Exercise Machine With Adjustable Pedals

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise machine with adjustable pedals that includes a mechanical body and two pedal arms connected to the mechanical body, each pedal arm has one pedal frame and one pedal that is installed on top of the pedal frame. Each pedal frame is equipped with at least one guide member, and each pedal has one slide member that fits into the guide member. One actuating member is installed in-between the pedal frame and the pedal, the actuating member has two force transfer ends that are installed on the pedal frame and the pedal each, one of the force transfer ends is an adjusting threaded rod that allows no moving but turning, and the other is a threaded nut with a nut hole for the adjusting threaded rod to be fitted into. Users can adjust pedal locations according to their height and body width, and then the objectives of easy using and increasing exercise comfort would be attained.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to exercise machines, and more particularly to an exercise machine with adjustable pedals that has pedals adjustable to each other, users can adjust pedal locations according to their height and body width, and then the objectives of easy using and increasing exercise comfort would be attained.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional exercise machine, e.g. walking exercise machine or elliptical exercise machine, is equipped with two pedals that can move back and forth, on which users can stand and do exercise. Conventional pedal mechanism includes a pedal frame 40 and a pedal 41 installed on top of the pedal frame 40, the conventional pedals 41 are adjustable in slant angles relative to the pedal frames 40 to cooperate with the changing of exercising attitude in users' feet, yet unable to be adjusted in relative pedal locations per users' body height and width, such as, the distance of the two pedals 41. In other words, conventional pedals 41 are pivotally installed on pedal frames 40, such that the pedals 41 are capable of being turned relatively to the pedal frames 40, yet unable to be moved against, such as TW Pat. No. M290759 as shown in FIG. 7 and TW Pat. No. M576236 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0003] As per the shortcomings that the above mentioned conventional exercise machines have, it is learned that the pedals of exercise machines require the function of being adjusted in locations per users' body height and width, the owner of this invention devoted himself to design and development, and with efforts on design and try-out, the design and development result in this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a pedal mechanism for an exercise machine with function of adjusting pedal locations that users can adjust relative locations of the two pedals per their body heights and widths to satisfy themselves with comfort in exercising.

[0005] Concrete structure for attaining the above mentioned objective includes a mechanical body and two pedal arms connected to the mechanical body, each pedal arm has one pedal frame and one pedal that is installed on top of the pedal frame. Each pedal frame is equipped with at least one guide member, and each pedal has one slide member that fits into the guide member. One actuating member is installed in-between the pedal frame and the pedal, the actuating member has two force transfer ends that are installed on the pedal frame and the pedal each, one of the force transfer ends is an adjusting threaded rod that allows no moving but turning, and the other is a threaded nut with a nut hole for the adjusting threaded rod to be fitted into. When the adjusting threaded rod is turned, the threaded nut will give reacting force to move the pedal against the pedal frame.

[0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings that show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention applied on an elliptical exercise machine;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention applied on an elliptical exercise machine with a small distance between two pedals;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pedals of FIG. 3;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention applied on an elliptical exercise machine with a large distance between two pedals;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pedals portion of FIG. 5;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of first prior art; and

[0014] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of second prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] The present invention is applicable to exercise machines with pedals, the exercise machines that have been applied have adjustable pedals in locations such that the requirement on exercising from people of different body height will be satisfied, users can adjust the pedal locations according to their personal favor in exercise. The structure of the basic embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 that takes an elliptical exercise machine as an example, comprises a mechanical body 10, two pedal arms 20a and 20b. Each of the pedal arms 20a, 20b is connected directly or indirectly to the mechanical body 10, every pedal arm 20a, 20b can move back and forth relatively to the mechanical body 10.

[0016] Of which, each one of the pedal arms 20a, 20b has one of pedal frames 21a, 21b installed onto, each one of the pedal frames 21a, 21b has one of pedals 22a, 22b disposed on tops, each one of the pedal frames 21a, 21b is equipped with at least one of guide members 23a, 23b, each one of the pedals 22a, 22b has at least one of slide members 24a, 24b, each one of the slide members 24a, 24b fits with the corresponding guide members 23a, 23b. One of actuating members 30a, 30b are disposed in-between every pedal frames 21a, 21b and their corresponding pedals 22a, 22b, each one of the actuating members 30a, 30b has two force transfer ends that are installed on each of the pedal frames 21a, 21b and each of the pedals 22a, 22b. One of the force transfer ends is one of adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b that allows no moving but turning, and the other is one of threaded nuts 32a, 32b with nut holes 33a, 33b. Each one of the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b is screwed with the corresponding nut holes 33a, 33b of the threaded nuts 32a, 32b.

[0017] Of the above mentioned basic structure, the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b and the threaded nuts 32a, 32b of the actuating members 30a, 30b can be disposed on the pedal frames 21a, 21b or on the pedals 22a, 22b respectively. When the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are axially installed on the pedal frames 21a, 21b, the threaded nuts 32a, 32b are installed on the pedals 22a, 22b. On the contrary, when the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are axially installed on the pedals 22a, 22b, the threaded nuts 32a, 32b are installed on the pedal frames 21a, 21b. No matter which one of the two is implemented, the result of having the pedals 22a and 22b adjustably moving against the pedal frames 21a and 21b will be achieved.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the present invention is applied to an elliptical exercise machine, which is designed as having the pedals 22a and 22b of an elliptical exercise machine equipped with function of left-and-right adjustment, so users of different body heights can adjust per their requirement the distance of the two pedals 22a and 22b to their left side and right side. In the embodiment of the above-mentioned application, the mechanical body 10 has a longitudinal axis 11 and a lateral axis 12 perpendicular with each other. The longitudinal axis 11 is on user's front and rear directions in normal using, the axes of the guide members 23a, 23b and the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are parallel with the lateral axis 12 of the mechanical body 10.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, the slide members 24a, 24b are disposed on the pedals 22a, 22b and the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are pivoted to the pedals 22a, 22b. The guide members 23a, 23b and the threaded nuts 32a, 32b are attached to the pedal frames 21a, 21b. The slide members 24a, 24b on the pedals 22a, 22b are mounted on the guide members 23a, 23b on the pedal frames 21a, 21b, and the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b on the slide members 24a, 24b are screwed onto the nut holes 33a, 33b of the threaded nuts 32a, 32b on the pedal frames 21a, 21b. When the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are turned, the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are moved relatively to the threaded nuts 32a, 32b, meanwhile the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are carried the pedals 22a, 22b moving relatively to the pedal frames 21a, 21b. In the FIG. 1, each of the pedal frames 21a and 21b is equipped with two guide members 23a, 23b, and one of the threaded nuts 32a, 32b in-between the two guide members 23a, 23b. Each of the pedals 22a and 22b is equipped with two slide members 24a, 24b, and one of the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b in-between the two slide members 24a, 24b.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the present invention, the pedal frame 21a, 21b has two steel plates 210a, 210b set side by side, the guide members 23a, 23b are installed in-between connecting the two steel plates 210a, 210b. Each one of the steel plates 210a, 210b has one place of cuts 211a, 211b on the top edge that is for passing one of the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b through.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 for a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the threaded nuts 32a, 32b have pivoting axles 34a, 34b connected to its sides, the pivoting axles 34a, 34b fix the threaded nuts 32a, 32b on the pedal frames 21a, 21b or on the pedals 22a, 22b. The embodiment shown in the figure uses the pivoting axles 34a, 34b to fix pivotally the threaded nuts 32a, 32b on the pedal frames 21a, 21b, thus the threaded nuts 32a, 32b have function of being properly adjusted in angle, and the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b would be fitting with the threaded nuts 32a, 32b in correct direction.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 for a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of bottom plates 220a and 220b is firmly installed on bottom side of each of pedals 22a and 22b to reinforce the structural strength of the pedals 22a and 22b. Each bottom side of the bottom plates 220a and 220b is equipped with one of pivoting members 221a and 221b, the adjusting threaded rods 31a, 31b are axially installed in the pivoting members 221a, 221b respectively for not being moved but turned.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable pedal mechanism of the present invention can be applied to an elliptical exercise machine that comprises a frame 13 and a wheel 14 with two eccentric pivots 15a and 15b. The center of the wheel 14 is pivotally connected with the frame 13. The two eccentric pivots 15a and 15b on the wheel 14 are connected pivotally with relative pedal arms 20a and 20b on first ends, second ends of the pedal arms 20a and 20b are connected with pedal frames 21a and 21b, thus the pedals 22a and 22b installed on the pedal frame 21a and 21b would be moving in elliptical trajectories.

[0024] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 1, an elliptical exercise machine can be equipped with tracks 16a and 16b on rear end of the frame 13. The second ends of the pedal arms 20a and 20b respectively extend one of roller bases 25a and 25b, and rollers 26a and 26b are installed on the roller bases 25a and 25b, the rollers 26a and 26b would be rolling on the tracks 16a and 16b. Besides, the frame 13 can also be equipped with rocker arms 17a and 17b, top ends of the rocker arms 17a and 17b have handles 18a and 18b installed, and the bottom ends are pivotally connected to first ends of linking arms 19a and 19b, second ends of the linking arms 19a and 19b are pivotally connected with pedal frames 21a and 21b, such that the pedals 22a and 22b are interlinked with the handles 18a and 18b and would be moving simultaneously.

[0025] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An exercise machine with adjustable pedals comprising: a mechanical body; and two pedal arms, each pedal arms connected with the mechanical body and being able to move back and forth relatively to the mechanical body; wherein each pedal arm having a pedal frame installed onto, said pedal frame having a pedal disposed on top; and equipped with at least a guide member, said pedal having at least a slide member, each slide member fit with one of the corresponding guide member, an actuating member disposed in-between said pedal frame and said corresponding pedal, the actuating member having two force transfer ends respectively installed on the pedal frame and the pedal, said pedal being installed on a bottom plate and a bottom side of said bottom plate being equipped with a pivoting member, one of said force transfer ends being an adjusting threaded rod which is axially installed in the pivoting member to be allowed no moving but turning, and the other being a threaded nut with a nut hole and being on said pedal frame, said adjusting threaded rod screwed with one of the corresponding nut hole of the threaded nut.

2. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical body has a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis perpendicular with each other and the longitudinal axis is on a user's front and rear directions in using, axes of the guide member and the adjusting threaded rod are parallel with the lateral axis of the mechanical body.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pedal frame is equipped with two guide members and said threaded nut in-between said two guide members, each pedal is equipped with two slide members and said adjusting threaded rod in-between said two slide members.

6. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pedal frame has two steel plates set side by side and the guide members are installed in-between connecting the two steel plates, each steel plate has a place of cut on top edge thereof for passing the adjusting threaded rod through.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

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20. (canceled)

21. An exercise machine with adjustable pedals comprising: a mechanical body; and two pedal arms, each pedal arm connected with the mechanical body and being able to move back and forth relatively to the mechanical body; wherein each pedal arm having a pedal frame installed onto, said pedal frame having a pedal disposed on top and equipped with at least a guide member, said pedal having at least a slide member, each slide member fit with one of the corresponding guide member, an actuating member disposed in-between said pedal frame and said corresponding pedal, the actuating member having two force transfer ends respectively installed on the pedal frame and the pedal, one of said force transfer ends being an adjusting threaded rod allowed no moving but turning and being on said pedal frame, and the other being a threaded nut with a nut hole and being on said pedal, said adjusting threaded rod screwed with one of the corresponding nut hole of the threaded nut.

22. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mechanical body has a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis perpendicular with each other and the longitudinal axis is on a user's front and rear directions in using, axes of the guide member and the adjusting threaded rod are parallel with the lateral axis of the mechanical body.

23. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 21, wherein each pedal frame is equipped with two guide members and said threaded nut in-between said two guide members, each pedal is equipped with two slide members and said adjusting threaded rod in-between said two slide members.

24. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 21, wherein the pedal frame has two steel plates set side by side and the guide members are installed in-between connecting the two steel plates, each steel plate has a place of cut on top edge thereof for passing the adjusting threaded rod through.