Ergometer for ski training

• US 8,517,899 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2011
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grayson Hugh Bourne, Yifeng Zhou
• Original Assignee: Grayson Hugh Bourne, Yifeng Zhou
• Inventors: Zhou, Yifeng, Bourne, Grayson Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): GINSBERG, OREN ISAAC
• Application Number:
  US13/520,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20120277068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 56, 482/62, 482 70- 73, 482/92, 482/110, 482114-120, 482/133, 482135-138
• US Class Current: 482/71
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0055 the produced electric power used as a source for other equipment, e.g. for TVs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• 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 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0002 involving an exercising of arms for strengthening the upper limbs A63B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/66 Cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 : Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 : Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/10 : Swimming instruction apparatus for use without water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/182 : for cross-country-skiing A63B23/0417, A63B69/0022 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 : Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills

Abstract

A ski-simulation assembly includes a vertical member with a first portion coupled to a base and a second portion extending upwardly from the base, a first cable portion slidably engaged with the vertical member at the second portion of the vertical member, a second cable portion slidably engaged with the vertical member at the second portion of the vertical member, and a resistance-producing assembly physically coupled to the first cable portion and the second cable portion, where the resistance-producing assembly operable to apply a selective resistance to the first cable portion independent of movement of the second cable portion and apply a selective resistance to the second cable portion independent of movement of the first cable portion.

Claims

1. A ski-simulation assembly comprising:

a first ski-pole simulation handle;

a second ski-pole simulation handle; and

a single cable defined by a first cable, a second cable, and a stretchable elastic cable, the stretchable elastic cable being fixedly connected to the first and second cables via non-spooling couplers, the single cable having a portion with a stretchable elastic property along its length and having a portion without a stretchable elastic property along its length;

a resistance-producing assembly physically coupled through the single cable to the first ski-pole simulation handle and physically coupled through the single cable to the second ski-pole simulation handle, the resistance-producing assembly operable to;

apply a selective resistance to the first ski-pole simulation handle independent of movement of the second ski-pole simulation handle; and

apply a selective resistance to the second ski-pole simulation handle independent of movement of the first ski-pole simulation handle.

2. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resistance-producing assembly comprises:

a shaft;

a first engagement member rotationally coupled to the shaft in a first direction and rotationally disengaged with the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; and

a second engagement member rotationally coupled to the shaft in the first direction and rotationally disengaged with the shaft in the second direction.

3. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the engagement members comprises:

a clutch.

4. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 2, wherein the resistance-producing assembly further comprises:

a flywheel coupled to the shaft.

5. A ski-simulation assembly comprising:

a vertical member having a first portion coupled to a base and a second portion extending upwardly from the base;

a first cable slidably engaged with the vertical member at the second portion of the vertical member;

a second cable slidably engaged with the vertical member at the second portion of the vertical member;

a stretchable elastic-type cable fixedly connected to the first cable at a first point of connection and axially aligned with the first cable at the first point of connection and fixedly connected to the second cable at a second point of connection and axially aligned with the second cable at the second point of connection; and

a resistance-producing assembly physically coupled to the first cable, the stretchable elastic-type cable, and the second cable, the resistance-producing assembly operable to;

apply a selective resistance to the first cable independent of movement of the second cable; and

apply a selective resistance to the second cable independent of movement of the first cable.

6. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 5, further comprising:

a first arm coupled to and extending away from the second portion of the vertical member in a first direction; and

a second arm coupled to and extending away from the second portion of the vertical member in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.

7. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 6, further comprising:

a first pulley coupled to a distal portion of the first arm; and

a second pulley coupled to a distal portion of the second arm,

wherein the first cable is slidably engaged with the first pulley and the second cable is slidably engaged with the second pulley.

8. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first arm further comprises:

a first portion; and

a second portion slidably coupled to and selectively moveable with relation to the first portion of the first arm and operable to selectively adjust a distance between the first pulley and the second pulley.

9. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 6, wherein:

the second portion is slidably coupled to and selectively moveable with relation to the first portion and operable to selectively adjust a distance between the first portion and the first and second arms.

10. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 5, wherein the resistance-producing assembly comprises:

a shaft;

a first clutch rotationally coupled to the shaft in a first direction and rotationally disengaged with the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; and

a second clutch rotationally coupled to the shaft in the first direction and rotationally disengaged with the shaft in the second direction.

11. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 10, wherein the resistance-producing assembly further comprises:

a flywheel coupled to the shaft.

12. The ski-simulation assembly according to claim 5, further comprising:

a first ski-pole handle coupled to a proximal end of the first cable; and

a second ski-pole handle coupled to a proximal end of the second cable.

13. A method of training for skiing, the method comprising:

providing a ski-simulation assembly including;

a vertical member having a first portion coupled to a base and a second portion extending upwardly from the base;

a first cable slidably engaged with the vertical member at the second portion of the vertical member;

a second cable slidably engaged with the vertical member at the second portion of the vertical member;

a stretchable elastic-type cable fixedly connected substantially end-to-end with the first cable and fixedly connected substantially end-to-end with the second cable to form a contiguous length of cable; and

a resistance-producing assembly physically coupled to the first cable, the stretchable elastic-type cable, and the second cable, the resistance-producing assembly operable to;

apply a resistance to the first cable independent of movement of the second cable portion; and

apply a resistance to the second cable independent of movement of the first cable;

grasping a handle coupled to the first cable of the ski-simulation assembly;

grasping a handle coupled to the second cable of the ski-simulation assembly; and

alternatively pulling the first cable and the second cable to cause the resistance-producing assembly to move and generate a resistance in response to either cable being pulled individually.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

simultaneously pulling the first cable and the second cable to cause the resistance-producing assembly to move and generate a resistance in response to both cables being pulled together.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the ski-simulation assembly further comprises:

a first arm coupled to and extending away from the second portion of the vertical member in a first direction; and

a second arm coupled to and extending away from the second portion of the vertical member in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the ski-simulation assembly further comprises:

a first pulley coupled to a distal portion of the first arm; and

a second pulley coupled to a distal portion of the second arm,

wherein the first cable is slidably engaged with the first pulley and the second cable is slidably engaged with the second pulley.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

selectively securing, from a plurality of distance choices, a distance between the first pulley and the second pulley.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the selectively securing step comprises:

causing a first portion of the first arm to slide relative to a second portion of the first arm.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the resistance-producing assembly comprises:

a shaft;

a first clutch rotationally coupled to the shaft in a first direction and rotationally disengaged with the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; and

a second clutch rotationally coupled to the shaft in the first direction and rotationally disengaged with the shaft in the second direction.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the resistance-producing assembly further comprises:

a flywheel coupled to the shaft.