GB2303594A - Wheeled rowing machine for exercise, and/or transport for disabled people - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine comprises cross-members 1 and 2, and longitudinal chassis rails 3. Members 1 and 2 may be telescopic (for width adjustment) or foldable (for storage). Seat 9 slides fore and aft on bearings. Foot supports 11 are provided. Front wheel(s) 10 may be steered in conjunction with operation of individual wheel brakes by levers (20, fig. 2) on the "oars" 7. The machine is propelled in direction 4 by the rider pulling on the inboard ends of the oars. Each oar is connected to a respective driven wheel 5 by a transmission 6, comprising a crown wheel 16 and pinion 17, which drive forwards only; and a derailleur mechanism 13 on each wheel. The two derailleurs are connected to a single gearchange lever (23, fig. 2). The machine provides exercise for people without access to stretches of water, and may be easier to use than a wheelchair for the disabled.

Description

ROWING MACHINE This invention relates to a wheeled. either three-wheeled, or four-wheeled, machine propelled by a rowing action with the use of 'oars', by which is meant means pullable at one longitudinal end thereof, which action will have an effect either at a remote end or at an intermediate pivot point. In this invention, we are most concerned with reaction at the pivot point. Hence an oar, as defined herein, needs to extend from the user's pulling point to the pivot point. It does not necessarily include oar blades and further extensions of an oar beyond the pivot point.

It is known that rowing is regarded as one of the best forms of exercise due to the fact that pressure on the body joints is reduced considerably, by virtue of the participant being seated.

and with no jarring of the body, while at the same time involving most, if not all, of the body's muscles during the activity. This also encourages good breathing technique.

However, not everybody has access to water for the purpose of rowing and together with the fact that rowing boats are relatively expensive and require considerable storage space many people are denied sharing in this beneficial pastime.

It is also known that many of the large number of people confined to use of a wheel chair may have difficulty in manoeuvrino, such wheel chair given the necessity of placing their hands on the wheels which are disposed, in use, behind them. It would be useful if they could apply manual effort in front of them to propel themselves.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-wheeled (for manoeuvrability) or four-wheeled (for stability) machine which is propelled by a rowing action driving preferably the two rear wheels. The machine comprises a chassis of tubular and/or rectangular crosssection construction upon which are mounted two driven wheels, one at each end of a rear lateral member, the two driving mechanisms, one at each end of the front lateral member, a sliding seat, two foot supports and a single or double steering wheel(s), all mounted on the central member(s).

According to the present invention, there is provided a rowing machine comprising a pair of oars, as hereinabove defined, a pair of wheels, each oar being connected to drive a respective one of said wheels.

Preferably the wheels are mounted to a carriage adapted to accommodate an user of the oars.

Advantageously the carriage may also be provided with foot rest means for the user of the oars.

In one preferred embodiment, a driving mechanism for each wheel comprises a crown and pinion gear arrangement driven by the respective oar.

In this case, the crown and pinion arrangement may drive a chain which is connected to drive the respective wheel.

The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the above said invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a three-wheeled rowing machine embodying the invention, but with braking, steering and gear-change mechanisms removed; Figure 2 is a top elevation of the three-wheeled version of the rowing machine with brake, steering and gear-change mechanisms shown: Figure 3 is a bottom elevation of the three-wheeled version also showing brake, steering and gear-change mechanisms; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same without brake, steering and gear-change mechanisms; Figure 5 is a view of a gearing system; and Figure 6 is a view from the side of the gearing system of figure 5; The rowing machine comprises a frame, tubular aiid rectangular cross-seclioll cuiisli'uclruri, made up of two lateral members I and 2 and one or two central members 3 which are forward pointing, see direction of arrow 4. Mounted upon the ends of the lateral member 1 are the driven wheels 5 and upon those of the lateral member 2 are the driving mechanisms 6. 'Oars' 7 as defined above, are attached to the drive shaft 8 of each driving mechanism 6 by a swivel (in the vertical plane) joint, which is not shown, and are detachable (snap on/off or similar).Upon the central member(s) 3 is mounted a seat 9, which slides along the central member(s) 3 by way of a roller mechanism (not shown) facilitating the forward and backward rowing action carried out by the participant who is seated on the seat 9. Also attached to the central member(s) 3 is, in the case of the accompanying drawings a steering wheel 10 (though in another version of the invention two wheels are provided) which swivels in the horizontal plane and its position is adjustable along the central member(s) 3 and is also detachable.

Foot supports 11 are provided which are mounted on the central member(s) 3 and their position is adjustable, both along the central member(s) 3 and also the angle to the horizontal they hold. A method of securing the feet of the participant to these supports 11 (such as straps or similar) is provided but not shown. The lateral members 1 and 2 are illustrated as being telescopic 12 which is to allow adjustment to the width of the machine to facilitate different length oars 7 (or telescopic oars for the same purpose) thus providing the ability to alter the work load on doe participant, ilo combination with the gearing which would also be provided (see below). This also allows easier dismantling if and when required.However, the lateral members 1 and 2 could also be of fixed length.

The method of propulsion uses cycle gears 13 (derailleur or other) which are provided on each driven wheel 5, thereby enhancing the ability to alter the work load on toe parlicipant (see above). and which are driven by a chain 14 connected to the driving mechanism 6. The driving mechanism 6 composes a front chain gear 15 on which the chain 14 is engaged and to which a crown 16 and pinion 17 gearing is attached. It is the crown-wheel 16 and pinion 17 gearing which facilitates the conversion of the horizontal action of rowing to the vertically circular action of the chain and gear mechanism which is required to propel the machine.

The forward motion of the machine is facilitated by the pinion 17 being engaged with the crown-wheel 16 at the latter's base, and occurs during the backward stroke of the rowing action, while freewheeling occurs during the forward stroke (as indicated by arrow A).

Different sized crown-wheel 16 and pinion 17 would be available to provide for the alteration of the work load in conjunction with that previously mentioned. The pinion drive shaft 8 is held in place on the mounting bracket 25 by bearings 26 at either end. The front chain gear 15 is similarly held in place by bearings (not shown).

Brakes 18 are provided on each rear wheel and are of the calliper or cantilever type operated by a cable 19 connected to a lever 20 mounted on the oars 7, one on each side. This lever 20 also operates a cable 21 connected to the steering wheel(s) 10 so that steering is actioned by pressure applied on the lever 20 which in turn applies a pull on tloe brake mechanism and steering mechanism on one side at the same time. Both mechanisms are spring loaded to return them to their original positions when the lever 20 is released. Stopping of the machine is carried out by applying pressure to both levers 20 at the same time.

wheels 5, and are operated by a single lever 23 mounted on one of the oars 7 connected via (lIIvtII wheels 5, and are operated by a single lever 23 mounted on one of the oars 7 connected via a cable 24 to both gear-change mechanisms in order that the gears 13 on each wheel 5 are in synchronization.

The illustrations show a rigid structure which keeps the same form. However, another version of the same invention (not shown) could be provided with lateral members 1 and 2 which are hinged at the point of attachment to the central member(s) 3 and also at their extremities to facilitate easier transportation and storage by enabling the structure to be folded into a more compact form.

Facilities would also be provided for attaching a machine to another thus enabling a number of participants to act as a team (double, treble and so on). Each participant using both or alternate drives.

Attachments to enable disabled persons to operate the machine could also be provided.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A rowing maching comprising a pair of oar means pullable at one longitudinal end thereof, which action will have an effect at or adjacent a pivot point thereof, and a pair of wheels, each oar means being connected to drive a respective one of said pair of wheels.

2. A rowing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wheels are mounted to a carriage adapted to accommodate a user of the oars.

3. A rowing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the carriage is provided with foot rest means for the user of the oars.

4. A rowing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a driving mechanism for each wheel comprises a crown and pinion gear arrangement driven by the respective oar.

5. A rowing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the crown and pinion arrangement drives a chain which is connected to drive the respective wheel.

6. A rowing machine substantially as described herein, with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.