Patent Application
20090011906
The invention relates to exercise equipment, particularly to exercise equipment that provides aerobic and cardiovascular exercise.
Many attempts have been made in the field of physical fitness to develop exercise equipment that enables aerobic exercise in a manner that is challenging and that builds endurance. Many users abandon exercise equipment after a short period because they find the exercise tedious or because the equipment occupies too much space in their dwelling. Attempts to provide solutions to these problems are described below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,218 teaches a hopping vehicle comprising an elongated frame having a lower end adapted to engage a ground supporting surface and having handle bars secured to its upper end. A pair of elongated foot levers are pivotally secured at one end to a horizontal carriage assembly longitudinally slidably mounted to the frame near its lower end. A stirrup for supporting an operator's foot is secured to the opposite end of each foot lever. The first end of each foot lever is selectively connected to a gear segment which when connected, rotates in unison with the foot lever. Each gear segment in turn meshes with a stationary gear rack secured to the frame. An elongated helical spring is disposed between the upper end of the gear rack and a spring retainer longitudinally slidably mounted on and near the top of the frame. Connecting bars connect the carriage assembly to the spring retainer so that pivotal action of the foot levers from their upper and to their lower position forces the retainer longitudinally downwardly and toward the gear rack thus compressing the helical spring between the retainer and the gear rack. A release mechanism, which can be either automatically controlled upon engagement of the hopping vehicle with the ground or manually controlled by the operator, disengages the gear segments from the foot levers which permits the spring to expand and provide the propulsion power for the hopping vehicle
U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,927 teaches a physical exercise machine having a stepper exercise assembly and a climber exercise assembly which includes a pair of handles individually slidable on parallel tubular rails against the tension of spring elements contained within the rails. The rails are retractable into a tubular support member for collapsing the machine from an extended to a compact configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,674 teaches a combination exerciser and baggage carrier having a rigid, main frame, force resistive pistons, force engaging plates, handle portion, wheels, and a load supporting plate that is capable of selective engagement of either operational mode. The exerciser may be embodied as any number of cardiovascular workout devices, including stair stepping simulator, rowing machine simulator, walking/running simulator, and weight lifting machine. The baggage carrier is of the type used in areas catering to mass transportation travels, such as airports, and bus and train depots, and may similarly vary in embodiments, from standard two-wheeled carrier to a multiple wheeled, horizontal push cart. The exerciser/baggage carrier is designed to tote one's baggage conveniently, then when such service is no longer required it is capable of space saving compaction, until when an opportunity arises, such as in a hotel room, office, park, etc., the present invention may be converted to an exerciser suitable for facilitating a substantial cardiovascular workout.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,992 teaches a combination stationary bicycle and step/stair climber exercise device containing a support surface, at least one exercise biking mechanism mounted to the support surface, at least one stepping mechanism mounted to the support surface, at least one pair of pedals connected to the biking mechanism, at least one pair of steps connected to the stepping mechanism, at least one seat connected to the top of the support surface over the biking mechanism, and at least one pair of handle bars mounted to the support surface for use with at least one of the biking mechanisms and the stepping mechanisms.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,237 teaches an exercise apparatus which also serves as an effective training device for mountain bikers. The invention utilizes a frame resembling that of a bicycle's frame. The frame supports handle bars having a gripping portion and two foot pedals. Each pedal is fixable to the frame and adjustable in height. Each foot pedal further has an abrasive upper surface for contact with the sole of a user's shoe. This abrasive upper surface acts to prevent slippage of the user's foot from the pedal. The frame is supported by two legs, one supporting the front part of the frame, the second supporting the rear part of the frame. Each leg is rotatably attached to the frame and oriented in a diagonal direction. The range of motion of each leg is limited by a compression spring which further acts to rotate the legs to their extended state after an external force causes them to retract. When in use, downward force exerted by the user on the invention's foot pedals and handle bars causes a corresponding force on each compression spring and retraction of each leg. The compression spring then reacts by exerting a corresponding downward force and extends the leg, thereby thrusting the frame and, therefore, the user upward. Through this action, the user is able to repeatedly hop from location to location at a variety of angles in addition to hopping on one leg at a time. The invention not only serves as an effective exercise device, but provides a means for a realistic simulation of the activity of mountain biking.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,782 teaches a low-impact aerobic exercise device that includes a base which supports a generally vertically extending frame member and an angularly extending brace member. Two spaced levers are pivotally mounted to the vertical frame member and have pedals mounted on their outer ends for independent reciprocal pivotal movement when used as a stair-stepping type of exercise device. Two resilient elastomeric members are adjustably attached between the brace member and the two levers to provide vertical downward resistance when the user pivotally oscillates the levers in an up-and-down motion. A handle is attached to the vertical member for grasping by the user. An insert can be removably mounted between the lever pedals to provide a single continuous platform joining the two levers, enabling the lever to be used as a rebounding type of exercise device. The frame member is pivotally attached to the vertical frame member, enabling the device to be moved to a compact collapsed position for storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,102 teaches an apparatus that includes a piece of exercise equipment, one or more weighing cells, and a data interpreter for determining a weight of a person exercising on the exercise equipment. The determined weight is then displayed. The weighing cells may, for example, be mounted to the saddle post or to one or more legs of the exercise equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,026 teaches an exercise apparatus that includes a force receiving member movable relative to a frame. A first link is rotatably interconnected between a first crank and a rearward portion of the force receiving member, and a second link is rotatably interconnected between a second crank and an intermediate portion of the force receiving member. The cranks and the links cooperate to move the force receiving member in a desired path.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,320 teaches an exercise apparatus that has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a force receiving member. The apparatus may be folded into a storage configuration having an overall height which is less than the greater of the diameter of the crank and the diameter of a flywheel which rotates together with the crank.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,622 teaches an exercise device for use by a user, said exercise device comprising a frame, first and second linkages pivotally carried by a frame, each of the linkages including an upper link and a lower link; each of the upper links being pivotally connected to the frame, each of the lower links being pivotally connected to the upper link; first and second foot supports, the first foot support carried by the lower link of the first linkage and the second foot support carried by the lower link of the second linkage; and means for coupling the movement of the first foot support and the second foot support whereby the user of the exercise device may perform a walking, striding, or stepping exercise without reconfiguring the exercise device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,847 teaches an exercise apparatus that has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a foot supporting member. The crank rotates about a crank axis relative to a frame, and a distal portion of a link moves relative to a connection point on the frame. An intermediate portion of the link is rotatably connected to the crank, and an opposite distal portion of the link is rotatably connected to a rearward end of the foot supporting member. An opposite, forward end of the foot supporting member is movably connected to the frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,859 and US Patent Application 20050079958 teach an exercise apparatus that has arm driven members and leg driven members which are movably mounted on a frame. In a first mode of operation, the arm driven members are movable relative to the frame and the leg driven members. In a second mode of operation, the arm driven members are linked to the leg driven members and movable together therewith relative to the frame. In a third mode of operation, the arm driven members are locked against movement relative to the frame in a manner which does not interfere with movement of the leg driven members. In a preferred embodiment, the leg driven members are movable in two generally orthogonal directions relative to the frame. The leg driven members may also be interconnected to move in reciprocal fashion in either and/or both of those directions, and/or supported in a manner that provides progressive resistance to downward movement as a function of downward travel.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,217,485 and 6,565,486 teach an exercise apparatus that has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a foot supporting member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a first end rotatably connected to a first rocker link, an intermediate portion rotatably connected to the crank, and a second end rotatably connected to a rearward end of the foot supporting member. An opposite, forward end of the foot supporting member is rotatably connected to a second rocker link. An upper distal portion of the second rocker link is sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the foot supporting member.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,094 teaches an exercise apparatus that includes left and right rigid connector links having first portions rotatably connected to respective cranks, second portions constrained to move in reciprocating fashion, and third portions connected to respective foot supports. Intermediate links are also interconnected between respective cranks and respective foot supports. The resulting assembly links rotation of the cranks to movement of the foot supports through generally elliptical stepping paths. The connection points may be moved relative to one another and/or a supporting frame to adjust the size, shape, and/or orientation of the paths.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,305 teaches an exercise apparatus that has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a foot supporting member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a first end rotatably connected to a first rocker link, an intermediate portion rotatably connected to the crank, and a second end rotatably connected to a rearward end of the foot supporting member. An opposite, forward end of the foot supporting member is rotatably connected to a second rocker link. An upper distal portion of the second rocker link is sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the foot supporting member. The foot path defined by the foot supporting member may be adjusted by selectively moving the crank axis relative to the handlebar axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,183 teaches a multi-purpose surfing balancer including a base plate, a resilient rubber body, a step-on board, and a central pole. A bottom surface of the rubber body being fixed to a middle of a top of the base plate. The top of the base plate being fixed to a middle of a bottom of the step-on board. The central pole being fixed to the surface of the step-on board for a user to stand on the step-on board with both feet splitting over both ends of the resilient rubber body in position to practice balancing or surfing by the support of the resilient rubber body and swing motion controlled by the user.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,137,927 and 7,344,480 teach various linkage arrangements which link rotation of left and right cranks to movement of left and right foot supports through generally elliptical paths. The linkage arrangements may also link rotation of the cranks to reciprocal movement of left and right handles. Also, connection points defined by the linkage arrangements may be moved relative to one another and/or a supporting frame to adjust the size, shape, and/or orientation of the elliptical paths.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,390 teaches an exercise apparatus that has arm driven members and leg driven members which are movably mounted on a frame. In a first mode of operation, the arm driven members are movable relative to the frame and the leg driven members. In a second mode of operation, the arm driven members are linked to the leg driven members and movable together therewith relative to the frame. In a third mode of operation, the arm driven members are locked against movement relative to the frame in a manner which does not interfere with movement of the leg driven members. In a preferred embodiment, the leg driven members are movable in two generally orthogonal directions relative to the frame. The leg driven members may also be interconnected to move in reciprocal fashion in either and/or both of those directions, and/or supported in a manner that provides progressive resistance to downward movement as a function of downward travel.
US Patent Application 20050233867 teaches a fitness equipment having a base, a swing rod pivotally installed on the base, a guide wheel axially disposed on an appropriate position of the swing rod, and a driving device and an adjusting device disposed on the base at an end proximate to the swing rod to constitute a fitness equipment assembly, such that when an exerciser steps both feet on the driving device, the exerciser can exercise both legs, or the swing rod swings or vibrates by using the base as a pivot to produce a vibratory effect to the hands and upper body of the exerciser and thus giving a massaging effect.
US Patent Application 20050266964 teaches a curved exerciser positioning device includes a base member having a sleeve extending from center of the base toward a rear end of the exerciser and a buffer upwardly extending from the sleeve; two swing arms being respectively pivoted to two opposite ends of the base member; a platform and a roller being respectively secured on the top of and the bottom of the rear end of each swing arm; a guiding device including a shaft extending into a sleeve; and two rails respectively fixed to both sides of the rear end of the shaft such that both rollers slide thereon.
US Patent Application 20060229166 teaches a swing stepper that includes an inclined stepper for the user to step on two distal locations so to step on to and twist waist to reciprocally move around; and a handle bar disposed axially on a base that reciprocally turns around synchronously with the stepper so that two distal ends of the stepper to alternatively swing up and down in the course of the reciprocal swing when the user trades and twists to reciprocally turn around both of the stepper and the handlebar for staying fit.
US Patent Application 20070093361 teaches an invention that combines the handle bar and swaying damping device by using a swaying structure for the handle bar of fitness equipment. The handle bar can sway independently, and the swaying modes can be properly adjusted to achieve dynamic balance for the users. The present invention offers a swaying damping device for the handle bar of fitness equipment, which is linked to a preset location, such that the handle bar can sway independently of the users. The swaying damping device can provide preset resistance to the handle bar, thus achieving resistance and springing force for the swaying structure of handle bar, and also improving flexibility, independency and convenience.
The present invention is unique. It combines the aerobic workout component of a stair stepping device and the cardiovascular workout of simulated skiing motion with the fun, bouncing action component of a trampoline or toy such as a pogo stick. The pivot joint allows a large range of motion, thereby increasing the exercise options over those available using equipment present in the prior art. The user may step on the device as with a typical stair stepper, or he may bounce up and down on the device. The present invention also has a pivot joint that allows the user to exercise in a side to side motion or in a leg-scissoring motion, either independently or simultaneously combined with the bouncing action/component. The present invention can be used for a versatile range of exercises and may exercise many muscle groups at once in an aerobic, cardiovascular, and strength-building manner. The user exercises closer to the ground than on a typical stair stepping machine so the risk of injury is lessened, and unlike a pogo stick, the present invention has frame components that are added for stability. It also is safer in that the user is not displaced as with a pogo stick. The present invention is also foldable for storage. In addition, different embodiments of the present invention allow varying degrees of difficulty of work outs, and varying methods of employing the device, depending on the user's preference.
Unlike other exercise equipment, the present invention has eight points at which elastic components can be installed; one or more points may be used at once. One advantage of this device over other devices in the field is that the user may choose to exercise only one leg at a time, (for instance, if the user has injured one leg) because, unlike a stair stepper or pogo stick, the two pedals of the device may be employed independently of one another. Alternately, both pedals may be employed but with different levels of resistance if desired by the user. The number and type of elastic components decide the degree of difficulty when using the device, and they may be the same for the eight points of installation, or they may be different.
The present invention is an exercise device comprising a support base, at least one support frame member disposed on the support base, the support base having a standing rod in generally perpendicular orientation to the support base. The device also includes at least one pedal link, each having proximate and distal ends, each distal end having a pedal, and each proximate end being disposed on a support joint, the support joint being disposed on the support base, the distal ends having an upper and lower position, and means for independently applying a force to each pedal link to move the pedal link from the lower position to the upper position. The joint will also preferably allow movement from side to side.
The present invention resembles a device that is a hybrid of a stair stepper, ski simulator, trampoline and pogo stick, with stability frames for added safety. A user grasps the handle and stands with each foot on a pedal and bounces up and down, steps, swings side to side, scissors his legs, or sweeps his legs in a bouncing arc. The user may combine these actions into one action such as bouncing and swinging at the same time, as in skiing. The device is fun to use and therefore provides aerobic and cardiovascular exercise that is enjoyable. The present invention may also be foldable for easy storage.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine for aerobic and cardiovascular exercise.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine that is enjoyable to use.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine that is foldable for easy storage.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine that can be used with varying resistance to provide different levels of difficulty.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine that allows stepping exercises.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine that allows bouncing exercises.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine that allows side to side exercises.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine that allows leg scissoring exercises.
It is an object of the invention to provide a wide range of exercises for differing muscle groups.
It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustable handle for users of varying heights.
It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustable handle with ends that can be angled up to provide different grip points which force the user to place his body in a certain position, thereby forcing the use of certain muscle groups.
It is an object of the invention to provide shoe wrappers for safety.
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine with a stable and stationary frame for safety.
The embodiment of
The components of the frame 115 are disposed on the support base 110. The first pedal link proximate end 330 is disposed on the first support joint 170. The second pedal link proximate end 430 is disposed on the second support joint 175. The standing rod 200 is disposed on the support base 110.
The first pedal link rear portion 320 and second pedal link rear portion 420 act to elevate first pedal link 310 and second pedal link 410 relative to the ground.
A user stands on the first pedal 300 and second pedal 400, and grasps the standing rod handle 210. The user applies force to move the pedals 300 and 400 on their respective pedal links 310 and 410 toward the ground. The elastic components 370 and 470 provide resistance to the downward motion and/or allow the pedal links 310 and 410 which contain pedals 300 and 400, respectively, to rebound after they have been compressed by the user, so the user springs back up to his starting position. The user can alternate moving his legs so that a stepping type of motion is achieved. A second use of the invention involves the user bouncing on the pedals such that they move up and down simultaneously, mimicking the body motion attained by using a pogo stick.
Another use of the invention is to move side to side, or to move and bounce simultaneously. The user stands on the pedals 300 and 400 and grasps the standing rod handle 210. The user then moves his hips and/or legs and and/or lower body side to side. The pivot 190 is connected to the first elastic component 370 and the second elastic component 470. The first elastic component 370 and second elastic component 470 are connected to the first pedal link 310 and second pedal link 410 respectively. The pivot 190 allows the elastic components to move with the pedal links. The pedal links are connected to the support joints 170 and 175 in a manner that allows them to move in a pivoting motion as well, either side to side, up/down, or in a combination of motions.
The support feet 120 and 150 and the support frame members 130 and 140 help stabilize the rebounding exerciser 100.
The first elastic component 370 and second elastic component 470 may be any object which can be compressed and released, such as but not limited to, springs, air-pumps, gas pumps, electric pumps, flexible bands, bellows, pistons or rubber balls. The elastic components and all other components of the rebounding exerciser 100 in any embodiment of the invention may be made from any material, including but not limited to, metals, plastics, rubbers, foams, elastomers, thermoplastics, glass products such as but not limited to fiberglass, wood products, fabrics, such as but not limited to elastic, or any combination of these materials or other materials.
The first elastic component 370 and second elastic component 470 may be disposed above first support foot 120 and second support foot 150, or there may be only one elastic component disposed either above one support foot or above both support feet. The elastic component is also disposed below first pedal link 310 and second pedal link 410.
The first pedal 300 and second pedal 400 may be any shape, including but not limited to, oval, rectangular, square, oblong, circular, and they may be placed anywhere on the pedal links. The pedals may be affixed to the pedal links by any means, including but not limited to, nailing, screwing, fusing, or soldering, or the pedals may be removably attached to the pedal links to allow the user to choose differing pedal types, shapes, and sizes. The pedals may be made from any material as discussed above.
Although illustrated with two pedals 300 and 400 and two pedal links 310 and 410, the rebounding exerciser 100 may be constructed with one pedal link and one pedal. In this embodiment, the single pedal has room for both feet and the user's legs are exercised accordingly. In another embodiment, the pedal link and pedal could simply be a flat board.
The first support frame member 130 and second support frame member 140 may be tethered to the ground by any means desired, such as but not limited to, applying suction devices to the underside of the support frame members, applying weighted materials to the support frame members, or any other method desired by the user. They may be any shape or configuration, including but not limited to, a Y type of configuration as shown in the drawings, and X type of configuration, a triangular configuration, a rectangular configuration, or any combination of support components. Either in addition or alternately, the support base 110 may be attached to a wall or other object to increase stability of the rebounding exerciser 100. In another embodiment of the rebound exerciser 100, the support base 110 may consist of four feet attached perpendicularly to a central shaft that is attached to the standing rod 200. The four feet may be any shape or size, and may be weighted. They may be permanently affixed or removable for storage.
In a preferred embodiment the support base 110 is rectangular, but it may be any shape, including but not limited to, rectangular, square, circular, polygon, octahedron, triangular, diamond shape, or it may mimic the shape of any object.
The rebounding exerciser 100 in
In
The standing rod 200 has a standing rod handle height adjustment 220 so that the user may adjust the standing rod handle 210 to a comfortable height. The standing rod handle height adjustment 220 may be of the type shown in
The standing rod 200 may contain an adjustable standing rod handle 210 that has ends that can be angled up to provide different grip points which force the user to place his body in a certain position, thereby forcing the use of certain muscle groups. The standing rod 200 may be any shape, including straight or curved, and there may be one standing rod 200 or two or more standing rods. In addition, the standing rod 200 may be integral with the rebounding exerciser 100 or may be removable. The standing rod handle 210 may be integral with the rebounding exerciser 100 or removable, and it may be of any shape, and may be attached anywhere on the standing rod 200. It may also be modular to create differing forms of the standing rod handle. For instance, it may extend horizontally from the standing rod as shown in the figures, or it may curve upward like the handlebars of a racing bicycle. The upward curved parts may be integral to the standing rod handle or may be extensions that are attached. The standing rod handle 210 may attach at the top of the standing rod 200 or somewhere in the middle, or anywhere along the standing rod 200. There may be one or more standing rod handles, and they may be interchangeable with a variety of different shaped standing rod handles.
A standing rod 200 with a standing rod handle 210 is attached to the support base 110. Also illustrated in
The embodiment in
Although illustrated as plastic balls, the first pedal elastic component 350 and second pedal elastic component 450 may be any elastic component as discussed for the elastic components of
The standing rod 200 is folded at the single support joint 177 and the standing rod handle 210 is folded against the frame 115. Alternately, the standing rod handle 210 may have two or more arms which can fold up or down on a hinge on the end of frame 115, or the arms of the standing rod handle may be removable, and also may or may not be interconnectable to the frame so they don't get misplaced. For illustrative reasons, components of the invention have been left off of this drawing; it is assumed that the embodiment is in
Not shown in
The support frame base pad 160 may be made from any of the materials discussed under
The embodiment of
The single elastic component 375 is shown as one spring, but it may be any elastic device and it may be one continuous piece or separate pieces that are linked, such as two springs that join at the first support joint 170.
The elastic bands 520 and 530 may be bands or any other elastic device that attaches to a support joint, another elastic component, or the frame, and to the single pedal link 600.
The embodiment of
Although the elastic components are illustrated in the figures in specific locations on the rebounding exerciser 100, they may be disposed anywhere on the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007201571299 | Jul 2007 | CN | national |
