U.S. patent application number 11/168085 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-30 for structure for a stepper.
Invention is credited to Kau Jong Jyr.
Application Number | 20060270526 11/168085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37399140 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060270526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jyr; Kau Jong |
November 30, 2006 |
Structure for a stepper
Abstract
The present invention discloses an improved structure for a
stepper, particularly a stepper having a restoring device, wherein
an inertial gas together with hydraulic oil is filled into the
hydraulic cylinder of a stepper. As the outer shell of the atom of
the inertial gas is saturated with electrons, the inertial gas will
be very stable in the hydraulic cylinder. When a force is applied
to the piston rod of the stepper, the piston will be pushed forward
to compress the inertial gas and the hydraulic oil. When the force
acting on the piston is released, the inertial gas will expand,
which will create a restoring force to push the piston back to the
original position.
Inventors: |
Jyr; Kau Jong; (Shin Chuang
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRO-TECHTOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
20775 NORADA CT.
SARATOGA
CA
95070
US
|
Family ID: |
37399140 |
Appl. No.: |
11/168085 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/53 ;
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0056 20130101;
A63B 21/0083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/053 ;
482/052 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 2005 |
TW |
094208563 |
Claims
1. An improved structure for a stepper, comprising: an outer
cylinder; an inner cylinder, installed inside said outer cylinder;
a piston assembly, further comprising a piston and a piston rod,
and installed inside said inner cylinder, wherein said piston
further comprises gaskets, O-rings, and a nut, and said piston is
installed on the internal end of said piston rod; a seat, installed
on one end of said inner cylinder; a bearing, installed inside said
outer cylinder, and engaged with the other end of said inner
cylinder; a joint seat, installed inside said outer cylinder,
firmly contacting said seat installed on one end of said inner
cylinder; and connecting elements, separately installed to the
external end of said outer cylinder and the external end of said
piston rod; and characterized in that a stable gas together with
hydraulic oil is filled into the hydraulic cylinder to create a
restoring force while the force acting on said piston is
released.
2. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said stable gas is an inertial gas.
3. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 2,
wherein said inertial gas is nitrogen.
4. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 2,
wherein said inertial gas is helium.
5. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said hydraulic oil is a machine oil.
6. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 5,
wherein said hydraulic oil is a mineral-oil based one.
7. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 5,
wherein said hydraulic oil is a synthetic oil.
8. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein multiple notches are formed on said seat.
9. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 8,
wherein multiple holes are formed on said seat.
10. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said bearing and said joint seat are fixedly installed to
said outer cylinder in cooperation with O-rings.
11. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 10,
wherein said bearing and said joint seat are fixedly installed to
said outer cylinder by roll welding.
12. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said connecting elements have holes.
13. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said outer cylinder and said inner cylinder are cast in
carbon steel.
14. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 7,
wherein said outer cylinder and said inner cylinder are cast in an
aluminum alloy.
15. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said piston rod is chromium-plated.
16. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said gasket is made of Teflon.
17. The improved structure for a stepper according to claim 1,
wherein said O-ring is made of rubber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an improved structure for a
stepper, wherein an inertial gas is filled into a hydraulic
cylinder; once the compression force acting on the inertial gas is
released, the inertial gas will expand, and a restoring force will
be obtained; the restoring force can replace the conventional
elastic elements. The present invention is free from the problem of
elastic fatigue and can simplify the fabrication process and reduce
the fabrication cost.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Refer to FIG. 1. The conventional restoring linkage
structure comprises: a rod 21, an inner sleeve 22, an outer sleeve
23, a linkage level 25, an elastic element 26, and a nut 27. The
rod 21 has one threaded end 210 for screwing joint. The other end
of the rod 21 is inserted into the outer sleeve 23 and functions
like a piston. One end of the outer sleeve 23 has a long slot 230.
Two pivot lugs 232 projects vertically from both edges of the slot
230 near one end thereof. A pivot lug 234 projects vertically from
the other end of the outer sleeve 23 and aligns in a straight line
with the slot 230. A screw 240 is inserted into the pivot lugs 232
of the outer sleeve 23 in order to cooperate with the knob 24 to
adjust the spacing of the slot 230 of the outer sleeve 23. The
inner sleeve 22 has a longitudinal slot and a flange 220 at one end
thereof. The linkage level 25 is a long rod having holes at its two
ends. The elastic element 26 may be a spring. The nut 27 is used to
compress the elastic element 26 for increasing the damping
effect.
[0005] Refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The restoring linking structure
is installed in a conventional stepper. The conventional stepper
comprises: a seat 10, two restoring linkage structures 20, a
linking mechanism 30, and two pedals 33, 34. In the seat 10, a
connecting beam 12 is used to connect a primary beam 11 and a rear
beam 13. Two restoring linkage structures 20 are parallel disposed
at both sides of the seat 10. Two pedals 33, 34 are pivotedly
installed at both sides of the primary beam 11. The linking
mechanism 30 is composed of a pulley 31 and a bull rope 32. The
pulley 31 is installed below the connecting beam 12 and at the
middle portion of the primary beam 11. The bull rope 32 wraps over
the pulley 31, and both ends connect with two pedals 33, 34.
[0006] Refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Two rods 21 are parallel
spanned between the primary beam 11 and the rear beam 13, and the
non-threaded ends of the rods 21 are fixedly joined with the
primary beam 11, and the threaded ends of the rods 21 are fixedly
joined with the rear beam 13. The inner sleeve 22 sleeves the
non-threaded side of the rod 21, and the outer sleeve 23 sleeves
the inner sleeve 22. The slotted end of the outer sleeve 23 is
disposed near the primary beam 11 and pressed against the flange
220 of the inner sleeve 22. The elastic element 26 sleeves the rod
21, and one end of the elastic element 26 is pressed against the
end having the pivot lug 234 of the outer sleeve 23, and the nut 27
is screwed into the threaded end of the rod 21 and pressed against
the other end of the elastic element 26. One end of the linkage
level 25 is pivotedly installed to the pivot lug 234 of the outer
sleeve 23, and the other end of the linkage level 25 is pivotedly
installed to the bottom of the pedal 33, or 34.
[0007] However, the conventional restoring linkage structure has
the following disadvantages: [0008] 1. The energy is stored in the
elastic element via pre-compressing the elastic element. The
elastic force depends on the compressing travel, i.e. the length of
the rod, which not only occupies space but also raise the
fabrication cost. [0009] 2. After a period of service time, the
elastic element, such as a spring or a rubber, would has elastic
fatigue. [0010] 3. As the elastic element is installed outside,
air, sunlight, and humidity will bring about deterioration, or
corrosion to the elastic element. [0011] 4. The externally-disposed
elastic element could probably clamp and hurt the user.
[0012] With the persistent spirit for creation, and based on many
years' experience and acquaintance in this art, the inventor has
endeavored to research and study the problems mentioned above and
proposes an improved structure for a stepper in order to overcome
the problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A conventional hydraulic cylinder, which has a piston moving
back and forth thereinside, can convert fluidic energy into a
linear mechanical motion, and the movement of the piston can be
precisely controlled within the travel of the piston. When the
force acting on the piston rod is released, the conventional
hydraulic cylinder needs a spring to restore it to the original
state. However, a damper is usually needed to reduce the free
oscillation of the bouncing-back spring. A damper utilizes a
high-viscosity fluid and a small aperture to create the damping
effect, and this principle is also to be adopted by the present
invention to provide an improved structure for a stepper.
[0014] The conventional linkage structure with restoring effect
usually adopts spring elements. Different pivots' spans or
different piston travels need different springs, which is a cost
burden for the manufacturer. After having been in service for a
period of time, the spring could have elastic fatigue or could be
corroded. Further, when using a conventional stepper, the user
could be clamped and hurt by the spring.
[0015] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an improved structure for a stepper, wherein an inertial gas
together with hydraulic oil is filled into the hydraulic cylinder
of a stepper, and when the force acting on the piston rod is
released, a restoring force can be obtained from the expanding
inertial gas in order to replace the conventional elastic elements
and to enable the manufacturer to be free from preparing many kinds
of springs, so that the fabrication process can be simplified and
the fabrication cost can be reduced.
[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an
improved structure for a stepper, wherein an inertial gas free from
elastic fatigue and corrosion is used to replace the conventional
elastic elements, and wherein the inertial gas can be nitrogen,
which is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and is colorless,
odorless and very stable and can be obtained just via utilizing
nitrogen-making machine to compress the air, in order to overcome
the problems of elastic fatigue and corrosion in the conventional
springs and to achieve an environment-protection efficacy.
[0017] Further another objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved structure for a stepper, wherein the inertial
gas, which together with hydraulic oil is filled into the hydraulic
cylinder, can function as a restoring and a damping devices, which
are different from the conventional springs and dampers, in order
to provide a more easy and comfortable performance for the
user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional restoring
linkage structure.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional stepper with
the conventional restoring linkage structure.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of a conventional stepper with the
conventional restoring linkage structure.
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the improved structure for a
stepper according to the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a first diagram showing schematically the
operation of the improved structure for a stepper according to the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a second diagram showing schematically the
operation of the improved structure for a stepper according to the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the improved structure for a
stepper according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a first diagram showing one embodiment of the
improved structure for a stepper according to the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a second diagram showing one embodiment of the
improved structure for a stepper according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] To enable the objectives, technical contents and
accomplishments of the present invention to be more easily
understood, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are
to be described below in detail in cooperation with the attached
drawings.
[0028] Refer to FIG. 4 an exploded view of the improved structure
for a stepper of the present invention. The hydraulic cylinder 50
comprises: an outer cylinder 51, an inner cylinder 52, and a piston
assembly. The outer cylinder 51 is a hollow sleeve and has a
diameter larger than that of the inner cylinder 52. The top end of
the outer cylinder 51 has a bearing 511 having a through hole at
its center, and the bearing 511 has an annular groove 512 to fix
the inner cylinder 52. The bottom end of the outer cylinder 51 has
a fixedly-installed connecting element 59. A joint seat 56 is
disposed above the connecting element 59 and inside the outer
cylinder 51. An inflation tip 57 is installed at the center of the
joint seat 56 to fill the inertial gas. An O-ring 571 is installed
between the joint seat 56 and the inflation tip 57 to avoid the
leakage of the inertial gas. A seat 55 is fixedly installed to one
end of the inner cylinder 52. Multiple notches 552 are formed on a
convex rim 553 of the seat 55. The seat 55 has multiple holes 551
to let the hydraulic oil flow through. An oil-regulating wafer 554
is installed below the seat 55 to avoid too high a flow rate at
which the hydraulic oil flows into the space between the outer
cylinder 51 and the inner cylinder 52. Both the seat 55 and the
oil-regulating wafer 554 have central holes, and a movable tip 555
penetrates those two central holes to press the oil-regulating
wafer 554 to the seat 55; the movable tip 555 can float slightly.
The piston assembly comprises a piston rod 53 and a piston 54. One
end of the piston rod 53 has a threaded stub 531. The threaded end
of the piston rod 53 penetrates the central hole of the bearing 511
at the top end of the outer cylinder 51, and a connecting element
58 is screwed fixedly to the threaded stub 531. The piston 54 is
locked fixedly to another end of the piston rod 53. The piston 54
comprises multiple gaskets 541 and O-rings 542. The piston 54 and
its appendixes are locked fixedly to the piston rod 53 with a nut
543. The dimensions of the piston 54 and its appendixes should
enable them to fit into the inner cylinder 52.
[0029] Refer to FIG. 5 a first diagram showing schematically the
operation of the improved structure for a stepper of the present
invention. For the piston structure, the piston 54 is locked
fixedly to the piston rod 53 with the nut 543. The other end of the
piston rod 543 penetrates through the central hole of the bearing
511 to reach the exterior of the outer cylinder 51, and then is
screwed fixedly to the connecting element 58. The dimension of the
piston structure enables it to fit into the inner cylinder 52 and
to move back and forth inside the internal cylinder 52. The seat 55
of the inner cylinder 52 exactly fronts against the joint seat 56,
and the other end of the inner cylinder 52 is firmly engaged to the
annular groove 512 of the bearing 511, wherein the diameter of the
annular groove 512 equals that of the inner cylinder 52. When the
inner cylinder 51 is assembled into the outer cylinder 51, the seat
55 of the inner cylinder 52 firmly contacts the joint seat 56, but
the movable tip 555 can move or float slightly inside the central
holes of the oil-regulating wafer 554 and the seat 55. At this
moment, the movable tip 555 does not push the oil-regulating wafer
554 to tightly contact the seat 55; therefore the oil-regulating
wafer 554 will not retard the flow of the hydraulic oil. Refer to
FIG. 6 a second diagram showing schematically the operation of the
improved structure for a stepper of the present invention. When a
force is applied to push forward the piston 54 inside the tilting
hydraulic cylinder 50, the inertial gas and the hydraulic oil are
also pushed forward by the piston 54, and the inertial gas floats
over the hydraulic oil. The force acting on the piston 54
compresses the inertial gas and enables the pressure inside the
inner cylinder to rise, and the movable tip 555 of the seat 55 is
also pushed forward to enable the oil-regulating wafer 554 to
contact the seat 55. At this moment, the hydraulic oil will flow
through the holes 551 and the notches 552 into the outer cylinder
51. As the oil-regulating wafer 554 can regulate the flow rate of
the hydraulic oil, the inertial gas can be maintained to float over
the hydraulic oil. At this moment, as the inertial gas is
compressed by the piston 54, the volume of the inertial gas
shrinks, and the pressure of the inertial gas rises. When the force
acting on the piston 54 is released, the pressure of the inertial
gas tends to expand its volume and to drive the piston back to the
original position; thus, a restoring force can be obtained from the
compressed inertial gas, and the inertial gas can replace the
conventional elastic elements. At this moment, the movable tip 555
is loosened, and the oil-regulating wafer 554 will nor more tight
contact the seat 55; thus, the hydraulic oil inside the space
between the outer cylinder 51 and the inner cylinder 52 can flow
back to the inner cylinder 52 through the holes 551 and the notches
552.
[0030] Refer to FIG. 7 a perspective view of the improved structure
for a stepper of the present invention. The outer cylinder 51 can
be seamlessly engaged with the bearing 511 and the joint seat 56 by
using O-rings or roll welding in order to avoid the leakage of the
hydraulic oil.
[0031] Refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 showing the embodiments of the
improved structure for a stepper of the present invention. The
present invention can replace the convention elastic elements and
can be free from elastic fatigue, corrosion, and clamping-hurt.
Besides, the appearance of the present invention is free from
externally-disposed elastic elements, which can further improve the
appearance of the stepper.
[0032] The embodiments described above are to clarify the present
invention to enable the persons skilled in the art to understand,
make and use the present invention but not intended to limit the
scope of the present invention. Any equivalent modification and
variation without departing from the spirit of the present
invention is to be included within the scope of the claims of the
present invention appended below.
* * * * *