U.S. patent application number 09/901358 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-09 for tube-adjusting device.
Invention is credited to Fon, Su-Jung.
Application Number | 20030008754 09/901358 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25414012 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030008754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fon, Su-Jung |
January 9, 2003 |
TUBE-ADJUSTING DEVICE
Abstract
A tube-adjusting device includes a tubular guide having a
longitudinal line of apertures and a longitudinal groove
diametrically opposite to the line of apertures. A tube extends in
the tubular guide and has an inner transverse column defining a
through-hole aligned with alternative one of the apertures and with
the longitudinal groove of the guide. The inner transverse column
has a threaded inner wall adjacent to the longitudinal groove. A
pin is movable in the through-hole of the inner transverse column,
and has a rounded end adapted to engage the apertures of the guide.
A thumbscrew has a threaded shank extending into the through-hole
in the transverse column through the longitudinal groove, and is
threadedly engaged with the threaded inner wall. Additionally, a
helical spring is received in the through-hole of the inner
transverse column and compressed between the pin and the threaded
shank of the thumbscrew.
Inventors: |
Fon, Su-Jung; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS, KAYDEN, HORSTEMEYER & RISLEY, LLP
100 GALLERIA PARKWAY, NW
STE 1750
ATLANTA
GA
30339-5948
US
|
Family ID: |
25414012 |
Appl. No.: |
09/901358 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/09 20130101;
A63B 2022/0652 20130101; A63B 22/00 20130101; A63B 22/0605
20130101; F16B 7/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/57 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tube-adjusting device comprising: a tubular guide (30) having
at least one open end (31), said guide (30) being formed with a
longitudinal line of apertures (34) and a longitudinal groove (35)
substantially parallel to and diametrically opposite to said
longitudinal line of said apertures (34); a tube (40) extending
partially in said tubular guide (30) through said open end (31),
said tube (40) having an inner transverse column (42) defining a
through-hole (43) in alignment with alternative one of said
apertures (34) and with said longitudinal groove (35) of said guide
(30), said inner transverse column (42) having a threaded inner
wall (431) adjacent to said longitudinal groove (35) for defining a
portion of said through-hole (43); a pin (20) movable in said
through-hole (43) of said inner transverse column (42), said pin
(20) having a rounded end (23) adapted to engage with alternative
one of said apertures (34) of said guide (30); a thumbscrew (10)
having a threaded shank (12) extending into said through-hole (43)
in said inner transverse column (42) of said tube (40) through said
longitudinal groove (35) of said tubular guide (30), said threaded
shank (12) being threadedly engaged with said threaded inner wall
(431) of said inner transverse column (42); and a helical spring
(24) received in said through-hole (43) of said inner transverse
column (42) and compressed between said pin (20) and said threaded
shank (12) of said thumbscrew (10).
2. The tube-adjusting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
thumbscrew (10) has a knob (11) from which said threaded shank (12)
extends.
3. The tube-adjusting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
pin (20) has a reduced end (21) opposed to said rounded end (23),
and wherein said helical spring (24) is mounted at least partially
around said pin (20) at said reduced end (21).
4. The tube-adjusting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
tubular guide (30) has a pair of longitudinal slots (36) defined at
sides of said longitudinal groove (35), and wherein said tube (40)
is formed with a pair of wheels (45) rotatable along said
longitudinal slots (36) of said guide (30).
5. The tube-adjusting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
tubular guide (30) further has a secondary wheel (32) formed
adjacent to said open end (31) to support said tube (40).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tube-adjusting device
and, more particularly, to a tube-adjusting device in which a tube
suffers no local permanent deformation in its wall and is
positioned securely after adjustment.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Many exercising apparatus, such as stationary exercising
bicycles, have seats that are adjustable relative to main bodies.
The adjustment is usually achieved by means of a tube-adjusting
device, which includes a tubular guide formed on the main body and
a seat tube extending into the tubular guide. In any device of the
conventional types, the tube is locked with the tubular guide by a
thumbscrew that is threadedly connected to the guide and pressed
against a wall of the seat tube.
[0005] The tube, however, is vulnerable to the pressure from the
thumbscrew, being usually subjected to local permanent deformation,
which causes a negative effect to the smooth movement of the tube
in the tubular guide during adjustment.
[0006] A more serious problem is that the tube is locked with the
guide solely by the friction between the tube and the thumbscrew.
The unreliable friction may result in the user's fall from the seat
if the tube is unlocked suddenly and intendedly, thereby leading to
possible injury.
[0007] Therefore, it is an objective of the invention to provide a
tube-adjusting device to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a
tube-adjusting device in which a tube suffers no local permanent
deformation in its wall.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
tube-adjusting device in which a tube is positioned securely after
adjustment.
[0010] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a
tube-adjusting device in accordance with the present;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the device
of FIG. 1 in assembly;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a tube
in a locked position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the
tube in an unlocked position; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a view of a stationary exercising bicycle provided
with the tube-adjusting device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tube-adjusting device in
accordance with the present invention includes a tubular guide (30)
having at least one open end (31), with a tube (40) extending
partially in the tubular guide (30) through the open end (31).
[0017] The tubular guide (30) includes a longitudinal line of
apertures (34), such as defined in an additional plate (33) fixed
to the guide (30) in a manner as illustrated, and a longitudinal
groove (35) substantially parallel to and diametrically opposite to
the longitudinal line of the apertures (34).
[0018] Preferably, the tubular guide (30) has a pair of
longitudinal slots (36) defined at sides of the groove (35), while
the tube (40) is formed with a pair of wheels (45) rotatable along
the longitudinal slots (36), as best shown in FIG. 2. More
preferably, the tubular guide (30) further has a secondary wheel
(32) formed adjacent to its open end (31) to support the tube (40),
thereby providing a smooth movement for the tube (40) relative to
the guide (30).
[0019] The tube (40) is formed with an inner transverse column (42)
that defines a through-hole (43) in alignment both with alternative
one of the apertures (34) and with the longitudinal groove (35) of
the guide (30). In addition, the inner transverse column (42) has a
threaded inner wall (431) adjacent to the longitudinal groove (35)
for defining a portion of the through-hole (43), as best seen in
FIG. 1.
[0020] A pin (20) is movable in the through-hole (43) of the inner
transverse column (42). The pin (20) has a rounded end (23) adapted
to engage with alternative one of the apertures (34) of the guide
(30), and preferably a reduced upper end (21) that allows a helical
spring (24) to be received in the through-hole (43) of the inner
transverse column (42) and mounted at least partially around the
pin (20) at the reduced end (21), abutting a shoulder (22) of the
pin (20), as best shown in FIG. 3.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, the inventive device further includes a
thumbscrew (10) having a knob (11), with a threaded shank (12)
extending from the knob (11) into the through-hole (43) in the
inner transverse column (42) of the tube (40), through the
longitudinal groove (35) of the tubular guide (30). The threaded
shank (12) is threadedly engaged with the threaded inner wall (431)
of the inner transverse column (42), thereby compressing the
helical spring (24) between the pin (20) and the shank (12).
[0022] The tube (40) can be locked with the tubular guide (30) by
turning the thumbscrew (10) in a direction until its threaded shank
(12) is pressed tightly against the pin (20), when the rounded end
(23) is urged to project in desired one of the apertures (34),
thereby retaining the tube (40) in place in the guide (30).
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the tube (40) can be released by
turning the thumbscrew (10) in the opposite direction. At this
time, the threaded shank (12) is moved away from the pin (20), and
the rounded end (23) may slide out one aperture (34) and then into
another, under the action of the compressed spring (24), as the
tube (40) is moved along the tubular guide (30). This allows the
tube (40) to be adjusted relative to the guide (30).
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a stationary exercising
bicycle provided with the tube-adjusting device in accordance with
the present invention. The stationary bicycle here includes legs
(50) supporting a pedal unit (52), with the tubular guide (30)
extending from the unit (52). A seat (55) is formed with a base
(551) attached to the tube (40), which, as mentioned above, extends
into the tubular guide (30) through its open end (31).
[0025] With the inventive device, the seat (55) can be adjusted
easily in the manner as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and
4.
[0026] From the above description, it is noted that the invention
has the following advantages:
[0027] 1. No Local Permanent Deformation of the Tube (40):
[0028] Because the threaded shank (12) of thumbscrew (10) is
pressed against the pin (20) instead of the tube (40) itself, the
tube (40) will suffer no local permanent deformation from the
thumbscrew (10).
[0029] 2. Ideal Security in Positioning the Tube (40) After
Adjustment:
[0030] Because the tube (40) is locked with the tubular guide (30)
by the pin (20) instead of unreliable friction, the tube (40) and
hence the seat (55) will be positioned securely after
adjustment.
[0031] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
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