U.S. patent application number 11/461287 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for elliptical exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Lung-Huei LEE.
Application Number | 20070238582 11/461287 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37563149 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070238582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Lung-Huei |
October 11, 2007 |
ELLIPTICAL EXERCISE APPARATUS
Abstract
An elliptical exercise apparatus includes: a main frame; a crank
assembly mounted on a rear end of the base support; a pair of swing
rods pivotally connected to a front and of the base support; a pair
of couplers slidably and respectively mounted on lever portions of
the swing rods; a pair of guide rails, each being pivotally
connected to the respective lever portion and the crank assembly so
as to perform a reciprocating movement when the lever portions are
swung; a pair of footrests slidably mounted on the guide rails to
be alternately moved along reciprocating routes respectively; and a
pair of linkages, each being pivotally connected to a bottom end of
the respective swing rod and the respective footrest such that the
footrests are moved alternately and respectively along elliptical
paths.
Inventors: |
LEE; Lung-Huei; (Taichung
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN HAM & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37563149 |
Appl. No.: |
11/461287 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0015 20130101;
A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 2022/067 20130101; A63B 22/0664
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 7, 2006 |
TW |
095112453 |
Claims
1. An elliptical exercise apparatus comprising: a main frame
including a base support adapted to be supported on a supporting
surface and having front and rear ends opposite to each other in a
longitudinal direction, and an upstanding support connected to said
front end of said base support; a crank assembly including a crank
pin which defines a rotating axis, and which is mounted on said
rear end of said base support, and a pair of crank shafts which are
disposed diametrically opposite to each other relative to the
rotating axis and which extend in a transverse direction relative
to the longitudinal direction; a pair of swing rods, each having a
swing fulcrum which is pivotally connected to said upstanding
support, and handle and lever portions disposed respectively at
upper and lower opposite sides of the swing fulcrum, said lever
portion being swung about said swing fulcrum, and having a bottom
end and a positioning segment which is disposed between said bottom
end and said swing fulcrum; a pair of couplers, each of which is
mounted on and which is slidable along said positioning segment of
a respective one of said swing rods; a pair of first locking units,
each of which is disposed to arrest a sliding movement of a
respective one of said couplers along said positioning segment of
the respective one of said swing rods; and a treadle assembly
including a pair of guide rails, each having a rear rail end which
is pivotally connected to a respective one of said crank shafts, a
front rail end which is pivotally connected to a respective one of
said couplers, and a middle rail portion which is interposed
between said front and rear rail ends, and which performs a
reciprocating movement when said lever portion of a respective one
of said swing rods is swung, a pair of footrests which are mounted
on and which are slidable along said middle rail portions of said
guide rails, respectively, such that by virtue of rotation of said
crank shafts about the rotating axis, said footrests are
alternately moved along reciprocating routes respectively, and a
pair of linkages, each having front and rear pivot ends that are
respectively and pivotally connected to said bottom end of a
respective one of said swing rods and a respective one of said
footrests such that said footrests are moved alternately and
respectively along elliptical paths.
2. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
positioning segment of each of said swing rods has a plurality of
adjustment holes displaced from one another along a lengthwise axis
thereof, each of said couplers being in tubular shape, being
sleeved on said positioning segment, and having a through hole
which extends therethrough to be aligned with a selected one of
said adjustment holes, each of said first locking units including a
first nut member which has a first tapped hole and which is
disposed on a respective one of said couplers so as to register
said first tapped hole with said through hole, and a first locking
bolt which has a first threaded segment that threadedly engages
said first tapped hole, and a first latch segment that is disposed
to extend from said first threaded segment such that, by virtue of
screw movement of said first threaded segment in said first tapped
hole, said first latch segment is movable between a locking
position, where said first latch segment is inserted into a
selected one of said adjustment holes, and an unlocking position,
where said first latch segment is disengaged from the selected one
of said adjustment holes so as to permit movement of the respective
one of said couplers along the lengthwise axis.
3. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of
said linkages includes front and rear tubular pieces which
respectively have said front and rear pivot ends, and first and
second connected ends that are telescopically fitted to each other
so as to permit adjustment of a distance between said front and
rear pivot ends, said treadle assembly further including a pair of
second locking units, each being disposed to arrest movement of
said first connected end of said front tubular piece relative to
said second connected end of said rear tubular piece of a
respective one of said linkages.
4. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of
said first and second connected ends of said front and rear tubular
pieces of each of said linkages has a plurality of adjustment holes
displaced from one another along a lengthwise axis thereof, the
other one of said first and second connected ends of said front and
rear tubular pieces of each of said linkages having a through hole
which extends therethrough to be aligned with a selected one of
said adjustment holes, each of said second locking units including
a second nut member which has a second tapped hole that is
registered with said through hole, and a second locking bolt which
has a second threaded segment that threadedly engages said second
tapped hole, and a second latch segment that extends from said
second threaded segment such that by virtue of screw movement of
said second threaded segment in said second tapped hole, said
second latch segment is movable to be inserted into a selected one
of said adjustment holes or to disengage from the selected one of
said adjustment holes so as to permit movement of said second
tubular piece along the lengthwise axis.
5. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said crank
assembly includes a wheel which has said crank pin mounted at a
center thereof so as to be rotatable about the rotating axis, said
crank shafts being disposed adjacent to a rim of said wheel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application
No. 095112453, filed on Apr. 7, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an elliptical exercise apparatus,
more particularly to an elliptical exercise apparatus which is
adjustable to provide a satisfactory elliptical path for suiting
different operators.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A conventional elliptical exercise apparatus generally
includes footrests which are affixed to footrest shafts that
perform a reciprocating movement by means of swinging of swing
rods. Thus, during operation, only a limited elliptical route of
the footrests can be achieved. As a result, the operator cannot
obtain a sufficient amount of exercise, and cannot exercise with
comfort. In a Taiwanese Utility Model Patent No. M282705 filed by
the applicant, there is disclosed an elliptical exercise apparatus,
which includes footrests that are slidable along guide rails when
the footrests move along an elliptical route so as to permit the
operator's feet to stretch sufficiently and to enable the operator
to work out smoothly and comfortably. However, it is desirable to
improve the elliptical exercise apparatus so that the elliptical
route of the footrests is adjustable to meet different exercising
requirements, and the span between the footrests is adjustable to
suit different operators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an
elliptical exercise apparatus which can meet different exercising
requirements and suit different operators.
[0007] According to this invention, the elliptical exercise
apparatus includes a main frame, a crank assembly, a pair of swing
rods, a pair of couplers, a pair of locking units, and a treadle
assembly. The main frame includes a base support adapted to be
supported on a supporting surface and having front and rear ends,
and an upstanding support connected to the front end of the base
support. The crank assembly includes a crank pin which defines a
rotating axis, and which is mounted on the rear end of the base
support, and a pair of crank shafts which are disposed
diametrically opposite to each other relative to the rotating axis.
Each of the swing rods has a swing fulcrum pivotally connected to
the upstanding support, and handle and lever portions disposed
respectively at upper and lower opposite sides of the swing
fulcrum. The lever portion is swung about the swing fulcrum, and
has a bottom end and a positioning segment disposed between the
bottom end and the swing fulcrum. Each of the couplers is mounted
on and is slidable along the positioning segment. Each of the
locking units is disposed to arrest sliding movement of the
respective coupler along the positioning segment. The treadle
assembly includes a pair of guide rails, a pair of footrests, and a
pair of linkages. Each of the guide rails has a rear rail end
pivotally connected to the respective crank shaft, a front rail end
pivotally connected to the respective couplers, and a middle rail
portion interposed between the front and rear rail ends and
disposed to perform a reciprocating movement when the lever portion
is swung. The footrests are mounted on and are slidable along the
middle rail portions of the guide rails, respectively, such that by
virtue of the rotation of the crank shafts about the rotating axis,
the footrests are alternately moved along reciprocating routes
respectively. Each of the linkages has front and rear pivot ends
that are respectively and pivotally connected to the bottom end and
the respective footrest such that the footrests are moved
alternately and respectively along elliptical paths.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment
of an elliptical exercise apparatus according to this
invention;
[0010] FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary sectional views of a portion
of the preferred embodiment in which a coupler is at different
height positions; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating different swing
paths of a swing rod of the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of an
elliptical exercise apparatus according to the present invention is
shown to comprise a main frame 1, a crank assembly 6, a pair of
swing rods 2, a pair of couplers 31, a pair of first locking units
3, and a treadle assembly 4.
[0013] The main frame 1 includes a base support 11 which is adapted
to be supported on a supporting surface, such as a ground surface,
and which has front and rear ends 111,112 opposite to each other in
a longitudinal direction, and an upstanding support 12 which is
connected to the front end 111 of the base support 11.
[0014] The crank assembly 6 includes a wheel 61 which has a crank
pin 62 that is mounted at a center thereof to define a rotating
axis, and that is mounted on the rear end 112 of the base support
11 so as to be rotatable about the rotating axis, and a pair of
crank shafts 63 which are disposed adjacent to a rim of the wheel
61, which are diametrically opposite to each other relative to the
rotating axis, and which extend in a transverse direction relative
to the longitudinal direction.
[0015] Each of the swing rods 2 has a swing fulcrum 21 which is
pivotally connected to the upstanding support 12, and handle and
lever portions 22,23 which are disposed respectively at upper and
lower opposite sides of the swing fulcrum 21. The lever portion 23
is swung about the swing fulcrum 21, and has a bottom end 231 and a
positioning segment 232 which is disposed between the bottom end
231 and the swing fulcrum 21. The positioning segment 232 of each
of the swing rods 2 has a plurality of adjustment holes 24
displaced from one another along a lengthwise axis thereof.
[0016] Each of the couplers 31 is in tubular shape, is sleeved on
the positioning segment 232 so as to be slidable therealong, and
has a through hole 311 which extends therethrough to be aligned
with a selected one of the adjustment holes 24.
[0017] Each of the first locking units 3 includes a first nut
member 321 which has a first tapped hole and which is disposed on a
respective one of the couplers 31 so as to register the first
tapped hole with the through hole 311, and a first locking bolt 32
which has a first threaded segment 323 that threadedly engages the
first tapped hole, and a first latch segment 322 that is disposed
to extend from the first threaded segment 323. By virtue of screw
movement of the first threaded segment 323 in the first tapped
hole, the first latch segment 322 is movable to a locking position,
where the first latch segment 322 is inserted into a selected one
of the adjustment holes 24 so as to arrest a sliding movement of a
respective one of the couplers 31 along the positioning segment
232.
[0018] The treadle assembly 4 includes a pair of guide rails 41, a
pair of footrests 42, a pair of linkages 43, and a pair of second
locking units 5. Each of the guide rails 41 has a rear rail end 412
which is pivotally connected to a respective one of the crank
shafts 63, a front rail end 411 which is pivotally connected to a
respective one of the couplers 31, and a middle rail portion 413
which is interposed between the front and rear rail ends 411,412,
and which performs a reciprocating movement when the lever portion
23 of a respective one of the swing rods 2 is swung. The footrests
42 are mounted on and are slidable along the middle rail portions
413 of the guide rails 41, respectively, such that by virtue of the
rotation of the crank shafts 63 about the rotating axis, the
footrests 42 are alternately moved along reciprocating routes
respectively.
[0019] Each of the linkages 43 includes front and rear tubular
pieces 431,432 which respectively have front and rear pivot ends
435,436 that are respectively and pivotally connected to the bottom
end 231 of the respective swing rod 2 and the respective footrest
42 such that the footrests 42 are moved alternately and
respectively along elliptical paths, and first and second connected
ends 437,438 which are telescopically fitted to each other so as to
adjust a distance between the front and rear pivot ends 431,432.
The second connected end 438 of the rear tubular piece 432 has a
plurality of adjustment holes 434 displaced from one another along
a lengthwise axis thereof. The first connected end 437 of the front
tubular piece 431 has a through hole 433 which extends therethrough
to be aligned with a selected one of the adjustment holes 434.
[0020] Each of the second locking units 5, similar to the first
locking unit 3, includes a second nut member 51 which has a second
tapped hole that is registered with the through hole 433, and a
second locking bolt 50 which has a second threaded segment 53 that
threadedly engages the second tapped hole, and a second latch
segment 52 that extends from the second threaded segment 53 such
that by virtue of screw movement of the second threaded segment 53
in the second tapped hole, the second latch segment 52 is movable
to be inserted into a selected one of the adjustment holes 434 so
as to arrest the movement of the first connected end 437 of the
front tubular piece 431 relative to the second connected end 438 of
the rear tubular piece 432.
[0021] When the operator stands on the footrests 42 with hands
grasping the handle portions 22, and exerts a force on the
footrests 42 in an alternating manner, the guide rails 41, the
linkages 43 and the crank assembly 6 move by virtue of the
interconnections described above to result an elliptical motion of
the footrest 42, thereby enabling in the operator's feet to travel
along an elliptical route.
[0022] When the span between the footrests 42 is too small or large
and makes the operator feel uncomfortable during exercising, the
second locking bolts 50 can be screwed out to disengage the second
latch segments 52 from the adjustment holes 434 so as to permit
movement of the second tubular pieces 432 along the lengthwise
axis, and, the distance between the front and rear pivot ends
435,436 can thus be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the sliding
course of the footrests 42 on the respective guide rails 41,
thereby resulting in adjustment of the span between the footrests
42 as well as the span between the operator's feet.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, when it is desired to
increase or reduce the swing path (L1,L2) of the swing rods 2 so as
to lengthen or shorten the elliptical route, the first locking
bolts 32 are screwed out to an unlocking position, where the first
latch segments 322 are disengaged from the adjustment holes 24 so
as to permit movement of the couplers 31 along the respective
positioning segments 232. Thus, the front rail ends 411 of the
guide rails 41 are movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the
swing rods 2. For example, when the front rail ends 411 is moved
from point (A) to point (B), as shown in FIG. 4, a longer swing
path (L2) is achieved so that a longer elliptical course can be
obtained.
[0024] As illustrated, in the elliptical exercise apparatus of the
present invention, the span between the footrests 42 and the
elliptical paths of the footrests 42 can be adjusted to suit
different operators.
[0025] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretations and equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *