Exercise machine that simulates surfing with an integrated paddling apparatus and instability board

Description

BACKGROUND

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. 61551327, filed Oct. 25, 2011. The present invention relates to stationary exercise devices that, in simulating sports such as surfing, offer the strengthening, toning, balance and coordination attained through such sports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The embodiment is a stationary exercise machine that offers a workout by simulating surfing. By incorporating both a balancing board and a paddling apparatus, the embodiment is meant to deliver the varied physical-fitness benefits of actual surfing. The embodiment's paddling mechanism provides a means for arm-paddling simulation: by repeatedly pulling the handles, the user exercises his or her arms in a paddling motion the way a surfer might. The handle mechanism uses one of various resistance means to allow the user to pull with force. The placement of the handles and flexibility of the elastic belts to which they are attached allow the user to pull from varying angles and in varying motions, including a motion similar to that of paddling through water.

The embodiment's surfboard-type balancing board rests on fluid-filled bags (fluid can be air or liquid; both are “fluids”). This combination simulates imbalance like that of a surfboard moving through water. Users of the embodiment may lay prone on the board and grasp and pull the handles attached to the elastic bands to simulate paddling on a surfboard through water. Or they may do full swim strokes, pulling against the resisting elastic bands that are attached to the handles. Users may alternatively stand on the balancing board and do exercises, such as squats or lunges, while maintaining balance on the board. Or they may perform pushups with hands on the front paddling apparatus.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be shown in the following description and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the components, processes, and apparatuses disclosed herein may be obtained by referring to the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to illustrate the teachings herein and are not intended to show relative sizes and dimensions, or to limit the scope of examples or embodiments. In the drawings, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components of like function.

FIG. 1 is a right front perspective view of an example embodiment

FIG. 2 is an orthographic side view of the example embodiment

FIG. 3 is a left-front perspective view of the example embodiment

FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of a hypothetical surfboard

FIG. 5 is another orthographic view of a hypothetical surfboard

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the board part of the exercise machine

FIG. 7 is an orthographic view of the actual board and the effects of its motion

FIG. 8 is another orthographic view of the actual board and the effects of its motion

FIG. 9 is an orthographic view of the board showing an alternate means of attachment to the base

FIG. 10 is an orthographic view of one iteration of the base and its resistance components

FIG. 11 is an orthographic view of another iteration of the base and resistance components

FIG. 12 is an orthographic view of yet another iteration of the base and resistance components

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show an exercise machine 100 that simulates surfing with a surfboard-like instability board 110 that rests on fluid-filled bladders 122 (FIG. 3). The fluid-filled bladders destabilize and buoy the board 110 (FIG. 1) in a way that simulates surfing. A paddling component 114 employs elastic cables 118, the handles 120 of which can be gripped to counter the destabilizing affect of the board. The elastic cables 118 extend around guide-pulleys 116 and 117 and under the base 112, where they are circularly engaged with a resistance means 130 (FIG. 2). The resistance means may employ a variable added-resistance aspect such as a spring, a thicker elastic belt, or other means.

Stabilizing stretch cables 113 (FIG. 1) hold the instability board flexibly in place on the base 112. The paddling component 114 is fixedly engaged with the base 112. Integrated with the paddling component 114 is a paddling-arm support 115, on which guide pulleys 116, 117 are pivotally mounted.

FIG. 2 shows the placement of the fluid-filled bladders 122 on the base 112 and under the board 110 of the exercise machine 100. Stabilizing stretch cables 113 are fixedly engaged with the board 110 and the base 112 and act to limit the extent to which the board rotates about its long axis. On the base 112 is a means of engagement 119 that attaches the resistance means 130 with the base 112.

In FIG. 3, an exploded view shows all the parts that make up the imbalance and buoyancy aspects of the machine 100. The fluid-filled bladders 122 sit in supports 124 with mated recessed areas 126 molded to accept the bladders 122. The supports are mounted onto the base 112. In use, the board rotates along its short axis 103 and its long axis 105.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the typical buoyancy and center-of-gravity movement of an example hypothetical surfboard 50. This movement is simulated by the movement of the board 110 (FIG. 6) in the embodiment.

The user's hypothetical center of gravity 62 (FIGS. 4 and 5) on the hypothetical surfboard 60 shifts as the user navigates the surfboard through water 65. This constant navigation causes the long axis 33 to tilt, resulting in the surfboard's 60 rotation about its long axis 33. This rotation is simulated in the embodiment 100 (FIG. 1).

A hypothetical center of buoyancy 66 (FIGS. 4, 5) moves and causes imbalance in the hypothetical board 60. A small shift in the user's center of gravity 62 results in a larger shift in the center of buoyancy 66, causing an offset between the two, which leads to imbalance. This imbalance is simulated in the embodiment 100 (FIG. 1). A hypothetical, displacing volume of water 64 (FIGS. 4, 5) is recreated by the bladders in the embodiment 100 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 shows the short axis 103 and a long axis 105 of the board 110. As the user shifts, the board rotates about these axes.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the actual buoyancy and center-of-gravity effect achieved by use of the exercise machine 100. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the effects that were shown hypothetically in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The user's actual center of gravity 151 on the board 60 shifts as the user navigates the board atop the bladders 122. As the user performs exercises on the board, an actual center of buoyancy 154 moves and causes imbalance in the board 110. A small shift in the user's center of gravity 151 results in a larger shift in the center of buoyancy 154, causing an offset between the two. These movements of navigation cause rotation about the long axis 105, which leads to the desired imbalance that enhances exercise.

The bladders 122 recreate the hypothetical displacing volume of water 64 (FIGS. 4, 5). Stabilizing stretch cables 113 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are fixedly engaged with the board 110 and the base 112 and act to limit the extent to which the board rotates about its short axis.

FIG. 9 illustrates another iteration of the embodiment in which the bladder 122 is fixedly engaged to the base 112 via alternate means. These alternate means of engagement may be a flexible containment 223 engaged with an attaching means 225 which is further engaged to the base 112.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show three more iterations of the embodiment. These figures each depict alternate means of resistance provided for exercise activity on the machine (300, 400, 500).

In FIG. 10, an alternate means of resistance 300 is provided by a fluid-resistance mechanism 330 similar to that of a bicycling exercise machine, but with a recoil action like that of a lawnmower's pull-cord. The liquid-resistance mechanism 330 is engaged by elastic cables 118 with the guide pulleys 116, 117 which are pivotally mounted on the base 112 and on the paddling-arm support 115.

In FIG. 11, another alternate means of resistance 400 is provided by an air-resistance mechanism comprising a fan 430 engaged with a recoil and drive mechanism 432. Such air-resistance mechanisms are common in the exercise industry. The air-resistance mechanism 430, 432 is engaged by elastic cables 118 with the guide pulleys 116, 117 which are pivotally mounted on the base 112 and on the paddling-arm support 115.

In FIG. 12, yet another alternate means of resistance 500 involves a hydraulic damper 530 engaged with pulleys 536, 538 which are engaged by elastic cables 118 with the guide pulleys 116, 117 which are pivotally mounted on the base 112 and on the paddling-arm support 115.

Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.