U.S. patent application number 11/850777 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for exercising device with combined stepping and twisting functions.
Invention is credited to Moamar Nardone.
Application Number | 20080064572 11/850777 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39157471 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080064572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nardone; Moamar |
March 13, 2008 |
Exercising Device with Combined Stepping and Twisting Functions
Abstract
The present invention relates to an exercising device with
combined stepping and twisting functions comprising a base member,
a stepper mechanism mounted on the base member, a stepper assembly
pivotably and rotatably secured with respect to the stepper
mechanism and base member in a manner that the stepper assembly is
capable of performing simultaneously or one at a time stepping and
twisting functions through an engaging rotatable mechanism into
which the stepper assembly is movably engaged through a linkage
means, and a selecting mechanism for selectively activating or
deactivating the functions being provided thereto.
Inventors: |
Nardone; Moamar; (Quezon
City, PH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADAM K. SACHAROFF;MUCH SHELIST FREED DENENBERG AMENT&RUBENSTEIN,PC
191 N. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1800
CHICAGO
IL
60606-1615
US
|
Family ID: |
39157471 |
Appl. No.: |
11/850777 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0012 20130101;
A63B 22/0066 20151001; A63B 2023/003 20130101; A63B 21/0442
20130101; A63B 22/14 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 21/012
20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 22/0064 20130101; A63B
2069/0033 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2006 |
PH |
PCT/PH06/00020 |
Claims
1. An exercising device with combined stepping and twisting
functions comprising: a base member, a stepper mounting means
mounted on said base member, a stepper assembly pivotably and
rotatably secured with respect to said mounting means and base
member in a manner that said stepper assembly is capable of
performing simultaneously or one at a time stepping and twisting
functions through an engaging rotatable mechanism into which said
stepper assembly is movably engaged through a linkage means, a
selecting means for selectively activating or deactivating said
functions being provided thereto; characterized in that said
stepper mounting means and engaging rotatable mechanism are
lockably and horizontally rotatable relative to each other and said
base member at a common axis of rotation located proximate the
central section of said device, such that a stepping function is
activated solely when said mounting means is made non-rotatable
relative to said base member while said mechanism being in a
rotatable state relative to said mounting means; a twisting
function is activated solely when said mechanism is made
non-rotatable relative to said mounting means while said mounting
means being in a rotatable state relative to said base member; and
combined stepping and twisting functions are activated
simultaneously when said mechanism is made non-rotatable relative
to said base member while said mounting means being in a rotatable
state relative to said base member and said mechanism; resulting in
a centralized assemblage of elements and mechanisms facilitating
the selective activation and deactivation of said functions.
2. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable
mechanism is in a form of a pair of complementing lower and upper
disk members, in which the lower disk member is fixedly secured to
said mounting means while the upper disk member that is rotatably
engaged with said lower disk member is rotatably mounted on said
base member through an upstanding axle provided thereon along said
common axis of rotation.
3. An exercising device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said
rotatable mechanism functions also as a stepper load resistance
that translates into a resistive force applied to said stepper
assembly.
4. An exercising device according to claim 3 wherein said rotatable
mechanism has the disk members thereof in a form of friction disks
that comprise of female disk and male disk members, respectively;
said male disk member having peripheral ridge frictionally engaging
with respective peripheral channel provided to said female member
whose engagement is compressively and adjustably secured by a
tightening means engaged with said axle.
5. An exercising device according to claim 4 wherein said
tightening means has an ergonomic handle suitably designed to
facilitate easy manual gripping and twisting action when in
use.
6. An exercising device according to claim 1 further characterized
in that said selecting means is a releasable knob-type lock, a pair
of which being provided to said mechanism wherein one lock is
releasably lockable to said mounting means and the other lock being
releasably lockable to said base member that is also provided with
another same type of lock being releasably lockable to said
mounting means.
7. An exercising device according to claim 6 wherein said knob-type
lock is in a form that comprises of a spring-biased latch member
slidably mounted in a sleeve fixedly secured on said mechanism and
base member, said latch member being lockably engageable with
corresponding catch provided to said mounting means and base member
when said latch member is being released from the spring-biased
engagement thereof with said sleeve in an unlocked normal
position.
8. An exercising device according to claim 7 wherein said latch
member is a generally tubular member that is spirally and
concentrically slidable longitudinally within said sleeve that is
in a form of a generally annular sleeve defining an inner elongated
member whose top end portion provided with a pre-determined means
for indicating the device's function, such that when said member is
in an upwardly lifted, biased normal unlocked position, said member
is concealed downwardly within said member, and when said member is
in a downwardly released, locked position, said member shows up
with the means thereof being exposed at the top portion of said
member, indicating the particular associated function of the device
that is at work as selected by a user.
9. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable
mountings of said rotatable mechanism and mounting means into said
axle adopt the use of bearing members.
10. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein said base
member is provided with a stopper that limits the rotational
displacement of said mounting means.
11. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein said stepper
assembly comprises: a pair of pedal arms with respective pedals,
said pedal arms being pivotably mounted, at the sleeved front end
portions thereof, to corresponding opposite side branching shaft
members provided upwardly on an upstanding frontal post member of
said mounting means, said sleeved end portion being connected to
said mechanism through said linkage means which is in a form of
two-part linkage member.
12. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein said base
member adopts any stable structural platforms selected from I-beam
type with front and rear anchor members, radial type with radial
anchor members, and any polygonal type with variations of anchor
member arrangements.
13. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein there is
provided a hand-exercising means mounted on said base member or
said mounting means.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to construction
forms and more specifically to an exercising device with combined
stepping and twisting functions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the prior art in which this invention appertains,
exercising devices having combined stepping and twisting functions
are well known. The trend of the advancement of the art is
seemingly headed towards the development and improvement of
different mechanisms that are used to provide the combined stepping
and twisting functions. These prior art are discussed briefly
hereunder.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,709 discloses an exerciser having
stepping and twisting functions in which its pedal arms cause their
respective tubular sleeves to rotate about a cylindrical body when
pressure is applied on one of the pedal arms, thereby resulting in
the combined stepping and twisting functions.
[0004] GB 2395443 discloses a stepping exerciser wherein the
twisting function is caused by the forced rotation of a follower
relative to a base which in turn causes foot supports to rotate
with the follower giving the user a twisting motion while
conducting stepping exercises.
[0005] In US2005020412, an exerciser for step and twist includes a
base and a swing device secured to the base. The swing device has a
pair of pedals which are secured to a post and linked by a cable to
a roller. Two ends of the cable are connected with extensions
protruding from the pedals. A spindle of the roller is provided
with a gear to mesh with the teeth of a disc on the base. When
stepping on the pedals, the cable links the roller to spin, whereas
the gear rolls along the teeth of the disc to move the pedals from
left to right or vice versa, thus, the exerciser provides a
stepping and twisting effects to users.
[0006] The foregoing exercisers do not provide a selection and
locking mechanism to allow the user to choose a preferred function,
i.e. stepping or twisting or both combined. Other similar
exercisers with combined step and twist functions are provided in
GB 2341332, FR2868958, U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,562, US2004097337, and
US2006035756.
[0007] While the foregoing exercisers in the prior art do not have
function-selecting means, there are some that teach combined step
and twist exercisers with locking and/or selection means which
allow the user to select preferred function such the following:
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,065, a combined step and twist
exerciser is provided that has a lower stationary support frame
with an upright shaft fixed thereto. It has a stepper mechanism
which has a base body mounted rotatably on the shaft and having a
front portion and a rear portion, a pair of spaced pedal arms, each
of which having a front end pivoted to the front portion and a rear
end portion extending from the front end toward the rear portion,
and a pair of resistance cylinders, each of which interconnecting
the rear end portion of a respective one of pedal arms and the base
body. A horizontal plate member is mounted to the shaft above the
base body and has two opposite spaced rear portions on two sides of
the shaft. A locking unit is provided to lock releasably the plate
member relative to the stationary support frame.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,461 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,253 disclose
and teach step and/or twist exercisers which may be selectively
inactivated so that only one or both of the functions could be
used.
[0010] Careful analysis of the aforementioned prior art reveals
that all their actuating mechanisms that allow their
functionalities to operate are relatively complex comprising of
multiple parts or elements. The functions they are capable of
performing are normally results of and/or inherent to the separate
interacting elements/mechanisms or assemblage of parts so
designed/configured to do such functions, hence, the more
functionalities desired, the more parts or elements needed or
required to comprise and operate such functionalities of the prior
art exercisers. It is also noteworthy that a separate element in a
form of hydraulic or pneumatic device is normally adopted by the
prior art to provide resistance to the stepper unit or pedal, a
feature that is common to most, if not all, of them. Furthermore,
selection of functions, i.e. stepping, twisting or combination of
both, is not that ergonomic or user-friendly to the users as it is
dictated by decentralized separate mechanisms performing such
functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention seeks to overcome the drawbacks and
shortcomings of the prior art by providing an exercising device
with combined stepping and twisting functions that is relatively
much simpler than those of the prior art in terms of the structural
features and number of elements/parts it comprises. It has a
centralized assemblage (C) of elements or mechanisms that
facilitates multiple functions through a simple selective and
pre-determined in operation or immobilization of certain part(s) or
element(s) or mechanism(s) thereof comprising the assemblage. Thus,
in operation, the invention is very ergonomic, convenient and
user-friendly to use and operate due to its easy and practical way
of selecting functions, i.e. stepping, twisting or combination of
both, that is also practically centralized as inherent result of
the centralized assemblage (C). In addition to that, the present
invention has the mechanism thereof capable of performing
functionalities, which are separately performed by respective
mechanisms or elements in the prior art, such as the application of
a stepper resistance.
[0012] The aforementioned capabilities and functionalities of the
invention are results of the characterizing features and elements
thereof disclosed and taught herein. The invention preferably
embodying an exercising device (10,10a), while comprising some of
the old elements in the prior art in combination with the
centralized assemblage (C) thereof, is characterized by a stepper
mounting means (12) and engaging rotatable mechanism (14),
preferably serving also as a stepper resistance-providing
mechanism, that are lockably and horizontally rotatable relative to
each other and base member (11) at a common axis of rotation (17)
located proximate the central section of the device (10,10a), such
that a stepping function is activated solely when the mounting
means (12) is made non-rotatable relative to the base member (11)
while the mechanism (14) being in a rotatable state relative to the
mounting means (12); a twisting function is activated solely when
the mechanism (14) is made non-rotatable relative to the mounting
means (12) while the mounting means (12) being in a rotatable state
relative to the base member (11); and combined stepping and
twisting functions are activated simultaneously when the mechanism
(14) is made non-rotatable relative to the base member (11) while
the mounting means (12) being in a rotatable state relative to the
base member (11) and the mechanism (14).
[0013] The primary object therefore of the present invention is to
provide an exercising device with combined stepping and twisting
functions that is capable of performing more functions or
functionalities such as stepping, twisting and combination of both,
including provision of stepper resistance, with less elements or
mechanisms, thus, very efficient, practical and economical to use,
manufacture and commercialize.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercising device with combined stepping and twisting functions
that has very ergonomic and user-friendly operating features,
especially the function-selection feature, that are centralized in
one area.
[0015] Still another object thereof is to provide an exercising
device with combined stepping and twisting functions that is does
not only provide an efficient, effective and practical way of
performing an exercise, but also an exerciser that is very easy to
use, operate and store or keep after usage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent, understood and appreciated upon reading the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the centralized
assemblage of elements/mechanisms thereof showing in inset views
the different functions thereof;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line
2-2 of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view thereof showing a preferred
embodiment of the function-selection knob-type lock thereof;
[0021] FIG. 4a is an enlarged inset view thereof as referred to
FIG. 4;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
thereof; and
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view thereof as referred
to FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Before describing the preferred embodiments of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the phraseologies and
terminologies employed herein are for purposes of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
[0025] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numerals designate the same components or elements all throughout
the succeeding description, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 an
exercising device with combined stepping and twisting functions
generally designated by reference numerals 10 and 10a,
respectively, comprising a base member 11, a stepper mounting means
12 mounted on the base member 11, and a stepper assembly 13
pivotably and rotatably secured with respect to the mounting means
12 and the base member 11 in a manner that the stepper assembly 13
is capable of performing, simultaneously or one at a time, stepping
and twisting functions. The stepper assembly 13 performs such
functions through an engaging rotatable mechanism 14 into which the
stepper assembly 13 is movably engaged through a linkage means 15.
A selecting means 16 for selectively activating or deactivating
such functions is provided to the device 10. With the combination
of elements just described, the present invention is characterized
in that the stepper mounting means 12 and engaging rotatable
mechanism 14 are lockably and horizontally rotatable with respect
to each other and the base member 11 at a common axis of rotation
17 located proximate the central section of the device 10,10a. With
such structural set-up of the invention, the following
functionalities are capable of being performed thereby: a stepping
function of the device 10,10a is activated solely when the mounting
means 12 is made non-rotatable relative to the base member 11 while
the mechanism 14 being in a rotatable state relative to the
mounting means 12; a twisting function is activated solely when the
mechanism 14 is made non-rotatable relative to the mounting means
12 while the mounting means 12 being in a rotatable state relative
to the base member 11; and combined stepping and twisting functions
are activated simultaneously when the mechanism 14 is made
non-rotatable relative to the base member 11 while the mounting
means 12 being in a rotatable state relative to the base member 11
and the mechanism 14.
[0026] The characterizing elements and features of the invention as
described above generally define a centralized assemblage of
elements or mechanisms "C" that facilitates the above-identified
multiple functions through a simple selective and pre-determined in
operation or immobilization of certain part(s) or element(s) or
mechanism(s) thereof, i.e. rotational mechanism 14 and mounting
means 12, essentially comprising the assemblage "C". Thus, in
operation, the invention is very ergonomic, convenient and
user-friendly to use and operate due to its easy and practical way
of selecting functions, i.e. stepping, twisting or combination of
both, that is also practically centralized as inherent result of
the centralized assemblage "C".
[0027] The rotatable mechanism 14 is preferably in a form of a pair
of complementing lower and upper disk members 18a and 18b,
respectively. The lower disk member 18a is fixedly secured to the
mounting means 12 while the upper disk member 18b that is rotatably
engaged with the lower disk member 18a is rotatably mounted on the
base member 11 through an upstanding axle 19 provided thereon along
the common axis of rotation 17. For the preferred embodiment of the
invention as shown in the illustrative example depicted in the
drawings, the rotatable mechanism 14 functions also as a stepper
load resistance that translates into a resistive force applied to
the stepper assembly 13. To effectively function as a varying
resistance to the stepping and rotating movements of the stepper
assembly 13, the lower and upper disk members 18a and 18b are
preferably in a form of friction disks comprising of female disk
and male disk members 18a' and 18b', respectively. The male disk
member 18b' having peripheral ridge 19b that is frictionally
engaged with respective peripheral channel 19a provided on the
female member 18a', the engagement of both members 18b' and 18a'
being compressively and adjustably secured by a tightening means 20
engaged with the axle 19. The tightening means 20 has a preferably
ergonomic handle 21 suitably designed to facilitate easy manual
gripping and twisting action when in use. This capability of the
mechanism 14 itself to function as a stepper resistance is
separately performed by another mechanism or element of the prior
art exerciser that is usually in form of an hydraulic or pneumatic
mechanism or device (not shown).
[0028] The locking means 16 allows or disallows relative rotational
movements among the essential elements, i.e. base member 11,
mounting means 12 and rotational mechanism 14. Preferably, this
locking means 16 is in a form of a releasable knob-type lock 16a.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention, a pair of the locks
16a is being provided to the mechanism 14 wherein one lock 16b is
releasably lockable to the mounting means 12, and the other lock
16c being releasably lockable to the base member 11 that is also
provided with another same type of lock 16d being releasably
lockable to the mounting means 12. The knob-type lock 16a is
preferably of a type that comprises a spring-biased latch member 22
slidably mounted in a sleeve 23 fixedly secured on the mechanism 14
and base member 11. The latch member 22 is lockably engageable with
a corresponding catch 24 provided to the mounting means 12 and base
member 11. In usage, when being released from the spring-biased
engagement thereof with the sleeve 23 in an unlocked normal
position, the latch member 22 is brought to lockably engage with
the corresponding catch 24.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment of the knob-type lock 16a shown
in FIG. 4, the latch member 22 is preferably a generally tubular
member 22a that is spirally and concentrically slidable
longitudinally within the sleeve 23 that is preferably in a form of
a generally annular sleeve 23a defining an inner elongated member
25 whose top end portion is being provided with a pre-determined
means 26 for indicating the function of the device selected during
use. This means 26 is preferably in forms of label, tag, sticker,
engraving, light, or any desired indicators. When the member 22a is
in an upwardly lifted, biased normal unlocked position, the member
25 is concealed downwardly within the member 22a. But when the
member 22a is in a downwardly released and locked position, the
member 25 shows up with the means 26 thereof being exposed at the
top portion of the member 22a, indicating the particular associated
function of the device 10,10a that is at work as selected by a
user.
[0030] In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the rotatable
mountings of the rotatable mechanism 14 and mounting means 12 into
the axle 19 adopt the use of bearing members 26. Furthermore, the
base member 11 is provided with a stopper 27 that limits the
rotational displacement of the mounting means 12. Their stepper
assemblies 13 respectively comprise of a pair of pedal arms 28 with
respective pedals 29, the pedal arms 28 being pivotably mounted, at
the sleeved front end portions thereof 28a, to corresponding
opposite side branching shaft members 30 provided upwardly on an
upstanding frontal post member 31 of the mounting means 12, the
sleeved end portion 28a being connected to the mechanism 14 through
the linkage means 15 which is in a form of two-part linkage member
15a. These features are clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for the
preferred embodiment of the invention in its basic form.
[0031] Preferably, the invention embodying the preferred devices 10
and 10a has the base member 11 thereof adopting any stable
structural platforms such as I-beam type 11a with front and rear
anchor members, radial type 11b with radial anchor members, and any
polygonal type with variations of anchor member arrangements (not
shown). In addition, there is likewise provided a means 32 mounted
on the base member 11 or the mounting means 12. This
hand-exercising means 32 is preferably in forms of a pair of handy
stretchable cords 33, a twistable upstanding pole member 34 with
oppositely branching horizontal handles 35, or a Nordic stick 36
conveniently mounted and positioned rearwardly of the device
10,10a.
[0032] Before defining the scope of the following claims, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications
to the details of the embodied devices in the preceding description
or illustrated in the drawings. It is to be noted that the
invention is capable of other embodiments and limitless
applications not disclosed herein, and of being practiced and
carried out in various ways falling within the teaching and scope
of the following claims.
* * * * *