Paddling Adapter Attachment Apparatus for Rowing Machines

This invention pertains to exercise machines and, in particular, to a paddling adapter attachment apparatus for use with rowing machines in order to provide individuals a simulated single blade seated position canoeing stroke exerciser that allows the stroke to take place on either side of the user.

The use of rowing machines as exercise and competition units is widespread with many units available for the purpose. One of the most well known units is the Concept II Model C Indoor rowing unit that is the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,396,188 and 4,875,674. Many serious rowers use that unit to maintain their physical fitness while continuing to work on their rowing form. These activities have not been available to those who desire to train on these machines and maintain their canoe paddling form. It is necessary for a unit that allows this activity to be very adaptable in that it must be easily and simply attachable to the rowing machine and must not alter the structure of the rowing machine. This will allow the user to use the machine as a rower unit and a paddled one in the same workout if he or she desires. Most importantly, the unit must provide an accurate simulation of the single blade, seated position canoeing stroke, allowing the stroke to take place on both the left and right sides of the user.

What is needed is a paddling adapter attachment apparatus for rowing machines that provides simulated single blade, seated position canoeing stroke for the individual using the device. What is also needed is a device that easily and quickly installs on a rowing machine and, at the same time, be easily and quickly removed from the rowing machine when desired by the user.

It is the object of this invention to teach a paddling adapter attachment apparatus for rowing machines device which avoids the disadvantages and limitations in previous paddling devices. Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus that is cost effective, can be simply produced, quickly set up, easily removed and, at the same time, be safe and effective.

Particularly, it is the object of this invention to teach a paddling adapter attachment apparatus for rowing machines, for use in providing individuals a simulated single blade, seated position canoeing stroke that allows the stroke to take place on either side of the user, said structure comprising a seating assembly; said seating assembly having a horizontal support rail section, the horizontal support rail section having a seating platform for allowing the user a seat in order to provide support for the user; said seating assembly further having a foot support piece, the foot support piece comprising a resting platform for providing comfortable positioning for the individual's feet; said seating assembly further having adjustment means; a paddling

simulator assembly; said paddling simulator assembly having drive means for propelling the resistance unit of the rowing machine; said paddling simulator assembly further having paddle connection means for connecting the user's paddle to said drive means; said paddling simulator assembly further having a plurality of roller units for permitting said drive means and said paddle connection means to operate smoothly; and said roller units having housings for containing said roller units therein.

Further objects and features of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the novel paddling adapter attachment apparatus for rowing machines;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a force schematic of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the front mast assembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front plan view thereof; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of the rear mast assembly.

As shown in the figures, the novel paddling adapter attachment apparatus 10 comprises two distinct components. The first component is a seating assembly 11 and a paddling simulator assembly 12. The seating assembly 11 comprises a seat 13 which is mounted by means of a frame 14 to a support structure 15 in the form of a monorail. The seat support frame 14 is adjustable in that it can be moved and positioned where desired along the rail 15 of the seating assembly 11. The seating assembly 11 has a footrest 16 that contains a height adjustment and is attached to the front base support 17 which provides vertical support for the seating assembly 11. The seating assembly also so has a rear base support 17a. The support frame 14 is height adjustable to allow for user comfort during use. The seating assembly 11 is a separate entity from the padding assembly 12.

The paddling assembly 12 is comprised a plurality of rollers 18 through 18e that are housed within a forward and rear frame or mast 19 and 19a. The rollers 18 through 18e act as guides for the drive chain 20 of the rowing machine 1 and the paddle connection rope 21. The rope 21 is connected on one end with the paddle shaft 23. The rope then passes through the opening through the rear mast frame 19 and the opening created between the rollers 18b through 18e and through a pulley 22 that is connected to the drive train 20 by a connector 24. The front mast frame 19a has an angled base which will allow the mast to rest perpendicularly to the floor surface. The front mast is affixed to the housing on the rowing machine. The rollers 18 through 18e in the front and rear mast frames 19 and 19a are high density polyurethane that are fitted with recessed sealed bearings and have axles 25 through 25e with spacers 26 through 26k and fitted washers 27 through 27k installed to insure smooth operation. The rollers 18 through 18e have seen machined with a center groove that is slightly larger than the drive chain 20 or the rope 21 to improve the operation of the apparatus 10. The rollers 18 and 18a of the front mast frame 19 are set horizontally. The rollers 18b thorough 18e in the rear mast housing 19a are positioned perpendicularly to each other (one set horizontal and one set vertical) to minimize the bouncing tendency of the rope and chain and allow the paddle shaft to be pulled from either side of the user. The paddling assembly 12 and the roller units 18 and 18a and 19 and 19a design does not restrict the pull of the paddle handle 23 to be used in a vertical plane defined by the drive sprocket and chain of the rowing machine. The rear set of rollers accomplishes this. The forward set of rollers is horizontal allowing the rope 21 to exit at an angle in the vertical plane. The rear set is vertical and each roller radius extends slightly beyond the housing which allows the rope 21 to exit at an angle in a horizontal plane. It is the opening created by this set of rollers that allows the drive chain to follow its normal path remaining in the vertical plane defined by the flywheel drive sprocket orientation, while at the same time, allow the paddle shaft 23 to pull the chain from a point outside that same vertical plane and thus properly simulate the canoe paddling stroke. The rear mast frame 19a is positioned on the rowing machine 1 behind the seat. Both mast frames are easily removed from the rowing machine for a quick conversion to be used as a rowing machine. The paddle connection rope 21 is anchored on the rear mast frame 19 after it has been looped around the pulley 22. The pulley reduces the load intended for the rowing mode by one half and increases the allowable length of the paddling stroke by a factor of two.

In operation the user will attach the two mast frames to the frame of the rowing machine and connects the paddling assembly to the drive chain. The seating assembly is than adjusted to the individual's tastes. The individual then sits on the seating assembly and begins to initiate the paddling motion. The simulated single blade, seated position canoe paddling that is created by the paddling adapter attachment apparatus allows the user to work on the form required for this purpose. It makes the rowing machine much more versatile. The drag created by the wind resistant weighted fly wheel of the rowing machine can be transferred from the rowing handle to the paddle shaft simulating the paddle stroke quite closely.

While I have described my invention in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is clearly to be understood that this is done only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of my invention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the appended claims.