U.S. patent application number 10/297210 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for exercise apparatus with audio-visual device.
Invention is credited to Kim, Lee Jeong.
Application Number | 20030134718 10/297210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19659380 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030134718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Lee Jeong |
July 17, 2003 |
Exercise apparatus with audio-visual device
Abstract
Sporting goods equipped with an audio and video rack are
provided. A rack cabinet is attached to the front part of the
sporting goods, racks in which audio and video devices are
installed are provided in the rack cabinet, and a caster and a
support are installed on the bottom of the rack cabinet. In the
sporting goods, hand-gripping portions are also provided on the
upper portion thereof, one ends of the hand-gripping portions being
attached to the middle portion of frames of the sporting goods by
means of a fixing shaft while the other ends of the hand-gripping
portion are inserted into holders fixed to the middle portion of
the rack cabinet so as to be tightened or released by a fixing
screw. Fixing holes, into which upper ends of the hand-gripping
portions are inserted, are formed at both bottom portions in the
rear of the rack cabinet when the sporting goods stands
upright.
Inventors: |
Kim, Lee Jeong; (Daejeon,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
700 11TH STREET, NW
SUITE 500
WASHINGTON
DC
20001
US
|
Family ID: |
19659380 |
Appl. No.: |
10/297210 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
June 4, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR01/00945 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 ;
482/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20130101;
A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 22/0056
20130101; A63B 2210/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 ;
482/904 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2000 |
KR |
2000/15899 U |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Sporting goods equipped with an audio and video rack comprising:
a rack cabinet attached to the front part of the sporting goods; a
TV provided on the top portion of the rack cabinet; racks provided
in the rack cabinet such that the heights thereof are adjustable;
audio and video devices provided in the racks; a caster and a
support installed on the bottom of the rack cabinet.
2. The sporting goods according to claim 1, wherein the sporting
goods are coupled to the rack cabinet by means of a hinge, and
hand-gripping portions are provided on the upper portion of the
sporting goods, one ends of the hand-gripping portions being
attached to the middle portion of frames of the sporting goods by
means of a fixing shaft while the other ends of the hand-gripping
portion are inserted into holders fixed to the middle portion of
the rack cabinet so as to be tightened or released by a fixing
screw, and fixing holes, into which upper ends of the hand-gripping
portions are inserted, are formed at both bottom portions in the
rear of the rack cabinet when the sporting goods stands
upright.
3. The sporting goods according to claim 1, wherein rack resting
protrusions are formed at front edges of frames of the sporting
goods so as to be detachably fixed on the rack cabinet, and
coupling holes into which the rack resting protrusions are inserted
are formed at the lower portion of the front part of the sporting
goods.
4. The sporting goods according to any one of claims 1 through 3,
wherein a telephone hanger on which a telephone is installed is
provided in the cabinet.
5. The sporting goods according to claim 1, wherein a TV stand
capable of rotating and adjustable in view of the angle of leaning
forward and backward is installed on the top portion of the rack
cabinet.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to sporting goods equipped
with the audio and video rack, and more particularly, to sporting
goods which are configured such that the sporting goods, e.g.,
running machines or steppers, are equipped with an audio and video
rack to enable audio-visual language education or music video or
movie appreciation in addition to exercising, thereby increasing
exercising effects by giving the pleasures of exercising to a user
who is taking monotonous exercise and improving the user's ability
in foreign languages.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In modern society, quite a many people are less physically
active to experience a decline of physical strength due to lack of
exercise and are suffering from various kinds of medical problems
associated with the lack of exercise. To solve the lack of
exercise, a variety of indoor exercise machines enabling versatile
multifunctional exercise indoor, e.g., running machines, steppers,
stationary exercise bikes or the like, have been developed and
used.
[0003] Conventional indoor sporting goods being used home or at
fitness centers are configured only to provide exercise functions,
which may make users get bored with tedious exercise. Thus, it is
very hard for a user to persist in exercise with endurance even if
the user is strongly willing to exercise. Also, the sporting goods
purchased at high price may be liable to be kept unused.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] To overcome drawbacks of the conventional indoor sporting
goods, it is an object of the present invention to provide
multifunctional sporting goods enabling a user to persist in
exercise as long as planned initially while watching TV, studying
foreign languages, reading books, magazines or
newspaper,seeingfilmsorlisteningtomusic,withoutgettingboredwithtedious
exercise. That is to say, the sporting goods according to the
present invention provide multiple effects by allowing a user to
entertain himself/herself or to study foreign languages using
audio-visual materials while taking exercise.
[0005] To achieve the object, the present invention provides
sporting goods comprising a rack cabinet attached to the front part
thereof, e.g., a running machine, and the rack cabinet having audio
and video racks at predetermined heights, a caster mounted at the
bottom part of the sporting goods, for moving and fixing the
sporting goods, and a shelf support having a support frame.
[0006] The sporting goods according to the present invention can be
applied to various indoor sporting goods such as stationary
exercise bikes, steppers or others. The sporting goods can be
combined with the rack cabinet by varying the design of the
sporting goods according to configuration and type.
[0007] In the sporting goods according to the present invention
having a rack cabinet at its front part, in which audio and video
devices, a TV monitor and the like are provided therein, users can
study foreign languages, can listen to music or can see movies
while taking exercise. Also, a drawable bookstand is provided under
the racks of the sporting goods according to the present invention
so as to be used at any time as occasion arises.
[0008] The sporting goods according to the present invention is
configured such that the rack cabinet is movably installed, a frame
of the sporting goods is hinged to the rack cabinet to be stored
and transported in an upright state for convenient transportation
and movement. Here, the frame is fixed without moving downward by
fixing one ends of hand-gripping portions attached to the sporting
goods, on the rack cabinet. During use of the sporting goods, the
hand-gripping portions are restored into its original position to
be fixed. The heights of the racks are adjusted according to the
sizes of the audio and video devices.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
sporting goods and the rack cabinet may be detachably coupled to
each other, so that the rack cabinet can be used as a wardrobe or
shelf when the sporting goods is not used. Also, a telephone hanger
is provided so that a telephone can be used even during
exercise.
[0010] Preferably, a TV stand capable of rotating and adjustable in
view of the angle of leaning forward and backward is installed on
the top portion of the rack cabinet provided at the front part of
the sporting goods. When the sporting goods is not used, the TV
stand is rotated so as to face the user sitting on a sofa or in any
other desired direction, thereby fully exhibiting functions as a
wardrobe or TV stand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of sporting goods according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a state in which the
sporting goods according to an embodiment of the present invention
is folded up;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which audio and
video devices are installed in the sporting goods according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of sporting goods according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of a rack cabinet used for a shelf by
detaching only an exercising member from the sporting goods
according to the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of sporting goods according to
still another embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019] Non-limiting preferred embodiments of the present invention
will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a is a perspective view of sporting goods
according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a
side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in
which a frame of the sporting goods according to an embodiment of
the present invention is made to stand upright
fortransportingoraccommodatingthesportinggoodsaccordingtoth-
epresent invention. A running machine is employed as sporting goods
10 in this embodiment. A rack cabinet 20 is attached to the front
part of the sporting goods 10. Audio and video racks 21 and 22 are
provided in the rack cabinet 20. A caster 23 and a support 24 are
installed on the bottom of the rack cabinet 20.
[0021] The sporting goods 10 according to the present invention can
be applied to various kinds of indoor sporting goods such as
stationary exercise bikes or steppers as well as running machines.
The sporting goods 10 according to the present invention can be
combined with the rack cabinet 20 by varying the substantial
attachment position and structure of each of the sporting goods
according to configuration and type of the sporting goods.
[0022] The running machine as the sporting goods 10 according to
the present invention has rotary rollers (not shown) installed at
front and rear ends of left and right frames 12. A running belt 14
is installed at exterior of the rotary rollers so that a user runs
thereon. A caster 11, which is capable of freely rotating and being
fixed, is fixed on the bottom of the sporting goods 10.
[0023] Also, the sporting goods 10 according to the present
invention has hand-gripping portions 15 installed for the safety
purpose during running. In addition, the hand-gripping portions 15
are used as means for maintaining a state in which the sporting
goods 10 stands upright while being closely adhered to the rack
cabinet 20. In other words, the front edges of the frames 12 of the
sporting goods 10 are coupled to the lower portion of the rack
cabinet 20 by means of a hinge 16, and one ends of the
hand-gripping portions 15 are attached to the middle portion of the
frames 12 of the sporting goods 10 by means of a fixing shaft 17
while the other ends of the hand-gripping portion 15 are inserted
into holders 25 fixed to the middle portion of the rack cabinet 20
so as to be tightened or released by a fixing screw 26. Fixing
holes 27 are formed at both bottom portions in the rear of the rack
cabinet 20 for the purpose of preventing the sporting goods 10 from
being overthrown when the sporting goods 10 stands upright, by
inserting upper ends of the hand-gripping portions 15
thereinto.
[0024] The racks 21 and 22, as shown in FIG. 2, have a plurality of
rack resting protrusions 28 on the lateral surfaces of the rack
cabinet 20 at constant intervals so as to adjust the height of an
accommodating space according to the sizes of audio and video
devices.
[0025] Undefined reference numeral `29` denotes a liquid crystal
display (LCD) which is used as a clock for indicating the current
time, a timer for checking exercising time, the scales or the like.
In the case of the scales, the scales (not shown) may be separately
electrically connected.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which audio and
video devices are installed in the sporting goods according to an
embodiment of the present invention. A TV 30 is provided on the top
portion 20a of the rack cabinet 20, a VCR 31 is provided in the
upper rack 21 under the top portion 20a, an audio device 32 is
provided in the lower rack 22 under the upper rack 21, and a
speaker 33 is installed on the bottom portion 20b.A power plug is
connected to each device from a wall outlet 34 provided at the rear
portion of the rack cabinet 20.
[0027] FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate another embodiment of the
present invention. According to this embodiment, the sporting goods
10 is completely detached from the rack cabinet 20 by forming a
resting protrusion 19 at the front edges of the frames 12 and by
inserting the resting protrusion 19 into a coupling hole 19a for
being coupled to each other, instead of using a hinge coupling
structure. When the sporting goods 10 is not used, the sporting
goods 10 is separated from the rack cabinet 20.Then, the sporting
goods 10 can be used as a wardrobe or shelf, as shown in FIG.
7.
[0028] Also, according to this embodiment, a telephone 35 is rested
on a telephone hanger 35a installed on the lateral surface of the
upper portion of the rack cabinet 20 so that the telephone 35 can
be used even during exercising. A safety frame 18 for preventing
the TV (see FIG. 4) placed on the top portion 20a of the rack
cabinet 20 from falling down due to vibration or impact, is
detachably installed on the top portion 20a of the rack cabinet 20,
thereby facilitating safety during exercising.
[0029] The telephone hanger 35a is preferably installed at a
position where the telephone can be comfortably used during
exercising, and may be fabricated in the form of a small horizontal
shelf, rather than in the form of a hanger attached to the lateral
surface of the rack cabinet, so that a user's
belongingsthatmaycausetheuserinconvenienceinexercising,e.g.-
,acellular phone or writing tools, can be stored for free and
comfortable exercise.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates sporting goods according to still another
embodiment of the present invention, in which esthetical
consideration is taken into design of the sporting goods when
combined with the rack cabinet. A TV stand 36 capable of rotating
and adjustable in view of the angle of leaning forward and backward
is installed on the top portion of the rack cabinet 20 provided at
the front part of the sporting goods and a video built-in TV 30 is
seated thereon, thereby adjusting the TV 30 at a user's desired
angle. Racks 21 and 22, the heights of which can be adjusted, are
installed in the middle portion of the rack cabinet 20, so that an
audio, video or speaker can be placed thereon. A telephone hanger
35a is installed on a hand-gripping portion 15. In addition to a
user's cellular phone, user's belongings necessary during
exercising, e.g., towel or a drink, may be placed on the telephone
hanger 35a.
[0031] Undefined parts shown in FIG. 8 are the same as those
described in the first and second embodiments of the present
invention, and an explanation thereof will not be give. The same
reference numerals are used to denote the same elements.
[0032] As described above, the sporting goods equipped with an
audio and video rack according to the present invention, can be
installed at home or fitness centers, allowing users to exercise
while seeing movies, listening to music or studying foreign
languages using audio and video devices. Since the users exercise
and study foreign languages lightly and naturally, rather than
forcibly, much better exercising effects can be exhibited.
[0033] Therefore, a user can exercise much more with endurance
while studying foreign languages by using the sporting goods
equipped with the audio and video rack according to the present
invention, thereby attaining a balanced and clearly defined figure
and having a good command of foreign languages.
[0034] Also, the sporting goods equipped with the audio and video
rack according to the present invention can be made to stand
upright so as to be closely adhered to a rack cabinet when unused,
transported or stored. Thus, the sporting goods according to the
present invention can be easily transported or stored because of
its compactness.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0035] As described above, according to the present invention,
since audio
andvideodevicesareprovidedinsportinggoods,evenmonotonousexercising
can be taken without boredom, thereby enhancing exercising effects.
Also, since audio and visual activities, including studying foreign
languages, music appreciation and the like, can be performed
simultaneously with exercising, various effects of taking exercise,
saving of time, improvement in user's ability in foreign languages,
cultivation of emotional sensitivities through movie or music
appreciation, can be attained.
* * * * *