Abstract:
An out of water swimming exercise device is described. An adjustable exercise bench is combined with a pedal mechanism for simulating arm motions and a stair climber mechanism for simulating leg motions. The pedal mechanism is rotated by telescopic cranks attached with universal joints and engaged by handgrips. The stair climber mechanism is pivoted by lever bars and engaged by the user&#39;s legs with cushioned rolls. Three different swim strokes can be simulated, including; freestyle, backstroke and butterfly. The exercise device is fully adjustable to different sizes of users. Accessory devices such as heart rate monitors, lap/distance counters, timers and the like can be attached to the device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to exercise devices, specifically an out of water type swimming exercise device. 
     Major fitness activities such as running, cycling, rowing and cross-country skiing all have exercise equipment that allow for performance of the activity inside one&#39;s own home or at the local health club. Swimming enjoys a large participation share yet there is no commercially available indoor exercise equipment to simulate it. While numerous patents are documented in the out of water type swimming field, a search of the local fitness equipment dealer will not result in a device that can be purchased, proving the failure of prior art. 
     Typical prior art has proven to be cumbersome and inconvenient. Most attempts have sought to incorporate pulleys and cables for both the arm and leg motions of swimming. Pulleys and cables have failed to provide consistent resistance throughout the simulated swimming stroke. U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,736 to Roberts (1993) deviated from pulleys and cables and employs a pedal mechanism for the arm motion that is operated by the hands. While this pedal mechanism is proven and widely used in the stationary bicycle field, it has a fixed path of operation that fails to provide for the full asymmetrical motion of the arms in a simulated swimming stroke. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,740 to lams and Splane (1987) uses a novel approach beyond cables that employs telescopic crank arms with resistance from a cam-and-belt mechanism. The intent is to simulate the “water line” and provide the corresponding resistances and reciprocal motions of actual swimming. In reality, significant resistance under the water line and minimal resistance above the water line requires advanced coordination obtained only through extensive practice. The first time user of this configuration finds it awkward and is quick to abort the exercise. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,363 to Kennedy (1989) deviated from pulleys and cables and employs cushioned leg rolls with hydraulic shocks for the leg motion of the exercise. While this cushioned leg roll approach is proven and widely used in the leg extension/flexion field of weight lifting, the hydraulic shocks have a slow response rate that significantly prohibits the simulation of a swimming flutter kick. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, convenience and consistent resistance with electronic control are advantages of my invention. My swim machine combines a pedal mechanism with a telescopic crank for the arm movements of the exercise. Left and right telescopic cranks are attached to the pedal mechanism by means of two universal joints. The universal joints and the telescopic cranks allow for the infinite range of arm motions in any plane. The pedal mechanism provides for adjustable continuous resistance that allows the user to select any level of physical exertion desired. The greater the resistance, the more difficult the exercise is to perform and the greater the physiological benefits. For the leg motion, my invention utilizes cushioned leg rolls attached to pivoting lever bars. The leg portion also provides for adjustable continuous resistance that allows the user to select any level of physical exertion desired. The arm and leg mechanisms of my invention are supported on an adjustable height and length exercise bench. Convenience is found in the fact that the user simply lies on a bench, grasps the handles of the telescopic cranks and engages the legs with the cushioned rolls to begin exercising. A keyboard and display panel used to communicate between a microcomputer and alternators of the arm and leg mechanisms provides for the user to select from a plurality of stored programs or generate a random program. 
     To begin the freestyle swim stroke, the hands must be 180 degrees from each other with one hand extended forward and the second hand to the rear by the hip. The user can now perform the windmill motion of the stroke along with the alternating flutter kick. The telescopic cranks and universal joints allow for the asymmetrical rotation of the swim stroke while providing continuous resistance from the pedal mechanism. Further, the bench allows for the tilt of the user&#39;s torso during the swim stroke by providing a pair of swivel joints. 
     In the backstroke, the user sits down and leans back onto the hinged bench, which can be inclined and performs the windmill motion of the arms along with the alternating flutter kick. Again, the swivel joints allow for the tilt of the user&#39;s torso during the swim stroke. 
     The butterfly swim stroke can also be performed. In this case both hands must be at the same angle from the body and extended forward. Likewise, both legs are adjacent to each other by locking the pivoting lever bars together. The arms and legs work in synchronization to each other throughout the windmill motion and the dolphin kick. The seat allows for the up and down movement of the user&#39;s hips by employing a swivel joint. 
     This out of water swimming exercise device is advantageous over water swimming in that it avoids the dry/itchy skin and damaged/brittle hair that is so common from the chemicals used in swimming pools. Additionally, the out of water usage allows for performance of the exercise in the privacy of one&#39;s own home, thereby avoiding the embarrassment that some individuals have with being seen by others in form fitting swimwear. 
     When comparing fitness activities for number of calories burned, swimming ranks high on the list. An exercise device that allows an individual to swim all year round, despite the availability of a pool or favorable climate, provides a benefit that cannot be ignored. 
     A May 1999 study conducted by American Sports Data for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association found that there are 80,864,000 recreational walkers in the United States, 54,575,000 recreational bicyclers and 94,371,000 recreational swimmers. The same study also found that there are 37,073,000 treadmill users, 30,791,000 stationary cycle users and zero swim machine users. The number of treadmill users translates to forty-six percent of walkers and the stationary cyclers translates to fifty-six percent of bicyclers. Averaging these two percentages allows for extrapolation of 48,327,000 potential users of a swim machine. This number represents a significant target market. 
     A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved exercise apparatus. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus, which provides a scientifically maximum exercise benefit within the minimum amount of time. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved exercise apparatus, which motivates the user to improve his/her progress. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus, which is convenient to use both in time and in place. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus in which the progress of the user is easily measured. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus where the user&#39;s work level can be easily measured whereby the user&#39;s maximal oxygen uptake can be calculated. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus, which allows the user to maintain an identical work effort from day to day. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus, which automatically provides interval training with progressive overload. 
     Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of my invention with a user engaged in the freestyle swim stroke; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of my invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of my invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a detail view of the multi-motion apparatus of my invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a detail view of the pedal mechanism of my invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a detail view of the stair climber mechanism of my invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a detail view of the stair climber mechanism of my invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a detail view of the drive system assembly of the stair climber mechanism of my invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description similar features in the drawing were given similar numerals. While the invention to be described is in conjunction with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a swim machine in accordance with the present invention. 
     The apparatus comprises two separate benches to support a user, the torso frame  19  and seat frame  38 . The torso bench is supported above the floor by a torso base  11 , torso front foot  12  and torso rear foot  13  with a combination of front and rear sleeves  14 / 16  and inserts  15 / 17 . The front and rear sleeves are connected by transverse bar  18 . The height of the bench is adjusted by set pins  24  through sleeve location holes  25  and into corresponding insert adjustment holes  26 . The seat frame is supported above the floor by a seat base  33 , seat front foot  34  and seat rear foot  35  with a seat sleeve  36  and seat insert  37 . The height of the seat is adjusted by set pin  24  through sleeve location hole  25  and into corresponding insert adjustment holes  26 . Each of the torso and seat frames is covered by a cushioned board  20 / 39 , which serves as the user contact surface. 
     The tubing of the frame, base, feet, sleeves and inserts may have any suitable cross-sectional shape including square or circular. Further, the tubing is not intended to be limited by a particular material of construction. Any material that can withstand the rigors of operation may be utilized. Suitable materials include metals, alloys, high strength plastics, and fiber-reinforced materials such as graphite reinforced plastic materials. 
     Torso and seat cushions are preferably constructed of materials suitable to endure the rigors of exercise use to which they will be subjected. Suitable materials include open cell foam, closed cell foam, sponge rubber and gel filled materials. Typically the cushion is covered with plastic, vinyl or other material suitable to withstand repeated and prolonged exposure to perspiration. Torso and seat boards can be various shapes including angled corners, rounded corners and custom fit for user&#39;s arm clearance. 
     A combination of torso swivel joint  21 , incline swivel joint  31  and ball and socket joint  23  allow for axial rotation of the torso bench which is critical to simulate the natural shoulder rotation of the freestyle swim stroke. Torso swivel joint  21  is attached to the rear insert  17  and to the torso frame  19 . Incline swivel joint  31  is attached to the incline insert  28  and to the incline hinge  32 . Ball and socket joint  23  has the ball on the top of the front insert  15  and the socket on the bottom of the torso frame  19 . 
     A seat swivel joint  40  is attached to the seat insert  37  and to the seat frame  38  which allows for the seat to pivot which is critical to the natural dolphin like hip motion of the breast stroke. 
     A torso hinge  22  and incline hinge  32  allow for the torso bench to be inclined to aid in television viewing during the back stroke. The bench is supported in the incline mode by an incline sleeve  27  and insert  28  that is adjustable by using set pin  24  in sleeve location hole  25  into corresponding insert adjustment holes  26 . The incline sleeve  27  is connected to transverse bar  18  by incline bracket  29 . Incline dowel  30  is inserted through one side of incline bracket  29 , passes through incline sleeve  27 , and finishes through the second side of incline bracket  29 . This dowel allows for the sleeve and insert to pivot with the inclining of the bench. 
     Adjusting the distance between the torso bench and the seat provides for the height of a user. Set pin  24  is placed in sleeve location hole  25  of torso/seat link sleeve  41  and into a corresponding insert adjustment hole  26  of torso/seat link insert  42 . 
     Pedal mechanism  43  is a conventional pedal crank assembly and is mounted underneath torso frame  19 . This pedal mechanism is rotated by two non-conventional telescopic arm cranks  48  attached to the pedal mechanism drive sprocket  46  at each end by universal joints  47 . Telescopic arm cranks  48  terminate at their outward end in multi-motion apparatus  49  to which is attached handgrip  50 . Telescopic arm cranks  48  are constructed of three or more telescoping sections  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c . The telescoping feature allows the arm cranks length to vary as the user moves his arms in the natural swimming motion. Thus, the normal arm strokes of swimming can be properly simulated, rather than having the user&#39;s arms artificially forced to maintain a fixed extension in the manner of many prior art devices. 
     The handgrips  50  can be as shown in the form of rotatable rods which are actually gripped by the user. Alternatively, the handgrips  50  could be in the form of flat pads on which the user lays his hands to give more of the simulation of the extended hand position common to swimming. A strap or similar restraining device would secure the user&#39;s hand to the ‘paddle type’ handgrips  50 . In an alternative but less preferred embodiment the handgrip  50  could be in the form of a glove or mitten in which the user places his hands. 
     The details of the different degrees of motion available for the user&#39;s arms in multi-motion apparatus  49  are shown in FIG.  4 . The telescoping relationship of arm cranks  48  sections  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c  allow for extension and retraction of the arm crank  48  as indicated by arrow  51 . Handgrip  50  is rotatably mounted on shaft  52  providing for rotational motion as indicated by arrow  53 . The inward end of shaft  52  terminates in a swivel joint formed by tongue  54  being fitted in slot  55  and pinned by bolt  56 , thus permitting the swivel motion indicated by arrow  57 . Tongue  54  in turn is fixed to sleeve  58  which is slidably mounted on arm crank section  48   c  and is restrained at the outward end by stop  59 . Sleeve  58  provides for sliding motion indicated by arrow  60  and rotational motion as indicated by arrow  61 . 
     This multi-dimensional freedom of motion imparted by apparatus  49  allows the user to simulate the proper motion of swimming. Not only do the user&#39;s arms move at the shoulder correctly and extend and retract at the appropriate points in the stroke, but also the user can rotate his wrist as necessarily occurs during the normal upward portion of the swimming stroke, without releasing his grip or position on handgrips  50 . 
     The details of the pedal mechanism are shown in FIG.  5 . Movement of telescopic arm cranks  48  rotates pedal mechanism drive sprocket  46 , which causes a chain  62  to drive a small diameter sprocket  63  attached to a flywheel  64 . The variable load which the operator must overcome in order to rotate sprocket  46  is preferably generated by an alternator  65 , which provides a variable resistance to the operator&#39;s effort through its driving connection with flywheel  64  by a gear belt  66 . The alternator is of the known variety—being a generator with an electromagnet therein. 
     The present invention is not intended to be limited to any one type of variable load. The variable load could be provided by alternative resistance means well known in the art such as frictional force, hydraulic fluid, gas, disc-braking band, edge engaging braking roller, etc. 
     While not shown, it is envisioned that the chain and gears of pedal mechanism  43  and alternator  65  would be covered by a housing for neatness of appearance, acoustic insulation, and safety. 
     Again, referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a swim machine in accordance with the present invention that employs a stair climber mechanism  69  for simulating the leg motions of swimming. 
     Plate  71  is attached to seat base  33  and seat sleeve  36  with stability provided by tubular member  70 . As will be described, many of the various stair climber components are mounted on the plate. The central location of the components, between the legs of the user, provides stability to the apparatus and allows for a lightweight and simple design. 
     Operation of right and left leg levers is identical and will only be described once. Sleeves  72  and inserts  73  are on opposite sides of the plate  71  and pivotally mounted to seat base  33  by leg lever dowel  74 . The length of the leg levers is adjusted by set pins  24  through sleeve location holes  25  and into corresponding insert adjustment holes  26 . The user&#39;s legs engage the leg levers by cushioned rolls  77  rotatably mounted to foot swivel bracket  75  by cushioned roll dowels  78 . Foot swivel bracket  75  is pivotally mounted to leg levers by foot swivel dowel  76 . Pivoting of the foot swivel bracket allows for the distance between cushioned rolls to conform to the thickness of the user&#39;s leg. 
     A leg lever link  79  as shown in FIG. 3 allows for locking the leg levers together when performing the dolphin kick of the butterfly stroke. 
     The details of the stair climber mechanism are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. One end of a right chain  80  is attached to winglet  81  that extends from the right leg lever sleeve  72 . The chain  80  is made to pass over and drivingly engage the teeth of a right sprocket  82  which is part of a drive system assembly  83 , best seen in cross-section in FIG.  8 . The chain is connected at its other end to a spring  84  by a connector  85 . The spring travels over a guide sheave or pulley wheel  86  rotatably mounted on the plate and terminates at a hanger  87  secured to the plate  71 . The spring  84 , attached to the chain  80 , and, in turn, attached to the leg lever  72 , is of sufficient tension to keep the lever in the upright position when not in use. The lever will be raised until the winglet  81  rests against a stop  88  welded to the plate  71 . 
     When the user kicks downward, the spring will stretch to allow the chain to move over the right sprocket and allow the lever to move downward toward the floor. When the user&#39;s leg is lifted, the spring will cause the lever to return to the upright position. The kicking motion of the exerciser, thus, activates the leg lever. 
     The drive system assembly  83 , seen in detail in FIG. 8, includes a central driveshaft  89  having a drive sprocket  90  welded thereto. Surrounding the shaft are left and right sprockets  82 . The sprockets operate in conjunction with clutch bearings  92 . When the sprocket turns counterclockwise, the sprocket  82  and clutch bearings  92  positively lock with the shaft  89  to turn the shaft counterclockwise. This occurs when the right lever is being depressed. Thus, when the shaft  89  is rotated counterclockwise, the drive sprocket  90  will likewise be rotated counterclockwise. When the right sprocket is turned clockwise (when the right lever is returning to position at rest), the right sprocket and clutch bearing will overrun so that the shaft  89  and the drive sprocket  90  remain stationary. Thus, torque is transmitted to the shaft and drive sprocket in one direction only. 
     The drive system assembly  83  is secured by a hub  93  to the plate  71  with bolts  94 . Pin bearings  95  separate the hub from the shaft. A snap ring  96  is on the end of the shaft opposite the drive sprocket  90 . A separator series  97  comprising a thrust washer  98  thrust bearing  99  and thrust washer  100  surrounds the shaft. A separator series  97  separates the snap ring  96  from the left sprocket  82 , the left sprocket from the hub  93 , the hub from the right sprocket  82 , and the right sprocket from the drive sprocket  90 . 
     It is important to note that left and right sprockets  82  operate independently of each other, resulting in independent operation of the left and right leg levers. The asymmetrical range of motion of the levers is desirable, particularly in rehabilitation and medical applications. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the drive system assembly operation. When either the left or right leg lever is depressed, the driveshaft  89  will be rotated counterclockwise. Continuous chain  101  is engaged with the teeth of the drive sprocket  90  and engaged with the teeth of a transmission sprocket  102 . The transmission sprocket  102  rotates an input shaft  105  of a transmission  103  secured on side to the plate  71 . The transmission contains a series of gears (not shown) which act as a speed increaser. An output shaft  104  extends from the transmission on the opposite side from the input shaft  105  and terminates in a transmission tooth pulley  106 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, the output shaft  104  will rotate at twenty times the speed of the input shaft  105 . 
     An alternator  107  is secured on one side to the plate  71  by means of bolt  108 . The alternator is also slidably secured to bar  109 . The alternator is of the known variety—being a generator with an electromagnet therein. The alternator includes an alternator shaft  110  and an alternator tooth pulley  111 . The transmission tooth pulley  106  and alternator tooth pulley  111  are connected by continuous belt  112 . As can be seen from the foregoing, the user provides the energy to operate the alternator  107 . The alternator is connected by leads  113  to a load resistor  114  secured to seat sleeve  36 . The load resistor is capable of absorbing the electrical energy output of the alternator. When the alternator  107  reaches a certain speed, the voltage is transferred to the load resistor. The work of the user is, thus, dissipated in the form of heat. 
     While not shown, it is envisioned that the chain and gears of drive system assembly  83  and alternator  107  would be covered by a housing for neatness of appearance, acoustic insulation, and safety. 
     Finally, while not shown, it is envisioned that the exercise apparatus would include an electronic control system, which would simultaneously determine the loading of the alternators for both the pedal mechanism  43  and stair climber mechanism  69 . A microcomputer would communicate electronically with the alternators through a keyboard and a display panel. The keyboard would be used to manually input a stored exercise program or select a random program. The display panel would provide status of the program and measurements on progress of the user. 
     The use of an alternator is a very desirable means of providing workload, both because of its readily and precisely controllable loading, and also because of its usefulness in supplying the circuitry of the system with current. The alternator, in other words, is both a convenient source of electricity and an inductive element having output parameters which are easily monitored and which may be controlled by a single input variable from the microcomputer.