Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Occupant propelled support frame having movement...
Patent
1991-07-26
1992-06-30
Apley, Richard J.
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Occupant propelled support frame having movement...
482 79, 482146, 482 71, A63B 2304
Patent
active
051258803
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to exercise apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to exercise apparatus which simulates the movement and responses to muscular effort experienced by a skier, during alpine or downhill skiing.
Apparatus of the type to which the invention relates may be used in the training of aspirant shiers or by experienced shiers wishing to improve their skiing technique. A simple ski simulator, known as a "wobble" board, consists of a flat board secured on top of an inverted dome; with the latter presenting a convex hemi-sperical surface below the board. To use a wobble board, the board should be placed on the ground, with the flat surface presented upwardly and the convex surface in contact with the ground. The user should stant on the board and exercise by performing a twisting action, whilst attempting to remain balanced upon the board. Unfortunately, the technique required to carry out such a balancing and twisting act is quite dissimilar to that employed in alpine skiing. At present, the only alternatives to the wobble board are complex and sophisticated electronically controlled machines. Although these latter simulators are more faithful in their simulation of the responses of alpine skis, they are expensive, large and complex. Accordingly, these machines cannot be afforded by the majority of private citizens, they are not easily transported or stored and are often difficult to service and set up for use.
According to the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus comprising support means, arranged for supporting a standing person, and axle means including guide roller means, arranged for providing guided rolling support to the support means, at least one wheel member and an axle supporting means, wherein said apparatus further comprises axle twisting means arranged to cause the axle member to twist about a second axis, lying across a first axis disposed along the length of the axle member, in response to rotation of the axle member about the first axis, caused when the support means is moved across the axle member in guided rolling engagement with the guide roller means.
Apparatus in accordance with the invention will turn to the left or right when a person, standing on the support member located on the guide roller means with the axle member supported on a smooth surface, mimics the body movements required to cause alppine skis to so turn. Thus, use of the apparatus both encourages the use of correct turning techniques and exercises those parts of the body that are regularly used during alpine skiing. The overall effect of using the apparatus is to build strength where required and to allow a user to learn, or develop a corect skiing technique.
Apparatus in accordance with the present invention may also by used by an experienced skier, or ski racer during rehabilitation after an accident, in order to keep in practice ane to generally strengthen damaged muscles and the like.
A further advantage of the present invention is that, in addition to the foregoing, the apparatus also may be used to train a user to adopt a balanced stance on the suppport member, as the axle member moves from side to side with respect to the support member. This enhances the training effect that may be derived from the use of the present invention, because an ability to remain in dynamic balance over moving skis, is fundamental in downhill or alpine skiing.
In an embodiment, the wheel member is fixed for rotation with the axle member, the axle supporting means is combined with the axle twisting means and said combined means comprises a post, pivotally supported by ground engaging means, the axle member being journalled in the post for rotation about the first axis. Preferably, the guide roller means are located between the wheel member and the combined axle supporting and twisting means. This embodiment of the invention allows only restricted twisting of the axle member about the second axis and, accordingly, may be used to simulate the responses of alpine skis during high speed,
REFERENCES:
patent: 2829892 (1958-04-01), Ludwig
patent: 3630540 (1971-12-01), Smith
patent: 3833215 (1974-09-01), Isdith
patent: 3834693 (1974-09-01), Poppenberger
patent: 3995852 (1976-12-01), Mendelson
patent: 4181319 (1980-01-01), Hirbod
patent: 4505477 (1985-03-01), Wilkinson
patent: 4601469 (1986-07-01), Sasser, Jr.
patent: 4743014 (1988-05-01), Loane
patent: 4911440 (1990-03-01), Hyman et al.
Apley Richard J.
Reichard Lynne
Ski Jive Limited
LandOfFree
Ski simulation exercise apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ski simulation exercise apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ski simulation exercise apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1860373