Rowing Patents (Class 482/72)
  • Patent number: 5382210
    Abstract: A rowing simulator which provides an oarsman with realistic resistance, motion, and feel. A curved frame supports and guides a freely sliding seat and a freely sliding energy dissipation unit. An oarsman, positioned on the seat, places his or her feet on a footrest that is part of the energy dissipating unit and pulls on a handle that simulates an oar. A chain connected to the handle causes a geared, resistance-producing flywheel to spin and a take-up device, having a series of pulleys and an elastic element, controls chain tension. During exercise, the independent seat and energy dissipating unit move apart and then together in a coordinated manner as a function of the stroke cycle of the oarsman. The curvature of the frame allows gravity to keep the oarsman in a central portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Casper J. N. Rekers
  • Patent number: 5382211
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved rowing apparatus which can accommodate a plurality of rowers at the same time and which permits simulating increased speeds in the water. The apparatus has an oblong tank having disposed on each side thereof and spaced therefrom in parallel relationship rowing attachments including seats, oarlocks and oars to accommodate a plurality of rowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Frank Solymosi
  • Patent number: 5372560
    Abstract: A multi-functional sporting equipment comprises a front housing, a rear housing which can be folded up to the front housing while not in use. A slidable housing is slidable on the front housing. A pair of parallel rail disposed at the front and rear housing. A storage box disposed at sides of front housing and a pedal stored at the rear housing. A plurality of training equipments are disposed and stored in a proper position of the housing. Thereby, no interference will occur between equipment pieces during exercise. This is a multi-functional sporting equipment. The rear housing can be folded to a box. On the other hand, a cast and handle 191 are provided and the sporting equipment can be easily moved to proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: John Chang
  • Patent number: 5370594
    Abstract: An adjustable and configurable exercise machine having a base sitting on the floor to which is pivotally attached an adjustable seat mechanism. Attached to the seat mechanism at a point located between the pivotally attached end and the seat is an arm actuated handle. Near the pivot is an adjustable pivot point to which is attached an adjustable control link. The purpose of the adjustable pivot point is to change the leverage ratio and the purpose of the adjustable control link is to change the position of the handle relative to the user. The second end of the adjustable control link is attached to a vertical upright member of the base frame assembly. A counter force capability is provided to counter the weight of the user. The user in a first use sits on the seat astride the machine with the feet on the foot rests and pulls with the arms and pushes with the feet. In a second use the pivot pin attaching the adjustable control link to the seat mechanism is removed and the handle is rotated against the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Arkady G. Grinblat
  • Patent number: 5370593
    Abstract: A bevel seated rowing machine includes a bevel seated base frame to hold a rotary wheel, a first rope inserted through a through hole on the rotary wheel and having two opposite ends wound round two opposite tubular flanges on the rotary wheel in the counter-clock wise direction and then connected to the actuating rod of a hydraulic cylinder by a link, and a second rope wound round the rotary wheel in the clockwise direction and coupled with a handle for pulling, wherein the link is comprised of a connecting bar and a T-bolt connected through a screw joint and turned in either direction to adjust the tension of the first rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Greenmaster Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Leao Wang
  • Patent number: 5368534
    Abstract: A coordinated movement exercise apparatus which provides coordinated and resistive exercise to a user includes a base section to which are coupled first and second pivotable members connected diagonally by a connecting member. The first and second pivotable members and the connecting member combine to form a "Z" shaped exerciser section which insured coordinated exercise movement by the user. At least one resistive member is coupled between the connecting member and one of the first and second pivotable members to provide resistance to motion when in use by the user. A seat is also included on the exercise apparatus as well as hand and foot gripping or engaging members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Peter Gerenz
  • Patent number: 5366428
    Abstract: A gymnastic apparatus comprises a base, a treading member, a handle rod, a seat rod, a first linking member, and a second linking member. The base has a support frame mounted thereon. The treading member has a rotary shaft pivoted to the support frame, two pedal rods fastened respectively to both ends of the rotary shaft, and two pedals pivoted respectively to the free ends of the two pedal rods. The handle rod is provided at the top end thereof with two hand grips and pivoted at the bottom end thereof to the base. The seat rod is pivoted at the bottom end thereof to the base and is provided at the top end thereof with a seat cushion. The first linking member is disposed between the rotary shaft of the treading member and the handle rod such that the rotational motion of the rotary shaft is caused to link with the angular displacement motion of the handle rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Nien-Yuan Liao
  • Patent number: 5356358
    Abstract: A horse-riding type exerciser includes a base frame having a pair of elongated beam elements which each have a distal end extending upwardly therefrom. A drive post device has a mediate portion pivotally engaged between the two distal ends of the pair of beam elements. A handlebar is mounted to an upper portion of the drive post device and a pair of foot rests is pivotally mounted to a lower portion of the drive post device. A seat post device has a lower portion pivotally engaged with the base frame between the pair of beam elements. A bracket device is pivotally engaged with an upper portion of the seat post device. A seat element is securely mounted on the bracket device. A connecting device has a first end pivotally engaged with the lower portion of the drive post device and a second end pivotally engaged with a mediate portion of the seat post device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 5356357
    Abstract: A riding exerciser includes two curved base frames, two parallel seat supports pivoted to the curved base frame in the middle to support a seat, a lower actuating rod having a top end pivotally connected between the curved base frames at the top and a bottom end fixed with a U-tube to hold a pair of pedals, an upper actuating rod pivoted to the lower actuating rod to hold a handle, and a link connected between the lower actuating rod and the seat supports, wherein the upper actuating rod has a series of lock holes on a bottom sector plate thereof for locking in any of a series of angular positions by a spring-supported lock bolt on the lower actuating rod; the lower actuating rod has a horizontal socket with a radial slot at the top, through which a headed screw is inserted and threaded into a screw hole on the handle to limit the rotating angle of the handle relative to the horizontal socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Greenmaster Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Leao Wang, Peter Wu
  • Patent number: 5328424
    Abstract: An exercise device for people with lower body paralysis. The exercise device guides and resists the motion of the hands and feet away from and towards the trunk. The exercise device holds the feet at a nearly constant angle in relation to a line drawn between the ankles and hips. The arm motion is constantly mechanically linked to the leg motion so that voluntary arm motion causes motion of paralyzed legs. A knee guide keeps paralyzed legs in proper alignment. Arm motion controls the application of electrical stimulation to leg muscles. Electrical stimulation of leg muscles causes the generation of leg forces that contribute to the overcoming of the resistance to the movement of the hands and feet in relation to the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Bruce C. Greco
  • Patent number: 5306218
    Abstract: A rowing exerciser defined by pivotally connected elongated first and second frame members has a limit member fixed to one of the frame members posterior to the pivot point in order to limit up and down movements thereof, and a tension spring which connects the first and second frame members anterior to the pivot point. A downward front end of the first frame member is provided with a front wheel assembly, while the upward rear end of the former is provided with a seat. An upward front end of the second frame member is provided with a handle member, while a downward rear end of the same is provided with a rear wheel assembly. The front and rear wheel assemblies are rotatable in only one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Vincent Huang Chen
  • Patent number: 5304107
    Abstract: A rowing exercise machine including a seat, a chest pad located forwardly of the seat, a movement arm to be pivoted about a horizontal axis by the exerciser while the chest pad limits forward movement of the exerciser, and a weight stack connected to the movement arm to impose a resistance to movement of the movement arm by the exerciser in one direction. A vertical pin is connectable to the resistance weight while being connected to the movement arm by a transmission including a vertical drive rod whose upper end is connected to the movement arm by a first linkage and whose lower end is connected to the pin by a second linkage located below the level of the seat. The chest pad is adjustable by a parallelogram linkage which mounts the chest pad relative to a fixed frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Arthur A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5299997
    Abstract: An exerciser includes a base frame having first and second ends and including two parallel beams, a foot post, a seat post, and a supporting member. An axle is rotationally mounted to the first end of the base frame between the parallel beams. Each beam includes a track adjacent to the second end of the base frame. The foot post has a lower end securely mounted to the axle to pivot therewith and an upper end to which a pair of foot rests are provided. A fixed beam extends outwardly from the foot post toward to the second end of base frame and has a distal end. The seat post includes a lower end securely attached to the axle to pivot therewith and an upper end for mounting a seat thereon. A mediate section of the supporting member is pivoted at an underside thereof to the distal end of the fixed beam, while an upper side of the mediate section of the supporting member is in pivotal connection with the seat post to allow pivotal movements therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 5295931
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise apparatus having a frame that extends between a front end and a rear end, and is designed to rest upon a floor surface. The frame supports an inclined rail at an angle of greater than five degrees relative to the floor surface. A seat is slidably secured relative to the rail, and the angle of inclination opposes rearward movement of the seat. A load resistant line means is secured at one end to the seat and at another effective end relative to the frame to further oppose rearward movement of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Dreibelbis, Charles C. Hall, Dale R. Henn, Pat J. Novak
  • Patent number: 5135456
    Abstract: A low row exercise machine includes a frame, a seat and chest support connected to the frame along a vertical midplane, and a paiar of levers with first ends pivotally connected to the frame above and in front of an exerciser supported on the seat. Each lever includes an intermediately located hub for holding a selectable weight resitance and a handle located at a second, lower end thereof adapted to be grasped and pulled rearwardly through a low row exercise motion by an exerciser supported on the seat. The levers pivot through planes which converge with respect to the forward facing direction of the exerciser. The orientation of the frame, the seat and the levers, and particularly the convergence of the levers and the angles of connection of the handles with respect to the levers readily accommodate the natural musculoskeletal makeup of the human body during the performance of a low row exercise motion, thus maximizing the muscular benefit attainable through performance of this exercise motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Hammer Strength Corporaation
    Inventor: Gary A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5135449
    Abstract: A rowing exercise machine includes a frame, a seat and a chest brace supported by the frame, and a pair of levers pivotally connected to the frame in front of the brace and seat. Each of the levers has a lower end adapted to support at least one removable weight and a handle at an upper end adapted to be grasped by an exerciser supported on the seat. During the performance of a rowing exercise, the exerciser pulls the handles upwardly and rearwardly to pivot the levers against the weight resistances held by the lower ends. The levers move along two outer vertical planes that converge with respect to the forward direction of the seat, and each of the levers pivots independently with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Hammer Strength Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5135458
    Abstract: A multi-functional exercising machine includes a main structure, a jogging device, a rowing device, a stationary bicycle, a pulling spring, a shelf, a stand, a chair, and a pull-up bar. The stand is attached to the main structure while standing on the jogging device. The chair or the pull-up bar is attachable to the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Chin C. Huang
  • Patent number: 5131895
    Abstract: An improved exercise apparatus, having two rails in parallel relation supported on a frame. Supported by each rail are two travellers, the four travellers for engagement with the limbs of the user. Each pair of travellers is supported by the rail one above the other, with the bottom travellers extending laterally below the rails of the apparatus. The travellers ride within grooves in the rails. An endless chain is suspended between the rails. When the travellers are coupled to the endless chain, the user encounters a resistive force from a force resistance system. Each set of travellers is selectively coupled to the endless chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Robert E. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5122105
    Abstract: A seat (12) for an exercise apparatus is disclosed. The seat (12) includes a seat member (40), a back member (60), and a pair of wing members (67) that form an integral part of the back member (60). The pair of wing members (67) define a substantially vertical gap (68) therebetween. The back member (60) supports a rower's back when the rower is sitting on the seat member (40). The back member (60), including an pair of wing members (67), is designed to deflect backward during the drive portion of the rowing motion. The pair of wing members (67) are designed to additionally deflect in such a manner that they cup the rower's back during the drive portion of the rowing motion. A supportive insert (80), which extends into the seat member (40) and the back member (60), affects the flexibility of the back member (60) and the pair of wing members (67). The seat (12), including its foam exterior (90), is configured to maximize the comfort of the rower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Nordictrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Engel, Harold C. Blawd, Michael E. Heutmaker
  • Patent number: 5114391
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise device providing mechanical actions for independent or simultaneous exercise of the upper and lower body of a human user. Each action incorporates a mechanical movement converting output of the user to rotational motion and thereby powering one of two electrical generators. An exercise controller selects loads to be applied to the generators. The loads are coupled by the mechanical movements back to the user to provide resistance to the exercise effort. The exercise controller drives an electronic display which informs the user of his or her intensity of effort as well as the proportion of that effort being met through exercise of the upper body and the part being met through exercise of the lower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Bioform Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Pitzen, Douglas Garfield, Warren G. Beltz, Lawrence O. Arntzen, Joseph C. Bina
  • Patent number: 5110117
    Abstract: A treadmill equipped with a pair of spring loaded handles that allow the user to exercise the arms and shoulders while walking on the treadmill surface. The handles can be mounted in different rotative positions on stub shafts so that they can be oriented to meet the desires of the user. Pivotal movement of the handles is resisted by compression springs mounted on rods which slide axially when the handles are pivoted back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Glen Henson
    Inventors: Milton W. Fisher, Glen E. Henson
  • Patent number: 5108090
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus (10) for stretching a users paraspinal and leg muscles including a leg immobilizing unit (11) having an adjustable extension unit (12) to which is pivotally attached a reciprocating telescoping unit (15) which is controlled by a control unit (14) for causing the reciprocating unit (13) to expand and contract to stretch the users paraspinal and leg muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Michael S. Reed
  • Patent number: 5104363
    Abstract: An exercising device in the form of a stationary rowing unit which can be used as a physical therapy aide having its main body portion lying substantially in a horizontal plane. The unit including a seat and arm assemblies foot pedal which are pivotally connected by a reciprocating cable and a pivotal tube assembly. The foot pedals being pivotally connected to the arm assemblies by rigid connecting rods and a pair of resistance cylinder means each pivotally mounted between respective foot pedals and the frame on opposite sides of the body for providing a desired resistance to movement by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: James Shi
  • Patent number: 5099689
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the effective force generated by an athlete acting upon a rowing apparatus are disclosed. A flexural member attached to the rowing apparatus and a footboard hingably attached to the flexural member at its upper end and slidably attached to the rowing apparatus at its lower end are provided. The flexural member is fitted with strain gauges which produce a signal indicative of the strain in the flexural member, this signal can then be converted to a measure of the effective force applied to the oars. Most preferably, apparatus of the present invention substantially eliminates the effects of residual torque friction, thermal deformation and the like by isolating the flexural member from which strain data is taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Nielsen-Kellerman Company
    Inventor: John H. McGinn