U.S. patent application number 10/603117 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for dual-function treading exerciser.
Invention is credited to Lo, Kun-Chuan, Nelson, Derek, Pyles, Nathan, Wang, Chih-Jen.
Application Number | 20050101447 10/603117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32328474 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050101447 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Pyles, Nathan ; et
al. |
May 12, 2005 |
Dual-function treading exerciser
Abstract
A dual-function exercise device includes lower body exercise
device, a frame, and a movable handle assembly. The movable handle
assembly includes two independent pulling devices and a rotary
shaft journalled on the frame. Each pulling device includes a
pulley disposed rotatably on the frame, a pull cord wound on the
pulley, a handgrip fastened to an end of the cord and movable to
unwind the cord from the pulley, and a biasing unit for biasing the
cord to wind around the pulley when the cord is pulled and is
subsequently released.
Inventors: |
Pyles, Nathan; (Lake Mills,
WI) ; Nelson, Derek; (Lake Mills, WI) ; Lo,
Kun-Chuan; (Taichung City, TW) ; Wang, Chih-Jen;
(Taichung City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATRICIA SMITH KING
SUITE 22
222 NORTH MIDVALE BOULEVARD
MADISON
WI
537055072
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 0102292 A1 |
May 27, 2004 |
|
|
Family ID: |
32328474 |
Appl. No.: |
10/603117 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10603117 |
Jun 24, 2003 |
|
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|
10303724 |
Nov 26, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 ; 482/115;
482/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20130101;
A63B 21/0051 20130101; A63B 21/025 20130101; A63B 2022/0041
20130101; A63B 23/047 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 21/153
20130101; A63B 2022/0676 20130101; A63B 22/0012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 ;
482/115; 482/116 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02; A63B
021/015 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 29, 2002 |
TW |
091207866 |
Claims
1. A dual-function treading exerciser comprising: a lower body
exerciser and an upper body exerciser, said upper body exerciser
including; a frame joined to the lower body exerciser; and a
movable handle assembly including a pair of pulling devices mounted
on said frame, and a rotary shaft journalled on said frame, each of
said pulling devices including, a pulley disposed on said frame, a
pull cord wound on said pulley, a handgrip fastened to an end of
said pull cord and movable rearwardly to unwind said pull cord from
said pulley, and a biasing unit for biasing said pull cord to wind
around said pulley when said cord is pulled rearwardly and is
subsequently released.
2. The dual-function exerciser of claim 1, wherein said lower body
exerciser comprises: a treading platform; and a continuous tread
extending around said platform.
3. The dual-function exerciser of claim 1, wherein said movable
handle assembly is joined to a front portion of said frame.
4. The dual-function exerciser of claim 1, wherein said frame
extends upwardly from a front portion of said dual-function
exerciser.
5. The dual-function exerciser of claim 1, wherein said frame
extends upwardly from a front portion of said dual-function
exerciser, and said movable handle assembly is joined to an upper
portion of said frame.
6. The dual-function exerciser of claim 1, and further comprising
fixed handles, and wherein said movable handle assembly is disposed
substantially higher than said fixed handles.
7. The dual-function exerciser of claim 1, wherein said biasing
unit of each of said pulling devices includes a spring member
biased to rotate in a predetermined direction.
8. The dual-function exerciser of claim 7, wherein said spring
member is a spiral spring that is fastened to a housing at one end
and to the respective one of said pulleys at the other end.
9. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 1, wherein said
movable handle assembly further includes: a flywheel assembly
mounted on said rotary shaft; a unidirectional bearing disposed
between said rotary shaft and each of said pulleys so as to rotate
said rotary shaft synchronously with said pulleys only when said
pulleys rotate in a direction, in which said pull cords are unwound
from said pulleys; and an adjustable magnetic resistance device
disposed adjacent to said flywheel assembly so as to provide
resistance to rotation of said flywheel assembly.
10. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 9, wherein said
flywheel assembly includes a flywheel, and a pair of magnetically
conductive rings disposed respectively and on opposite sides of
said flywheel, said adjustable magnetic resistance device
including: a positioning seat fixed on said frame and having two
spaced-apart parallel sliding rails; a threaded shaft journalled on
said positioning seat and having an externally threaded portion;
and a magnet seat including a U-shaped body and two spaced-apart
parallel sliding plates that are connected to said U-shaped body
and that are disposed respectively and slidably along said sliding
rails, said body having two opposite side walls which are provided
respectively with two aligned magnet units, between which said
flywheel assembly is disposed, and a connecting wall which
interconnects said side walls and which is formed with a threaded
hole that engages said threaded shaft so as to move said U-shaped
body toward and away from said flywheel when said threaded shaft is
rotated relative to said positioning seat, thereby adjusting
magnitude of the resistance.
11. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 10, wherein said
magnetic resistance device further includes: a motor disposed on
said frame and provided with a motor shaft; and a gear sleeved on
said motor shaft and engaging said externally threaded portion of
said threaded shaft so as to transfer rotation of said motor shaft
to said threaded shaft.
12. A dual-function treading exerciser comprising: a lower body
exerciser and an upper body exerciser, said upper body exerciser
including; a frame joined to the lower body exerciser; and a
movable handle assembly including a pair of pulling devices mounted
on said frame, and a rotary shaft journalled on said frame, each of
said pulling devices including, a chamber, a pulley disposed in
said chamber, a pull cord wound on said pulley, a handgrip fastened
to an end of said pull cord and movable rearwardly to unwind said
pull cord from said pulley, and a biasing unit for biasing said
pull cord to wind around said pulley when said cord is pulled
rearwardly and is subsequently released.
13. The dual-function exerciser of claim 12, wherein said lower
body exerciser comprises: a treading platform; and a continuous
tread extending around said platform.
14. The dual-function exerciser of claim 12, wherein said movable
handle assembly is joined to a front portion of said frame.
15. The dual-function exerciser of claim 12, wherein said frame
extends upwardly from a front portion of said dual-function
exerciser.
16. The dual-function exerciser of claim 12, wherein said frame
extends upwardly from a front portion of said dual-function
exerciser, and said movable handle assembly is joined to an upper
portion of said frame.
17. The dual-function exerciser of claim 12, and further comprising
fixed handles, and wherein said movable handle assembly is disposed
substantially higher than said fixed handles.
18. The dual-function exerciser of claim 12, wherein said biasing
unit of each of said pulling devices includes a spring member
biased to rotate in said chamber in a predetermined direction.
19. The dual-function exerciser of claim 18, wherein said spring
member is a spiral spring that is fastened to a housing at one end
and to the respective one of said pulleys at the other end.
20. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 1, wherein said
movable handle assembly further includes: a flywheel assembly
mounted on said rotary shaft; a unidirectional bearing disposed
between said rotary shaft and each of said pulleys so as to rotate
said rotary shaft synchronously with said pulleys only when said
pulleys rotate in a direction, in which said pull cords are unwound
from said pulleys; and an adjustable magnetic resistance device
disposed adjacent to said flywheel assembly so as to provide
resistance to rotation of said flywheel assembly.
21. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 20, wherein said
flywheel assembly includes a flywheel, and a pair of magnetically
conductive rings disposed respectively and on opposite sides of
said flywheel, said adjustable magnetic resistance device
including: a positioning seat fixed on said frame and having two
spaced-apart parallel sliding rails; a threaded shaft journalled on
said positioning seat and having an externally threaded portion;
and a magnet seat including a U-shaped body and two spaced-apart
parallel sliding plates that are connected to said U-shaped body
and that are disposed respectively and slidably along said sliding
rails, said body having two opposite side walls which are provided
respectively with two aligned magnet units, between which said
flywheel assembly is disposed, and a connecting wall which
interconnects said side walls and which is formed with a threaded
hole that engages said threaded shaft so as to move said U-shaped
body toward and away from said flywheel when said threaded shaft is
rotated relative to said positioning seat, thereby adjusting
magnitude of the resistance.
22. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 21, wherein said
magnetic resistance device further includes: a motor disposed on
said frame and provided with a motor shaft; and a gear sleeved on
said motor shaft and engaging said externally threaded portion of
said threaded shaft so as to transfer rotation of said motor shaft
to said threaded shaft.
23. A dual-function treading exerciser comprising: a lower body
exerciser and an upper body exerciser, said upper body exerciser
including; a frame joined to the lower body exerciser; and a
movable handle assembly including a pair of pulling devices mounted
on said frame to operate independently of one another to enable a
plurality of upper body exercises, and a rotary shaft journalled on
said frame, each of said pulling devices including, a pulley
disposed on said frame, a pull cord wound on said pulley, a
handgrip fastened to an end of said pull cord and movable
rearwardly to unwind said pull cord from said pulley, and a biasing
unit for biasing said pull cord to wind around said pulley when
said cord is pulled rearwardly and is subsequently released.
24. The dual-function exerciser of claim 23, wherein said lower
body exerciser comprises: a treading platform; and a continuous
tread extending around said platform.
25. The dual-function exerciser of claim 23, wherein said movable
handle assembly is joined to a front portion of said frame.
26. The dual-function exerciser of claim 23, wherein said frame
extends upwardly from a front portion of said dual-function
exerciser.
27. The dual-function exerciser of claim 23, wherein said frame
extends upwardly from a front portion of said dual-function
exerciser, and said movable handle assembly is joined to an upper
portion of said frame.
28. The dual-function exerciser of claim 23, and further comprising
fixed handles, and wherein said movable handle assembly is disposed
substantially higher than said fixed handles.
29. The dual-function exerciser of claim 23, wherein said biasing
unit of each of said pulling devices includes a spring member
biased to rotate in a predetermined direction.
30. The dual-function exerciser of claim 29, wherein said spring
member is a spiral spring that is fastened to a housing at one end
and to the respective one of said pulleys at the other end.
31. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 23, wherein said
movable handle assembly further includes: a flywheel assembly
mounted on said rotary shaft; a unidirectional bearing disposed
between said rotary shaft and each of said pulleys so as to rotate
said rotary shaft synchronously with said pulleys only when said
pulleys rotate in a direction, in which said pull cords are unwound
from said pulleys; and an adjustable magnetic resistance device
disposed adjacent to said flywheel assembly so as to provide
resistance to rotation of said flywheel assembly.
32. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 31, wherein said
flywheel assembly includes a flywheel, and a pair of magnetically
conductive rings disposed respectively and on opposite sides of
said flywheel, said adjustable magnetic resistance device
including: a positioning seat fixed on said frame and having two
spaced-apart parallel sliding rails; a threaded shaft journalled on
said positioning seat and having an externally threaded portion;
and a magnet seat including a U-shaped body and two spaced-apart
parallel sliding plates that are connected to said U-shaped body
and that are disposed respectively and slidably along said sliding
rails, said body having two opposite side walls which are provided
respectively with two aligned magnet units, between which said
flywheel assembly is disposed, and a connecting wall which
interconnects said side walls and which is formed with a threaded
hole that engages said threaded shaft so as to move said U-shaped
body toward and away from said flywheel when said threaded shaft is
rotated relative to said positioning seat, thereby adjusting
magnitude of the resistance.
33. The dual-function treading exerciser of claim 32, wherein said
magnetic resistance device further includes: a motor disposed on
said frame and provided with a motor shaft; and a gear sleeved on
said motor shaft and engaging said externally threaded portion of
said threaded shaft so as to transfer rotation of said motor shaft
to said threaded shaft.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a dual-function exerciser that
exercises muscles and muscle groups in both the upper and lower
body.
[0002] A conventional treading exerciser includes a treading
platform, a continuous tread that extends around the platform, an
upright frame that extends upwardly from a front end of the
platform, a control panel mounted on a top portion of the upright
frame, and a pair of fixed handles disposed on opposite sides of
the control panel.
[0003] Some treading exercises include upper body exercise
components that attempt to simulate various activities such as
running, cross-country skiing, and others. These prior devices have
numerous disadvantages that fail to exercise the muscle groups of
the chest and abdomen or do so in an unnatural movement. Other
devices are impractical to manufacture or difficult to
maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to
provide a dual-function exerciser that can provide exercise
function for the whole body of the user, that can train the user's
arm, chest, back, abdominal, and leg muscles, and that can improve
functioning of the user's cardiopulmonary system. The exerciser
includes independently operated movable handle units that provide a
variety of arm movements to simulate different activities.
[0005] According to the present invention, a dual-function
exerciser can include a treading platform, an upright frame, and a
movable handle assembly. The treading platform has a front end, and
is provided with a continuous tread extending around the platform.
The upright frame includes an upright frame body connected to the
front end of the platform, and an optional pair of fixed handles
connected to an upper portion of the frame body. The movable handle
assembly includes a pair of pulling devices mounted on the frame,
and a rotary shaft journalled on the frame. Each of the pulling
devices includes a housing with a receiving chamber, a pulley
disposed rotatably in the chamber, a pull cord wound on the pulley,
a handgrip fastened to an end of the pull cord and movable
rearwardly to unwind the pull cord from the pulley, and a biasing
unit for biasing the pull cord to wind around the pulley when the
cord is pulled rearwardly and is subsequently released. This device
permits the user's arms to move independently from one another and
in a more natural motion.
[0006] Instead of a tread exerciser, other embodiments can include
elliptical motion devices, stair climbers, bicycles and others.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiment of a dual-function treading exerciser according to the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable handle assembly of
the first preferred embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partly exploded perspective view of the movable
handle assembly of the first preferred embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the movable handle
assembly of the first preferred embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a view substantially similar to FIG. 4,
illustrating how an adjustable magnetic resistance device of the
movable handle assembly can be adjusted so as to move toward a
flywheel assembly, and how the flywheel assembly and pulleys of the
pulling devices of the movable handle assembly rotate when the pull
cords of the pulling devices are pulled outwardly;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional schematic view of a lower pulling
device of the movable handle assembly of the first preferred
embodiment, illustrating a pull cord, a biasing unit, and a
handgrip of the pulling device in a normal state;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view substantially similar to FIG. 6,
illustrating the lower pulling device of the movable handle
assembly of the first preferred embodiment in a state of use;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment
in a state of use; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a movable handle assembly of
the second preferred embodiment of a dual-function treading
exerciser according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another dual-function
exerciser in accordance with the present invention in the form of
an elliptical machine with movable handle assemblies.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the dual-function
exerciser of FIG. 10.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the dual-function
exerciser of FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a partial rear elevational view of the
dual-function exerciser of FIG. 10.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a partial side elevational view of the
dual-function exerciser of FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same
reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the first preferred embodiment of a
dual-function exerciser according to the present invention. The
dual-function exerciser in the depicted embodiments includes a
treadmill for exercising the lower body, but it could be another
type of exerciser such as an elliptical motion machine, a stair
step device, or a bicycle, for example. The treadmill portion of
the depicted exerciser is shown to comprise a treading platform 1,
an upright frame 2, and a movable handle assembly 4.
[0024] The treading platform 1 includes a base 101, a continuous
tread 102 exposed from a top portion of the base 101 and disposed
to extend around the platform 1, a foot member 103 disposed on a
bottom portion of the base 101 for supporting the platform 1, and a
front end 104. The foot member 103 either alone or in combination
with other foot members can be designed to adjust the incline angle
of the tread.
[0025] The upright frame 2 includes an upright frame body 10
connected to the front end 104 of the platform 1, a control panel
20 mounted on the upright frame body 10 in a known manner, and a
pair of fixed handles 30 connected to an upper portion of the frame
body 10. The connections may be bolted, welded or joined in any
suitable manner. Further, the fixed handles 30 are optional and
provide the user of using only the tread portion, if desired.
[0026] The movable handle assembly 4 is mounted on the control
panel 20 of the frame 2 (see FIG. 1), and is preferably disposed
substantially higher than the fixed handles 30 (see FIG. 1) in this
embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, the movable handle
assembly 4 is shown to include a support plate 40, a pair of
superimposed upper and lower pulling devices 50, 50' mounted on a
rear side surface of the plate 40, a flywheel assembly 70 mounted
on a front side of the plate 40, a rotary shaft 60 journalled on
the plate 40, and an adjustable magnetic resistance device 80
mounted on the plate 40 and disposed adjacent to the flywheel
assembly 70.
[0027] Each of the upper and lower pulling devices 50, 50' includes
a housing 51 with a receiving chamber 511, a pulley 52 disposed
rotatably in the chamber 511, a unidirectional bearing 53, a pull
cord 55 wound on the pulley 52, a handgrip 54, and a biasing unit.
Since the pulling devices 50 are generally similar to each other in
construction, only one of the pulling devices 50 will be described
in the succeeding paragraph. Although described and depicted as
vertically superimposed, the pulling devices 50 and 50' can be
horizontally superimposed, at different orientations, or spaced
apart, and be within the scope of the present invention.
[0028] The housing 51 includes a bottom wall 511', an outer
surrounding wall 513 that extends frontwardly from an outer
periphery of the bottom wall 511', a central hole 510 for extension
of the rotary shaft 60 there through, and an inner surrounding wall
515 that is disposed between the central hole 510 and the outer
surrounding wall 513. A pulley-receiving chamber 512 is defined
among the bottom wall 511', the outer surrounding wall 513, and the
inner surrounding wall 515.
[0029] A receiving space 514 is defined among the bottom wall 511',
the inner surrounding wall 513, and the unidirectional bearing 53.
The pulley-receiving chamber 512 and the receiving space 514
constitute the receiving chamber 511. The outer surrounding wall
513 is formed with a notch 517, and has a positioning piece 518
that is inserted removably into the notch 517 and that has a cord
hold 519. The inner surrounding wall 515 is formed with a retaining
groove 516.
[0030] The pulley 52 is disposed in the pulley-receiving chamber
512 in the housing 51, is formed with a reeling portion 522, an
axial hole 521 defined by an annular inner wall 520 for receiving
the unidirectional bearing 53 therein, and a receiving space 524
that is defined cooperatively by a bottom wall 523 and an annular
outer wall 525 of the pulley 52 and that cooperates with the
receiving space 514 in the housing 51 to confine the biasing unit
between the housing 51 and the pulley 52.
[0031] The pull cord 55 is wound on the pulley 52, and has a
front-end portion 551 fastened to the reeling portion 522 of the
pulley 52, and a rear end portion 552 that extends out of the
housing 51 and that is fastened to the handgrip 54. The pull cord
55 can be made of any material that can apply tension to rotate the
pulley 52 and then be retracted for subsequent and repetitious
operation. As used herein, "cord" can include any material that can
be tensioned such as rope, chain, leather, rubber, natural or
manmade materials. The unidirectional bearing 53 is disposed
between the rotary shaft 60 and the pulley 52 so as to rotate the
rotary shaft 60 synchronously with the pulley 52 only when the
pulley 52 rotates in a direction, in which the pull cord 55 is
unwound from the pulley 52.
[0032] Although depicted as being positioned on the control panel
20, the movable handle assembly can be connected to any portion of
the device with the cords 55 extending over pulleys or through
guides that create an effect of tension at or above shoulder level
of the user.
[0033] The handgrip 54 is movable rearwardly to unwind the pull
cord 55 from the pulley 52. The handgrip 54 is movable rearwardly
to unwind the pull cord 55 from the pulley 52. The handgrip 54 is
disposed outside the housing 51, is formed with a through hole 541
for extension of the rear end portion 552 of the pull cord 55 there
through, and is retained on the pull cord 55 by tying the rear end
portion 552 of the pull cord 55 into a knot, as shown in FIGS. 6
and 7. The biasing unit is used for biasing the pull cord 55 to
wind around the pulley 52 when the pull cord 55 is pulled
rearwardly and is subsequently released, and includes a spring
member 526 connected between the housing 51 and the pulley 52 for
biasing the pulley 52 to rotate in the chamber 512 in a
predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the spring member 526
is a spiral spring that has one end 5262 inserted into the
retaining groove 516 in the inner surrounding wall 515 of the
housing 51, and the other end 5261 fastened to a post 527 on the
bottom wall 523 of the pulley 52. To vary the force exerted by the
spring member 526, the spring can be repositioned, tightened or
loosened by an external handle or other suitable mechanism.
[0034] The only difference between the upper and lower pulling
devices 50, 50' resides in that the housing 51 of the upper pulling
device 50 is formed with three upper lugs 509 fixed to the support
plate 40 by means of three bolts (B1) (only one is shown in FIG. 3)
that extend through the upper lugs 509; while the housing 51 of the
lower pulling device 50' and the plate 40 to engage three nuts
(N1), and three lower lugs 509'A is formed with three lugs 509"B
fixed threadedly to the lower lugs 509' by means of three bolts
(B2).
[0035] The flywheel assembly 70 is mounted on the rotary shaft 60,
and includes a flywheel 75 having a central hole 74, a pair of
magnetically conductive brass rings 73 disposed respectively on
opposite sides of the flywheel 75, and a protective member 76 that
is mounted on the support plate 40 by means of three screws (B3)
that extend through the protective member 76 and the plate 40 to
engage three nuts (N2) (only one is shown in FIG. 3). The rotary
shaft 60 extends through the central hole 74 in the flywheel 75 in
such a manner that the flywheel 75 is sleeved on the rotary shaft
60. The protective member 76 has a central hole 761 with a bearing
762 inserted therein. The rotary shaft 60 is journalled on the
support plate 40 by means of a thrust bearing 77 and the bearing
762 so as to permit smooth rotation of the flywheel 75 relative to
the plate 40.
[0036] The adjustable magnetic resistance device 80 is disposed
adjacent to the flywheel assembly 70 so as to provide resistance to
rotation of the flywheel assembly 70, and includes a positioning
seat 81, a threaded shaft 83, and a magnet seat 82. The positioning
seat 81 is fixed on the support plate 40, and has two spaced-apart
parallel sliding rails 811. The threaded shaft 83 is journalled on
the positioning seat 81, and has one end provided with a hand knob
831 to facilitate manual adjustment of the threaded shaft 83, and
the other end formed with an externally threaded portion 832. The
magnet seat 82 includes a U-shaped body 821 and two spaced-apart
parallel sliding plates 822 that are connected to the U-shaped body
821 and that are disposed respectively and slidably along the
sliding rails 811. The body 821 has two opposite side walls 823,
824 which are provided respectively with two aligned magnet units
825, between which the flywheel assembly 70 is disposed, and a
connecting wall 826 which interconnects the side walls 823, 824 and
which is formed with a threaded hole 8261 that engages the
externally threaded portion 832 of the threaded shaft 83 so as to
move the U-shaped body 821 toward and away from the flywheel 75
when the threaded shaft 83 is rotated relative to the positioning
seat 81, thereby adjusting magnitude of the resistance.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 8, when performing a running exercise, the
user's hands can grip the fixed handles 30 so as to obtain suitable
body support, thereby preventing accidents due to imbalance. When
the user performs a treading exercise or jogging, the user's hands
can pull the handgrips 54 and move the foot and body portions
accordingly. Due to the resistance provided by the spring members
526 (see FIG. 5) of the biasing units when the handgrips 54 are
pulled from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in
FIG. 7, training of the user's forearms, stomach and leg muscles
can be achieved, and functioning of the user's lungs can be
improved, thereby effecting whole body exercise. Thus, the
dual-function treading exerciser of the present invention does not
only function as an ordinary treading exerciser, but also can
provide training of the user's arm portion, back, chest and
abdominal portion and leg portion and improve functioning of the
cardiopulmonary system while permitting movement of the user's body
in a comfortable and natural manner.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, with regard to the operation of
the biasing units, because each of the upper and lower pulling
devices 50, 50' is journalled to the rotary shaft 60 by means of
the unidirectional bearing 53, when either of the handgrips 54 is
pulled rearwardly, the corresponding pull cord 55 is unwound from
the corresponding pulley 52 such that the corresponding pulley 52
rotates in a direction (A) (see FIG. 7) so as to rotate the rotary
shaft 60 and the flywheel 75 synchronously with the corresponding
pulley 52. Subsequently, upon release of the handgrip 54, the
corresponding spring member 526 biases the corresponding pull cord
55 to wind around the corresponding pulley 52. At this time, the
corresponding pulley 52 rotates in a direction that is opposite to
the direction (A) (see FIG. 7) so that rotation of the
corresponding pulley 52 cannot be transferred to the rotary shaft
60 and the flywheel 75.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, when the handgrips 54 are
pulled, due to the magnetic force applied on the flywheel 75 by the
magnet units 825, the spring members 526 and the magnetic
resistance device 80 provide cooperatively a relatively great
resistance to rearward movement of the handgrips 54 during
exercise. Referring once again to FIG. 8, because the movable
handle assembly 4 is disposed substantially higher than the fixed
handles 30, when the user uses the pulling devices 50, 50', the
handgrips 54 are pulled rearwardly and downwardly such that
movement of the handgrips 54 can train not only the forearm
muscles, but also the abdominal muscles.
[0040] Referring back to FIG. 5, when an increased load of exercise
is desired, the hand knob 831 is rotated so as to move the magnet
seat 82 toward the flywheel 75 in a direction (B) in order to
obtain a greater magnetic force. When the magnet seat 82 is moved
away from the flywheel 75, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic
resistance is reduced.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 9, the adjustable magnetic resistance
device 90 of the second preferred embodiment of the dual-function
treading exerciser according to the present invention is shown to
be substantially similar to the adjustable magnetic resistance
device 80 (see FIG. 3) of the first preferred embodiment. However,
in this embodiment, the magnetic resistance device 90 further
includes a motor 91 and a gear 93. The motor is disposed on the
support plate 40, and is provided with a motor shaft 92. The gear
93 is sleeved on the motor shaft 92, and engages the externally
threaded portion of the threaded shaft 83 so as to transfer
rotation of the motor shaft 92 to the threaded shaft 83.
[0042] For all embodiments of the present invention, the resistance
on the cords can preferably be adjusted from 0 to 15 lbs in 0.5 lb
increments. In addition, the independent moveable handle assemblies
can be programmed to allow the user to simulate a variety of
natural body movements similar to running, running on hills,
ascending steps, and cross-country skiing. Exercises can also be
programmed to optimize exercises for particular muscle groups such
as the upper body, back, abdominals, triceps, biceps, and fat
burning.
[0043] Further, the display can prompt the user to select exercises
from a list including poling, double poling, chest fly, tricep
pushdown, shoulder press, bicep curl, low row, and tricep
extension. The device could also be programmed to sequence through
a variety of these exercises for a well-rounded workout.
[0044] The dual-function treading exerciser of the present
invention preferably has fixed handles 30 to support the user
during a running exercise, but also has a movable handle assembly 4
that can effectively train arms, chest, back, abdominal, and leg
muscles of the user and that can improve functioning of the user's
cardiopulmonary system, thereby effecting exercise of the user's
whole body.
[0045] The movable handle assembly 4, which includes the flywheel
assembly 70 and the adjustable magnetic resistance device 80,
enables the user to obtain a greater exercise effect. Furthermore,
the presence of the upper and lower pulling devices 50, 50' in the
movable handle assembly 4 enables the user's hands to follow the
body movement in a comfortable and natural manner.
[0046] The movable handle assembly 4 is preferably disposed at a
higher elevation than the fixed handles 30 so as to train not only
the forearm muscles, but the stomach muscles as well.
[0047] In alternate embodiments, (not depicted) the movable hand
assembly 4 is disposed at or below the elevation of the fixed
handles 30. In these embodiments, the elevation from which the
resistance is applied to an exerciser can be fixed at elevations at
or above the user's shoulder height using pulleys or guides to
re-direct the cord. The movable handle assemblies can be adjustable
by shifting frame elements that re-position the movable hand
assembly.
[0048] Similarly, lateral positions from which resistance is
applied can be fixed or made adjustable. The various positions from
which resistance is applied can be used to exercise muscle groups
of different types, combinations, or strength levels of the
user.
[0049] The user of the dual-function exerciser of the present
invention has the option to move each handle independently from the
other. The handles are preferably shoulder height and width apart
and are moved together or separately back and downward with
straight arms. The effect is to exercise the user's torso or "core"
area, which can include the abdominals, obliques, lower back, lats,
pectorals, and trapezius. Also, the shoulders and triceps are
exercised. The combination of walking/running on a treadmill
increases caloric expenditures while simultaneously toning and
building torso and arm muscles.
[0050] By positioning a handle at shoulder height and moving it
downward more torso muscles and muscle groups are exercised when
compared to the use of prior art exercisers. With such larger
muscles and muscle groups being exercised, caloric expenditures can
increase up to 40% over a corresponding treadmill workout of
similar duration. Further, independent movement of the handles
permits more natural user movement, allows for a variety of
different upper body exercises and enhances the user's ability to
maintain balance.
[0051] Illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 14 is an alternate
embodiment of a dual-function exerciser 1000 in accordance with the
present invention. The exerciser 1000 includes a lower body
exerciser 1002 in the form of an elliptical motion exercise device
that includes a front fly wheel assembly 1004, a pair of rearwardly
extending pedal arms 1006, a pair of foot pads 1008 mounted on the
pedal arms 1006, and a pair of rails 1010 on which the rear ends
1012 of the pedal arms 1006 roll. There are a variety of elliptical
motion exercise devices that can be used as the lower body
exerciser 1002, but the embodiment illustrated is a typical design
that can benefit from the use of the device 1000 as a dual-function
unit.
[0052] Extending upward from the lower body exerciser 1002 is a
mast 1014 that supports a display panel 1016, a pair of lower
stationary handle bars 1018, and a pair of higher stationary handle
bars 1020.
[0053] Mounted on the higher stationary handle bars 1020 is a pair
of movable handle assemblies 1030 each of which includes a housing
1032 and a handle 1034. Each handle 1034 is connected to a cord and
retracting mechanism as described above in reference to the other
embodiments.
[0054] Operation of the elliptical embodiment of the dual-function
exerciser 1000 is similar to that described above regarding the
treading exerciser except that the user's legs move in an
elliptical path. The upper body workout is the same as discussed
above and includes as many options for independent arm movement and
structural modifications as described above.
[0055] Other lower body exercise devices can also be included in
the present invention.
[0056] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
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