U.S. patent application number 11/351992 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for foldable step exerciser.
This patent application is currently assigned to Iviva International Corp.. Invention is credited to Kuan-Yung Hsu, Chin-Liu Wang.
Application Number | 20070191189 11/351992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38369386 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070191189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Kuan-Yung ; et
al. |
August 16, 2007 |
Foldable step exerciser
Abstract
A foldable step exerciser has a base and two pedal members
symmetrically provided on two sides of the base. An interlock
member is moveably connected to the base and a stopping element is
mounted in a rear end of the interlock member and can slide along
the base. A protrusion is mounted in a front end of the interlock
member and two driving members are respectively mounted between
each pedal and an end of the protrusion. When one of the pedals is
treaded downwards, the other pedal is moved upwards via the
protrusion being driven by the driving members and therefore, a
user can exercise. When the interlock member as well as the
stopping element is adjusted to move forwards and the pedals are
not limited by the stopping element, the pedals can be folded for
convenient storage.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Kuan-Yung; (Taichung,
TW) ; Wang; Chin-Liu; (Taichung, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOPER & DUNHAM, LLP
1185 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036
US
|
Assignee: |
Iviva International Corp.
|
Family ID: |
38369386 |
Appl. No.: |
11/351992 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/008 20130101;
A63B 2022/0053 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 22/0056
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/053 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. A foldable step exerciser comprising: a base having a girder
having a pin hole radially defined in a top of the girder, two
guiding blocks respectively provided on a bottom of the girder and
corresponding to the pin hole, a rail formed between the two
guiding blocks and longitudinally extending along the girder, a
pivotal element provided on a front end of the girder and having a
front shaft transversely mounted on of the pivotal element; and a
seat provided at the bottom of and perpendicular to the girder and
having a middle portion connected to the two guiding blocks; two
pedal members symmetrically provided on two sides of the girder and
each having a pedal, a front arm pivotally connected between a
bottom of the pedal and one end of the front shaft, a flat formed
on a lower end of the front arm, and a pressure cylinder provided
between the pedal and the seat; and an interlock member mounted
between the base and the pedal members and having a board inserted
into the seat and the rail, a first inserting hole defined in the
board and corresponding to the pin hole, a knob element inserted
into the pin hole and the first inserting hole whereby the
interlock member is securely connected to the girder, and a
protrusion transversely and pivotally mounted on a front end of the
board, and two driving members respectively provided between each
flat and one of two ends of the protrusion.
2. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rear
shaft is transversely mounted on the girder and is lower than the
front shaft, the seat has two wings formed respectively at two ends
of the seat and connected to two ends of the rear shaft, two rear
arms are respectively and pivotally connected to the bottom of the
pedals, and the rear arms are respectively and pivotally connected
to the ends of the rear shaft, a elongated hole is defined in the
girder, and a C-like holder is formed on a front end of the board
and an upper end of the holder is received into the elongated hole,
an orifice is longitudinally defined in the holder and a pivotal
orifice is defined in a center of the holder, and an axle is
inserted into the orifice and pivotally inserted in the pivotal
orifice.
3. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
guiding slot is defined in the top of the girder, a stopping
element is inserted into the guiding slot and is connected to the
board, a lug is formed on an upper end of the stopping element and
a finger is formed at a lower end of the stopping block and extends
downwards to connect to the board, and two stopping blocks are
respectively provided on the bottoms of the pedals, laterally
extend above the girder and correspond to the upper end of the
stopping element.
4. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each
driving element has a shank and a pole, a threaded aperture is
defined in a rear end of the shank and a first bear is formed in a
front end of the shank, a second threaded portion is formed in a
front end of the pole and corresponding to the threaded aperture in
the shank, and a second bear is formed in a rear end of the pole,
each flat has a through hole and the protrusion of the interlock
member has two through apertures defined in two ends of the
protrusion, and wherein each first bear is connected to a
corresponding flat and each second bear is connected to one of the
ends of the protrusion so that each driving member is pivotally
connected to the corresponding flat and the protrusion.
5. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 3, wherein each
driving element has a shank and a pole, a threaded aperture is
defined in a rear end of the shank and a first bear is formed in a
front end of the shank, a second threaded portion is formed in a
front end of the pole and corresponding to the threaded aperture in
the shank, and a second bear is formed in a rear end of the pole,
each flat has a through hole and the protrusion of the interlock
member has two through apertures defined in two ends of the
protrusion, and wherein each first bear is connected to a
corresponding flat and each second bear is connected to one of the
ends of the protrusion so that each driving member is pivotally
connected to the corresponding flat and the protrusion.
6. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rod
has an arcuate post provided in a rear end of the girder and a
handle is transversely provided between two ends of the post.
7. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 3, wherein a rod
has an arcuate post provided in a rear end of the girder and a
handle is transversely provided between two ends of the post.
8. The folded step exercise as claimed in claim 3, wherein a
magnetic block and a sensor are respectively and securely mounted
on the stopping blocks.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a foldable step exerciser,
and more particularly to a step exerciser which is easy to fold for
storage.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A first conventional step exerciser has a base and two seats
symmetrically provided on the base. Two pedals, each of which has
two wings formed thereon, are respectively provided on the seats
and two resistance members are respectively pivotally mounted
between each pedal and the base. A holder is mounted on rear ends
of the seats and has a plat received therein. Two interlock members
are respectively mounted between each wing and one of two ends of
the plat. The wings are respectively driven by the interlock
members via the plat so that the pedals can be moved up and down,
or right and left for an user to step. However, the first
conventional step exerciser has a large volume and can not be
folded thereby difficult to move or store and occupies a large
space.
[0005] A second conventional step exerciser has a base, a pulley
mounted in a front end of the base, and two pedals pivotally and
respectively mounted on two sides of the base. A pressure cylinder
is provided between the two pedals and the base. A rope is wrapped
around the pulley and connected to the pedals so that the pedals
are moved up and down via being driven by the rope. However, the
rope must be detached from the pulley to fold and store the second
conventional step exerciser.
[0006] Therefore, the invention provides a folded step exerciser to
mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
foldable step exerciser which is easy to fold and store.
[0008] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable step
exerciser in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a driving member
of the foldable step exerciser in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foldable step exerciser
in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view in partial section of the foldable
step exerciser in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a first operational side view of the foldable step
exerciser in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a second operational side view of the foldable
step exerciser in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of the foldable step
exerciser in FIG. 1 in a folded condition;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the foldable step
exerciser in FIG. 1 in a folded condition;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side view of the foldable step exerciser in FIG.
1 in a folded condition;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective of the foldable step exerciser in
FIG. 1 provided with shells; and
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side view of the foldable step exerciser with
the shells in FIG. 10 in a folded condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a folded step exerciser
comprises a base (10), two pedal members (20) symmetrically
provided in two sides of the base (10), and an interlock member
(30) mounted in the base (10) and connected to the pedal members
(20).
[0021] The base (10) has a girder (11), a reverse D-like rod (12),
a C-like pivotal element (13), a rear shaft (14), a front shaft
(15) and a seat (16). The girder (11) has a pin hole (111) and a
guiding slot (112) separately defined in a top thereof. A pin tube
(1111) is inserted into the pin hole (111), and a lower end of the
pin tube (1111) is connected to a bottom of the girder (11) while
an upper end of the pin tube (1111) extends out of the top of the
girder (11). A flange (1112) is formed at an inner upper end of the
pin tube (1111). A elongated hole (113) is defined in the bottom of
the girder (11) and a rear axle hole (114) is defined in one side
of the girder (11) and transversely provided between the elongated
hole (113) and the pin hole (111).
[0022] Two guiding blocks (115) are respectively and symmetrically
provided on the bottom of the girder (11) and correspond to the pin
hole (111). A rail (116) is formed between the two guiding blocks
(115) and longitudinally extends along the girder (11). Two first
threaded holes (1151) are respectively defined in each guiding
block (115).
[0023] The reverse D-like rod (12) has an arcuate post provided in
a rear end of the girder (11) and a handle (121) transversely
provided between two ends of the arcuate post thereby a user
grasping the handle (121) for keeping balance. The C-like pivotal
element (13) is provided in a front end of the girder (11), and a
top end of the pivotal element (13) is provided above the girder
(11). A front axle hole (131) is transversely defined through two
sides of the pivotal element (13) and is above the rear axle hole
(114).
[0024] The rear shaft (14) has two second threaded holes (141)
respectively defined in two ends thereof and a middle portion of
the rear shaft (14) is inserted into the rear axle hole (114). Two
first beam barrels (142) are respectively mounted around two
opposed portions of the rear shaft (14) exposed out of the girder
(11). Two collars (143), each of which has a diminished end and a
thick end, are respectively attached to two ends of the rear shaft
(14) via the diminished ends. The thick ends are respectively level
with the ends of the rear shaft (14).
[0025] The front shaft (15), shorter than the rear axle shaft (14),
has a two first threaded portions (151) formed in two ends thereof
and a middle portion of the front axle shaft (15) is inserted into
the front axle hole (131). Two second beam barrels (152), each of
which has a diminished end and a thick end exposed out of the
pivotal element (13), are respectively attached to two ends of the
front shaft (15) via the diminished ends. Two first nuts (153) are
respectively screwed onto the first threaded portions (151) to
position the front shaft (15) on the pivotal element (13).
[0026] The seat (16) is provided at the bottom of and perpendicular
to the girder (11). The seat (16) has a plane (161) formed thereon
and a middle portion of the plane (161) is provided at the bottom
of the girder (11). A first opening (1611) is defined in the plane
(161) and corresponds to the pin hole (111). Four lock holes (1612)
are respectively defined in the plane (161) and correspond to the
first threaded holes (1151). Four first bolts (1613) are
respectively inserted through the lock holes (1612) and screwed
into the first threaded holes (1151) so that the plane (161) is
securely mounted under the girder (11).
[0027] Two wings (162) are respectively formed in two opposed ends
of the plane (16) and extend upright. Two second openings (1621)
are respectively defined in the wings (162). Two second bolts (163)
are respectively extended through the second openings (1621) and
screwed into the second threaded holes (141) so that the plane (16)
is securely mounted on the rear shaft (14) and under the girder
(11). Two C-like lower cylinder seats (164) are provided on the top
respectively near two ends of the plane (161).
[0028] The pedal members (20) are symmetrically provided on two
sides of the girder (11) and each pedal member (20) has a pedal
(21), a front arm seat (211) provided on a bottom of the pedal (21)
and a rear arm seat (212) provided on the bottom of the pedal (21).
An upper cylinder seat (213) is mounted on the bottom of each pedal
(21) and between the front arm seat (211) and the rear arm seat
(212). Two front arms (22) are respectively and pivotally connected
to the front arm seats (211) and each has a first sleeve (221)
provided at a free end thereof. The first sleeves (221) are
respectively mounted around the front beam barrels (152) so that
the front arms (22) can be pivoted. Two flats (222) are
respectively formed on the first sleeves (221) and extend
substantially downwards. A through hole is defined through a lower
end of each flat (222).
[0029] A rear arm (23) is pivotally connected to each rear arm seat
(212) and parallel to the corresponding front arm (22). A second
sleeve (231) is formed in a lower end of each rear arm seat (23)
and mounted around one of the collars (143) thereby pivotally
rotating. A pressure cylinder (24) is pivotally connected between
each upper cylinder seat (213) and one of the lower cylinder seats
(164). A stopping block (214) is provided on the bottom of each
pedal (21) and extends laterally above the girder (11). A magnetic
block (2141) and a sensor (2142) are respectively and securely
mounted on the stopping blocks (214) so that each sensor (2142) can
monitor the passing times of the magnetic block (2141) mounted on
the other pedal (21) when the step exerciser is working. Hence,
times of treading the pedals (21) by the user can be
calculated.
[0030] The interlock member (30) has a board (31) extending into
the seat (16) and the rail (116). A first inserting hole (311) is
defined in the board (31) and corresponds to the pin hole (111),
and a second inserting hole (314) is defined in the board (31). A
knob element (32) has a knob (321) and a bar (322) inserted into
the pin tube (1111) and extends out of the flange (1112). A head
(3221), the diameter of which is slightly bigger than that of rest
of the bar (322), is formed in a lower end of the bar (322). A coil
spring (323) is mounted around the bar (322) and between head
(3221) of the bar (322) and the flange (1112). The bar (322)
extends through the first opening (1611), the coil spring (322) and
the first inserting hole (311) so that the board (31) is securely
connected to the girder (11). The bar (322) can be alternatively
inserted into the second inserting hole (314) also to position the
board (31) at a different location relative to the girder (11) and
therefore, the position of the board (31) can be adjusted relative
to the girder (11).
[0031] A stopping block (33) is connected to the board (31) via the
guiding slot (112) and has a lug (331) formed on an upper end
thereof. A finger (332) is formed at a lower end of the stopping
block (33) and extends downwards to connect to the board (31). The
lug (331) corresponds to the stopping blocks (214).
[0032] A C-like holder (312) is formed at a front end of the board
(31) and an upper end of the holder (312) is received into a rear
end of the elongated hole (113). An orifice (3121) is
longitudinally defined in the holder (312). A protrusion (34) is
transversely mounted in the holder (312) and a pivotal orifice
(341) is defined in a center of the protrusion (34). An axle (313)
is inserted into the orifice (3121) and the pivotal orifice (341)
in turn and two through apertures (342) are respectively defined in
two ends of the protrusions (34). A driving element (35) is
pivotally provided between each flat (222) and a corresponding
protrusion (34) via the through hole and one of the through
apertures (342).
[0033] Each driving element (35) comprises a shank (351) and a pole
(352). A threaded aperture is defined in a rear end of the shank
(351) and a first bear (3512) is formed in a front end of the shank
(351). A second threaded portion (3521) is formed in a front end of
the pole (352) and corresponds to the threaded aperture in the
shank (351). A second bear (3522) is formed in a rear end of the
pole (352). A third bolt (36) is inserted into the through hole in
the corresponding flat (222) and the first bear (3512) in turn and
engaged with a second nut (37). A fourth bolt (30) is inserted into
the through aperture (342) in the corresponding protrusion (34) and
the second bear (3522) in turn and engaged with a third nut
(38).
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, one of the pedals (21)
is moved downwards slowly via the resistance force of the
corresponding pressure cylinder (24) when it is treaded by a user.
The front arm (22) of the stepped pedal (21) is pivotally moved so
that the flat (222) connected to the front arm (22) of the foresaid
pedal (21) drives the corresponding driving element (35) forwards.
Then, the protrusion (34) is rotated and drives the other driving
element (35) rearwards. Hence, the other flat (222) is driven
rearwards and therefore, the other arm (22) pivotally connected to
another pedal (21) is move upwards.
[0035] Additionally, when the other pedal (21) is moved downwards,
the corresponding pedal (21) is moved upwards so that the user can
exercise conveniently. The treaded pedal (21) can be stopped via
the corresponding stopping block (214) attaching to the stopping
element (33) so that the pedal members (20) don't collide with the
base (10). Furthermore, the shank (351) is connected to the pole
(352) via the second threaded portion (352) so that the length of
the driving element (35) can be adjusted and the treading process
of the user can also be adjusted.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 4, 7-9, when the knob element (32)
is pulled out of the first opening (1611) and the first inserting
opening (311), the board (31) slides along the rail (116) so that
the holder (312) as well as the protrusion (34) can be moved to a
front end of the long hole (113). Hence, the stopping element (34)
is moved forwards along the guiding slot (112) and therefore, the
stopping blocks (214) are respectively detached from the stopping
element (33) to move downwards. Furthermore, the flats (222) are
moved forwards integrally so that the arms (22) and the pedals (21)
are moved downwards and horizontally and received between the rod
(12) and the seat (16) to shrink the volume of the present
invention for storage.
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, two pads (40) are
respectively mounted on the pedals (21). A first shell (41) is
mounted around the pivotal element (13), a second shell (42) is
mounted around the seat (16) and two third shells (43) are
respectively mounted around the front arms (22) to reduce damage
and improve the appearance of the step exerciser.
[0038] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only. Changes may be made in details, especially in
matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *