U.S. patent application number 13/373807 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-06 for resist device 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 | 20130143720 13/373807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48524417 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130143720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chuang; Jin Chen ; et
al. |
June 6, 2013 |
Resist device for stationary exercise device
Abstract
A stationary exercise device includes a support device for
cyclically and elliptically supporting two foot supports above a
base, and a resist device coupled between the foot support and the
support device for applying a resistive force to the foot support
and for braking an elliptical movement of the foot support relative
to the support device, the resist device includes two members
slidably coupled together and moveable linearly relative to each
other for applying a frictional and resistive force between the
members and for resisting a linear movement between the members,
and for resisting the elliptical movement of the foot support
relative to the support device.
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: |
48524417 |
Appl. No.: |
13/373807 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00069 20130101;
A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 21/005 20130101;
A63B 2022/0682 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 21/008
20130101; A63B 2022/067 20130101; A63B 21/012 20130101; A63B
22/0012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. A stationary exercise device comprising: a base, a pair of foot
supports, a support device for supporting said foot supports above
said base and for allowing said foot supports to move cyclically
and elliptically relative to said base, and a resist device coupled
between said foot support and said support device for applying a
resistive force to said foot support and for braking an elliptical
movement of said foot support relative to said support device,
wherein said resist device includes a first member and a second
member slidably coupled together and moveable linearly relative to
each other for applying a frictional and resistive force between
said first and said second members and for resisting a linear
movement between said first and said second members, and for
resisting the elliptical movement of said foot support relative to
said support device.
2. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said first member includes a bore formed therein for slidably
receiving and engaging with said second member.
3. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said resist device includes a brake element engaged into said bore
of said first member and engaged with said second member.
4. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 3, wherein
said first member includes two casings, and said brake element
includes two shoe segments attached to said casings respectively
and engaged with said second member.
5. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said resist device includes at least one spring member engaged with
said casings for applying a spring biasing force onto said casings
and for biasing said shoe segments of said brake element to engage
with said second member and to apply the frictional force onto said
second member.
6. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein
said resist device includes at least one limiting member loosely
coupled between said casings for loosely coupling said casings
together, and said at least one spring member is engaged onto said
at least one limiting member.
7. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
said resist device includes at least one second limiting member
loosely coupled between said casings for loosely coupling said
casings together, and at least one second spring member engaged
onto said at least one second limiting member.
8. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 7, wherein
said resist device includes a bracket engaged onto one of said
casings and coupled to said at least one limiting member and said
at least one second limiting member, and an adjusting member
engaged with said bracket and engaged with said casing for
adjusting said at least one limiting member and said at least one
second limiting member and said at least one spring member and said
at least one second spring member relative to said casings and for
adjusting the frictional force of said shoe segments of said brake
element to said second member.
9. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 7, wherein
said casings each include two flaps laterally and oppositely
extended outwardly therefrom, and said at least one limiting member
and said at least one second limiting member are loosely coupled
between said flaps of said casings for loosely coupling said
casings together.
10. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said base includes an upright support extended upwardly from said
base, and said support device includes a pair of handles pivotally
coupled to said upright support with a spindle and to be pivoted
and swung relative to said upright support of said base, said
handles each include a hand grip provided for being grasped and
held by a user and each include a lower portion, and said foot
supports each include a front portion pivotally coupled to said
lower portion of said handle respectively, and each include a foot
pedal disposed thereon for supporting the user's feet, and said
resist device is coupled between said foot support and said handle
of said support device.
11. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 10, wherein
said first member of said resist device is coupled to said handle
respectively, and said second member of said resist device is
coupled to said foot support respective.
12. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 10, wherein
said support device includes a pair of cranks rotatably attached to
said upright support with a pivot axle, said cranks each include a
pivot rod extended outwardly therefrom and spaced away from said
pivot axle, and said foot supports each include a middle portion
pivotally coupled to said pivot rod of said cranks with a link.
13. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
said support device includes a rotary member rotatably attached to
said upright support with said pivot axle.
14. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 13, wherein
said support device includes a wheel rotatably attached to said
upright support and coupled to said rotary member with a coupling
device.
15. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said first member includes two casings, and two shoe segments
attached to said casings respectively and engaged with said second
member.
16. The stationary exercise device as claimed in claim 15, wherein
said resist device includes at least one spring member for biasing
said shoe segments of said brake element to engage with said second
member and to apply the frictional force onto said second member.
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 or stationary
exercise device including a braking or resistive device for braking
or resisting the elliptical movement of the exercise device, and
for suitably controlling the elliptical movement or the actuation
or the working or the operation of the elliptical exercise
device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Typical 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.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,072 to Chuang et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 7,556,591 to Chuang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,018 to
Chuang et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,611,446 to Chuang et al.
disclose several of the typical elliptical or stepping or
stationary 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 upwardly extending frame member and the base support device and
also coupled to the handles for allowing the foot supports to be
stepped or moved up and down relative to the base support device by
the user.
[0006] However, the movement of the foot supports relative to the
upwardly extending frame member and the base support device may not
be resisted or braked, i.e., the typical elliptical or stepping or
stationary exercise devices have no brake or resistive devices
provided for braking or resisting or retarding the movement of the
foot supports relative to the upwardly extending frame member and
the base support device such that the movement of the foot supports
may not be suitably controlled.
[0007] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional elliptical
exercise devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a stationary or elliptical exercise device including a braking or
resistive device for braking or resisting the elliptical movement
of the exercise device, and for suitably controlling the elliptical
movement or the actuation or the working or the operation of the
elliptical exercise device.
[0009] The other objective of the present invention is to provide a
stationary exercise device including an adjustable arrangement for
suitably adjusting the braking force or resistance applied to the
elliptical exercise device.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a stationary or elliptical exercise device comprising a
base, a pair of foot supports, a support device for supporting the
foot supports above the base and for allowing the foot supports to
move cyclically and elliptically relative to the base, and a resist
device coupled between the foot support and the support device for
applying a resistive force to the foot support and for braking an
elliptical movement of the foot support relative to the support
device, wherein the resist device includes a first member and a
second member slidably coupled together and moveable linearly
relative to each other for applying a frictional and resistive
force between the first and the second members and for resisting a
linear movement between the first and the second members, and thus
for resisting the elliptical movement of the foot support relative
to the support device.
[0011] The first member includes a cylindrical structure having a
bore formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with the
second member. The resist device includes a brake element engaged
into the bore of the first member and contacted or engaged with the
second member for applying a frictional and resistive force between
the first and the second members.
[0012] The first member includes two casings, and the brake element
includes two shoe segments attached to the casings respectively and
contacted or engaged with the second member for applying the
frictional and resistive force onto the second member and thus for
resisting the linear movement between the first and the second
members.
[0013] The resist device includes at least one spring member
engaged with the casings for applying a spring biasing force onto
the casings and for biasing the shoe segments of the brake element
toward each other and to engage with the second member and to apply
the frictional force onto the second member.
[0014] The resist device includes at least one limiting member
loosely coupled between the casings for loosely coupling the
casings together, and the spring member is engaged onto the
limiting member and engaged with the casings for applying the
spring biasing force onto the casings.
[0015] The resist device includes at least one second limiting
member loosely coupled between the casings for loosely coupling the
casings together, and at least one second spring member engaged
onto the second limiting member and engaged with the casings for
applying the spring biasing force onto the casings.
[0016] The resist device includes a bracket engaged onto one of the
casings and coupled to the limiting members, and an adjusting
member engaged with the bracket and engaged with the casing for
adjusting the limiting members and the spring members relative to
the casings and for adjusting the spring biasing force of the
spring members to the casings, and for adjusting the frictional or
resistive or braking force of the shoe segments of the brake
element to the second member.
[0017] The casings each include two flaps laterally and oppositely
extended outwardly therefrom, and the limiting members are loosely
coupled between the flaps of the casings for loosely coupling the
casings together, and the spring members are attached or mounted or
engaged onto the limiting members and engaged with the casings for
applying the spring biasing force onto the casings and for biasing
the shoe segments of the brake element toward each other and to
engage with the second member and to apply the frictional force
onto the second member.
[0018] The base includes an upright support extended upwardly from
the base, and the support device includes a pair of handles
pivotally coupled to the upright support with a spindle and to be
pivoted and swung relative to the upright support of the base, the
handles each include a hand grip provided for being grasped and
held by a user and each include a lower portion, and the foot
supports each include a front portion pivotally coupled to the
lower portion of the handle respectively, and each include a foot
pedal disposed thereon for supporting the user's feet, and the
resist device is coupled between the foot support and the handle of
the support device for applying a resistive force to the foot
support and the handle and for braking an elliptical movement of
the foot support relative to the support device.
[0019] The first member of the resist device is coupled to the
handle respectively, and the second member of the resist device is
coupled to the foot support respective for resisting or braking the
movement between the handle and the foot support.
[0020] The support device includes a pair of cranks rotatably
attached to the upright support with a pivot axle, the cranks each
include a pivot rod extended outwardly therefrom and spaced away
from the pivot axle, and the foot supports each include a middle
portion pivotally coupled to the pivot rod of the cranks with a
link for allowing the middle portion of the foot support to be
moved cyclically or elliptically relative to the upright support of
the base by the cranks.
[0021] The support device includes a rotary member rotatably
attached to the upright support with the pivot axle for applying
another resistive force to the cranks. The support device includes
a wheel rotatably attached to the upright support and coupled to
the rotary member with a coupling device for further applying an
additional resistive force to the rotary member and the cranks.
[0022] 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
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a stationary exercise
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the stationary exercise
device;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side plan schematic view of the stationary
exercise device;
[0026] FIGS. 4, 5 are side plan schematic views similar to FIG. 3,
illustrating the operation of the stationary exercise device;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view illustrating a brake or
resistive device of the stationary exercise device;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the brake or resistive
device of the stationary exercise device;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a side plan schematic view of the brake or
resistive device of the stationary exercise device;
[0030] FIG. 9 is another perspective view similar to FIG. 7,
illustrating the other arrangement of the stationary exercise
device;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the brake or resistive
device of the stationary exercise device, taken along lines 10-10
of FIG. 7;
[0032] FIG. 11 is another cross sectional view similar to FIG. 10,
illustrating the operation of the brake or resistive device of the
stationary exercise device;
[0033] FIGS. 12, 13 are perspective views similar to FIGS. 1, 2,
illustrating the further arrangement of the stationary exercise
device; and
[0034] FIGS. 14, 15, 16 are side plan schematic view of the
stationary exercise device as shown in FIGS. 12-13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-5, a
stationary exercise device in accordance with the present invention
comprises a stationary base 10, an upright support 11 extended
upwardly from the base 10, a spindle 12 disposed or provided on the
upper portion 13 of the upright support 11, a rotary member or
pulley or wheel 20 pivotally or rotatably attached to the upright
support 11, another wheel or pulley or rotary member or weight or
flywheel 21 also pivotally or rotatably attached to the upright
support 11 coupled to the wheel 20 with a coupling device 22, such
as a sprocket-and-chain coupling device or a gearing coupling
device, or a belt 22 for allowing the rotary member or pulley or
wheel 20 to be rotated or driven by the wheel 20.
[0036] The flywheel 21 may apply a resistive force against the
wheel 20 for resisting the rotational movement of the wheel 20, the
flywheel 21 and the wheel 20 are coupled together to form a
resistive means or device for resisting the rotational movement of
the wheel 20, however, the other resistive device, such as the
hydraulic or pneumatic resistive devices (not shown), or the
magnetic retarding devices (not shown) may also be used to apply
the resistive force against the wheel 20. The flywheel 21 and the
wheel 20 are typical and are not related to the present invention
and will not be described in further details.
[0037] A pair of or two cranks 23 and a pulley or rotary member 24
are pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted or secured to the
upper portion 13 of the upright support 11 with a pivot axle 25
such that the cranks 23 and the rotary member 24 may be pivoted or
rotated relative to the upright support 11, the cranks 23 each
include a pivot rod 26 provided or attached thereto or extended
outwardly therefrom and spaced away from or distal to the pivot
axle 25, the rotary member 24 is coupled to the wheel 20 with
another coupling device 27, such as a sprocket-and-chain coupling
device or a gearing coupling device, or a belt 27 for allowing the
wheel 20 to be rotated or driven by the rotary member 24.
[0038] A pair of or two handles 30 include an upper or middle
portion 31 attached or secured to the spindle 12 for allowing the
handles 30 to be pivotally coupled to the upper portion 13 of the
upright support 11 with the spindle 12 and for allowing the handles
30 to be pivoted or swung relative to the upright support 11 of the
base 10. The handles 30 each include a hand grip 32 formed or
provided on the upper portion thereof for being grasped or held or
operated by the user and for allowing the user to move or to pivot
or to swing the handles 30 relative to the upright support 11 of
the base 10, and the handles 30 each include a lower portion
33.
[0039] A pair of or two foot supports 50 each include a front
portion 51 pivotally coupled the lower portion 33 of the handle 30
respectively for allowing the foot supports 50 to be pivotally
coupled or attached to the upright support 11 of the base 10 with
the handles 30, and for allowing the foot supports 50 and the
handles 30 to be moved or pivoted or swung relative to the upright
support 11 of the base 10, and for allowing the foot supports 50 to
be adapted to move relative to the upright support 11 of the base
10 in an elliptical moving path or moving stroke. The foot supports
50 each include a middle portion 52 pivotally coupled to the pivot
rod 31 of the cranks 23 with a link 53 for allowing the middle
portions 52 or the foot supports 50 to be moved cyclically or
elliptically relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10 by
the cranks 23.
[0040] The foot supports 50 each include a foot pedal 54 disposed
or provided thereon, such as disposed or provided on the rear
portion thereof for supporting the feet of the users and for
allowing the feet of the users to step and to operate or to actuate
the foot supports 50 and to move cyclically or elliptically
relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10. The upright
support 11 of the base 10 and/or the handles 30 and/or the links 53
and/or the cranks 23 altogether form and define a support device 1
for supporting the foot supports 50 on or above the base 10 and for
allowing the foot supports 50 to move cyclically or elliptically
relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10 and/or the
handles 30 and/or the links 53 and/or the cranks 23 of the support
device 1.
[0041] The present invention is further to provide a brake or
resist device 7 attached or mounted or secured or coupled between
the foot supports 50 and the support device 1 for applying a
braking or resistive force against or to the foot supports 50 and
for braking or resisting the cyclical or elliptical movement of the
foot supports 50 relative to the support device 1. For example, the
resist device 7 is attached or mounted or coupled between the foot
supports 50 and the handles 30 of the support device 1 for braking
or resisting the relative movement between the foot supports 50 and
the handles 30 of the support device 1 and thus for braking or
resisting the cyclical or elliptical movement of the foot supports
50 relative to the support device 1.
[0042] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 12-16, the support device 1
may include a column 15 extended upwardly from the rear portion of
the base 100 for cyclically or elliptically supporting the foot
supports 501 together with the upright support 11 of the base 100,
and for allowing the foot supports 501 to move cyclically or
elliptically relative to the upright support 11 and the column 15
of the base 100, and the resist device 7 may be attached or mounted
or coupled between the foot supports 501 and the column 15 of the
base 100 for braking or resisting the relative movement between the
foot supports 501 and the column 15 of the base 100 and thus for
braking or resisting the cyclical or elliptical movement of the
foot supports 501 relative to the base 100 of the support device
1.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 6-11, the resist device 7 includes a first
or female member 70 and a second or male member 71 slidably
attached or mounted or coupled together or engaged with each other,
the second or male member 71 is attached or mounted or coupled to
the respective foot support 50, and the first or female member 70
is attached or mounted or coupled to the respective handle 30 and
includes a cylindrical structure having a bore 72 formed therein
(FIG. 6) for slidably receiving or engaging with the second or male
member 71 and for allowing the two members 70, 71 to be moved
linearly relative to each other (FIGS. 10, 11). A brake shoe or
element 73 is disposed or attached or mounted or secured or engaged
into the bore 72 of the first or female member 70 and engaged with
or between the two members 70, 71 for applying a braking or
frictional or resistive force against or to or between the two
members 70, 71 and for braking or resisting the linear movement
between the two members 70, 71.
[0044] The first or female member 70 may include two half elements
or segments or casings 74 each having two flanges or flaps 75
laterally and oppositely extended outwardly therefrom, and a number
of spacers or bolts or fasteners or limiting members 76 loosely
attached or mounted or coupled between the flaps 75 of the casings
74 for loosely or adjustably coupling the casings 74 together and
for adjusting the resistance applied from the casings 74 and the
brake element 73 to the second or male member 71, and a number of
spring members 77 (FIGS. 6, 8) attached or mounted or engaged onto
the limiting members 76 and engaged with the respective flaps 75 of
the casings 74 for applying a spring biasing force against or onto
the casings 74.
[0045] The brake element 73 includes one or more (such as two) shoe
segments 78 (FIG. 6) attached or mounted or secured to the casings
74 respectively, and the spring members 77 are provided for biasing
or forcing the shoe segments 78 of the brake element 73 to
resiliently engage with the second or male member 71 and to
suitably apply the braking or frictional or resistive force against
or onto the second or male member 71. The resist device 7 may
further include a bracket 79 engaged onto one of the casings 74 and
coupled to one or more (such as two) of the limiting members 76,
and a bolt or screw or fastener or adjusting member 80 is threaded
or engaged with the bracket 79 and engaged with the casing 74 for
moving or adjusting the limiting members 76 and the spring members
77 relative to the casings 74 and thus for adjusting the braking or
frictional or resistive force of the shoe segments 78 of the brake
element 73 against or onto the second or male member 71.
[0046] In operation, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the shoe segments
78 of the brake element 73 may be biased or forced by the spring
members 77 (FIGS. 6, 8) to resiliently engage with the second or
male member 71 and to suitably apply the braking or frictional or
resistive force against or onto the second or male member 71 and
thus to apply the suitable braking or frictional or resistive force
against or onto the second or male member 71, in order to brake or
resist the sliding or linear movement between the two members 70,
71. The adjusting member 80 may be used to adjust the limiting
members 76 and the spring members 77 to move relative to the
casings 74 and thus to adjust the braking or frictional or
resistive force of the shoe segments 78 of the brake element 73
against or onto the second or male member 71. As shown in FIG. 9,
the bracket 79 and the adjusting member 80 may be removed, and each
and all of the limiting members 76 may also be moved or adjusted
relative to the casings 74 for adjusting the braking or frictional
or resistive force of the shoe segments 78 of the brake element 73
(FIGS. 6, 10-11) against or onto the second or male member 71.
[0047] In operation, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the foot supports 50
may be moved cyclically or elliptically relative to the upright
support 11 of the base 10 with the handles 30 and/or by the user,
and the foot supports 50 may thus be forced to move relative to the
upright support 11 of the base 10 and/or the handles 30, and the
resist device 7 may be selectively coupled between the foot
supports 50 and the handles 30 or the upright support 11 of the
base 10 of the support device 1 for braking or resisting the
relative movement between the foot supports 50 and the handles 30
or the upright support 11 of the support device 1 and thus for
braking or resisting the cyclical or elliptical movement of the
foot supports 50 relative to the support device 1.
[0048] Accordingly, the stationary or elliptical exercise device in
accordance with the present invention includes a braking or
resistive device for braking or resisting the elliptical movement
of the exercise device, and for suitably controlling the elliptical
movement or the actuation or the working or the operation of the
elliptical exercise device, and includes an adjustable arrangement
for suitably adjusting the braking force or resistance applied to
the elliptical exercise device.
[0049] 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.
* * * * *