STOWABLE ROWING MACHINE

• US 20180126216A1
• Filed: 11/04/2016
• Published: 05/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Health Tech. Retail, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Hamilton, Bryan W., Shepard, John P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,449,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0088 by moving the surrounding air
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/151 Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

A stowable rowing machine is provided. The rowing machine may include a frame, a seat rail selectively movable relative the frame between storage and use configurations, and an adjustment assembly movably coupling the seat rail to the frame and operable to releasably secure the seat rail to the frame. The adjustment assembly may include a plurality of securing elements configured to selectively engage the seat rail to secure the seat rail in position. The adjustment assembly may include a plurality of guide elements configured to selectively engage the seat rail, the plurality of guide elements including at least one disengagement guide element. When the seat rail is engaged with the disengagement guide element(s), the seat rail may be disengaged from the securing elements.

Claims

1. A rowing machine, comprising:

a frame;

a seat rail selectively movable relative the frame between storage and use configurations; and

an adjustment assembly movably coupling the seat rail to the frame and operable to releasably secure the seat rail to the frame, the adjustment assembly comprising;

a plurality of securing elements configured to selectively engage the seat rail to secure the seat rail in position; and

a plurality of guide elements configured to selectively engage the seat rail, the plurality of guide elements including at least one disengagement guide element, wherein when the seat rail is engaged with the at least one disengagement guide element, the seat rail is disengaged from the plurality of securing elements.

2. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein engagement of the plurality of guide elements with the seat rail is dependent upon the position of the seat rail relative the frame.

3. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein in the use configuration, at least one of the guide elements is disengaged from the seat rail.

4. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein engagement of the plurality of securing elements with the seat rail is dependent upon the position of the seat rail relative the frame.

5. The rowing machine of claim 4, wherein in the storage configuration, at least one of the securing elements is disengaged from the seat rail.

6. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of guide elements includes first, second, and third guide elements;

the seat rail includes a first portion;

the first and third guide elements selectively engage the seat rail below the first portion; and

the second guide element selectively engages the seat rail above the first portion.

7. The rowing machine of claim 6, wherein:

the first portion includes a first flange comprising opposing first and second surfaces;

the first and third guide elements selectively engage the first surface; and

the second guide element selectively engages the second surface.

8. The rowing machine of claim 7, wherein:

the seat rail includes a second flange opposite the first flange;

at least one of the plurality of securing elements selectively engages the first flange; and

at least another of the plurality of securing elements selectively engages the second flange.

9. The rowing machine of claim 6, wherein the second guide element is positioned between the first and third guide elements.

10. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of guide elements are disengaged from the seat rail when the seat rail is positioned for use.

11. The rowing machine of claim 10, wherein each the plurality of guide elements disengages from the seat rail when the seat rail is positioned for use.

12. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of guide elements is movable to disengage the seat rail from the plurality of securing elements.

13. The rowing machine of claim 12, wherein the at least one guide element is biased to disengage the seat rail from the plurality of securing elements.

14. The rowing machine of claim 13, wherein the at least one guide element includes a spring or torsion bar biasing the seat rail to disengage the plurality of securing elements.

15. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly slidably or rollably couples the seat rail to the frame.

16. The rowing machine of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of guide elements comprises a roller or bushing.

17. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of securing elements frictionally engages a surface of the seat rail to secure the seat rail in position.

18. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein:

the frame includes a first frame member and a second frame member, the first and second frame members defining an area therebetween; and

at least a portion of the seat rail extends within the area when positioned in the storage configuration.

19. The rowing machine of claim 18, wherein:

the area includes a base extending between terminal end portions of the first and second frame members; and

in the storage configuration, no portion of the seat rail extends beyond the base of the area.

20. A rowing machine, comprising:

a frame comprising first and second frame members each including an end portion, the end portions together defining an end plane; and

a seat rail movably coupled to the frame and selectively movable towards and away from the end plane between storage and use configurations, respectively;

wherein in the storage configuration, no portion of the seat rail crosses the end plane of the frame.

21. The rowing machine of claim 20, wherein the first and second frame members define an area therebetween with at least a portion of the end plane.

22. The rowing machine of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the seat rail extends within the area when positioned in the storage configuration.

23. The rowing machine of claim 20, further comprising a lock mechanism operable to lock the seat rail in at least one position relative to the frame.

24. The rowing machine of claim 23, wherein the lock mechanism includes a latch structure comprising:

at least two catches associated with the seat rail; and

a securement mechanism coupled to the frame and selectively securable to at least one catch to define a discrete storage or use configuration of the seat rail.

25. A rowing machine, comprising:

a first frame member;

a second frame member coupled to the first frame member, the first and second frame members defining an area therebetween including a base extending between terminal end portions of the first and second frame members; and

a seat rail movably coupled to the first frame member and movable between storage and use configurations, wherein at least a portion of the seat rail extends within the area when in the storage configuration.

26. The rowing machine of claim 25, wherein the area is a triangular area including legs extending along the first and second frame members.

27. The rowing machine of claim 25, further comprising a center of gravity, wherein the center of gravity of the rowing machine is positioned within the lateral extents of the base of the area when the seat rail is positioned in the storage configuration.

28. The rowing machine of claim 25, wherein in the storage configuration, no portion of the seat rail extends beyond the base of the area defined between the first and second frame members.

29. The rowing machine of claim 25, further comprising a rear post coupled to the seat rail and movable between storage and use positions.

30. The rowing machine of claim 29, wherein the rear post rotates relative the seat rail between the storage and use positions.

31. The rowing machine of claim 29, wherein the rear post is extendable to alter the angle of the seat rail relative a support surface.

32. A method of assembling a rowing machine, the method comprising:

coupling first and second frame members together to define a frame including an area between the first and second frame members;

movably coupling a seat rail to the frame such that at least a portion of the seat rail extends within the area when in a storage configuration; and

selectively engaging the seat rail to the frame via an engagement structure.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising defining an end plane between terminal end portions of the first and second frame members, wherein no portion of the seat rail crosses the end plane when in the storage configuration.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein selectively engaging the seat rail to the frame includes:

associating a plurality of securing elements with one or more surfaces of the seat rail, wherein selective engagement of the plurality of securing elements with the one or more surfaces of the seat rail secures the seat rail in position; and

associating a plurality of guide elements with a flange of the seat rail, the plurality of guide elements operable to selectively disengage the plurality of securing elements from the one or more surfaces of the seat rail.