Adjustable foot plate for rowing machines

Abstract

An adjustable foot plate for rowing machines is provided. The foot plate includes two platforms for placing a user's feet thereon when using the rowing machine. Each platform includes a strap, a heel counter and lengthening member for adjusting a distance between the strap and the heel counter to align the widest part of the user's foot with the strap. The platforms are laterally adjustable by a linear drive mechanism to vary a distance between the user's feet to better accommodate users of varying size/height. Lateral adjustment of the platforms may also provide for the user to exercise different muscle groups as part of an exercise regime.

1 . An adjustable foot plate for a rowing machine, the foot plate comprising:
 a frame, comprising:
 at least one mounting point for attaching the foot plate to the rowing machine; and 
 a pair of parallel guide rails; 
   a left foot platform and a right foot platform mounted on the guide rails; and   a linear drive mechanism for moving the foot platforms laterally along the guide rails.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 1 , wherein the linear drive mechanism comprises:
 a first-handed fixed nut on the left foot platform;   a second-handed fixed nut on the right foot platform;   a screw shaft, comprising:
 a first-handed threaded segment passing through the first-handed fixed nut; 
 a second-handed threaded segment passing through the second-handed fixed nut; and 
 a crank connected to the screw shaft. 
   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 2 , wherein turning the crank in a first direction causes the platforms to travel laterally along the guide rails, to increase a distance between the foot platforms. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 3 , wherein turning the crank in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, causes the platforms to travel laterally along the guide rails, to decrease a distance between the foot platforms. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 2 , further comprising a support member disposed on the frame between the platforms at an equidistant point between the fixed nuts for holding the screw shaft in parallel with the guide rails. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 2 , wherein each fixed nut is one of: a nut plate, a T-nut, a leadscrew nut and a ball screw nut. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 2 , wherein the screw shaft is connected to a motor or an actuator for rotating the screw shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 1 , wherein each foot platform further comprises:
 a strap for securing a user's foot to the foot platform;   a locking member; and   a lengthening member having a heel counter and a front end, the front end passing under the strap and through the locking member,   wherein the strap is disposed between the heel counter and the locking member.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 8 , wherein the front end is moveable through the locking member to vary a distance between the heel counter and the strap. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 8 , wherein the locking member fixedly holds the front end to fix a distance between the strap and the heel counter. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable foot plate of  claim 1 , wherein the linear drive mechanism comprises:
 a first-handed fixed nut on the left foot platform;   a second-handed fixed nut on the right foot platform;   a screw shaft, comprising:
 a first-handed threaded segment passing through the first-handed fixed nut; 
 a second-handed threaded segment passing through the second-handed fixed nut; and 
   a motor or actuator for rotating the screw shaft.   
     
     
         12 . A rowing machine, comprising:
 an adjustable foot plate comprising:
 a frame comprising a pair of parallel guide rails; 
 a left foot platform and a right foot platform mounted on the guide rails; 
 a linear drive mechanism for moving the foot platforms laterally along the guide rails. 
   
     
     
         13 . The rowing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the linear drive mechanism comprises:
 a first-handed fixed nut on the left foot platform;   a second-handed fixed nut on the right foot platform;   a screw shaft, comprising:
 a first-handed threaded segment passing through the first-handed fixed nut; 
 a second-handed threaded segment passing through the second-handed fixed nut; and 
   a crank connected to the screw shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The rowing machine of  claim 13 , wherein turning the crank in a first direction causes the platforms to travel laterally along the guide rails, to increase a distance between the foot platforms. 
     
     
         15 . The rowing machine of  claim 14 , wherein turning the crank in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, causes the platforms to travel laterally along the guide rails, to decrease a distance between the foot platforms. 
     
     
         16 . The rowing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustable foot plate straddles a seat rail of the rowing machine. 
     
     
         17 . The rowing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the linear drive mechanism comprises:
 a first-handed fixed nut on the left foot platform;   a second-handed fixed nut on the right foot platform;   a screw shaft, comprising:
 a first-handed threaded segment passing through the first-handed fixed nut; 
 a second-handed threaded segment passing through the second-handed fixed nut; and 
   a motor or actuator for rotating the screw shaft.   
     
     
         18 . The rowing machine of  claim 12 , wherein each foot plate comprises:
 a strap for securing a user's foot to the foot platform;   a locking member; and   a lengthening member having a heel counter and a front end, the front end passing under the strap and through the locking member,   wherein the strap is disposed between the heel counter and the locking member.   
     
     
         19 . The rowing machine of  claim 18 , wherein the front end is moveable through the locking member to vary a distance between the heel counter and the strap. 
     
     
         20 . The rowing machine of  claim 18 , wherein the locking member fixedly holds the front end to fix a distance between the strap and the heel counter.