Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EXERCISING APPARA~US
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an exercising
apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates
to an exercising apparatus for the training and exercising
of jockeys.
lQ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The art of being a successful jockey demands a
high degree of skill and experience which is normally
developed during the actual riding of a horse. The
inventor is not aware of any device which can artificially
simulate not only neck and head movements but also the
body movement of a galloping racehorse, which could be
used for the training and exercising of jockeys. It is,
accordingly, an object of the present invention to provîde
an apparatus which simulates the movements of a galloping
horse and which is suitable for the purpose of exercising
and training jockeys. -
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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According to one aspect of the invention, there
is provided exercising apparatus, comprising a base
member; means on the base member capable of performing
reciprocating movement relative to the base member::in a
vertical plane; and a body member on the base member
having a front end, a rear:end and a back:portion on its
upper side for~supporting a rider; the body member being
connected to the base member by means of a first
connection located towards the rear end o~ the body
member, said:first connection being a pivotal connection;
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and a second:connection located towards the front end of
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the body member, said second connection being located on
said means capable of performing reciprocating movement
relative to the base member.
According to another aspect of the invention,
there is provided exercising apparatus, comprising a base
member; a body member having a front end, a rear end and a
back portion on its upper side for supporting a rider; a
neck portion on the body member which is connected to
said body member for pivotal movement about a
substantially horizontal axis; resilient means between
the neck and the body portion for biasing the neck to a
raised position; and means ~or adjusting the tension of
said resilient means.
Further objects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from the description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of an
exercising apparatus according to the invention, showing a
horse body mounted on a base;
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Figure 2 is an underneath~plan view of the body
of Figure l;
Figures 3A and B are respectively side and plan
views of body mounting brackets of the apparatus~of
Figure l;
Figures 4A and B are respectively a three~
dimensional side view and an end view of a neck portion of
the exercising apparatus of Figure 1:
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Figures 5A and B are respectively a side view
and an end view of a head portion of the exercising
apparatus of Figure l;
Fig~lre 6 is a schematical side view of means for
imparting movement of the horse body relative to the base
of Figure 1;
Figure 7A is a plan view of a support bracket
for a crankshaft of the movement imparting means of
Figure 6;
Figure 7B is a section taken along the lines
VII-VII in Figure 7A;
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Figure 7C is a side view of a crankshaft of the
movement imparting means of Figure 6;
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Figures 8A and B are plan and side views :~
respectively of a support frame through which the horse
body is mounted:on the base;
Figure g is a side view of a connecting arm and
bushing for connecting the horse body to ~a crankshaft of
Figure 7C;
Figure 10 is a schematical side view of the
connection between the crankshaft of Figure 7C and the
connecting arm of Figure 9;
Figure llA is a side view of a bracket for ~: :: :`
connecting the support frame:of Figure 8A to the support ::
bracket of~Figure 12A; ~
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Figure llB is a side view of the suppart ~rame
of Figure 8A showing the bracket of Figure llA mounted
thereon;
5Figur~ 12A is a side view of a bracket for
connectin~ the horse body to the ba~e;
Figure 12B is a plan view of a base plate of the
bracket of Figure 12A;
Figure 13 is a fractional side view showing the
connection of the neck portion to the body;
Figure 14 is a plan view of the arrangement
shown in Figure 13 but on a smaller scale; and
Figure 15 is a plan view showing the means for
connecting the head portion to the neck portion.
20DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREPE~RED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 shows an overall view of the
exercising apparatus, generally indicated at 10:, which in
the preferred embodiment, resembles a thoroughbred
racehorse, for use in the training and exercising of
jockeys.
The apparatus 10 comprises a horse body,
generally indicated at 12, which is provided with a neck .
portion 14 and a head portion I6, and mounted on a base
18. The body 12, neck and head portions 14, 16 are actual
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~ife size to make the apparatus as realistic as possible.
The body 12 is in the form of a moulded shell of
fibreglass, which is open at its bottom and which bottom
view is shown in Figure 2. Front legs 12.1 and hind legs
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12.2 are provided on the body 12. Although not apparent
from Figure 2, the front and hind legs 12.1 and 12.2,
whilst they do not extend right down to the hoofs, extend
further down than the rest of the body 12, as shown in
Figure 1. During moulding, a pair of thick aluminum
brackets 20, also shown in Figures 3A and B, are moulded
into the body 12, one towards the rear and one towards the
front end of the body 12, so that the brackets 20 extend
crosswise between the opposite sides of the body 12, as
shown in Figure 2. The body 12 has a back portion 22 on
its upper side for supporting a rider, such as a jockey
(not shown) thereon.
The neck portion 14 comprises a hollow shell
moulded of fibreglass and is of generally cylindrical
shape and having a substantially oval-shaped cross-section
(Figures 4A and B). At the head joining end of the neck
portion 14, a pair of brackets 28 are moulded into the
neck portion 14 on opposite sides thereof for connecting
the head portion 16 thereto, as will be described below.
The head portion 16 is also a hollow shell
moulded from fibreglass and a pair of brackets 30 are
moulded therein on opposite sides thereof (Figures 5A
and B).
The base 18 is in the form of a vented sheet
metal housing in which is located the components for
imparting movement to the body 12 (Figure 6). These
components comprise an electric motor 32 mounted on a
reduction gear box 34, which has an output sprocket 36,
and which is connected by means of a drive chain 38, to a
drive sprocket 40 on a crankshaft assembly 42
incorporating a crankshaft 48. A connecting arm 44 is
connected to the crankshaft 48. The motor 32 drives the
gear box 34 and the crankshaft 48 to impart reciprocating
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motion to the arm 44. A control box 46 is provided and
located in the rear of the body 12 for varying the speed
of rotation of the crankshaft 48, as required by the
rider.
The components of the crankshaft assembly 42 are
shown in Figures 7A, B and C. They comprise a support
member 46 having a base plate 46.1 and a pair o~ upright
support members 46.2 located thereon. The upright members
46.2 have recesses 46.3 and holes 46.4 for bolting
bearings (not shown) to the upright members 46.2. The
support member 46 supports the crankshaft 48, which
comprises an inner shaft 48.1 mounted between a pair o~
side arms 48.2. A pair of shafts 48.3 and 48.4 are
provided on the side arms and are received within the
bearings (not shown) on the upright members 46.2. The
shafts 48.3 and 48.4 are coaxial and are offset from the
inner shaft 48.1. A bushing sleeve 50 is provided around
the inner shaft 48.1 and the arm 44, already referred to
abova, is connected to the bushing sleeve 50.
The connection o~ the body 12 to the base 18 is
by means of a frame 56 (Figures 8A and B) which is bolted
to the brackets 20 on the underside of the body ~2. (In
Figure 6, the brackets 20 are shown, but the body 12, to
which the brackets 20 are connected, has been omitted).
~t its front end, the frame 56 is connected to a
connecting member 57 which comprises a bushing 58 which is
located on a shaft 60 which, in turn, is contained between
end pieces 62 (Figure 9~. The bushing 58 is connected to
a secondary connecting arm 64, which is bolted to the
other connecting arm 44. The arms 44 and 64 are each
provided with a~plurality of connecting holes 66 so that
the combination of the arms 44, 6~ is lenyth adjustable to
provide for different horse-running styles ~Figure 10).
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At its rear end, the frame 56 is provided with a
bracket 68 (Figures llA and B) which is pivotally
connected at 72 to a supporting bracket 70 having a base
plate 70.1 (Figures 12A and B), which is bolted to thP top
of the gear box 34 (Figure 6). Thus, when driven by the
motor 32, the arms 44, 64 perform a vertical reaiprocating
movement which is imparted to the front of the ~ody 12,
while the rear of the body 12 performs a pivotal movement
about the pivotal connection 72, to simulate the body
motion of a galloping horse. The speed o~ the movement
can be controlled through the control box 46 from a slow
motion to a fast gallop, as required by the jockey.
Apart from the above-mentioned motion of the
body 12, the further features of the exercising apparatus
10 is that the neck portion 14 can perform periodic
movement relative to the body 12. This feature is now
described with references to Figures 13 and 14.
The neck portion 14 is mounted to the body 12 by
means of a bracket 74, having one arm 74.1 which is bolted
to the top inner part of the neck portion 14. ~ socket 76
is provided at one end of the a:rm 74.1, which is pivotally
connected to the body 12 by means of a pair of brackets
78, which are bolted to the body at 80 and a hinge pin 82
extending through the brackets 78 and the socke~ 76.
The bracket 74 has a second arm 74.2 to which is
pivotally connected at 84, an air shock absorber 86. The
other end of the shock absorber 86 is connected to a
bracket 88 which is bolted to the frame 56.
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A stopper 90 is located at the lower end of the
arm 74.2 for cooperatin~ with an aluminum stopper bracket ~ ::5 91, bolted to the inner side o~ the body 12, for stopping
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neck movement. Thus, the stopper bracket 91 limits the
upward movement of the neck portion 14.
A foot-operated pump 92 is located on the base
18 (Figure 1) and is connected through suitable valve
means and tubing (not shown) to the air shock absorber 86
to supply air to the shock absorber 86, thereby to control
the stiffness or tension of the neck movement. A pressure
gauge and a relief valve (not shown) are provided on the
control panel 46 for checking air pressure and releasing
air ~rom the shock absorber 86.
The air pressure gauge allows an operator of the
apparatus to pressurize the system to a desired pressure.
The pressure relief valve allows him to slightly or
greatly release the air pressure, resulting in a fully
adjustable pressurized system. The amount of air
pressurized in the shock absorber 86 by the foot pump 92
determines the amount of force required to push the neck
downward. The amount of force required is thus fully
adjustable~. This allows the rider to determine the type
of exercise and end results obtained. As an example, less
force provides a greater fre~uency of movement and results
in greater stamina. The greater the force required on the
other hand, results in muscle buildup. The action of
pushing on the neck is known as "handriding'l in the racing
industry, and this action is known to encourage the horse.
~ With reference to Figure 15, the connection of
the head portion 16 to the neck portion 14 will now be
described. In the drawing, the brackets 28 and 30 in the
neck and head portions 14, 16, respectively, are shown.
These brackets 28, 30 comprise pairs of angle iron
sections~which are stitch-welded together prior tc
moulding into the neck and head portions 14, 16
respectively. A connecting piece 94 of a stiff resilient
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material, such as DURA-HYDE 95'lA" plate, is bolted between
the brackets 28, 30 by means of further brackets 96 to
join the neck and head portions 14, 16 together. The neck
and head portions 14, 16 are connected together in such a
fashion that there i5 a space between them to allow
unimpeded side-to-side movement of the head portion 16
under the constraint of the resilient member 9~ to
simulate lugging. A band of cloth 98 or other suitable
covering material, is provided to cover the gap between
10 the neck and head portions 14, 16, as shown in Figure 1.
During use, the head portion 16 can move from side to side
when pressure from pushing or pulling is applied. The
connection piece 94 returns the head portion to the
straightforward facing position when no pressure or pull
is applied.
The head portion 16 is also fitted with a tube
100 through its mouth during moulding to receive a mouth
bit and lines 102. The finished head portion 16 is
painted according to desired colour tones and showing the
head gear with suitable hardshell durable paint. This
also applies to the body 12 and neck portion 14. A
realistic mane 104, fabricated from a wig material, is
attached along the back of the neck portion 16, to provide ?
as realistic as possible simulation of a racehorse.
During actual racing, the horse's mane is also a factor to
be contended with by the jockey as it can become entangled
with the lines 102.
During moulding of the body 12, slots (not
shown) are provided in the back portion 22 to mount a
saddle 106 and foot stirrups 108.
Foam rubber pads 110 are provided on the buttock
35 parts of the body 12. The pads 110 are conveniently
fabricated from a high-density foam material and are
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covered with a burlap-type material. They are fastened to
both sides of the rear of the horse with suitable studs.
The pads llo are for practising of whipping techniques and
the size of each pad is conveniently 12 inches in
diameter.
In use, two types of exercises can be performed
using the apparatus 10. Firstly, the body motion can be
set in operation so that the jockey can experience the
movement of a galloping horse. The speed of such motion,
as described above, can be varied from a slow motion to a
fast gallop. When pulling on the lines 102, the head is
moved from side to side, which will simulate lugging.
During this exercise, the neck portion is locked
to the body 12 so that it does not perform pivotal
movement about the hinge pin 82. This locking is effected
by means of a locking arm 114 which is mounted on the body
12 for pivotal movement about an axis 116. An eye
retainer arm 118 is pivotally ¢onnected to the locking arm
114 at 120. The arm 118 terminates in an eye 122 which
engages with a hook 124 provided on the neck portion 14.
In use, the eye 122 is engaged with the hook 124 and the
arm 114 is pivoted about the axis 116 towards the body 12,
as shown by the arrow in Figure 13, to snap into a locking
position. The length of the arm 118 is adjustable.
During a second exercise, the body 12 can remain
stationary and the handriding exercise can be performed at
different settings of the stiffness of the air shock 86,
e.g. a soft setting whereby light pressure is required and
high frequency of movement is obtained or a stiffer
movement of the neck at a lower frequency. During this
exercise the neck portion 14 is unlocked.
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A pair of levers 112 are provided for li~ting
the base 18 to insert castors (not shown) underneath the
base so that the apparatus 10 can easily be moved to any
desired location.
While only a preferred embodiment of khe
invention has been described herein in detail, the
invention is not limited thereby and modifications can be
made within the scope of the attached claims.
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