When we initially went about building this device, we thought it essential to understand how a typical horizontal rowing machine works. After viewing how some individuals built their own “at-home” rowing machines (such as Matt Nunan on YouTube), we deconstructed his basic layout and transitioned it into a vertical device. We immediately knew the device should be more compact, and as such, would have a much shorter chain and elastic band than typical DIY rowing machines. Figure 1 shows our initial sketch evaluating the DIY horizontal rowing machine layout. Figure 2 shows our transition from a horizontal layout to a vertical layout. Both of these figures display some of the notes we made about the original device, as well as how we thought we should change it.
Figure 1. Horizontal Rowing Machine Layout
As some of these earlier designs show, it was quickly decided that the fan should be placed within some form of “housing” or at least “sandwiched” between two sides of a plate to protect both the moving components inside, as well as the user. (Also note the addition of a “handlebar catcher,” which we ultimately did not perfect, but do acknowledge the importance of in an automatic-retractive device such as this).
Figure 2. Redesigned Vertical Rowing Machine Layout
Figure 1: Side View Drawing of the Design
Figure 2: Drawings for the Foot and Pulley Holding Plates
Figure 3: Low Resolution Prototype