U.S. patent application number 13/136417 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-07 for stationary exercise device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jin Chen Chuang, Lung Fei Chuang. Invention is credited to Jin Chen Chuang, Lung Fei Chuang.
Application Number | 20130035212 13/136417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47627291 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130035212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chuang; Jin Chen ; et
al. |
February 7, 2013 |
Stationary exercise device
Abstract
An exercise device includes an upright post extended upwardly
from a base, a pair of connecting members pivotally coupled to the
upright post with an axle, two wheels rotatably attached to the
axle, two lower brake arms and two upper brake arms pivotally
attached to the upright post and each having a brake shoe for
engaging with the wheels, a bar engaged with the free ends of the
lower brake arms, and a follower engaged with the free ends of the
upper brake arms and adjustable toward and away from the bar for
adjusting a resistive force of the brake shoes onto the wheels and
for adjusting the resistive force to the swinging movement of the
handles and the elliptical movement of the foot supports.
Inventors: |
Chuang; Jin Chen; (Taichung,
TW) ; Chuang; Lung Fei; (Taichung, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chuang; Jin Chen
Chuang; Lung Fei |
Taichung
Taichung |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
47627291 |
Appl. No.: |
13/136417 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/001 20130101;
A63B 2022/067 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 21/015
20130101; A63B 2022/0682 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising: a base including an upright post
extended upwardly from said base, a pair of connecting members
pivotally coupled to said upright post with an axle for swinging
relative to said axle and said base, a first wheel and a second
wheel rotatably attached to said axle, two first brake arms each
including a first end pivotally attached to said upright post and
each including a second end, and each including a brake shoe for
selectively engaging with said first wheel and said second wheel
and for braking said first wheel and said second wheel, two second
brake arms each including a first end pivotally attached to said
upright post and each including a second end, and each including a
brake shoe for selectively engaging with said first wheel and said
second wheel and for braking said first wheel and said second
wheel, a bar engaged with said second ends of said second brake
arms, and a follower engaged with said second ends of said first
brake arms and adjustable toward and away from said bar for
adjusting a resistive force of said brake shoes onto said first
wheel and said second wheel.
2. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second
ends of said second brake arms each include a hook member provided
thereon for engaging with said bar.
3. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second
ends of said first brake arms each include a hook member provided
thereon for engaging with said follower.
4. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bar
includes a coupling element slidably coupled to said follower, and
said follower is adjustable toward and away from said bar along
said coupling element.
5. The exercise device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a spring
biasing member is attached onto said coupling element and engaged
with said follower for biasing said follower toward said bar.
6. The exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a fastener is
engaged with said coupling element for forcing said follower and
said bar toward and away from each other and for adjusting the
resistive force of said brake shoes onto said first wheel and said
second wheel.
7. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base
includes an upright support extended upwardly from said base, two
handles pivotally coupled to said upright support with a spindle,
and two foot supports each including a front portion pivotally
coupled to said upright support and each including a rear portion
pivotally coupled to said connecting members respectively.
8. The exercise device as claimed in claim 7, wherein two cranks
are pivotally attached to said upright support and pivotally
coupled to said handles with levers.
9. The exercise device as claimed in claim 7, wherein two cranks
are pivotally attached to said upright support and pivotally
coupled to said front portions of said foot supports
respectively.
10. The exercise device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said foot
supports each include a foot pedal supported thereon for supporting
a user.
11. The exercise device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
handles each include a lower portion pivotally coupled to said foot
pedal with a lever.
12. The exercise device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a pulley
wheel is rotatably attached to said upright support with a shaft,
and a rotary member is rotatably attached to said upright support
with an axle and coupled to said pulley wheel with a coupling
device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a stationary exercise
device, and more particularly to an elliptical and stationary
exercise device including a braking device for resisting or
retarding the movement or the actuation or the operation of the
stationary exercise device, and for allowing the exercise device to
be safely actuated or worked by the user.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Typical stationary exercise devices, such as stepping
exercisers comprise a pair of handles pivotally attached to an
upwardly extending frame member of a base support device, and a
pair of foot supports pivotally coupled to the handles and arranged
for allowing the foot supports to be stepped or moved up and down
relative to the base support device. The applicant has also
developed various kinds of elliptical exercisers or stepping
exercisers for being stepped or actuated or worked or operated by
the user to train the lower muscle groups.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,072 to Chuang et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 7,608,018 to Chuang et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,206 to
Chuang et al. disclose several of the typical exercise devices each
comprising a pair of handles pivotally attached to an upwardly
extending frame member of a base support device, and a pair of foot
supports pivotally coupled to the handles, and a pair of force
resisting device pivotally coupling the foot supports to the
upwardly extending frame member for allowing the foot supports to
be stepped or actuated or moved up and down relative to the base
support device.
[0006] Normally, one or more pulleys or idle wheels are pivotally
or rotatably attached to the base support device and coupled to the
handles or the foot supports for applying a resisting or retarding
force to the handles or the foot supports.
[0007] However, the typical exercise devices have no braking
devices provided for resisting or retarding the striding or
stepping movement or the actuation or the operation of the
stationary exercise device, and the exercise device may not be
safely actuated or worked by the user.
[0008] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional elliptical or
stationary exercise devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a stationary exercise device including a braking device for
resisting or retarding the movement or the actuation or the
operation of the stationary exercise device, and for allowing the
exercise device to be safely actuated or worked by the user.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided an exercise device comprising a base including an upright
post extended upwardly from the base, a pair of connecting members
pivotally coupled to the upright post with an axle for swinging
relative to the axle and the base, a first wheel and a second wheel
rotatably attached to the axle, two first brake arms each including
a first end pivotally attached to the upright post and each
including a second end, and each including a brake shoe for
selectively engaging with the first wheel and the second wheel and
for braking the first wheel and the second wheel, two second brake
arms each including a first end pivotally attached to the upright
post and each including a second end, and each including a brake
shoe for selectively engaging with the first wheel and the second
wheel and for braking the first wheel and the second wheel, a bar
engaged with the second ends of the second brake arms, and a
follower engaged with the second ends of the first brake arms and
adjustable toward and away from the bar for adjusting a resistive
force of the brake shoes onto the first wheel and the second
wheel.
[0011] The second ends of the second brake arms each include a hook
member provided thereon for engaging with the bar, and the second
ends of the first brake arms each include a hook member provided
thereon for engaging with the follower and for allowing the bar and
the follower to be selectively moved toward or away from each
other.
[0012] The bar includes a coupling element slidably coupled to the
follower, and the follower is slidably attached or mounted or
secured to the coupling element and adjustable toward and away from
the bar along the coupling element.
[0013] A spring biasing member may further be provided and attached
onto the coupling element and engaged with the follower for biasing
or forcing the follower toward the bar. A fastener may further be
provided and engaged with the coupling element for forcing the
follower and the bar toward and away from each other and for
adjusting the resistive force of the brake shoes onto the first
wheel and the second wheel.
[0014] The base includes an upright support extended upwardly from
the base, two handles pivotally coupled to the upright support with
a spindle, and two foot supports each including a front portion
pivotally coupled to the upright support and each including a rear
portion pivotally coupled to the connecting members respectively,
and the brake shoes of the brake arms may be provided for resisting
and retarding the swinging movement of the handles and the
elliptical movement of the foot supports.
[0015] Two cranks may further be provided and pivotally attached to
the upright support and pivotally coupled to the handles with
levers for coupling the handles together. Two cranks may further be
provided and pivotally attached to the upright support and
pivotally coupled to the front portions of the foot supports
respectively for coupling the foot supports together.
[0016] The foot supports each include a foot pedal supported
thereon for supporting the feet of a user. The handles each include
a lower portion pivotally coupled to the foot pedal with a lever
and to be moved together with the foot pedal.
[0017] A pulley wheel may further be provided and rotatably
attached to the upright support with a shaft, and a rotary member
is rotatably attached to the upright support with an axle and
coupled to the pulley wheel with a coupling device.
[0018] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed
description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stationary exercise device
in accordance with the present invention, as seen from the rear and
right portion of the stationary exercise device;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view as seen from the rear and left
portion of the stationary exercise device;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side plan schematic view of the stationary
exercise device;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the stationary exercise
device;
[0023] FIG. 5 is another partial exploded view of the stationary
exercise device; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the other
arrangement of the stationary exercise device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a
stationary or elliptical exercise device in accordance with the
present invention comprises a base 10, an upright support 11
extended upwardly from the base 10 for supporting a spindle 12
thereon, the spindle 12 is preferably disposed or provided on such
as the upper and rear portion of the upright support 11, a rotary
member or pulley or pulley wheel 20 is pivotally or rotatably
attached to the front or middle portion of the upright support 11
with a shaft 21, another wheel or pulley or rotary member 22
pivotally or rotatably attached to the middle portion 14 of the
upright support 11 with an axle 23 and coupled to the wheel 20 with
a coupling device 25.
[0026] A pair of or two cranks 30 are pivotally or rotatably
attached or mounted or secured to the upright support 11 with a
pivot rod 31, another pair of or two cranks 30 are also pivotally
or rotatably attached or mounted or secured to the upright support
11 with the shaft 21. A pair of handles 40 include an upper or
middle portion 41 attached or secured to the spindle 12 for
allowing the handles 40 to be pivotally coupled to the upright
support 11 with the spindle 12 and for allowing the handles 40 to
be pivoted or swung relative to the upright support 11 of the base
10. The handles 40 each include a hand grip 42 formed or provided
on the upper portion thereof for being grasped or held or operated
by the users, and each include a lower portion 43. The cranks 30
are pivotally or rotatably coupled to the upper or middle portions
41 of the handles 40 with levers 32 respectively for coupling the
handles 40 together.
[0027] A pair of foot supports 50 each include a front portion 51
pivotally coupled to the cranks 33 with a link 52 for allowing the
front portions 51 of the foot supports 50 to be moved cyclically
relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10 by the cranks 33,
and each include a rear portion 53 pivotally coupled to or
supported on the rear portion 15 of the base 10. For example, the
base 10 includes an upright post 16 extended upwardly from the rear
portion 15 of the base 10 for supporting an axle 17 thereon, and
the rear portions 53 of the foot supports 50 are pivotally coupled
to or supported on the rear portion 15 of the base 10 with the post
16 and the axle 17 and a connecting member 19 for allowing the rear
portions 53 of the foot supports 50 to be swung relative to the
upright post 16 of the base 10.
[0028] The foot supports 50 each include a pivot rod 54 disposed or
provided on the middle portion 55 thereof for pivotally coupling or
supporting a foot pedal 56 thereon and for supporting the feet of
the users and for allowing the foot pedal 56 to be rotated or
pivoted relative to the foot supports 50. The lower portions 44 of
the handles 40 are pivotally coupled to the foot supports 50
respectively for allowing the foot supports 50 and the handles 40
to be pivotally coupled together. For example, the lower portions
44 of the handles 40 are pivotally coupled to the foot supports 50
or the foot pedals 56 with a lever 57 respectively, and the lever
57 may be pivotally coupled to the pivot rod 54 or pivotally
coupled to the foot pedal 56 for allowing the foot pedal 56 to be
rotated or pivoted relative to the foot supports 50 to different
angular positions by the handles 40.
[0029] In operation, the handles 40 may be pivoted or swung
relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10 with the spindle
12 of the upright support 11, and the rear portions 53 of the foot
supports 50 may be pivoted or swung relative to the upright post 16
of the base 10 with the axle 17, and the front portions 51 of the
foot supports 50 may be moved cyclically relative to the upright
support 11 of the base 10 by the cranks 30, such that the foot
pedals 56 of the foot supports 50 may be moved elliptically
relative to the base 10. It is to be noted that the swinging
movement or the moving stroke of the handles 40 may be controlled
by the users in order to control and to determine the moving stroke
of the foot supports 50. The above-described structure or
configuration for the base 10 and the handles 40 and the foot
supports 50 is typical and will not be described in further
details.
[0030] The stationary exercise device further includes one or more
(such as two) pulleys or wheels 60, or a first wheel 60 and a
second wheel 60 each pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted or
secured to the upright post 16 and the axle 17 of the base 10
and/or secured to the connecting members 19 with a unidirectional
bearing 61 for allowing the wheels 60 to be pivoted or rotated or
driven by the axle 17 and/or the connecting members 19 when the
foot supports 50 and/or the foot pedals 56 are stepped or actuated
or operated by the user; or the wheels 60 may be solidly attached
or mounted or secured to the upright post 16 and the axle 17 of the
base 10 and rotated in concert with the axle 17 and also to be
pivoted or rotated or driven by the axle 17 and/or the connecting
members 19 when the foot supports 50 and/or the foot pedals 56 are
stepped or actuated or operated by the user.
[0031] One or more (such as two or a pair of) brake arms 63 are
attached or mounted or secured to the upright post 16 and disposed
or located around each wheel 60. For example, the brake arms 63
each include one or first end 64 pivotally or rotatably attached or
mounted or secured to the upright post 16 with a pivot pole 65, and
each include the other or second end 66 having a hook member 67
formed or provided thereon, and each include a brake shoe 68
attached or mounted or secured thereto for selectively engaging
with the wheel 60 and for braking the wheel 60. One of the brake
arms 63 or the first brake arm 63 is attached or mounted or
disposed above each wheel 60, and another or the second brake arm
63 is attached or mounted or disposed below each wheel 60 for
allowing the first and the second brake arms 63 to be disposed
around the wheels 60.
[0032] An adjusting device 7 includes a coupling element 70
slidably attached or mounted or coupled to the upright post 16, and
includes a bar 71 attached or mounted or secured to one end of the
coupling element 70 and having two end portions 72 for engaging
with the hook members 67 of the two lower brake arms 63, a follower
73 slidably attached or mounted or secured to the coupling element
70 and adjustable toward and away from the bar 71 and having two
end portions 74 for engaging with the hook members 67 of the two
upper brake arms 63, a spring biasing member 75 attached or mounted
or engaged onto the coupling element 70 and engaged with the
follower 73 for biasing or forcing the follower 73 toward the bar
71, and a fastener 76 is threaded or engaged with the coupling
element 70 for forcing the follower 73 and the bar 71 toward and
away from each other and for adjusting the resistive or retarding
force of the brake shoes 68 onto the wheels 60, and also for
adjusting the resistive or retarding force that may be applied to
the connecting members 19 and/or the foot supports 50 and/or the
foot pedals 56.
[0033] In operation, the brake shoes 68 may be adjusted or biased
and forced onto the wheels 60 and/or to engage with the wheels 60
for applying a resistive or retarding force onto the wheels 60, and
the fastener 76 may be fastened or threaded or loosened relative to
the coupling element 70 for adjusting the resistive or retarding
force of the brake shoes 68 onto the wheels 60, the rotational
movement of the wheels 60 may thus be resisted or retarded and
adjusted with the brake shoes 68, and the swinging movement of the
link 52 and the handles 40 and the connecting members 19 and/or the
striding or elliptical movement of the foot supports 50 and the
foot pedals 56 also may thus be resisted or retarded and adjusted
with the brake shoes 68.
[0034] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the stationary exercise
device may also comprise an upright support 11 extended upwardly
from a base 100 for supporting a spindle 12 thereon, the handles 40
also include an upper or middle portion 41 attached or secured to
the spindle 12, two cranks 30 are pivotally or rotatably attached
or mounted or secured to the upright support 11 and pivotally or
rotatably coupled to the upper or middle portions 41 of the handles
40 respectively for coupling the handles 40 together, two foot
supports 500 each include a front portion 51 pivotally coupled to
the lower portions 44 of the handles 40 for pivotally coupling or
supporting a foot pedal 56 thereon, and each include a middle
portion pivotally coupled to the upright support 11 with links 52
and cranks 33.
[0035] The stationary exercise device further includes one or more
(such as two) pulleys or wheels 60 each pivotally or rotatably
attached or mounted or secured to the upright support 11 and the
spindle 12 and to be pivoted or rotated or driven by the spindle 12
and/or the handles 40 when the foot supports 50 and/or the foot
pedals 56 are stepped or actuated or operated by the user. Two
brake arms 63 are also attached or mounted or secured to the
upright support 11 and disposed or located around each wheel 60,
and an adjusting device 7 includes a bar 71 and a follower 73 for
engaging with the brake arms 63 and for adjusting the resistive or
retarding force of the brake shoes 68 onto the wheels 60.
[0036] Accordingly, the stationary exercise device in accordance
with the present invention includes a braking device for resisting
or retarding the movement or the actuation or the operation of the
stationary exercise device, and for allowing the exercise device to
be safely actuated or worked by the user.
[0037] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *