BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional elliptical trainer;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an exercise machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic view of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an assembled schematic view of a pressurizing wheel mechanism according to the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the pressurizing wheel mechanism according to the preferred embodiment, taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the preferred embodiment in a state of use;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary schematic view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating counterclockwise rotational force resulting from a user's weight exerted on a crank wheel unit;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the pressurizing wheel mechanism when the preferred embodiment is under the state shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary schematic view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating clockwise rotational force resulting from the user's weight exerted on the crank wheel unit;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the pressurizing wheel mechanism when the preferred embodiment is under the state shown in FIG. 10; and
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment similar to FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of an exercise machine according to the present invention includes a base 21, an electric motor 22, a first support frame 23, a flywheel unit 24, a crank wheel unit 25, first and second transmission belts 26, 27, a pressurizing wheel mechanism 30, and two pedal assemblies 50 (only one is shown in FIG. 2). The first support frame 23, the flywheel unit 24, the crank wheel unit 25, the first and second transmission belts 26, 27, and the pressurizing wheel mechanism 30 are concealed in a housing 20.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the electric motor 22 is mounted to a front end of the base 21. The first support frame 23 is mounted to the base 21 proximate to a rear end of the base 21. The fly wheel unit 24 is mounted rotatably to the first support frame 23, and is coupled to the electric motor 22 for assisting in rotation of the flywheel unit 24. The crank wheel unit 25 is mounted rotatably to the first support frame 23, and is disposed rearward of the flywheel unit 24. In particular, a motor shaft 221 extends outwardly of the electric motor 22. The flywheel unit 24 includes concentric large and small flywheels 241, 242. The crank wheel unit 25 includes a crank wheel 251, and two cranks 252 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) coupled pivotally to a center of the crank wheel 251 and to a respective one of the pedal assemblies 50 at opposite ends thereof. The first transmission belt 26 is trained on the motor shaft 221 and the large flywheel 241 of the flywheel unit 24 such that rotation of the motor shaft 221, i.e., rotation of the electric motor 22, drives the large flywheel 241 rotatably. The second transmission belt 27 is trained on the small flywheel 242 of the flywheel unit 24 and the crank wheel 251 of the crank wheel unit 25 such that rotation of the small flywheel 242 drives the crank wheel 251 rotatably.
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in combination with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the pressurizing wheel mechanism 30 includes a mounting seat 31, upper and lower pressure wheel units 32, 33, and upper and lower limiting members 34, 35. Referring back to FIG. 3, the mounting seat 31 is mounted to the first support frame 23, and is disposed proximate to the second transmission belt 27. The upper and lower pressure wheel units 32, 33 are provided pivotally on the mounting seat 31. The upper pressure wheel unit 32 has an upper pressure wheel 322 biased to move in a first direction (A) so as to press and tense an upper segment 271 of the second transmission belt 27 that extends between the flywheel unit 24 and the crank wheel unit 25. The lower pressure wheel unit 33 has a lower pressure wheel 332 biased to move in a second direction (B) so as to press and tense a lower segment 272 of the second transmission belt 27 that extends between the flywheel unit 24 and the crank wheel unit 25 below the upper segment 271. In this embodiment, the first and second directions (A, B) are opposite to each other along an arc-shaped groove 312 that is formed in the mounting seat 31. The upper limiting member 34 is mounted to the mounting seat 31 to limit movement of the upper pressure wheel unit 32 in a direction opposite to the first direction (A), i.e., in the second direction (B). The lower limiting member 35 is mounted to the mounting seat 31 to limit movement of the lower pressure wheel unit 33 in a direction opposite to the second direction (B), i.e., in the first direction (A).
In this embodiment, the mounting seat 31 is in the form of a plate that is welded to the first support frame 23. The mounting seat 31 is provided with a pivot 311 and the arc-shaped groove 312 that is centered at an axis (X) of the pivot 311, and is further provided with two threaded tubes 313 at a back surface 314 thereof.
The upper pressure wheel unit 32 further includes an upper plate 321, a first guide axle 3222, a first projection 3223, and a first biasing member 323. The upper plate 321 is mounted pivotally to the mounting seat 31 and has a first end carrying the first guide axle 3222 to hold rotatably the upper pressure wheel 322. The first guide axle 3222 extends slidably through the arc-shaped groove 312 and is connected to the center of the upper pressure wheel 322. The first projection 3223 extends out of the arc-shaped groove 312 from the first guide axle 3222. The first biasing member 323 is an extension spring, and has opposite ends that are coupled respectively to a second end of the upper plate 321 opposite to the first end and an upper portion of the first support frame 23. The first biasing member 323 biases the upper pressure wheel 322 toward the upper segment 271 of the second transmission belt 27. In particular, the upper plate 321 is elongated. The pivot 311 of the mounting seat 31 extends through a portion of the upper plate 321 between the first and second ends.
The lower pressure wheel unit 33 further includes a lower plate 331, a second guide axle 3322, a second projection 3323, and a second biasing member 333. The lower plate 331 has a third end mounted pivotally to the mounting seat 31. The second guide axle 3322 extends slidably through the arc-shaped groove 312 and is connected to a center of the lower pressure wheel 332. The second projection 3323 extends out of the arc-shaped groove 312 from the second guide axle 3322. The second biasing member 333 is an extension spring, and has opposite ends that are coupled respectively to a fourth end of the lower plate 331 opposite to the third end and a lower portion of the first support frame 23. The second biasing member 333 biases the lower pressure wheel 332 toward the lower segment 272 of the transmission belt 27. The lower pressure wheel 332 is mounted to the lower plate 331 between the third and fourth ends. In particular, the lower plate 331 is elongated. The pivot 311 of the mounting seat 31 extends through the third end of the lower plate 331 such that the upper and lower plates 321, 331 of the upper and lower pressure wheel units 32, 33 are pivotable co-axially about the axis (X).
Each of the upper and lower limiting members 34, 35 includes a threaded shaft 341, 351 and a positioning nut 342, 352. Each of the threaded shafts 341, 351 extends threadedly through a respective one of the threaded tubes 313. The threaded shafts 341, 351 have respective ends extending to the first and second projections 3223, 3323 of the upper and lower pressure wheel units 32, 33, respectively, such that the threaded shafts 341, 351 are capable of abutting against the first and second projections 3223, 3323, respectively. The distance from the end of each of the threaded shafts 341, 351 to the respective one of the threaded tubes 313 is adjustable so as to adjust limit imposed on the movement of the respective one of the upper and lower pressure wheels 322, 332 in the arc-shaped groove 312. The positioning nut 342, 352 engages threadedly the threaded shaft 341, 351 so as to lock the threaded shafts 341, 351 against movement after the threaded shafts 341, 351 are adjusted.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the exercise machine according to the preferred embodiment further includes a second support frame 41, a rotary shaft 42, a roller unit 43, and two swing handle units 44. The second support frame 41 extends upwardly from the base 21 and forwardly of the first support frame 23 (shown in FIG. 3). The rotary shaft 42 is mounted rotatably to an upper portion of the second support frame 41. The roller unit 43 is mounted rotatably to a lower portion of the second support frame 41. The swing handle units 44 are mounted to the rotary shaft 42.
In this embodiment, the second support frame 41 includes two support rods 411 respectively disposed on opposite sides relative to the base 21, a control panel 412 disposed across uppermost ends of the support rods 411, and two handrails 413 (only one is visible in FIG. 2) respectively disposed on opposite sides of the control panel 412. Two shaft barrels 421 are provided around on the rotary shaft 42 and are respectively fixed to the swing handle units 44, such as by welding. The roller unit 43 includes a roller shaft 431 mounted to the second support frame 41 between the support rods 411 via two screw fasteners 432, and two rollers 433 coupled rotatably to the roller shaft 431.
Each of the swing handle units 44 includes a grip 441 and a swing handle 442 coupled to a respective one of the shaft barrels 421, a slide rod 443 connected telescopically to a bottom end of the swing handle 442, and a fixer knob 444 provided on the swing handle 442 for locking the slide rod 443 to the bottom end of the swing handle 442. The swing handle 442 is provided with a first ear part 445, and the slide rod 443 is provided with a second ear part 446. The slide rod 443 can be divided into three segments (or any number of segments as determined by the manufacturer) such that the length of the swing handle unit 44 is adjustable to suit users of various heights.
The pedal assemblies 50 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) are disposed on opposite sides of the first support frame 23 (shown in FIG. 3). Each of the pedal assemblies 50 includes a pedal rod 51, first and second link rod units 52, 54, and a pedal member 53. The pedal rod 51 has a forward segment in slidable contact with a respective one of the rollers 433 of the roller unit 43, and a rearward segment connected rotatably to the crank wheel unit 25 (shown in FIG. 3). The first link rod unit 52 has opposite first and second end parts that are coupled pivotally to a front end of the pedal rod 51 and a respective one of the swing handle units 44, respectively. The pedal member 53 is mounted slidably to the pedal rod 51. The second link rod unit 54 has opposite third and fourth end parts that are coupled pivotally to the pedal member 53 and the respective one of the swing handle units 44, respectively.
In this embodiment, the pedal rod 51 is a lengthy plate body with a predefined length, and is formed with slide rails 511 (only one can be seen in FIG. 2) on opposite sides thereof for mounting of the pedal member 53 slidably thereto. The pedal rod 51 is provided with a third ear part 512 at the front end. A rear end of the pedal rod 51 is coupled pivotally to one end of the respective crank 252 (shown in FIG. 3). The first and second end parts of the first link rod unit 52 are coupled pivotally and respectively to the third ear part 512 of the pedal rod 51 and the first ear part 445 of the respective swing handle 442. The pedal member 53 is a plate body that is formed with a slide seat 531 engaging slidably the slide rails 511 of the pedal rod 51, and a fourth ear part 533 at a forward end thereof. The second link rod unit 54 includes a primary rod section 541 and a secondary rod section 542 connected telescopically to each other, and a fixing knob 543 for locking the secondary rod section 542 to the primary rod section 541. A free end of the primary rod section 541 is configured as the fourth end part of the second link rod unit 54, and is coupled pivotally to the second ear part 446 of the respective slide rod 443. A free end of the secondary rod section 542 is configured as the third end part of the second link rod unit 54, and is coupled pivotally to the fourth ear part 533 of the pedal member 53. The secondary rod section 542 can be divided into three segments (or any number of segments as determined by the manufacturer) so as to provide adjustments to the position of the pedal member 53 on the pedal rod 51 such that the distance between the pedal member 53 and the grip 441 of the respective swing handle unit 44 is adjustable to suit users of various heights.
The operation of and results achieved by the exercise machine are described hereinbelow.
As shown in FIG. 7, power of the exercise machine needs to be turned on via the control panel 412 when the user wishes to perform exercise. While the electric motor 22 is running, the cranks 252 are brought into rotation such that the rear ends of the pedal rods 51 of the pedal assemblies 50, which are coupled pivotally to the cranks 252, rotate in a circle about the center of the crank wheel 251 (as shown in FIG. 3). The front end of each pedal rod 51 brings the corresponding swing handle unit 44 into swinging motion relative to the rotary shaft 42. Since each pedal member 53 is mounted slidably on the corresponding pedal rod 51, and is coupled pivotally to the corresponding second link rod unit 54, when the swing handle unit 44 swings, the corresponding pedal member 53 slides along the pedal rod 51 such that the user's leg moves in an elliptical course similar to that experienced during a running exercise.
Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when the user pedals to rotate the crank wheel unit 25 counterclockwise such that one of the cranks 252 is moved from position (I) to position (II), the user's weight on the corresponding pedal assembly 50 exerts a force (P) on the crank 252 that tends to bring the crank wheel 251 into counterclockwise rotation. Under this situation, the lower segment 272 of the second transmission belt 27 has a tendency to become tense, while the upper segment 271 of the second transmission belt 27 has a tendency to become slack. At this time, the first biasing member 323 of the upper pressure wheel unit 32 biases the upper pressure wheel 322 toward the upper segment 271 of the second transmission belt 27 in the first direction (A) such that the upper segment 271 is maintained in a tense state. On the other hand, the already-tense lower segment 272 of the second transmission belt 27 exerts an opposing force on the lower pressure wheel 332 in the second direction (B). However, since the second projection 3323 of the lower pressure wheel unit 33 abuts against the lower limiting member 35 such that the lower pressure wheel 332 is limited in position in the arc-shaped groove 312, the tension in the lower segment 272 of the second transmission belt 27 is maintained. As a result, both the upper and lower segments 271, 272 of the second transmission belt 27 are maintained in a tense state.
Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, said one of the cranks 252 moves from the position (II) to the position (I) when the user pedals to rotate the other crank 252 from the position (I) to the position (II). At this time, when the user's weight is applied to the pedal assembly 50 corresponding to said one of the cranks 252, a force (P) is exerted on said one of the cranks 252 that tends to bring the crank wheel 251 into clockwise rotation. Under this situation, the upper segment 271 of the second transmission belt 27 has a tendency to become tense, while the lower segment 272 of the second transmission belt 27 has a tendency to become slack. At this time, the second biasing member 333 of the lower pressure wheel unit 33 biases the lower pressure wheel 332 toward the lower segment 272 of the second transmission belt 27 in the second direction (B) such that the lower segment 272 is maintained in a tense state. On the other hand, the already-tense upper segment 271 of the second transmission belt 27 exerts an opposing force on the upper pressure wheel 322 in the first direction (A). However, since the first projection 3223 of the upper pressure wheel unit 32 abuts against the upper limiting member 34 such that the upper pressure wheel 322 is limited in position in the arc-shaped groove 312, the tension in the upper segment 271 of the second transmission belt 27 is maintained. As a result, both the upper and lower segments 271, 272 of the second transmission belt 27 are maintained in a tense state.
As shown in FIG. 12, during swinging motion of the swing handle units 44, a lowermost end of each swing handle 442 brings the corresponding pedal rod 51 into motion through an interconnection established by the corresponding first link rod unit 52. The slide rod 443, which is disposed below the swing handle 442, brings the corresponding pedal member 53 into motion through an interconnection established by the corresponding second link rod unit 54. Since the swing handle 442 and the slide rod 443 both swing about the rotary shaft 42, under the same angle of rotation, the oscillating displacement experienced at lowermost ends of the swing handle 442 and the slide rod 443 are different due to their varying distance from the rotary shaft 42. Therefore, the slide rod 443 brings the corresponding pedal member 53 into a larger displacement, while the swing handle 442 brings the corresponding pedal rod 51 into a smaller displacement. Because there exists a difference between the displacements the pedal member 53 and the pedal rod 51 each experiences, while the pedal member 53 moves in an elliptical course along with the pedal rod 51, the pedal member 53 further slides along the pedal rod 51, thereby creating an increased step size during the exercise.
As described hereinabove, the main object of the present invention is to prevent slippage of the transmission belt during operation of the exercise machine. In the preferred embodiment, this is achieved by utilizing the upper and lower pressure wheels 322, 332 and the upper and lower limiting members 34, 35 to press and tense the upper and lower segments 271, 272 of the second transmission belt 27 such that no matter which direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) the crank wheel 251 rotates, tension in the second transmission belt 27 is maintained to ensure optimal operation of the exercise machine. In other words, the present invention provides thorough transmission of power in and smooth operation of the exercise machine. In addition, due to the special configuration and linkage relationships among the swing handle units 44, the rotary shaft 42, the first and second link rod units 52, 54, the pedal shafts 51, and the pedal members 53, the present invention is capable of providing an increased step-size for the user during use of the exercise machine.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation and equivalent arrangements.
Patent Application
20080064571
