U.S. patent application number 13/748460 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for switching mechanism for a pedal exerciser.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chien-Hsiang Huang. Invention is credited to Chien-Hsiang Huang.
Application Number | 20140206506 13/748460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51208130 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140206506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huang; Chien-Hsiang |
July 24, 2014 |
SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR A PEDAL EXERCISER
Abstract
A pedal exerciser includes a shaft rotatably mounted to a shaft
coupling portion of a base. Two pedal rods are mounted on two ends
of the shaft. A non-automatic mechanism is mounted to the base and
releasably coupled to the shaft. An automatic mechanism is mounted
to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft. The automatic
mechanism includes a power source. A switching mechanism includes a
driving wheel coupled to the shaft. The driving wheel is mounted
around the shaft and located between the non-automatic mechanism
and the automatic mechanism. The driving wheel is movable between
the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism to control
engagement/disengagement of the driving wheel with/from the
non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism, allowing
switching between a non-automatic mode and an automatic mode.
Inventors: |
Huang; Chien-Hsiang;
(Tai-Pao City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huang; Chien-Hsiang |
Tai-Pao City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
51208130 |
Appl. No.: |
13/748460 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0605 20130101;
A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 2022/0623 20130101; A63B 21/0051
20130101; A63B 22/0005 20151001; A63B 21/4029 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/51 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. A pedal exerciser comprising: a base including a shaft coupling
portion; a shaft rotatably mounted to the shaft coupling portion
and including two ends outside of the base, with two pedal rods
mounted on the two ends of the shaft, with the shaft further
including an annular toothed portion on an intermediate portion
thereof between the two ends of the shaft; a non-automatic
mechanism mounted to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft,
with the non-automatic mechanism including a first coupling
portion; an automatic mechanism mounted to the base and releasably
coupled to the shaft, with the automatic mechanism including a
power source and a second coupling portion; and a switching
mechanism including a driving wheel having a central hole, with the
central hole of the driving wheel including a toothed inner
periphery meshed with the annular toothed portion of the shaft,
with the driving wheel mounted around the shaft and located between
the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism, with the
driving wheel further including first and second sides, with a
first engagement portion provided on the first side of the driving
wheel, with a second engagement portion provided on the second side
of the driving wheel, with the driving wheel movable between first
and second position between the non-automatic mechanism and the
automatic mechanism, with the driving wheel in the first position,
the first engagement portion of the driving wheel engages with the
first coupling portion of the non-automatic mechanism, the second
engagement portion of the driving wheel disengages from the second
coupling portion of the automatic mechanism, and the pedal
exerciser is in a non-automatic mode, and with the driving wheel in
the second position, the first engagement portion of the driving
wheel disengages from the first coupling portion of the
non-automatic mechanism, the second engagement portion of the
driving wheel engages with the second coupling portion of the
automatic mechanism, the pedal exerciser is in an automatic mode,
and the shaft driven by the power source.
2. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 1, with the
non-automatic mechanism including a first wheel having a
through-hole, with the shaft rotatably received in the through-hole
of the first wheel, with the first coupling portion provided on a
side of the first wheel, with the first coupling portion including
a plurality of first coupling holes, with the first engagement
portion of the driving wheel of the switching mechanism including a
plurality of first pegs releasably engaged with the plurality of
first coupling holes.
3. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 1, with the driving
wheel including a coupling groove in an outer periphery thereof,
with the switching mechanism further including an actuation member
having an engagement portion engaged in the coupling groove of the
driving wheel, with the actuation member actuatable to move the
driving wheel along the shaft to cause engagement/disengagement of
the first and second engagement portions with/from the first and
second coupling portions, with the switching mechanism further
including a control device coupled to the actuation member, with
the control device operable to actuate the actuation member.
4. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 1, with the
non-automatic mechanism further including a second wheel, a first
belt, and a damping device, with the second wheel rotatably mounted
to the base, with the first belt mounted around the first and
second wheels, with the second wheel driven by the first wheel via
the first belt, with the damping device mounted to the base and
including a resistance wheel and a magnetic control seat, with the
resistance wheel jointly rotatable with the second wheel, with the
magnetic control seat mounted to a side of the resistance wheel,
with the magnetic control seat operable to control a resistance of
the resistance wheel.
5. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 4, with the automatic
mechanism including a third wheel driven by the power source, with
the third wheel including a through-hole, with the shaft rotatably
received in the through-hole of the third wheel, with the second
coupling portion provided on the third wheel, with the second
coupling portion including a plurality of second coupling holes,
with the second coupling portion spaced from the first coupling
portion along the rotating axis of the shaft, with the second
engagement portion of the driving wheel of the switching mechanism
including a plurality of second pegs releasably engaged with the
plurality of second coupling holes.
6. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 5, with the automatic
mechanism further including a fourth wheel and a second belt, with
the power source including a motor operable by a controller to
drive the fourth wheel, with the second belt mounted around the
third and fourth wheels, with the third wheel driven by the fourth
wheel via the second belt.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal exerciser and, more
particularly, to a pedal exerciser including a switching mechanism
to provide both of automatic and non-automatic modes while allowing
reliable switching between the automatic and non-automatic
modes.
[0002] Indoor exercisers are popular in modern societies by
providing exercising effects without going to the outside. The
exercisers also provide rehabilitation functions for patients or
people having difficulty in getting about.
[0003] A pedal exerciser generally includes a pedaling device
providing a pedaling function like a bicycle and a mat on which a
user can sit or lie while proceeding with pedaling with his or her
hands or legs. The pedaling device is either of automatic or
non-automatic type. Specifically, in a non-automatic type pedal
exerciser, the user pedals the pedaling device with his or her legs
or hands. In an automatic type pedal exerciser, two pedals of the
pedaling device are rotated by a power source, and the legs or
hands of the user placed on the pedals can be moved along with the
rotating pedals, providing a rehabilitation effect in a
force-saving mode. However, conventional pedal exercisers can
provide only one mode, not both.
[0004] Thus, a need exists for a novel pedal exerciser providing
both of automatic and non-automatic modes while allowing reliable
switching between the automatic and non-automatic modes.
p BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide a pedal
exerciser providing both of automatic and non-automatic modes while
allowing reliable switching between the automatic and non-automatic
modes.
[0006] A pedal exerciser according to the present invention
includes a base having a shaft coupling portion. A shaft is
rotatably mounted to the shaft coupling portion and includes two
ends outside of the base. Two pedal rods are mounted on the ends of
the shaft. The shaft further includes an annular toothed portion on
an intermediate portion thereof between the ends of the shaft. A
non-automatic mechanism is mounted to the base and releasably
coupled to the shaft. The non-automatic mechanism includes a first
coupling portion. An automatic mechanism is mounted to the base and
releasably coupled to the shaft. The automatic mechanism includes a
power source and a second coupling portion. A switching mechanism
includes a driving wheel having a central hole. The central hole of
the driving wheel includes a toothed inner periphery meshed with
the annular toothed portion of the shaft. The driving wheel is
mounted around the shaft and located between the non-automatic
mechanism and the automatic mechanism. A first engagement portion
is provided on a first side of the driving wheel. A second
engagement portion is provided on a second side of the driving
wheel. The driving wheel is movable between first and second
position between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic
mechanism.
[0007] When the driving wheel is in the first position, the first
engagement portion of the driving wheel engages with the first
coupling portion of the non-automatic mechanism, and the second
engagement portion of the driving wheel disengages from the second
coupling portion of the automatic mechanism. The pedal exerciser is
in a non-automatic mode.
[0008] When the driving wheel is in the second position, the first
engagement portion of the driving wheel disengages from the first
coupling portion of the non-automatic mechanism, and the second
engagement portion of the driving wheel engages with the second
coupling portion of the automatic mechanism. The pedal exerciser is
in an automatic mode, and the shaft can be driven by the power
source.
[0009] Preferably, the non-automatic mechanism includes a first
wheel having a through-hole. The shaft is rotatably received in the
through-hole of the first wheel. The first coupling portion is
provided on a side of the first wheel and includes a plurality of
first coupling holes. The first engagement portion of the driving
wheel of the switching mechanism includes a plurality of first pegs
releasably engaged with the plurality of first coupling holes.
[0010] Preferably, the driving wheel includes a coupling groove in
an outer periphery thereof. The switching mechanism further
includes an actuation member having an engagement portion engaged
in the coupling groove of the driving wheel. The actuation member
is actuatable to move the driving wheel along the shaft to cause
engagement/disengagement of the first and second engagement
portions with/from the first and second coupling portions. The
switching mechanism further includes a control device coupled to
the actuation member and operable to actuate the actuation
member.
[0011] Preferably, the non-automatic mechanism further includes a
second wheel, a first belt, and a damping device. The second wheel
is rotatably mounted to the base. The first belt is mounted around
the first and second wheels. The second wheel can be driven by the
first wheel via the first belt. The damping device is mounted to
the base and includes a resistance wheel and a magnetic control
seat. The resistance wheel is jointly rotatable with the second
wheel. The magnetic control seat is mounted to a side of the
resistance wheel and operable to control a resistance of the
resistance wheel.
[0012] Preferably, the automatic mechanism includes a third wheel
driven by the power source. The third wheel includes a
through-hole. The shaft is rotatably received in the through-hole
of the third wheel. The second coupling portion is provided on the
third wheel includes a plurality of second coupling holes. The
second coupling portion is spaced from the first coupling portion
along the rotating axis of the shaft. The second engagement portion
of the driving wheel of the switching mechanism includes a
plurality of second pegs releasably engaged with the plurality of
second coupling holes.
[0013] Preferably, the automatic mechanism further includes a
fourth wheel and a second belt. The power source includes a motor
operable by a controller to drive the fourth wheel. The second belt
is mounted around the third and fourth wheels. The third wheel can
be driven by the fourth wheel via the second belt.
[0014] The present invention will become clearer in light of the
following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this
invention described in connection with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a switching
mechanism for a pedal exerciser according to the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the switching mechanism
of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the switching
mechanism of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a pedal exerciser
including the switching mechanism according to the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial, side view of the switching mechanism in
a non-automatic mode.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with the switching
mechanism in an automatic mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a pedal exerciser according to
the present invention includes a base 1, a shaft 2, a non-automatic
mechanism 3, an automatic mechanism 4, and a switching mechanism 5.
The base 1 includes a shaft coupling portion 11 at two sides
thereof.
[0022] The shaft 2 is rotatably mounted to the shaft coupling
portion 11 of the base 1 and includes two ends outside of the base
1. Two pedal rods 21 (FIG. 4) are mounted on the ends of the shaft
2. The shaft 2 includes an annular toothed portion 22 on an
intermediate portion thereof between the ends of the shaft 2. The
non-automatic mechanism 3 is mounted to the base 1 and releasably
coupled to the shaft 2. The non-automatic mechanism 3 includes a
first wheel 31, a second wheel 32, a first belt 33, and a damping
device 34. The first wheel 31 includes teeth 311 on an outer
periphery thereof. The first wheel 31 further has a through-hole
312 in a central portion thereof. The shaft 2 is rotatably received
in the through-hole 312 of the first wheel 31. A first coupling
portion 313 is provided on a side of the first wheel 31 and
includes a plurality of first coupling holes 314 around a rotating
axis of the shaft 2. The second wheel 32 is rotatably mounted to
the base 1 and includes teeth 321 on an outer periphery thereof.
The first belt 33 includes teeth 331 on an inner periphery thereof
and is mounted around the first and second wheels 31 and 32. The
second wheel 32 can be driven by the first wheel 31 via the first
belt 33. The damping device 34 is mounted to the base 1 and
includes a resistance wheel 341 and a magnetic control seat 342.
The resistance wheel 341 is jointly rotatable with the second wheel
32. The magnetic control seat 342 is mounted to a side of the
resistance wheel 341 and operable to control a resistance of the
resistance wheel 341 by a controller.
[0023] The automatic mechanism 4 is mounted to the base 1 and
releasably coupled to the shaft 2. The automatic mechanism 4
includes a power source 41, a third wheel 43 driven by the power
source 41, a fourth wheel 42, and a second belt 44. The power
source 41 includes a motor 411 operable by a controller to drive
the fourth wheel 42 via a reduction gear train. The fourth wheel 42
includes teeth 421 on an outer periphery hereof. The third wheel 43
includes teeth 431 on an outer periphery thereof. The third wheel
43 further includes a through-hole 432 in a central portion
thereof. The shaft 2 is rotatably received in the through-hole 432
of the third wheel 43. A second coupling portion 433 is provided on
a side of the third wheel 43 and includes a plurality of second
coupling holes 434 around the rotating axis of the shaft 2. The
second coupling portion 433 is spaced from the first coupling
portion 313 along the rotating axis of the shaft 2. The second belt
44 includes teeth 441 on an inner periphery thereof and is mounted
around the third and fourth wheels 43 and 42. The third wheel 43
can be driven by the fourth wheel 42 via the second belt 44.
[0024] The switching mechanism 5 includes a driving wheel 51, an
actuation member 52, and a control device 53 coupled to the
actuation member 52 and operable to actuate the actuation member
52. The driving wheel 51 has a central hole 511. The central hole
511 of the driving wheel 51 includes a toothed inner periphery 512
meshed with the annular toothed portion 22 of the shaft 2. The
driving wheel 51 is mounted around the shaft 2 and located between
the non-automatic mechanism 3 and the automatic mechanism 4. A
first engagement portion 513 is provided on a first side of the
driving wheel 51, and a second engagement portion 514 is provided
on a second side of the driving wheel 51. The first engagement
portion 513 of the driving wheel 51 includes a plurality of first
pegs 5131 releasably engaged with the first coupling holes 314. The
second engagement portion 514 of the driving wheel 51 includes a
plurality of second pegs 5141 releasably engaged with the second
coupling holes 434. The driving wheel 51 further includes a
coupling groove 515 in the outer periphery thereof. The actuation
member 52 has an engagement portion 521 engaged in the coupling
groove 515 of the driving wheel 51. The actuation member 52 can be
actuated by the control device 53 to move the driving wheel 51
along the rotating axis of shaft 2 to cause
engagement/disengagement of the first and second engagement
portions 513, 514 with/from the first and second coupling portions
313, 433. The driving wheel 51 is movable is between first and
second position between the non-automatic mechanism and the
automatic mechanism.
[0025] The pedal exerciser further includes a seat 6 at a rear end
thereof. A user can sit or lie on the seat 6 while using the pedal
exerciser. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, when the driving
wheel 51 in the first position, the first pegs 5131 of the first
engagement portion 513 of the driving wheel 51 engage with the
first coupling holes 314 of the first coupling portion 313 of the
first wheel 31 of the non-automatic mechanism 3. The second
engagement portion 514 of the driving wheel 51 disengages from the
second coupling portion 433 of the automatic mechanism 4. Thus, the
pedal exerciser is in a non-automatic mode. The user can rotate the
pedal rods 21 with his or her legs or hands, causing rotation of
the shaft 2. The first wheel 31 is driven to rotate through
transmission of the first wheel 51. The first wheel 31 can drive
the second wheel 32 and the resistance wheel 341 to provide an
exercising effect. The automatic mechanism 4 does not operate in
the non-automatic mode, and the third wheel 43 does not rotate.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, when the driving
wheel 51 is moved to the second position by the actuation member 52
through operation of the control device 53, the first engagement
portion 513 of the driving wheel 51 disengages from the first
coupling portion 313 of the non-automatic mechanism 3. The second
pegs 5141 of the second engagement portion 514 of the driving wheel
51 engage with the second coupling holes 434 of the second coupling
portion 433 of the automatic mechanism 4. Thus, the pedal exerciser
is in an automatic mode, and the shaft 2 can driven by the motor
411 of the power source 41 through transmission by the fourth wheel
42, the second belt 44, the third wheel 43, and the driving wheel
51. The user can place his hands or legs on the pedal rods 21 and
driven by the pedal rods 21, providing a force-saving effect as
well as a rehabilitating effect.
[0027] In view of the foregoing, the pedal exerciser provides both
of automatic and non-automatic modes, providing enhanced utility
while allowing easy operation. The pedal exerciser does not have to
include the damping device 34. Furthermore, the third wheel 43 can
be directly driven by the power source 41 without using the fourth
wheel 42. Further, the actuation member 52 can be manually
operated.
[0028] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible
without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of
the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *