GB2327621A - Rowing machine with magnetic resistance mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The rowing machine comprises a magnet controlled wheel mechanism 50 supported on a main frame 20, the mechanism comprises a magnetically conductive flywheel 51 and a drive wheel 52 which are coaxially mounted, a unidirectional bearing 58 which restricts the flywheel to one direction of rotation, a spiral spring 55 secured to the drive wheel via active end 62, a magnet set 56 located adjacent the periphery of the flywheel for imparting shear resistance thereto and a cord 53 wound around the drive wheel 52. In operation the user pulls handle 64 attached to cord 53 which rotates the drive wheel and the flywheel, under the shear resistance imparted by the magnet, which also causes the spring 55 to be wound, on release of the cord the spring causes the drive wheel to rotate in the opposite direction which also retracts the cord. The main frame may be foldable, the magnet set may be adjustable, and the machine may have a counter-timer clock.

Description

Title: Rowing Exerciser The present invention relates to a rowing exerciser, specifically one that utilizes an adjustable magnet-controlled wheel mechanism such that the user can adjust resistance in exercise for expected effect. It is a practical, convenient, and completely new creation.

As figure 9 shows, so-called rowing exerciser is an exercising equipment such that: the user sits on slider 10 and uses both hands to pull bar 11: bar 11 strains string 12 connected to it; string 12 in turn extracts the shaft of spring air-pressure cylinder 13 at the other end of it; spring air-pressure cylinder 13 then generates appropriate resistance for exercise. When the releases the strain, the spring reacts to put string 12 and bar 11 to their original positions, so that the user can repeat her pulling exercise.

When the user would like to adjust the resistance for exercise, she has to turn the leaking valve on spring air-pressure cylinder 13. The resistance can be determined by the amount of leakage.

in other words, larger resistance requires less leakage, while the opposite requires more.

However, the spring in spring air-pressure cylinder 13 is apt to fatigue as a result of long-term repeated stretching, which reduces exercise effects. At the same time, for aesthetic consideration, spring air-pressure cylinder 13 is generally positioned under the exerciser, which causes inconvenience for adjustment.

Besides those rowing exercisers that utilizing spring air-pressure cylinder 13 for exercise resistance and string restoration, there are ones based on air-resistance or user-weight mechanism design. But. so-called air-resistance fan mechanism 14 (as figure 10 shows) generates tremendous noise. Moreover, user-weight mechanism 15 (as figure 11 shows) utilize the weight of the user as the source of resistance, which over-burdens the user.

Therefore, to overcome the shortcomings associated with the above-mentioned rowing exercisers in usage and design, the creater of this project has continued to research and improve. The design, which is based on a magnet set and shear resistance from a magnet-conductive flying wheel, eables the wheel co-axial with the flying wheel to generate resistance for effective exercise. Furthermore, by turning the adjusting nut the distance between the magnet set and the flying wheel can be easily changed, so as to vary magnetic resistance. Hereby, the objective of this creation--practical features such as easy adjustment of resistance and elimination of noise--can be achieved.

Here a better example accompanied by figures is used to illustrate the techniques, approach, and effectiveness of this creation: Brief descriptions of the figures: Figure 1 : Three-dimensional drawing of this creation.

Figure 2 : Partial assembly overview of this creation.

Figure 3 : Assembly three-dimensional drawing of a better utilization example of this creation.

Figure 4 : Assembly sideview of this creation.

Figure 5 : String-pulling and spring-rotating actions illustration of this creation.

Figure 6 : String-pulling and spring-rotating actions illustration of this creation.

Figure 7 : Packing illustration of this creation.

Figure 8 : Movemcnt-after-packing illustration of this creation.

Figure 9 : Sideview of conventional rowing exercisor I.

Figure 10: Sideview of conventional rowing exercisor II.

Figure 11: Sideview of conventional rowing exercisor III.

As figures 1 and 2 show, the rowing exerciser consists of: One front main frame 20. In front of it there is one hollow tilted beam 21. On tilted beam 21 there attach one pulling-bar supporter 34, one counter-timer clock 22, one adjusting nut 23, and near the tip of it there is one indentation 24.

Inside indentation 24 two pressing wheels 25 locate at the top and the bottom.

Next, here appropiate near the bottome of front main frame 20, there are one shaped comoponent and another indentation 27 for the installation of one leading wheel 28. Under leading wheel 28, on both sides of front main frame 20 and tilted beam 21 there install two side-bars 29. Where appropiate on two sidebars 29 there locate one pair of axle-oriented holes 30 and one pair of connection-oriented holes 31, for the installation of adjustable magnetcontrol led wheel mechanism 50 and slider bar 35. Then, at the other ends of two side-bars 29, there attaches one grounding bar 33 with two stepping plates 32. At each end of grouding bar 33, there is one pushing wheel 49.

One slider bar 35. With holes 36 at both sides of its front end and bolt 37, it connects to side-bars 29 of front main frame 20 at their connection holes 31. On top of it there is one slider 38 that slides. At its bottom, on each of the two sides there is one though hole 39, together with bolt 40, for its connection with back supporting plate 41.

One back supporting plate 41. It is arc-shaped, with one connecting hinge 42 at its top. Besides connecting hinge 42 is one half-circle, concave part 43 to match the shape of the end of slider 35, so as to tilt up back supporting plate 41.

Consequently back supporting plate 41 and grounding bar 33 form the grounding point which supports the exerciser (as figure 4 shows).

Adjustable magnet-controlled wheel mechanism 50 is installed between two side bars 29 of front main frame. It consists of one magnet-conductive flying wheel 51, one wheel 52, one string 53, one spiral spring cover 54, one spiral spring set 55. and one magnet set 56. Axial hole 57 of flying wheel 51 is installed one unidirectional bearing 58, which confines flying wheel 51 to rotate in only one direction. Subsquently, one through axle 59, together with two stopping bearing 60, fixes flying wheel 51, wheel 52. and spiral spring set 55 between axle-oriented holes 30. In the mean time, spiral spring cover 54 has been locked at locking holes 61 of spiral spring set 55, and affixed at screw holes 47 connecting side bars 29 through two screws 48. Active end 62 is fixed at wheel 52. After being rotated for several rounds, active end 62 goes under leading wheel 28 and inside tilted beam 21 of front main frame 20, then goes out between two pressing wheel 25. The other end of string 53 is connected to one pulling bar 64. Under magnet set 56 there is one hinge 65, together with one bolt 66 and one pushing-up spring 67, for setting it at positioning board 68 of two side bars 29. Near the top of magnet set 56 there is one connecting unit 69 to hook one spring 70 and one adjusting rope 71. The other end of spring 70 is in turn hooked on one salient unit 72 on positioning board 68.

As showned in figures 2 and 4, when the assembly of adjustable magnet controlled wheel mechanism is completed. magnet set 56 happens to sit at the cdge of flying wheel 51, and can generate desirable shear resistance. Therefore, as the user turns adjusting nut 23, the actions of adjusting rope 71 and spring 70 move magnet set 56 towards or away from the edge of flying wheel 51, and consequently the resistance is easily adjusted.

NVhen the assembly of the above mechanism is completed, protection cover 80 is applied on both sides of front main frame 20. Thus a better assembly illustration is formed, as shown in figure 3.

In terms of the way string 53 is driven, it is that when the user pulls pulling bar 64 and string 53 wheel will subsquently rotate and release string that is initially in a spiral. On the other hand, the rotation of wheel 52 will initiate flying wheel 51 to rotate synchronously through co-axle 59. However, as mentioned above, because shear resistance from magnet 56 acts on flying wheel 51 and subsquently wheel 52, the user will feel expected resistance when pulling string 53. and have the results of exercise. Now, as figure 6 shows, because active end 62 of spiral spring set 55 has been fixed at respective positioning hole 63 of pulley 53 and rotated, the spiral spring is in a tight spiral--since spiral spring set 55 is fixed, only its active end 62 acts with the wheel. Then, as shown in figure 5, when the user releases the string, the reaction of the spiral spring and active end 62 will counter-rotate wheel 52, and subsquently restall string 53 and pulling bar for repetitive exercise. Nevertheless, because there is one unidirectional bearing 58 installed at axial hole 57 of flying wheel 51, the flying wheel will not counter-rotate as wheel 52 does.

In figure 7, because slider bar 35 is only attached at connecting holes 31 of both side bars 29 of front main frame 20, when in use there should be one bolt 46 and end through hole 45 to position it at screw hole 44 of the level part of positioning board 68, so as to avoid rocking. To pack the exerciser, the user takes off bolt 46, tilt slider bar 35 straight, then fasten bolt 46 via same though hole 45 at another screw hole 441 on the parpenticular part of positioning board 68, for saving space.

Finally, as figure 8 shows. to move the exerciser, the user inclines it to keep grounding bar 33 grounded. Since both sides of grounding bar 33 are equiped with pushing wheels 49, it is easy to move the exerciser around.

To sum up, this creation *magnet-controlled rowing exerciser* indeed makes many practical improvements; moreover, there is no similar product or design in market and literature before this application. Therefore, it complies to the requirements for a new patent with *unprecedented* and *advanced* practicality. and should be protected by the patent law. Hereby the creater applies for a patent according to the law.

Claims (8)

1. A rowing exerciser with magnetic resistance comprising: a magnet controlled wheel mechanism supported on a main frame, the mechanism including a magnetically conductive flywheel, a drive wheel, the flywheel and drive wheel being coaxially mounted for synchronous rotation with each other, a unidirectional bearing means restricting the flywheel to one direction of rotation, a spiral spring having an active end secured to the drive wheel, and a magnet adjacent the periphery of the flywheel for imparting shear resistance thereto; and a pull cord wound around the drum wheel and a pulling handle secured to the outer end of the cord; and, wherein when a user sitting on a sliding seat of the exerciser pulls the pulling handle to extend the cord, the drive and flywheels rotate synchronously in one direction and under shear resistance imparted by the magnet, and the spiral spring is caused to be tightly wound, whereupon release of the cord by the user causes only the drive wheel to rotate in an opposition direction under the action of the spiral spring to retract the cord and permit same to be rewound on the drive wheel.

2. The exerciser of claim 1 comprising: (a) a mainframe including a pair of side bars, a front end and rear end, the rear end further including a pair of foot plates and wheel means for engaging a support surface and transporting the exerciser; (b) a tilt beam extending from the front end, the tilt beam including an upper portion and a lower portion, a pressing wheel means disposed at the upper portion and a leading wheel means disposed at the lower portion; (c) a slider bar including a front end and a rear end, the front end being pivotally connected to the rear end of the mainframe, a support plate pivotally mounted to the rear end of the bar for engaging a support surface, and a seat slidable mounted on the bar; (d) a magnet controlled wheel mechanism supported on the mainframe, the mechanism including a magnetically conductive flywheel, a drive wheel, the flywheel and drive wheel being coaxially mounted for synchronous rotation with each other, a unidirectional bearing means restricting the flywheel to one direction of rotation, a spiral spring having an active end secured to the drive wheel, and a magnet set position adjacent spring having an active end secured to the drive wheel, and a magnet set position adjacent the periphery of the flywheel for imparting shear resistance thereto; (e) a pull cord wound around the drum wheel and including an outer end extending through the leading wheel means and pressing wheel means of the tilt beam, and a pulling handle secured to the outer end of the cord; and, (f) wherein when a user sitting on the seat ofthe slider bar pulls the pulling handle to extend the cord, the drive and flywheels rotate synchronously in one direction and under shear resistance imparted by the magnet set, and the spiral spring is caused to be tightly wound, whereupon release of the cord by the user causes only the drive wheel to rotate in an opposite direction under the action of the spiral spring to retract the cord and permit same to be rewound on the drive wheel.

3. The exerciser of claim 2 further comprising adjustment means including a knob mounted on the tilt beam, a rope connecting the knob to the magnet set, and a spring for imparting a bias to the magnet set.

4. The exerciser of claim 2 further including a counter-timer clock mounted on the tilt beam.

5. The exerciser of claim 2 wherein the tilt beam further includes an upper recess, the pressing wheel means includes a pair of opposed wheels disposed within the upper recess, a supporter mounted adjacent the upper recess for supporting the pulling handle a lower recess, the leading wheel means includes a mount and a wheel secured at the lower recess.

6. The exerciser of claim 2 further including a detachable bolt for selectively securing the slider bar in either a horizontal position of use or an inclined position for transport of the exerciser.

7. The exerciser substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in figures 1 to

8.