U.S. patent application number 10/813095 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for shock absorption device of a running apparatus.
Invention is credited to Chen, Wen-Ho.
Application Number | 20050227819 10/813095 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35057252 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050227819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen, Wen-Ho |
October 13, 2005 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION DEVICE OF A RUNNING APPARATUS
Abstract
A shock absorption device of a running apparatus is provided
with a shock absorbing elastic member at the rear side thereof. The
shock absorption device includes a foot pedal, a lifted base, a
support frame and an elastic member. The lifted base is disposed
under the foot pedal and the support frame is attached to the
bottom of the lifted base. The elastic member is connected to the
support frame with a pivotal shaft. When the user runs on the foot
pedal, the foot pedal can be lifted an inclining angle with the
lifted base rotating with respect to the pivotal shaft to mitigate
an impact force caused by the elastic member so as to protect the
knees and ankles from injury.
Inventors: |
Chen, Wen-Ho; (Feng-Yuan,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ann Tsai
PmB 174, Suite 137
931 West 75th Street
Naperville
IL
60565
US
|
Family ID: |
35057252 |
Appl. No.: |
10/813095 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0023 20130101;
A63B 22/0214 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/04; A63B
071/00; A63B 022/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shock absorption device of a running apparatus, comprising: a
foot pedal; a lifted base, being disposed under the foot pedal; a
support frame, being attached to a bottom of the lifted base; and
an elastic member, being connected to the support frame via a
pivotal shaft; whereby, when a user runs on the foot pedal, the
foot pedal can be lifted an inclining angle with the lifted base
rotating with respect to the pivotal shaft to mitigate an impact
force caused by the elastic member so as to avoid injury during
taking exercise.
2. The shock absorption device of a running apparatus as defined in
claim 1, wherein the elastic member is fixedly attached to a
reinforced member and the reinforced member is connected to the
pivotal shaft.
3. The shock absorption device of a running apparatus as defined in
claim 1, wherein a cushion seat is connected to the support frame
with the pivotal shaft and a foot base is provided under the
cushion seat with a plurality of slide rods being disposed between
and connecting with the cushion seat and the foot base and an
elastic member being arranged surrounding the slide rods
respectively.
4. A shock absorption device of a running apparatus, comprising: a
lifted base; a support frame, being provided at a bottom of the
lifted base; a cushion seat, being fixedly attached to a middle
position of the support frame via a pivotal shaft; a support base,
being provided under the cushion seat; at least a slide rod, being
disposed between and connecting with the support base and the
cushion seat, and the slide rod being surrounded with a first
elastic member respectively; and a second elastic member, being
provided at the lower end of the support base, having a receiving
space for available for the slide rod moving in and out; whereby,
the lifted base can rotate an inclining angle by way of the pivotal
shaft and an impact force can be mitigated more sensitively by way
of the first and the second elastic members.
5. The shock absorption device of a running apparatus as defined in
claim 4, wherein the cushion seat is provided with a soft pad
member.
6. The shock absorption device of a running apparatus as defined in
claim 1, wherein the slide rods is fixedly attached to the support
frame and fastened to the bottom of the lifted base.
7. The shock absorption device of a running apparatus as defined in
claim 4, wherein the slide rod pierces and connects the lifted
base.
8. The shock absorption device of a running apparatus as defined in
claim 1, wherein a support base is disposed at the upper end of the
elastic member and a slide rod is provided on the support frame
surrounded with another elastic member; and a slide limit piece is
pierced by the slide rod and connects with the pivotal shaft.
9. The shock absorption device of a running apparatus as defined in
claim 4, wherein the support base is disposed at the upper end of
the elastic member and a slide rod is provided on the support frame
surrounded with another elastic member; and a slide limit piece is
pierced by the slide rod and connects with the pivotal shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is related to a shock absorption
device of a running apparatus and particularly to a shock
absorption device, which is provided with a shock absorbing elastic
member at the rear side of a running apparatus to protect the knees
of the user from injury.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0004] The running apparatus has become one of basic fittings for
indoor sports nowadays but there is deficiency in the currently
used running apparatus. Due to the moving human body being
incompatible for high speed operation of the running apparatus, it
often occurs the ankles and the knees being hurt. It is known that
the body moves and the ground is stationary during a person running
for taking exercise on the ground and the body can move forward
after the feet touching the ground and keeping the body being in a
steady state. However, the foot pedal of the running apparatus
keeps moving while the runner keeps moving on the foot pedal during
running and the runner has to adjust movements of the ankles and
the knees to comply with moving speed of the foot pedal in a way of
the upper part of the body keeping unmoving. Hence, it is very easy
for the ankles and the knees to get hurt during the feet trying to
keep the body in a state of balance and to support the body weight.
In addition, the foot pedal is made of hard metal and once the feet
contact the foot pedal, injury at the ankles and knees becomes more
serious due to acceleration of gravity exerted by the body.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, one of the conventional running
apparatus is illustrated to add with a cushion design for
decreasing burden of foot joints and knee joints against the
acceleration of gravity in order to overcome the preceding
deficiency of the ankles and the knees being easily getting hurt.
The running apparatus 10 provides a foot pedal 11 is fixedly
attached to the a lifted base 14 and an elevation device 12 is
disposed at the front side of the lifted base 14 with a fulcrum
roller 13 at the rear side of the lifted base 14. When the
elevation device 12 moves upward and downward, the fulcrum roller
13 acts as a fixed rotational shaft during the foot pedal 11
forming an inclining position or a horizontal position.
[0006] The running apparatus disclosed in Taiwanese Patent
Application Nos. 92204569 and 91221543 are provided with a
suspension component and a cushion member in the elevation device
12 of the preceding conventional running apparatus to offset the
acceleration of gravity generated by the body weight by way of
elasticity during the user running on the foot pedal so as to
protect the ankles and the knees. However, the revised elevation
device 12 has affected the whole structure of the running apparatus
and has to change relative motion between the elevation device 12
and rest parts in the running apparatus. Hence, it adds difficulty
to make a change and high fabrication cost of the running
apparatus.
[0007] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a recently improved running
apparatus provides a soft pad 15, which is disposed under the
lifted base 14, to be supported with a circular member 16 therein
for strengthen the soft pad 15. The circular member 16 has a screw
17 at the center thereof for fastening the bottom of the running
apparatus. A joining surface 18 between the circular member 16 and
the lifted base 14 should not be covered with the soft pad 15,
otherwise, it is hard to obtain a required tightness between the
circular member 16 and the lifted base 14. Thus, the preceding
arrangement has the following shortcomings:
[0008] 1. It is not possible for the exposed soft pad to be fixedly
attached to the bottom of running apparatus with a tool such that
it results in unfavorable steadiness of the running apparatus.
[0009] 2. The soft pad is damaged easily under being subjected a
force such that it has to face a risk of loosening. If a tool is
used for fixing the soft pad, it is easy to break the soft pad.
[0010] 3. The soft pad provides a thickness only enough for
decreasing noise resulting from impact and reducing the sound
decibel.
[0011] 4. The soft pad easily detaches from the circular member
under a force in case of the joining surface being covered with the
soft pad in addition to improper engagement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a shock
absorption device of a running apparatus with which a simple
elastic member is mounted at the bottom of the running apparatus to
perform more effective shock absorption easily for various brands
of running apparatuses in different sizes and to lower the
fabrication cost thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The detail structure, the applied principle, the function
and the effectiveness of the present invention can be more fully
understood with reference to the following description and
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conventional running
apparatus;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view of another conventional running
apparatus;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a cushion pad in the running
apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a shock absorption device in a
preferred embodiment according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a shock absorption device in
another preferred embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a shock absorption device in a
further preferred embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a shock absorption device in a
further preferred embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a shock absorption device in a
further preferred embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a shock absorption device in a
further preferred embodiment according to the present invention;
and
[0023] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a shock absorption device in
a further preferred embodiment according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, the first preferred embodiment of a
shock absorption device of a running apparatus according to the
present invention is illustrated. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that a
support frame 23 is provided at the bottom of the lifted base 14
with a reinforced member 21 being joined to the pivotal shaft 24 of
the support frame 23 and an elastic member 20 is disposed under the
reinforced member 21. The function of shock absorption can be
enhanced by way of the thickness of the elastic member 20 being
increased. Further, the pivotal shaft 24 can retain the lifted base
14 at a fixed position and the circular surface of the elastic
member 20 is capable of providing an auxiliary function for the
lifted base 14 to turn an angle.
[0025] When the user runs on the running apparatus, the elastic
member 20 is in a state of alternately being compressed and
stretching to perform the function of shock absorption because of
the elastic member 20 having a greater thickness. Thus, the lifted
base 14 at a side of the elastic member 20 can move downward and
upward to relieve the ankles and the knees from occurred impact
during running so as to protect the ankles and the knees from
getting hurt and overcome the shortcoming of the prior art, which
can reduce noise only.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, another preferred embodiment of the
shock absorption device according to the present invention is
illustrated. A support frame 23 is provided at the bottom of the
lifted base 14 and a pivotal shaft 24 is disposed at the middle
position of the support frame 23 to be joined to a cushion seat 25.
A foot base 26 is disposed under the cushion seat 25 and slide rods
31 are disposed in between to join the cushion seat 25 and the foot
base 26 together. An elastic member 27 is arranged to surround each
of the slide rods 31.
[0027] The lifted base 14 rotates with respect to the pivotal shaft
24 during ascending and descending to keep the horizontal stability
of the shock absorption device. In case of the lifted base 14
ascending and forming an inclining position, it is not possible for
the lifted base 14 to touch the shock absorption device so that a
smooth movement of the lifted base 14 can be obtained. In case of
the lifted base 14 descending under force and the cushion seat 25
moving downward and compressing the elastic member 27, the slide
rods 31 can partly insert into the cushion seat 25. The cushion
seat 25 and the lifted base 14 are pushed backward due to
rebounding power of the elastic member 27 while no force is
executed so that the pressing down force can be absorbed to perform
the function of cushion and the foot base 26 can keep steady to
support the lifted base 14.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, a further preferred embodiment of the
shock absorption device according to the present invention is
illustrated. The support frame 25 has a pivotal shaft 24 at the
middle position thereof to join with a cushion seat 25 and a
support base 28 is disposed below the cushion seat 25 with an
elastic member 27 being arranged between the support base 28 and
the cushion seat 24. Another elastic member 29 is arranged under
the support base 28 with a receiving space 30 therein and lower
part of the slide rods 31 can enter the receiving space 31 and move
forward and backward in the receiving space 31 while the cushion
seat 25 moves downward so as to perform the function of cushion
during the lifted base 14 moving upward and downward. In the mean
time, sensitivity of cushion can be enhanced by way of both the
elastic members 27, 29 to achieve an effect of prevention of sport
injury.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 7, a further embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. A soft pad member 22 is arranged on the
cushion seat 25. When the lifted base 14 rotates with respect to
the pivotal shaft 24, the soft pad 22 can eliminate impact sound
caused by the support frame 23 hitting the cushion seat 25 and
protect the shock absorption device from damage due to impact. In
addition, the lifted base 14 can contact the cushion seat 25 via
the soft pad 22 to lighten load of the pivotal shaft 24.
Especially, when the lifted base 14 moves upward to form an
inclining angle, which results in change of executing force, and
the body weight and gravity increase the load acting the pivotal
shaft during running, the lifted base 14 contacts with the cushion
seat 25 to lessen action of the load and the circular surface of
the elastic member 29 becomes the rotational surface instead of the
pivotal shaft 24. Hence, no impedance is produced during the lifted
base 14 ascending.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 8, a further embodiment of the shock
absorption device according to the present invention is
illustrated. The slide rods 31 are provided on the support frame
23' such that the circular surface of the elastic member 29 becomes
the rotational surface during the lifted base 14 rotating and
forming an inclining angle. It is noted that the present embodiment
has the same function as the preceding embodiment.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 9, a further embodiment is illustrated.
The upper end of an elastic member 32 has a support base 33 with a
slide rod 34 and another elastic member 35 is arranged to surround
the slide rod 34. The slide rod 31 extends into the lifted base 14
and can provide more sensitive shock absorption. The lifted base 14
rotates with respect to the circular surface of the elastic member
32 during ascending.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 10, a further embodiment is illustrated. A
support frame 23 with a pivotal shaft 24 is provided under the
lifted base 14 and a slide limit piece 36 is provided at center of
the pivotal shaft 24 for a slide rod 34 sliding therein. The lifted
base 14 rotates with respect to the pivotal shaft 24 during
ascending.
[0033] While the invention has been described with referencing to
preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that
modifications or variations may be easily made without departing
from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
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