RECREATIONAL EXERCISE DEVICE FOR SIMULATION OF SNOW BOARD ACTION ON SNOWLESS SURFACES

Abstract: A recreational exercise device (Figure 1), consisting of at least one substantially horizontal member (12) having a top (14) and a bottom (16) surface and a sidewall (18) to define a body (19).The top and bottom surfaces are substantially planar and of equal length and width. The body is of substantially greater length than said height. The horizontal member having a longitudinal (52) and transverse axis (54). The horizontal member extending along the longitudinal axis a substantially longer distance than along the transverse axis. A foot support (26) is mounted on the top surface along the longitudinal axis at a point between a first and second end of the horizontal member. The horizontal member extending a predetermined distance beyond the foot support along the longitudinal axis toward the first and second ends. A first wheel (22) is mounted near the first end (23) on the horizontal member along the longitudinal axis, the first wheel extending below the bottom surface. A second wheel (24) is mounted near the second end (25) on the horizontal member along the longitudinal axis, the second wheel extending below the bottom surface.

Description: RECREATIONAL EXERCISE DEVICE FOR SIMULATION OF SNOW BOARD ACTION ON SNOWLESS SURFACES Background and Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a recreational exercise device that simulates the action of a snowboard on snowless surfaces. The present invention further relates to a recreational exercise device that is rigid enough to support a user's weight, yet flexible enough to provide shock absorbing qualities to the structure without the resort to additional shock absorbing structures. The present invention former relates to a wheeled recreational exercise device that is arcuate is profile, and has a foot support securely mounted on the top surface of the device. The present invention further relates to an exercise apparatus that simulates the action of cross-fcountry siding, especially the action of stopping by turning the 1 wheels transverse to the direction of travel. The present invention relates to a recreational exercise apparatus comprising a substantially horizontal member having a top surface, a bottom surface and a sidewall extending substantially unbroken therebetween to define a body. The horizontal member is substantially longer along its longitudinal axis than its transverse axis such that the horizontal member is a board. The horizontal member may be slightly arcuate in side profile, and constructed of a rigid yet flexible material to allow the horizontal member to flex along the arcuate surface. A foot support is mounted on the top surface of along the longitudinal axis of the horizontal member at a point intermediate of the first and second end of the horizontal member. The horizontal member extends a predetermined distance beyond the foot support along the horizontal axis toward said first and second ends. A first wheel is mounted at a point proximal to the first end of the horizontal member along the longitudinal axis and extends beyond said bottom surface of the horizontal member. A second wheel is mounted at a point proximal said second end of said horizontal member along said longitudinal axis and extending beyond said bottom surface. In operation, the exercise device of the instant invention is constructed to act as a cross-country ski arrangement or, as a snowboard, on snowless surfaces. It i§ desired to provide an exercise device that allows a user to train for cross country siding or snow board on any pavement or snowless surface, and further to incorporate many of the movements of cross country siding or snowboarding so that an operator may achieve proficiency in such sports without the need for snow covered surfaces. These and other purposes will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following written description. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the recreatiohal BxeJCiSe " devlbfc Of the 1 llistant inve m showing its construction. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the recreational exercise device of the instant invention showing its construction. Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the recreational exercise device of the instant invention showing its construction. Detailed Description of One Preferred Embodiment Turning now to the drawings wherein like numerals depict like structures, and specifically to Figure 1, exercise device 10 is bbifijjrlsed of a horizontal member 12, having a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16. The top and bottom surfaces are substantially planar to each other and of substantially the same length in the longitudinal and transverse directibii. A sidewall 18 extends substantially unbroken therebetween to form a body 19, having length and width and height. The horizontal member is further btinstMlcted to have an arcuate profile 20, and is preferably constructed of a rigidly flexible material such that the member will flex along the arc 21 to provide shock- absorbirig " qualities to the horizontal member. The arc is or any size sufficient to allow the horizontal member to shghtly flex as necessary during use, and is preferably degrees. A first wheel 22 is mounted at a point proximal a first end 23 on said horizontal member and extends beyond the bottom surface of the horizontal member. Similarly, a second wheel 24 is mounted at a point proximal a second end 25 on said horizontal member and extends beyond the bottom surface of the horizontal member. The Wheels are, as seen in Figure 2, arranged along the longitudinal axis 52, so that the wheels are arranged in an "m-line'' manner. It should further be noted that the horizontal member is of greater length along its longitudinal axis than along its transverse axis 54, such that the appearance of the horizontal member is as a board or ski. Accordingly, it should be apparent that the horizontal member is constructed such that the horizontal member is at least three times the length of the foot support along the horizontal axis, and is the width of the foot support along the transverse axis. Turning again to Figure 1, a foot support 26, shown as a boot, is rigidly rribunted tφon the horizontal member at a point intermediate between the first and second ends of the horizontal member. Pleffefabty, the foot SUJpttt IS mounted at the midpoint 27 of the lib'rizrjntal member and at the peak of the arc. The foot support riiay be provided with a foam irisert 28 for ebtiiforf atid form fit to the user, and is further equipped with a plurality of adjusting means 30, shown as straps, to accommodate a wide range of foot size's. Vaidbtis veiits 32 are' provided in the foot sύj-tjβbrt to encourage airflow through the foot support durirlg Use. The bbbt Is ebtistructed of an ankle support portion 36, and a foot support portion 38. These portions may be joined thrbligh articulation pivot joint 34, such that the foot support is articulated to provide a slight, natural movement to the ankle during operation of the exercise device. In other embodiments, no articulation is present in the * foot support, so that the foot support may provide rigid foot and ankle support. The foot support may be joined to the horizontal member in any manner as to be rigidly mounted thereon, and, as shown in Figure 3, may be mounted by means of rivets' 56. Turning again to Figure 2, it can be seen that wheels 22 and 24 are mounted on said horizontal member via mounting brackets 38 atid 44 respectively. The mounting Brackets are secured to the horizontal member by meaiis bf rivets 50. The wheels are preferably mounted in apertures 40 and 46, such that the axis of rotation of each whi is transverse to the longitudinal axis and passes through the body of the horizontal member. The wheels are of sufficient diameter as to extend a sufficient distance above and below tile horizontal member to allow the user a wide range of foot movements without damaging the horizontal member against the pavement during use. The wheels ale equipped with bearings in the usual manner to facilitate efficient wheel rotation. Preferably, the wheels are mounted so that they extend equidistant above the top surface and below the bottom surface of the horizontal member. Thus it is apparent that the axles for the wheel are mounted within the plane of the horizontal member. In operation, a user fits one foot support with attending horizontal member to each foot. In an action very similar to that of cross-country siding, forward motibn iS achieved. tieh it is desired to stop, the operator causes the wheels to turn transverse to the direction of travel, thereby exactly reproducing the action of stopping while on a snowboard or skis. Thbse ' skilled in the art will recogtiize that many modifications and variation will become apparent upon a reading of the specification, without departing from the scope arid spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims: I Claim: 1. A lecreational exercise device, comprising: (a) at least one substantially horizontal member havitig a top surface, a bbttom surface, and a sidewall extending substantially unbroken therebetween to define a body having length and width and height; said top and bottom surfaces substantially planar and of bqUal longitudinal length and transverse width as each other; said body of substantially greater lerigth ttiatt said height; said tibfizbntal member having a longitudinal and tratisveJSe' axis; sdid horizontal member extending along said longitudinal axis a substantially ldtigef distance than along said tf atiSVe Sb axis; (b) a foot support for each horizontal member, each foot support mounted bri said top surface along said longitudinal axis at tioitit Mtefrnediate a first end atid ύ sebbrid bfid bf said horizontal member; said horizontal tiietiibbr extending a predetermined distance beyond said foot support along said longitudinal axis tdward sai first and secdtid eiids; (c) a first whδ'el tiibunted at a point proximal said first end on said horizontal member along said longitudinal axis and extending beyond said bottom surface ■ atid (d) a second wheel mounted at a point proximal sdid secbtid etid bii Said horizontal member along said longitudinal axis and extending beyond said bottϋtii surface. 2. The recreational exercise device of claim 1, wherein each said horizontal member is flexible atid arbUate alotig Said longitudinal axis to provide shock abSbϊbbf action to the device. 3. The recreational exercise device of claim 2, wherein said arc is degree"! 4. The recreatibiial device bf clairri 1, Wherein said first wheel extend through a first opening in said horizontal ttlettiber atid said SBbϋiid Wheel extend through a sebbtid opening in said horizontal member. 5. The recreational exercise device of claim 4, wherein each wheel has an axis df rbtatibti traϋsvb to the longitudinal axis; said wheels mounted to said horizontal member such that each said wheel extends equidistant above said top surface and below said bottom surface. 6. The recreational exerciSe devibe bf blaitii 1, wherein said foot support is mounted midpoint between said first and second wheel. 7. The recreational exercise device of claim 1, wherein said foot support is adjustable to accommodate a tiluJaihN of foot sizes. 8. The recreational exercise device of claim 7, wherein said foot support is an adjustable bbbt. 9. The recreatlbϋal exercise device bf claim 1, wherein said horizontal member extends three times the length of thb foot SUbtfort along the longitudinal £xl§, atid bxtbhds the same width as the foot support albtig the transverse axis. 10. The recreational exercise device of claim 1, wherein each wheel is tiibunted by tiieatts bf ttlbunting brackets on said top and bottom surfaces bf said horizontal member.

Inventors: LIN JACK, LIN, JACK
Applicants: LIN JACK, LIN, JACK
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A63C
IPC codes: A63C5, A63C17