U.S. patent application number 13/310798 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for stepper structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yu-Ting Chen. Invention is credited to Tsung-Jen CHEN.
Application Number | 20120149531 13/310798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45093580 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120149531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; Tsung-Jen |
June 14, 2012 |
STEPPER STRUCTURE
Abstract
A stepper structure includes a base having a shaft at a central
section thereof to connect a rotation seat. Two pedals are
pivotally connected to two sides of the rotation seat. A link unit
is pivotally connected to the shaft and located above the rotation
seat. When the rotation seat and the base are confined, the two
pedals are moved up and down for an up-and-down step exercise. When
the link unit and the base are confined, the rotation seat is
linked to swing by the up-and-down movement of the pedals for a
waist swing and step exercise, providing a different function of
the stepper.
Inventors: |
CHEN; Tsung-Jen; (Shuishang
Hsiang, TW) |
Assignee: |
Chen; Yu-Ting
Taichung City
TW
|
Family ID: |
45093580 |
Appl. No.: |
13/310798 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0066 20151001;
A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 22/0064 20130101; A63B 22/0015
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 8, 2010 |
TW |
099142744 |
Claims
1. A stepper structure, comprising a base, a rotation seat, two
pedals, a link unit, and a switch unit: the base having a shaft at
a central section thereof, the base having a first limit portion in
front of the shaft, the base having a second limit portion behind
the shaft; the rotation seat comprising a seat rod and a vertical
rod at a front end of the seat rod, the seat rod having a rear
section which is pivotally connected to the shaft, the rotation
seat having a first limit portion in front of the shaft, the first
limit portion of the rotation seat corresponding in position to the
first limit portion of the base, the seat rod comprising a pair of
support bars extending from two sides of the front end of the seat
rod; the two pedals being pivotally connected to two sides of the
vertical rod, a pair of resistance members being connected between
rear ends the two pedals and the two support bars; the link unit
being pivotally connected to the shaft, the link unit linking the
two pedals to move up and down, the link unit having a second limit
portion behind the shaft, the second limit portion of the link unit
corresponding in position to the second limit portion of the base;
the switch unit comprising a fixing frame connected on the base, an
upper end of the shaft of the base being connected to the fixing
frame, the fixing frame having a second limit portion behind the
shaft, the second limit portion of the switch unit corresponding in
position to the second limit portion of the base, the switch unit
further having a limit member which is selectively connected to the
first limit portions or the second limit portions.
2. The stepper structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link
unit comprises a driving wheel which is pivotally connected to the
shaft, the driving wheel having a notch corresponding to the first
limit portion of the rotation seat, the driving wheel having the
second limit portion behind the shaft, the second limit portion of
the driving wheel corresponding in position to the second limit
portion of the base, the driving wheel being connected with a
flexible link member, two ends of the flexible link member being
respectively connected to the two pedals.
3. The stepper structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link
unit comprises a driving plate and two link members, the driving
plate being pivotally connected to the shaft, the driving plate
having a second limit portion behind the shaft, the second limit
portion of the driving plate corresponding in position to the
second limit portion of the base, two ends of the driving plate
being pivotally connected to the two link members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a stepper structure.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A conventional stepper has a single exercise function, such
as TW Publication No. 324954 used for an up-and-down step exercise,
and TW Publication No. M271593 used for an oblique step exercise.
The user may feel unexciting after a period of time because the
function of the stepper is unchangeable. This will influence the
user's will to exercise more. Accordingly, the inventor of the
present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of
practical experiences to solve these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
changeable stepper structure which can attract the user to exercise
for a long time.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
stepper structure which can be used for an up-and-down step
exercise and a waist swing exercise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view according to the first embodiment of
the present invention used for a step exercise;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view according to the first embodiment of
the present invention used for a step exercise;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a rear view according to the first embodiment of
the present invention used for a step exercise;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side view according to the first embodiment of
the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top view according to the first embodiment of
the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a rear view according to the first embodiment of
the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a belt to link the link
unit of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a cable to link the link
unit of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a chain to link the link
unit of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 13 is an exploded view according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view according to the
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a perspective view according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a side view according to the second embodiment of
the present invention used for a step exercise;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a top view according to the second embodiment of
the present invention used for a step exercise;
[0024] FIG. 18 is a rear view according to the second embodiment of
the present invention used for a step exercise;
[0025] FIG. 19 is a side view according to the second embodiment of
the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
[0026] FIG. 20 is a top view according to the second embodiment of
the present invention used for a waist swing exercise; and
[0027] FIG. 21 is a rear view according to the second embodiment of
the present invention used for a waist swing exercise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 35, the stepper
structure of the present invention comprises a base (10), a
rotation seat (20), two pedals (30), a link unit (40), and a switch
unit (5). The base (10) has a middle rod (11). The middle rod (11)
has a shaft (15) at a central section thereof. The base (10) has a
first limit portion (12) in front of the shaft (15). The first
limit portion (12) may be a connection part (such as a through
hole) for connection of the switch unit (50). The base (10) has a
second limit portion (13) behind the shaft (15). The second limit
portion (13) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for
connection of the switch unit (50).
[0030] The rotation seat (20) comprises a horizontal seat rod (21)
and a vertical rod (25) extending upward from a front end of the
seat rod (21). The seat rod (21) has a rear section which is
pivotally connected to the shaft (15). The rotation seat (20) has a
first limit portion (22) in front of the shaft (15). The first
limit portion (22) may be a connection part (such as a through
hole) for connection of the switch unit (50). The first limit
portion (22) corresponds in position to the first limit portion
(12) to provide a limit function for the switch unit (50). The seat
rod (21) comprises a pair of support bars (24) extending from two
sides of the front end of the seat rod (21). The vertical rod (25)
comprises a pair of pivot rods (26) which extend from two sides of
an upper end of the vertical rod (25) and are parallel to the
support bars (24). The two pedals (30) are pivotally connected to
the two pivot rods (26).
[0031] Each pedal (30) comprises a pivot sleeve (31) at a front end
thereof. The pivot sleeve (31) is fitted on the relative pivot rod
(26). Each pedal (30) has a link plate (32) which extends downward
from the pivot sleeve (31) for connection of the link unit (40).
Between the two pedals (30) and two sides of the rotation seat (20)
is provided with a pair of resistance members (35) which may be
retractable hydraulic cylinders. Each resistance member (35) has a
pair of universal joints (36) at two ends thereof, so that the two
resistance members (35) are pivotally connected between the two
support bars (24) of the seat rod (21) of the seat (20) and the
rear ends of the two pedals (30).
[0032] The link unit (40) is pivotally connected to the shaft (15)
and located above the rotation seat (20). The link unit (40)
comprises a driving wheel (41) which is pivotally connected to the
shaft (15). The driving wheel (41) is selected from one of a belt
pulley (as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), a V-shaped belt pulley (as
shown in FIG. 10), a pulley (as shown in FIG. 11) and a chain wheel
(as shown in FIG. 12). The driving wheel (41) has a notch (42)
corresponding to the first limit portion (22) of the rotation seat
(20) for avoidance of the switch unit (50) when the driving wheel
(41) turns or the rotation seat (20) swings, as shown in FIG. 5 and
FIG. 8. The driving wheel (41) has a second limit portion (43)
behind the shaft (15). The second limit portion (43) may be a
connection part (such as a through hole) for connection of the
switch unit (50). The second limit portion (43) corresponds in
position to the second limit portion (13) of the base (10). The
rear section of the rotation seat (20) won't interfere with the
range of the second limit portion (13, 43). The driving wheel 41 is
connected with a flexible link member (45). The flexible link
member (45) is selected from one of a belt (as shown in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2), a V-shaped belt (as shown in FIG. 10), a cable or a CPRD
(as shown in FIG. 11) and a chain (as shown in FIG. 12). Two ends
of the flexible link member (45) are respectively connected to the
link plates (32) of the two pedals (30).
[0033] The switch unit (50) comprises a limit member (55). The
limit member (55) may be an insertion pin which is selectively
connected to the first limit portions (12, 22) or the second limit
portions (13, 43). The switch unit (50) further comprises a fixing
frame (51) connected on the base (10). The upper end of the shaft
(15) of the base (10) is connected to the fixing frame (51). The
fixing frame (51) has a second limit portion (53) behind the shaft
(15) and corresponding in position to the second limit portion (13)
of the base (10). The second limit portion (53) may be a connection
part (such as a through hole) for connection of the limit member
(55). The limit member (55) is selectively connected to the second
limit portions (53, 43, 13) or the first limit portions (22, 12) to
confine rotation of the driving wheel (41) or leaf and right swing
of the rotation seat (20).
[0034] Thereby, the present invention is assembled to constitute a
stepper for different forms of exercise, enhancing exercise
fun.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 through FIG. 6, when in use, the limit
member (55) of the switch unit (50) is inserted in the first limit
portions (22, 12) of the rotation seat (20) and the base (10) as
shown in FIG. 4, such that there are two interconnections to
confine left and right swing of the rotation seat (20). The driving
wheel (41) of the link unit (40) is pivotally connected with the
shaft (15), so the driving wheel (41) drives the flexible link
member (45) by means of the two pedals (30) for left and right
rotation. When the user steps one pedal (30) down, the pedal (30)
will compress the resistance member (35) to generate damping. The
two pedals (30) have a link relationship through the flexible link
member (45) and the link plates (32), so that the other pedal (30)
is lifted up. In this way, the two pedals (30) provide an
interlaced up-and-down exercise.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 7 through FIG. 9, when the limit member
(55) of the switch unit (50) is inserted in the second limit
portions (53, 43, 13) of the fixing frame (51), the driving wheel
(41) and the base (10) as shown in FIG. 7, the driving wheel (41)
of the link unit (40) and the base (10) have the shaft (15) and the
limit member (55) as two fixed points to confine rotation of the
driving wheel (41). The rotation seat (20) and the base (10) are
connected by the shaft (15), so the rotation seat (20) can be swung
left and right. When the user steps one pedal (30) down, the pedal
(30) will compress the resistance member (35) to generate damping.
The two pedals (30) are linked by the flexible link member (45) and
the link plates (32), so that the other pedal (30) is lifted up and
the rotation seat (20) is swung toward one side. In this way, when
the two pedals (30) are moved up and down, the present invention
also has a waist swing function for a different form of
exercise.
[0037] FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show another embodiment of the
present invention. A link unit (60) comprises a driving plate (61)
and two link members (65). The driving plate (61) is pivotally
connected to the shaft (15). The driving plate (61) has a second
limit portion (63) behind the shaft (15). The second limit portion
(63) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for
connection of the limit member (55). The second limit portion (63)
corresponds in position to the second limit portion (13) of the
base (10). Two ends of the driving plate (61) are pivotally
connected to the two link members (65). The two link members (65)
may be steel link rods. The other ends of the two link members (65)
are pivotally connected to the link plates (32) of the two pedals
(30), respectively. When the driving plate (61) of the link unit
(60) is swung left and right, the two pedals (30) are
simultaneously pushed through the link members (65) for the two
pedals (30) to generate an interlaced link relationship.
[0038] When the limit member (55) is inserted in the first limit
portions (22, 12) of the rotation seat (20) to confine left and
right swing of the rotation seat (20), the driving plate (61) of
the link unit (60) can be swung relative to the base (10) and the
two pedals (30) can provide an interlaced up-and-down exercise, as
shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. when the limit member (55)
of the switch unit (50) is inserted in the second limit portions
(53, 63, 13) of the fixing frame (51), the driving plate (61) and
the base (10) to confine left and right swing of the driving plate
(61), the rotation seat 920) can be swung left and right relative
to the base (10) to provide a waist swing and step exercise, as
shown in FIG. 19, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21.
[0039] Although particular embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the
present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *