DE29814529U1 - Rowing coach, especially for use by older and disabled people - Google Patents

Description

_t PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH .. _# .·*..'

"rowing trainer"". .* &idigr;&Sgr;*..*·..;.'

Description

The invention relates to a rowing trainer, in particular for use by elderly and disabled people, with a seat device on which the person exercising sits, at least one rail on which the seat device is arranged so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and a support device arranged in a fixed position with respect to the at least one rail, on which the person exercising supports himself in order to move the seat device on the at least one rail.

A rowing trainer is a training device that is used to practice the movement sequence that occurs when rowing and to strengthen the arm, leg and core muscles used. As is well known, such training devices are designed for use at home or in the gym. For this purpose, such training devices have a seat that is arranged on a rail so that it can move in the longitudinal direction. In the starting position, the person exercising initially sits upright on the seat, with their feet supported by their bent legs on a support device that is stationary in relation to the rail (e.g. a footplate), and their hands, with their arms stretched out, grasp handles that are connected (e.g. via a cable pull) to a simulator that provides resistance. From this starting position, the trainee must overcome the resistance provided by the simulator by pulling in his/her arms and at the same time pushing through his/her legs, whereby the seat moves backwards on the rail. As soon as his/her legs are fully stretched out, the end position is reached. The trainee then moves forwards with the seat on the rail back to the starting position.

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH . ...»

"rowing trainer"'\ \.\ ! .". . *··'·

This movement sequence is repeated rhythmically for training.

However, what is beneficial to the athlete's training success does not necessarily have to be suitable for other people. For example, rowing training with such a well-known training device puts a strain on the spine due to the pulling movement of the arms and the simultaneous pushing movement of the legs. The athlete compensates for this strain by maintaining an upright posture, i.e. a straight back, throughout the entire movement. Maintaining an upright posture is not a problem for the athlete, as he usually has sufficiently strong back muscles or continues to train the existing back muscles. This is not the case for others, especially older and disabled people, so rowing training with such a well-known training device has a detrimental effect on their well-being and health, and in the worst case can even cause irreparable damage to the spine.

Therefore, the invention is based on the object of further developing a rowing trainer of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that there are no disadvantages to its use, particularly by elderly and disabled people.

According to a first solution to the problem according to the invention, it is now provided that the person exercising supports themselves on the support device using their hands, and a support device is provided which is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the seat device and on which the person exercising places their feet.

PIAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH ..^· _%

"Rowing Trainer ¹¹ &Iacgr;·' · ·.*·..

The rowing trainer according to the invention is characterized first of all by the fact that the simulator providing resistance is eliminated. Instead, the person exercising supports themselves with their hands directly on the support device that is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the at least one rail, for which purpose the support device is preferably designed as rigid handles arranged to the side of the at least one rail. If the person exercising now performs the pulling movement of their arms, the seat device is moved forwards on the at least one rail and, if the arms are pushed through, it is moved backwards accordingly. The pushing through movement of the legs does not have to be carried out, since the feet of the person exercising rest on the support device that is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the seat device.

By eliminating the pushing-through movement of the legs, there is no longer any overlap with the pulling-in movement of the arms in the area of the spine, which means that training is very gentle on the back. In a particularly beneficial way, the arm and torso muscles are mobilized, the torso motor skills are trained and organic functionality is improved, which is particularly important for older and disabled people.

In order to offer the person exercising on the seat an ergonomic sitting position, it can be provided that the storage device can be adjusted in terms of distance and/or height relative to the seat device, so that any position for placing the feet is possible. For example, a sitting position with bent or stretched legs can be adopted. For the sake of simplicity, it can alternatively be provided that the storage device has at least two positions for placing the feet that are fixed in terms of distance and/or height relative to the seat device. 35

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH _# ·· _# .··. ,··,

"Rowing trainer"*&iacgr; .* _&phgr; · j.·*. . '..I.**·

The first solution according to the invention is particularly suitable for people with disabilities in the leg area, since only one arm movement but no leg movement is required. Now, a rowing trainer is particularly suitable for people with disabilities in the leg area, where only one leg movement but no arm movement is required.

Therefore, a second solution to the problem according to the invention provides that the person exercising supports themselves on the support device via their feet, and a holding device is provided which is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the seating device and to which the person exercising holds on with their hands.

In the opposite way to the first solution according to the invention, the elimination of the pulling movement of the arms in the area of the spine means that there is no longer an overlap with the pushing-through movement of the legs, in order to enable training that is very gentle on the back, with the leg and torso muscles being mobilized in a particularly advantageous manner. The person exercising therefore carries out a pushing-through movement of the legs in order to move the seat device backwards on the at least one rail, and a corresponding pulling movement of the legs in order to move the seat device forwards. For this purpose, the support device is preferably designed as step plates arranged laterally to the at least one rail, to which the feet can be releasably fixed by means of a strap connection.

For ergonomic reasons, it can also be provided that the holding device is positioned relative to the seat device in

Distance and/or height is adjustable so that any position for holding with the hands is possible. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the storage device has at least two distances relative to the seat device 35

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH . .... .. ·* ·· »· _#

"Rowing Trainer" *I . * I *!**. . *..J·**·

and/or height has fixed positions for holding with the hands.

Regardless of whether the support device is used for support via the hands or the feet, the support device can preferably be attached directly to the at least one rail.

Likewise, what applies to the adjustability of the parking device or the holding device for ergonomic reasons also applies to the support device. Therefore, the support device can be adjustable in distance and/or height relative to the at least one rail.

It is also important that the height of at least one rail is adjustable in relation to the surface on which the rowing trainer is placed, so that it is easier for older and disabled people in particular to assume a sitting position and so they generally do not need to seek additional help.

In order to be able to individually select the training intensity according to the training status, it can be provided that the inclination or gradient of the at least one rail can be adjusted relative to the horizontal. As a result, the muscle power applied by the person exercising to move the seat device on the at least one rail is superimposed by a counteracting force in one direction of movement and a supporting force in the other direction of movement.

If at least one rail is inclined relative to the horizontal (viewed by the person exercising in the forward direction), the pushing-through movement of the arms or legs is counteracted, while the pulling-through movement of the arms or legs is supported. Accordingly, the pushing-through movement of the arms or legs is supported and the

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH -. .-, .. ..

"Rowing trainer" ". .* '. I *..'&Idigr; t *··*

The pulling movement of the arms or legs is counteracted when the at least one rail rises relative to the horizontal (viewed by the person training in a forward direction). Since, depending on the direction of movement and whether an incline or gradient is set, the muscle strength is superimposed by both opposing and supporting forces, the arm or leg muscles can be stressed in a variety of ways for a varied training session. The degree of stress depends on the body weight of the person training and the degree of the set incline or gradient. In this context, it should also be mentioned that beginners start rowing training with at least one rail set horizontally, whereby the stress, apart from the loss forces (e.g. frictional force) that occur when the seat device moves on the at least one rail, only depends on the body weight of the person training.

A further or additional possibility for varying the training load is that a braking device slows down the movement of the seat device on the at least one rail in order to generate a force that counteracts the muscle power exerted by the person exercising. The force generated by the braking device therefore always counteracts the muscle power exerted, regardless of both the direction of movement of the seat device and any inclination or gradient of the at least one rail relative to the horizontal.

Preferably, the counteracting force applied by the braking device is adjustable. A suitable braking device can be designed, for example, as a friction brake, which permanently applies an adjustable friction force to the movement of the seat device on the at least one rail.

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH
" Rowing Trainer"

Furthermore or additionally, it can be provided that an elasticity device delays and/or accelerates the movement of the seat device on the at least one rail in order to apply a counteracting and/or supporting force to the muscular force applied by the person exercising. In a similar way to setting the at least one rail to an incline or gradient, it depends on the direction of movement whether a counteracting or supporting force is applied. A tension or compression spring or an elastic rope, which is arranged between the movable seat device and a fixed location in relation to the rail, is suitable as an elasticity device. The counteracting and/or supporting force applied by the elasticity device is preferably adjustable. This can be achieved, for example, by connecting a number of elastic elements in parallel that corresponds to the desired force.

Now there is the further possibility of providing a damping device that slows down the movement of the seat device on the at least one rail in order to apply a counteracting force to the muscle power exerted by the person exercising. Such a damping device can be designed hydraulically or pneumatically according to the shock absorber principle. Ideally, such a damping device is provided in parallel with the elasticity device in order to dampen force peaks that occur when the elasticity device applies a force that supports the muscle power exerted by the person exercising, and thus avoid possible overloads and the associated risk of injury. Here too, it is advantageous if the

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH

"Rowing coach"

The counteracting force applied to the damping device is adjustable.

It goes without saying that the braking, elasticity and damping devices, if they are present and adjustable, are equipped with a readable scale so that the person exercising can remember the last set training intensity either for resetting or for setting a higher training intensity for the next training session. In this context, it is also important that a detection device is provided for a variable that depends on the movement of the seat device on the at least one rail in order to visualize this for the person exercising. The variable that depends on the movement of the seat device on the at least one rail can, for example, be the frequency of the forward/backward movement, which is electrically sensed by the detection device in a known manner and shown on a display. Controlled training is therefore possible.

The seat usually needs to be designed as a simple seat shell with only one seat surface in order to offer the person exercising as much freedom of movement as possible. However, in some cases it can also be advantageous if the seat has a seat surface and a back surface. This is because the additional back surfaces provide the body of the person exercising with a secure and comfortable hold and relieve even more strain on the back muscles.

An ideal supply of oxygen to stimulate metabolic processes is provided especially when rowing outdoors or in the great outdoors. In order to be able to use the rowing trainer outdoors, it is important that at least the

PLAY-TEAM Spielgeräte Vertriebs GmbH ₄ ...» _# ·*,,·*. .·*..**. "Rowing Trainer" *! ·, , J 1 .**# . *.·&idigr;·* ^# ·

at least one rail, the seat, the support and the storage or holding device are made of corrosion-free materials. Materials that can be used for this include stainless steel or aluminum alloys, which are also characterized by their low weight. Due to the use of such materials, the rowing trainer is weather-resistant, so that it retains its value very well.

In addition to improving physical health through rowing training, it is particularly important for older and disabled people to increase psychological well-being and self-esteem through social contacts.

In order to enable rowing training in a group, it can now be provided that at least two seat devices are arranged on the at least one rail so that they can move in the longitudinal direction. For example, if the at least one rail is inclined and two seat devices are present, the rowing trainer can be designed in such a way that the pushing-through movement is supported when training on one seat device and the pulling-up movement is supported when training on the other seat device.

Likewise, in order to enable rowing training in a group, the invention also relates to a rowing training system in which at least two rowing trainers according to the invention are used, which are arranged parallel or in a circle next to each other or behind each other or opposite each other. For example, a rowing trainer according to the first and one according to the second invention can be provided in order to enable versatile training.

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH
" Rowing Trainer"

An embodiment of the invention is explained below using the single drawing. The drawing shows a rowing trainer according to the invention, which comprises a rail 1, which is held between two supports 2. The supports 2 are roughly triangular in shape, in order to give the rowing trainer a firm and secure stand. The supports 2 can either be attached directly to a fixed support surface, or they are connected to one another via longitudinal struts 3, as shown in the drawing, so that a stable frame is formed by including the rail 1.

A seat device 4 is arranged on the rail 1. The seat device 4 can be moved on the rail 1 in the longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the seat device has a slide-like lower part 4a, which is held on the rail 1 by means of sliding rollers, for example. This allows the seat device 4 to be moved on the rail 1 without major friction losses. It goes without saying that instead of just one rail, two parallel rails can also be used, on or between which the seat device is slidably held.

On both sides of the rail 1, holding brackets or handles 5 are fixed in place; alternatively, the holding brackets 5 can also be fixed directly to the fixed surface. The holding brackets 5 serve as a support device for the person exercising, in that they grasp the holding brackets 5 with their hands for support, in order to move forwards or backwards on the rail 1 with the seat device 4 by pulling or pushing through their arms. Since the legs of the person exercising are not involved in the movement, the feet of the person exercising rest on the support devices 6 facing both sides of the rail 1, which are fixed in place on the

PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH _t ,»,,

"Rowing Trainer" *J ·*

Seat device 4 are attached. The support devices 6 have three rungs 6a, 6b, and 6c in order to offer the person exercising different positions for placing their feet for ergonomic reasons.
5

The embodiment here deals with a rowing trainer according to the first solution to the problem underlying the invention. The second solution to the problem is achieved when the parking devices 6 are fixed to the rail 1 and the holding brackets 5 are fixed to the seat device 4. The person exercising can then move backwards or forwards on the rail 1 with the seat device 4 by pushing through or pulling their legs, with the arms resting. Ideally, the holding brackets 5 and the parking devices 6 can be fastened to the rail 1 or the seat device 4 using quick fasteners, so that the rowing trainer can be easily and quickly converted to both versions, thus enabling universal training.

Finally, the following should be noted. Even if the rowing trainer is primarily intended for use by older and disabled people, this does not of course exclude use by younger people. Younger people can also be disabled, for example as a result of an accident or illness, at least temporarily, so that they have to deal with the same problems as older and disabled people and are urgently dependent on the use of a rowing trainer according to the invention, for example as part of a rehabilitation measure. Also included in the group of younger people are children whose arm, leg and torso muscles are still in the physical development stage.

Claims (23)

PLAY-TEAM Spielgeräte Vertriebs GmbH t ·».*". .·*.·**· "Rowing Trainer" &Iacgr; .* · ·/·. . ·..:.·*. Protection claims 1. Rowing trainer, in particular for use by elderly and disabled people, with a seat device (4) on which the person exercising sits, at least one rail (1) on which the seat device (4) is arranged so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and a support device (5) arranged in a fixed position with respect to the at least one rail (1), on which the person exercising supports himself in order to move the seat device (4) on the at least one rail (1), characterized in that the person exercising supports themselves with their hands on the support device (5), and a storage device arranged in a fixed position with respect to the seat device (4) (6) on which the person exercising places his or her feet. 2. Rowing trainer according to claim 1, 0 characterized in that the support device (5) is designed as handles (5) arranged laterally to the at least one rail (1). 3. Rowing trainer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the parking device (6) is adjustable in distance and/or height relative to the seating device (4). 0 4. Rowing trainer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the parking device (6) has at least two positions for placing the feet, which are fixed in distance and/or height relative to the seating device (4). 35 PLAY-TEAM Spielgeräte Vertriebs GmbH . ..*· ♦· «· _# ,**,.**. "Rowing trainer"&Iacgr; ·*, . \ l*.'*· . \.i ·"· 5. Rowing trainer, in particular for use by elderly and disabled people, with a seat device (4) on which the person exercising sits, at least one rail (1) on which the seat device (4) is arranged so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and a support device arranged in a fixed position with respect to the at least one rail (1), on which the person exercising supports themselves in order to move the seat device (4) on the at least one rail (1), characterized in that the person exercising supports themselves on the support device via their feet, and a holding device arranged in a fixed position with respect to the seat device (4) is provided, on which the person exercising holds on with their hands. 6. Rowing trainer according to claim 5, characterized in that the support device is designed as step plates arranged laterally to the at least one rail (1), to which the feet can be releasably fixed. 7. Rowing trainer according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the holding device is adjustable in distance and/or height relative to the seat device (4). 8. Rowing trainer according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the holding device has at least two positions for holding with the hands, which are fixed in distance and/or height relative to the seat device (4). PLAY-TEAM Play Equipment Sales GmbH ₄ ♦· Rowing Trainer"&Iacgr; .* \ \\'\ 9. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the support device (5) is attached directly to the at least one rail (1). 5 10. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support device (5) is adjustable in distance and/or height relative to the at least one rail (1). 10 11. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the height of at least one rail (1) is adjustable in relation to the installation surface of the rowing trainer, 15 12. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the inclination or gradient of the at least one rail (1) is adjustable relative to the horizontal. 20 13. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a braking device delays the movement of the seat device (4) on the at least one rail (1) in order to apply a counteracting force to the muscle force applied by the person exercising. 14. Rowing trainer according to claim 13, characterized in that the counteracting force applied by the braking device is adjustable. PLAY-TEAM Spielgeräte Vertriebs GmbH "Rowing Trainer" 15. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that an elasticity device delays and/or accelerates the movement of the seat device (4) on the at least one rail (1) in order to apply a counteracting and/or supporting force to the muscle force applied by the person exercising. 16. Rowing trainer according to claim 15,
characterized in that the counteracting and/or supporting force applied by the elasticity device is adjustable. 17. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 16, _&Iacgr; j- characterized in that a damping device delays the movement of the seat device (4) on the at least one rail (1) in order to apply a counteracting force to the muscle force applied by the person exercising. 18. Rowing trainer according to claim 17, characterized in that the counteracting force applied by the damping device is adjustable. 19. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a detection device for a variable dependent on the movement of the seat device (4) on the at least one rail (1) ^ _n is provided in order to visualize this to the person exercising. 20. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that ^c the seating device (4) has a seat surface and a back surface. PLAY-TEAM Spielgeräte Vertriebs GmbH .. „„ ,, „ «« .· "rowing trainer" ·· .''. \ \.* : ''.·' 21. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that at least the at least one rail (1), the seating device (4), the support device (5) and the parking or holding device (6) are made of corrosion-free materials. 22. Rowing trainer according to one of claims 1 to , characterized in that at least two seat devices (4) are arranged on the at least one rail (1) so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. 23. Rowing training facility characterized in that at least two rowing trainers according to one of claims 1 to 22 are used, which are arranged parallel or in a circle next to each other or behind each other or opposite each other.