Mogul skiing simulating device

Abstract

A mogul skiing simulating device having a floating platform riding bearings on crank pins of two crankshaft assemblies while accommodating the changing distance between the two crankshaft pins during their rotation. The leader crankshaft assembly is about 30 to 35 degrees ahead of the follower. The platform is tethered by springs to its central support to maintain the platform in the correct relation to both pairs of crankshaft assemblies. The springs pull from a plastic bushings on each crankshaft pin toward the center of the platform. The tilt of the entire machine is higher in the rear to simulate downhill skiing. Cams may be attached to the front and rear crank journals which act upon the ends of a leaf spring to store and release energy. The crankshafts are turned by and electrically powered “V” drive. Railing allows the user to vary hand placement and body position.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise device for simulating alpine mogul skiing comprising: 
 a) a base having a left side and a right side and at least one cross piece;    b) a first crank assembly having first left and right parallel cranks, a first crank pin, and a first pair of left and right journals, said first cranks being separated by said first crank pin, said first pair of journals being supported by said base, said first crank assembly being rotatable through a complete circle about a first axis of rotation;    c) a second crank assembly spaced from said first crank assembly having second left and right parallel cranks, a second crank pin and a second pair of left and right journals, said second cranks being separated by said second crank pin, said second pair of journals being supported by said base, said second crank assembly being rotatable through a complete circle about a second axis of rotation, said first axis of rotation being parallel to said second axis of rotation and spaced therefrom such as to allow independent rotation of each of said first and second crank assemblies;    d) said first crank pin having first left and right bearings mounted for rotation thereon, adjacent to and inward from said first left and right cranks, and said first crank pin having a first plurality of spring mounting bushings mounted for rotation thereon and spaced between said first left and right bearings;    e) said second crank pin having second left and right bearings mounted for rotation thereon, adjacent to and inward from said second left and right cranks, and said second crank pin having a second plurality of spring mounting bushings mounted for rotation thereon and spaced between said second left and right bearings;    d) a generally rectangular platform having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a central portion, said first end portion being supported by and free to ride in a reciprocal manner on said first left and right bearings, said second end portion being supported by and free to ride in a reciprocal manner on said second left and right bearings;    e) spring mounting means located in said central portion for tethering said platform for retention in a range of locations relative to said crank pins;    f) a prime mover supported by said base; and    g) a power transmitting element connecting said primed mover to at least one each of said first and said second crank journals so as to impart rotation of said first and second crank assemblies.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , said platform further comprising: 
 a) a spring anchor fixedly located within said rectangular platform central portion;    b) a plurality of extension springs individually mounted between said spring anchor and said first plurality of spring mounting bushings; and    c) a plurality of extension springs individually mounted between said spring anchor and a first group of said second plurality of spring mounting bushings.    
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first crank assembly and said second crank assembly rotate at the same speed and in a clockwise direction relative to said left side of said base, and said first crank assembly precedes said second crank assembly by about 30-35 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said prime mover is an electric motor and associated drive.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  further comprising a control pad and means connected with said control pad to selectively control the torque, speed, and related parameters of said drive.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  further comprising a brake for dissipating electrical power developed upon the downward stroke of said first and second crank assemblies, and for precision or emergency stopping of the exercise device..  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein moving mechanical parts are enclosed by at least one housing.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a railing attached to said base and extending around said left side, front, and right side of said base at a height such that a user standing on said platform may easily grasp said railing to maintain balance during operation of the device.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said railing has low degrees forward pitch portions along its left and right side at a first level, high degrees forward pitch portions extending upward from said horizontal portions, and a horizontal front cross portion connecting said high pitch portions at a second level, said high degree of pitch being comparable to the pitch of ski poles used on a steep slope.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said control pad is located on said horizontal front portion of said railing and said control pad features an emergency off switch actuated by a lanyard connected to the user so as to be activated upon the falling of the user.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said motor drive is “V” drive comprising a driver located between and below said first and second crank assemblies, a double sprocket driven by said driver, separate chains driven by said double sprocket, and a sprocket drive located on each crankshaft assembly and driven by one of said separate chains.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said drive system is operable by connection to a 120-volt outlet and operates to convert 120-volt single-phase current to 230-volt three-phase current to power said motor.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising a first pair of left and right journal bearings and a second pair of left and right journal bearings wherein said first pair of left and right journals turn in a first pair of left and right journal bearings, and said second pair of left and right journals turn in a second pair of left and right journal bearings, respectively.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said first pair of journal bearings and said second pair of journal bearings are supported by left and right forward sloping rectangular frames, each said frame comprising a front stanchion, a rear stanchion, a mounting wall and a lower member, said front and rear stanchions being connected by a mounting wall and a lower member, said first pair of journal bearings being mounted in a front upper portion of each of said mounting walls of said left and right frames, said second pair of journal bearings being mounted in a rear upper portion of each of said mounting walls of said left and right frames along a line parallel to said forward sloping frame, such that said first pair of journal bearings are located below said second pair of journal bearings, resulting in said floating platform being biased forward.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein said motor and drive is mounted on said right forward sloping lower member.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising front and rear idler sprocket drives attached to said respective left front and rear crank journals, front and rear journal bearings mounted on said left frame mounting wall for said respective left front and rear crank journals, an idler chain rotating with said front and rear idler sprocket drives, and a tensioner for adjustably tensioning said idler chain.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising a leaf spring having a front end portion, a rear end portion and a central portion, and a centrally located leaf spring support mounted and spaced outward from said left frame, and front and rear cams mounted on said left front and rear crank journals, respectively, said front and rear cams bearing on said leaf spring front end and rear end portions such that when the cranks of said front and rear crank journals are pointed downward the front and rear cams bend the respective portions of said leaf spring downward, thus storing energy which is released when said cranks are rotating upward, assisting in rotating said cranks and said floating support upward.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said rectangular platform comprises a frame and a cover, said frame comprising a front end member defining said front end portion, a rear end member defining said rear end portion, a central member parallel with and centered between said front end member and said rear end member and defining said central portion, a left side member, and a right side member, said left side member and said right side member having grooves defining tracks located in their respective undersides for receiving said left front and left rear support bearings and said right front and said right rear support bearings, respectively.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein said spring anchor is said central member.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  further comprising a depending support located at each corner of said rectangular frame, said depending supports supporting a retainer strip spaced from each of said left side member and said right side member for maintaining said platform on said support bearings.