Technical Field

The invention relates to a portable exercise apparatus for rowinglike body movements and a kit for assembling such an apparatus.

Background Art

Typical rowing machines as found in gyms comprise a stationary brake unit from which a rope or band can be pulled out with a handle against the resistance of an e.g. friction or flywheel brake. During workouts, the user typically sits on a sliding seat unit which moves on a sturdy frame which is permanently connected to the brake unit. This has the disadvantage that these devices are not portable and/or that they cannot easily be stored in a space-saving manner while not in use.

DE601058A discloses a gymnastics and sports apparatus for rowing-like body movements which can be pushed away against the resistance of a friction brake by a user’s legs. Thereby, the user holds a handle connected to the apparatus’ friction brake by a rollable leather band. During this, the user sits stationary on the ground or on a cushion or stationary seat unit. This has the disadvantage that no real rowing movements result.

AU630854B3 discloses a rowing machine with a movable seat which is attached to a rope that is passed around a stationary pulley assembly and has a handle on its other end. By pulling on the handle, a user pulls the seat and thereby himself towards the pulley assembly against a force exerted by his legs and he can then reverse this movement by pushing himself away from the pulley assembly with his legs. Again, no real rowing movements result with this device.

Similarly to DE601058A, WO 2007/099283 A2 discloses an exercise machine that is movable on the ground while a stationary user pushes it away with his legs against the resistance of a resistance means. Thereby, the user holds a handle connected to the machine’s resistance means by a flexible member. This again has the disadvantage that no real rowing movements result. Disclosure of the Invention

The problem to be solved by the present invention is therefore to at least partially overcome these shortcomings of prior art solutions.

This problem is solved by the apparatus and the kit of the independent claims.

Accordingly, a portable (i.e. carriable by one person, e.g. in its disassembled form, e.g. in a suitcase) exercise apparatus for rowing like body movements comprises a brake unit with a pull-rope, a resistance generator, and a rewinder.

The brake unit is designed to be placed on a floor in a stationary (i.e. during the intended operation substantially immovable) manner. The pull-rope (or band or other flexible material with tensile strength suitable for coiling and uncoiling in the brake unit) is typically coiled in the brake unit and during intended operation (i.e. during a workout session), a user can extract (i.e. pull out, uncoil) the pull-rope from the brake unit, advantageously via an optional handlebar or a pair of handles of the pull-rope. These handlebar/pair of handles are advantageously removable from the pull-rope for an easier storage or their exchange with other types of handles and/or pull-ropes. This allows for the use of the exercise apparatus for applications other than rowing (i.e. training of biceps, triceps and/or legs).

Thereby, i.e. during a pull-out of the pull-rope, the resistance generator generates resistance against the extraction of the pull-rope from the brake unit. This resistance is advantageously adjustable and/or non-static, e.g. increasing with pull- speed. Thus, the desired physical exercise results for the user while extracting the pull-rope from the brake unit. After being at least partially pulled out from the brake unit, when the user stops the pull- force on the pull-rope, the rewinder retrieves the at least partially extracted pull-rope back to the brake unit (i.e. re-coils it).

The brake unit advantageously comprises a freewheel clutch for enabling an uncoupling of the pull-rope while e.g. mechanical parts of the resistance generator keep on turning as accelerated by the preceding extraction of the pull-rope. A rewinding typically occurs without generating any resistance for the user and without interfering with the subsequent pull-out. As a next step, the next pull movement can be initiated by the user.

Further, according to the invention, the exercise apparatus comprises a seat unit which is designed to be placed on the floor in a movable manner with respect to the brake unit. For this, the seat unit comprises a floor-support (e.g. wheels such as inlineskate- wheels) for contacting the floor such that the seat unit is movable on the floor with respect to the brake unit in at least a first dimension (e.g. along the projection of the pull direction of the pull-rope onto the floor). Thus, a rowing like body movement results during intended operation.

In other words, advantageously, the exercise apparatus according to the invention does not comprise an e.g. sturdy and rather heavy frame on which the seat unit moves and which is designed to support the seat unit, in particular against the force of gravity. This improves the portability of the exercise apparatus.

By combining a stationary brake unit with a movable seat unit, the resulting rowing technique on the exercise apparatus largely corresponds to the movement in a real rowing boat. In particular, in the starting position with a coiled pullrope, the user’s hip, knee and ankle joints are bent while holding the handlebar. The lower legs are vertical, the upper body rests almost on the thighs. The arms are naturally extended. The pull-through (i.e. extraction of the pull-rope) begins with the legs extending. Shoulders and torso are locked in and move continuously toward the back during the leg push. The arms are not flexed until the hands reach the level of the knees. In the back position, the legs are extended without pushing through the knees. The upper body is stabilized in a slight backward position. The handlebar or the pair of handles is then pulled to the lower ribcage, and the elbows are brought close to the user’s body. Immediately after the pull through, the arms are extended while bringing the hands up to the knees. The upper body follows the movement of the hands and is smoothly straightened from the reclined position. Only after the upper body is straightened does the rolling begin. The rolling forward (while rewinding the pullrope) is done consciously and relaxed at a steady speed.

The brake unit advantageously comprises footrests (e.g. fixed, foldaway or removable footrests) which can advantageously be adjustable in length and which can have straps for fastening the user’s feet. Thus, a rowing like movement as described above is easier to perform.

In an advantageous embodiment, the portable exercise apparatus further comprises a guide unit which is designed to be placed on the floor and to be connected to the brake unit and the seat unit. This can e.g. be achieved by a connector element of the brake unit specifically designed to accept and connect the guide unit, in particular without the use of tools. The connection to the brake unit is typically a fixed connection (i.e. not allowing any substantial movements of the guide unit with respect to the seat unit) while the connection to the seat unit allows for a degree of freedom, e.g. by engaging a rail-support of the seat unit with the guide unit such that the seat unit can move along the first dimension. In general, the guide unit is designed to substantially limit the movement of the seat unit on the floor with respect to the brake unit to the first dimension. In other words, the guide unit prevents the seat unit from substantial! lateral movements out of the first dimension. Thus, the seat unit cannot break out laterally but can only go back and forth which stabilizes the rowing like body movement of the user during intended operation of the exercise apparatus.

The guide unit is advantageously foldable, stackable, and telescopic or similar such that, advantageously, an individual length of each of the individual pieces of the guide unit or a length of the guide unit in its folded or collapsed form is smaller than a size of the guide unit in its assembled, unfolded or uncollapsed form used during the intended operation of the exercise apparatus, i.e. during workouts. This improves portability and simplifies storage of the exercise apparatus. The individual pieces of the guide unit or the guide unit in its folded or collapsed form are then advantageously storable at or in the brake unit, for which purpose the brake unit can comprise a suitable holding fixture.

Particularly, the guide unit comprises at least one (and in particular exactly one) guide rail which advantageously has a cross section of a reverse T-shape. Thus, the guide rail can be placed on the floor with the “flat hat of the T” while the upwardly protruding “central base of the T” can act as a guide for the seat unit. Thus, substantial lateral breakouts of the seat unit are more efficiently prevented and the seat unit can only go back and forth. This stabilizes the rowing like body movement of the user during intended operation of the exercise apparatus.

As an alternative to the mentioned reverse T-shape, other options of linear bearings relying on one or more guide rails as known to the skilled person can also be employed.

Advantageously, for substantially limiting the movement of the seat unit on the floor to the first dimension, the seat unit further comprises a rail-support (e.g. horizontally arranged wheels such as inlineskate-wheels or a linear guide bearing). In general, the rail-support is designed to engage with the guide unit in such a way that the movement of the seat unit on the floor with respect to the brake unit is substantially limited to the first dimension (e.g. the projection of the pull direction of the pull-rope onto the floor as discussed above). This helps to limit lateral breakouts of the seat unit during intended rowing operation and therefore stabilizes the rowing like body movement of the user. In another advantageous embodiment of the portable exercise apparatus, it is designed in such a way that the guide unit is reversibly but in a fixed manner connectable to the brake unit. By “reversibly”, it is meant that the connection can be established (preferably without tools) and removed (preferably without tools). This helps to e.g. disassemble the exercise apparatus and store at least part of the components (e.g. the guide unit projecting into the room from the e.g. wall-mounted brake unit) with little effort and in a space saving manner while - for workouts - the exercise apparatus can be reassembled again with little effort. Thus, the exercise apparatus can be used at home, e.g. in a homeoffice and at least in part stored in a space saving manner while not in use. This increases the user's motivation for regular physical exercise which has all kinds of health benefits for the user.

By “in a fixed manner”, it is meant that no degree of freedom results for a substantial movement of the guide unit with respect to the brake unit. This enhances stability of the exercise apparatus.

Advantageously, here, the seat unit is also reversibly connectable to the brake unit, but with this connection the degree of freedom exists that the seat unit can move on the floor with respect to the brake unit in the first dimension. This latter connection is typically achieved in such a way that the seat unit is placed on the guide unit such that its rail support engages with the guide unit and thereby limits lateral breakouts as discussed above.

In another preferred embodiment, at least the brake unit of the exercise apparatus comprises anti-skid means, in particular a non-slip base material (e.g. a rubberized bottom of the brake unit which also protects the floor). These anti-skid means help to substantially prevent an unwanted movement of the brake unit on the floor during intended operation such that the exercise apparatus is stabilized during the rowing like movements.

Please note at this point that the guide unit advantageously also comprise anti-skid means, in particular a non-slip base material which can further help to prevent unwanted movements during intended operation.

In another advantageous embodiment, the brake unit of the exercise apparatus according to the invention comprise at least one of

- a door-connector for reversibly connecting the brake unit to a door-frame (e.g. an extendable crossbar for clamping the brake unit into the free passage of a door frame or (a) clamp(s) for connecting the brake unit to the vertical part(s) of a door frame), - a wall-connector for connecting the brake unit to a wall or another fixed structure of a building (e.g. a two part wall connector with a snap-in connection between a first part that is permanently fixed to a wall and a second part arranged on the brake unit), and

- a furniture-connector for connecting the brake unit to a piece of furniture or other piece of equipment of a room, such as a wall cabinet, a table, a bed, a door wing etc.

This helps to stabilize the whole exercise apparatus during intended operation, e.g. by providing a horizontal and/or vertical support of the brake unit.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the resistance generator of the portable exercise apparatus is adjustable (i.e. its generated resistance to extracting the pull-rope can be set to a specific value/range). Thus, the resistance can be specifically set to a user’s body fitness level and/or training goals.

In particular, the resistance generator comprises an electrically adjustable eddy-current brake or a mechanically adjustable flywheel brake. Other options include, e.g. adjustable, air or water resistance brakes. Thus, the need for maintenance is reduced.

Preferably, the portable exercise apparatus further comprises a control unit (such as a microcontroller with a memory), at least one sensor for acquiring, when in use (i.e. during the intended operation of the exercise apparatus), information about a workout session (e.g. for measuring a frequency and/or a velocity and/or a distance of pull-outs of the pull-rope), and an interface, in particular a radio transceiver (such as a BLE transceiver module), for connecting the exercise apparatus to an external display and/or control device, in particular to a smartphone or tablet computer. Thus, information about the workout session can be transmitted to the display device and shown to the user during his workout. Such information can include time, strokes per minute, meters traveled, time per 500 m, etc. Alternatively or in addition, parameters of the exercise apparatus (such as a resistance of the resistance generator) can be set on the smartphone or tablet computer, transmitted to the exercise apparatus and the resistance generator can be adjusted accordingly, e.g. via an actuator. An adjustment of the duration, intensity, etc. of the workout session to the current heart rate as measured by the smartphone, tablet computer, or a connected fitness device such as a smartwatch is also conceivable. As another alternative or additional option, the connection of the exercise device to a gaming console or similar connected to a TV set or projector is conceived which enables the user to participate in a virtual rowing regatta. This can help to enhance the user’s motivation for physical exercise.

As an alternative or in addition to an external connection, the portable exercise apparatus can further comprise an internal display/control device (e.g. a touch sensitive screen) for providing/setting the parameters as discussed above with regard to the external display/control device. In such a case, the interface would connect to the internal display/control device.

Required power for the control unit, sensor, and interface is advantageously generated using the extraction-movements of the pull-rope such that a connection to a power outlet is no longer required. This increases usability. Alternatively or in addition, battery power can be used.

As another aspect of the invention, a kit for assembling a portable exercise apparatus as discussed above comprises a brake unit and a seat unit.

The brake unit is designed to be placed on a floor in a stationary (i.e. during the intended operation substantially immovable) manner. A pull-rope of the brake unit is typically coiled in the brake unit and during intended operation (i.e. during a workout session), a user can extract (i.e. pull out, uncoil) the pull-rope from the brake unit, advantageously via an optional handlebar or a pair of handles of the pull-rope. Thereby, a resistance generator of the brake unit generates resistance against the extraction of the pull-rope from the brake unit. This resistance is advantageously adjustable and/or non-static, e.g. increasing with pull-speed. Thus, the desired physical exercise results for the user. After being at least partially pulled out from the brake unit, a rewinder of the brake unit retrieves the at least partially extracted pull-rope back to the brake unit (i.e. re-coils it), typically without any resistance. Therefrom, the next pull movement can be initiated by the user.

The seat unit is designed to be placed on the floor in a movable manner with respect to the brake unit. For this, the seat unit comprises a floor-support (e.g. wheels such as inlineskate-wheels) for contacting the floor such that the seat unit is movable on the floor with respect to the brake unit in at least a first dimension (e.g. in the projection of the pull direction of the pull-rope onto the floor). Thus, a rowing like body movement results during intended operation.

Advantageously, the kit further comprises a guide unit which is designed to be placed on the floor and to be connected to the brake unit and the seat unit. The connection to the brake unit is typically a fixed connection while the connection to the seat unit could be established by placing the seat unit onto the guide unit while an advantageous rail-support of the seat unit engages with the guide unit (see above). In general, the guide unit is designed to substantially limit the movement of the seat unit on the floor with respect to the brake unit to the first dimension. Thus, the seat unit cannot break out laterally which stabilizes the exercise apparatus during rowing like body movement of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable exercise apparatus 1 with a brake unit 10, a seat unit 20, and a guide unit 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention, fig. 2 shows the portable exercise apparatus 1 of fig. 1 with a partially extracted pull-rope 11 , fig. 3 shows the brake unit 10 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2 clamped in a doorframe, fig. 4 shows the guide unit 30 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2 in a section view, fig. 5 shows the seat unit 20 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2 in a view from the bottom, fig. 6 shows the guide unit 30 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2 comprising individual pieces 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d in a partly mounted configuration, and fig. 7 shows a schematic view of a portable exercise apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Figs. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a portable exercise apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. While fig. 1 shows the exercise apparatus 1 in a standby position without any forces acting on a handlebar 1 la of a pull-rope, fig. 2 shows the same exercise apparatus 1 with a partially extracted pull rope 11 while a pull force (not shown) acts on the handlebar I la. The portable exercise apparatus 1 for rowing like body movements comprises a brake unit 10, a seat unit 20 and a guide unit in the form of a guide rail 30. The brake unit 10 and the guide rail 30 are designed to be placed on a floor 100 in a stationary manner. For this, the brake unit 10 and the guide rail 30 comprise on their bottom sides a non-slip base material 15 in the form of a rubberized bottom surface as anti-skid means. In addition to limiting unwanted movements on the floor, in particular during intended operation, this also helps to protect the floor 100 from damages.

The brake unit 10 further comprises the pull-rope 11 with the handlebar 1 la, an electrically adjustable eddy-current brake 12 acting as a resistance generator for generating a resistance against extraction of the pull-rope 11 from the brake unit 10 during workouts, and a re winder 13 for - in the absence of any pull-forces acting on the pull-rope 11 - retrieving the at least partially extracted pull-rope 11 back to the brake unit 10. For uncoupling the (non-)movement of the pull-rope 11 from the turning resistance generator 12, the brake unit 10 further comprises a freewheel clutch (not shown).

The seat unit 20 is designed to accept a user of the exercise apparatus in a sitting position and it is designed to be placed on the floor 100, but - unlike the brake unit 10 and the guide rail 30 - in a movable manner with respect to the brake unit 10. The floor 100 supports the seat unit 20 against the force of gravity. For this, the seat unit 20 comprises wheels 21, 22, 23, 24 acting as floor support for contacting the floor 100 such that the seat unit 20 is movable on the floor 100 with respect to the brake unit 10 in a first dimension x, i.e. back and forth. The seat unit 20 further comprises a rail-support (two pairs of horizontally arranged wheels 25-28, see fig. 5). This rail-support is designed to engage with the guide rail 30 in such a way that the movement of the seat unit 20 on the floor 100 with respect to the brake unit 10 is substantially limited to the first dimension x, i.e. it cannot break out laterally.

In other words, the engagement of the rail-support with the guide rail 30 acts to substantially limit the movement of the seat unit 20 on the floor 100 to the first dimension x (i.e. back and forth) and thereby prevent the seat unit 20 from moving laterally, i.e. along the dimension y, out of the first dimension x. Thus, the seat unit can only go back and forth which stabilizes the rowing like body movement of the user during intended operation of the exercise apparatus.

The guide rail 30 and the brake unit 10 are designed to be connected to each other in a fixed but reversible manner without the use of tools by means of a connector element 14 of the brake unit 10 which is designed to accept the guide rail 30 and establish a connection without any degree of freedom for substantial movement. This helps to stabilize the whole exercise apparatus during intended operation. On the other hand, it allows to disassemble the bulky parts of the exercise apparatus 1, i.e. in particular the guide rail 30, relatively easily which enables an easier storage of these parts of the exercise apparatus when not in use. This helps to save space and renders the exercise apparatus portable.

Fig. 3 shows the brake unit 10 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2 mounted in a doorframe. For this, an extendible crossbar 16a acting as a door-connector is used to clamp the brake unit 10 between the vertical parts of the doorframe. This helps to improve stability. Fold-away footrests 101a, 101b of the brake unit 10 are adjustable in length and comprise straps for fastening the user’s feet during workout.

Fig. 4 shows the guide rail 30 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2 in a section view. As can be seen, the guide rail 30 has a cross section of a reverse T-shape. Thus, the guide rail 30 can be placed on the floor 100 with its “flat hat” comprising the non-slip base material 15, while its upwardly protruding “central base” acts as a guide for the seat unit 20 by engaging with its rail-support 25, 26, 27, 28 (see fig. 5). Thus, substantial lateral breakouts of the seat unit are more efficiently prevented, the seat unit can only go back and forth, i.e. along the first dimension x. This stabilizes the rowing like body movement of the user during intended operation of the exercise apparatus.

Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the seat unit 20 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2. Besides the already mentioned floor-support wheels 21, 22, 23, 24, four additional floor-support wheels are shown which do not have any reference number here. The seat unit 20 may comprise less than eight wheels as floor support (not shown), in particular six or four wheels can be imagined. The floor-support is designed for contacting the floor 100 such that the seat unit 20 is movable on the floor with respect to the brake unit 10 in the first dimension x. A rail support in the form of two pairs of horizontally arranged wheels 25, 26, 27 , 28 is designed to engage with the guide rail 30 in such a way that the movement of the seat unit 20 on the floor 100 with respect to the brake unit 10 is substantially limited to the first dimension x. This helps to limit lateral breakouts of the seat unit during intended rowing operation and therefore stabilizes the rowing like body movement of the user. As an alternative or in addition, a linear guide bearing can be used as rail-support (not shown). Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the guide unit 30 of the portable exercise apparatus 1 of figs. 1 and 2 comprising individual pieces 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d in a partly mounted configuration. As can be seen, the guide rail 30 is stackable such that a length of each of the individual pieces 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d of the guide unit 30 is smaller than a size of the guide unit in its assembled form used during the intended operation of the exercise apparatus during workouts. This improves portability and simplifies storage of the exercise apparatus. The individual pieces 30a-30d of the guide unit 30 are storable at or in the brake unit 10, for which purpose the brake unit 10 comprises a suitable holding fixture (not shown).

Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of a portable exercise apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. This exercise apparatus 1 is very similar to the first embodiment shown in the previous figures with the difference that instead of the door-connector 16a (fig. 3), a two part wall connector 16b with a snap- in connection between a first part that is permanently fixed to a wall 102 and a second part arranged on the brake unit 10 is employed. Such a wall connector 16b provides a horizontal and vertical support of the brake unit 10. This leads to improved stability. Further the guide unit 30 is foldable (not shown) instead of stackable as in the first embodiment. Further a control unit 17 (a microcontroller with a memory), a sensor 18 for acquiring, when in use (i.e. during the intended operation of the exercise apparatus), information about a workout session (e.g. measuring a workout time, a pull frequency, a pull velocity, a pull distance), and an interface in the form of a BLE transceiver module for connecting the exercise apparatus to an external smartphone 40 are shown. Electrical power is generated using the pull-out movements of the pullrope 11 such that no connection to a power outlet is required. This user-created power is used to charge a battery 19a included in the brake unit 10 which supplies standbypower and which can also be charged externally. Information about the workout session is transmitted to the smartphone 40 and shown to the user during his workout. Additional derived information is shown as well, e.g., strokes per minute, meters traveled, time per 500 m, etc. In addition to merely showing workout information to the user, parameters of the exercise apparatus 10 (such as a resistance of the resistance generator 12) can be set on the smartphone, transmitted to the exercise apparatus 10 and the resistance generator 12 is adjusted accordingly.

Description of a preferred embodiment:

An exercise apparatus 1 for rowing like body movements comprises a stationary brake unit 10, a stationary guide unit 30 fixed to the brake unit 10 and a movable seat unit 20 laterally guided by the guide unit 30. The brake unit 10 is designed to be placed on a floor and fixed to a wall or to a door frame and it comprises a pull-rope 11 with a handlebar, a resistance generator 12, and a rewinder 13 for carrying out rowing movements. The seat unit 20 is designed to be placed on the floor 100 as well, and it is movable with respect to the brake unit 100. For this, the seat unit 20 has floor-support wheels 21, 22, 23, 24 for contacting the floor 100 and rail-support wheels 25, 26, 27, 28 which engage with the guide unit 30 in such a way that the movement of the seat unit 20 on the floor is substantially limited to a first dimension. This enhances stability of the apparatus during intended operation while the rowing movements are carried out. By means of providing a movable seat unit 20 on the floor 100 instead of on a sturdy frame as in prior art rowing machines, the exercise apparatus according to the invention is portable and/or it can be assembled and disassembled and stored in a space saving manner with little effort.

Note:

Any embodiments described with respect to the apparatus shall similarly pertain to the parts of the kit and vice versa. Synergetic effects may arise from different combinations of the embodiments although they might not be described in detail.

While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.