GB2186498A - Rowing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine comprises a frame 1 which supports an elevated seat 5 and a pivotable lever 8 acting as an oar and providing a support at its base for footrests and a hinged link to a slide member whereby pulling or pushing the oar causes the slide member to move reciprocally along a horizontal guide track 11,12 against an adjustable level of resistance in either or both directions. The resistance is provided by independently tensionable friction belts 13 and 14 which pass around guides on the slide member, the tension being adjusted by means of slidable bolts 16,17 which engage a spring or elasticated band at the end of each belt. The oar lever includes a telescopic section 18 and the lever and seat can both be folded down when not in use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercise machine This invention relates to exercise apparatus and more particularly to rowing machines. It is generally recognised that rowing is a useful exercise of great benefit to the functioning of the muscles involved in pulling the oars.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved rowing machine which will permit independently adjustable levels of resistance to both a puil and a push stroke ofthe oars, thus greatly increasing the number of muscles that can be effectively exercised.

According to the present invention there is provided a rowing machine comprising a frame which supports a seat and a pivotable lever which acts as an oar and which oar provides a support at its baseforfootrests and a hinged linkto a slide member, whereby pulling or pushing the oar causes the slide memberto move reciprocally along a horizontal track against an applied measure of resistance in one or both directions.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the rowing machine in perspective; Figure2illustrates a side view; Figure3showsthe machinefolded; Figure 4shows a perspective view of the slide member; Figure 5shows a side view of the slide member.

Referring to the drawings there is provided a frame 1 which comprises a horizontally disposed spine downwardly curved at each end to support it above the ground and each end is joined to a base cross member 2 and 3 respectively. Mounted at one end of the horizontal spine is a hinged bracket4which elevates and supports a seat 5 whilst at the other end is another hinged bracket 6 which elevates and provides a pivot 7 and the mounting point for a lever 8, forked at its base which acts as the oar. The hinging of the said bracket permits the oar lever and the seat to be folded down when not in use by withdrawing lockpins9and 10.Seefigure2.

The base of the oar lever is fitted with two lateral axles, one to each prong of the fork, which serveto carrythe front end bearings of the two footrests as shown in perspective view figure 1. Each of the heels of the footrests are supported by a bearing on lateral axles projecting from a slide member which is restricted to a reciprocative and horizontal movement along a pair of guide tracks 11 and 12 running beneath and parallel to the spine of the frame. Thus the footrests also serve to act as a link between the base of the oar and the slide member.

The slide member also carries friction belt guides and its movement can be opposed in either or both directions along its track bytwo separate and independentlytensionable friction belts 13 and 14, one for each direction.

Thus, when the oar handles are pulled backthere is a reciprocal movement forward ofthefootrests (or vice versa when the handles are pqshed forward) which is opposed by the level of resistance offered to the slide memberto which they are linked.

Figure 4 gives a perspective view of the slide memberwhich comprises two track runners 20 and 21 of hollow section which arejoined by a tubular cross member 22 and a cross member 23 which also serves as the axle to support the heels ofthe footrests. Both of the tubular members 22 and 23 also act as guides for the friction tapes, togetherwith two furthertubular guides mounted above them, shown in side view in figure 5.

At the end of the pull stroke on the machine the toe orfront ends of the footrests will have been lifted well above the heel level by the upward arcing movement of the base ofthe oar lever on which they are borne.

The pivot axle of the oar lever is carried between a pair of rearward projecting flanges 15 in orderto determine that the elevation of the front end of the footrests is higher at the end of the pull stroke than at the end of a push stroke. This is to match an exerciser's changing disposition ofthe legs and feet during the progress of movement and to assist in a smooth reciprocating momentum.

The horizontal slide members' guide tracks 11 and 12 each comprise a length of hollow square section and one end of each length is used as a convenient housing for a slidable bolt 16 and 17 which provide the means of applying and adjusting tension by means of a spring or elasticated band to the end of each friction belt. Each of the bolts 16 and 17 are provided with a row of calibration holes which by means of a locking pin enable a desired resistance level to be chosen and set.

The upper part ofthe oar lever includes a telescopic section 18which enables itto be adjustable in length and is locked by the lever 19. The uppermost end of the telescopic section 18 of the oar lever is fitted with a swivelling handle bar.

Various modifications to the invention and changes in the frame design are possible and it is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described herein.

1. Arowing machinecomprisingaframewhich supports a seat and a pivotable lever which acts as an oar and which oar provides a support at its base forfootrests and a hinged linkto a slide member, whereby pulling or pushing the oar causes the slide member to move reciprocally along a horizontal guide track against an applied measure of resistance in either one of or both directions.

2. A rowing machine as claimed in Claim 1 whereinthe slide member isfitted with friction belt guides and resistance to its movement can be offered in either or both directions along its guide track by two separate and independentlytensionable friction belts, one for each direction.

3. Arowing machine as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the frame comprises a horizontally disposed spine downwardly curved at each end to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Exercise machine This invention relates to exercise apparatus and more particularly to rowing machines. It is generally recognised that rowing is a useful exercise of great benefit to the functioning of the muscles involved in pulling the oars. One object of this invention is to provide an improved rowing machine which will permit independently adjustable levels of resistance to both a puil and a push stroke ofthe oars, thus greatly increasing the number of muscles that can be effectively exercised. According to the present invention there is provided a rowing machine comprising a frame which supports a seat and a pivotable lever which acts as an oar and which oar provides a support at its baseforfootrests and a hinged linkto a slide member, whereby pulling or pushing the oar causes the slide memberto move reciprocally along a horizontal track against an applied measure of resistance in one or both directions. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the rowing machine in perspective; Figure2illustrates a side view; Figure3showsthe machinefolded; Figure 4shows a perspective view of the slide member; Figure 5shows a side view of the slide member. Referring to the drawings there is provided a frame 1 which comprises a horizontally disposed spine downwardly curved at each end to support it above the ground and each end is joined to a base cross member 2 and 3 respectively. Mounted at one end of the horizontal spine is a hinged bracket4which elevates and supports a seat 5 whilst at the other end is another hinged bracket 6 which elevates and provides a pivot 7 and the mounting point for a lever 8, forked at its base which acts as the oar. The hinging of the said bracket permits the oar lever and the seat to be folded down when not in use by withdrawing lockpins9and 10.Seefigure2. The base of the oar lever is fitted with two lateral axles, one to each prong of the fork, which serveto carrythe front end bearings of the two footrests as shown in perspective view figure 1. Each of the heels of the footrests are supported by a bearing on lateral axles projecting from a slide member which is restricted to a reciprocative and horizontal movement along a pair of guide tracks 11 and 12 running beneath and parallel to the spine of the frame. Thus the footrests also serve to act as a link between the base of the oar and the slide member. The slide member also carries friction belt guides and its movement can be opposed in either or both directions along its track bytwo separate and independentlytensionable friction belts 13 and 14, one for each direction. Thus, when the oar handles are pulled backthere is a reciprocal movement forward ofthefootrests (or vice versa when the handles are pqshed forward) which is opposed by the level of resistance offered to the slide memberto which they are linked. Figure 4 gives a perspective view of the slide memberwhich comprises two track runners 20 and 21 of hollow section which arejoined by a tubular cross member 22 and a cross member 23 which also serves as the axle to support the heels ofthe footrests. Both of the tubular members 22 and 23 also act as guides for the friction tapes, togetherwith two furthertubular guides mounted above them, shown in side view in figure 5. At the end of the pull stroke on the machine the toe orfront ends of the footrests will have been lifted well above the heel level by the upward arcing movement of the base ofthe oar lever on which they are borne. The pivot axle of the oar lever is carried between a pair of rearward projecting flanges 15 in orderto determine that the elevation of the front end of the footrests is higher at the end of the pull stroke than at the end of a push stroke. This is to match an exerciser's changing disposition ofthe legs and feet during the progress of movement and to assist in a smooth reciprocating momentum. The horizontal slide members' guide tracks 11 and 12 each comprise a length of hollow square section and one end of each length is used as a convenient housing for a slidable bolt 16 and 17 which provide the means of applying and adjusting tension by means of a spring or elasticated band to the end of each friction belt. Each of the bolts 16 and 17 are provided with a row of calibration holes which by means of a locking pin enable a desired resistance level to be chosen and set. The upper part ofthe oar lever includes a telescopic section 18which enables itto be adjustable in length and is locked by the lever 19. The uppermost end of the telescopic section 18 of the oar lever is fitted with a swivelling handle bar. Various modifications to the invention and changes in the frame design are possible and it is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described herein. CLAIMS

1. Arowing machinecomprisingaframewhich supports a seat and a pivotable lever which acts as an oar and which oar provides a support at its base forfootrests and a hinged linkto a slide member, whereby pulling or pushing the oar causes the slide member to move reciprocally along a horizontal guide track against an applied measure of resistance in either one of or both directions.

2. A rowing machine as claimed in Claim 1 whereinthe slide member isfitted with friction belt guides and resistance to its movement can be offered in either or both directions along its guide track by two separate and independentlytensionable friction belts, one for each direction.

3. Arowing machine as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the frame comprises a horizontally disposed spine downwardly curved at each end to support it above the ground.

4. Arowing machine as claimed i n Claim 3 wherein at one end of the horizontally disposed length of spine is mounted a hinged bracket supporting a seat and at the other a hinged bracket supporting a pivot pointforthe oar lever, whereby both the oar lever and the seat can be folded downward when not in use.

5. A rowing machine as claimed in any preceding claim in which the oar lever is adjustable as to length and capped at its uppermost end with a swivelling handle bar.

6. A rowing machine as claimed in any proceding Claim wherein the pivot axle of the oar lever is carried between a pair of rearward projecting flanges.

7. A rowing machine as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the horizontal slide member guide track is comprised of two lengths of rectangular hollow sections and one end of each hollowsection is used as a housing for a slideable bolt which provides meansto adjusttension to a friction belt.

8. Arowing machine substantially described herein with reference to figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.