Patent Application
20150182787
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly relates to exercise device providing elliptical or elliptical-like exercising paths.
2. Description of Related Art
Without limiting the disclosed embodiments, an elliptical trainer, also called a cross-trainer or an X-trainer, is a stationary exercise machine to simulate stair climbing, walking, or running.
The elliptical trainer does not cause excessive pressure to the joints as the two legs simultaneously share the burden, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries.
The elliptical trainer typically includes two pedals. A user steps on the pedals and the operation of the elliptical trainer cause the pedals to provide a moving path. For conventional elliptical trainers, the path of the pedals cannot be varied.
Taiwan Patent, Publication No., M403355, entitled “Rising Device for Elliptical Trainers,” discloses an elliptical trainer with a rising device that can adjust the path of the pedals. As shown in
Yet there is still a need for an elliptical trainer that can reduce cost and increase stability and varieties of exercise.
In one general aspect, the present invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly relates to exercise device providing elliptical exercise paths.
In an embodiment of the present invention, an exercise device is provided with a reciprocal-movement mechanism and an angle-adjusting chassis comprising a frame, a guider, and a driving assembly. The reciprocal-movement mechanism is operable between at least a first position and a second position, the reciprocal-movement mechanism has a front portion and a rear portion. The angle-adjusting chassis is coupled with the reciprocal-movement mechanism, the angle-adjusting chassis configured to change at least one of a moving path of the reciprocal-movement mechanism, the first position, and the second position. The frame is coupled with the front portion of the reciprocal-movement mechanism, the frame having a front portion configured to be supported by a supporting surface and a rear portion. The guider is movably coupled with the rear portion of the reciprocal-movement mechanism, the guider having a front portion pivotably coupled with the rear portion of the frame, the guider having a rear portion configured to be supported by the supporting surface. The driving assembly is coupled with the frame for driving a moving piece that causes the rear portion of the frame to rise or fall between a first level and a second level, wherein a movement of the rear portion of the frame causes an incline angle of the guider to vary between a first guider incline angle and a second guider incline angle.
In one embodiment, the reciprocal-movement mechanism comprises a flywheel providing a damping effect, a driving wheel for driving the flywheel, two cranks respectively arranged at a side of the driving wheel for driving the driving wheel, and two driving arms with each arm comprising two ends in which one end couples with the crank and the other couples with a wheel disposed on the guider.
In one embodiment, the reciprocal-movement mechanism provides an elliptical or elliptical-like moving path between the first position and the second position and enables an operation by foot movements.
In one embodiment, the frame is pivotably movable relative to the supporting surface based on a pivot point near the front portion of the frame and near the supporting surface.
In one embodiment, the guider comprises two guide rails enabling movements of two first members of the reciprocal-movement mechanism along the guide rails, wherein a rear portion of each of the two first members is slidably coupled with a corresponding guide rail of the two guider rails.
In one embodiment, the supporting surface is ground surface.
In one embodiment, the guider is pivotably movable relative to the supporting surface based on a pivot point near the rear portion of the guider and near the supporting surface.
In one embodiment, at least the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the guider provide ground support for supporting the exercise device when the exercise device rests on the supporting surface.
In one embodiment, the guider rotates clockwise around a pivot point near the rear portion of the guider to increase the incline angle when the frame rotates counterclockwise around a pivot point near the front portion of the frame, resulting in a first frame incline angle between a bottom of the frame and the supporting surface and the incline angle between the first guider incline angle and the second guider incline angle, with the incline angle being between a bottom of the guider and the supporting surface.
In one embodiment, the driving assembly comprises a motor, a screw rod driven by the motor, an internally-threaded tube rotatably coupled with the screw rod and driven by the motor to move along the screw, and the moving piece coupled with the internally-threaded tube.
In one embodiment, the moving piece is pivotably coupled with the frame and has a first portion slidably supported by the supporting surface and the second portion driven by the motor through the internally-thread tube so that a movement of the internally-threaded tube along the screw causes the first portion to slide, on the supporting surface, either forward to increase the incline angle or backward to decrease the incline angle.
In one embodiment, the rear portion of the frame is pivotably mounted below the front portion of the guider with two parallel pivot points. In one embodiment, a rear end of the frame is pivotally attached to and below the front end of the guider.
In one embodiment, at least a two pads are arranged under and near the front portion of the frame, wherein each of the two pads comprises a surface for contacting the supporting surface and a curved junction corresponding to and coupled with an arced junction of the frame.
Embodiments of the invention are now described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, instances of which are to be interpreted to be to scale in some implementations while in other implementations, for each instance, not. In certain aspects, use of like or the same reference designators in the drawings and description refers to the same, similar or analogous components and/or elements, while according to other implementations the same use should not. According to certain implementations, use of directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, front, clockwise, and counterclockwise, are to be construed literally, while in other implementations the same use should not. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations and components are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. While drawings are illustrated in detail, it is appreciated that the quantity of the disclosed components may be greater or less than that disclosed, except where expressly restricting the amount of the components.
Referring to
The rear portion 201R of the frame 201 pivotably couples with the front portion 202F of the guider 202; the connection can be the horizontally connected or connected above or below the guider 202. In this context, the term “the rear portion 201R of the frame 201” refers to the rear end 201B of the frame 201 and the portion near the rear end 201B, and the term “the front portion 202F of the guider 202” refers to the front end 202A of the guider 202 and the portion near the front end 202A.
In this preferred embodiment, the rear end 201B of the frame 201 is pivotably mounted below the front end 202A of the guider 202. In an embodiment, the rear end 201B of the frame 201 is pivotally attached to and below the front end 202A of the guider 202. In another embodiment, the rear end 201B of the frame 201 pivotably couples with the front end 202A of the guider 202. In this embodiment, the moving piece 204 pivotably couples with the frame 201, and the driving assembly 203 couples with the frame 201 for driving the moving piece 204 that cause the rear portion of the frame 201 to rise or fall between a first level and a second level, wherein a movement of the rear portion of the frame causes an incline angle of the guider to vary between a first guider incline angle and a second guider incline angle.
In this embodiment, the driving assembly may comprise, but is not limited to, a motor 2031, a screw 2032, and an internally-thread tube 2033. For example, the moving piece 204 may comprise two first linkage parts 2041 and a second linkage part 2043. The two first linkage parts 2041 are respectively arranged at a side of the frame 201, and a second linkage part 2043 connects with the two first linkage parts 2041.
An upper end of the moving piece 204 may pivotably couple with the internally-thread tube 2033 via a pivot 2044. For example, the second linkage part 2043 may pivotably couple with the internally-thread tube 2033 via the pivot 2044. A middle portion of each first linkage part 2041 may pivotably couple with the frame 201, and a lower end of each first linkage part 2041 may comprise a wheel 2046 in contact with the supporting surface or the ground.
It should be noted that the two first linkage parts 2041 are arranged outside of the frame 201 in this embodiment, while they can be arranged inside of the frame in another embodiment. Further, the quantity of the first linkage part could be single. In addition, at least a pad 205 is arranged under the front end 201A of the frame 201, for stabilizing the front end 201A of the frame 201, and/or adjusting the distance between the frame and the supporting surface.
In one embodiment, the frame 201 is pivotably movable relative to the supporting surface based on a pivot point near the front portion of the frame 201 and near the supporting surface. In one embodiment, the guider 202 is pivotably movable relative to the supporting surface based on a pivot point near the rear portion of the guider and near the supporting surface. In one embodiment, at least the front portion of the frame 201 and the rear portion of the guider 202 provide ground support for supporting the exercise device when the exercise device rests on the supporting surface.
As shown in
The above-mentioned operation can be reversible. The motor 2031 can drive the screw 2032 to rotate and to make the internally-thread tube 2033 moving in the direction toward the motor 2031, and hence cause reciprocal-movement mechanism 30, the frame 201 and the guider 202 back to the first position as shown in
The user steps on the pedals 312 with his or her hands holding the stationary handles 303 or the handles 302. Therefore, when the user exerts forces on the handles 302 and pedals 312, the flywheel 309 is driven by the driving wheel 308 via the swing arms 306, the linkage arms 310, the driving arms 311, and the cranks 307, and the wheel 313 reciprocates on the guider 202, and the pedals 312 makes an elliptical or elliptical-like circle, respectively. The user can control the driving assembly 203, e.g., motor, via the control panel 301, so as to control the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 (the incline angle of the guider). The degree or slope of the first angle θ1, the second angle θ2, and the incline angle of the guider can be varied. In addition, the swing arm 306 and the handle 302 could slightly tilt when the frame 201 is risen. The reciprocal-movement mechanism 30 provides elliptical or elliptical-like moving paths between the first position and the second position and enables an operation by foot movements of the user.
Referring to
The rear portion 501R of the frame 501 couples with the front portion 502F of the guider 502; the connection can be the horizontally connected or connected above or below the guider 502. In this context, the term “the rear portion 501R of the frame 501” refers to the rear end 501B of the frame 501 and the portion near the rear end 501B, and the term “the front portion 502F of the guider 502” refers to the front end 502A of the guider 502 and the portion near the front end 502A.
In this embodiment, the rear end 501B of the frame 501 is pivotably mounted below the front end 502A of the guider 502. In an embodiment, the rear end 501B of the frame 501 is pivotally attached to and below the front end 502A of the guider 502. In another embodiment, the rear end 501B of the frame 501 pivotably couples with the front end 502A of the guider 502.
In this embodiment, the moving piece 504 pivotably couples with the frame 501, and the driving assembly 503 couples with the frame 501 for driving the moving piece 504 that cause the rear portion of the frame 501 to rise or fall between a first level and a second level, wherein a movement of the rear portion of the frame causes an incline angle of the guider to vary between a first guider incline angle and a second guider incline angle. In this embodiment, the driving assembly 503 may comprise, but is not limited to, a motor 5031, a screw 5032, and an internally-thread tube 5033.
For instance, the moving piece 504 may comprise a saddle part 5041 and a linkage part 5042. In this embodiment, the saddle part 5041 is, but is not limited to, a U-shaped configuration comprising two arms respectively fixed on the frame 501. An upper end of the linkage part 5042 pivotably couples with the saddle part 5041 via a pivot 5043, and a lower end of the linkage part 5042 pivotably couples with the internally-thread tube 5033 via a pivot 5044. In addition, the lower end of the linkage part 5042 may comprise at least a wheel for in contact with the supporting surface or the ground. In one embodiment, at least the front portion of the frame 501 and the rear portion of the guider 502 provide ground support for supporting the exercise device when the exercise device rests on the supporting surface.
In addition, at least a pad 505 is arranged under the front end 501A of the frame 501, for stabilizing the front end 501A of the frame 501, and/or adjusting the distance between the frame 501 and the supporting surface.
In one embodiment, the frame 501 is pivotably movable relative to the supporting surface based on a pivot point near the front portion of the frame 501 and near the supporting surface. In one embodiment, the guider 502 is pivotably movable relative to the supporting surface based on a pivot point near the rear portion of the guider and near the supporting surface.
As shown in
The above-mentioned operation can be reversible. The motor 5031 can drive the screw 5032 to rotate and to make the internally-thread tube 5033 moving in the direction away from the motor 5031, and hence cause the frame 501 and the guider 502 back to the first position as shown in
As shown in
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide exercise devices in which the frame and the guider respectively rotate about an end, so as to alter the and control a level of the rear portion of the frame to be between a first level and a second level, and thus change the moving path of the reciprocal-movement mechanism. The frame and guider of conventional trainers are overlapped with each other. By contrast the dimension of the frame is significantly reduced and the frame not overlaps with the guider; and therefore the material cost can be saved. Further, the frame of conventional trainers needs to be horizontally arranged and attached to the ground, while the frame of the present invention has a novel design without those limitations. In addition, because the pivot point of the angle-adjustment chassis is near to the center of the elliptical trainer, the response time of the angle adjustment of this invention is faster than that of the prior art.
The intent accompanying this disclosure is to have each/all embodiments construed in conjunction with the knowledge of one skilled in the art to cover all modifications, variations, combinations, permutations, omissions, substitutions, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments, to the extent not mutually exclusive, as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Corresponding or related structure and methods disclosed or referenced herein, and/or in any and all co-pending, abandoned or patented application(s) by any of the named inventor(s) or assignee(s) of this application and invention, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, wherein such incorporation includes corresponding or related structure (and modifications thereof) which may be, in whole or in part, (i) operable and/or constructed with, (ii) modified by one skilled in the art to be operable and/or constructed with, and/or (iii) implemented/made/used with or in combination with, any part(s) of the present invention according to this disclosure, that of the application and references cited therein, and the knowledge and judgment of one skilled in the art.
Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that embodiments include, and in other interpretations do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, or interpretations thereof, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
All of the contents of the preceding documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Although the disclosure herein refers to certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments have been presented by way of example rather than limitation. For example, any of the particulars or features set out or referenced herein, or other features, including method steps and techniques, may be used with any other structure(s) and process described or referenced herein, in whole or in part, in any combination or permutation as a non-equivalent, separate, non-interchangeable aspect of this invention. Corresponding or related structure and methods specifically contemplated and disclosed herein as part of this invention, to the extent not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one skilled in the art, including, modifications thereto, which may be, in whole or in part, (i) operable and/or constructed with, (ii) modified by one skilled in the art to be operable and/or constructed with, and/or (iii) implemented/made/used with or in combination with, any parts of the present invention according to this disclosure, include: (I) any one or more parts of the above disclosed or referenced structure and methods and/or (II) subject matter of any one or more of the inventive concepts set forth herein and parts thereof, in any permutation and/or combination, include the subject matter of any one or more of the mentioned features and aspects, in any permutation and/or combination.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102148745 | Dec 2013 | TW | national |
