U.S. patent application number 10/377879 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-09 for stationary exercise cycle.
Invention is credited to Fan, Jeeng-Neng.
Application Number | 20040176218 10/377879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32926385 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040176218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fan, Jeeng-Neng |
September 9, 2004 |
STATIONARY EXERCISE CYCLE
Abstract
An improved stationary exercise cycle comprised of a handlebar
and a saddle respectively installed at two extremities of a swing
rod, a base support rod to which the anterior extremity of the
swing rod is hinged, a push arm extending downward from the
posterior extremity of the swing rod, and a guide wheel disposed at
the lower end of the push arm that contacts a polygonal drive wheel
over the axle of the bottom bracket shell on the base. When a
person treadles the pedals and thereby rotates the polygonal drive
wheel, the guide wheel contacts the polygonal drive wheel and the
support rod on the base serves as a fulcrum on which the swing rod
pivots upward and downward in a seesaw fashion, with the handlebar
and the saddle at the two extremities of the swing rod alternately
rising and falling such that the user not only strengthens both
legs, but also invigorates the arms and entire body, thereby
providing for a massage-like yet effective and comprehensive
physical exercise routine.
Inventors: |
Fan, Jeeng-Neng; (Taoyuan,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
32926385 |
Appl. No.: |
10/377879 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/068 20130101;
A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 21/00196
20130101; A61H 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/06; A63B
069/16 |
Claims
1. An improved stationary exercise cycle comprised of a base, a
swing rod, a handlebar, a saddle, a drive wheel, a bottom bracket
shell, a height adjuster, and a drag device, the features of which
are that the said handlebar and the said saddle are respectively
installed at the anterior and the posterior extremities of the said
swing rod; the said swing rod has its anterior extremity hinged to
the top end of a support rod on the said base, enabling lever-type
ascension and descension, and has at its posterior extremity a
downwardly extending push arm with a guide wheel disposed on the
lower end; the said drive wheel is polygonal in design, positioned
over the axle of the said bottom bracket shell, and capable of
rotation as the pedals are treadled, with the said bottom bracket
shell situated at the rear of the said base such that its outer
circumference is aligned with or contacts the said guide wheel on
the said push arm of the said swing rod; the said height adjuster
is installed proximal to the posterior extremity of the said swing
rod and capable of being raised and lowered to control whether the
said guide wheel on the said push arm of the said swing rod is
suspended or rolls in contact with the said drive wheel; and the
said drag device directly provides for the generation of friction
along the said drive wheel.
2. As mentioned in claim 1 of the improved stationary exercise
cycle of the invention herein, the said height adjuster consists of
an adjustment knob, a spring, and a cushion block; the said
adjustment knob is capable of shifting the said cushion block
against a stop rod in the said base during up and down movement to
vary the extent of ascent and descent by the said push arm of the
said swing rod and the said guide wheel.
3. As mentioned in claim 1 of the improved stationary exercise
cycle of the invention herein, one extremity of the said swing rod
is hinged to the said base and thus capable of pivoting up and down
and the other extremity provides for the respective installation of
the said bottom bracket shell and the said handlebar, with the said
polygonal drive wheel installed over the said axle of the said
bottom bracket shell contacting the said guide wheel.
4. As mentioned in claim 3 of the improved stationary exercise
cycle of the invention herein, the said swing rod is controlled by
the said height adjustor which varies the extent of its upward and
downward movement.
5. As mentioned in claim 1 and claim 3 of the improved stationary
exercise cycle of the invention herein, the installation position
of the said bottom bracket shell drive wheel is capable of
accommodating the installation position of the said guide wheel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention herein relates to physical fitness apparatus,
specifically an improved stationary exercise cycle.
[0003] 2) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The structure and operation of conventional indoor
stationary exercise cycles typically provides for the treadling of
pedals with two feet to thereby strengthen and exercise both legs
in a manner similar to that of riding a bicycle. Since the said
stationary exercise cycles are normally equipped with a
friction-based, resistance adjustment device, the user can adjust
pedaling drag to the most appropriate setting needed for a
challenging leg workout. While it cannot be denied that the
operation of such stationary exercise cycles achieves the objective
of adaptive utilization, since their conventional structure is
unsophisticated and only provides for a single regime of leg
pedaling exercise, they are monotonous, uninteresting, and even of
decreased exercise effectiveness.
[0005] As a result, manufacturers have attempted to further enhance
stationary exercise cycles by disposing the handlebar as separate
left and right elements with a matching left and right connecting
rod then coupling the left and the right handlebar elements to the
bottom bracket shell such that when the exerciser treadles the
pedals, the said left and right handle bar elements rock forward
and backward in a cadence with them to thereby achieve the
flexioning of both legs as well as the forward extension and
rearward retraction of both arms to effectively exercise and build
up the limbs. Since the structure of such improved stationary
exercise cycles conditions both the hands and feet at the same
time, they are superior to the conventional counterparts in
achieving the expected exercise results. However, besides extending
and retracting the arms and legs, such structures have shortcomings
in that they are incapable of exercising other parts of the human
body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary objective of the invention herein is to provide
an improved stationary exercise cycle in which a swing rod having a
handlebar and saddle respective installed at its anterior and
posterior extremities is capable of pivoting upward and downward on
a support rod of a base that serves as a fulcrum and, furthermore,
a polygonal drive wheel installed at the bottom bracket shell of
the base which impels a push rod at the posterior extremity of the
swing rod during rotation such that when the exerciser treadles the
pedals, the said saddle and handlebar are reciprocally drawn higher
and lower which not only achieves the expected objective of
strengthening the two legs of the exerciser, but at the same time
also invigorates the arms and entire body, thereby providing for a
massage-like yet effective, comprehensive physical exercise
routine.
[0007] Another objective of the invention herein is to provide an
improved stationary exercise cycle, wherein a height adjuster is
disposed between the said swing rod and base such that the
amplitude of the said swing rod relative to the body of the
exerciser can be varied and at the same time the intensity and mode
of vibration to the exerciser dampened to afford the exerciser a
more comfortable workout.
[0008] Yet another objective of the invention herein is to provide
an improved stationary exercise cycle, wherein the said height
adjuster is equipped with a drag device that, as per actual
utilization requirements, allows a user-selectable leg
strengthening or total body exercise routine to thereby enable
multi-purpose application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing of an embodiment of the
invention herein.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an orthographic drawing of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional drawing of the drive wheel of
the invention herein installed on the axle in the bottom bracket
shell.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an orthographic drawing that illustrates the
movement of the pedals shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an orthographic drawing of the drive wheel of the
invention herein with one of its contiguous sides contacting the
guide wheel of the push arm.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an orthographic drawing of the drive wheel of the
invention herein with one of its angular points contacting the
guide wheel of the push arm.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional drawing of the height adjuster
of the invention herein set such that the guide wheel of the push
arm contacts the drive wheel.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional drawing of the height adjuster
of the invention herein set such that the guide wheel of the push
arm does not contact the drive wheel.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an orthographic drawing of another embodiment of
the invention herein.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an orthographic drawing that illustrates the
movement of the pedals shown in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the improved
stationary exercise cycle of the invention herein is comprised of a
base 10 having near the forward aspect an upwardly projecting
support rod 101 with a clevis 102 disposed on its top end; a swing
rod 20 that in addition to providing for the respective
installation of a handlebar 30 stem 301 and a saddle 40 seat post
401 at its anterior and posterior extremities also has a lynch pin
201 inserted proximal to the anterior extremity hinging it to the
clevis 102 of the base 10 support rod 101, thereby enabling
lever-type ascension and descension, as well as a downwardly
extending push arm 202 situated proximal to the posterior extremity
with a guide wheel 203 disposed on its lower end; a drive wheel 50
that is polygonal in design, positioned at one end of a bottom
bracket shell 60 on an axle 601, and contacts the guide wheel 203
at the lower end of the swing rod 20 push arm 202, wherein the said
bottom bracket shell 60 is situated on the base 10--since the
structure of the said shell 60 is similar to that utilized on
conventional bicycles, it shall not be further elaborated--and the
axle 601 is a section of a one-piece crank 602 and can be a
component of a multiple-piece crank set; a height adjuster 70
installed in the swing rod 20 adjacent to the push arm 202 that has
an adjustment knob 701, a spring 702, and a cushion block 703,
wherein after the adjustment knob 701 is rotated downward in the
swing rod 20, the tension of the spring 702 is vectored upward such
that the said cushion block 703 at the lower end of the adjustment
knob 701 remains fixed against the top end of a stop rod 103
disposed in the base 10; and a drag device 80 disposed on the base
10 that generates friction along the drive wheel 50, the structure
of which is similar to that of conventional dampers, magnetic
controls, brake belts, and other similar means, with the friction
produced at the drive wheel 701 varied via a controlling resistance
adjuster 801.
[0020] Utilizing the said structure of the invention herein,
referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, since the anterior
extremity of the said swing rod 20 is hinged to the clevis 102 of
the base 10 support rod 101, the said base support rod 101 serves
as a fulcrum of leveraged pivotal sway; the said handlebar 30 and
saddle 40 are respectively installed at the anterior and posterior
extremities of the swing rod 20 and as the said guide wheel 203
disposed at the lower end of the swing rod 20 push arm 202
constantly contacts the polygonal drive wheel 50, when the
exerciser sits on the saddle 40 to treadle the pedals 603 and
thereby rotate the drive wheel 50, the contiguous sides 501 and
angular points 502 profiled at differing height along the drive
wheel 50 impinge the guide wheel 203 during the said rotation (as
shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6), causing the said swing rod 20 to move
continuously in a seesaw manner and vibrate parasitically, with the
said exerciser seated on the saddle 40 subjected to the resultant
pulsations which allows the said exerciser to not only strengthen
both legs by treadling the pedals, but at the same time soothingly
yet effectively exercise the arms during the vibration process.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, since the height adjuster 70
is installed adjacent to the swing rod 20 push arm 202, a person
can not only turn the adjustment knob 701 upward to bring the guide
wheel 203 disposed at the lower end of the swing rod 20 push arm
202 into the said constant contact with the drive wheel 50 (see
FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7) and thereby enable the
exerciser to simultaneously pedal with both legs and exercise the
entire body, but can also turn the adjustment knob 701 downward to
bring the cushion block 703 against the stop rod 103 of the base 10
and thus lift the swing rod 20 (see FIG. 8) such that the guide
wheel 203 no longer contacts the drive wheel 50, enabling the
exerciser to treadle vigorously but only exercise the legs. Since
the height adjuster 70 is then capable of incrementally raising and
lowering the swing rod 20 as well as altering the scope of contact
during rotation between the drive wheel 50 and the guide wheel 203
(i.e., the farther down the swing rod 20 push arm 202, the greater
the scope of contact in terms of area and degree between the said
polygonal drive wheel 50 and the guide wheel 203; in contrast, the
higher up the swing rod 20 push arm 202, the smaller the scope of
contact in terms of area and degree between the said polygonal
drive wheel 50 and the guide wheel 203), it directly changes the
amplitude of the swing rod 20 and thus that of the handlebar 30 and
the saddle 40, thereby enabling the exerciser to alter the
intensity and mode of vibration delivered to the body and the arms.
In other words, the height adjuster 70 allows exercisers a
functional means of variable control over the amplitude of the
swing rod 20 to accommodate all levels of physical condition and
actual application requirements, thereby enabling maximum
effectiveness by providing for the most suitable form of
exercise.
[0022] As described above, since the said drag device 80 can be set
by the resistance adjuster 801 to differing magnitudes of friction
against the drive wheel 50, the exerciser can partake of a
total-body vibratory massage workout or just pedal exclusively to
strengthen the legs, during which time the resistance adjuster 801
can be varied to meet actual utilization requirements to produce
both optimal and comfortable pedaling rates, thereby providing for
most effective exercise results.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the drawings of another
embodiment of the invention herein; as indicated in the drawings,
one extremity of the said swing rod 20' is hinged by a lynch pin
102' to the upper end of the base 10' support rod 101' such that it
is capable of pivoting upward and downward, the bottom bracket
shell 60' and the handlebar 30' stem 301' are disposed at the other
extremity of the swing rod 20', the polygonal drive wheel 50' is as
previously described positioned at one end of the bottom bracket
shell 60' axle 601' , and the said drive wheel 50' contacts the
guide wheel 203' which is disposed on the base 10'; in this
embodiment, the person operates from a separate chair which
facilitates usage of the present invention in a smaller space, but
similarly is convenient to utilize. For example, when utilized in a
living room, a seated person can watch television and treadle the
pedals 603' with both hands placed on the handlebar 30' such that
as the polygonal drive wheel 50' rotates along with the axle 601',
the lynch pin 201' serves as a fulcrum on which the swing rod 20'
and the handlebar 30' seesaw and vibrate simultaneously to
facilitate an invigorating massage and brisk workout to the legs,
hands, and upper body of the exerciser. To further meet utilization
requirements, the height adjustor 70' previously described (as
shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9) is similarly installed to vary the
amplitude of the swing rod 20', the handlebar 30', and the drive
wheel 50'.
[0024] In the said embodiment, the said bottom bracket shell 60'
and the drive wheel 50' can also be disposed on the base 10' as
shown in FIG. 1, with the swing rod 20' guide wheel 203' then
positioned coincident to the guide wheel 50' such that when a
person treadles the pedals 603', the vibrations generated reach the
handlebar 30'.
* * * * *