WO2004058363A1

WO2004058363A1 - Ski training apparatus, ski pole means and resistance and retraction means

Info

Publication number: WO2004058363A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/002070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Helge Dahlstedt
Original assignee: Fyres Ab
Priority date: 2002-12-27
Filing date: 2003-12-23
Publication date: 2004-07-15
Also published as: SE525873C2; SE0203888L; SE0203888D0; AU2003289700A1; EP1578506A1

Abstract

Ski training apparatus. The training apparatus comprises a pole means and a gripping means, the pole means being arranged to perform a movement, when using the training apparatus, from a first, forward position to a second, rear position by actuation via the gripping means. The training apparatus further comprises resistance means, arranged to perform resistance only during movement of the pole means from the first position to the second position, and retraction means arranged to automatically retract, independently of a user’s other motions, the pole means from the second position to the first position upon a reduced or ceased actuation on the gripping means.

Description

Ski training apparatus, ski pole means and resistance and retraction means.

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to a training apparatus and in particular to a ski training apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a pole means for use in a training apparatus according to claim 8, and a ski pole means according to claim 9. The invention also relates to a resistance and retraction means according to claim 10.

Background of the invention

Cross country skiing is a sport that is widespread and generally appreciated. Cross country skiing, however, is dependent on snow in order to be exercised, and can therefore only be exercised during part of the year in a large part of the cross country skiing part of the world.

This has the disadvantage that specific muscle groups used in cross country skiing, which are trained during the ski season, are difficult to maintain between seasons or to build up prior to the forthcoming season.

Tools at hand to train these muscle groups are for example roller skis. Roller skiing may, however, be difficult to perform in a safe way when slippery or dark outdoors.

Another type of training apparatus at hand are rubber bands, which are fastened to e.g. a door handle, whereupon they give rise to resistance during arm movements while being stretched. It is, however, difficult to perform technically correct movements, and it is therefore difficult to train the right muscle groups.

Thus, there is a need, for an apparatus that, will easily allow training of the muscle groups that work during skiing, irrespective of the particular weather conditions.

Object and most essential features of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ski training apparatus that solves the above mentioned problem.

This object is achieved by a training apparatus as defined in claim 1.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pole means for use with a training apparatus that solves the above mentioned problem. This object is achieved by a pole means as defined in claim 8.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ski • pole means. This object is achieved by a ski pole means as defined in claim 9.

The present invention provides a ski training apparatus. The training apparatus comprises a pole means and a gripping means, the pole means being arranged to perform a movement, when using the training apparatus and by actuation via the gripping means, from a first position, where the pole means is inclined at a first angle to a reference plane, and where the gripping means is located in front of the shoulders of a user, to a second position, where the pole means is inclined at a second angle to the reference plane, and the gripping means is located behind the shoulders of the user. The pole means comprises X rigid device provided with two gripping means located on each side of a central axis, and a lower portion, jointly connected to the gripping means and arranged to a exert force substantially along the central axis upon contacting a supporting surface. The training apparatus further comprises:

- resistance means, arranged to perform resistance only during movement of the pole means from the first position to the second position, and - retraction means arranged to automatically retract, independently of the user's other motions, the pole means from the second position to the first position upon a reduced or ceased actuation on the gripping means.

This has the advantage that training of technically correct movements of in particular pole strokes can be performed in a simple and repeatable way.

The resistance of the resistance means may increase with the speed of the motion. As a result, the training apparatus will provide realistic training conditions.

The resistance means may be constituted by a magnetic brake, an air brake and/or a friction brake.

The pole means may be provided with guide means at its lower portion so as to guide the lower portion of the pole means along a path between the first position and the second position. In this way, a harmonious and continuous pole stroke is achieved.

The pole means may be connected to the resistance means via a pulling cord, the pulling cord being arranged to be pulled out during a movement of the pole means from the first position to the second position, and the pulling cord being arranged to be wound up at reduced or ceased actuation of the pole means, the pole means being brought back to the first position by means of the pulling cord. This has the advantage that the desired function may be realised in a simple and reliable manner.

The pulling cord may be wound up by a return spring, such as a helical spring. Also, this will contribute to a simple and reliable structure.

The pulling cord may be provided with a gear to increase the resistance. This has the advantage that the training apparatus may easily be adapted to perform a desired resistance for both top-level sportsmen and amateurs.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described more in detail with the aid of specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a portion of a pole means according to the embodiment in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4a shows two views of another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4b shows a resistance means according to the embodiment shown in fig. 4a.

Fig. 4c shows a pulling cord attachment for the embodiment shown in fig. 4a.

Fig. 4d shows an alternative resistance means for the embodiment shown in fig. 4a.

Fig. 5a shows two views of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5b shows two views of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In fig. 1 there is shown an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows a training apparatus 1 consisting of a pole means 2 and a resistance means 3. The pole means 2 is provided with gripping means 4, 5 located on each side of the pole means and functioning as handles. The handles are preferably provided with straps 7, 8 to allow a user 9 to hold the pole means in a steady grip with his hands 10, 11. The training apparatus is further provided with a support 15 on which the user 15 stands. One end of the support 15 consists of a vertical portion 16 arranged to act as an abutment for the resistance means 3. The pole means is attached to the resistance means 3 via a pulling cord, which is composed of a nylon band and is fastened to fastening means 27, e.g. a loop, arranged on the pole means. The other end of the pulling cord 12 is wound up on a wind-up reel 28 arranged on a shaft 13 of the resistance means 3. An axial fan 14 is also mounted on the axis 13.

The training apparatus described in fig. 1 is particularly suited for training of so called pole strokes, which are characterised in that the movements of the hands, the arms, the body and the legs of a user exert power onto two poles, moving freely on a respective side of the user's body. The pole strokes constitute a very important feature of modern cross-country skiing, both in classic style and in free style.

In order to perform pole movements a user 9 grasps the handles 4, 5 with both his hands and pulls these handles downwards/backwards to perform a typical pole stroke. These movements make the pole means 2 move from the initial position, shown in fig. 1 by solid lines, to a second position. In the initial position, the pole means 2 is located in a substantially vertical position, with its lower end positioned at a point B, where an axis A through the longitudinal direction of the pole means forms a first angle relative to a plane defined by the supporting surface of the training apparatus, and where the handles are located in front of the shoulders of the user. In the second position, the lower end of the pole means has moved from the point B to the point C, which, relative to the user, is behind him. Further, the axis A through the pole means 2 forms in the second position an angle β relative to the supporting surface, which is smaller than the angle α, and the gripping means are located behind the shoulders of the user.

In its lower end 20, the pole means 2 may be provided with guide means, e.g. in form of a wheel 21, which guides the lower end of the pole means along a path from the initial position B to the point C. This will result in a smooth movement of the pole means from the initial position to the second position.

During a movement from the initial position to the second position, the pulling cord 12 is pulled out, which makes the shaft 13 rotate. The rotation of the shaft 13 in turn results in a rotation of the axial fan 14, whereupon the air resistance acting on the rotating fan 14 via the shaft 13 and the pulling cord 12 will resist the movement of the pole means 2 from the initial position to the second position.

As the pulling cord is pulled out, the diameter of the winding of the pulling cord on the wind-up reel decreases, and therefore, at a constant speed of pulling out the pulling cord, the shaft will rotate faster and faster. This in turn results in the fan rotating even faster, which in turn results in that the air resistance, and thus also the resistance experienced by the user, increases. The user experience is thus a low starting torque followed by a natural increase of the resistance during the pole stroke, which is well in accordance with real conditions in the ski tracks.

The resistance means 3 also comprises a retraction cord 22 which in the state of rest is wound up on a spring-loaded drum 23. The other end of the retraction cord is fastened to a wind-up drum 29 arranged on the shaft 13.

Simultaneous with the pulling cord 12 being pulled out from the shaft 13, the retraction cord 22 is pulled out from the drum 23 and wound up on the wind-up drum 29. When the user has performed the pole stroke, i.e. the pole means is in the second position and the pulling cord has been fully pulled out, a free wheel 24 provides for disengagement of the fan 14 from the shaft. The fan acts as a flywheel with a flywheel mass and will thus continue to rotate.

When the user then reduces or ceases the force applied onto the pole means via the handles 4, 5 to perform the pole stroke, such that the retraction force of the retraction cord 22 (exerted by the spring-loaded drum) exceeds the force applied on the handles 4, 5, the retraction cord 22 will be wound up on the drum 23. This makes the shaft 13 rotate in the opposite direction, which results in the pulling cord 12 being pulled in and wound up on the reel 28. This wind-up also results in the lower end of the pole means 2 being brought back to the initial position, the pole means 2 thus reaching the initial position independently of the user's 8 other motions to allow another pole stroke. When the pulling cord 12 is pulled in, the fan 14 is disengaged as described above so that it does not counteract the winding-up of the retraction cord 22 and the pulling cord 12. When the user then performs the next pole stroke, the fan still rotates due to its flywheel mass, which corresponds to ski speed in real conditions, so that when the user commences the next pole stroke, the beginning of this is experienced as being practically without resistance, which is well in accordance with the beginning of a ski stroke when skiing on snow or asphalt .

The resistance given by the axial fan 14 can be adjusted by the user by adjusting the air flow. By reducing the air flow by a throttle (not shown) , the resistance is reduced.

Correspondingly, the resistance may be increased by opening the throttle. As is shown in fig. 1, the air outlet may be provided with adjustable guide rails 25, so that the user may direct the air flow 26 towards him in order to achieve a natural feeling of speed and/or a cooling effect.

It is to be noted that the size of the resistance means shown in fig. 1 is not necessary representative, it can be considerably smaller.

Instead of having a support plate 15 as in fig. 1, serving as an abutment for the resistance means 30, the resistance means 30 may alternatively be secured e.g. to a wall, a rail of a staircase or a door.

Further, the resistance means 3 may be provided with a sensor 30 at the shaft 13 to transfer signals representing shaft 13 rotations to a device 31, e.g. of a bicycle computer kind, which, on the basis of the transferred signals representing the rotation of the shaft, calculates a distance and a speed, whereupon these calculated values may be shown to the user on a display 32 arranged on the device 31. The user may thereby see the distance covered and the average speed during the training session on the display. The device 31 may also be arranged to show an elapsed time of the training session and an estimated energy consumption. In order to calculate the energy consumption, a pressure sensor to measure the force between the resistance means and the support plate may be provided between the support 15 and the resistance means. The signals from the pressure sensor are then transferred to the device 31, which enables, on the basis of the measured force, a calculation of the energy consumption.

The pole means 2 may further be adjustable in length to fit different persons having different heights and/or persons using poles of different lengths. This is illustrated in fig, 2, which shows the portion of the pole means 2 indicated by dashed lines in fig. 1. As is shown in fig. 2, the pole means comprises two parts 33, 34. The part 33 is provided with holes 35-37. The part 34 runs partly inside the part 33 and is provided with a spring-loaded pin 38 with a spherical or conical surface 39. When the spring-loaded pin meets a hole 35-37 in the portion 33, the spring pushes the conical surface into the hole, whereupon the part 34 is locked in the part 33. The user may then change the length of the pole means by pushing in the pin 38 and simultaneously pushing the part 34 further into, or pulling the part 34 out of, the part 33. When the pin is again located in registry with a hole, it is pushed into the hole by the spring, which locks the parts relative to each other in the new position. In this way, the user may thus adjust the length of the pole means as on a crutch or a vacuum cleaner handle .

In fig. 3 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the training apparatus shown in fig. 1. The training apparatus 40 in fig. 3 is like the apparatus in fig. 1, apart from the fact that the end of the pulling cord in fig. 3, which in fig. 1 is fastened to the pole means, is fastened at a point 41 on the pole means instead, and runs through a pulley 42 arranged on the pole means. This attachment between the pole means and the resistance means results in that the pulling cord, at a pole stroke as described in connection to fig. 1, will be pulled out at twice the speed, which in turn increases the speed of the fan. This allows a very powerful resistance against the pole movement since the air resistance increases exponentially to the speed. The training apparatus may thus provide a substantial resistance to even the most well-trained. If the pole means is provided with pulling cord fastening means both in form of a ring and a pulley, the training apparatus may quickly and easily be adapted to give hard resistance, whether the user is a top-level sportsman or an amateur.

As an alternative to increasing the resistance, the pulling cord may, instead of being brought back to the resistance means as in fig. 3, run along the pole means to be attached to an adjustable fastening means on the pole means. In this way, the initial diameter of the wind-up of the pulling cord may be adjusted, which results in that the higher on the pole means the pulling cord is attached, the higher resistance is obtained due to the increasingly smaller diameter of the wind- up of the pulling cord.

In fig. 4a-d, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4a shows two views of a training apparatus 50 which is constituted by a single device, and which is comprised of a tubular pole means 51 with a resistance means 52 attached to it. As in fig. 1, the training apparatus comprises gripping means 54, 55 serving as handles.

As in fig. 1 the pulling cord 56 is wound up on a wind-up reel 58 arranged on a shaft 57 in the resistance means 52, as shown in fig. 4b. In fig. 4a, the pulling cord runs inside the pole means 51 and further via a pulley 59 in the lower portion of the pole means 51 and is fastened to e.g. a wall 60. When the above-described pole stroke is performed and the lower portion of the pole means moves from point A to point B in fig. 4a, the pulling cord is pulled out from the wind-up reel 58 and through the pole means 51, which as described above causes an axial fan 61 to rotate to give resistance. The mounting of the fan at the top of the pole means also causes it to blow air directly towards the user to give a natural feeling of speed and/or a cooling effect. In this case, the retraction cord, instead of being wound on a separate drum, is constituted by a retraction spring 64 which at one end is attached to the shaft 57 and comprises a helical spring functioning as a roller blind spring. As in fig. 1, a free-wheel 65 provides for disengagement of the fan 61 from the shaft 57 when the pulling cord has been fully pulled out.

The embodiment shown in fig. 4a-d has the advantage that the training apparatus is composed of a single unit and can be placed under e.g. a bed when not in use.

The pulling cord is in this case arranged to run within the pole means. It can, however, also be arranged to run on the outside.

In fig. 4c, it is shown that also this embodiment may be used with a geared pulling cord. In this case, a pulley 62 instead of the end of the pulling cord is attached to the wall 60, the pulling cord running around the pulley and being attached to a ring 63 on the lower portion of the pole means. This connection causes, as in fig. 3, the pulling cord to be pulled out at twice the speed with accompanying substantially increased resistance.

As in the embodiment in fig. 1, the pole means may be provided with a device, e.g. of a bicycle computer kind, to show the distance covered and the average speed during the training session. In order to calculate the energy consumption, the pressure sensor may in this case be mounted at the fastening of the pulling cord to the wall in order to measure, at that location, the force applied to the attachment by the pulling cord. In fig. 4d there is shown an alternative embodiment of the resistance means in fig. 4b. As in fig. 4b, the pulling cord 70 is wound up on a wind-up reel 72 arranged on a shaft 71 of the resistance means. The resistance means further comprises a retraction cord 73, which functions as a roller blind spring. Likewise, the resistance means is provided with a fan 74, which, however, in contrast to the above, is rigidly connected to the axis without being connected via a free-wheel, and is , enclosed in a fan nozzle 75. The resistance means are further provided with throttles 76, which in a state of rest are held closed by springs 77. When pulling out the pulling cord 70, air will flow along the path indicated by arrows 78 through the nozzle 75, whereupon the air pressure opens the throttles 76, and the fan 74 will give resistance against pulling out the pulling cord. When the pull-out movement is stopped, the fan will also stop since it is rigidly mounted to the shaft. When winding up the pulling cord, the air throttles are closed by the springs 77, whereupon the fan, now rotating in the opposite direction as compared to the pulling out, works in vacuum, resulting in a very small resistance. The fan 74 should be produced by a lightweight material since it should not have any flywheel mass. Accordingly, the resistance means, and thus the entire training apparatus, can be made lightweight, so that the training apparatus can be easily handled and stored as desired.

In the above description the invention has been described with an axial fan serving as a resistance performing means. The fan may, however, equally well be of radial type. Instead of a fan, e.g. a friction brake or a magnetic brake may be used. Further, the described pulling cord is a nylon band. The pulling cord, however, need not be a nylon band or of band shape at all, but may equally well consist of a steel wire or any other kind of cord capable of performing the described function.

The above described pole means may also be used as a ski pole for skiing on snow, ice and asphalt. Due to the increasing importance of double poling in cross-country skiing, the pole according to the present invention can replace the traditionally used two poles with a single pole. In fig. 5a and 5b, there are shown examplary embodiments of such pole means. Fig. 5a shows two views of a pole means 80 with associated gripping means 81, 82 as described above, the gripping means serving as handles and being connected to the upper portion of the pole means. Instead of the pole means 80 being provided with guide means at its lower end, the pole means is here provided with contact means for snow, ice, and/or asphalt, in the form of an ordinary basket 83. The contact means may of course be designed as frostnails or any other suitable means for gripping on snow, ice and/or asphalt. The pole means described in fig. 5a may thus be used for skiing on snow and ice where the user may concentrate the power from both arms to a singe snow contact point.

In fig. 5b there are shown two views of an alternative embodiment of the pole means. In fig. 5b, the gripping means

86, 87 of the pole means 85 are instead connected to the lower portion of the pole means. The pole means also comprises a basket 88. This embodiment may be preferable when skiing in order to avoid pole means located between the legs of the skier.

The pole means described in fig. 5b may of course also be used in the above described training apparatus. In such a case, the basket 88 is replaced by a pulling cord fastening means and a wheel. The pole means illustrated in figs. 5a and 5b may be provided with quick couplings to shift between basket and fastening means/guide means, which allows use of the same pole both for skiing and for exercising with the training apparatus .

Claims

1. Ski training apparatus, comprising a pole means and a gripping means, the pole means being arranged to perform a movement, when using the training apparatus and by actuation via the gripping means, from a first position, where the pole means is inclined at a first angle to a reference plane, and where the gripping means is located in front of the shoulders of a user, to a second position, where the pole means is inclined at a second angle to the reference plane, and the gripping means is located behind the shoulders of the user, characterised in that

- the pole means comprises a rigid device provided with two gripping means located on each side of a central axis, and a lower portion, jointly connected to the gripping means and arranged to a exert force substantially along the central axis upon contacting a supporting surface,

- resistance means, arranged to perform resistance only during movement of the pole means from the first position to the second position, and

- retraction means arranged to automatically retract, independently of the user's other motions, the pole means from the second position to the first position upon a reduced or ceased actuation on the gripping means .

2. Ski training apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the resistance means is arranged so as to increase the resistance with the speed of the movement.

3. Ski training apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the resistance means is constituted by a magnetic brake, an air brake and/or a friction brake.

4. Ski training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pole means is provided with guide means at its lower portion so as to guide the lower portion of the pole means along a path between the first position and the second position.

5. Ski training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pole means is connected to the resistance means via a pulling cord, the pulling cord being arranged to be pulled out during a movement of the pole means from the first position to the second position, and the pulling cord being arranged to be wound up at reduced or ceased actuation of the pole means, the pole means being brought back to the first position by means of the pulling cord.

6. Ski training apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the pulling cord is wound up by a return spring, e.g. a helical spring.

7. Ski training apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the pulling cord is provided with a gear to increase the resistance.

8. Pole means, arranged for use in a training apparatus according to any of the claims 1-7, characterised by means for connection to said resistance and retraction means.

9. Ski pole means, comprising gripping means and contact means, characterised in that the pole means comprises a rigid device provided with two gripping means positioned on each side of a central axis, and a lower portion, jointly connected to the gripping means and arranged to exert a force substantially along the central axis upon contacting a supporting surface by means of contact means arranged on the lower portion.

10. Resistance and retraction means for a training apparatus, wherein interconnecting means for interconnection of the resistance means and the training apparatus are arranged to be alternately pulled out and retracted, and wherein the resistance is transferred substantially from the resistance means to the training apparatus during pull-out of the interconnecting means, characterised in that

- the interconnecting means comprises a cord being windable onto a spring-loaded reel,

- the resistance means comprises an air brake connected to the reel, which during pull-out of the cord from the reel performs a resistance which is dependent on the speed of the pull-out, and,

- the air brake is disabled during retraction and winding of the cord onto the reel.