U.S. patent application number 09/735940 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for composite fitness machine.
Invention is credited to Yoshimura, Shinichiro.
Application Number | 20010016542 09/735940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18507362 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010016542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshimura, Shinichiro |
August 23, 2001 |
Composite fitness machine
Abstract
A composite fitness machine is provided which is readily adapted
to serve as a single integrated device for simulating a walking,
stair climbing, and cross country skiing exercise, which can be
chosen by a user as desired. The device has right and left endless
foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an
endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from suspension
frames provided on an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in
order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise with the
platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration
by means of parallel links or triangular links. The platforms can
also be arranged so that they are alternately pivoted to simulate a
stair climbing exercise. Furthermore, the platforms can also be
fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in
order to simulate a walking exercise.
Inventors: |
Yoshimura, Shinichiro;
(Kitamoto-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.
624 Ninth Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20001
US
|
Family ID: |
18507362 |
Appl. No.: |
09/735940 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 ;
482/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0023 20130101;
A63B 22/0292 20151001; A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 22/0056 20130101;
A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 21/0087 20130101; A63B 21/0083 20130101;
A63B 2022/0053 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 69/182
20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 2022/0051 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 ;
482/51 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02; A63B
022/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 1999 |
JP |
11-376567 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A composite fitness machine comprising right and left endless
foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an
endless belt, front end portions of said right and left endless
foot platforms being rotatably affixed to any one of a base and an
upright frame provided vertically to the base, wherein said right
and left endless foot platforms are arranged so as to be
alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise,
and said right and left endless foot platforms are fixedly inclined
slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate
a walking exercise.
2. A composite fitness machine wherein parallel links are each
swingably affixed to an upright frame affixed vertically to a base,
and right and left foot paddles are each attached to lower end
portions of parallel links to simulate a cross-country skiing
exercise, and said right and left foot paddles are arranged so as
to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing
exercise.
3. A composite fitness machine wherein right and left endless foot
platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless
belt are each suspended from an upright frame affixed vertically to
a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise with
said right and left endless foot platforms being suspended in a
generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or
triangular links, said right and left endless foot platforms are
arranged so as to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a
stair climbing exercises, and said right and left endless foot
platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with
each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a composite fitness machine
which is readily adapted to serve as a single integrated device for
simulating a walking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing
exercise, which can be chosen by a user as desired.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Examples of conventional fitness machines include the one
shown in FIG. 13, which is provided with a piece of wide endless
belt B to be walked on, the endless belt B being driven by the
impact of the user's tread to simulate a walking exercise. Another
example is shown in FIG. 14, in which a pair of foot paddles S is
alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. Another
example is shown in FIG. 15, in which a pair of foot paddles S is
swingably suspended with a pair of parallel links T to be
alternately moved back and forth to simulate a cross country skiing
exercise. In a combined fitness machine shown in FIG. 16A, the pair
of foot paddles S is provided on the endless belt B and is
alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. The
device is also available to simulate a walking exercise as shown in
FIG. 16B, in which the aforementioned foot paddles S are
individually folded upwardly to be retracted.
[0005] Many of the fitness machines of the aforementioned types are
used indoors at home, thus being required to provide a sufficient
performance of these types of bodily exertion and to be compact in
size. However, many of the aforementioned conventional fitness
machines are provided with a single function and thus a single
device cannot provide the performance of different types of bodily
exertion. Therefore, a user who would wish to simulate other
exercises would have to purchase discrete dedicated fitness
machines one after another which were provided with the functions
for simulating the exercises the user desired. Consequently, this
would lead to not only additional expenditures but also to storage
problems in a household environment. In addition, the combined
fitness machine of the aforementioned conventional type was too
heavy to be readily moved or stored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention was developed to solve the
aforementioned conventional problems, and an object of the present
invention is to provide a composite fitness machine which provides
two or more types of exercise by means of a single device, improved
ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a
composite fitness machine is provided which comprising right and
left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a
roller, and an endless belt. The front end portions of said right
and left endless foot platforms are rotatably affixed to any one of
a base and an upright frame provided vertically thereto. The right
and left endless foot platforms can be alternately pivoted in order
to simulate a stair climbing exercise. In addition, the platforms
are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other
in order to simulate a walking exercise.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a
composite fitness machine comprises parallel links each swingably
affixed to an upright frame affixed vertically to a base. Right and
left foot paddles are each attached to lower end portions of
parallel links to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. The
paddles can be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair
climbing exercise.
[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a
composite fitness machine is provided with right and left endless
foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an
endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from an upright
frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a
cross-country skiing exercise. This is done with said right and
left endless foot platforms being suspended in a generally
horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular
links. The right and left endless foot platforms can also be
alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise.
In addition, the platforms can be fixedly inclined slightly
rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a
walking exercise.
[0010] As describe above, the arrangement of the present invention
makes it possible to provide a composite fitness machine which
provides two or more types of exercise by means of a single device,
improved ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment
according to the present invention,
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1,
with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment
according to the present invention, FIG. 3A being a side view
thereof and FIG. 3B being a plan view thereof,
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3A
with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,
[0015] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are views illustrating a seventh
embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 5A being a side
view thereof, and FIGS. 5B and 5C being explanatory views showing
the action of a switching lever,
[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating the embodiment of
FIG. 5A, FIG. 6A being a side view thereof with a stair climbing
exercise being simulated, and FIG. 6B being a cross sectional view
showing an example of use of a helical spring,
[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B are views illustrating a twelfth embodiment
according to the present invention, FIG. 7A being a side view
thereof, and FIG. 7B being a plan view thereof,
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7,
with a cross-country skiing exercise being simulated,
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7,
with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,
[0020] FIGS. 10A and 10B are views illustrating a thirteenth
embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 10A being a
side view thereof and FIG. 10B being a plan view thereof,
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG.
10A, with a walking exercise being simulated,
[0022] FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory views illustrating the
action of the stair climbing exercise being simulated in the
embodiment of FIG. 10A,
[0023] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a
conventional fitness machine,
[0024] FIG. 14 is an explanatory view illustrating another example
of a conventional fitness machine,
[0025] FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating still another
example of a conventional fitness machine, and
[0026] FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views illustrating yet
another example of a conventional fitness machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a third embodiment according
to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is pivotably
affixed the front end portion of each of movable frames 26, 27 at a
lower portion of an upright frame 25 mounted vertically to a front
end portion of a base 24. There are rotatably mounted a pair of
rollers (not shown) to each of the movable frames 26, 27. Endless
belts 28, 29 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair
of rollers, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames 26, 27,
the rollers, and the endless belts 28, 29 constitute a right and
left endless foot platform R.
[0028] Each upper end portion of a pair of load resistance
cylinders 30, 31 is affixed to the aforementioned upright frame 25,
and lower ends thereof are affixed to the front portions of the
aforementioned movable frames 26, 27, respectively.
[0029] Reference numeral 32 designates a swing rod adapted to swing
vertically about a spindle 32a oriented laterally and transversely.
The right and left edge portions thereof abut against the
aforementioned movable frames 26, 27 on the right and left, being
adapted to actuate alternately the aforementioned right and left
endless foot platforms R up and down. The aforementioned swing rod
32 is provided to be vertically movable by means of an actuation
rod 33 and is coupled to the lower end portion of a coupler rod 34.
The upper end portion of the coupler rod 34 is coupled to the edge
portion of an actuation rod 35 which is pivotably affixed to the
aforementioned upright frame 25. The aforementioned swing rod 32 is
adapted to be operatively moved up and down by latching an
operation rod 35a to or unlatching it from a latch plate 35b.
[0030] The third embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus,
with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, a user is allowed to simulate
a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R.
Incidentally, with this arrangement, the movable frames 26, 27 of
the right and left endless foot platforms R are fixed to the base
24 by means of locking means 36. Moreover, the endless belts 28, 29
of the right and left endless foot platforms R are operatively
associated with flywheels 37.
[0031] Releasing the aforementioned locking means 36 and
operatively latching the aforementioned operation rod 35a to the
latch plate 35b would cause the right and left endless foot
platforms R to be raised from the base 24 as shown in FIG. 2,
making it possible to thereby simulate a stair climbing exercise.
Incidentally, the aforementioned endless belts 28, 29 are fixed by
means of a descending tread stopper 33a provided on the
aforementioned actuation rod 33.
[0032] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment
of the present invention. The front end of each of movable frames
39, 40 is pivotably affixed at the front portion of a base 38. The
movable frames 39, 40 are provided rotatably with a pair of rollers
41, 42, respectively. Endless belts 43, 44 are tensely wound up
being stretched between the pair of rollers 41, 42, respectively.
The aforementioned movable frames 39, 40, the rollers 41, 42, and
the endless belts 43, 44 constitute the right and left endless foot
platforms R. Reference numeral 45 designates a handgrip upright
frame.
[0033] Reference numeral 46 designates a pulley, which is provided
to be movable by means of a spiral shaft 47 in the direction shown
by the arrow. A wire 48 passes over the pulley 46, the both ends of
the wire 48 being coupled to actuating pieces 39a, 40a provided on
the movable frames 39, 40, respectively. Incidentally, the
aforementioned pulley 46 is adapted to allow the right and left
endless foot platforms R to be adjustably subjected to load
resistance, that is, to treading resistance thereto. Reference
numeral 49 designates locking means, reference numerals 43 and 44
designate endless belts, and reference numeral 50 designates
flywheels.
[0034] The fourth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus,
with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a user is allowed to
simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot
platforms R. In addition, suppose that the aforementioned locking
means 49 is released and the aforementioned spiral shaft 47 is
rotated to cause the aforementioned pulley 46 to move rearwards (in
the direction shown by the arrow). In this case, for example as
shown in FIG. 4, the actuating piece 40a will be pulled by means of
the wire 48 to cause the movable frame 40 integrated therewith to
be pivoted upwardly. With this arrangement, the stair climbing
exercise can be simulated. Incidentally, adjustment of displacement
of the pulley 46 to be produced by the aforementioned spiral shaft
47 would make it possible to adjust the amount of tread onto the
aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R.
[0035] FIGS. 5A to 5C are views illustrating a seventh embodiment
of the present invention. The front portion of each of movable
frames 77, 78 is pivotably affixed to an upright piece 76 a
provided vertically at the front portion of a base 76 via a
mounting axle 76b. The movable frames 77, 78 are provided rotatably
with a pair of rollers 79, 80, respectively. Endless belts 81, 82
are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers
79, 80, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames 77, 78, the
rollers 79, 80, and the endless belts 81, 82 constitute the right
and left endless foot platforms R.
[0036] Reference numeral 83 designates a switching lever which is
affixed to the aforementioned upright piece 76a and which is
elastically pressed in the counterclockwise direction by means of
springs 83a. As can be seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the switching lever
83 is provided with a cam piece 83b, being adapted to actuate a
keeper lever 84 mounted to the aforementioned movable frames 77,
78. Incidentally, FIG. 5B illustrates a spiral spring 87, which is
interposed between the movable frames 77, 78 of the aforementioned
right and left endless foot platforms R and the aforementioned
mounting axle 76b. The spiral spring 87 is adapted to elastically
press the endless foot platforms R in the counterclockwise
direction in place of or in conjunction with the aforementioned
springs 83a.
[0037] The seventh embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus,
with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, a user is allowed to
simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot
platforms R. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, pivoting the
aforementioned switching lever 83 in the counterclockwise direction
would cause the rear portions of the right and left endless foot
platforms R to be raised by means of the springs 83a. This also
causes the cam piece 83b of the aforementioned switching lever 83
to be dislodged from the keeper lever 84, and a keeper portion 84a
to be pressed elastically against the aforementioned endless belts
81, 82 by means of a spring 84b. Consequently, it is made possible
to simulate a stair climbing exercise on the right and left endless
foot platforms R.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrating a twelfth
embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided
suspension frames 139, 140 generally in parallel to a base 137 on
the upper end portion of an upright frame 138, which is vertically
provided on the front end portion of the base 137. Suspension rods
141, 142 are suspended swingably from the suspension frames 139,
140, respectively. There are provided handgrips 141a, 142a each
integrated with the upper portions of the upper end of the
suspension rods 141, 142.
[0039] The front end portions of movable frames 143, 144 are
pivotably affixed to the lower end portions of the aforementioned
suspension rods 141, 142 via spindles 141b, 142b, respectively.
There are rotatably provided a pair of rollers 145, 146 at the both
end portions of the movable frames 143, 144, respectively. Endless
belts 147, 148 are tensely wound up being stretched between the
pair of rollers 145, 146, respectively. The aforementioned movable
frames 143, 144, the rollers 145, 146, and the endless belts 147,
148 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R.
[0040] Reference numerals 149 and 150 designate second suspension
rods, the upper end portions of which are pivotably affixed to the
aforementioned suspension frames 139, 140, respectively. The lower
end portions of the aforementioned second suspension rods 149, 150
are pivotably coupled to one end portions of reversible rods 151,
152, respectively. The other end portions of the reversible rods
151, 152 are pivotably affixed to the rear portions of the
aforementioned movable frames 143, 144, respectively.
[0041] The upper end portions of a pair of load resistance
cylinders 153a, 153b are affixed to the aforementioned upright
frame 138, and the lower end portions thereof are affixed to the
front portions of the aforementioned movable frames 143, 144,
respectively.
[0042] Reference numeral 155 designates a swing rod, the right and
left edge portions of which are in contact with the aforementioned
movable frames 143, 144, respectively, and which is adapted to move
alternately the aforementioned right and left endless foot
platforms R up and down. The aforementioned swing rod 155 is
provided to be movable up and down by means of an actuation rod
156. Reference numeral 156a designates an operation rod, 156b
designates a latch plate, and 156c designates a fixing portion. In
addition, reference numeral 157 designates locking means for the
endless belts 147, 148, and reference numeral 158 designates
flywheels.
[0043] The twelfth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus,
with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the right and left
endless belts 147, 148 fixed by the locking means 157 provided on
the base 137 are released and the endless belts 147, 148 are
operatively associated with the flywheels 158 to allow a user to
simulate a walking exercise. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 25, the
rear portions of the aforementioned endless foot platforms R are
raised, the aforementioned reversible rods 151, 152 are reversed,
and the endless foot platforms R are arranged in a generally
horizontal configuration. This allows a user to reciprocate the
right and left foot alternately to simulate a cross-country skiing
exercise. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the aforementioned
reversible rods 151, 152 are put back to where they were and the
actuation rod 156 is pivoted upwardly by means of the
aforementioned operation rod 156a to stop the descending phase of
the step by means of a stopper 156d. The spindles 141b, 142b are
also fixed by means of the aforementioned fixing portion 156c to
prevent the right and left endless foot platforms R from moving
back and forth. The user is thereby allowed to simulate a stair
climbing exercise.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrating a thirteenth
embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided
suspension frames 161, 162 generally in parallel to a base 159 on
the upper end portion of an upright frame 160, which is vertically
provided on the front end portion of the base 159. A pair of first
suspension rods 163, 164 and a pair of second suspension rods 165,
166 are suspended swingably in parallel to each other from the
suspension frames 161, 162, respectively.
[0045] The lower end portions of the aforementioned first
suspension rods 163, 164 are pivotably affixed to the front
portionsofmovableframesl67, 168, respectively. On the other hand,
the lower end portions of the aforementioned second suspension rods
165, 166 are pivotably coupled to one ends of reversible rods 169,
170, respectively. The other ends of the reversible rods 169, 170
are pivotably affixed to the middle portions of the aforementioned
movable frames 167, 168.
[0046] The aforementioned suspension frames 161, 162 are provided
with load resistance cylinders 171, 172, respectively, and the
lower end portions thereof are affixed to the aforementioned
movable frames 167, 168.
[0047] The both ends of the aforementioned movable frames 167, 168
are rotatably provided with a pair of rollers 173, 174,
respectively. Endless belts 175, 176 are tensely wound up being
stretched between the pair of rollers 173, 174, respectively. The
aforementioned movable frames 167, 168, the rollers 173, 174, and
the endless belts 175, 176 constitute the right and left endless
foot platforms R. Incidentally, reference numeral 177 designates
locking means, for the endless belts 175, 176, and reference
numeral 178 designates flywheels.
[0048] The thirteenth embodiment is arranged as described above.
Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the right
and left foot can be alternately reciprocated back and forth to
simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. In addition, as shown in
FIG. 11, the aforementioned reversible rods 169, 170 are reversed
to cause the right and left endless foot platforms R to incline.
Then, the locking means 177 is released to cause the endless belts
175, 176 to be rotatable. The endless belts 175, 176 are
operatively associated with the flywheels 178. This makes it
possible for a user to simulate a walking exercise. Furthermore, as
shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the aforementioned endless belts 175,
176 fixed by the aforementioned locking means 177 are released and
the movement thereof is locked. Fixing pins 169a, 170a are inserted
therein to provide a lower limit to the descending step phase. This
makes it possible to simulate a stair climbing exercise.
* * * * *