Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Swimming
Patent
1994-04-07
1995-02-21
Apley, Richard J.
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Swimming
482 37, 482 54, 482142, A63B 6910
Patent
active
053911296
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a device for muscle training, particularly for swimmers, according to an introductory portion of claim 1.
From SU-A 597 376 a generic device for exercising muscles for swimmers is known which is used for imitating a swimming movement, particularly a movement for the crawl stroke. This known device employs a traction element that is arranged along a length axis of a swimmer supporting surface. The traction element is quite wide so that arms of the swimmer can alternately interact with gripping elements of the traction element. Accordingly, space requirements for this known device are substantially great.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A top span of the traction element is particularly constructed to be straight and extends at an angle to a length axis of the supporting surface. This does not correspond to a movement path of an arm when a swimmer is doing the crawl stroke or the butterfly stroke so that muscles are not strained in the same manner as when they do the corresponding swimming movements. The effectiveness, therefore, of existing muscle exercising devices is small.
It is an object of this invention to provide a device for training muscles, particularly those of a swimmer, with an uncomplicated structure which makes possible effective muscle training.
This object is achieved by combining the generic state of the art with the characterizing limitations of claim 1. Beneficial further embodiments of the inventive device are recited in patent claims 2 through 8.
The inventive embodiments of the device make it possible for a user to carry out swimming movements for a corresponding swimming style. It is therefore possible to target particular muscle groups which are necessary for corresponding swimming movements. Therefore, effective training is possible with the device of this invention.
If gripping elements are made as is recited in claim 2, they can be gripped easily with hands. Also, injury to a swimmer is avoided.
If a curved radius of a bow-shaped upper surface can be changed as recited in claim 3, the device can be adapted for anthropometric data of a swimmer.
A mattress filled with a fluid in accordance with claim 6 makes it possible for a body to imitate its movements which take place during swimming in water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with use of the drawings; wherein
FIG. 1 is a side view of a muscle training device;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a portion of an endless traction element;
FIG. 4 shows interaction of an endless traction element with a loading device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The device shown in FIG. 1 serves to train muscles which are used during swimming movements.
The device has a frame 1 on which a surface 2 for supporting a user is arranged. The device further has a force unit 3 and a loading device 4.
The force unit 3 includes two identical endless traction elements 6 which extend about two pivots 9, 10 in the manner of a conveyor belt. The endless traction elements 6 are provided with gripping elements 7 for hands of a user. Each endless traction element 6 is so constructed that the user engages a gripping element 7 when carrying out a swimming movement and pulling his arms through against a force. The loading device 4 serves as a brake for the traction element 6 so as to provide a resistance to pulling the traction element through.
The traction elements 6 are, relative to a longitudinal axis O--O of the user supporting surface 2, geometrically arranged. The upper spans of the traction elements 6 have bowed-shaped upper surfaces 8 (FIG. 1) which correspond to actual movement paths of hands of a swimmer when carrying out a swimming movement. The traction elements 6 are arranged at an acute angle .alpha. relative to the longitudinal axis O--O of the user supporting surface 2. The pivots 9 of the traction elements 6 nearest to the user supporting surface 2 lie below the supporting surface 2. A spacing 1 between
REFERENCES:
patent: 4162788 (1979-07-01), Turnier
patent: 5158513 (1992-10-01), Reeves
patent: 5269736 (1993-12-01), Roberts
Apley Richard J.
Promotech Corporation
Reichard Lynne A.
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