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Device for determining the position of a sliding seatRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation ThereofDevice for determining the position of a sliding seat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060035753, Device for determining the position of a sliding seat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from the United Kingdom application GB 0418213.5. [0002] The invention relates to a sliding seat in the sports of rowing, canoeing and kayaking. [0003] In the sports of rowing, canoeing and kayaking, sliding seats are often used to allow the athlete to use their legs, in addition to their arms and body, to propel the boat. With the feet fixed in position relative to the boat, the legs can bent during the recovery phase of a stroke and then straightened during the drive phase of the stroke, when the blade or paddle is in the water, such that the legs help to propel the boat. [0004] Such seats are typically mounted on wheels that slide in smooth tracks. This system constrains the movement of the seat to a single dimension and reduces frictional losses. [0005] For the purposes of teaching and high performance coaching it is desirable to be able to measure the position of such a sliding seat as it varies with time. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0006] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX [0007] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0008] The invention relates to a sliding seat in the sports of rowing, canoeing and kayaking. This could apply to water based craft or land based simulators such as rowing machines or ergometers. [0009] In the sports of rowing, canoeing and kayaking, sliding seats are often used to allow the athlete to use their legs, in addition to their arms and body, to propel the boat. With the feet fixed in position relative to the boat, the legs can bent during the recovery phase of a stroke and then straightened during the drive phase of the stroke, when the blade or paddle is in the water, such that the legs help to propel the boat. [0010] Such seats are typically mounted on wheels that slide in smooth tracks. This system constrains the movement of the seat to a single dimension and reduces frictional losses. [0011] For the purposes of teaching and high performance coaching it is desirable to be able to measure the position of such a sliding seat as it varies with time. From this data the velocity and acceleration of the seat at any time can be derived. Such a device should provide a single linear measurement from a known point. This is sufficient to define the position of the seat in space. [0012] It would be undesirable for the device to alter the forces required to move the seat since this would change the characteristics of the rowing boat and alter the performance of the athlete. This requirement rules out a lot of conventional contact methods of determining position due to frictional forces. [0013] An obvious solution to the need for a non-contact sensor would appear to be an ultrasonic range finder. This however is not a practical solution due to complications from spurious reflections from the user's body. [0014] A further problem is that if a sensor is to be mounted on the sliding seat, a method of transmitting data from the sensor to the boat or fixed structure of a rowing machine is required. Again this must not interfere with the characteristics of the system. [0015] A further problem is one of space and weight limitations. Any sensor that is to be fitted to a sliding seat must be lightweight in order not to interfere with the characteristics of the system and is constrained on dimensions due to the geometry of the seat and slide rail system. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] The object of this invention is to provide a device that will accurately determine the position of a sliding seat as it varies with time, without interacting with the mechanical characteristics of the sliding seat system. [0017] The invention uses an encoded strip which is attached to the boat or rowing machine and a sensor arrangement which is attached to the underside of the sliding seat. The sensor arrangement includes a microcontroller that monitors the encoded pattern on the strip and determines the position of the sliding seat. This data is then transmitted via a radio link to the boat or fixed structure. [0018] The advantages of this system are that the seat position is determined by a reliable non-contact method. The precision of the measurement can be set by altering the geometry of the encoded strip. The mass of the seat sensor arrangement is sufficiently low to have negligible effect on the characteristics of the system. No wires or other material interfaces are needed to retrieve the seat position data from the sensor arrangement. The encoded strip can be located as an integral part of the slide rails that support the seat. This feature allows the system to be fitted to a boat or rowing machine without encroaching on the space needed by the rower or altering the geometry of the boat and seat in any significant way. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING Continue reading about Device for determining the position of a sliding seat... Full patent description for Device for determining the position of a sliding seat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device for determining the position of a sliding seat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Device for determining the position of a sliding seat or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Pliable ball grip handle with applications Next Patent Application: Dual-function exercise device Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Device for determining the position of a sliding seat patent info. 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