Rowing Machine Simulators

Abstract

One aspect is an energy storage device for a rowing machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device. The energy storage device is configured to be disposed intermediate the rowing handle and the energy dissipation device and configured to elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of the force applied to the rowing handle by an oarsman during the early phase of a stroke. The elastically absorbed energy is released during later phases of said stroke.

1 . An energy storage device for a rowing machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device, said energy storage device configured to be disposed intermediate said rowing handle and said energy dissipation device and configured to elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of the force applied to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the early phase of a stroke wherein said elastically absorbed energy is released during later phases of said stroke. 
   
   
       2 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  wherein said energy storage device is configured to absorb between 15% to 35% of the force applied to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the early phase of a stroke. 
   
   
       3 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  wherein during said later phases of said stroke as the force applied by said oarsman reduces below a predetermined applied force said energy storage device releases said stored energy. 
   
   
       4 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  in the form of a compression spring configured to be connected to said rowing handle at one end and to a cable, chain, belt or other connection means connected to said energy dissipation device at the other end. 
   
   
       5 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  in the form of an expansion spring configured to be connected to said rowing handle at one end and to a cable, chain, belt or other connection means connected to said energy dissipation device at the other end. 
   
   
       6 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  in the form of an elastomeric material or other of elastically deformable material configured to be connected to said rowing handle at one end, and to a cable, chain, belt or other connection means connected to said energy dissipation device or connected directly to said energy dissipation device at the other end. 
   
   
       7 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  in the form of a pneumatic piston and cylinder the configured to be connected to said rowing handle at one end and to a cable, chain, belt or other connection means connected to said energy dissipation device at the other end. 
   
   
       8 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  wherein said energy storage device includes a variable energy storage capacity to simulate force applied by rowers having different strengths. 
   
   
       9 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  wherein said energy storage device is configured to elastically absorb said instantaneous force applied by said oarsman during approximately the first 20% to 80% of a stroke. 
   
   
       10 . An energy storage device according to  claim 9  wherein said energy storage device is configured to elastically absorb said instantaneous force applied by said oarsman during approximately the first 40% of a stroke. 
   
   
       11 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  wherein said energy storage device is configured to elastically absorb instantaneous force applied by said oarsman when said when said oarsmen is applying a force of between 200N to 1200N or between 400N to 800N. 
   
   
       12 . An energy storage device according to  claim 4  wherein said energy storage device includes a stop means configured to limit the movement thereof in response to an applied force exceeding a predetermined force. 
   
   
       13 . An energy storage device according to  claim 4  wherein said energy storage device is enclosed in a housing. 
   
   
       14 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  wherein said handle includes:
 a left hand hand grip spaced apart from a right hand hand grip; and   a hook disposed intermediate said left and right-hand hand grips, said hook having a head end extending from a front of said handle and a shank end partially or completely disposed within said handle, said shank being slideably mounted within said handle between an a non-storage position and an energy storage position wherein said shank is configured to be resiliently biased by said energy storage device towards said non-storage position.   
   
   
       15 . An energy storage device according to  claim 1  wherein said energy dissipation device is configured to simulate the mass of a rowing boat with or without rowers and/or a coxswain. 
   
   
       16 . A rowing machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to a static or dynamically mounted energy dissipation device, said rowing machine simulator including an energy storage device according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       17 . A method of providing an energy storage device in a rowing machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device, said method including the steps of disposing said energy storage device intermediate said rowing handle and said energy dissipation device, and configuring said energy storage device to elastically absorb a predetermined proportion of the force applied to said rowing handle by an oarsmen during the early phase of a stoke and configuring said energy storage device to release said absorbed energy during later phases of said oarsmen's stroke. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said energy storage device is configured to absorb between 15% to 35% of the force applied to said rowing handle by said oarsman during the early phase of the stroke. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 17  including the step of configuring said energy storage device such that during said later phases of said stroke said force applied by said oarsman reduces below a predetermined force said energy storage device releases said stored energy. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said energy storage device is selected from the group consisting of compression springs; expansion springs; elastomeric materials; pneumatic piston and cylinders; and/or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 17  including the step of pivotally mounting said rowing handle to said energy storage device directly or indirectly via a cable, chain, belt or other connection means. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 17  including the step of configuring said energy storage device to elastically absorb said instantaneous force applied by said oarsman during approximately the first 40% of a stroke. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 17  including the step of configuring said energy storage device to elastically absorb instantaneous force applied by said oarsman when said when said oarsmen is applying a force of between 200N to 1200N or between 400N to 800N. 
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said energy storage device includes a variable energy storage capacity to absorb energy in response to different forces to simulate forces applied by rowers having different strengths. 
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 17  including the step of disposing a stop means in association with said energy storage device, said stop means being configured to limit the movement of said energy storage device in response to an applied force exceeding a predetermined value. 
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 17  including the step of enclosing said energy storage device in said handle. 
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 14  including the step of configuring said energy dissipation device to simulate a mass of a rowing boat with or without rower(s) and/or a coxswain. 
   
   
       28 . A method of providing a rowing machine simulator having a rowing handle connected to an energy dissipation device, said method including the steps of providing an energy storage device according to  claim 17 . 
   
   
       29 . A dynamically balanced rowing simulator including:
 a beam having a predetermined length and a substantially horizontal central portion;   a seat slideably engaged with said beam and horizontally movable therealong, said seat being disposed a predetermined vertical height above said beam; and   an energy dissipating device slideably engaged with said beam and horizontally movable therealong independent of said movement of said seat, said energy dissipating device including:
 a frame configured for supporting a flywheel, said flywheel being rotatably mounted on a flywheel shaft wherein said frame supports said flywheel shaft a vertical height less than a radius of said flywheel above said beam; 
 a handle; 
 a rotatable indirect drive means connected to said handle and being disposed a predetermined vertical height above said flywheel shaft; 
 a rotatable direct drive means disposed about said flywheel shaft and connected to said indirect drive means, said direct drive configured for transferring rotation of said indirect drive into rotation of direct drive and said flywheel; and 
 a footrest attached to said frame. 
   
   
   
       30 . A dynamically balanced rowing simulator according to  claim 29  including a take-up means, attached to said frame, said take-up means rewinding and maintaining a predetermined tension on said drive means, said take-up means comprising one of a constant tension spring element or an elastic cord and a plurality of pulleys.