Adjustable foot plate for rowing machines
An adjustable foot plate for rowing machines is provided. The foot plate includes two platforms for placing a user's feet thereon when using the rowing machine. Each platform includes a strap, a heel counter and lengthening member for adjusting a distance between the strap and the heel counter to align the widest part of the user's foot with the strap. The platforms are laterally adjustable by a linear drive mechanism to vary a distance between the user's feet to better accommodate users of varying size/height. Lateral adjustment of the platforms may also provide for the user to exercise different muscle groups as part of an exercise regime.
1 . An adjustable foot plate for a rowing machine, the adjustable foot plate comprising:
a frame, comprising:
at least one mounting point for attaching the adjustable foot plate to the rowing machine; and
a pair of parallel guide rails;
a left foot platform and a right foot platform mounted on the pair of parallel guide rails; and
a linear drive mechanism for moving the left foot platform and the right foot platform laterally along the pair of parallel guide rails,
wherein outward lateral travel of the left foot platform and the right foot platform beyond a maximum distance is prevented by respective sides of the frame contacting a center rib on each of the left foot platform and the right foot platform; and
wherein inward lateral travel of the left foot platform and the right foot platform past a minimum distance is prevented by respective ends of the pair of parallel guide rails contacting a lip on each of the left foot platform and the right foot platform.
2 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 1 , wherein the linear drive mechanism comprises:
a first-handed fixed nut on the left foot platform;
a second-handed fixed nut on the right foot platform;
a screw shaft, comprising:
a first-handed threaded segment passing through the first-handed fixed nut;
a second-handed threaded segment passing through the second-handed fixed nut; and
a crank connected to the screw shaft.
3 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 2 , wherein turning the crank in a first direction causes the left foot platform and the right foot platform to travel laterally along the pair of parallel guide rails, to increase a distance between the left foot platform and the right foot platform.
4 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 3 , wherein turning the crank in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, causes the left foot platform and the right foot platform to travel laterally along the pair of parallel guide rails, to decrease a distance between the left foot platform and the right foot platform.
5 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 2 , further comprising a support member disposed on the frame between the left foot platform and the right foot platform at an equidistant point between the fixed nuts, the support member configured for holding the screw shaft in parallel with the pair of parallel guide rails.
6 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 2 , wherein each of the first-handed fixed nut and the second-handed fixed nut is one of: a nut plate, a T-nut, a leadscrew nut, a ball screw nut.
7 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 1 , wherein each of the left foot platform and the right foot platform further comprises:
a strap configured for securing a user's foot to the respective foot platform;
a locking member including locking lugs; and
a lengthening member having a heel counter and a front end, the front end configured to pass under the strap and through the locking member,
wherein the strap is disposed between the heel counter and the locking member.
8 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 7 , wherein the front end is moveable through the locking member to vary a distance between the heel counter and the strap.
9 . The adjustable foot plate of claim 7 , wherein the locking member fixedly holds the front end to fix a distance between the strap and the heel counter.
10 . A rowing machine, comprising:
an adjustable foot plate mounted to a frame of the rowing machine, the adjustable foot plate comprising:
a frame comprising a pair of parallel guide rails;
a left foot platform and a right foot platform mounted on the pair of parallel guide rails;
a linear drive mechanism for moving the left foot platform and the right foot platform laterally along the pair of parallel guide rails,
wherein outward lateral travel of the left foot platform and the right foot platform beyond a maximum distance is prevented by respective sides of the frame contacting a center rib on each of the left foot platform and the right foot platform; and
wherein inward lateral travel of the left foot platform and the right foot platform past a minimum distance is prevented by respective ends of the pair of parallel guide rails contacting a lip on each of the left foot platform and the right foot platform.
11 . The rowing machine of claim 10 , wherein the linear drive mechanism comprises:
a first-handed fixed nut on the left foot platform;
a second-handed fixed nut on the right foot platform;
a screw shaft, comprising:
a first-handed threaded segment passing through the first-handed fixed nut;
a second-handed threaded segment passing through the second-handed fixed nut; and
a crank connected to the screw shaft.
12 . The rowing machine of claim 11 , wherein turning the crank in a first direction causes the left foot platform and the right foot platform to travel laterally along the pair of parallel guide rails, to increase a distance between the left foot platform and the right foot platform.
13 . The rowing machine of claim 12 , wherein turning the crank in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, causes the left foot platform and the right foot platform to travel laterally along the pair of parallel guide rails, to decrease a distance between the left foot platform and the right foot platform.
14 . The rowing machine of claim 10 , wherein each of the left foot platform and the right foot platform comprises:
a strap configured for securing a user's foot to the respective foot platform;
a locking member including locking lugs; and
a lengthening member having a heel counter and a front end, the front end configured to pass under the strap and through the locking member, wherein the strap is disposed between the heel counter and the locking member.
15 . The rowing machine of claim 14 , wherein the front end is moveable through the locking member to vary a distance between the heel counter and the strap.
16 . The rowing machine of claim 14 , wherein the locking member fixedly holds the front end to fix a distance between the strap and the heel counter.
17 . The rowing machine of claim 10 , wherein the adjustable foot plate straddles a seat rail of the rowing machine.