Patent Application
20060009330
The present invention relates to an elliptical exerciser which includes a magnetic resistance mold and a motor driving mold. The two molds can be shifted as needed.
A conventional elliptical exerciser generally includes a base with a post and two handles are connected to the post. Two pedals each have a first end thereof pivotably connected to the post and a second end of each pedal is pivotably connected to respective one of two cranks which is connected to a first pivot shaft. An active wheel is connected to the first pivot shaft. A second pivot shaft is connected to a frame on the base and a first passive wheel and a fly wheel are respectively connected to the second pivot shaft. The fly wheel includes a plurality of devices that cut the magnetic flux and a first belt is reeved through the active wheel and the first passive wheel. Nevertheless, the conventional magnetic resistance elliptical exerciser requires a lot of efforts to overcome the resistance and could not be suitable for most of the exercisers. Another type of the exerciser employs electric motor which produces less resistance so that the user may easily to operate the exerciser. However, because of the less resistance, the exercising result is limited.
The present invention intends to provide an elliptical exerciser that includes a magnetic resistance mold and a motor driving mold, and the user can optionally choose one of the two molds to meet his or her needs when operating the elliptical exerciser.
The present invention relates to an elliptical exerciser that comprises a base with a post and a crank frame connected thereto. Two handlebars are connected to the post and a first end of a pedal is pivotably connected to each of the two handlebars. A second end of each of the pedals is pivotably connected to a first end of respective one of two cranks. A second end of each crank is fixed to a first pivot shaft which is connected to the crank frame. A magnetic resistance device includes a first active wheel fixed to the first pivot shaft and a wheel frame on the base and includes a second pivot shaft. A first passive wheel and a fly wheel are respectively connected to the second pivot shaft. The fly wheel includes a magnetic flux cutting device connected to a periphery thereof. A first belt reeves through the first active wheel and a first passive wheel. A magnetic member for producing magnetic flux is located beside the fly wheel at a distance. A motor transmitting device includes an electric motor which has an output shaft fixed to a second active wheel. A second passive wheel is co-axially connected to the first passive wheel. A second belt reeves through the second active wheel and the second passive wheel. A clutch device is able to set the second active wheel of the motor to be disconnected from other parts.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the elliptical exerciser of the present invention comprises a base 10 with a post 20 and a crank frame 30 connected thereto. Two handlebars 21 are connected to the post 20 and two respective first ends 41 of two pedals 40 are pivotably connected to the two handlebars 21. Two respective second ends 412 of the two pedals 40 are pivotably connected to two respective first ends 310 of two cranks 31. A second end 311 of each crank 31 is fixed to a first pivot shaft 51 which is connected to the crank frame 30. Each pedal 40 has a foot pad 43 connected thereto.
A magnetic resistance device 50 includes a first active wheel 52 which is fixed to the first pivot shaft 51. A wheel frame 11 is connected to the base 10 and includes a second pivot shaft 53 connected thereto. A first passive wheel 54 and a fly wheel 55 are respectively connected to the second pivot shaft 53. The fly wheel 55 includes a magnetic flux cutting device connected to a periphery thereof. A first belt 56 reeves through the first active wheel 52 and a first passive wheel 54. A magnetic member 57 for producing magnetic flux is an electro magnetic member which produces magnetic force when electric current passes through the magnetic member 57. The magnetic member 57 is located beside the fly wheel 55 at a distance.
A motor transmitting device 60 includes an electric motor 61 which has an output shaft 610 fixed to a second active wheel 62. A second passive wheel 63 is co-axially connected to the first passive wheel 54. A second belt 64 reeves through the second active wheel 62 and the second passive wheel 63.
A clutch device 70 which is able to set the second active wheel 62 of the motor 61 to be disconnected from other parts. The clutch device 70 includes a lever 71 which includes a first end 710 pivotably connected to the base 10, and a second end 711 of the lever 71 is used as a handle 712. A first roller 72 and a second roller 73 are pivotably connected to the lever 71, wherein an outer diameter of the first roller 72 is larger than that of the second active wheel 62. The first roller 72 is located at an inside of the second belt 64 and the second roller 73 is located at an outside of the second belt 64. The thickness of the second active wheel 62 is less than a width of the second belt 64 so that the second belt (64) partially reeves through the second active wheel (62).
Further referring to
As shown in
The elliptical exerciser can be optionally shifted by the user so as to meet the user's need between the motor driving mold and the magnetic resistance mold. The motor is protected when the exercisers is set to the magnetic resistance mold.
Referring to
While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
