Ski exercising and training apparatus

• US 7,090,621 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2003
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Loane R. Joel
• Original Assignee: Loane R. Joel
• Inventors: Loane, R. Joel
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/447,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20040014569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 482 70- 71, 482 79- 80, 482/146, 482 51- 53, 482/148
• US Class Current: 482/71
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/003 the movement path being perpendicular to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0038 One foot moving independently from the other, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/185 specially adapted for using with a single foot or hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/206 on a curved path
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4007 to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4011 to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0046 Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20
• 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 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/205 in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/187 for water-skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A ski exercising apparatus has a set of at least two parallel, partially arcuate rails joined to an underlying frame structure at opposite ends, the rails providing a track rising from each end, a wheeled carriage riding on the track, such that the carriage, in side-to-side movement rises to a maximum height at the center of the track, and descends from the center to each side, at least one articulated footpad mounted to the wheeled carriage, and at least one power band providing constraint for the wheeled carriage as it rides on the track. A variety of improvements in such an exercising apparatus are taught and claimed.

Claims

1. A ski exercising apparatus, comprising:

a set of at least two parallel, partially arcuate rails joined to an underlying frame structure at opposite ends, the rails providing a track rising from each end;

a wheeled carriage riding on the track, such that the carriage, in side-to-side movement rises to a maximum height at the center of the track, and descends from the center to each side;

at least one articulated footpad mounted to the wheeled carriage; and

a set of three power bands;

characterized in that the power bands are arranged concentrically, with an outer, an inner, and a middle band, joined at one point each to the wheeled carriage and at at least two points each to the underlying frame structure, and in that the attachment of the middle power band to the underlying frame structure is through a pair of adjustment mechanisms having two rollers each, the adjustment mechanisms attached to the underlying frame structure on each side of center.

2. The ski exercising apparatus of claim 1 wherein, in each adjustment mechanism, the middle power band passes under one of the rollers and around the other.

3. The ski exercising apparatus of claim 2 wherein the roller which the middle band passes around can be fixed at any one of at least three positions in the adjustment mechanism, each position at a different distance from the center of the apparatus, to adjust tension on the middle band.

4. In a mechanism for mounting a roller between two vertical walls spaced apart by a first distance, the roller for restraining and guiding a power band for a ski exercising apparatus having a wheeled carriage rolling on partially arcuate rails, the power band affixed to the carriage and passing around a roller in the mechanism, an improved roller axle comprising:

a first element including an axle portion of a first diameter and a length equal to the first distance, having a concentric threaded hole on a first end, an engagement portion concentric with the axle portion, of a length equal to a thickness of one of the walls, and larger in diameter than the axle portion to match a diameter of a hole in the one of the walls, and a head portion concentric with the axle portion and larger in diameter than the hole, for inserting through the hole and extending the axle portion between the two walls; and

a second element including a head portion equivalent to the head portion of the first element and an engagement portion equivalent to the engagement portion of the first element, and also including a male threaded portion extending from the engagement portion for mating with the concentric threaded hole of the first element, the second element for inserting through a hole in the other of the two walls, equivalent to the hole ion the first of the two walls, and for engaging with the first element to form an axis for a roller to be mounted between the walls, and also for stabilizing and strengthening the mechanism.

5. A ski exercising apparatus, comprising:

a set of at least two parallel, partially arcuate rails joined to an underlying frame structure at opposite ends, the rails providing a track rising from each end;

a wheeled carriage riding on the rails, such that the carriage, in side-to-side movement rises to a maximum height at the center of the track, and descends from the center to each side;

at least one power band attached to the carriage and engaging mechanisms mounted to the underlying frame structure at opposite sides of center of the track; and

a slide plate mounting to the wheeled carriage for providing attachment of elements interfacing to a human user;

characterized in that the slide plate comprises spaced apart rounded parallel rails extending in the direction of movement of the wheeled carriage, the rails for engaging rounded grooves of one or more separate elements to be mounted to the slide plate.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 characterized in that the slide plate further comprises a plurality of holes arranged in linear matrix in the direction of the extension of the rails, the holes for selective positional mounting of the separate elements to be mounted.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising one or more spring-loaded pin extensions from the slide plate to act as safety retainers for the separate elements joined to the slide plate by engaging with the rounded rails.

8. A ski exercising apparatus, comprising:

a set of at least two parallel, partially arcuate rails joined to an underlying frame structure at opposite ends, the rails providing a track rising from each end;

a wheeled carriage riding on the rails, such that the carriage, in side-to-side movement rises to a maximum height at the center of the track, and descends from the center to each side;

at least one power band attached to the carriage and engaging mechanisms mounted to the underlying frame structure at opposite sides of center of the track;

a substantially linear slide plate having spaced apart rounded rails extending in the direction of movement of the wheeled carriage, the slide plate mounting to the wheeled carriage; and

at least one attachment plate having rounded grooves spaced-apart compatibly with the rounded rails, the attachment plate mounted to the liner slide plate by engaging the rounded grooves of the attachment plate with the rounded rails of the slide plate.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising two attachment plates.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the attachment plate further comprises a normally extended spring pin, which, by being refracted, allows the attachment plate to be translated along the rails of the slide plate, and by being allowed to extend, engages a hole in the slide plate to position the attachment plate on the slide plate.

11. A ski exercising apparatus, comprising:

a set of at least two parallel, partially arcuate rails joined to an underlying frame structure at opposite ends, the rails providing a track rising from each end;

a wheeled carriage riding on the rails, such that the carriage, in side-to-side movement rises to a maximum height at the center of the track, and descends from the center to each side;

at least one power band attached to the carriage and engaging mechanisms mounted to the underlying frame structure at opposite sides of center of the track;

a substantially linear slide plate having spaced apart rounded rails extending in the direction of movement of the wheeled carriage, the slide plate mounting to the wheeled carriage;

at least one attachment plate having rounded grooves spaced-apart compatibly with the rounded rails, the attachment plate mounted to the linear slide plate by engaging the rounded grooves of the attachment plate with the rounded rails of the slide plate; and

a foot pad attached to the attachment plate for engaging a user'"'"'s foot to operate the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 comprising two attachment plates engaging the slide plate and two foot pads, one attached to each attachment plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the foot pad comprises a planar portion for engaging a user'"'"'s foot at a first height, and a pivot axis at a second height above the first height, such that the plane of the planar portion may rotate as the carriage descends from side to side.

14. A ski exercising apparatus, comprising:

a set of at least two parallel, partially arcuate rails joined to an underlying frame structure at opposite ends, the rails providing a track rising front each end;

a wheeled carriage riding on the rails, such that the carriage, in side-to-side movement rises, to a maximum height at the center of the track, and descends from the center to each side;

at least one power band attached to the carriage and engaging mechanisms mounted to the underlying frame structure at opposite sides of center of the track;

a handgrip apparatus joined to the wheeled carriage, enabling a user to grasp the handgrip apparatus and operate the exercising apparatus;

a substantially linear slide plate mounted to the wheeled carriage and having spaced apart rounded rails extending in the direction of movement of the wheeled carriage; and

at least one attachment plate having rounded grooves spaced-apart compatibly with the rounded rails, the attachment plate mounted to the linear slide plate by engaging the rounded grooves of the attachment plate with the rounded rails of the slide plate, the handgrip apparatus attached to the attachment plate.

15. The exercising apparatus of claim 14 wherein the handgrip apparatus provides two handgrips, one for each of a user'"'"'s hands, spaced apart in the direction of translation of the wheeled carriage on the track.

16. A ski exercising apparatus, comprising:

a set of at least two parallel, partially arcuate rails joined to an underlying frame structure at opposite ends, the rails providing a track rising from each end;

engaging mechanisms mounted to the underlying frame structure at opposite sides of center of the track;

a wheeled carriage riding on the rails, such that the carriage, in side-to-side movement rises to a maximum height at the center of the track, and descends from the center to each side;

at least one power band attached to the carriage and engaging mechanisms; and

a system for monitoring travel of the wheeled carriage in operation;

wherein the system for monitoring comprises an endless tether attached to the carriage and passing over rollers mounted to the underlying frame structure at points spaced to either side from center.

17. The exercising apparatus of claim 16 wherein the system for monitoring further comprises a sensing roller turned by the tether as the carriage translates, the sensing roller enabled to provide a signal proportional to the direction and extent of rotation of the sensing roller.

18. The exercising apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sensing is accomplished by interruption of an optical sensor.

19. The exercising apparatus of claim 16 wherein the rollers mounted to the underlying frame structure are integrated with rollers provided for anchoring and guiding the at least one power band.

20. The exercising apparatus of claim 16 further comprising an electronic system including a display for compiling and displaying movement statistics related to the exercising apparatus.

21. The exercising apparatus of claim 20 wherein input and output elements of the electronic system, including the display, are located at a position observable by and accessible to a user of the apparatus.