Exercise device for boardsailing

Disclosed herein is an exercise device which simulates the conditions of boardsailing and develops the particular body muscles used in boardsailing. The device has a curvilinear boom, a first tension line secured adjacent the extended ends of the boom, a tension transmission member adjustably secured to the first tension line intermediary of the ends thereof, a second line, one end of the second line being secured to the tension transmission member and the other end being adapted to be secured to an anchor member, and an adjustment plate carried by the second line for varying the distance between the tension transmission member and the anchor member.

Recent years have seen the creation and rapid widespread growth of a new 
sport called boardsailing. Unlike conventional sailing where the sailor is 
generally seated while handling the tiller and the line, in boardsailing, 
the sailor is always standing and holds directly onto a particularly 
configured boom. The sailboard used in boardsailing is similar to a 
surfboard and is provided with a mast, sail and a double-bowed boom which 
is gripped by the sailor and manipulated by the sailor to maneuver the 
sailboard. 
In a heavy wind, the sail of a sailboard leans into the wind, not away from 
the wind as in a conventional sailboat. Accordingly, the sailor must lean 
out from the boom while literally hanging onto and supporting his weight 
from the boom. Again, this is a rather awkward body position. A complete 
description of a sailboard is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,800. 
In maneuvering the sailboard, the sailor while gripping the boom with both 
hands, uses his weight and different body positions to pull against the 
boom. Depending on the strength and orientation of the wind and the 
course, several different body positions are employed which can exert 
different muscles from the hands down to the toes so that the body can 
transmit the necessary directional forces between the boom and the board. 
For example, while sailing on a close reach in a light wind, the boom is 
held close to the body for long periods of time while the sailor's toes 
continually exert pressure against the board. Given the limited space 
available on the sailboard for such handling, the resultant body position 
is unnatural and strenuous. 
As is apparent, the proper handling of a sailboard requires the use and 
exertion of numerous different muscles in a manner not found in other 
sports or areas of physical activity. Because of the unusual body 
positions and muscles used in boardsailing, particularly in competitive 
boardsailing, no exercise devices are currently available for conditioning 
of those muscles. Accordingly, proper conditioning for boardsailing can 
only be achieved while boardsailing. The disadvantages of such a situation 
are obvious and are becoming more acute with the continued growth of 
boardsailing as evidenced by its proposed inclusion in the 1984 Summer 
Olympiad. It would therefore be highly desirable to develop a training 
device which provides the exercises necessary to condition the particular 
muscles used in boardsailing and thereby not only significantly enhance 
the training abilities of competitive boardsailors but assist even novices 
in the development of the muscles necessary to handle a sailboard thereby 
increasing both the enjoyment and the safety of the sport. Such a device 
is disclosed herein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly, the invention comprises an exercise device which simulates the 
conditions of boardsailing for the development of the muscles used in 
boardsailing. The device includes a curvilinear or bowed boom similar to 
that found on a sailboard and means for securing the boom to a fixed yet 
adjustable elevated tension transmission point in such a manner so that 
the boom can be pulled upon by the user in several different angles of 
tension to simulate the same angular pull experienced while boardsailing 
and thereby provide both isometric and dynamic exercises which develop the 
particular muscles used while boardsailing. 
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an exercise 
device for conditioning the muscles used in the sport of boardsailing. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device 
for developing the particular muscles used in the sport of boardsailing 
which simulates the actual boardsailing conditions and body positions. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an exercise 
device for developing the particular muscles used in the sport of 
boardsailing which is adaptable for portable and adaptable for both indoor 
and outdoor use. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an 
exercise device for developing the particular muscles used in the sport of 
boardsailing which is of simple construction and economical to 
manufacture. 
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with 
the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the exercise device 10 of the 
present invention is comprised of a curvilinear or bowed boom 12 which is 
preferably constructed of steel tubing covered with neoprene and simulates 
one side of the double-bowed boom on an actual sailboard (not shown). 
Protective caps 14 are provided on each end of the boom 12. A first 
tension transmission line 16, preferably constructed of nylon, is 
releasably secured at each of its ends to the boom adjacent the extended 
ends thereof. A tension transmission annulus or ring 20, also preferably 
constructed of steel, is secured to line 16 intermediary of its ends by a 
lark's head knot as seen in FIG. 2. As will be discussed later herein, 
this securement of the annulus to the line allows the ring to be securely 
positioned at any desired location between the ends of line 16 to provide 
an adjustable tension transmitter for varying the angular disposition of 
the tension force transmission lines L-1 and L-2 and thereby simulate the 
different actual pulls on a boardsail boom during sailing. 
A second line 22 is tied at one end 24 to the tension transmission ring 20 
as seen in FIG. 2 and extends therefrom through an adjustment bracket 26, 
is looped back upon itself at its extended end 28 and is secured to the 
bracket as shown in FIG. 9A. An "S"-shaped steel hook 32 is looped through 
the extended end 28 of line 22 for securement of the line to a permanent 
anchor 24 as seen in FIG. 1, or a door mounting assembly 100 as seen in 
FIGS. 4 and 5, or other suitable stationary support. 
The adjustment bracket 26 is best shown in FIGS. 9A-9C. As seen therein, 
the bracket is provided with four aligned apertures 38, 40, 42 and 44 so 
that line 22 can extend through aperture 38 from one side of bracket 26 to 
the other, back through aperture 40 and outwardly from the end 45 of 
bracket 26 where line 22 is bent back upon itself to form a loop 48. The 
line is then directed through aperture 42 in bracket 26, back through 
aperture 44 and under itself (See FIG. 9A) thereby securing the line to 
the bracket and setting the distance between ring 20 and hook 32. To 
shorten this distance for different exercises or to accommodate anchor 24 
of different elevations a portion of line 22 is pulled through aperture 44 
(FIG. 9B) and then through aperture 42 and pulled tight (FIG. 9C) thereby 
shortening the length of loop 48 defined by line 22 and accordingly 
shortening the distance between ring 20 and hook 32. 
In the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 1 and 3, the "S"-shaped hook 32 
which is secured to loop 48 of line 22 is fastened to an anchor hook or 
ring 24 which is fixed at a desired height in a wall or the like. With the 
device 10 secured as described above and the length of line 22 suitably 
adjusted, the boom 12 can be gripped by an individual as illustrated in 
FIG. 1 for isometric or dynamic exercises in different body positions 
corresponding to the positions used in boardsailing. As the angular 
orientation of the boom and the position of the sailor's hands on the boom 
change during sailing in response to the strength of the wind and the 
orientation of the sailboard with respect to the wind direction, so does 
the direction of the pull on the boom with respect to the body. To 
assimilate such changes into device 10, the tension transmission annulus 
or ring 20 is affixed to line 14 such that while it is held securely in 
place, its location on line 16 can be varied by slacking line 16, 
loosening the knot and moving the ring and when tension is again applied 
to the line by pulling on the boom, the ring 20 is held in place in the 
new location. Accordingly, by adjusting the position of the ring along 
line 16 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the length of the generated tension 
force transmission lines L-1 and L-2 are varied as are the angles of 
incidence of those lines with respect to the boom. By properly positioning 
the tension transmission ring along line 16, this angular disposition can 
be adjusted to simulate the same angular pull which is experienced during 
boardsailing when executing a different sailing maneuver. Through such 
adjustability, the exercise 10 can reproduce the different angles of pull 
experienced during boardsailing and through isometric exercise with these 
different adjustments, the user can exercise each of these muscles in the 
same manner as they would be exerted during boardsailing. 
FIGS. 4-8 illustrate a version of the exercise device 10 wherein the device 
is adapted for use in doorways when a permanent anchor is not available. 
For such use, a doorway support assembly 100 which is adapted to extend 
across the doorway and bear against the opposite sides of the door jamb. 
The assembly comprises elongated support bracket 102 defining upper and 
lower elongated flanges 104 and 106 and a cover plate 108 which is welded 
or otherwise affixed thereto. Threaded nuts 110 and 112 are welded to the 
lower flange 106 toward one end thereof and threaded nuts 114 and 116 are 
welded to the upper flange 104 toward the other end of the support bracket 
102 as best seen in FIG. 5. A first threaded rod 118 having a friction pad 
120 secured to the extended end thereof is in threaded engagement with 
secured nuts 110 and 112. A second threaded rod 122 having a handle 124 
welded or otherwise permanently affixed thereto adjacent one end of rod 
122 is threadably engaged with secured nuts 114 and 116. The extended end 
126 of upper rod 118 is provided with a non-threaded portion 131 
externally adjacent handle 124 to accommodate the "S"-shaped hook 32 
extending from line 22 and a reduced diameter portion 128 which is adapted 
to be received in aperture 130 in an L-shaped door jamb friction bracket 
132. To provide versatility in mounting, the L-shaped friction bracket 132 
has legs 135 and 137 of different lengths, each being provided with an 
aperture 130. In this manner, door jambs of different configurations can 
be accommodated. If desired, more than one mounting aperture 130 can be 
provided in each leg of the friction bracket 132 to further increase the 
mounting versatility of the assembly. 
By way of example, nuts 110 and 112 are 3/8 inch nuts to accommodate 3/8 
inch rod 118. Nuts 114 and 116 are 7/16 inch to accommodate rod 122 which 
is 7/16 inches in diameter. Bracket 102 is preferably constructed of steel 
but could also be constructed of high strength plastic. Friction pad 120 
and friction bracket 132 are vinyl coated steel plates. 
In use, the support bracket is placed between the door jambs spaced 
slightly from the upper transverse beam 134 and the friction pad 120 is 
rotated until it abuts one side of the door jamb. The L-shaped friction 
bracket 132 is placed against the other door jamb with the extended 
portion 135 being on the opposite side of the doorway from the exerciser. 
The reduced diameter end portion 128 of the upper rod 122 is placed into 
the aperture 130 in the friction bracket 132. The handle 124 which is 
secured to the upper rod is then rotated causing the upper rod 122 to 
extend further from the bracket 102, pressing the L-shaped friction 
bracket 132 against one side of the door jamb and the friction pad 120 on 
rod 118 against the other side of the door jamb. In this manner, the 
assembly is held securely in place. By elevating rod 122 above rod 118, 
rotation of the assembly about the end 133 thereof in the door jamb, which 
might otherwise tend to occur during exercise, is prevented, thereby 
increasing the safety of the device. This results from the fact that with 
such a difference in elevation of the rods such rotation would tend to 
increase the effective length of the overall assembly which is prevented 
from occurring by the door jamb and in fact results in greater pressure 
being exerted by the assembly on the door jamb, further strengthening the 
installation of the assembly. 
In an alternate embodiment of the door jamb mounting assembly, the cover 
plate 108 extends above the upper flange 104 so that the upper surface of 
the cover plate can in fact bear against the upper surface of the 
transverse beam of the door jamb and thereby increase the stability of the 
assembly and reduce the chance of any inadvertent upward dislodging of the 
assembly from the door jamb during use. If desired, a pair of suction cups 
(not shown) could be attached to the upper surface of the cover plate to 
hold the cover plate to the beam and thereby facilitate installation of 
the door jamb mounting assembly. 
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a spring assembly 200 is 
provided between the transmission ring 20 and line 22 and secured to line 
22 by a hook 202 or other suitable fastening means. It has been found that 
the inclusion of the spring assembly provides the exercise device 10 with 
a resilient action which even more closely duplicates the movements and 
exertion on the body experienced while boardsailing. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate one embodiment of the spring assembly. As seen 
therein, the spring assembly 200 is comprised of an elastic shock cord 204 
often referred to as a bungee cord. As seen therein, one end 208 of the 
cord is bent back upon itself to define an extended loop 210 which is 
secured by a suitable clamp 206. The cord then extends from end 208 to 
define a first spring length 209 and about the tension transmission ring 
20 to define loop 212 and is secured by a second clamp 214. The cord 204 
then extends outwardly from clamp 214 to define a second spring length 216 
and an extended loop 218 which is secured by clamp 220. The cord then 
returns about tension transmission ring 20 to define a spring length 219, 
loops about the tension transmission ring at 220, is affixed by clamp 222 
and extends to a final terminal loop 223 which is secured by clamp 224, 
thereby defining spring length 226. The cord then extends back about the 
transmission ring 20 and is secured by a final clamp 228, defining spring 
length 230. 
In use, depending upon the weight of the user, one or more of the terminal 
loops 210, 218 and/or 222 are secured to hook 202 thereby selecting the 
desired spring tension. It has been found that with a 3/8 inch diameter 
high density shock cord, a person weighing from 0 to 60 pounds would 
secure only loop 210 about hook 202 thereby employing only a single spring 
length 209. If a person weighed from 60 to 100 pounds, the center loop 218 
would be secured about the hook to provide the double strength spring 
tension provided by cord lengths 216 and 219. From 100 to 140 pounds, 
loops 210 and 218 would be employed, and from 140 to 180 pounds, loops 218 
and 222 would be utilized to provide four lengths of spring tension. A 
person weighing from about 180 to 220 pounds would secure all three 
extended loops 210, 218 and 222 about hook 204. For persons weighing over 
220 pounds, additional loops could be provided by a longer elastic shock 
cord. It is to be understood that the various spring tensions provided by 
cord 204 may vary with cord manufacture and some experimentation may be 
required to determine the best spring tension for a given weight. But by 
the aforesaid spring assembly 200 several different spring tensions are 
available to the user to better simulate different boardsailing conditions 
for persons of different weights and strengths. 
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring assembly 200 is 
encased in a sheath 232 as seen in FIG. 11 to keep the unused loops of 
cord from flailing about during exercise. If the user should not wish to 
use the spring assembly 200 with the exercising device 10, it is only 
necessary to hook the tension transmission ring directly onto the hook 
member 202 and the device can be operated as described above at length. 
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a second embodiment of a spring assembly 300. 
Spring assembly 300 is comprised of two lengths of high density elastic 
shock cord 302 and 306, and one length of standard density shock cord 304. 
Each length of cord is bent back upon itself to define three elongated 
loops with the ends of the cords extending through three pairs of aligned 
apertures in a plate 308. While the plate 308 serves to properly align and 
position the lengths of shock cord, the ends of the cord are secured in 
place by means of an open cup 310 which is filled with a resin material 
312 as seen in FIG. 12. Additionally, wire clamps 313 are secured about 
each length of shock cord, compressing each cord tightly. The clamps 313 
are attached just below the top surface of the resin as seen in FIG. 12. 
Without these clamps, the shock cords would decrease in diameter and could 
pull out of the resin. The wire clamps serve to decrease this diameter of 
the cords at the points of securement within cup 310 to a greater degree 
than would otherwise result from stretching under tension. By this means, 
the resin holds the clamp and the cord compressed, thereby firmly fixing 
the cords in place. To provide an attachment of the assembly 300 to the 
tension transmission line 16, a U-shaped tension bracket 314 is provided 
which extends through apertures in plate 308 and through apertures in the 
closed end of the cup 210. The bracket 314 is similarly secured in place 
by the resin 312 thereby defining a tight securement of the tension 
bracket 314 and elastic shock cords 302, 304 and 306. Bracket 314 is then 
affixed to the tension transmission line 16 in the same manner as was the 
tension transmission member 20. 
Because bungee or shock cords when looped about the tension transmission 
ring 20 will tend to weaken at the point at which the cords contact the 
ring, the cords should preferably be strengthened at the ends of the loops 
defined by cords 302-306. This can be accomplished by stretching the cords 
at the ends of these loops to near their maximum extension and dipping the 
stretched ends in resin which is allowed to set before the tension is 
released. This process produces loop ends which are permanently stretched 
and the resin bonds the cord coverings into a rigid container for the 
compressed rubber. No disintegration will then occur because the rigid 
container will then absorb the load. 
In this second embodiment of the spring assembly 300, the centrally mounted 
shock cord 304 has approximately one-half the tension strength of cords 
302 and 306 to provide the flexibility in the spring assembly 300 found in 
assembly 200. In utilizing spring assembly 300, a person weighing from 0 
to 60 pounds would affix loop 304 about hook 202. A person weighing 60 to 
100 pounds would utilize either loop 306 or 302. A person weighing from 
140 to 180 pounds would utilize loops 302 and 306 and a person weighing 
from 180 to 220 would utilize all three loops. For persons weighing over 
220, additional shock cords could be provided. A sheath 332 is also 
provided about the shock cords in assembly 300. 
FIG. 14 illustrates yet another embodiment which can be employed in spring 
assembly 300. As seen in FIG. 14 wherein only a single looped shock cord 
316 is shown secured within the cup 310, additional lengths of shock cord 
318 are cemented to the leg portions of the "U"-shaped loop 316 thereby 
providing a spring of increasing tension. Such a spring configuration 
causes initial deformation of the upper portion of the shock cord prior to 
stretching the lower double thickness portion. This spring configuration 
duplicates the boardsailing experience of falling free while changing the 
angle of the boom just prior to the wind catching the sail. 
As set forth above, the inclusion of the spring assembly 200 or 300 in the 
exercising device 10 results in an even greater assimilation of the 
boardsailing experience than is provided in the embodiment illustrated in 
FIGS. 1-9C. In addition, rapid response of the spring assemblies 200 and 
300 provide what could be termed an inertial balance between the weight of 
the exerciser and the tension in the shock cords. This balance coupled 
with the rapid response of the spring assemblies allows one to snap the 
boom toward or away from himself rapidly without changing his body 
position which not only provides for excellent general exercise but allows 
one to practice hooking up to a harness under actual simulated sailing 
conditions. 
Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the present 
invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Insofar as 
these changes and modifications are within the purview of the appended 
claims, they are to be considered as part of the invention.