Patent Application
20240131382
The disclosure relates to an exercise machine, and more particularly to a fitness exercise apparatus.
A conventional exercise machine such as the one disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0077229 A1 includes a frame assembly, a user support assembly connected to the frame assembly, two bungee cord units mounted on the frame assembly, and two cable units respectively connected to the two bungee cord units. When the conventional exercise machine is used, a user sits on the user support assembly and pulls the cable units which pulls the bungee cord units, and elastic deformation of the bungee cords provides resistance for the user to train against.
However, the bungee cords in the conventional exercise machine are wrapped over a pulley and the contact between the bungee cords and the pulley generates friction that greatly reduces the service life of the bungee cords. Additionally, the user will have a comparatively more limited range of movement when performing exercises on the conventional exercise machine since the length of travel for the bungee cords and the cables are fixed.
Moreover, the conventional exercise machine has complicated cable connections underneath a seat unit of the user support assembly, this design complicates procedures for detaching the seat unit from the conventional exercise machine.
Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a fitness exercise apparatus that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.
According to the disclosure, the fitness exercise apparatus includes a main frame, a seat unit, a first elastic unit, two second elastic units, a transmission unit, and an operating unit. The main frame includes a base seat and a support unit that is connected to the base seat. The seat unit is mounted detachably on the base seat. The first elastic unit is mounted on the main frame and includes a plurality of first elastic members. The two second elastic units are mounted on the main frame, and each of the second elastic units includes a plurality of second elastic members. The transmission unit includes a first fixed pulley set, a second fixed pulley set, a main movable pulley set, two third fixed pulley sets, two side movable pulley sets, a first cable, a second cable, and two third cables. The first fixed pulley set, the second fixed pulley set, and the two third fixed pulley sets are mounted on the support unit. The two side movable pulley sets are connected respectively to the second elastic units. The first cable wraps around the first fixed pulley set and the main movable pulley set. The second cable wraps around the second fixed pulley set and the main movable pulley set, and is connected to the first elastic unit. Each of the two third cables wraps around a respective one of the third fixed pulley sets and a respective on of the side movable pulley sets. The operating unit includes at least one operating member that is connected to one of the first, second and two third cables. Pulling of the first cable drives the main movable pulley set to move upwardly, thereby resulting in, via the second cable, deformation of the first elastic unit against an elastic force of the first elastic unit. Pulling of each of the third cables drives the respective one of the side movable pulley sets to move upwardly, thereby resulting in deformation of the respective one of the second elastic units against an elastic force of the second elastic unit.
Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale.
Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.
It should be noted herein that for clarity of description, spatially relative terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “on,” “above,” “over,” “downwardly,” “upwardly” and the like may be used throughout the disclosure while making reference to the features as illustrated in the drawings. The features may be oriented differently (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.
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The main frame 10 includes a base seat 11, a support unit 12 that is connected to the base seat 11, a first hanger-board 13 that corresponds in position with the support unit 12, two second hanger-boards 14 that are mounted to the base seat 11, and two third hanger-boards 15 mounted to the support unit 12.
The base seat 11 includes two spaced-apart legs 111, a plurality of connecting rods 112 that are connected between the legs 111, and two retaining members 113. Each of the legs 111 of the base seat 11 has a base segment 114 and an inclined segment 115 that is transverse to the base segment 114, that has an inner end 116 connected to the base segment 114, and an outer end 117 opposite to the inner end 116. A distance between the inclined segments 115 of the legs 111 gradually increases from the inner ends 116 of the inclined segments 115 towards the outer ends 117 of the inclined segments 115. The retaining members 113 are half-round gutter shaped, are respectively connected fixedly to the base segments 114 of the legs 111, and are respectively proximate to the inclined segments 115 of that legs 111. The second hanger-boards 14 are mounted on one of the connecting rods 112.
The support unit 12 of the main frame 10 includes a rear support member 121, a front support member 122, a hanging member 123, two lower mounting rods 124, an upper mounting rod 125, a support handle 126, two horizontal rods 127, and two guide rods 128. The rear support member 121 is inverted L-shaped and mounted to one of the connecting rods 112. The front support member 122 is connected between the rear support member 121 and another one of the connecting rods 112 of the base seat 11, and is also inverted L-shaped. The hanging member 123 is mounted on top of the rear support member 121. The two lower mounting rods 124 are connected respectively to opposite lateral sides of the rear support member 121. The upper mounting rod 125 is mounted on the hanging member 123. The support handle 126 is mounted to the rear support member 121. The two horizontal rods 127 are connected respectively to the opposite lateral sides of the rear support member 121. Each of the two guide rods 128 has one end that is connected to the base seat 11, and an opposite end that is connected to a respective one of the horizontal rods 127. The two third hanger-boards 15 of the main frame 10 are mounted respectively to the opposite lateral sides of the rear support member 121.
The seat unit 20 is mounted detachably on the base seat 11, and includes an inner leg member 21, an outer leg member 22, a guide rail 23, a seat member 24, two foot rests 25, and a latch unit 26. The inner leg member 21 is coupled removably to the retaining members 113. The guide rail 23 is connected between the inner leg member 21 and the outer leg member 22. The seat member 24 is mounted on the guide rail 23, the foot rests 25 are secured to the inner leg member 21, and the latch unit 26 is mounted to the seat member 24. The inner leg member 21 includes a stationary tube 211, an inner leg rod 212, and an adjusting component 213. The stationary tube 211 is connected transversely to the guide rail 23. The inner leg rod 212 is inverted T-shaped, and has two arms coupled removably and respectively to the retaining members 113 of the base seat 11. Moreover, the inner leg rod 212 is connected telescopically to the stationary tube 211 and is formed with a plurality of adjusting holes 214. The adjusting component 213 is inserted transversely into the stationary tube 211 and engages a selected one of the adjusting holes 214. Referring to
The first elastic unit 30 is mounted on the main frame 10 and includes a plurality of first elastic members 31. Each of the first elastic members 31 has an end hooked on the first hanger board 13, and an opposite end connected to the transmission unit 50.
The two second elastic units 40 are mounted on the main frame 10. Each of the second elastic units 40 is connected between a respective one of the second hanger-boards 14 and a respective one of the transmission units 50, and includes a plurality of second elastic members 41 (bungees). For each of the second elastic units 40, each of the second elastic members 41 has an end that is hooked on the respective one of the second hanger boards 14, and an opposite end that is connected removably to the respective one of the transmission units 50. When a second elastic member 41 is not in use it may be stored away by having the opposite end hooked on a respective one of the third hanger boards 15.
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The first fixed pulley set 51 includes a plurality of first fixed pulleys 511 that are mounted to the rear support member 121, the front support member 122, and the hanging member 123. The second fixed pulley set 52 includes a plurality of second fixed pulleys 521 that are mounted respectively to the rear support member 121 and the base seat 11. The main movable pulley set 53 includes a main block 531, and a main movable pulley 532 fixed on the main block 531. The first cable 56 wraps around the main movable pulley 532, and the second cable 57 is connected to the main block 531. The third fixed pulley set 54 includes a plurality of third fixed pulleys 541 mounted on the upper mounting rod 125 and the lower mounting rods 124. Each of the side movable pulley sets 55 of the transmission unit 50 includes a side block 551 and a side movable pulley 552 that is fixed on the side block 551. For each of the second elastic units 40, all the second elastic members 41 are connected detachably to the side block 551 of the respective one of the side movable pulley sets 55.
The operating unit 60 includes at least one operating member that is connected to one of the first, second and two third cables 56, 57, 58. In this embodiment, the operating unit 60 includes a plurality of operating members that are configured as two hand grips 61, a long handlebar 62 or a short handlebar 63. In practical terms, the two hand grips 61 may be respectively detachably connected to opposite first and second ends of the third cables 58. In this embodiment, the long handlebar 62 is detachably connected to a first end of the first cable 56, and the short handlebar 63 is detachably connected to a second end of the first cable 56. It should be noted that the operating members are not limited to the above examples, and they may be any device the user may use to operate the fitness exercise apparatus, for example, ankle straps, lat pulldown attachment, triceps rope, rotating bar, V-shaped bar etc.
The offset weight units 70 each include a shaft 71 that is secured to the base segment 114 of a respective one of the two space-apart legs 111 of the base seat 11, and a plurality of weight plates 72 that are sleeved removably on the shaft 71.
Each of the resistance units 80 includes a fourth fixed pulley set 81 that is mounted on the main frame 10, a weight block 82 that is mounted on the main frame 10 by being sleeved on a corresponding guide rod 128, and a connecting cable 83. For each resistance unit 80, the fourth fixed pulley set 81 includes two fourth fixed pulleys 811 mounted respectively on a respective one of the horizontal rods 127 and the base seat 11, and the connecting cable 83 wraps around the fourth fixed pulleys 811 and is interconnecting the side block 551 of a respective one of the side movable pulley sets 55 and the weight block 82. Specifically, the connecting cable 83 has one end connected to the side block 551 of the respective one of the side movable pulley sets 55, and an opposite end connected detachably to the weight block 82.
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The fitness exercise apparatus according to the present disclosure has the following advantages:
1. The fitness exercise apparatus is operated against the elastic force of the first elastic members 31 and the second elastic members 41 by virtue of the combination of the main movable pulley set 53, the two side movable pulley sets 55, the first cable 56, the second cable 57, and the third cables 58. This structure has two notable advantages. The first one is that this structure is designed to avoid contact between the elastic members and the pulleys, which thereby prevents friction and prolongs the service life of the elastic members. Secondly, the first and second elastic members 31, 41 may have a linear deformation of up to 1.4 meters, allowing for 1.4 meters of travel for the user when operating the fitness exercise apparatus. The fitness exercise apparatus is thus applicable for a large range of users, and suitable for users with height up to 1.9 meters.
2. The first elastic unit 30 and the two second elastic units 40 form the resistance generating elements of the fitness exercise apparatus (while static resistance is provided by the weight blocks 82). In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the first elastic unit 30 includes three first elastic members 31, and the two second elastic units 40 each include three second elastic members 41. The three first and second elastic members 31, 41 respectively have diameters of 8, 10, and 12 mm. By choosing different combinations of the three first and second elastic members 31, 41 the user may be provided with seven different resistance levels to perform over 20 different strength training and rowing machine exercises on the fitness exercise machine. Referring to
3. By designing the seat unit 20 to be a detachable bench, the structure of the seat unit 20 may be streamlined to lower costs. The detachability of the seat unit 20 also has the benefit of providing easier storage for the fitness exercise apparatus.
4. The seat unit 20 is mounted to the base seat 11 through its sheer weight alone without complicated mechanisms of attachment, which simplifies removal, storage and operation of the fitness exercise. Additionally, removing the seat unit 20 may allow the user to perform several exercises that require the user to stand right next to the fitness exercise
5. The structure of the seat unit 20 is simplified compared to the conventional exercise machine by not having complicated cable connections underneath the seat unit 20. Therefore, the seat unit 20 may be detached or re-attached quickly and making it easier for the user to perform various exercises. Additionally, production costs may be lowered due to the simpler attachment.
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7. By designing the seat unit 20 to be detachable, the fitness exercise apparatus is easier to manufacture, while also lowering the cost of manufacture. The detachable seat unit 20 is easier to package and ship, and can achieve 50% more shipping container utilization, which may translate to huge cost savings during periods of high inflation and high shipping costs.
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9. The base seat 11 includes two offset weight units 70 disposed on opposite sides of the base seat 11. The user may freely add the weight plates 72 as a counterweight to increase the stability of the main frame 10 and prevent the main frame 10 from toppling over. The recommended amount of counterweight is 20 lbs on each side of the base seat 11 so as to comply with European standards EN957-2.
10. The first elastic unit 30 and the two second elastic units 40 form the resistance generating elements of the fitness exercise apparatus. In the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the first elastic unit 30 includes three first elastic members 31 and the two second elastic units 40 each include three second elastic members 41. The three first and second elastic members 31, 41 respectively have diameters of 8, 10, and 12 mm. By choosing different combinations of the three first and second elastic members 31, 41 the user may be provided with various different resistance levels to perform over 20 different strength training and rowing machine exercises on the fitness exercise machine.
11. Although the fitness exercise apparatus according to the present disclosure has the functionality of both cardio and strength training exercise equipment, it is more geared towards cardio workouts.
12. The seat member 24 is adjustable by the latch unit 26 engaging different securing holes 231 on the guide rail 23. This allows the fitness exercise apparatus to accommodate the requirements of different users ergonomically.
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In summary of the above, the fitness exercise apparatus according to the disclosure has the functions of both cardio and strength training exercise machines. The structure is simple, and the manufacture process may be streamlined. The fitness exercise apparatus allows users to quickly reach their strength training as well as cardio fitness goals.
In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect implementation of another one or more features or specific details, said one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without said another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.
While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is(are) considered the exemplary embodiment(s), it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
