U.S. patent application number 10/885761 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for mold changeable elliptical exercisers.
Invention is credited to Chiu-Hsiang Lo.
Application Number | 20060009330 10/885761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35542106 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060009330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lo; Chiu-Hsiang |
January 12, 2006 |
Mold changeable elliptical exercisers
Abstract
An elliptical exerciser includes a magnetic resistance mold
including a magnetic member and a fly wheel which cuts the magnetic
flux to produce magnetic resistance, and a motor driving mold
including a motor and several wheels so as to transmit the power
from the output shaft of the motor. A clutch device including a
lever is operated to set the exerciser to be operated in magnetic
resistance mold or the motor driving mold.
Inventors: |
Lo; Chiu-Hsiang; (Taichung
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
35542106 |
Appl. No.: |
10/885761 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0052 20130101;
A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 21/0058 20130101;
A63B 23/0423 20130101; A63B 2022/067 20130101; A63B 21/00181
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/052 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. An elliptical exerciser comprising: a base (10) with a post (20)
and a crank frame (30) connected thereto, two handlebars (21)
connected to the post (20) and two respective first ends (41) of
two pedals (40) pivotably connected to the two handlebars (21)
respectively, two respective second ends (412) of the two pedals
(40) pivotably connected to two respective first ends (310) of two
cranks (31), a second end (311) of each crank (31) fixed to a first
pivot shaft (51) which is connected to the crank frame (30), each
pedal (40) having a foot pad (43) connected thereto; a magnetic
resistance device (50) including a first active wheel (52) which is
fixed to the first pivot shaft (51), a wheel frame (11) connected
to the base (10) and including a second pivot shaft (53) connected
thereto, a first passive wheel (54) and a fly wheel (55)
respectively connected to the second pivot shaft (53), the fly
wheel (55) including a magnetic flux cutting device connected to a
periphery thereof, a first belt (56) reeving through the first
active wheel (52) and a first passive wheel (54), a magnetic member
(57) for producing magnetic flux located beside the fly wheel (55)
at a distance; a motor transmitting device (60) including an
electric motor (61) which has an output shaft (610) fixed to a
second active wheel (62), a second passive wheel (63) co-axially
connected to the first passive wheel (54), a second belt (64)
reeving through the second active wheel (62) and the second passive
wheel (63), and a clutch device (70) which is able to set the
second active wheel (62) of the motor (61) to be independent from
other parts.
2. The elliptical exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
clutch device (70) includes a lever (71) which includes a first end
(710) pivotably connected to the base (10) and a second end (711)
of the lever (71) is used as a handle (712), a first roller (72)
and a second roller (73) pivotably connected to the lever (71), an
outer diameter of the first roller (72) being larger than that of
the second active wheel (62), the first roller (72) located at an
inside of the second belt (64) and the second roller (73) located
at an outside of the second belt (64), the second belt (64)
partially reeving through the second active wheel (62), a
positioning device (74) for positioning the lever (71) to the base
(10).
3. The elliptical exerciser as claimed in claim 2, wherein a
thickness of the second active wheel (62) is less than a width of
the second belt (64) so that the second belt (64) partially reeving
through the second active wheel (62).
4. The elliptical exerciser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
positioning device (74) includes a pin (75) which extends through
the lever (71) and one of two positioning holes (120, 121) defined
through a bar (12) on the base (10), the two positioning holes
(120, 121) located at a section of a circular path.
5. The elliptical exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
clutch device (70) includes bearings (80) and a one-direction
bearing (81) installed at an inner periphery of the second active
wheel (62) of the motor (61), the output shaft (610) including an
extension portion (611) with a smaller diameter and the bearings
(80) mounted to the output shaft (610) and the one-direction
bearing (81) enclosing the extension portion (611) with an annular
gap defined between the extension portion (611) and the
one-direction bearing (81), a tube (90) movably mounted to the
extension portion (611) and an outer periphery of the tube (90)
being in contact with the one-direction bearing (81).
6. The elliptical exerciser as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
one-direction bearing (81) is a needle bearing.
7. The elliptical exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
magnetic member (57) is an electro magnetic member which produces
magnetic force when electric current passes through the magnetic
member (57).
8. The elliptical exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first passive wheel (54) and the second passive wheel (63) are
connected to the second pivot shaft (53) on the wheel frame (11).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an elliptical exerciser
which includes a magnetic resistance mold and a motor driving mold.
The two molds can be shifted as needed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A conventional elliptical exerciser generally includes a
base with a post and two handles are connected to the post. Two
pedals each have a first end thereof pivotably connected to the
post and a second end of each pedal is pivotably connected to
respective one of two cranks which is connected to a first pivot
shaft. An active wheel is connected to the first pivot shaft. A
second pivot shaft is connected to a frame on the base and a first
passive wheel and a fly wheel are respectively connected to the
second pivot shaft. The fly wheel includes a plurality of devices
that cut the magnetic flux and a first belt is reeved through the
active wheel and the first passive wheel. Nevertheless, the
conventional magnetic resistance elliptical exerciser requires a
lot of efforts to overcome the resistance and could not be suitable
for most of the exercisers. Another type of the exerciser employs
electric motor which produces less resistance so that the user may
easily to operate the exerciser. However, because of the less
resistance, the exercising result is limited.
[0003] The present invention intends to provide an elliptical
exerciser that includes a magnetic resistance mold and a motor
driving mold, and the user can optionally choose one of the two
molds to meet his or her needs when operating the elliptical
exerciser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to an elliptical exerciser
that comprises a base with a post and a crank frame connected
thereto. Two handlebars are connected to the post and a first end
of a pedal is pivotably connected to each of the two handlebars. A
second end of each of the pedals is pivotably connected to a first
end of respective one of two cranks. A second end of each crank is
fixed to a first pivot shaft which is connected to the crank frame.
A magnetic resistance device includes a first active wheel fixed to
the first pivot shaft and a wheel frame on the base and includes a
second pivot shaft. A first passive wheel and a fly wheel are
respectively connected to the second pivot shaft. The fly wheel
includes a magnetic flux cutting device connected to a periphery
thereof. A first belt reeves through the first active wheel and a
first passive wheel. A magnetic member for producing magnetic flux
is located beside the fly wheel at a distance. A motor transmitting
device includes an electric motor which has an output shaft fixed
to a second active wheel. A second passive wheel is co-axially
connected to the first passive wheel. A second belt reeves through
the second active wheel and the second passive wheel. A clutch
device is able to set the second active wheel of the motor to be
disconnected from other parts.
[0005] The present invention will become more obvious from the
following description when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration
only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view to show the elliptical exerciser of
the present invention in motor driving mold;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view to show the elliptical exerciser of the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 shows the clutch device when in motor driving
mold;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view to show the elliptical exerciser of
the present invention in magnetic resistance mold;
[0010] FIG. 5 shows the clutch device when in magnetic resistance
mold;
[0011] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the clutch device when in
motor driving mold, and
[0012] FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the clutch device
when in magnetic resistance mold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the elliptical exerciser of the
present invention comprises a base 10 with a post 20 and a crank
frame 30 connected thereto. Two handlebars 21 are connected to the
post 20 and two respective first ends 41 of two pedals 40 are
pivotably connected to the two handlebars 21. Two respective second
ends 412 of the two pedals 40 are pivotably connected to two
respective first ends 310 of two cranks 31. A second end 311 of
each crank 31 is fixed to a first pivot shaft 51 which is connected
to the crank frame 30. Each pedal 40 has a foot pad 43 connected
thereto.
[0014] A magnetic resistance device 50 includes a first active
wheel 52 which is fixed to the first pivot shaft 51. A wheel frame
11 is connected to the base 10 and includes a second pivot shaft 53
connected thereto. A first passive wheel 54 and a fly wheel 55 are
respectively connected to the second pivot shaft 53. The fly wheel
55 includes a magnetic flux cutting device connected to a periphery
thereof. A first belt 56 reeves through the first active wheel 52
and a first passive wheel 54. A magnetic member 57 for producing
magnetic flux is an electro magnetic member which produces magnetic
force when electric current passes through the magnetic member 57.
The magnetic member 57 is located beside the fly wheel 55 at a
distance.
[0015] A motor transmitting device 60 includes an electric motor 61
which has an output shaft 610 fixed to a second active wheel 62. A
second passive wheel 63 is co-axially connected to the first
passive wheel 54. A second belt 64 reeves through the second active
wheel 62 and the second passive wheel 63.
[0016] A clutch device 70 which is able to set the second active
wheel 62 of the motor 61 to be disconnected from other parts. The
clutch device 70 includes a lever 71 which includes a first end 710
pivotably connected to the base 10, and a second end 711 of the
lever 71 is used as a handle 712. A first roller 72 and a second
roller 73 are pivotably connected to the lever 71, wherein an outer
diameter of the first roller 72 is larger than that of the second
active wheel 62. The first roller 72 is located at an inside of the
second belt 64 and the second roller 73 is located at an outside of
the second belt 64. The thickness of the second active wheel 62 is
less than a width of the second belt 64 so that the second belt
(64) partially reeves through the second active wheel (62).
[0017] Further referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, a positioning device 74
is able to used to position the lever 71 to the base 10 and
includes a pin 75 which extends through the lever 71 and one of two
positioning holes 120, 121 defined through a bar 12 on the base 10.
The two positioning holes 120, 121 are located at a section of a
circular path.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows that the elliptical exerciser of the present
invention is in motor driving mold and the second active wheel 62
is disengaged from other parts so that the rotation of the second
active wheel 62 cannot be output to any part. The lever 71 is
shifted to be connected to the base 10 by extending the pin 75
through the positioning hole 121. The first roller 72 is disengaged
from the second belt 64 and the second active wheel 62 is engaged
with the second belt 64. The second roller 73 is in contact with
the second belt 64 so that the second active wheel 62 drives the
second belt 64 and the power of the motor 61 is transmitted from
the output shaft 610, the second active wheel 62, the second belt
64, the second passive wheel 63, the second pivot shaft 53, the
first passive wheel 54, the first belt 56, the first active wheel
52, the first pivot shaft 51, and the cranks 31. Therefore, the
pedals 40 and the handlebars 21 are rotatable and the foot pads 43
are moved along an elliptic trace.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, when the user wants to
shift the operation mold from motor driving mold to magnetic
resistance mold, the pin 75 is first pulled from the positioning
hole 120 and the lever 71 is pivoted clock wise, and the pin 75 is
engaged with the other positioning hole 121. This makes the first
roller 72 and the second active wheel 62 to be located at the same
axis, and the lever 71 is fixed to the base 10. The first roller 72
raises the second belt 64 because the diameter of the first roller
72 is larger than that of the second active wheel 62, and the
thickness of the second active wheel 62 is less than the width of
the second belt 64 so that the first roller 72 can touch and raise
the second belt 64. The second active wheel 62 is not in contact
with the second belt 64 so that the second active wheel 62 becomes
an independent wheel and the user has to swing the handles 21 and
the pedals 40 to overcome the magnetic resistance generated due to
that the magnetic flux form the magnetic member 57 is cut by the
fly wheel 55. The power of the second passive wheel 63 is
transmitted to the first roller 72 and cannot be transmitted to the
second active wheel 62 so that the motor 61 is protected from being
damaged by the power.
[0020] The elliptical exerciser can be optionally shifted by the
user so as to meet the user's need between the motor driving mold
and the magnetic resistance mold. The motor is protected when the
exercisers is set to the magnetic resistance mold.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the clutch device 70 may
have bearings 80 and a one-direction bearing 81 installed at an
inner periphery of the second active wheel 62 of the motor 61. The
output shaft 610 includes an extension portion 611 with smaller
diameter and the bearings 80 are mounted to the output shaft 610
and the one-direction bearing 81 encloses the extension portion 611
with an annular gap defined between the extension portion 611 and
the one-direction bearing 81. A tube 90 is movably mounted to the
extension portion 611 and an outer periphery of the tube 90 is in
contact with the one-direction bearing 81 so that the power of the
motor 61 is transmitted from the output shaft 610, the tube 90, the
one-direction bearing 81, the second active wheel 62, the second
belt 64, the second passive wheel 63, the second pivot shaft 53,
the first passive wheel 54, the first belt 56, the first active
wheel 52, the first pivot shaft 51, and the cranks 31. Therefore,
the pedals 40 and the handlebars 21 are rotatable and the foot pads
43 are moved along an elliptic trace. And when the tube 90 is
pulled out apart from the touching position with the one-direction
bearing 81, the one-direction bearing 81 does not touch the output
shaft 610 and the extension portion 611 so that the motor 61 is
protected from being damaged by the power from the user. In another
embodiment, wherein the one-direction bearing 81 can be a needle
bearing.
[0022] While we have shown and described the embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those
skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *