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The present invention relates generally to rowing machines, and, more particularly, to such rowing machines with internal environments that duplicate actual Olympic-class rowing shells in terms of both dimensions and appearance, and simulate the specific rowing motion and technique that occurs on th

The present invention relates generally to rowing machines, and, more particularly, to such rowing machines with internal environments that duplicate actual Olympic-class rowing shells in terms of both dimensions and appearance, and simulate the specific rowing motion and technique that occurs on the water.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A rowing machine comprising: a sled-rigger assembly comprising at least one extension member, a front end and a rear end defining a longitudinal axis there between, wherein said rear end comprises a first rear end connecting member guide; a first oar assembly comprising a fir

What is claimed is: 1. A rowing machine comprising: a sled-rigger assembly comprising at least one extension member, a front end and a rear end defining a longitudinal axis there between, wherein said rear end comprises a first rear end connecting member guide; a first oar assembly comprising a first oar member constrained to said sled-rigger assembly via at least one said extension member, so that said first oar member is at least free to rotate with respect to said sled-rigger assembly, wherein said first oar assembly has a first connection portion; a first drive winch rotatably mounted to said sled-rigger assembly; and a first drive connecting member assembly comprising a first drive flexible connecting member having a first connection portion, said first connection portion of said first drive flexible connecting member of said first drive connecting member assembly being mechanically connected to the first connection portion of said first oar member, and wherein said first drive flexible connecting member of said first drive connecting member assembly is operatively engaged with said first rear end connecting member guide, wherein at least a portion of said first drive flexible connecting member is fully circumferentially connected to said first drive winch and is adapted to rotate said first drive winch in a first direction. 2. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein said front end further comprises a first front end connecting member guide. 3. The rowing machine of claim 2, wherein said first oar member further comprises a second connection portion. 4. The rowing machine of claim 3, wherein said first drive connecting member assembly further comprises a first recovery flexible connecting member having a first connection portion, said first connection portion of said first recovery flexible connecting member of said first drive connecting member assembly being mechanically connected to the second connection portion of said first oar member, and wherein said first recovery flexible connecting member of said first drive connecting member assembly is operatively engaged with said first front end connecting member guide, is circumferentially connected to said first drive winch, and is adapted to rotate said first drive winch in a second direction. 5. The rowing machine of claim 4, wherein said first direction of rotation of said first drive winch is different from said second direction of rotation of said first drive winch. 6. The rowing machine of claim 5, further comprising a first clutch rotatably mounted to said sled-rigger assembly and operatively engaged with said first drive winch. 7. The rowing machine of claim 6, further comprising a first carrier winch rotatably mounted to said sled-rigger assembly, said first carrier winch being adapted to be operatively engaged and disengaged to said first drive winch via said first clutch. 8. The rowing machine of claim 7, wherein said first drive winch is adapted to drive said first carrier winch in said first direction via said first clutch when said first drive winch is operatively engaged with said carrier winch via said first clutch. 9. The rowing machine of claim 8, wherein said first clutch is a unidirectional clutch. 10. The rowing machine of claim 8, wherein said first clutch is a bidirectional overrunning clutch. 11. The rowing machine of claim 10, wherein said first carrier winch is adapted to overrun in said first direction and in said second direction. 12. The rowing machine of claim 8, further comprising a first resistance assembly rotatably mounted to said sled-rigger assembly, said first resistance assembly is operatively engaged to said first carrier winch. 13. The rowing machine of claim 12, wherein said first carrier winch is adapted to drive said first resistance assembly in said first direction. 14. The rowing machine of claim 13, wherein said first resistance assembly further comprises a first weight component and a first dampening component. 15. The rowing machine of claim 13, wherein said first resistance assembly comprises a first flywheel. 16. The rowing machine of claim 8, further comprising a shell-base assembly comprising a front end and a rear end, upon which said sled-rigger assembly is constrained so that it can move with respect to said shell-base assembly along said longitudinal axis. 17. The rowing machine of claim 16, wherein said front end of said shell-base assembly further comprises a first front connecting member mount. 18. The rowing machine of claim 17, further comprising a first sled-drive connecting member assembly comprising a first sled-drive flexible connecting member having a first connection portion, said first connection portion of said first sled-drive flexible connecting member of said first sled-drive connecting member assembly being mechanically connected to the first front connecting member mount, and wherein said first sled-drive flexible connecting member of said first sled-drive connecting member assembly is operably connected to said first carrier winch, and is adapted to move said sled-rigger assembly in a first direction along said longitudinal axis. 19. The rowing machine of claim 18, wherein said rear end of shell-base assembly further comprises a first rear connecting member mount. 20. The rowing machine of claim 19, wherein said first sled-drive connecting member assembly further comprises a first sled-recovery flexible connecting member having a first connection portion, said first connection portion of said first sled-recovery flexible connecting member of said first sled-drive connecting member assembly being mechanically connected to the first rear connecting member mount, and wherein said first sled-recovery flexible connecting member of said first sled-drive connecting member assembly is operably connected to said first carrier winch. 21. The rowing machine of claim 20, further comprising a recoil mechanism adapted to move said sled-rigger assembly in a second direction along said longitudinal axis. 22. The rowing machine of claim 4, wherein said rear end comprises a second rear end connecting member guide. 23. The rowing machine of claim 22, further comprising a second oar member, having a first connection portion, constrained to said sled-rigger assembly so that said second oar member is at least free to rotate with respect to said sled-rigger assembly. 24. The rowing machine of claim 23, further comprising a second drive winch rotatably mounted to said sled-rigger assembly. 25. The rowing machine of claim 24, further comprising a second drive connecting member assembly comprising a first drive flexible connecting member having a first connection portion, said first connection portion of said first drive flexible connecting member of said second drive connecting member assembly being mechanically connected to the first connection portion of said second oar member, and wherein said first drive flexible connecting member of said second drive connecting member assembly is operatively engaged with said second rear end connecting member guide, is circumferentially connected to said second drive winch, and is adapted to rotate said second drive winch in a first direction. 26. The rowing machine of claim 25, wherein said front end further comprises a second front end connecting member guide. 27. The rowing machine of claim 26, wherein said second oar member further comprises a second connection portion. 28. The rowing machine of claim 27, wherein said second drive connecting member assembly further comprises a first recovery flexible connecting member having a first connection portion, said first connection portion of said first recovery flexible connecting member of said second drive connecting member assembly being mechanically connected to the second connection portion of said second oar member, and wherein said first recovery flexible connecting member is operatively engaged with said second front end connecting member guide, is circumferentially connected to said second drive winch, and is adapted to rotate said second drive winch in a second direction. 29. A rowing machine comprising: an elongated shell; a base member adapted to, in operation of said rowing machine, rest on and remain at least substantially fixed with respect to the ground, wherein said elongated shell and base member comprise a shell-base assembly; a sled member comprising a front end and a rear end defining a longitudinal axis there between being constrained to said shell-base assembly so that said sled member, in operation of said rowing machine, can move with respect to said shell-base assembly along said longitudinal axis; and a seat connected to said sled member, wherein said seat is adapted to, in operation of said rowing machine, move along said longitudinal axis with respect to said sled member when said sled member is moving. 30. The rowing machine of claim 29, further comprising: a resistance mechanism assembly mechanically connected to said shell-base assembly comprising: a frame; a winch rotatably mounted to said frame. 31. A rowing machine comprising: a base member adapted to, in operation of the machine, rest on and remain at least substantially fixed with respect to the ground; a first rotational member constrained to the base member; an elongated shell member comprising an elongated first surface defining a first longitudinal direction, with said elongated shell member being located at least substantially on top of said base member so that said first surface can rotate with respect to said first rotational member along the first longitudinal direction, and with said elongated shell member being constrained so that can move with respect to said base member only along the first longitudinal direction; a sled member comprising a front end and a rear end defining a longitudinal axis there between constrained with respect to the elongated shell member so that it can move with respect to said elongated shell member only in a second longitudinal direction; and a seat connected to said sled member. 32. The rowing machine of claim 31, wherein the first rotational member comprises a first roller member constrained to the base so that it can rotate with respect to the base in a first angular direction. 33. The rowing machine of claim 32, wherein the first surface has at least a substantially arcuate shape. 34. The rowing machine of claim 33, wherein the second longitudinal direction is at least substantially linear. 35. The rowing machine of claim 34, wherein the second longitudinal direction is at least substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction. 36. The rowing machine of claim 35, further comprising a user platform shaped to accommodate a user, with said user platform being constrained to said sled member so that said user platform can move with respect to said sled member along a third longitudinal direction. 37. The rowing machine of claim 36, wherein the third longitudinal direction is at least substantially linear. 38. The rowing machine of claim 37, wherein the third longitudinal direction is at least substantially identical to the second longitudinal direction. 39. The rowing machine of claim 38, wherein the user platform is shaped as a seat suitable for accommodating a user in the sitting position. 40. The rowing machine of claim 39, further comprising a first oar member mechanically connected to the sled. 41. The rowing machine of claim 40, wherein said elongated shell member further comprises a first retaining slot. 42. The rowing machine of claim 41, wherein said base member further comprises a first wheel-shell captivator and dampener mechanically connected to said first retaining slot. 43. The rowing machine of claim 31, wherein the length of said elongated shell member extends from the front end of the sled member to the rear of the sled member. 44. The rowing machine of claim 1, wherein said first drive flexible connecting member is selected from the group consisting of a chain and any one of a cable, a rope, a belt, a strap, a cord, and a wire.