Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Alpine or towed skiing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-22
2003-05-27
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Alpine or towed skiing
C482S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06569064
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to exercising apparatus for a user to simulate the motions, exertions and techniques involved in skiing, thereby increasing the user's strength and skill, and more particularly to improvements in such apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Apparatus for use by skiers on which they may simulate the motions, exertions and techniques required in skiing has been built and sold for several years. In particular U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,641 was issued to Robert J. Ossenkop on Aug. 18, 1970, for a device comprising a movable carriage on a set of rails. The carriage of that device is constrained in its movement on the rails by flexible members attached to both the carriage and to transverse members between the rails near each end of the set of rails, and a user can move the carriage from side to side on the rails to simulate the Wedeln or “parallel” technique of skiing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,434 was issued to the same inventor on Dec. 15, 1970. This later patent is for a device similar to the first device, but comprising a number of improvements, such as movable footrests on the carriage whereby a user may simulate turning and edging techniques in addition to parallel skiing; and, in some embodiments may also move the feet relative to one another.
The inventions referenced above each include a safety strap attached to a transverse member between the parallel rails and to the carriage on the rails in addition to the flexible member by which the carriage is constrained to travel on the rails. The purpose of the safety strap is to provide for a situation in which the aforementioned flexible member might rupture on one side of the carriage, providing a sudden force urging the carriage to the side where the flexible member remains unruptured, which sudden force could dislodge a user and perhaps cause serious injury. The safety strap in such instance provides a restoring force toward the center tending to lessen the amplitude of carriage displacement that might otherwise occur.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,014, to which this case is related, and by the same inventor, an exerciser is disclosed having a pair of spaced-apart rails, a platform for riding on the rails, a first resilient element providing a first restoring force on the platform, and a second resilient element providing a second restoring force on the platform. The second resilient element has an adjustment element contacting the second resilient element in at least three points.
In the latter exerciser, the rails are held in a spaced-apart relationship by a brace element in the center, which is fastened to the rails by screw-type fasteners, and by transverse elements fastened at the ends of the rails. The transverse elements at the ends are tubular in form, and the rails pass through openings in the tubular transverse elements, fastening to a bracket internal to each tubular transverse element. This joining arrangement is illustrated by
FIGS. 1A and 1B
of the referenced patent. As shown in these figures rails
301
and
303
pass through holes
305
and
307
respectively into tubular transverse element
309
. Inside, the rails are fastened to a bracket
311
by screw fasteners
313
and
315
. Rubber-like end caps
317
and
319
close the ends of the tubular transverse element after assembly and act as non-skid pads in contact with the floor in operation. The end caps are of molded rubber-like material, and disk-like pieces carrying designs and lettering are added for identification and aesthetic effect. This particular method of joining and spacing the rails has not proved entirely satisfactory in terms of cost and ease of assembly, and in terms of strength and rigidity of assembly, and the multiple-piece construction of the end caps has also proved to be relatively expensive.
Although related U.S. patents issued to the inventor address the above problem and other problems related to construction and function of various components of the parent ski exerciser, there are. still non-obvious improvements desired in several areas related to construction or assembly techniques, profile, materials, and longevity of the apparatus. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,257 (hereinafter '257), in
FIGS. 5A and 5B
, a ski exerciser is illustrated both in an elevation view (FIG.
5
A), and in a plan view (overhead FIG.
5
B). Arcuate rails
15
comprise tubing structures having a continuous arc or bow over their entire length.
It has been discovered through empirical method that an even better action may be simulated with rails shaped somewhat differently than in the prior art. Firstly, the tubing material used in rails
15
can be changed to exhibit even more strength than previously. Secondly, the inventor has discovered that other shapes for the rails than fully arcuate provide better skiing feel than the fully arcuate rails in the referenced prior patents.
FIG. 5A
in '257 illustrates roller assemblies housing rollers such as rollers
25
and
27
which are identical in size and construction with other illustrated rollers which make rolling contact with resilient members
23
and
59
. The diameter of the aforementioned rollers is disclosed as approximately 1 inch, and the rollers are generally cylindrical. It has been discovered that larger rollers, also crowned have a beneficial effect in smoother power band operation. The crowned rollers keep the belts better centered on the rollers.
The present inventor has also determined that improvements may be made in the positioning of wheels for the wheeled carriage, and in the form of the rails and how the wheels interface to the rails.
What is clearly needed is a modularly enhanced ski-excising device that provides further distinct advantages for the expanding field of users. Such a device could be manufactured with fewer assembly parts, retain a lightweight characteristic, provide additional stability and rigidity, and require less work for a user to assemble and operate, as well as providing for a more realistic workout.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a ski exercising machine is provided, comprising a set of at least two parallel rails joined to cross members at the ends, the cross members providing support on a horizontal support surface, and joined to a central frame structure extending from the horizontal surface near the center to the rails, the rails extending from each cross member at each end upward at an acute angle with the horizontal rising to a maximum height in the center; a wheeled carriage riding on the rails; at least one articulated footpad mounted to the wheeled carriage; and a first power band having two ends, anchored at both ends by a clamp to a bottom surface of the frame structure beneath the wheeled carriage, passing over first rollers fixed to the cross members, and anchored to the wheeled carriage, such that the power band is extended and exerts a restraining force toward the center of the machine as the wheeled carriage translates on the rails to either side of center. The set of rails is characterized in that the rails have a central arcuate portion and straight portions extending from each cross member to the central arcuate portion.
In some embodiments the cross members are spaced apart more than 48 inches, and the arcuate portion extends for at least one third of the overall length. Also in some embodiments there are two articulated footpads mounted to the wheeled carriage, each footpad having a contact surface for a user's foot and pivoted to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the direction of the rails, the axis below the level of the contact surface. In some embodiments footpads mount to an upper tray assembly adapted to removably fasten to the wheeled carriage, forming thereby a quick-change module.
In a preferred embodiment the first power band is clamped to an undersurface of the wheeled carriage at two positions, one each at each end of the wheeled carriage, such that the first power band lies flat along the width of the wheeled carriage under the wheeled
Boys Donald R.
Central Coast Patent Agency Inc.
Crow Stephen R.
LandOfFree
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