Rowing Exercise Machine

Abstract

A rowing exercise machine includes a first frame member and a second frame member that are pivotally connected to each other to have a use position and a storage position. The rowing exercise machine may include a resistance device connected to the first frame member and a seat that is slidably engaged with the second frame member. A locking assembly may be used to fixedly secure the first frame member and the second frame member when the rowing exercise machine is in the use position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rowing exercise machine comprising:
 a first frame member, wherein the first frame member has a first end, a second end, and a first frame body extending between the first end and the second end;   a second frame member, wherein the second frame member has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a second frame body extending between the first end and the second end;   a rounded hub connected to the first end of the second frame member, wherein the second end of the first frame member is pivotally connected to the first end of the second frame member at a pivot axle, wherein the pivot axle is located at a center of the rounded hub;   a resistance device connected to the first frame member, wherein the resistance device includes a rotating fan;   a seat that is slidably engaged with the second frame member;   a front support extending from the first frame member;   a connection member operably connecting the resistance device to an exercise handle configured to be engaged by a user; and   a locking assembly moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the locking assembly is in the locked position, the first frame member is rotationally fixed with respect to the second frame member, and wherein when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position, the second frame member is able to rotate toward the first frame member; and   wherein the locking assembly comprises a tab fixedly connected to one of the first frame member or the second frame member, a latch base fixedly connected to the other of the first frame member or the second frame member, and a latch pivotally connected to the latch base, and   wherein when the locking assembly is in the locked position, the latch engages the tab.   
     
     
         2 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the front support comprises a pair of legs extending from the first frame member, wherein each leg includes a wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein a latch lever is pivotally connected to both the latch base and the latch such that when moving the locking assembly from the locked position to the unlocked position, the latch lever is rotated away from the second frame member to move the latch away from the tab. 
     
     
         4 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises a contoured surface with a convex surface, and the latch comprises an engaging surface with a concave surface such that when the locking assembly is in the locked position, the convex surface of the contoured surface of the tab contacts the concave surface of the engaging surface of the tab. 
     
     
         5 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the tab includes a rear surface opposite the contoured surface such that when the locking assembly is in the locked position, the rear surface of the tab contacts an engaging surface of the latch base. 
     
     
         6 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of foot pedals, wherein each foot pedal of the pair of foot pedals is connected to the first frame member, and wherein each foot pedal of the pair of foot pedals comprises a foot support and a strap assembly extending from an inboard side of the foot support to an outboard side of the foot support, wherein the strap assembly is connected to a quick release buckle that is pivotally connected to the outboard side of the foot support, and wherein the quick release buckle has a locked position that prevents the strap assembly from moving and an unlocked position that moves strap assembly away from the foot support increasing a size of an opening between the strap assembly and the foot support. 
     
     
         7 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein the quick release buckle includes a pair of arms and a cross member extending between the pair of arms, and wherein each arm of the pair of arms has a protrusion that engages a contact surface on the foot support. 
     
     
         8 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip handle on a top surface of the first frame member, wherein the grip handle has an upper surface comprising a forward ramped surface and a rearward ramped surface, wherein the forward ramped surface is longer than the rearward ramped surface. 
     
     
         9 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a console mast extending above a top surface of the first frame member that includes a console arm pivotally connected to the console mast; and
 a console configured to display information regarding a workout, wherein the console is pivotally connected to the console arm.   
     
     
         10 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein the console arm includes a stop that extends from a distal end of the console arm to limit rotation of the console away from the first frame member. 
     
     
         11 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein the console includes a console body and an extendable cradle, wherein the extendable cradle includes a pair of extending members that are slidably engaged with the console body and a cross member extending between the pair of extending members, wherein the extendable cradle is configured to removably secure a portable electronic device between the cross member and a top surface of the console body. 
     
     
         12 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein the console mast includes a central opening located between a first support beam and a second support beam, wherein the connection member extends through the central opening, and
 wherein the first support beam includes a movable indicator such that the movable indicator is configured to define a target position for the user to keep the connection member below when performing a rowing exercise.   
     
     
         13 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the first support beam includes a slot, wherein the movable indicator is slidably engaged with the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the first frame member includes an opening for the connection member to exit an internal cavity within the first frame member; and wherein the opening includes a lower edge that is below the top surface of the first frame member and a ramped surface that extends from the lower edge of the opening toward the top surface. 
     
     
         15 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance device comprises a fan housing, wherein the fan rotates within the fan housing, and wherein the resistance device further comprises an air inlet located on a side of the fan housing opposite the side of the resistance device that is mounted to the first frame member and an air exhaust arranged on a radial surface of the resistance device; and
 wherein the resistance device includes a fixed baffle that includes a plurality of fins and a removable ring-shaped member that is received in a groove located along an outboard surface of the fixed baffle.   
     
     
         16 . A rowing exercise machine comprising:
 a first frame member, wherein the first frame member has a first end, a second end, and a first frame body extending between the first end and the second end;   a second frame member, wherein the second frame member has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a second frame body extending between the first end and the second end;   a rounded hub connected to the first end of the second frame member, wherein the second end of the first frame member is pivotally connected to the first end of the second frame member at a pivot axle, wherein the pivot axle is located at a center of the rounded hub;   a resistance device connected to the first frame member, wherein the resistance device includes a rotating fan;   a seat that is slidably engaged with the second frame member;   a connection member operably connected to the resistance device and an exercise handle configured to be engaged by a user;   a console mast extending above a top surface of the first frame member, wherein the console mast includes a central opening located between a first support beam and a second support beam, wherein the connection member extends through the central opening; and   a locking assembly moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the locking assembly is in the locked position, the first frame member is rotationally fixed with respect to the second frame member, and wherein when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position, the second frame member is able to rotate relative to the first frame member.   
     
     
         17 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 16 , wherein the first support beam of the console mast includes a movable indicator such that the movable indicator is configured to define a target position for the user to keep the connection member below when performing a rowing exercise. 
     
     
         18 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 17 , wherein the first support beam includes a slot, wherein the movable indicator is slidably engaged with the slot. 
     
     
         19 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 16 , wherein a top surface of the first frame member includes an opening for the connection member to exit an internal cavity within the first frame member; and wherein the opening includes a lower edge that is below the top surface of the first frame member and a ramped surface that extends from the lower edge of the opening to the top surface of the first frame member, wherein the ramped surface has an oblique orientation to the top surface. 
     
     
         20 . A rowing exercise machine comprising:
 a first frame member;   a second frame member that is pivotally connected to the first frame member;   a resistance device connected to the first frame member;   a seat that is slidably engaged with the second frame member;   a front support extending from the first frame member;   a connection member operably connected to the resistance device and an exercise handle configured to be engaged by a user; and   a pair of foot pedals, wherein each foot pedal of the pair of foot pedals is connected to the first frame member, and wherein each foot pedal of the pair of foot pedals comprises a foot support and a strap assembly extending from an inboard side of the foot support to an outboard side of the foot support, wherein the strap assembly is connected to a quick release buckle that is pivotally connected to the outboard side of the foot support, wherein the quick release buckle has a locked position that prevents the strap assembly from moving and an unlocked position that moves strap assembly away from the foot support increasing a size of an opening between the strap assembly and the foot support.   
     
     
         21 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 20 , wherein the quick release buckle includes a pair of arms and a cross member extending between the pair of arms, and wherein each arm of the pair of arms has a first protrusion that engages a contact surface on the foot support to keep the quick release buckle in a locked position. 
     
     
         22 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 21 , wherein each arm of the pair of arms has a second protrusion that engages the contact surface on the foot support to keep the quick release buckle in an unlocked position. 
     
     
         23 . The rowing exercise machine of  claim 20 , wherein the quick release buckle is pivotally connected within a pocket located on the outboard side of the foot support.