Patent Application
20180304116
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to exercise devices. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to foldable climbing exercise devices.
Individuals who work long hours in an office environment wish to use exercise machines more frequently, preferably without having to visit a fitness center or gymnasium. As a result, many families would prefer to purchase one to use at home. However, such exercise machines available in the market occupy too much home space.
Exercise machines are usually configured to generate an adjustable resistance and offer different levels of resistance for a user to choose from. Some exercise machines, known as stepper machines are equipped with a resistance generating hydraulic cylinder. Such stepper machines can become overheated after using a short period of time. Other exercise machines include various resistive load components for the user to choose from and set a desired level of exercise. However, those exercise machines can be difficult to move, besides occupying a large space.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.
Various embodiments and aspects will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.
Embodiments of the invention is a foldable vertical stepping exercise machine, also referred to as a climbing exercise machine, that a user can use to exercise by performing stepping motions. The exercise machine is foldable for storage purposes. In one embodiment, an exercise machine includes a base assembly having an upper portion and a lower portion such that the lower portion of the base assembly maintains the exercise device in an upright position on a support surface. The exercise machine includes a stepping assembly for a user to perform a stepping exercise. The stepping assembly includes a left foot rest, a pulley mechanism attached to the upper portion of the base assembly, and a right foot rest connected to the left foot rest via the pulley mechanism. The exercise machine includes a connector assembly slidably attaching the left and right foot rests of the stepping assembly to the upper portion of the base assembly so that the left and right foot rests of the stepping assembly move alternately up and down a vertical length of the exercise device while the user performs the stepping exercise.
The upper portion of the base assembly includes vertical section 12A, vertical section 12B, and vertical section 10. Vertical sections 12A and 12B can be approximately parallel to each other. A first end of vertical sections 12A and 12B is connected to a lower portion of base assembly, such as support surface section 9. A first end of vertical section 10 is connected to a lower portion of base assembly, such as support surface section 8. A second end of vertical section 10 is rotatably connected to a second end of vertical sections 12A and 12B via a hinge so that vertical section 10 and vertical sections 12A and 12B form an arc of the upper portion of the base assembly. The connections may be secured by any means appropriate such as metal and/or nylon brackets, nuts, and screws, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, section 10 is rotatably connected in between vertical sections 12A and 12B. In another embodiment, section 10 includes a locking mechanism to secure section 10 between the vertical sections 12A and 12B when the base assembly is folded. For example, Velcro 7 is secured on section 10 to wrap onto vertical sections 12A and/or 12B to secure the base assembly when the exercise device is folded.
In one embodiment, exercise device 100 includes a connector assembly slidably attaching left foot rest 15A to right foot rest 15B so that the left and right foot rests slides along a vertical length of the exercise device when a user performs the stepping exercise. For example, the connector assembly includes left connector bracket 14A and right connector bracket 14B. The left connector bracket 14A includes two pairs of rolling mechanisms 23A wrapped around vertical section 12A to allow the left connector bracket 14A to move upwardly and downwardly along a length of vertical section 12A. The right connector bracket 14B includes two pairs of rolling mechanisms 23B wrapped around vertical section 12B to allow the right connector bracket 14B to move upwardly and downwardly along a length of vertical section 12B. Rolling mechanisms 23A-23B may include a number of ball bearings. The purpose of rolling mechanisms 23A and 23B is to guide the connector brackets 14A and 14B to slide upwardly and downwardly along vertical sections 12A and 12B without significant friction between the connector brackets 14A-14B and vertical sections 12A-12B.
In one embodiment, exercise device 100 includes a stepping assembly for a user to perform a stepping exercise. The stepping assembly includes left foot rest 15A, a pulley mechanism attached to the upper portion of the base assembly (as shown in
Referring now to
In one embodiment, exercise device 100 includes a handlebar assembly attached to the upper portion of base assembly. Referring to
In one embodiment, exercise device 100 includes a second handlebar assembly coupled to the stepping assembly such that the second handlebar assembly slides up and down a vertical length of the exercise device, such as vertical sections 12A-12B. For example, a second handlebar assembly includes handlebars 1A-1B and handlebars 4A-4B. Handlebars 4A-4B is perpendicular to a vertical length of exercise device 100, such as vertical sections 12A-12B, and handlebars 1A-1B is parallel to the vertical length of exercise device 100. In another embodiment, handlebars 1A-1B points outwardly from each other at an angle of approximately 15 degrees from the vertical length of the exercise device.
In another embodiment, the second handlebar assembly includes a left and right length adjustment mechanism. The left length adjustment mechanism can adjust a height or a length between left foot rest 15A and the left handlebars 1A and/or 4A. Referring to FIG. 2, for example, the left length adjustment mechanism includes left slidable section 18A fastened to left connector bracket 14A, which is fastened to left foot rest 15A. Left handlebar 1A/4A is fastened to length adjustment section 25A. The fastening means may be any fastener means suitable for exercise machines, for example, sections 18A may be welded to and/or fastened to connector bracket 14A by bolts and washers. The left slidable section 18A may be secured to length adjustment section 25A by a locking peg or pin and an insertion hole. Length adjustment section 25A includes a number of insertion holes 5A along a length of section 25A. Left slidable section 18A includes locking pin or peg 3A. A user can manually adjust a distance between left handlebar 1A to foot rest 15A by adjusting which insertion holes 5A peg 3A is inserted into.
In another embodiment, the right length adjustment mechanism can adjust a height or a length between right foot rest 15B and the right handlebars 1B and/or 4B. Referring to
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
