Apparatus for the gymnastic exercises of paddling simulation

2) Apparatus for the gymnastic exercise of paddling simulation according to the preceding claim, wherein both of said rotation axis (Y-Y) of each of said crank mechanism (30) are arranged such that:

• They are symmetrically arranged with respect to a sagittal plane of said apparatus, said sagittal plane being defined by a vertical plane that crosses the longitudinal axis of said apparatus;
• They are not parallel with respect to said sagittal plane;
• They each form an angle less than or equal to 90 degrees with respect to said sagittal plane at said front part of said apparatus;
• They are contained on a same plane;
• They intersect said sagittal plane at the same point;
• and
• They are both at the same height from the surface where said frame (1) of said apparatus rests.

5) Apparatus for the gymnastic exercise of paddling simulation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each crank mechanism (30) comprises:

• a shaft rotatably connected to said supporting base (31);
• an crank arm (33) connected at one end to said shaft, said arm (33) being optionally telescopic and lockable;
• and
• a grip (35a, 391) of a handle (35) rotatable and/or oscillating mounted at the opposite end of said arm (33) via a rotatable/oscillating supporting member (36, 390).

7) Apparatus for the gymnastic exercise of paddling simulation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting means (2) of said kinematics mechanism (3) comprises:

• a base (20) connected to said frame (1) at said front and central part of said apparatus;
• and
• a supporting rod (21) connected to said base (20) in a lockable oscillating manner, said rod (21) supporting said base (31) of said kinematics mechanism (3);
• the arrangement being such that a user (4) is able to position himself on said apparatus in such a way that said supporting means (2) and said crank mechanisms (30) are arranged inside the legs of said user (4).

11) Apparatus for the gymnastic exercise of paddling simulation according to any of the preceding claims from 1 to 6, wherein:

• said supporting means of said kinematics mechanism (3) comprises a pair of mechanical supporting members (10) each comprising a rod and each mounted in an tiltable and lockable manner on said frame (1) at a first end thereof, each mechanical supporting member (10) being associated to a respective crank mechanism (30) via a supporting base (31), and each mechanical supporting member (10) being arranged on the frame (1) externally with respect to said housing region (11) of said user (4) and such that said housing region (11) is internally arranged between the pair of f said mechanical supporting members (10), and wherein each supporting base (31) is mounted in an orientable and lockable manner onto each opposite end of each mechanical supporting member (10);
• each crank mechanism (30) is mounted on a respective mechanical supporting member (10) in a manner that said rotation axis (Y-Y) of the shafts diverge at the front part and the longitudinal direction of said frame (1) and that they are symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane of said apparatus;
• each crank mechanism (30) is mounted on a respective mechanical supporting member (10) in an orientable manner such that the divergence of said axis (Y-Y) of said shaft and the inclination of the plane containing said shaft axis (Y-Y) can be varied with respect to said apparatus;
• each crank mechanism (30) comprises an arm (33) which includes at least two parts (33a, 33b) mutually connected via a rotating joint (34), and wherein at least one part (33a, 33b) of said arm (33) is optionally telescopically slidable and lockable.

17) Apparatus for the gymnastic exercise of paddling simulation according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic control system for the motion of the crank mechanisms (30), said control system comprising:

• a) a microcontroller that implements the control logic,
• b) said mechanical resistance means (23),
• c) a controller, which transforms the logic signals coming from said microcontroller into power signals directed to said mechanical resistance means (23);
• d) a position sensor system capable of detecting the angular position of said handles (35a, 391) and/or of the shafts of each crank mechanism (30);
• and optionally
• e) an electrical power supply system;
• f) a virtual reality system for simulating a virtual environment wherein said user (4) is positioned;
• and wherein
• said virtual reality system receives as input the signals coming from said position sensor system;
• said electronic control system is suitable for adjusting/modifying the resisting torque values applied by said resistance means (23) to said kinematics mechanism (3) via said transmission means (37), said adjusting/modification of the resistance torque values being a function of:
• the angular position of the shafts of each crank mechanism (30);
• and/or
• the angular position of said handles (35a, 391) of each crank mechanism (30).
• and wherein
• said setting of said resisting torque to said kinematics mechanism (3) is performed in a virtual reality context.