WO2005070760A1 - Shock absorbing system for rowing boat oarlock - Google Patents

Abstract

A shock absorbing device for rowing boat oarlock consists of two plastic parts connected together, one of the parts including a rubber strap. The device is connected to the oarlock such that it exerts pressure on the oar. The device suppresses all jolts inside the oarlock and enables a smooth movement of the oar.

Description

Description Shock Absorbing System for Rowing Boat Oarlock

1 Technical Field

This invention applies to the field of rowing.

2 Background Art

The Shock Absorbing System is a device that is attached to rowing bo ats ' oarlocks.

This device can be either added to existing plastic oarlocks with a few modifications (punched holes and cuts) or directly integrated to a modified oarlock during the manufacturing process .

The current design of rowing boats' oarlocks reveals a play between the oar and the o arlock, allowing an easy rotation of the rower' s wrist movement.

This play enables a permanent movement of the oar in the oarlock when in motion, but also induces a series of problems :

1 . Catch

At the precise moment when the oar hits the water, it is not perfectly locked on the rear abutment of the oarlock. This creates 2 disruptions :

• When the oar hits the rear abutment of the oarlo ck with a delay, the rower loo ses a bit of power at that precise time.

• This delay also induces a j olt, which creates a direct and negative disruption on the hull.

2. Finish

At the finish (when the oar exits the water) 2 more j olts are produced:

• The first one is generated by the rower who pro duces, by his gesture, a j olt of the oar at the front of the oarlock.

• Right after the first jolt, a second j olt is generated by the physical push of the oar on the rear of the oarlock.

These jolts develop waves of shocks, which directly disrupt the boat hull. All these "parasitic" disruptions at the catch and at the finish influence the good behaviour of the boat. Description (cont.)

3 Disclosure of Invention

The Sho ck Absorbing System is made of 2 distinct parts: - A 75 millimetre long, 29 millimetre wide (at widest point) tongue- shaped plastic part, ending with a split base (2 v-shap ed 35 millimetres long stands) each pierced with 2 holes - A latex rubber "tonneau" loop or strap (total length 100 mm) attached with a hard plastic piece pierced with 2 holes.

The tongue-shaped part is screwed onto the inside of the oarlock (lower front part) with a bolt (diameter 2 millimetre / length 25 millimetre) attached in the first 2 holes of the stand, with the tip of the stands outside the oarlock.

The loop is screwed in the same way at the tip of the stands, outside the oarlock. The strap is then extended and hooked onto a slot created on the upper front p art of the oarlock.

When rowing, the sleeve (the part of the oar which comes into the oarlo ck and is not cylindrical) puts pressure on the tongue-shaped part, in continuous tension with the loop . This pressure creates a swing and push movement of the tongue-shaped part, which enables all shocks (jolts, parasites) to be absorbed as the o ar is no longer loose in the oarlo ck. The Shock Absorbing System for Rowing Boat Oarlock improves the suppleness of the rowing while increasing the speed performance of the bo at.

It also increases the stability of the boat at any rowing speed, as it avoids the safety lo ck of the oarlock to unlock when catching a crab, and therefore decreases the risks of capsizing.

The following points were taken into consideration when developing this invention:

• Meeting FISA standards for the oarlock diameter.

• Not modifying the usual rowing gestures of the rower.

• Not requiring extra maintenance

• An easy adaptation with little modification of the existing standard system receiving the oarlock

• Easily replaceable sp are-parts

• Accessible market price Description (cont.)

4 Brief Description of Drawings

1 Shock Absorbing System screwed to a rowing boat o arlock

2 Front view of Shock Absorbing System

3 Side view of Shock Absorbing System

4 Top view of Shock Absorbing System

5 Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

An aluminium and latex prototype of the Shock Absorbing System for Rowing Bo ats Oarlocks was developed and tested on a traditional oarlo ck. However, the best material to use is moulded hard plastic, which enabl es a more accurate realisation.

6 Industrial Applicability

This invention is easy to manufacture anywhere in the world, and does not require heavy investments, except for the creation of moulds for the plastic parts. Both parts can be manufactured sep arately, or by the same manufacturer. They can also be manufactured directly by oarlo ck manufacturers .

Claims

Claims Shock Absorbing System for Rowing Boat Oarlock

1 The first characteristic of the Shock Absorbing System for Rowing Boat Oarlock is a tongue-shaped plastic part, ending with a double stand base (each pierced with 2 holes)

2 The second characteristic is a latex rubber "tonneau" loop or strap attached with a hard plastic piece pierced with 2 holes.

The two parts combined together and screwed onto an oarlock create a Shock Ab sorbing System.