ment of said support arm means and said footrest means relative to said frame means.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front and above of a ski training apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from one side and above of the apparatus of Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a cross-section taken generally along line III-III of Fig. 1 with parts omitted;
Figure 4 is a partly sectioned perspective view from one side and above of the front end of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view from one side and below of tensioning elements used in the device of Figs. 1 to 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective view from one side and below of footrests used in the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 5.
With reference to the drawings, the basic elements of the ski training apparatus of the present invention include a ground engaging frame defined by a bracket generally indicated at 1 and from legs 2, 3, 4 and 5, a T-shaped handle 6, a pair of foot~
rests generally indicated at 7, a pair of footrest support arms 8, and a tensioning device generally indicated at 9.
The bracket 1 is defined by a generally C-shaped metal plate 10 with three sockets 11, 12 and 13 welded to the bottom thereof. The sockets 11 and 12 have a square cross-section for receiving the legs 2 and 3, respectively. The legs 2, 3, 4 and 5 are merely straight lengths of square metal tubing. The front ends 15 of the legs 4 and 5 are welded to the bottom of the plate 10 between the legs 2 and 3. The front ends 15 of the legs 4 and 5 are spaced apart, and are also connected to the sockets 11 and 12. The legs 4 and 5 converge rearwardly, and the rear ends 16 thereof (Fig. 2) are welded together. The socket 13, which extends upwardly and rearwardly receives the bottom end of the inclined stem 17 of the T-shaped handle 6. Arms 18 of the handle 6 are at the top end thereof, and inc~ude rubber or plastic hand grips 19.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the plate 10 includes a pair of arms 20 and a web 21 interconnecting the arms. The foot support àrms 8 are pivotally connected to the plate 10 by a pair of sleeves 22 welded to the front ends of such arms 8. The sleeves 22 extend between the arms 20 and are retained in the bracket 1 by bolts 23 and nuts 24. The web 21 is inclined for-wardly; consequently, the arms 8 extend upwardly and rearwardly from the bracket 1.
The arms 8 are resiliently connected to the legs 4 and 5 by the tensioning device 9. As best shown in Fig. 5, the tensioning device 9 includes a crossbar 26 extending between the arms 4 and 5 near the rear end thereof. A post 27 extends upwardly from the crossbar 26 for rotatably supporting a sleeve 28~ A
crossbar 29 is welded to the sleeve 28. Helical springs 30 connect 20 the ends of the crossbar 28 to turnbuckles 31. One end 32 of each spring 30 is connected to one end of the crossbar 29, and the other end 33 of the spring 30 is connected to the rear end of the turnbuckle 31. The front ends of the turnbuckles 31 are pivotally connected to lugs 35 extending downwardly from the arms 8 near the front end thereof for rotation around a horizontal axis. A clevis 36 is connected to the front end of each turnbuckle 31, and the clevis is rotatably connected to the lug 35 by a bolt 37.
Referring to Fig. 6, the foot rests 7 are defined by a ~2~
pair of plates 39, each of which has upwardly extending flanges 40 for retaining the foot of a user. A pair of blocks 41 and 42 is provided on the bottom of each plate 39 for rotatably mount-ing the plate 39 on the rear end of the arm 8. The short arm of a generally L-shaped rod 43 is welded to the rear end of the arm 8, and the longer arm 45 extends through the blocks 41 and 42.
The rods 43 are retained in the blocks 41 and 42 by washers 46 and by nuts 47 on the threaded ends of the rods 43. A post 48 extends downwardly from each arm 45 of the rod 43 between the blccks 41 and 42. A sleeve 50 is rotatably mounted on each post 48. The sleeves 50 are held on the posts 48 by washers 51 and nuts 52. A crossbar 53 extends between the sleeves 50. An arm 54 extends forwardly from each sleeve 50. A ball 55 at the front end of each arm 54 is disposed between the arms of a U-shaped socket 56, which is connected to the block 41.
In operation, a user stands erect on the footrests 7 with knees bent slightly, and grasps the hand grips 19. With both feet firmly on the footrests 7, t~e user pushes outwardly with one foot and then with the other foot so that the arms 8 and the springs 30 begin to move from side to side, the arms 8 rotating around the inclined axes defined by the bolts 23. The posts 48 are substantially parallel to the bolts 23. Thus, the footrests 7, remain aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame 1 of the apparatus ~hile the arms 8 swing from side to side. At the same time, the footrests 7 are free to cant. Because of the ball and socket structure and the crossbar 53, the footrests 7 move lateral together, but can cant separately. By ~xerting maximum effort, the footrests 7 can be moved a considerable distance laterally. The turnbuckles 31 can be adjusted to alter the force required to move the arms. Obviously, the tension created by the tensioning device 9 is increased as the strength of the user increases. When the user has good balance or following sufficient use, the handle 6 can be removed or replaced by a pair of ski poles.
Claims (8)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An exercise apparatus comprising frame means for supporting the apparatus on a flat surface; support arm means pivotally connected to said frame means for rotation around a first inclined axis; footrest means for supporting the feet of a user for rotation around a second inclined axis substantially parallel to said first inclined axis; and tensioning means resiliently connecting said support arm means to said frame means for limiting lateral movement of said support arm means and said footrest means relative to said frame means.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said footrest means includes a pair of footrests, each footrest being pivotally mounted on said support arm means for rotation around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm means.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 2, including a pair of support arms, each support arm carrying one said footrest; and crossbar means interconnecting said footrests, whereby said footrests move in unison.
4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, including pivot means connecting said footrests to said support arms so that said footrests can be canted with respect to said support arms
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tension means includes spring means connecting said support arm means to said frame means.
6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5 t wherein said tension means includes turnbuckle means between said spring means and said frame means for varying the tension of the tension means, and consequently the force required to move said footrest means.
7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frame means includes a bracket, and a plurality of legs for connection to said bracket and extending outwardly therefrom for supporting the apparatus on a flat surface, said support arm means being pivotally connected to said bracket.
8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 including handle means for connection to said bracket forwardly of said footrest means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417551A CA1213918A (en) | 1982-12-13 | 1982-12-13 | Downhill trainer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417551A CA1213918A (en) | 1982-12-13 | 1982-12-13 | Downhill trainer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1213918A true CA1213918A (en) | 1986-11-12 |
Family
ID=4124138
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417551A Expired CA1213918A (en) | 1982-12-13 | 1982-12-13 | Downhill trainer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1213918A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0296129A2 (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1988-12-21 | Ottavio Colombo | Equipment for ski movement simulation |
| EP0311223A1 (en) * | 1987-11-06 | 1989-04-12 | Skimulator B.V. | Alpine skiing training device |
| US9441169B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-09-13 | Ultraclean Fuel Pty Ltd | Process for removing sulphur compounds from hydrocarbons |
| US10214697B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-02-26 | Ultraclean Fuel Pty Limited | Process for removing sulphur compounds from hydrocarbons |
-
1982
- 1982-12-13 CA CA000417551A patent/CA1213918A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0296129A2 (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1988-12-21 | Ottavio Colombo | Equipment for ski movement simulation |
| EP0296129A3 (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1990-01-10 | Ottavio Colombo | Equipment for ski movement simulation |
| EP0311223A1 (en) * | 1987-11-06 | 1989-04-12 | Skimulator B.V. | Alpine skiing training device |
| US9441169B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-09-13 | Ultraclean Fuel Pty Ltd | Process for removing sulphur compounds from hydrocarbons |
| US10214697B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-02-26 | Ultraclean Fuel Pty Limited | Process for removing sulphur compounds from hydrocarbons |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |