U.S. patent application number 12/025105 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for elliptical exercising device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIMAX INTERNATIONAL INC.. Invention is credited to Eric Hsu.
Application Number | 20090069158 12/025105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40432489 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090069158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Eric |
March 12, 2009 |
ELLIPTICAL EXERCISING DEVICE
Abstract
An elliptical exercising device includes a rotating unit mounted
on a support frame, and two link rods connected to the rotating
unit such that intermediate segments of the link rods are moved
reciprocatively in an elliptical path. A foot support is tiltably
mounted on the intermediate segment. A suspending rail is moved
with the foot support to be subjected to a gradually varying urging
force resulting from movement of the intermediate segment and to be
continuously urged to angularly move. A rail engaging rider
slidably contacts the suspending rail to be urged by the urging
force to angularly move upwards or downwards. An urging force
counteracting mechanism is mounted pivotally on the support frame,
and is coupled with the rail engaging rider so as to impart a force
to counteract an x-axis force component of the urging force to
thereby keep the suspending rail in a horizontal position.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Eric; (Taipei City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
1100 13th STREET, N.W., SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-4051
US
|
Assignee: |
LIMAX INTERNATIONAL INC.
Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
40432489 |
Appl. No.: |
12/025105 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/225 20130101;
A63B 2022/067 20130101; A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 22/0664
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/16 20060101
A63B069/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 10, 2007 |
TW |
096215161 |
Claims
1. An elliptical exercising device comprising: a support frame
adapted to be supported on a supporting surface and having forward
and rearward stanchions opposite to each other in a longitudinal
direction; a rotating unit mounted on and rotatable relative to
said forward stanchion about a first rotating axis in a first
transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction; first
and second link rods, each having a front end which is connected to
said rotating unit and which is offset from the first rotating axis
so as to be rotated with said rotating unit about the first
rotating axis, and an intermediate segment which extends rearwards
from said front end to terminate at a rear end; first and second
couplers, each coupling said rear end of a respective one of said
first and second link rods to said rearward stanchion such that
said intermediate segment is movable reciprocatively in an
elliptical path when said rotating unit is driven to rotate about
the first rotating axis; left and right foot supports, each of
which has a footrest that is elongated in the longitudinal
direction to terminate at toe-side and heel-side ends, and each of
which is mounted on said intermediate segment and is configured to
permit tilting of one of said toe-side and heel-side ends relative
to said intermediate segment about a tilting axis in the first
transverse direction; left and right suspending rails which are
respectively elongated in the longitudinal direction, and which are
movable with said left and right foot supports, respectively, so as
to be subjected to a gradually varying urging force that is
generated as a result of movement of said intermediate segment
along the elliptical path, the gradually varying urging force
having x-axis and y-axis force components respectively oriented in
the longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction
transverse to the longitudinal and first transverse directions to
continuously urge a corresponding one of said left and right
suspending rails to angularly move upwards or downwards; and first
and second tilt restraining units, each having a rail engaging
rider which slidably contacts a respective one of said left and
right suspending rails such that the gradually varying urging force
is transmitted through the respective one of said left and right
suspending rails to urge said rail engaging rider to angularly move
upwards or downwards during the movement of said intermediate
segment along the elliptical path, and an urging force
counteracting mechanism which has a proximate end unit pivotally
mounted on said support frame, and a distal end unit coupled with
said rail engaging rider such that, during the movement of said
intermediate segment along the elliptical path, said distal end
unit imparts a drawing force to counteract the x-axis force
component so as to keep the respective one of said left and right
suspending rails in a horizontal position while being lifted or
lowered in the second transverse direction by the y-axis force
component.
2. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, wherein
said support frame includes a base support which is interposed
between said forward and rearward stanchions, which is adapted to
be supported on the supporting surface, and which is spaced apart
from said rail engaging rider in the second transverse direction,
said urging force counteracting mechanism including a parallel
linkage mechanism that has a mount which is disposed on said base
support, upper and lower bars which respectively have proximate
pivoted ends pivotally connected to said mount about pivoting axes
parallel to the first rotating axis and serving as said proximate
end unit, and which respectively have distal pivoted ends serving
as said distal end unit and respectively having upper and lower
centers, and a linking coupler which interconnects said distal
pivoted ends of said upper and lower bars so as to be pivotable
about said upper and lower centers of said distal pivoted ends,
said linking coupler being connected to said rail engaging rider at
a fixed point which is positioned such that, immediately after the
urging force is transmitted through said linking coupler to bring
said upper and lower bars to move angularly about the pivoting
axes, the drawing force is generated as a result of pivotal
movement of said linking coupler about said upper and lower
centers, while the fixed point is kept unmoved relative to said
upper and lower centers, thereby counteracting the x-axis force
component.
3. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 2, wherein
said rail engaging rider includes a major mounting wall and two
pairs of rollers which are rotatably mounted on said major mounting
wall and which are spaced apart from each other to define a
horizontal passage in the longitudinal direction, the respective
one of said left and right suspending rails being slidably moved
along said horizontal passage to be kept in slidable contact with
said rail engaging rider in a horizontal position.
4. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 3, wherein
each of said left and right foot supports has a sidewall which
extends from said footrest downwards and which is pivoted at said
intermediate segment at a fulcrum defining said tilting axis, so as
to permit tilting of said one of said toe-side and heel-side
ends.
5. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 4, wherein
each of said left and right suspending rails is disposed opposite
to said sidewall in the first transverse direction, and extends in
parallel to said footrest in the longitudinal direction.
6. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, wherein
said rotating unit has left and right flywheels which are coaxially
mounted on said forward stanchion about the first rotating axis
such that said front ends of said first and second link rods are
connected respectively to said left and right flywheels adjacent to
circumferences thereof so as to be rotatable along a circular path
about the first rotating axis.
7. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, further
comprising left and right arms, each including a first rod segment
which has a fulcrum region that is journalled to said forward
stanchion about a second rotating axis, and upper and lower rod
ends that are disposed at two opposite sides of said fulcrum
region, and a second rod segment which has a front end that is
pivotally connected to said lower rod end, and a rear end that is
pivotally connected to said intermediate segment of a respective
one of said first and second link rods.
8. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, wherein
each of said first and second couplers is in form of a link rod,
which has an end pivotally connected to said rear end of a
respective one of said first and second link rods, and an opposite
end pivotally connected to said rearward stanchion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application
No. 096215161, filed on Sep. 10, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an elliptical exercising device,
more particularly to an elliptical exercising device for simulating
running and stepping motions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a conventional stationary exercise device
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829. The conventional stationary
exercise device includes a frame 11, two foot links 12, two
coupling members 13, and two guide members in the form of tracks
14. The frame 11 has a pivot axis defined by a shaft 16 which is
supported by the frame 11, and a flywheel 15 supported by the shaft
16 for rotation about the pivot axis. Each coupling member 13 has
one end connected pivotally to the shaft 16, and an opposite end
connected pivotally to a first end of the corresponding foot link
12. A second end of each foot link 12 is provided with a roller
unit 17 which is operable to slide along a respective one of the
tracks 14. When the flywheel 15 is rotated, the coupling members 13
bring the first end of each foot link 12 to travel in a circular
path about the pivot axis, while the tracks 14 direct the second
end of each foot link 12 in a reciprocal path.
[0006] With reference to FIG. 2, in combination with FIG. 1, when
the user places his/her foot on a foot retaining pad 121 of the
respective foot link 12 and starts to exercise with his/her foot
moving forwardly through locations IV, III, II and I in sequence,
the heel portion of the user's foot rises at a faster rate than the
toe portion.
[0007] With reference to FIG. 3, when the user's foot moves
rearwardly through locations I, VI, V and IV in sequence, the heel
portion of the user's foot lowers at a faster rate than the toe
portion.
[0008] Therefore, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,391, the applicant
disclosed an elliptical exercise device that includes a main frame
having a rotary shaft defining an axis, left and right link rods
having rear ends connected to the rotary shaft for rotation about
the axis, left and right arms connected respectively to front ends
of the link rods for reciprocal movement, and left and right foot
plates connected pivotally and respectively to the link rods and
movable along elliptical paths when the rear ends of the link rods
rotate. A guide mechanism is connected to the foot plates and the
main frame to restrict movement of the foot plates such that each
foot plate is substantially horizontal when moving upward or
downward from the lowest or highest point of the corresponding
elliptical path.
[0009] It is desirable to improve the aforesaid elliptical exercise
device to simplify the manufacturing process thereof and provide
smoother running and stepping motions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an
elliptical exercising device which can permit foot supports to
remain in a horizontal position during exercise and which can
simulate smoother running and stepping motions.
[0011] According to this invention, the elliptical exercising
device includes a support frame having forward and rearward
stanchions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, a
rotating unit mounted on and rotatable relative to the forward
stanchion, first and second link rods having front ends connected
to the rotating unit, and intermediate segments extending rearwards
to terminate at rear ends, first and second couplers coupling the
rear ends of the first and second link rods to the rearward
stanchion such that each intermediate segment is moved
reciprocatively in an elliptical path when the rotating unit is
rotated, and left and right foot supports, each of which has a
footrest and is mounted on the intermediate segment such that
toe-side and heel-side ends of the footrest is tiltable relative to
the intermediate segment. Left and right suspending rails are
elongated in the longitudinal direction, and are respectively moved
with the left and right foot supports so as to be subjected to a
gradually varying urging force that is generated as a result of
movement of the intermediate segment along the elliptical path. The
gradually varying urging force has x-axis and y-axis force
components to continuously urge the corresponding suspending rail
to angularly move upwards or downwards. A tilt restraining unit has
a rail engaging rider which slidably contacts the respective
suspending rail such that the gradually varying urging force is
transmitted through the respective suspending rail to urge the rail
engaging rider to angularly move upwards or downwards, and an
urging force counteracting mechanism which has a proximate end unit
pivotally mounted on the support frame, and a distal end unit
coupled with the rail engaging rider. During the movement of the
intermediate segment along the elliptical path, the distal end unit
imparts a drawing force to counteract the x-axis force component so
as to keep the respective suspending rail in a horizontal position
while being lifted or lowered by the y-axis force component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] 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:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional stationary
exercise device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of forward movement of a
user's foot during use of the exercise device of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of rearward movement of the
user's foot during use of the exercise device of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the preferred
embodiment of an elliptical exercising device according to this
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a foot support of the
preferred embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rail engaging rider of the
preferred embodiment;
[0019] FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary schematic views, illustrating
the rail engaging rider is in different positions;
[0020] FIGS. 10 to 13 are schematic side views, illustrating the
preferred embodiment in different states; and
[0021] FIG. 14 is a schematic depiction of the movement of the foot
support of the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the preferred embodiment of an
elliptical exercising device 200 according to the present invention
is shown to comprise a support frame 2, first and second link rods
3, first and second couplers 4, left and right foot supports 6,
left and right suspending rails 62, left and right arms 5, and
first and second tilt restraining units.
[0023] The support frame 2 has forward and rearward stanchions 21
opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and a base
support 20 which is interposed between the forward and rearward
stanchions 21 and which is adapted to be supported on a supporting
surface. A rotating unit includes left and right flywheels 23 which
are coaxially mounted on the forward stanchion 21 by a rotating
axle 22 that extends along a first rotating axis in a first
transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction.
[0024] Each of the first and second link rods 3 has a front end 31
which is connected to a respective one of the left and right
flywheels 23 adjacent to a circumference thereof so as to rotate
along a circular path (I) (see FIG. 10) about the first rotating
axis, and an intermediate segment 33 which extends rearwards from
the front end 31 to terminate at a rear end 32.
[0025] Each of the first and second couplers 4 is in the form of a
link rod which has an end pivotally connected to the rear end 32 of
a respective one of the first and second link rods 3, and an
opposite end pivotally connected to the rearward stanchion 21 so as
to permit the coupler 4 to move reciprocally in an annular path
(III) (see FIG. 10). Thus, the intermediate segment 33 is moved
reciprocally in an elliptical path (II) (see FIG. 14) when the
respective flywheel 22 is driven to rotate about the first rotating
axis.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 6, in combination with FIGS. 4 and 5,
each of the left and right foot supports 6 has a footrest 61 which
is elongated in the longitudinal direction to terminate at toe-side
and heel-side ends, and a sidewall 63 which extends downwards from
the footrest 61 and which is pivoted to the intermediate segment 33
at a fulcrum defining a tilting axis in the first transverse
direction so as to permit the toe-side and heel-side ends to be
tilted relative to the intermediate segment 33.
[0027] Each of the left and right suspending rails 62 is disposed
opposite to the sidewall 63 of the respective foot support 6 in the
first transverse direction, and extends in parallel to the footrest
61 in the longitudinal direction. Each suspending rail 62 is of an
L-shape, and includes a first plate 621 secured on the footrest 61,
and a second plate 622 extending in the longitudinal direction so
as to be moved with the respective foot support 6.
[0028] Each of the left and right arms 5 includes a first rod
segment 51 which has a fulcrum region 511 that is journalled to the
forward stanchion 21 about a second rotating axis, and upper and
lower rod ends 512, 513 that are disposed at two opposite sides of
the fulcrum region 511, and a second rod segment 53 which has a
front end that is pivotally connected to the lower rod end 513, and
a rear end that is pivotally connected to the intermediate segment
33 of the respective one of the first and second link rods 3.
[0029] Each of the first and second tilt restraining units includes
a rail engaging rider 72 and an urging force counteracting
mechanism 7.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 7, the rail engaging rider 72 is
spaced apart from the base support 20 in a second transverse
direction transverse to the longitudinal and first transverse
directions, and includes a major mounting wall 722 and two pairs of
rollers 723 which are rotatably mounted on the major mounting wall
722 and which are spaced apart from each other to define a
horizontal passage (V) in the longitudinal direction. The second
plate 622 of the respective suspending rail 62 is moved slidably
along the horizontal passage (V).
[0031] The urging force counteracting mechanism 7 includes a
parallel linkage mechanism that has a mount 71 disposed on the base
support 20, upper and lower bars 731, 732 which respectively have
proximate pivoted ends pivotally connected to the mount 71 about
pivoting axes parallel to the first rotating axis and serving as a
proximate end unit, and which respectively have distal pivoted ends
serving as the distal end unit, and a linking coupler 721 which
interconnects the distal pivoted ends of the upper and lower bars
731, 732 to be pivotable about upper and lower centers respectively
of the distal pivoted ends. Thus, the upper and lower bars 731, 732
can move angularly about the pivoting axes in a reciprocative
arcuate path (IV), as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The linking coupler
721 is connected to the rail engaging rider 72 at a fixed
point.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, during exercise, the user moves
the footrests 61 so that the flywheels 23 are rotated along the
circular path (I) and the first and second couplers 4 are moved
along the annular path (III), thereby bringing the intermediate
segments 33, as well as the footrests 61, into movement along the
elliptical path (II) so as to generate a gradually varying urging
force. The gradually varying urging force has x-axis and y-axis
force components respectively oriented in the longitudinal
direction and the second transverse direction to continuously urge
the respective suspending rail 62 to angularly move upwards or
downwards. The gradually varying urging force is transmitted
through the respective suspending rail 62 to urge the respective
rail engaging rider 72 to angularly move upwards or downwards
during the movement of the respective intermediate segment 33 along
the elliptical path (II).
[0033] Immediately after the urging force is transmitted through
the linking coupler 721 to bring the upper and lower bars 731, 732
to move angularly about the pivoting axes, the linking coupler 721
imparts a drawing force to counteract the x-axis force component of
the urging force so as to keep the respective suspending rail 62 in
a horizontal position while being lifted or lowered in the second
transverse direction by the y-axis force component. Specifically,
the drawing force is generated as a result of pivotal movement of
the linking coupler 721 about the upper and lower centers of the
distal ends of the upper and lower bars 731, 732, while the fixed
point remains unmoved relative to the upper and lower centers,
thereby counteracting the x-axis force component. Therefore, the
footrests 61 can remain in a substantially horizontal position
during their entire movement along the elliptical path. Hence, the
heel portion and the toe portion of the user's foot can be
maintained in the horizontal position during exercise. By virtue of
the counteraction between the urging force and the drawing force in
the longitudinal direction, the intermediate segments 33 can be
moved smoothly in the elliptical path without any interference.
[0034] 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.
* * * * *