EXERCISE METHODS AND APPARATUS SIMULATING STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING

• US 20130225374A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charlie Lumsden
• Original Assignee: Arthur Allen Henson, Charlie Lumsden, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Karl Christopher Gabriel, Michael Starkey, Thomas James Philpott
• Inventors: BIZZELL, Daniel Lee, PHILPOTT, Thomas James, STARKEY, Michael, LUMSDEN, Charlie, GABRIEL, Karl Christopher, HENSON, Arthur Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,708,867 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/72
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0035 Upper limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/062 by pulling on a cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0084 by moving the surrounding water A63B31/00, A63B35/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0002 involving an exercising of arms for strengthening the upper limbs A63B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0005 with particular movement of the arms provided by handles moving otherwise than pivoting about a horizontal axis parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/16 Platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform; Balancing drums; Balancing boards or the like exercising apparatus with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0056; other exercising apparatus for improving balance A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/06 for rowing or sculling

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame; a platform configured to receive a person in a standing position, the platform connected to the frame; a handheld component configured to be held by a person standing on the platform; and an impeller-driven fluid circulation system. Manipulation of the handheld component by a person standing on the platform results in driving of the impeller and circulation of fluid within the fluid circulation system. The platform may rock from side to side, whereby a person standing on the platform must maintain balance while manipulating the handheld component. The handheld component may simulate a paddle and may include an elongate shaft. In this respect, the paddle component is used by a person standing on the platform as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding, including manipulating the paddle component through a rowing motion that preferably would be experienced when actually paddleboarding.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding, comprising:

(a) an elongate support structure;

(b) a platform connected to the support structure for supporting a person standing thereon;

(c) a paddle component configured to be handled by a person standing on the platform as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding, the paddle component comprising an elongate shaft;

(d) a tensioning line, the tensioning line including a first connector in proximity to a first end of the tensioning line, the paddle component including a second connector in proximity to a first end of the elongate shaft, the first and second connectors configured to,

(i) connect together for connecting the paddle component to the tensioning line during the handling of the paddle component, by a person standing on the platform, as if it were a paddle used in paddleboarding, and

(ii) disconnect from one another for disconnecting the paddle component from the tensioning line; and

(e) a housing connected to the support structure and spaced from the platform by a longitudinal distance sufficient to permit handling of the paddle component, by a person standing on the platform, as if it were a paddle used in paddleboarding, the tensioning line having a second end secured within the housing, the tensioning line extending from the housing when the first and second connectors are connected and the paddle component is handled by a person standing on the platform as if it were a paddle used in paddleboarding;

(f) wherein the housing contains,

(i) a spring-biased spooling assembly configured, when the first and second connectors are connected, to wind the tensioning line thereon during the handling of the paddle component, by a person standing on the platform, as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding, such that tension is maintained in the tensioning line and the tensioning line is retracted into the housing when the first end of the paddle component moves toward the housing during such handling,

(ii) a transmission system, and

(iii) an impeller-driven fluid circulation system, the transmission system interconnecting the spring-biased spooling assembly and an impeller of the impeller-driven fluid circulation system such that extension of the tensioning line outside of the housing during such handling results in driving of the impeller and circulation of fluid within the fluid circulation system.

2. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 1, wherein the transmission system comprises a one-way clutch assembly, whereby of the tensioning line is retracted into the housing independent of the driving of the impeller.

3. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 1, wherein the spring-biased spooling assembly comprises a constant-force spring such that the constant-force spring exerts a generally constant force in opposition to unwinding of the tensioning line during extension of the tensioning line from the housing.

4. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 1, wherein the paddle component comprises,

(a) a T-shaped handle at a top end of the shaft;

and

(b) a handle grip along an extent of the shaft between the top end and a middle of the shaft.

5. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 1, wherein the circulation system is a closed system and the fluid is recirculated through the system.

6. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 1, wherein the platform is connected to the support structure such that the platform pivots about an axis extending generally parallel to the longitudinal spacing between the platform and the housing, whereby a person standing on the platform must balance his or her weight between the left and right legs when trying to keep the platform level during the handling of the paddle component as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding.

7. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 6, further comprising one or more resilient members with which the platform engages during pivoting of the platform such that rocking motion of the platform from side to side is cushioned.

8. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 6, further comprising a stabilizing mechanism which, when engaged, locks the platform against movement relative to the support structure.

9. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary resistance system for providing additional resistance to extension of the tensioning line outside of the housing and the consequent driving of the impeller, the auxiliary resistance system comprising a magnetic disc that is rotated through a magnetic field.

10. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 9, wherein the transmission system drives rotation of the magnetic disc, and wherein extent of the magnetic field through which the magnetic disc is rotated is adjustable such that the resistance provided by the auxiliary resistance system is adjustable.

11. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 10, further comprising a control, wherein adjustment of the control results in adjustment of the resistance provided by the auxiliary resistance system, the control and the first end of the shaft of the paddle component configured to engage one another for adjustment of the control by a person standing on the platform.

12. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 11, wherein adjustment of the control is effected by rotation of the shaft of the paddle component about an axis of the shaft when the first end of the shaft and the control are engaged, the control including a recess configured to receive in abutting engagement therein the end of the shaft.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paddle component includes a blade.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paddle component does not include a blade.

13-20. -20. (canceled)

23. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a platform configured to receive a person in a standing position, the platform connected to the frame;

a handheld component configured to be held by a person standing on the platform; and

, an impeller-driven fluid circulation system, wherein manipulation of the handheld component by a person standing on the platform results in driving of the impeller and circulation of fluid within the fluid circulation system.

24. The exercise apparatus of claim 23, wherein the platform rocks from side to side, whereby a person standing on the platform balances on the platform while manipulating the handheld component for driving of the impeller and circulation of fluid within the fluid circulation system.

25. The exercise apparatus of claim 23, wherein the handheld component is a paddle component that includes an elongate shaft, and wherein the paddle component preferably is used by a person standing on the platform as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding, including manipulating the paddle component through a rowing motion that preferably would be experienced when actually paddleboarding.

26. An exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding, comprising:

(a) an elongate support structure;

(b) a platform connected to the support structure for supporting a person standing thereon;

(c) a paddle component configured to be handled by a person standing on the platform as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding, the paddle component comprising an elongate shaft;

(d) a tensioning line, the tensioning line including a first connector in proximity to a first end of the tensioning line, the paddle component including a second connector in proximity to a first end of the elongate shaft, the first and second connectors configured to,

(i) connect together for connecting the paddle component to the tensioning line during the handling of the paddle component, by a person standing on the platform, as if it were a paddle used in paddleboarding, and

(ii) disconnect from one another for disconnecting the paddle component from the tensioning line;

(e) a housing connected to the support structure and spaced from the platform by a longitudinal distance sufficient to permit handling of the paddle component, by a person standing on the platform, as if it were a paddle used in paddleboarding, the tensioning line having a second end secured within the housing, the tensioning line extending from the housing when the first and second connectors are connected and the paddle component is handled by a person standing on the platform as if it were a paddle used in paddleboarding, wherein the housing contains,

(i) a spring-biased spooling assembly configured, when the first and second connectors are connected, to wind the tensioning line thereon during the handling of the paddle component, by a person standing on the platform, as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding, such that tension is maintained in the tensioning line and the tensioning line is retracted into the housing when the first end of the paddle component moves toward the housing during such handling, the spring-biased spooling assembly comprising a constant-force spring such that the constant-force spring exerts a generally constant force in opposition to unwinding of the tensioning line during extension of the tensioning line from the housing,

(ii) a transmission system comprising a one-way clutch assembly, and

(iii) an impeller-driven fluid circulation system, the transmission system interconnecting the spring-biased spooling assembly and an impeller of the impeller-driven fluid circulation system such that extension of the tensioning line outside of the housing during such handling results in driving of the impeller and circulation of fluid within the fluid circulation system,

(iv) whereby of the tensioning line is retracted into the housing independent of the driving of the impeller; and

(f) an auxiliary resistance system for providing additional resistance to extension of the tensioning line outside of the housing and the consequent driving of the impeller, the auxiliary resistance system comprising a magnetic disc that is rotated through a magnetic field, wherein the transmission system drives rotation of the magnetic disc, and wherein extent of the magnetic field through which the magnetic disc is rotated is adjustable such that the resistance provided by the auxiliary resistance system is adjustable.

27. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 26, wherein the circulation system is a closed system and the fluid is recirculated through the system.

28. The exercise apparatus for simulating paddleboarding of claim 26, wherein the platform is connected to the support structure such that the platform pivots about an axis extending generally parallel to the longitudinal spacing between the platform and the housing, whereby a person standing on the platform must balance his or her weight between the left and right legs when trying to keep the platform level during the handling of the paddle component as if the paddle component were a paddle used in paddleboarding