Rehabilitation Exercising Equipment Having Balance and Rotation Functions

Abstract

A rehabilitation exercising equipment includes a main frame, a pivot mechanism pivotally mounted on the main frame, and a seat unit mounted on the pivot mechanism to move in concert with the pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism includes a rotation shaft rotatably mounted on the main frame, and two first bearings each pivotally mounted on the rotation shaft and each connected with the seat unit so that the seat unit is movable in concert with the two first bearings relative to the rotation shaft. Thus, the seat unit is pivoted leftward and rightward relative to the main frame and is swiveled horizontally relative to the main frame to achieve an exercising, balance or rehabilitating function.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rehabilitation equipment and, more particularly, to a rehabilitation exercising equipment.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] A conventional rehabilitation exercising equipment primarily comprises a support frame, a handlebar mounted on the support frame, a seat swivelably mounted on the support frame, and a damping mechanism mounted between the support frame and the seat. Thus, when a user is seated on the seat, he/she can apply a force on the seat to swivel the seat horizontally relative to the support frame so as to exercise or rehabilitate the user's body. However, the seat is only swiveled relative to the support frame and cannot be pivoted leftward and rightward relative to the support frame, thereby limiting the exercising or rehabilitating function of the rehabilitation exercising equipment. In addition, the seat is driven manually by the user and cannot be moved automatically so that the user cannot move the seat easily when his/her body is injured, thereby greatly limiting the rehabilitating function of the rehabilitation exercising equipment. Further, the rehabilitation exercising equipment has a complicated construction and is not assembled easily and quickly, thereby increasing the cost of fabrication and assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a rehabilitation exercising equipment, comprising a main frame, a pivot mechanism pivotally mounted on the main frame, and a seat unit mounted on the pivot mechanism to move in concert with the pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism includes a rotation shaft rotatably mounted on the main frame, and two first bearings each pivotally mounted on the rotation shaft and each connected with the seat unit so that the seat unit is movable in concert with the two first bearings relative to the rotation shaft.

[0005] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rehabilitation exercising equipment having balance and rotation functions.

[0006] According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the seat unit is pivoted leftward and rightward relative to the main frame and is swiveled horizontally relative to the main frame so as to achieve an exercising, balance or rehabilitating function.

[0007] According to another advantage of the present invention, the rehabilitation exercising equipment has a simplified construction and is assembled easily and quickly to decrease the cost of fabrication and assembly.

[0008] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rehabilitation exercising equipment in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic operational view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 4.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 3.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic top operational view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic top operational view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic side operational view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rehabilitation exercising equipment in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 11.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a side view of the rehabilitation exercising equipment as shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a rehabilitation exercising equipment in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main frame 1, a pivot mechanism 12 pivotally mounted on the main frame 1, and a seat unit 20 mounted on the pivot mechanism 12 to move in concert with the pivot mechanism 12.

[0023] The main frame 1 includes a support bar 10, a mounting bracket 11 mounted on the support bar 10 for mounting the pivot mechanism 12, an extension bar 16 connected with the support bar 10, and a control panel 17 mounted on the extension bar 16. The mounting bracket 11 of the main frame 1 has a substantially inverted U-shaped profile and has a top plate 110 provided with a mounting hole 111 and a plurality of locking holes 112. The control panel 17 of the main frame 1 is preferably an electronic instrument panel.

[0024] The pivot mechanism 12 is pivotable leftward and rightward relative to the main frame 1 and is swivelable horizontally relative to the main frame 1. The pivot mechanism 12 includes a rotation shaft 18 rotatably mounted on the main frame 1, and two first bearings 131 each pivotally mounted on the rotation shaft 18 and each connected with the seat unit 20 so that the seat unit 20 is movable in concert with the two first bearings 131 relative to the rotation shaft 18. The pivot mechanism 12 further includes two second bearings 13 each mounted between the main frame 1 and the rotation shaft 18, a support shaft 19 mounted on the rotation shaft 18 and extended through each of the two first bearings 131 to support the two first bearings 131, a fixing plate 141 mounted on an upper end of the rotation shaft 18, and two buffering pads 15 each mounted on the fixing plate 141 and each located between the fixing plate 141 and the seat unit 20.

[0025] The rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 is disposed at an upright state. The rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 is extended through the two second bearings 13 and the mounting hole 111 of the mounting bracket 11. The rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket 11 of the main frame 1 and is rotatably mounted in the two second bearings 13. The rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 is rotatable relative to the main frame 1 in a first (vertical) direction, and each of the two first bearings 131 of the pivot mechanism 12 is rotatable relative to the main frame 1 in a second (horizontal) direction that is perpendicular to the first (vertical) direction of the rotation shaft 18. The support shaft 19 of the pivot mechanism 12 is perpendicular to the rotation shaft 18.

[0026] The two first bearings 131 of the pivot mechanism 12 are disposed between the rotation shaft 18 and the seat unit 20. Each of the two first bearings 131 of the pivot mechanism 12 is pivotally mounted on the support shaft 19. Each of the two first bearings 131 of the pivot mechanism 12 has a top provided with a locking plate 14 locked onto a bottom of the seat unit 20. Each of the two first bearings 131 of the pivot mechanism 12 is perpendicular to each of the two second bearings 13. Each of the two second bearings 13 of the pivot mechanism 12 is affixed to the mounting bracket 11 of the main frame 1 by the locking holes 112 of the mounting bracket 11, and the top plate 110 of the mounting bracket 11 is sandwiched between the two second bearings 13 of the pivot mechanism 12.

[0027] In operation, referring to FIGS. 5-7 with reference to FIGS. 1-4, each of the two first bearings 131 of the pivot mechanism 12 is rotated relative to the main frame 1 in the horizontal direction so that the seat unit 20 is pivoted leftward and rightward relative to the main frame 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In such a manner, when a user is seated on the seat unit 20 as shown in FIG. 7, he/she can apply a force on the seat unit 20 to pivot the seat unit 20 leftward and rightward relative to the main frame 1 so as to achieve an exercising, balance or rehabilitating function.

[0028] Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 8-10 with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 is rotated relative to the main frame 1 in the vertical direction so that the seat unit 20 is swiveled horizontally relative to the main frame 1 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In such a manner, when a user is kneeled or seated on the seat unit 20 as shown in FIG. 10, he/she can apply a force on the seat unit 20 to swivel the seat unit 20 horizontally relative to the main frame 1 so as to achieve an exercising or rehabilitating function.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the rehabilitation exercising equipment further comprises a transmission mechanism 3 mounted between the main frame 1 and the pivot mechanism 12. The transmission mechanism 3 includes a drive geared member 31 mounted on the rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 to move in concert with the rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12, a drive unit 30 mounted on the main frame 1, a driving geared member 32 rotatably mounted on the drive unit 30, and a linking member 33 mounted between the driving geared member 32 and the drive geared member 31 to link the driving geared member 32 and the drive geared member 31.

[0030] The drive geared member 31 of the transmission mechanism 3 is secured on a lower end of the rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 and is located under the two second bearings 13 of the pivot mechanism 12. The drive geared member 31 of the transmission mechanism 3 is rotatably mounted on the drive unit 30. The drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 is received in the mounting bracket 11 of the main frame 1 and is located under the pivot mechanism 12. The drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 is electrically connected to and controlled by the control panel 17 of the main frame 1.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 is a magnetically controlled resistance device. Alternatively, the drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 is a powered motor. In addition, the linking member 33 is a toothed belt. Alternatively, each of the driving geared member 32 and the drive geared member 31 is a sprocket, while the linking member 33 is a chain.

[0032] In operation, when the drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 is a magnetically controlled resistance device, the drive unit 30 provides a damping force to the driving geared member 32 and the drive geared member 31 by connection of the linking member 33 to damp rotation of the rotation shaft 18 of the pivot mechanism 12 so as to provide a resistance to the seat unit 20 so that the user has to apply a larger force to swivel the seat unit 20 horizontally relative to the main frame 1, thereby enhancing the exercising or rehabilitating effect. At this time, the damping force of the drive unit 30 is controlled by the control panel 17 of the main frame 1.

[0033] Alternatively, when the drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 is a powered motor, the drive unit 30 drives the driving geared member 32 which drives the linking member 33 which drives the drive geared member 31 which drives the rotation shaft 18 which drives the seat unit 20 so that the seat unit 20 is driven by the drive unit 30 and is swiveled horizontally relative to the main frame 1 so as to achieve a rehabilitating function automatically.

[0034] Accordingly, the seat unit 20 is pivoted leftward and rightward relative to the main frame 1 and is swiveled horizontally relative to the main frame 1 so as to achieve an exercising, balance or rehabilitating function. In addition, the drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 functions as a magnetically controlled resistance device to provide a damping force to the seat unit 20 so that the user has to apply a larger force to swivel the seat unit 20 horizontally relative to the main frame 1, thereby enhancing the exercising or rehabilitating effect. Further, the drive unit 30 of the transmission mechanism 3 functions as a powered motor to drive the seat unit 20 so that the seat unit 20 is driven by the drive unit 30 and is swiveled horizontally relative to the main frame 1 so as to achieve a rehabilitating function automatically. Further, the rehabilitation exercising equipment has a simplified construction and is assembled easily and quickly to decrease the cost of fabrication and assembly.

[0035] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A rehabilitation exercising equipment, comprising: a main frame; a pivot mechanism pivotally mounted on the main frame; and a seat unit mounted on the pivot mechanism to move in concert with the pivot mechanism.

2. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 1, wherein the pivot mechanism includes: a rotation shaft rotatably mounted on the main frame; and two first bearings each pivotally mounted on the rotation shaft and each connected with the seat unit; the seat unit is movable in concert with the two first bearings relative to the rotation shaft.

3. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the pivot mechanism further includes two second bearings each mounted between the main frame and the rotation shaft; the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism is rotatably mounted in the two second bearings; each of the two first bearings of the pivot mechanism is perpendicular to each of the two second bearings.

4. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the pivot mechanism further includes: a fixing plate mounted on an upper end of the rotation shaft; and two buffering pads each mounted on the fixing plate and each located between the fixing plate and the seat unit.

5. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the pivot mechanism further includes a support shaft mounted on the rotation shaft and extended through each of the two first bearings to support the two first bearings; the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism is disposed at an upright state; the support shaft of the pivot mechanism is perpendicular to the rotation shaft; each of the two first bearings of the pivot mechanism is pivotally mounted on the support shaft.

6. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the two first bearings of the pivot mechanism are disposed between the rotation shaft and the seat unit; each of the two first bearings of the pivot mechanism has a top provided with a locking plate locked onto a bottom of the seat unit.

7. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the main frame includes: a support bar; and a mounting bracket mounted on the support bar for mounting the pivot mechanism; the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket of the main frame.

8. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 7, wherein the pivot mechanism further includes two second bearings each mounted between the main frame and the rotation shaft; the mounting bracket of the main frame has a top plate provided with a mounting hole and a plurality of locking holes; the top plate of the mounting bracket is sandwiched between the two second bearings of the pivot mechanism; the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism is rotatably mounted in the two second bearings; the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism is extended through the two second bearings and the mounting hole of the mounting bracket; each of the two second bearings of the pivot mechanism is affixed to the mounting bracket of the main frame by the locking holes of the mounting bracket.

9. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 7, wherein the main frame further includes: an extension bar connected with the support bar; and a control panel mounted on the extension bar.

10. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism is rotatable relative to the main frame in a first direction; and each of the two first bearings of the pivot mechanism is rotatable relative to the main frame in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction of the rotation shaft.

11. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the rehabilitation exercising equipment further comprises a transmission mechanism mounted between the main frame and the pivot mechanism; the transmission mechanism includes: a drive geared member mounted on the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism to move in concert with the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism; a drive unit mounted on the main frame; a driving geared member rotatably mounted on the drive unit; and a linking member mounted between the driving geared member and the drive geared member to link the driving geared member and the drive geared member.

12. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 11, wherein the drive geared member of the transmission mechanism is rotatably mounted on the drive unit.

13. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 11, wherein the pivot mechanism further includes two second bearings each mounted between the main frame and the rotation shaft; the drive geared member of the transmission mechanism is secured on a lower end of the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism and is located under the two second bearings of the pivot mechanism.

14. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 11, wherein the main frame includes: a support bar; and a mounting bracket mounted on the support bar for mounting the pivot mechanism; the rotation shaft of the pivot mechanism is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket of the main frame; the drive unit of the transmission mechanism is received in the mounting bracket of the main frame and is located under the pivot mechanism.

15. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 14, wherein the main frame further includes: an extension bar connected with the support bar; and a control panel mounted on the extension bar; the drive unit of the transmission mechanism is electrically connected to and controlled by the control panel of the main frame.

16. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 11, wherein the drive unit of the transmission mechanism is a magnetically controlled resistance device.

17. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 11, wherein the drive unit of the transmission mechanism is a powered motor.

18. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 11, wherein the linking member is a toothed belt.

19. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 11, wherein each of the driving geared member and the drive geared member is a sprocket; and the linking member is a chain.

20. The rehabilitation exercising equipment of claim 2, wherein the pivot mechanism is pivotable leftward and rightward relative to the main frame and is swivelable horizontally relative to the main frame.