Training device for simulating a skiing motion and use thereof

Abstract

A training device has a frame and which is provided with a substantially elongated left-hand pedal element and a substantially elongated right-hand pedal element disposed substantially parallel thereto. A front part of each of the pedal elements is provided with a pedal shaft extending both at an upper side and at a bottom side of the pedal element. The training device may be used by a user to simulate a skiing motion.

1 . A training device for simulating a skiing motion, which device comprises a frame and which is provided with a substantially elongated left-hand pedal element and a substantially elongated right-hand pedal element disposed substantially parallel thereto, wherein a rear part of the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element, respectively, is provided with a footrest on which a user can place his or her left foot and right foot, respectively, and wherein a front part of the left-hand pedal element is provided with a left-hand pedal shaft extending both at an upper side and at a bottom side of the left-hand pedal element, and wherein a front part of the right-hand pedal element is provided with a right-hand pedal shaft extending both at an upper side and at a bottom side of the right-hand pedal element, which left-hand pedal shaft and which right-hand pedal shaft are each pivotally connected to the frame both at the upper side and at the bottom side, wherein, seen in the direction from the bottom side to the upper side, the left-hand pedal shaft and the right-hand pedal shaft extend toward the rear part of the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element, respectively, wherein, seen in the direction from the bottom side to the upper side, the left-hand pedal shaft also extends in a direction away from the right-hand pedal element, and wherein, seen in the direction from the bottom side to the upper side, the right-hand pedal shaft also extends in a direction away from the left-hand pedal element. 
     
     
         2 . A training device according to  claim 1 , wherein the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element are connected to a flywheel via a transmission mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . A training device according to  claim 2 , wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a gearbox which is designed to drive the flywheel in one direction of rotation, independently of the direction of pivoting of the pedal elements. 
     
     
         4 . A training device according to  claim 3 , wherein the training device comprises a toothed belt connected to the left-hand pedal element and to the right-hand pedal element, which toothed belt is passed through the gearbox for driving at least one gear of the gearbox during use of the training device. 
     
     
         5 . A training device according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one gear is connected to a flywheel shaft of the flywheel by means of a freewheel clutch. 
     
     
         6 . A training device according to  claim 4 , wherein the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element are each provided with a belt tensioning device comprising a clamping unit for clamping down the toothed belt therein, which clamping unit is connected to a spring element for keeping the tension on the toothed belt. 
     
     
         7 . A training device according to  claim 6 , wherein the spring element extends substantially in a direction parallel to a clamping surface formed by the clamping unit. 
     
     
         8 . A training device according to  claim 6 , wherein a tension of the spring element can be adjusted by means of an adjustment element. 
     
     
         9 . A training device according to  claim 6 , wherein the clamping unit comprises two parts which can be placed one on top of the other, at least one of which parts is provided with recesses corresponding to teeth of the toothed belt. 
     
     
         10 . A training device according to  claim 2 , wherein the flywheel is connected to an electromagnetic generator. 
     
     
         11 . A training device according to  claim 1 , wherein the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element are connected by means of a connecting device that is designed to keep the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element substantially parallel to each other during use of the training device. 
     
     
         12 . A training device according to  claim 11 , wherein the connecting device comprises a central core element having two ends, wherein a first end is connected to a left-hand connecting unit which is rotatable about three axes and which is also connected to the left-hand pedal element, and wherein a second end opposite said first end is connected to a right-hand connecting unit which is rotatable about three axes and which is also connected to the right-hand pedal element. 
     
     
         13 . A training device according to  claim 1 , wherein a rearward angle (a) between a longitudinal axis of the pedal element and the pedal shaft ranges between 60 and 80 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A training device according to  claim 1 , wherein a lateral angle (β) between a line perpendicular to the surface formed by the upper side of the footrests and the pedal shaft ranges between 5 and 10 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . A for simulating a skiing motion, the training device comprising:
 providing a training device comprising:
 a frame; 
 a substantially elongated left-hand pedal element and a substantially elongated right-hand pedal element disposed substantially parallel thereto; 
 wherein a rear part of the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element, respectively, is provided with a footrest on which a user can place his or her left foot and right foot, respectively; 
 wherein a front part of the left-hand pedal element is provided with a left-hand pedal shaft extending both at an upper side and at a bottom side of the left-hand pedal element; 
 wherein a front part of the right-hand pedal element is provided with a right-hand pedal shaft extending both at an upper side and at a bottom side of the right-hand pedal element; 
 which left-hand pedal shaft and which right-hand pedal shaft are each pivotally connected to the frame both at the upper side and at the bottom side; and 
 wherein, seen in the direction from the bottom side to the upper side, the left-hand pedal shaft and the right-hand pedal shaft extend toward the rear part of the left-hand pedal element and the right-hand pedal element, respectively, wherein, seen in the direction from the bottom side to the upper side, the left-hand pedal shaft also extends in a direction away from the right-hand pedal element, and wherein, seen in the direction from the bottom side to the upper side, the right-hand pedal shaft also extends in a direction away from the left-hand pedal element; 
   standing on the training device with a right foot on the right-hand pedal element and a left foot on the left-hand pedal element; and   exercising using a skiing motion.