Energy absorbing suspension equipment for rowing and general exercise machines

• US 20100190615A1
• Filed: 06/26/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David G. Baker, Laurie A. Smith
• Original Assignee: Accelerate Group Limited
• Inventors: Ryan, Michael D., Baker, David Gardner, Guida, Patrick Michael, Smith, Laurie A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/73
• 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 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• 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 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• 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 device or exercise device attachment with an energy absorbing component configured to change shape so as to absorb energy in response to a compressive force by the user. Said energy absorption component returns substantially to its first shape in response to the removal of the compressive force. The energy-absorbing apparatus is configured to reduce a reaction force exerted on the user of said exercise equipment.

Claims

1. An energy-absorbing suspension apparatus (“

EASE”

) for use in conjunction with a general exercise equipment, comprising;

an energy absorbing component having a first shape in the absence of a force applied by a user, said energy absorbing component configured to change shape so as to absorb energy in response to application of a compressive force by the user, and configured to return to substantially its first shape in response to the removal of said compressive force;

an attachment structure configured to connect said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus to said exercise equipment; and

an attachment structure configured to permit said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus to be located on a rigid support;

whereby said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus is configured to reduce a reaction force exerted on a user of said exercise equipment.

2. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said general exercise equipment comprises a rowing machine.

3. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rowing machine comprises an indoor rowing machine.

4. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 2, wherein said energy absorbing component is configured to simulate the behavior of a shell operated on water.

5. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing component is configured as an attachment to a rowing machine.

6. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1;

wherein said energy absorbing component is integrated into a rowing machine.

7. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, further optionally comprising guiding elements configured to constrain the lateral motion of said energy absorbing component in response to an application of said compressive force thereto.

8. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, further optionally comprising an enclosure positioned about said energy absorbing component.

9. One or more of said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, in combination with a general exercise machine;

each of said one or more energy-absorbing suspension apparatus connected to a support member of said general exercise machine.

10. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, in combination with a general exercise machine and a non-energy-absorbing suspension apparatus, said non-energy-absorbing suspension apparatus configured to level said general exercise machine when applied in combination with said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus.

11. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing component comprises a selected one of an elastomer, a metal, a liquid and a gas.

12. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing component comprises a shape selected from one of a tube, a strip, a ring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring, and a washer spring.

13. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a measurement system configured to measure amount of energy absorbed by said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus.

14. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to record said amount of energy absorbed.

15. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to display the amount of energy absorbed.

16. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to measure a selected one of a force, an acceleration, a velocity, and a displacement.

17. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to measure a selected one of a torque, an angular acceleration, an angular velocity, and an angular displacement.

18. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to measure a selected one of a roll, a pitch, and a yaw.