1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to elliptical machines and more particularly, to a pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer, which allows change of pedal motion paths.
2. Description of the Related Art
Elliptical trainer is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate walking that move along a smooth, elliptical path. Elliptical trainers offer a non-impact cardiovascular workout that can help you reach your health and fitness goals. The pedal motion paths of conventional elliptical trainers are constant, hence, the entire exercise will seem tedious, and will be unable to train all different muscles of the legs.
Taiwan Patent 1294294 discloses an elliptical trainer entitled “LEG-TRAINING ELLIPTICAL MACHINE”, which uses a screw rod of a slope control mechanism to control movement of a female screw member, causing the female screw member to bias a drag bar. When biasing the drag bar, the angle of a rail holder is changed relative to the floor to adjust the slope of the pedal motion paths. Further, Taiwan Patent M403355 discloses a lifting mechanism for elliptical trainer, which uses a retractable rod of a linear actuator to adjust the angular position of a lift frame relative to the floor, thereby changing the pedal motion paths. The aforesaid two prior art patents allow control of the elevation of pedals to change the motion paths of sliding bars subject different requirements from different users. However, the axis of rotation of each pedal is kept in parallel to the reference axis of the rotating mechanism. When viewed from the top side, the left and right pedals can simply biased in a front-rear direction. Thus, only a small part of the muscles of the legs can be trained during exercise, resulting in poor effects of exercise. In order to improve the drawbacks of the aforesaid two prior art designs, Taiwan Patent M407086 discloses an elliptical trainer, entitled “Improved structure of fitness elliptical machine”, which uses two sliding guide rails to control variation of the sliding motion path. The two sliding guide rails are formed of one single tubular member that is bent into a predetermined shape defining a parallel part and a splayed part. However, this design simply allows the machine to perform one specific motion model. If the user wishes to change the outward expansion angle, the user must purchase a different model of elliptical trainer or a different type of sliding rails, causing so much inconvenience.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer, which allows quick adjustment of forward-backward pedal motion paths as well as left-right pedal motion paths, achieving training of different groups of the muscles of the legs.
To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer comprises a base frame, a support mechanism, a rotating mechanism set, a linkage mechanism set and a sliding mechanism. The base frame is supported on a support surface. The support mechanism comprises a rail holder, a support member and two sliding rails. The rail holder is pivotally coupled to the base frame. Each sliding rail comprises a pivot portion and a sliding portion. The pivot portion is axially connected to the support member. The rotating mechanism set comprises two cranks and two support links. The cranks are coaxially and pivotally coupled to the base frame. Each support link comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is pivotally connected to one respective crank. The second end portion is slidably coupled to one respective sliding rail and movable along a closed-loop motion path. The linkage mechanism set comprises two handlebars and two links. The handlebars are respectively pivotally mounted at the left and right sides of the base frame. Each link has its one end pivoted to one respective handlebar and its other end pivoted to the second end portion of one respective support link. The sliding mechanism is mounted at the rail holder, comprising a transmission member, two follower members and a first drive source for rotating the transmission member. The transmission member comprises two first stop blocks and two second stop blocks. The follower members are respectively mounted on two opposite ends of the transmission member and movable relative to each other along the transmission member between one respective first stop block and one respective second stop block.
Thus, by means of lateral displacement of the sliding mechanism and vertical displacement of the support mechanism, the elliptical trainer allows the user to change the left-right pedal motion paths or the front-back pedal motion paths for training different groups of muscles of the legs.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure.
Referring to
The base frame 20 is mounted at a support surface G.
The support mechanism 30 comprises a rail holder 31, a support member 32, two sliding rails 33, a bracket 34, a second drive source 35, and a drive rod 36 movable back and forth relative to the second drive source 35. The rail holder 31 is pivotally mounted at the base frame 20. Each sliding rail 33 comprises a pivot portion 332 axially connected to the front side of the support member 32, and a sliding portion 334. The second drive source 35 is affixed to the support member 32. The bracket 34 is mounted at the support member 32 with the front side thereof stopped against the support surface G and the rear side thereof pivoted to the front side of the drive rod 36. More specifically, as shown in
The rotating mechanism set 40 comprises two opposing cranks 42 and support links 44. The cranks 42 are respectively coaxially pivoted to the base frame 20. Each support link 44 has opposing first end portion 442 and second end portion 444. The first end portions 442 of the support links 44 are respectively pivotally connected to the cranks 42. The second end portions 444 of the support links 44 are respectively slidably coupled to the sliding rails 33 by a respective pulley block 446. Further, a pedal 448 is provided at the top side of the second end portion 444 of each support link 44. Each pedal 448 is turnable back and forth on the longitudinal axis thereof. Thus, the user can step the pedals 448 alternatively up and down along a closed-loop path.
The linkage mechanism set 50 comprises two handlebars 52, and two links 54. The handlebars 52 are respectively pivotally mounted at two opposite lateral sides of the base frame 20. The links 54 are respectively pivotally connected between the handlebars 52 and the second end portions 444 of the support links 44.
The sliding mechanism 60 is supported on the rail holder 31, comprising a transmission member 62, two follower members 64, and a first drive source 66 adapted to rotate the transmission member 62. The transmission member 62 comprises two first stop blocks 622 and two second stop blocks 624. The follower members 64 are respectively sleeved onto the two opposite ends of the transmission member 62, and movable relative to each other between a respective first stop block 622 and a respective second stop block 624.
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In conclusion, the invention allows the user to alter the forward and backward biasing motion paths as well as the leftward and rightward biasing motion paths to train the muscles of different parts of the legs.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102100465 | Jan 2013 | TW | national |