U.S. patent application number 11/292306 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for training apparatus, in particular an elliptical or cross trainer.
Invention is credited to Joachim Kettler, Karin Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl.
Application Number | 20060142122 11/292306 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35929980 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060142122 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kettler; Karin ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Training apparatus, in particular an elliptical or cross
trainer
Abstract
A training apparatus, in particular an elliptical or cross
trainer with two pedals which are fitted on a respective. pedal
bar, front ends of the pedal bars being connected in an articulated
manner to a respective pedal lever, the pedal levers being fitted
pivotably in a respective front bearing, and the front bearings
being fitted with height adjustability on a front part of a
frame.
Inventors: |
Kettler; Karin; (Ense,
DE) ; Rocholl; Reinhard; (Soest, DE) ;
Kettler; Joachim; (Ense, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stewart L. Gitler;HOFFMAN, WASSON & GITLER, P.C.
Suite 522
2461 South Clark Street
Arlington
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
35929980 |
Appl. No.: |
11/292306 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 ;
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/03575 20130101;
A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 21/0051 20130101; A63B 2022/067
20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 24/00
20130101; A63B 22/203 20130101; A63B 22/0023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/052 ;
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04; A63B 22/06 20060101 A63B022/06; A63B 69/16 20060101
A63B069/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 3, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 058 568.7 |
Jan 10, 2005 |
DE |
20 2005 000 311.5 |
Claims
1. A training apparatus, an elliptical or cross trainer,
comprising: two pedals which are fitted on a respective pedal bar,
front ends of the pedal bars being connected in an articulated
manner to a respective pedal lever, the pedal levers being fitted
pivotably in respective front bearing, wherein the front bearings
are fitted with height adjustability on a front part of a
frame.
2. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
training apparatus has adjustment means for adjusting the height of
the front bearings.
3. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
adjustment means comprise a drive.
4. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the drive
is an electric motor.
5. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
adjustment means comprise conversion elements for converting a
rotational movement into a linear movement.
6. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
conversion elements comprise a spindle.
7. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
conversion elements further comprise a nut.
8. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the nut is
arranged rotatably on the spindle.
9. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein rear ends
of the pedal bars are connected in an articulated manner to a
respective pedal cranks.
10. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pedal
cranks are arranged rotatably about an axis (A).
11. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein handles
are fitted or formed onto the pedal levers.
12. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
pedals are mounted displaceably on the pedal bars.
13. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
pedals are connected in an articulated manner to respective push
bars.
14. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the push
bars are connected in an articulated manner to respective push bar
cranks.
15. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the push
bar cranks are arranged rotatably about the axis (A).
16. The training apparatus as claimed in claim. 15, wherein the
distances between the points of engagement of the push bars on the
push bar cranks and the axis (A) are adjustable.
17. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pedal
cranks, the push bar cranks, or the pedal cranks and push bar
cranks, are formed completely or partially by circular disks.
18. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
points of engagement of the pedal bars on the pedal cranks and the
points of engagement of the push bars on the push bar cranks lie in
a plane (E) which includes the axis (A).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a training apparatus, in particular
an elliptical or cross trainer, with two pedals which are fitted on
a respective pedal bar, front ends of the pedal bars being
connected in an articulated manner to a respective pedal lever. The
pedal levers are connected pivotably to a respective front
bearing.
[0002] Training apparatus of this kind are known, for example, from
the utility model bearing the publication number DE 201 00 276 U1.
Furthermore, training apparatus of this kind are produced and sold
by various suppliers, including the Applicant.
[0003] During training, the person using a training apparatus of
the kind disclosed in the document with the publication number DE
201 00 267 U1 stands on the pedals, which are connected fixedly to
the pedal bars. During training, the user's feet execute an
approximately elliptical movement, for which reason the term
elliptical trainer is also used for such apparatus. The ellipse is
oriented such that the main radii of the ellipse extend
substantially horizontally. The person using the training apparatus
therefore has the impression of moving forward in one plane. For
certain training programs, it is desirable if the user of the
training apparatus is given the impression of moving uphill or
downhill. Such an impression cannot be conveyed with the known
training apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset.
[0004] An object of the invention is to improve a training
apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that
different degrees of difficulty can be set and the person using the
apparatus can be given the sensation of moving uphill or
downhill.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the
fact that the front bearings are fitted with height adjustability
on a front part of a frame, referred to hereinafter as the frame
front part. By means of a displacement of the bearing point of the
pedal levers, the orientation of the ellipse along which the user's
feet move can be changed. The ellipse can be inclined upward or
downward in relation to a horizontal. An inclination of this kind
gives the user the sensation of moving uphill or downhill.
[0006] To set the height of the front bearings, the training
apparatus can have special adjustment means or means of adjustment.
These adjustment means can comprise a drive, which is preferably an
electric motor. The adjustment then no longer has to be effected by
muscle power, and instead can be assisted by the electric
motor.
[0007] The adjustment means preferably comprise conversion elements
for converting a rotational movement into a linear movement. These
elements can comprise a spindle and/or a nut, and the nut can be
arranged rotatably on the spindle.
[0008] Rear ends of the pedal bars of a training apparatus
according to the invention are advantageously connected in an
articulated manner to a respective pedal crank. These pedal cranks
can be arranged rotatably about a common axis.
[0009] Handles can also be fitted or formed onto the pedal
cranks.
[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the training apparatus, the
pedals can be mounted displaceably on the pedal bars. The pedal can
then be connected in an articulated manner to a respective push
bar, the push bars advantageously being connected in an articulated
manner to a respective push bar crank. These push bar cranks can be
arranged rotatably about the axis about which the pedal cranks are
already able to rotate.
[0011] The distances between the points of engagement of the push
bars on the push bar cranks and the axis are advantageously
adjustable.
[0012] The pedal cranks and/or the push bar cranks may
advantageously be entirely or partially formed by circular
disks.
[0013] The points of engagement of the pedal bars on the pedal
cranks and if appropriate the points of engagement of the push bars
on the push bar cranks lie preferably in a plane which also
contains the axis about which the push bar cranks and the pedal
cranks are able to rotate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] An illustrative embodiment of a cross trainer according to
the invention is depicted in detail in the drawings, in which
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the cross trainer;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the cross trainer;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a view from the rear;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a view from the front; and
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The cross trainer illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a frame
with a lower part 1a and a front part 1b. The frame is produced
essentially by two hollow profiles arranged at a distance from each
other. The hollow profiles are largely guided parallel to each
other, in particular in the region of the front part 1b of the
frame. In a rear region of the lower part 1a of the frame, the
hollow profiles are angled, so that they lie directly adjacent to
each other in this region.
[0021] The upwardly protruding ends of the hollow profiles forming
the front part 1b of the frame are connected to each other via
first webs 1c. These first webs 1c are produced from pieces of flat
steel. In addition, the two hollow profiles are connected to each
other in the region of the front part 1b of the frame via a second
web 1d composed of a hollow profile. An electric motor 5 is
fastened to this web 1d, which is fitted below the two first webs
1c. This electric motor 5 drives a spindle element 4, the length of
which can be changed by the electric motor 5. At its lower end, the
spindle element is fitted on a fitting 2 which is connected fixedly
to the web 1d. The upper end of the spindle element 4 is connected
to a fitting
[0022] which is fastened to a crosspiece 7. This crosspiece 7 is
mounted displaceably between the first webs 1c on sliding tubes
6.
[0023] By rotation of a spindle of the spindle element, the height
of the crosspiece 7 can be changed. Projecting struts 7a which are
height-adjustable together with the crosspiece 7 are fitted fixedly
on the crosspiece 7. Two front bearings 8 are provided at the free
ends of the struts 7a. A respective pedal lever 9 is mounted
pivotably on these front bearings 8. The pedal levers 9 extend both
below the front bearings 8 and above the bearings 8, with the upper
ends of the pedal levers 9 forming handles 10.
[0024] The lower ends of the pedal levers 9 are connected in an
articulated manner to front ends of pedal bars 12 via a bearing 11.
The rear ends of the pedal bars 12 are connected to pedal cranks
21a, 21b via bearings formed from bearing bushings 12a and journals
20, with the pedal crank 21a being formed by a circular disk 21a.
The two pedal cranks 21a, 21b are rotatable about a common axis A.
The points of engagement of the pedal bars 12 on the pedal cranks
21a, 21b are provided at the same distance from the axis A. The
points of engagement are situated diametrically opposite each other
relative to the axis A.
[0025] A centrifugal mass 24 designed as a flywheel is driven by
the pedal crank designed as a circular disk 21a. For this purpose,
a toothed belt or V-belt 23 is laid over the circular disk 21a.
This belt drives the centrifugal mass 24 with the interconnection
of a gear. A housing 25 is provided in the region of the
centrifugal mass 24, in which housing various electrical
components, for example an eddy current brake, various sensors and
so on are accommodated.
[0026] Guide elements 14 are provided on the pedal bars 12. Pedals
13 can be displaced on these guide elements 14 in the direction of
extent of the pedal bars 12. The person using the cross trainer
stands on these pedals. The pedals 13 are connected to a first end
of a push bar 16 via bearings 15. The push bars 16 are connected at
their second end, via a respective bearing 17, to push bar cranks
19. The push bar cranks 19 are connected fixedly to the bearing
journal 20 on which the push bar cranks 19 engage by means of their
bearing bushings 12a. These push bar cranks 19, which are likewise
designed as circular disks, are rotatable about the axis A in the
same manner as the pedal cranks 21a, 21b.
[0027] The points of engagement of the push bars 16 on the push bar
cranks 19 are situated diametrically opposite each other and in a
plane E which contains the points of engagement of the push bars 16
on the push bar cranks 19, the points of engagement of the pedal
bars on the pedal cranks 21a, 21b, and the axis A. The push bar
cranks 19, the bearing journal 20, the pedal cranks 21a, 21b and a
shaft (not illustrated), connecting the pedal cranks 21a and 21b to
each other, are connected rigidly to one another and form a
multiply stepped crankshaft.
[0028] The inclination of the pedals 13 can be changed by the
height adjustability of the front bearing 8 and therefore of the
point of engagement of the pedal levers 9 on the front part 1b of
the frame. If the front bearing 8 is raised, the sensation of
having to move uphill is imparted to the user. A lowering of the
front bearing 8 enables the opposite to be achieved; that is to
say, the sensation of moving downhill can be imparted to the
user.
[0029] The displaceability of the pedals 13 on the pedal bars 12
and the coupling of the pedals 13 to the push bar cranks 19 via the
push bars, which displaceability and coupling are additionally
provided in comparison to a conventional cross trainer, bring about
an additional movement of the user on the pedal bars 12. As a
result, an overall more natural movement is achieved than is the
case with conventional cross trainers.
[0030] The connection at the second ends of the push bars 16 and
the push bar cranks 19 is releasable. The point of engagement of
the second ends of the push bars 16, i.e. the bearings 17, can be
displaced radially or offset on a line B. For this purpose, holes
18 in which a coupling element of the bearing 17 can engage are
provided on each of the push bar cranks 19. By means of a
displacement of the point of engagement of the second end of the
push bar 16, the travel which the pedal 13 experiences on the pedal
bars 12 during a revolution of the push bar cranks 19 can be
varied. A matching to the individual stride of the user is
therefore possible.
* * * * *