U.S. patent application number 11/486026 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for body training machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to ATEX Co., LTD.. Invention is credited to Toru Harashima.
Application Number | 20070099767 11/486026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37938748 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070099767 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harashima; Toru |
May 3, 2007 |
Body training machine
Abstract
The invention provides a body training machine which can execute
training amusingly while feeling a suitable stimulation in a simple
pedaling exercise as well as obtaining a great training effect, and
can be structured compact. The body training machine is provided
with a base frame portion, a handle portion, a saddle portion, a
rotating means, and an elevating means. The elevating means is
constituted by a cam wheel and a swing arm. A lower end portion of
the handle shaft is brought into slidable contact with an upward
surface of the cam wheel. The swing arm is structured such that a
front portion is brought into slidable contact with a downward
surface of the cam wheel and a rear portion is brought into contact
with a lower portion of the saddle shaft, thereby pushing up the
saddle shaft in conjunction with an upward swing motion of the rear
portion of the swing arm.
Inventors: |
Harashima; Toru; (Osaka-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
ATEX Co., LTD.
Osaka-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
37938748 |
Appl. No.: |
11/486026 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0605 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 2225/30 20130101; A63B 22/0012
20130101; A63B 21/00196 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06; A63B 69/16 20060101 A63B069/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2005 |
JP |
2005-009190 |
Apr 28, 2006 |
JP |
2006-126145 |
Claims
1. A body training machine comprising: a vertically supportable
base frame portion; a handle portion provided with a handle in a
handle shaft capable of moving up and down in a front portion of
said base frame portion; a saddle portion provided with a saddle in
an upper end of a saddle shaft supported so as to be movable up and
down in a rear portion of said base frame portion; a rotating means
provided with crank arms having pedals driven by feet of a user
sitting on said saddle in leading ends in both sides of said base
frame portion, in a pivot shaft rotatably supported to said base
frame portion; an elevating means for moving up and down said
handle or the saddle by driving said rotating means; said elevating
means being constituted by a cam wheel attached to said pivot shaft
and rotating together with said pivot shaft, and a swing arm having
an intermediate portion pivoted to the base frame portion and
capable of swinging within a vertical surface; a lower end portion
of said handle shaft being brought into slidable contact with an
upward surface of said cam wheel; and said swing arm being
structured such that a front portion is brought into slidable
contact with a downward surface of said cam wheel and a rear
portion is brought into contact with a lower portion of said saddle
shaft, thereby pushing up said saddle shaft in conjunction with an
upward swing motion of the rear portion of said swing arm.
2. A body training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base
frame portion has a handle support tube outside inserted to the
handle shaft pushed up by said cam wheel and moved up and down so
as to support the handle shaft, and a saddle support tube outside
inserted to the saddle shaft pushed up by the swing arm and moved
up and down so as to support the saddle shaft, and provided with a
vertical slit extending in an axial direction of the saddle shaft,
and said saddle shaft has a projection piece protruding to an outer
side of the saddle support tube from said vertical slit and
engaging with said swing arm.
3. A body training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
handle portion and the saddle portion are structured such that
canceling means are individually formed in such a manner as to
cancel an association with said elevating means and be capable of
stopping a vertical motion of the handle and the saddle, and a
pedaling exercise is executed by selecting an associated mode in
which both of the handle and the saddle are moved up and down, a
saddle swing mode in which only the saddle is moved up and down, a
handle swing mode in which only the handle is moved up and down,
and a stationary mode in which both of the handle and the saddle
are stationary.
4. A body training machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
canceling means is constituted by a handle shaft holding means for
holding the handle shaft within the handle support tube at a height
at which the handle shaft is not brought into contact with the cam
wheel.
5. A body training machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
canceling means is constituted by a saddle shaft holding means for
holding the saddle shaft within the saddle support tube at a height
at which the swing arm is not brought into contact with said
projection piece.
6. A body training machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
canceling means is formed by using a support pin capable of
maintaining the handle shaft or the saddle shaft at a fixed height,
by engaging with the handle support tube or the saddle support
tube, and engaging with the handle shaft or the saddle shaft
inserted thereto.
7. A body training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower
end portion of said handle shaft is provided with a roller brought
into slidable contact with the cam wheel, and has a pressing means
having a spring pressing the roller toward the cam wheel.
8. A body training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
swing arm has a pair of rollers arranged back and forth toward an
upper direction in a front portion thereof, and is brought into
slidable contact with the cam wheel via the pair of rollers.
9. A body training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cam
wheel is provided with an entire periphery cam surface having a far
cam surface in which a distance in a radial direction from a
rotation center of said pivot shaft is the longest, and an opposite
side cam surface which is positioned in an approximately opposite
side to the far cam surface and in which said radial distance is
shorter than said far cam surface.
10. A body training machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cam
wheel is structured such that said opposite side cam surface is
constituted by a near cam surface in which said radial distance is
the shortest in said entire periphery cam surface.
11. A body training machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
cam wheel is structured such that said far cam surface and said
near cam surface form a circular arc surface.
12. A body training machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein said
cam wheel is structured such that said entire periphery cam surface
is formed in a circular shape and is constituted by a circular
eccentric cam having said far cam surface which is attached to said
pivot shaft eccentrically from a center of said circle and in which
a distance from the rotation center of the pivot shaft corresponds
to a length obtained by adding an amount of eccentricity to a
radial distance, and said near cam surface which is positioned in
an opposite side to said far cam surface and in which a distance
from the rotation center of the pivot shaft corresponds to a length
obtained by subtracting the distance of eccentricity from the
radial distance.
13. A body training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cam
wheel is provided with an entire periphery cam surface having a far
cam surface which is provided in both sides of said pivot shaft
while having the center of said pivot shaft therebetween, and in
which a distance in a radial direction from the rotation center of
said pivot shaft is the longest, and an inner cam surface which is
provided in both sides of the center of said pivot shaft while
having the center of said pivot shaft therebetween, and in which
said radial distance is shorter than said far cam surface.
14. A body training machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein said
cam wheel is structured such that said inner cam surface is
constituted by a near cam surface in which said radial distance is
the shortest in said entire periphery cam surface.
15. A body training machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
cam wheel is structured such that said far cam surface and said
near cam surface form a circular arc curved surface.
16. A body training machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein said
cam wheel is structured such that said both side far cam surfaces
are positioned symmetrically while having the center of the pivot
shaft therebetween, said both side near cam surfaces are positioned
symmetrically while having the center of the pivot shaft
therebetween, and a line connecting the far cam surfaces through
the center of said pivot shaft forms a right angle with a line
connecting said both side near cam surfaces through the center of
said pivot shaft, in the entire periphery cam surface.
17. A body training machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein said
cam wheel is constituted by an oval cam wheel which is symmetrical
with long and short axes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a body training machine
which can execute a pedaling exercise amusingly while being applied
a comfortable stimulation on the basis of a vertical motion, and
can obtain an excellent training effect.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As health consciousness grows, a lot of body training
machines which can be used for training with ease indoors have
proposed to increase levels of physical activity. Among them, there
has been generalized a bicycle type body training machine in which
an installation base is provided with a saddle portion, a pedal
crank portion, a handle portion and a load apparatus capable of
adjusting aw eight of a pedal, and training is executed on the
basis of a pedaling exercise.
[0005] If this kind of body training machine is used, it is
possible to execute a cycling exercise in correspondence to a
physical strength of each of individuals with ease indoors.
However, this exercise corresponds to training which repeats a
simple motion of working the pedals while keeping the same exercise
posture. Accordingly, a portion to be trained is limited and an
effect of the training has a limit. Further, it is impossible to
obtain such an exhilarating feeling as a feeling obtained at a time
of riding a bicycle in the open air, and there is a problem that
many people fail to achieve long-term goals.
[0006] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, a U-shaped frame d
supporting a handle a and a saddle b is axially attached to a pivot
shaft e, and a wheel h is provided so as to rotate working with a
motion of a pedal crank f via a belt g. Further, a crank lever
mechanism j is structured by bridging a link i between the wheel h
and the frame d. Thus, there has been proposed a training machine
in which the handle a and the saddle b are swung backward and
forward working with the rotation of the pedal crank f (refer, for
example, to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2002-210037).
[0007] In the training machine, since the body swings backward and
forward together with the pedaling motion, it is possible to feel a
horse riding feeling, and it is possible to train while enjoying a
change thereof by a body. However, since the motion of swinging an
upper half of the body backward and forward comes up with an
exercise of rotating legs, an unreasonable load tends to be applied
to a low back, a spine or the like. At the same time, an exercise
rhythm of the legs comes down, and there is a case that a training
effect is lowered.
[0008] Further, as shown in FIG. 16, there has been proposed a
health enhancement device in which a roller n is provided so as to
be brought into slidable contact with an upper surface of an
eccentric cam m attached to a crank shaft k, and a saddle t is
moved up and down working with a vertical motion of the roller n
(refer, for example, to Japanese Unexamined Utility Model
Publication No. 7-43344).
[0009] In the health enhancement device mentioned above, since the
saddle t is continuously moved up and down working with the
rotation of the pedal, a change of vertically moving the body is
generated, and a user can feel a certain amount of stimulation.
However, in order to obtain a training effect, it is necessary to
continue the exercise for a definite period of time or more.
Accordingly, the body immediately gets the feel of the change that
the saddle t is simply moved up and down, and there is a problem
that the stimulation fades. Further, since an entire body weight is
applied as a repeated bending load to the crank shaft k on the
basis of the vertical motion of the saddle t, there is a problem
that a bearing mechanism and an entire of the device are enlarged
in size, thereby lowering a handling property.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a body
training machine which is provided with a cam wheel with which a
handle shaft is brought into slidable contact in a lower end
portion, and an elevating means having a swing arm pivoted to a
base frame portion so as to swing within a vertical surface as a
basic structure, can execute training amusingly while feeling a
suitable stimulation in a simple pedaling exercise as well as
obtaining a great training effect, and can be structured
compact.
[0011] In order to achieve the object mentioned above, in
accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a body training machine comprising:
[0012] a vertically supportable base frame portion;
[0013] a handle portion provided with a handle in a handle shaft
capable of moving up and down in a front portion of the base frame
portion;
[0014] a saddle portion provided with a saddle in an upper end of a
saddle shaft supported so as to be movable up and down in a rear
portion of the base frame portion;
[0015] a rotating means provided with crank arms having pedals
driven by feet of a user sitting on the saddle in leading ends in
both sides of the base frame portion, in a pivot shaft rotatably
supported to the base frame portion;
[0016] an elevating means for moving up and down the handle or the
saddle by driving the rotating means;
[0017] the elevating means being constituted by a cam wheel
attached to the pivot shaft and rotating together with the pivot
shaft, and a swing arm having an intermediate portion pivoted to
the base frame portion and capable of swinging within a vertical
surface;
[0018] a lower end portion of the handle shaft being brought into
slidable contact with an upward surface of the cam wheel; and
[0019] the swing arm being structured such that a front portion is
brought into slidable contact with a downward surface of the cam
wheel and a rear portion is brought into contact with a lower
portion of the saddle shaft, thereby pushing up the saddle shaft in
conjunction with an upward swing motion of the rear portion of the
swing arm.
[0020] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
the base frame portion has a handle support tube outside inserted
to the handle shaft pushed up by the cam wheel and moved up and
down so as to support the handle shaft, and a saddle support tube
outside inserted to the saddle shaft pushed up by the swing arm and
moved up and down so as to support the saddle shaft, and provided
with a vertical slit extending in an axial direction of the saddle
shaft, and the saddle shaft has a projection piece protruding to an
outer side of the saddle support tube from the vertical slit and
engaging with the swing arm.
[0021] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
the handle portion and the saddle portion are structured such that
canceling means are individually formed in such a manner as to
cancel an association with the elevating means and be capable of
stopping a vertical motion of the handle and the saddle, and a
pedaling exercise is executed by selecting an associated mode in
which both of the handle and the saddle are moved up and down, a
saddle swing mode in which only the saddle is moved up and down, a
handle swing mode in which only the handle is moved up and down,
and a stationary mode in which both of the handle and the saddle
are stationary.
[0022] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention,
the canceling means is constituted by a handle shaft holding means
for holding the handle shaft within the handle support tube at a
height at which the handle shaft is not brought into contact with
the cam wheel.
[0023] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention,
the canceling means is constituted by a saddle shaft holding means
for holding the saddle shaft within the saddle support tube at a
height at which the swing arm is not brought into contact with the
projection piece.
[0024] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention,
the canceling means is formed by using a support pin capable of
maintaining the handle shaft or the saddle shaft at a fixed height,
by engaging with the handle support tube or the saddle support
tube, and engaging with the handle shaft or the saddle shaft
inserted thereto.
[0025] In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present
invention, a lower end portion of the handle shaft is provided with
a roller brought into slidable contact with the cam wheel, and has
a pressing means having a spring pressing the roller toward the cam
wheel.
[0026] In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present
invention, the swing arm has a pair of rollers arranged back and
forth toward an upper direction in a front portion thereof, and is
brought into slidable contact with the cam wheel via a pair of
rollers.
[0027] In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention,
the cam wheel is provided with an entire periphery cam surface
having a far cam surface in which a distance in a radial direction
from a rotation center of the pivot shaft is the longest, and an
opposite side cam surface which is positioned in an approximately
opposite side to the far cam surface and in which the radial
distance is shorter than the far cam surface.
[0028] In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present invention,
the cam wheel is structured such that the opposite side cam surface
is constituted by a near cam surface in which the radial distance
is the shortest in the entire periphery cam surface.
[0029] In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present
invention, the cam wheel is structured such that the far cam
surface and the near cam surface form a circular arc surface.
[0030] In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present
invention, the cam wheel is structured such that the entire
periphery cam surface is formed in a circular shape and is
constituted by a circular eccentric cam having the far cam surface
which is attached to the pivot shaft eccentrically from a center of
the circle and in which a distance from the rotation center of the
pivot shaft corresponds to a length obtained by adding an amount of
eccentricity to a radial distance, and the near cam surface which
is positioned in an opposite side to the far cam surface and in
which a distance from the rotation center of the pivot shaft
corresponds to a length obtained by subtracting the distance of
eccentricity from the radial distance.
[0031] In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the present
invention, the cam wheel is provided with an entire periphery cam
surface having a far cam surface which is provided in both sides of
the pivot shaft while having the center of the pivot shaft
therebetween, and in which a distance in a radial direction from
the rotation center of the pivot shaft is the longest, and an inner
cam surface which is provided in both sides of the center of the
pivot shaft while having the center of the pivot shaft
therebetween, and in which the radial distance is shorter than the
far cam surface.
[0032] In accordance with a fourteenth aspect of the present
invention, the cam wheel is structured such that the inner cam
surface is constituted by a near cam surface in which the radial
distance is the shortest in the entire periphery cam surface.
[0033] In accordance with a fifteenth aspect of the present
invention, the cam wheel is structured such that the far cam
surface and the near cam surface form a circular arc curved
surface.
[0034] In accordance with a sixteenth aspect of the present
invention, the cam wheel is structured such that the both side far
cam surfaces are positioned symmetrically while having the center
of the pivot shaft therebetween, the both side near cam surfaces
are positioned symmetrically while having the center of the pivot
shaft therebetween, and a line connecting the far cam surfaces
through the center of the pivot shaft forms a right angle with a
line connecting the both side near cam surfaces through the center
of the pivot shaft, in the entire periphery cam surface.
[0035] In accordance with a seventeenth aspect of the present
invention, the cam wheel is constituted by an oval cam wheel which
is symmetrical with long and short axes.
[0036] In the invention in accordance with the first aspect, since
the handle or the saddle is moved up and down by being driven by
the motion that the user sitting on the saddle works the pedals so
as to train, the posture of the user is repeatedly changed at a
fixed cycle. As a result, since the posture of the user is changed
even in the indoor training, the load is applied to the different
muscles and a subtly changed load is repeatedly applied to the same
muscle. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a well-balanced
training effect. At the same time, a light rhythm feeling is
generated in the pedaling exercise, an uplifting feeling is applied
to the indoor training which tends to be monotonous, and it is
possible to enjoy a long-hour exercise without being tired.
Further, since the handle or the saddle is moved up and down by
using the driving force generated by working the pedals, the
rotating load of the pedals is increased at a time of moving upward
so as to increase the amount of exercise, whereby the training
effect is improved. Further, since the rotating load is repeatedly
increased and decreased periodically going with the upward and
downward movement of the handle or the saddle, the load increasing
and decreasing in a wavy manner is applied to the muscle so as to
effectively stimulate the muscle, so that an effect of increasing a
muscle force is improved.
[0037] As in the invention in accordance with the second aspect, in
the case that the handle support tube and the saddle support tube
outside insert the vertically moving handle shaft and saddle shaft
so as to support, both the shafts can be smoothly moved up and
down. Accordingly, the pedal can be smoothly rotated, and it is
possible to prevent an overload from being applied to a knee, an
ankle or the like.
[0038] As in the invention in accordance with the third aspect, in
the case that the canceling means capable of stopping the upward
and downward motion of the handle and the saddle are individually
formed, it is possible to execute the pedaling exercise by
selecting the associated mode in which both of the handle and the
saddle are moved up and down, the saddle swing mode in which only
the saddle is moved up and down, the handle swing mode in which
only the handle is moved up and down, and the stationary mode in
which both of the handle and the saddle are stationary, in
correspondence to the combination thereof. Accordingly, it is
possible to apply various changes to the exercise, it is possible
to amusingly execute the training for a change of air by properly
using them, and it is possible to freely select the mode in
correspondence to a personal preference. Further, it is possible to
select an amount of exercise in correspondence to a physical
strength, a degree of fatigue or the like of the user, by
increasing and decreasing the exercise load on the basis of the
switching.
[0039] As in the invention in accordance with the fourth aspect, in
the case that the canceling means is constituted by the handle
shaft holding means for holding the handle shaft at the height at
which the handle shaft is not brought into contact with the cam
wheel, it is possible to securely cancel the upward and downward
motion of the handle by the simple structure.
[0040] As in the invention in accordance with the fifth aspect, in
the case that the canceling means is constituted by the saddle
shaft holding means for holding the saddle shaft at the height at
which the projection piece is not brought into contact with the
swing arm, it is possible to cancel the upward and downward motion
of the saddle by the simple structure and securely.
[0041] As in the invention in accordance with the sixth aspect, in
the case that the canceling means is structured by using the
support pin continuously passing through the handle support tube
and the handle shaft inserted thereto, or the saddle support tube
and the saddle shaft inserted thereto, it is possible to securely
cancel the upward and downward motion of the handle or the saddle
on the basis of the simple operation obtained only by inserting the
support pin.
[0042] As in the invention in accordance with the seventh aspect,
in the case that the lower end portion of the handle shaft is
provided with the roller brought into slidable contact with the cam
wheel, and is provided with the pressing means pressing the roller
toward the cam wheel, the handle shaft is not flipped up, and the
roller can roll along the surface of the cam wheel, so that the
handle shaft can be smoothly moved up and down without
rattling.
[0043] As in the invention in accordance with the eighth aspect, in
the case that the front portion of the swing arm is provided with a
pair of rollers arranged back and forth toward the upper direction
and brought into slidable contact with the cam wheel, the pair of
rollers smoothly rolls along the surface of the cam wheel.
Accordingly, the saddle,can be smoothly moved up and down.
[0044] As in the invention in accordance with the ninth aspect, in
the case that the cam wheel of the elevating means is provided with
the entire periphery cam surface having the far cam surface in
which the distance in the radial direction is the longest, and the
opposite side cam surface in which the radial distance is shorter
than the far cam surface, the lower end portion of the handle shaft
moves up and down while being brought into slidable contact with
the upward surface of the cam wheel, and the saddle shaft is pushed
up together with the upward swing motion of the rear portion of the
swing arm in which the intermediate portion is pivoted to the base
frame portion, and the front portion is brought into slidable
contact with the downward surface of the cam wheel. As a result, in
the case of rotating the pedals, the handle shaft and the saddle
shaft are moved up and down at the alternately inverted timings.
Since the vertical motion of the sitting saddle and the vertical
motion of the handle are repeated at the inverted phases, it is
necessary for the user to execute a balance operation at a timing
which is not experienced in a daily life by using an entire body
for maintaining the posture, so that a high exercise effect can be
obtained. Further, since a fresh exercise feeling which can not be
experienced in normal can be obtained, it is possible to train
while enjoying.
[0045] As in the invention in accordance with the tenth aspect, in
the case that the opposite side cam surface is constituted by the
near cam surface in which the radial distance is the shortest, it
is possible to form the elevating stroke of the handle or the
saddle large. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve the exercise
effect to the maximum.
[0046] As in the invention in accordance with the eleventh aspect,
in the case that the far cam surface and the opposite side cam
surface form the circular arc surface, the lower end portion of the
saddle shaft brought into slidable contact with the entire
periphery cam surface or the front portion of the swing arm can
smoothly move. Accordingly, it is possible to exercise without
generating any overburden in the pedal exercise.
[0047] As in the invention in accordance with the twelfth aspect,
in the case that the cam wheel is structured by using the circular
eccentric cam having the far cam surface having the length obtained
by adding the amount of eccentricity to the radial distance, and
the near cam surface having the length obtained by subtracting the
distance of eccentricity from the radial distance, the structure is
simple. Accordingly, the handle or the saddle smoothly moves up and
down, and the maintenance can be easily executed as well as the
cost can be suppressed.
[0048] As in the invention in accordance with the thirteenth
aspect, in the case that the cam wheel is provided with the entire
periphery cam surface having the far cam surface which is provided
in both sides of the pivot shaft while having the center of the
pivot shaft therebetween, and in which the distance in the radial
direction from the rotation center of the pivot shaft is the
longest, and the inner cam surface in which the radial distance is
shorter than the far cam surface, an elevating motion in which the
vertical motions are synchronized is repeated by the handle shaft
in which the lower end portion is brought into slidable contact
with the upward surface of the cam wheel, and the saddle shaft in
which the front portion is brought into slidable contact with the
downward surface of the cam shaft and which is pushed down together
with the upward swing motion of the swing arm rear portion. As
mentioned above, since the timings of the vertical motion of the
sitting saddle and the vertical motion of the handle are aligned,
it is possible to train amusingly in correspondence to the
elevating tempo while getting into the rhythm by the entire body.
Further, since the motions of the saddle and the handle are the
same, an elderly person having a tendency that the exercise
capacity such as physical reflexes or the like is lowered can use
with a safe conscience.
[0049] As in the invention in accordance with the fourteenth
aspect, in the case that the inner cam surface is constituted by
the near cam surface in which the radial distance is the shortest,
it is possible to form the elevating stroke of the handle or the
saddle large. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve the exercise
effect to the maximum.
[0050] As in the invention in accordance with the fifteenth aspect,
in that case that the far cam surface and the near cam surface form
the circular arc surface, the lower end portion of the saddle shaft
or the front portion of the swing arm can smoothly move.
Accordingly, it is possible to amusingly train on the basis of the
light pedal exercise.
[0051] As in the invention in accordance with the sixteenth aspect,
in the case that the line connecting the far cam surfaces through
the center of the pivot shaft forms the right angle with the line
connecting the both side near cam surfaces through the center of
the pivot shaft, in the entire periphery cam surface, the saddle
and the handle move up and down at the fixed cycle together with
the pedaling exercise. Accordingly, the vertical motion forms a
comfortable stimulation and it is possible to comfortably
train.
[0052] As in the invention in accordance with the seventeenth
aspect, in the case that the cam wheel is constituted by the oval
cam wheel which is symmetrical with the long and short axes, the
handle shaft and the saddle shaft brought into slidable contact
with the entire periphery cam surface repeat the smooth and regular
elevating motion. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a
comfortable stimulation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view exemplifying an embodiment in
accordance with the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1;
[0055] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along a line A-A in FIG.
2;
[0056] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of FIG. 3;
[0057] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view in which a main portion
is enlarged;
[0058] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main
portion;
[0059] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view exemplifying an operating
state;
[0060] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view exemplifying the other
operating state;
[0061] FIGS. 9A to 9D show an operation of an elevating means, in
which FIGS. 9A to 9D are operation explanatory views for explaining
states in which a cam wheel is rotated in increments of 90
degree;
[0062] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a main portion
exemplifying a state in which a canceling means is used;
[0063] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view exemplifying a used
state in which a handle shaft is bent;
[0064] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view exemplifying the other
embodiment;
[0065] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a main portion
exemplifying further the other embodiment;
[0066] FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a main portion
exemplifying different operating states of FIG. 13;
[0067] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a prior art; and
[0068] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the other prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0069] A description will be given of a mode for carrying out the
present invention together with an illustrated embodiment. As shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, a body training machine 1 is provided with a base
frame portion 2, a handle portion 5 in a front portion of the base
frame portion 2, a saddle portion 8 in a rear portion, a rotating
means 12 executing a pedaling exercise, and an elevating means 13
moving up and down the handle 4 or the saddle 7. Further, the
present embodiment has a canceling means 20 which can cancel an
operation of the elevating means 13 so as to stop the vertical
motion of the handle or the saddle.
[0070] The base frame portion 2 structures a basement of an
equipment, and is structured such as to include a pedestal portion
2A installed in a mounting surface, and an uprising portion 2B
uprising from the pedestal portion 2A. In the present embodiment,
the pedestal portion 2A is constituted, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
by a main shaft portion 31 extending back and forth in the center,
a front arm portion 32 extending sideward from front and rear end
portions of the main shaft portion 31, and a rear arm portion 33,
and is formed in an approximately I shape. Further, the main shaft
portion 31 is structured by using a flat steel pipe, and the front
arm portion 32 and the rear arm portion 33 are structured by using
a round steel pipe and are welded to the front and rear end
portions of the main shaft portion 31. Further, a cap 34 for
preventing a slip is put on end portions of the front arm portion
32 and the rear arm portion 33. In this case, in the present
specification, the front side is the side to which a user faces and
in which the handle 4 is arranged and a side.
[0071] The uprising portion 2B is exemplified by a structure
including a crank support portion 35 uprising close to a front side
of the main shaft portion 31, a wheel support portion 36 provided
in a standing manner in line in a front side thereof, a saddle
support tube 18 uprising from the main shaft portion 31 while being
sloped rearward a little in a rear side of the crank support
portion 35, a handle support tube 16 arranged in an upper side of
the crank support portion 35 and uprising while being sloped
forward a little, and an arm support portion 40 uprising in the
middle of the saddle support tube 18 and the crank support portion
35. In this case, the handle support tube 16 is firmly attached to
a leading end portion of a down tube 37 extending forward from the
middle of the saddle support tube 18 so as to be supported. In this
case, an auxiliary support member 69 is bridged between a portion
near a front end portion of the down tube 37 and an upper end
portion of the crank support portion 35.
[0072] The saddle support tube 18 is formed in a longitudinally
long rectangular tube shape, and is attached while being sloped
rearward, for example, at about 10 to 25 degree, 15 degree in the
present embodiment. Further, vertically longer slits 17 and 17 are
formed in both side surfaces of a lower portion thereof, and a
support hole 38 passing right and left is pierced in an upper
portion thereof.
[0073] The handle support tube 16 is formed in a longitudinally
longer rectangular tube shape in the same manner as the saddle
support tube 18, and is attached while being sloped forward, for
example, at about 5 to 20 degree, 10 degree in the present
embodiment.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the handle portion 5 includes a
vertically longer handle shaft 3, and a handle 4 extending right
and left from an upper end portion thereof, and the handle 4 in
accordance with the present embodiment employs a type in which both
sides are curved toward an upper side and which can stably support
both the arms. Further, a roller 24A is axially attached to a lower
end of the handle shaft 3 in accordance with the present
embodiment.
[0075] The handle shaft 3 in accordance with the present embodiment
is constituted, as shown in FIG. 2, by a handle upper shaft 3U in
which a groove type connecting attachment 61 is firmly attached to
a lower end portion, and a handle lower shaft 3D having a
horizontal shaft 62 pivoting the connecting attachment 61, and a
fixing bolt 63 protruding to a front side. The handle upper shaft
3U and the handle lower shaft 3D are coupled so as to be bendable
around the horizontal shaft 62. A notch 64 is formed in a front
lower edge of the connecting attachment 61. Screwing a fasting
device 65 having a thread hole with the fixing bolt 63 inserted
into the notch 64, the connecting attachment 61 is fixed to an
upper end portion of the handle lower shaft 3D. Accordingly, there
is formed the handle shaft 3 in which the handle lower shaft 3D and
the handle upper shaft 3U are continuously integrated. Further, the
handle shaft 3 is supported to the base frame portion 2 so as to be
slidable up and down by inserting the handle lower shaft 3D into
the handle support tube 16. Further, when it is not used or it is
carried, it is possible to detach the fastening device 65 so as to
slope the upper portion of the handle portion 5 rearward, as shown
in FIG. 11. Accordingly, the structure is preferable in a point
that it can be accommodated and carried in a compact manner. In
this case, a front holding hole 42F passing right and left is
pierced close to an upper side of the handle lower shaft 3D.
[0076] The saddle portion 8 is constituted, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
4, by a vertically longer saddle shaft 6, and a saddle 7 attached
to an upper end portion thereof. The saddle shaft 6 in accordance
with the present embodiment is constituted by a saddle upper shaft
6U, and a saddle lower shaft 6D having a larger-diameter tubular
shape than the saddle upper shaft 6U. Further, the structure is
made such that a lower portion of the saddle upper shaft 6U is
inserted to an upper portion of the saddle lower shaft 6D and is
fastened by using a fastening bolt device 43. When detaching the
fastening bolt device 43, it is possible to expand and contract a
length of the saddle shaft 6 by sliding the lower portion of the
saddle upper shaft 6U within the saddle lower shaft 6D. Fixing
again by the fastening bolt device 43, it is possible to adjust a
saddle height in correspondence to the physical constitution.
[0077] A rear holding hole 42B passing through right and left is
pierced in an upper portion of the saddle lower shaft 6D in
accordance with the present embodiment. Further, as shown in FIGS.
2 and 6, there is formed in a lower portion thereof a projection
piece 19 constituted by an axle 19A extending right and left and a
support wheel 19B pivoted to the axle 19A. Further, the saddle
shaft 6 is supported to the base frame portion 2 so as to be
slidable up and down by inserting the saddle lower shaft 6D to the
saddle support tube 18 in a state in which the projection piece 19
is protruded to an outer side through the slit 17.
[0078] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the rotating means 12 includes a
pivot shaft 9, a crank arm 11 axially attached to the pivot shaft 9
and a pedal 10, and further has an inertia means 45 for applying a
rotating force to a pedaling rotational motion, in the present
embodiment. The pivot shaft 9 is supported to the crank support
portion 35 via a bearing shaft bush (not shown), and right and left
crank arms 11 and 11 extending perpendicular to an axial direction
of the pivot shaft 9 and in opposite directions to each other are
attached to both sides thereof. A pedal 10 is attached to a leading
end portion of the crank arm 11. In the same manner as a normal
bicycle, the structure is made such that the user sitting on the
saddle 7 can execute a cycle exercise by working the pedal 10 on
the basis of a foot drive.
[0079] The inertia means 45 is structured such as to include a
large-diameter pulley 46 fixed to the pivot shaft 9 and rotating
integrally with the crank arm 11, a flywheel 47 axially attached to
the wheel support portion 36 so as to rotate, a small-diameter
pulley 48 rotating integrally with the flywheel 47, and a driving
belt 49 bridged between the large-diameter and small-diameter
pulleys 46 and 48. Further, a rotation of the pedal 10 is
transmitted to the flywheel 47 while a rotation ratio is increased
via the driving belt 49. A rotating force on the basis of the
rotation of the flywheel 47 is transmitted to the pedal 10 by a
similar feeling to an inertia of actually riding a bicycle. As a
result, an effective training effect can be obtained.
[0080] In the flywheel 47, at least a peripheral surface is formed
by a ferromagnetic material such as an iron, a martensitic or
ferrite stainless steel, a nickel, a cobalt or the like. Further, a
load means 53 is equipped by attaching a magnetic belt 50
structured such that magnetic pieces are arranged in a band shape
around the peripheral surface of the flywheel 47. Further, a fixed
braking force is applied to the rotation of the flywheel 47 on the
basis of a magnetic force operation of the load means 53, so that a
fixed load is applied to the rotating motion of the pedal 10. In
this case, it is possible to operate a pulling degree of a wire 51
pulling one end of the magnet belt 50 by an adjusting knob 52
(shown in FIG. 2) attached to the down tube 37. Adjusting a gap
between the magnet belt 50 and the flywheel 47 on the basis of the
operation, it is possible to increase and decrease a magnetic force
strength so as to increase and decrease the load applied to the
pedal 10.
[0081] The elevating means 13 includes a cam wheel 14 attached to
the pivot shaft 9 so as to rotate working with the pedaling, and a
swing arm 15. Further, the handle 4 and the saddle 7 are moved up
and down by using a rotational driving force of the rotating means
12.
[0082] An entire periphery cam surface 28 having the pivot shaft 9
as a core is formed in an outer periphery of the cam wheel 14. As
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the entire periphery cam surface 28
includes a far cam surface 28A in which a distance in a radial
direction from a center of rotation of the pivot shaft 9 is the
longest, and an opposite side cam surface 28D in which a distance
in a radial direction is smaller than the far cam surface 28A and
which is arranged in an approximately opposite side to the far cam
surface 28A while having the pivot shaft 9 therebetween. In this
case, the far cam surface 28A means a region including a range
between 30 degrees in a peripheral direction around the pivot shaft
9 from a position where the radial distance is the longest.
Further, the approximately opposite side means a region including a
range between 30 degrees in the peripheral direction around the
pivot shaft 9 from an opposite direction while having the pivot
shaft 9 therebetween.
[0083] When working the pedal 10 by the foot so as to rotate the
crank arm 11, the roller 24A in the lower end of the handle shaft 3
is brought into slidable contact with the upward surface of the cam
wheel 14 rotating integrally with the crank arm 11. Accordingly,
the handle shaft 3 is pushed up at a time of being brought into
slidable contact with the far cam surface 28A of the entire
periphery cam surface 28. It is moved downward at a time of being
brought into slidable contact with the opposite side cam surface
28D. Since these motions are repeated working with the rotation of
the cam wheel 14, the handle shaft 3 repeats the elevating
motion.
[0084] The swing arm 15 is arranged so as to extend back and forth
as shown in FIG. 5. Further, an approximately center portion
thereof is axially attached to an upper end portion of the arm
support portion 40, and the swing arm 15 is supported like an
equiarmed balance so as to freely swing within a vertical surface.
A roller 24B is axially attached to a front end portion of the
swing arm 15. The roller 24B is brought into slidable contact with
a downward surface of the entire periphery cam surface 28 of the
cam wheel 14. On the other hand, a rear end portion of the swing
arm 15 is branched in a C shape toward both sides of the saddle
support tube 18, as shown in FIG. 6, and extends to a lower side of
a support wheel 19B of the projection piece 19 formed in the lower
portion of the saddle shaft 6.
[0085] Further, the cam wheel 14 is rotated on the basis of the
training that the user sitting on the saddle 7 works the pedal 10
by the foot. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A, when the far cam surface
28A is positioned at the downward surface of the cam wheel 14, the
roller 24B of the swing arm 15 brought into slidable contact
therewith is pushed down. Further, on the contrary, the ascending
rear end portion pushes up the saddle shaft 6. At the same time,
since the handle shaft 3 brought into slidable contact with the
opposite side cam surface 28D of the upward surface is brought into
slidable contact with the entire periphery cam surface 28 at a low
position, the handle shaft 3 is supported in a descending state.
Next, when the cam wheel 14 is rotated at 90 degree, the saddle
shaft 6 is moved downward so as to be returned to an average
height, and the handle shaft 3 is contrarily ascended to an
intermediate height, as shown in FIG. 9B. Further, when the cam
wheel 14 is rotated at 90 degree, the opposite side cam surface 28D
is positioned in a downward surface of the cam wheel 14, as shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9C. Accordingly, the roller 24B of the swing arm
brought into slidable contact therewith is moved upward, whereby
the rear end portion is moved downward and the saddle shaft 6 is
changed to the low position. At the same time, the far cam surface
28A rotating to the upward surface pushes up the handle shaft 3.
Next, when the cam wheel 14 is rotated at 90 degree, the saddle
shaft 6 is again moved upward so as to be returned to the average
height as shown in FIG. 9D. On the contrary, the handle shaft 3 is
moved downward to the intermediate height.
[0086] As long as the cam wheel 14 is rotated on the basis of the
pedaling exercise, the pattern mentioned above of elevating motions
of the saddle shaft 6 and the handle shaft 3 is repeated.
Accordingly, the posture of the user keeps on changing at a fixed
cycle. Therefore, even in the indoor training which tends to be
monotonous, the load is applied to the different muscles in the
different positions on the basis of the change of the posture, and
the subtly changing load is repeatedly applied to the same muscle.
Thus, it is possible to obtain a well-balanced training effect.
Further, a light rhythm feeling is generated in the pedaling
exercise on the basis of the continuous vertical motion at a fixed
cycle. Further, an uplifting feeling is added to the indoor
training, and it is possible to enjoy the long hours exercise
without being tired.
[0087] Further, as mentioned above, the handle shaft 3 and the
saddle shaft 6 are moved up and down at the alternately inverted
timings. Accordingly, it is necessary for the user training under a
condition in which the vertical motion of the sitting saddle 7 and
the vertical motion of the handle 4 are repeated in the inverted
phases to maintain a balance at a timing which is not experienced
in the daily life by using an entire body for maintaining the
exercising posture. As a result, since the exercise effect is
significantly improved, and it is possible to obtain the exercise
feeling which is not normally experienced, it is possible to train
while enjoying a fresh feeling.
[0088] Further, since the handle 4 or the saddle 7 are moved up and
down by using the driving force generated by working the pedal 10
by the foot, the rotating load of the pedal 10 is increased and the
amount of exercise is increased at a time of being moved upward,
whereby the training effect is further improved. Further, since the
exercise load is continuously increased and decreased periodically
in accordance with the vertical motion of the handle 4 or the
saddle 7, it is possible to effectively stimulate the muscle and it
is possible to obtain a high effect of increasing the muscle
force.
[0089] In the cam wheel 14 in accordance with the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the opposite side cam surface 28D
is formed by the near cam surface 28B existing in the region in
which the radial distance from the pivot shaft 9 is the shortest,
in the entire periphery cam surface 28. Accordingly, the structure
is made such as to increase the elevating stroke of the handle 4 or
the saddle generated by a difference between the radial distance of
the far cam surface 28A and the radial distance of the opposite
side cam surface 28D. As a result, since it is possible to achieve
the stimulation applied to the user to the maximum, it is possible
to obtain a great exercise effect.
[0090] In the present embodiment, there is formed the entire
periphery cam surface 28 in which the far cam surface 28A and the
opposite side cam surface 28D are formed as a smoothly continuous
circular arc surface. As a result, the lower end portion of the
saddle shaft 6 or the front portion of the swing arm 15 brought
into slidable contact with the surface of the entire periphery cam
surface 28 can smoothly move along the circular arc surface.
Therefore, it is possible to smoothly exercise without generating
any overburden in the pedal exercise. Further, the upward and
downward motion of the saddle 7 or the handle 4 forms a smoothly
continuous motion. As a result, it is possible to apply a
comfortable stimulation to the user.
[0091] Further, the cam wheel 14 in accordance with the present
embodiment is structured by using a so-called circular eccentric
cam 14A in which the entire periphery cam surface 28 is formed as a
circle and which is supported to the pivot shaft 9 at a position
eccentric from a center of the circle. Accordingly, the far cam
surface 28A is arranged such that a distance from the center of
rotation of the pivot shaft 9 corresponds to a length obtained by
adding an amount of eccentricity to the radial distance of the
circle. On the other hand, the near cam surface 28B is positioned
in an opposite side to the far cam surface 28A. Further, it is
arranged such that the distance from the center of rotation of the
pivot shaft 9 corresponds to a length obtained by subtracting the
amount of eccentricity from the radial distance of the circle.
Using the circular eccentric cam 14A mentioned above, the structure
of the cam mechanism is made simple. Accordingly, the handle 4 or
the saddle 7 can be smoothly moved up and down so as to improve a
use feeling, and it is preferable in points that the cost can be
suppressed and the maintenance can be easily executed.
[0092] The handle shaft 3 and the saddle shaft 6 in which the
vertical motion is repeated little by little by the elevating means
13 having the cam wheel 14, are inserted to the handle support tube
16 and the saddle support tube 18 so as to be supported as
mentioned above. Therefore, friction is reduced, resulting in
smooth vertical movement. As a result, the rotating motion of the
pedal 10 becomes smooth, and an unreasonable load is not applied to
the knee, the foot or the like of the user.
[0093] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the
lower portion of the handle shaft 3 is bridged a spring 25 with
respect to the swing arm 15, and is provided with a pressing means
26 for pressing the roller 24A in the lower end portion of the
handle shaft 3, and the roller 24B in the front end portion of the
swing arm 15 toward the cam wheel 14. Owing to the pressing means
26, the handle shaft 3 does not flip up even if the rotating speed
of the cam wheel 14 becomes high. Accordingly, the roller 24A can
smoothly roll along the surface of the cam wheel 14. As a result,
the handle shaft 3 can be smoothly moved up and down without
rattling. Further, the roller B of the swing arm 15 can smoothly
roll along the lower surface of the cam wheel 14.
[0094] The canceling means 20 is constituted by a handle shaft
holding means 21 provided in the handle portion 5, and a saddle
shaft holding means 22 provided in the saddle portion 8, as shown
in FIG. 10. Further, the vertical motions of the handle 4 and the
saddle 7 can be respectively selected so as to be individually
stopped.
[0095] The handle shaft holding means 21 is formed by front holding
holes 42F of the handle shaft 3, and a front support pin 23F
continuously passing through them, as shown in FIG. 2. In the case
of lifting up the handle shaft 3 a little, the front holding holes
42F lying concealed in the inner side of the handle support tube 16
moves upward higher than an upper edge portion of the handle
support tube 16 so as to be exposed to the outer portion. In this
state, in the case of inserting the front support pin 23F to the
front holding holes 42F and canceling the lift-up of the handle
shaft 3, the front support pin 23F fixed to the front holding holes
42F is engaged with the upper edge portion of the handle support
tube 16 and is supported at the height position, as shown in FIG.
10. As a result, the roller 24A in the lower end of the handle
shaft 3 is moved upward away from the peripheral surface of the
rotating cam wheel 14. Accordingly, the handle 4 is not lifted up
by the cam wheel 14 rotating on the basis of the pedaling exercise,
and standstills while the vertical motion is stopped. The handle
shaft holding means 21 mentioned above can securely cancel the
elevating motion of the handle 4 on the basis of the simple
structure. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, when the front support
pin 23F is not used, it is elastically engaged with a clip-shaped
holder 55 in the front surface of the handle shaft 3 so as to be
temporarily placed.
[0096] Further, the saddle shaft holding means 22 is formed by a
support hole 38 formed in the saddle support tube 18., the rear
holding hole 42B of the saddle shaft 6, and a rear support pin 23B
attached to the saddle support tube 18 via a chain 56, as shown in
FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 10, when lifting up the saddle shaft 6 a
little, the support hole 38 and the rear holding hole 42B are
communicated with each other by matching at their heights, and the
rear support pin 23B is continuously inserted to the support hole
38 and the front holding hole 42F. The saddle shaft 6 is supported
to the rear supporting pin 23B so as to be fixed at the height
position in the manner mentioned above. Accordingly, the projection
piece 19 provided in the lower end is positioned so as to be upward
away from the rear end portion of the swing arm 15 swinging in
conjunction with the rotating cam wheel 14. As a result, the saddle
7 is not pushed up by the swing arm 15 swung on the basis of the
pedaling exercise, and standstills while stopping the vertical
motion. The saddle shaft holding means 22 structured in the manner
mentioned above can securely cancel the elevating motion of the
saddle 7 on the basis of the simple structure.
[0097] As mentioned above, there is provided the canceling means 20
which is individually provided with the handle shaft holding means
21 and the saddle shaft holding means 22 capable of stopping the
vertical motions of the handle 4 and the saddle 7, and can
independently select the stops of the vertical motions.
Accordingly, the pedaling exercise can be executed by selecting an
associated mode in which both of the handle 4 and the saddle 7 are
moved up and down, a saddle swing mode in which only the saddle 7
is moved up and down, a handle swing mode in which only the handle
4 is moved up and down, and a stationary mode in which both of the
handle 4 and the saddle 7 are stationary, in correspondence to the
combination thereof. Various changes are generated in the training
on the basis of the changes in each of the modes, it is possible to
amusingly execute the training for a change of air, and it is
possible to freely select the mode in correspondence to a personal
preference. Further, it is possible to select an amount of exercise
in correspondence to a degree of fatigue and a physical strength,
by increasing and decreasing the exercise load on the basis of the
switching.
[0098] Further, the canceling means 20 employs the simple structure
of cutting off the coordinated motion with the cam shaft 14 by
using the support pin 23 which is engaged with the handle support
tube 16 or the saddle support tube 18, and is engaged with the
handle shaft 3 or the saddle shaft 6 inserted thereto. Accordingly,
it is possible to securely cancel the elevating motions of the
handle 4 and the saddle 7 on the basis of the simple operation
generated only by inserting the support pin 23.
[0099] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a box-like
housing 67 having an open lower side is fixed to the base frame
portion 2 so as to cover the elevating means 13. Since it is
possible to prevent the user's clothing or the like from getting
caught in the movable portion on the basis of a provision of the
housing 67, a safety is improved. Further, it is possible to
improve a reliability of the drive portion by a dustproof. A
bellows-shaped sleeve 68 is integrally provided in a rising manner
in a rear portion of the housing 67, and is outside inserted to the
saddle support tube 18.
[0100] FIG. 12 exemplifies the other embodiment. A description will
be given below of different contents and a description of the other
will be omitted by attaching the same reference numerals to the
main structured appearing in the drawing. The swing arm 15 in
accordance with the present embodiment is provided with the pair of
rollers 27 and 27 which are arranged back and forth in a front end
portion thereof so as to be turned up. Further, the pair of rollers
27 and 27 is brought into slidable contact with the lower surface
of the cam wheel 14 in a state of being respectively axially
attached to both leading end portions of an approximately U-shaped
auxiliary device 66 pivoted to a front end portion of the swing arm
15 in a base portion. Accordingly, a pair of rollers 27 can
smoothly roll on the surface of the cam wheel 14 at two front and
rear points. Therefore, the saddle 7 can more securely and smoothly
move up and down.
[0101] FIGS. 13 and 14 exemplify further the other embodiment. The
cam wheel 14 in accordance with the present embodiment is provided
with the entire periphery cam surface 28 having a pair of far cam
surfaces 28A arranged in both sides of the pivot shaft 9 while
having the center of the pivot shaft 9 therebetween, and a pair of
inner cam surfaces 28E arranged in both sides of the pivot shaft 9
while having the center of the pivot shaft 9 therebetween in the
same manner. In the far cam surface 28A, the distance in the radial
direction from the center of the pivot shaft 9 is the longest. The
inner cam surface 28E is formed such that the radial distance is
smaller than the far cam surface 28A.
[0102] Further, in the same manner as the embodiment mentioned
above, the lower end of the handle shaft 3 is brought into slidable
contact with the upward surface of the cam wheel 14. Further, the
front portion of the swing arm 15 pushing up the saddle shaft 6 in
the rear portion is brought into slidable contact with the downward
surface of the cam wheel 14. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13, when
the inner cam surface 28E of the cam wheel 14 is positioned in the
vertical direction of the pivot shaft 9, both of the handle shaft 3
and the saddle shaft 6 are moved downward. Further, as shown in
FIG. 14, when the cam wheel 14 is rotated and the far cam surface
28A is positioned in the vertical direction of the pivot shaft 9,
the handle shaft 3 is directly pushed up by the far cam surface
28A. Further, since the front portion is pushed down, the saddle
shaft 6 is simultaneously pushed up by the rear portion of the
ascending swing arm 15. In the case that the cam wheel 14 is
rotated in the manner mentioned above, the sitting saddle and the
handle repeat the vertical motion at the same timing. Accordingly,
the user can amusingly train while getting into the rhythm by the
entire body. Further, since the saddle and the handle are moved up
and down in accordance with the same motion, the elderly person
that the exercise capacity such as physical reflexes or the like is
lowered can use with a safe conscience.
[0103] In the cam wheel 14 in accordance with the present
embodiment, the inner cam surface 28E is formed by the near cam
surface 28B in which the radial distance from the pivot shaft 9
exists in the shortest range in the entire periphery cam surface
28. Accordingly, the handle shaft 3 and the saddle shaft 6 can be
moved up and down largely to the maximum. Therefore, it is possible
to effectively stimulate the user, and it is possible to improve a
training effect by increasing the exercise load.
[0104] In the present embodiment, there is formed the entire
periphery cam surface 28 in which the far cam surface 28A and the
near cam surface 28B form the smoothly continuous circular arc
curved surface. Accordingly, the lower end portion of the saddle
shaft 6 or the front portion of the swing arm 15 brought into
slidable contact with the surface of the entire periphery cam
surface 28 can smoothly move while being brought into slidable
contact with the circular arc curved surface. Therefore, it is
possible to amusingly train on the basis of the light pedal
exercise. Further, since the saddle 7 or the handle 4 is
continuously moved up and down smoothly, it is possible to apply
the comfortable stimulation to the user.
[0105] In the cam wheel 14 in accordance with the present
embodiment, the pair of far cam surfaces 28A and the pair of near
cam surfaces 28B are respectively arranged symmetrically with
respect to the center of the pivot shaft 9. Further, a virtual line
connecting the far cam surfaces 28A through the center of the pivot
shaft 9 and a virtual line connecting the near cam surfaces 28B in
the same manner are arranged in such a manner as to intersect
perpendicularly at the center of the pivot shaft 9. In other words,
the far cam surfaces 28A and the near cam surfaces 28B are
alternately arranged at a uniform interval of 90 degree in the
peripheral direction from the center of the pivot shaft 9,
respectively. As a result, since the saddle 7 and the handle 4 are
moved up and down at a fixed cycle by rotating the pedal 10, the
regular vertical motion forms a comfortable stimulation, and it is
possible to comfortably train.
[0106] The cam wheel 14 in accordance with the present embodiment
employs an oval cam wheel 14B in which the virtual line connecting
the far cam surfaces 28A to each other through the center of the
pivot shaft 9 is set to a long axis, and the virtual line
connecting the near cam surfaces 28B to each other is set to a
short axis. Accordingly, since the handle shaft 3 and the saddle
shaft 6 brought into slidable contact with the entire periphery cam
surface 28 repeat a smooth and regular vertical motion, it is
possible to obtain a comfortable stimulation.
[0107] In this case, the description mentioned above exemplifies
the mode for carrying out the present invention. Accordingly, the
technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this,
but various modified embodiments are included in addition to the
embodiments mentioned above.
* * * * *