Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Utility Patent
1997-09-10
2001-01-02
Mulcahy, John (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
C482S146000, C472S134000, C472S135000, C434S247000
Utility Patent
active
06168551
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device and method for the simulation of sports requiring balance on a board. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and method for simulating the sport of surfing.
It is well known that surfing requires advanced balancing skills on a relatively unstable board. Surfing also requires the ability to quickly move from a prone position (on your stomach) to a standing position. It is difficult for surfers to practice these skills when surfing in the ocean since the majority of a surfer's time is spent in the prone position paddling with his or her arms trying to maintain the correct location just seaward of the area of breaking waves, or surf zone. When a surfer wants to catch a wave and stand up, he/she must paddle with that wave into the surf zone. Once a surfer is in the surf zone it is physically demanding to get back to the area just seaward of the surf zone suitable for catching waves. Surfers, particularly novice surfers, have difficulty paddling in and out of the surf zone without becoming exhausted. Thus, the surf zone does not allow surfers the luxury of repeatedly practicing the movement from the prone position to the standing position without physically exhausting them by forcing excessive paddling through the surf zone. Accordingly, by simulating the stability and feel of a surfboard as it moves through the water in the surf zone, a surfing simulator would allow a person to practice the movement from prone position to standing position, and, balancing in the standing position, as if surfing.
Some prior art surfing simulators have been created which use external forces from motors, pumps, levers, and the like, to actively generate motion and tilting angles in a surfboard-like standing platform. However, when surfing, the movement of a surfboard is largely governed by changes in foot positioning and foot pressure applied by the surfer. Prior art surfing simulators which generate board motion independent of, and not subject to, the rider's foot positioning and foot pressure are better suited as arcade-type rides and do not generally simulate the actual sensation of surfing. In addition to their failure at realistically simulating the surfing sensation, motor-driven surfing simulators are typically too complicated, too large, and too expensive for individual, at-home users. Examples of such prior art mechanical surfing simulators which generate movement in a dedicated surfboard-like standing platform include U.S. Pat No. 5,429,562 issued to Graham Milner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,180 issued to Ted Boomer, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,588 issued to Gilles Desjardines.
Other prior art surfing simulators use an arrangement of springs connected to a base platform and a standing platform. However, these spring or bias forces are not readily adjustable by the user so that the user can easily make minor or delicate changes in the types of waves they want to simulate. These prior art simulators also require a special non-surfboard standing platform, or, a surfboard which is dedicated to the simulator and is not capable of being removably attached without damaging the surfboard. Some prior art spring-mounted simulators use platforms that may be modified into holding trays for a surfboard; however, these holding trays are too rigid to place a surfboard on without damaging the surfboard. Since modern surfboards are constructed of a Styrofoam core wrapped in a fiberglass shell and are highly susceptible to dents and fractures of the fiberglass, prior art simulators which use rigid holding trays do not provide an adequately malleable surface to seat a surfboard without causing damage to the board. Moreover, these spring bias simulators are not easily portable. Further, surfing simulators using springs are also subject to the spring system's natural tendency to increase it's bias to return to a neutral position as the spring is increasingly flexed. This tendency is not representative of a surfboard in the water. Further, such prior art surfing simulators using springs have no provision for preventing a surfboard on a base mounted spring from being bent over until the surfboard strikes the base or the ground, providing an unrealistic jolt to the user. Further still, a spring-mounted surfboard could violently and dangerously snap back to the neutral position, injuring a user. Prior art mechanical surfing simulators using springs include U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,871 issued to Chris San Giovanna, U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,629 issued to Jeffrey R. Vaughan, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,915 issued to Harry J. Pifer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,823 issued to John A. Bean on Sep. 17, 1991 teaches a balance board supported by one semi-bulbous member. The bulbous member however is not controllably adjustably by the user so that the user can simulate different surfing environments. Moreover, the balance board does not have a means to stop itself from rolling completely to the side and throwing the user therefrom. In addition, the balance board requires a special standing platform (as opposed to an actual surfboard) that is dedicated to the simulator, (i.e., permanently affixed) and not capable of being removably attached and used in the water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,768 issued to Carmelo Gallaro on May 14, 1985 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,826 issued to John J. Hancock on Jul. 3, 1979 disclose the use of inflatable tubes for jogging.
None of the above-referenced prior art designs have been successfully mass marketed to the individual-user surfing community. In particular, a surfer looking to improve his or her skills has not been able to easily obtain a simulator which closely simulates the feel of a surfboard in the water or that allows use of actual surfboards without causing damage to the surfboards so that they may be removably attached and used in the ocean as well.
In light of the above, it would be desirable to be able to:
(a) provide a surfing simulator and method which can be used in conjunction with a removably attached surfboard which will not damage the surfboard;
(b) provide a surfing simulator and method which simulates more closely the feel of a surfboard in water;
(c) provide a surfing simulator and method that offers a high degree of side to side motion without allowing the surfboard to contact the ground and damage the surfboard or cause the user to be thrown off the board;
(d) provide a surfing simulator and method which is portable and allows a surfer to readily practice on their own individual boards without damaging their boards;
(e) provide a surfing simulator and method which is adjustable and controllable by the user so as to be able to simulate beginning, intermediate or advanced surfing conditions by adjusting the fore-and-aft and side-to-side stability;
(f) provide a surfing simulator and method which can accommodate a wide variety of sizes, including “longboards” and “shortboards”;
(g) provide a surfing simulator that can be easily stored and transported; and
(h) to provide a surfing simulator which will be inexpensive to produce and capable of use by individual users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a device and method for
(a) surfing simulation which can be used in conjunction with a removably attached surfboard which will not damage the surfboard;
(b) surfing simulation which simulates more closely the feel of a surfboard in water;
(c) surfing simulation that provides a high degree of side to side motion without allowing the surfboard to contact the ground and damage the surfboard or throw the user off the board;
(d) surfing simulation which is portable and allows a surfer to readily practice on their own individual boards without damaging their boards;
(e) surfing simulation which is adjustable and controllable by the user so as to be able to simulate beginning, intermediate or advanced surfing conditions by adjusting the fore-and-aft and side-to-side stability;
(f) surfing simulation which can accommodate a wide variety of surfboards, including “longboards” and “sho
Hwang Victor K.
Mulcahy John
Sullivan Jeffrey D.
LandOfFree
Surfing simulator and method using inflatable bladders does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Surfing simulator and method using inflatable bladders, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Surfing simulator and method using inflatable bladders will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532782