Resistance System for a Rowing Machine

A resistance system for a rowing machine has a mounting bracket, and a housing assembly, a driving assembly and a restoring assembly mounted on the mounting bracket. The housing assembly is for storing liquid and a paddle wheel. The driving assembly is connected to the paddle wheel and drives the paddle wheel to rotate in a direction only. The restoring assembly is connected to a strip hub of the driving assembly and is able to drive the strip hub to rotate in a reverse direction. The resistance system for the rowing machine has simplified structure. Therefore, it is easy to assemble to resistance system, and manufacturing cost of the resistance system can be decreased. In addition, a service life of the resistance system as well as the rowing machine can be increased.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise equipment, especially to a resistance system for a rowing machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art(s)

Rowing is an interesting and challenging sport that exercises all the major muscle groups, including quadriceps femoris, biceps, triceps, latissimus dorsi, gluteal, and abdominal muscles. A rowing machine is an exercise equipment that is used to simulate action of the rowing for the purpose of exercise and training the muscles groups.

A conventional resistance system for a rowing machine includes a magnetic brake and an elastic rope. The elastic rope is connected to the magnetic brake and is able to resume its original shape after being stretched. An exerciser pulls the elastic rope repeatedly and resists resistance forces formed by the magnetic brake and elasticity of the elastic rope, so as to achieve exercise and training effects.

However, a structure of the magnetic brake is complex and needs high manufacturing cost. Moreover, after being stretched repeatedly, elastic fatigue occurs in the elastic rope. Consequently, the exercise and training effects of the rowing machine having the conventional resistance system are greatly influenced.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a resistance system for a rowing machine to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a resistance system for a rowing machine. The resistance system has a mounting bracket, a housing assembly, a paddle wheel, a driving assembly, and a restoring assembly.

The housing assembly is mounted on the mounted bracket and includes a liquid tank. The liquid tank is for storing liquid and has two opposite side walls.

The paddle wheel is mounted in the liquid tank and has a rotating base, multiple peddle blades, and a driven shaft. The paddle blades is formed on and is arranged around the rotating base at intervals. The driven shaft protrudes from a center of the rotating base and is rotatably mounted through one of the side walls of the liquid tank.

The driving assembly is mounted on the driven shaft and includes a strip hub, at least one one-way bearing, a driving strip, and a handle. The strip hub is mounted around the driven shaft and has a connecting axle protruding from an end surface of the strip hub and being coaxial with the driven shaft. The at least one one-way bearing is mounted between and is connected to the driven shaft and the strip hub. The driving strip is wound around the strip hub. The handle is connected with the driving strip.

The restoring assembly is mounted around the connecting axle of the strip hub and includes a casing and a restoring element. The casing is securely connected to the mounting bracket and is mounted around the connecting axle. The restoring element is resilient, is mounted in the casing, and has two ends respectively connected to the casing and the connecting axle.

When the driving strip is pulled to drive the strip hub to unwind the driving strip, the strip hub drives the paddle wheel to rotate, and a resilient restoring force of the restoring element is formed and pulls the connecting axle of the strip hub to rotate in a reverse direction.

When the driving strip is released, the resilient restoring force of the restoring element drives the strip hub to wind the driving strip, and the strip hub is free from driving the paddle wheel to rotate.

The resistance system for the rowing machine has simplified structure. Therefore, it is easy to assemble to resistance system, and manufacturing cost of the resistance system can be decreased. In addition, a service life of the resistance system as well as the rowing machine can be increased.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an operational perspective view of a resistance system for a rowing machine in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the resistance system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the resistance system in FIG. 1, with a mounting bracket shown omitted;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the resistance system in FIG. 1, with the mounted bracket shown omitted;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a housing assembly and a paddle wheel of the resistance system in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a driving assembly and a restoring assembly of the resistance system in FIG. 1.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a resistance system AA for a rowing machine comprises a mounting bracket 10, a housing assembly 20, a paddle wheel 30, at least one strip guiding member 40A, 40B, a driving assembly 50, and a restoring assembly 60.

The mounting bracket 10 is connected to a front end of a seat assembly 70 of the rowing machine.

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the housing assembly 20 is mounted on the mounted bracket 10 and includes a liquid tank 21 and two baffles 22.

The liquid tank 21 is for storing liquid such as water, and has two side walls 211 and an annular wall 212. The side walls 211 are oppositely defined on the liquid tank 21. The annular wall 212 is formed between the two side walls 211.

The baffles 22 are disposed in the liquid tank 21 and are attached to the two side walls 211 of the liquid tank 21 respectively. Each of the baffles 22 is annular and has a through hole 221 defined through the baffle 22. An interior of the liquid tank 21 is divided into an inner compartment 201 surrounded by the baffles 22 and an outer compartment 202 formed between the annular wall 212 of the liquid tank 21 and the baffles 22. The inner compartment 201 and the outer compartment 202 in the liquid tank 21 communicates with each other via the through holes 221 of the baffles 22.

In the preferred embodiment, the liquid tank 21 is formed by attaching two half-housings 210 in a watertight manner. The through hole 221 of one of the baffles 22 corresponds in position to the through hole 221 of the other baffle 22.

With further reference to FIG. 4, the paddle wheel 30 is mounted in the liquid tank 21 and has a rotating base 31, multiple paddle blades 32, and a driven shaft 33. The rotating base 31 is substantially formed as a circular plate and is rotatably disposed between the baffles 22. The paddle blades 32 are formed on and arranged around the rotating base 31 at intervals, are disposed in the outer compartment 202 of the liquid tank 21, and alternately protrude toward the two side walls 211. The driven shaft 33 protrudes from a center of the rotating base 31, is rotatably mounted through one of the side walls 211 of the liquid tank 21, and has an outer end protruding out of the liquid tank 21.

Preferably, the liquid tank 21 is connected to the driven shaft 33 via at least one bearing 34, such that the driven shaft 33 is able to rotate smoothly and stably relative to the liquid tank 21. Preferably, at least one sealing member 34 is mounted between the liquid tank 21 and the driven shaft 33, so as to avoid leakage of the liquid in the liquid tank 21.

The at least one strip guiding member 40A, 40B is mounted on the mounting bracket 10. In the preferred embodiment, each of the at least one strip guiding member 40A, 40B is cylindrical.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the driving assembly 50 is mounted on the outer end of the driven shaft 33 and includes a strip hub 51, at least one one-way bearing 52, a driving strip 53, and a handle 54.

The strip hub 51 is mounted around the outer end of the driven shaft 33 and has an annular recess 511 and a connecting axle 512. The annular recess 511 is formed in and around an annular side surface of the strip hub 51. The connecting axle 512 protrudes from an end surface of the strip hub 51 and is coaxial with the driven shaft 33. The at least one one-way bearing 52 is mounted between and is connected to the driven shaft 33 and the strip hub 51.

The driving strip 53 is wound around the strip hub 51 in the annular recess 511, abuts against and is oriented by the at least one strip guiding member 40A, 40B, and has an inner connecting end and an outer pulling end 531. The inner connecting end of the driving strip 53 is connected with the strip hub 51. The outer pulling end 531 of the driving strip 53 extends toward the seat assembly 70. The handle 54 is connected with the outer pulling end 531 of the driving strip 53.

With the at least one one-way bearing 52 disposed between the driven shaft 33 and the strip hub 51, when the strip hub 51 is driven to rotate to unwind the driving strip 53, the strip hub 51 drives the driven shaft 33, i.e. the paddle wheel 30, to rotate; when the strip hub 51 is driven to rotate to wind the driving strip 53, the strip hub 51 is free from driving the driven shaft 33, i.e. the paddle wheel 30, to rotate.

The restoring assembly 60 is mounted around the connecting axle 512 of the strip hub 51 and includes a casing 61 and a restoring element 62. The casing 61 is securely connected to the mounting bracket 10 and is mounted around the connecting axle 512, such that the connecting axle 512 protrudes into the casing 61. The restoring element 62 is resilient, is mounted in the casing 61, and has two ends respectively connected to the casing 61 and the connecting axle 512.

Preferably, the casing 61 is connected to the connecting axle 512 via at least one bearing 63. Preferably, the restoring element 62 is a volute spring that is wound around the connecting axle 512 of the strip hub 51.

When using the rowing machine, a user sits on the seat assembly 70, faces toward the resistance system AA and holds the handle 54 of the driving assembly 50.

As the user pulls the driving strip 53 to unwind the driving strip 53, the strip hub 51 and the paddle wheel 30 is driven to rotate. Meanwhile, a resilient restoring force of the restoring element 62 is formed and pulls the connecting axle 512 of the strip hub 51 to rotate in a reverse direction. Turbulence in the liquid provides fluid resistance to rotation of the wheel paddle 30. Moreover, with the baffles 22 and the through holes 221 of the baffles 22, the liquid pushed by the paddle blades 32 of the paddle wheel 30 flows in the outer compartment 202 and the inner compartment 201 in the liquid tank 21. Accordingly, a current in the liquid tank 21 is more turbulent and the fluid resistance provided to the wheel paddle 30 is greater a current that is formed by a liquid flow flowing annularly along the liquid tank 21.

As the user releases the driving strip 53, the restoring element 62 drives the strip hub 51 to rotate reversely to wind the driving strip 53. With the at least one one-way bearing 52 disposed between the driven shaft 33 and the strip hub 51, the strip hub 51 is free from driving the paddle wheel to rotate. Thus, the fluid resistance does not hinder rotation of the strip hub 51.

The resistance system AA for the rowing machine as described has simplified structure. Therefore, it is easy to assemble to resistance system AA, and manufacturing cost of the resistance system AA can be decreased. In addition, a service life of the resistance system AA as well as the rowing machine can be increased.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A resistance system for a rowing machine comprising:

a mounting bracket;
a housing assembly mounted on the mounted bracket and including a liquid tank, and the liquid tank being for storing liquid and having two opposite side walls;
a paddle wheel mounted in the liquid tank and having a rotating base; multiple paddle blades formed on and arranged around the rotating base at intervals; and a driven shaft protruding from a center of the rotating base, rotatably mounted through one of the side walls of the liquid tank, and having an outer end protruding out of the liquid tank;
a driving assembly mounted on the outer end of the driven shaft and including a strip hub mounted around the outer end of the driven shaft and having a connecting axle, and the connecting axle protruding from an end surface of the strip hub and being coaxial with the driven shaft; at least one one-way bearing mounted between and connected to the driven shaft and the strip hub; a driving strip wound around the strip hub and having an inner connecting end connected with the strip hub; and an outer pulling end; and a handle connected with the outer pulling end of the driving strip; and
a restoring assembly mounted around the connecting axle of the strip hub and including a casing securely connected to the mounting bracket and mounted around the connecting axle; and a restoring element being resilient, mounted in the casing, and having two ends respectively connected to the casing and the connecting axle;
wherein
when the driving strip is pulled to drive the strip hub to unwind the driving strip, the strip hub drives the paddle wheel to rotate, and a resilient restoring force of the restoring element is formed and pulls the connecting axle of the strip hub to rotate in a reverse direction; and
when the driving strip is released, the resilient restoring force of the restoring element drives the strip hub to wind the driving strip, and the strip hub is free from driving the paddle wheel to rotate.

2. The resistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the liquid tank has an annular wall formed between the two side walls of the liquid tank;
the housing assembly further includes two baffles disposed in the liquid tank and attached to the two opposite side walls of the liquid tank respectively, and each of the baffles is annular and has a through hole defined through the baffle;
an interior of the liquid tank is divided into an inner compartment surrounded by the baffles and an outer compartment formed between the annular wall of the liquid tank and the baffles;
the rotating base of the paddle wheel is rotatably disposed between the baffles; and
the paddle blades of the paddle wheel are disposed in the outer compartment of the liquid tank and alternately protrude toward the two side walls.

3. The resistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the resistance system further comprises at least one strip guiding member mounted on the mounting bracket; and
the driving strip abuts against and is oriented by the at least one strip guiding member.

4. The resistance system as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the resistance system further comprises at least one strip guiding member mounted on the mounting bracket; and
the driving strip abuts against and is oriented by the at least one strip guiding member.

5. The resistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the strip hub further has an annular recess formed in and around an annular side surface of the strip hub; and
the driving strip is wound around the strip hub in the annular recess.

6. The resistance system as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the strip hub further has an annular recess formed in and around an annular side surface of the strip hub; and
the driving strip is wound around the strip hub in the annular recess.

7. The resistance system as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the strip hub further has an annular recess formed in and around an annular side surface of the strip hub; and
the driving strip is wound around the strip hub in the annular recess.

8. The resistance system as claimed in claim 4, wherein

the strip hub further has an annular recess formed in and around an annular side surface of the strip hub; and
the driving strip is wound around the strip hub in the annular recess.

9. The resistance system as claimed in claim 5, wherein

the liquid tank is connected to the driven shaft of the paddle wheel via at least one bearing; and
the casing of the restoring assembly is connected to the connecting axle of the strip hub via at least one bearing.

10. The resistance system as claimed in claim 8, wherein

the liquid tank is connected to the driven shaft of the paddle wheel via at least one bearing; and
the casing of the restoring assembly is connected to the connecting axle of the strip hub via at least one bearing.

11. The resistance system as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one sealing member is mounted between the liquid tank and the driven shaft.

12. The resistance system as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one sealing member is mounted between the liquid tank and the driven shaft.

Patent History
Publication number: 20200197739
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 19, 2018
Publication Date: Jun 25, 2020
Inventor: Hsiao-Chieh Hsieh (Xiamen City)
Application Number: 16/225,041
Classifications
International Classification: A63B 21/008 (20060101); A63B 69/06 (20060101); A63B 21/22 (20060101); A63B 22/00 (20060101); A63B 21/00 (20060101);