U.S. patent application number 14/755197 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for elliptical trainer.
This patent application is currently assigned to REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP., LTD.. Invention is credited to Chun-Huang YANG, Shun-Chi YANG.
Application Number | 20150375030 14/755197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54929414 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20150375030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YANG; Shun-Chi ; et
al. |
December 31, 2015 |
ELLIPTICAL TRAINER
Abstract
An elliptical trainer includes a frame, a linkage unit, a pedal
unit and a horizontal damping unit. The frame includes a base
bracket, a column and a guiding member. The linkage unit includes a
pair of handles axially disposed on and reciprocately movable
relative to the column. The pedal unit includes a pair of pedal
levers respectively pivotally mounted to the handles. And the
horizontal damping unit includes a pair of belts each having a
driven end directly connected to one respective handle or pedal
lever and a damping force-generating portion located at an opposite
end thereof remote from the driven end. By driving the handles or
the pedal levers, the damping force-generating portions provide the
handles with a damping in horizontal vector and a potential energy
for driving the handles to restore.
Inventors: |
YANG; Shun-Chi; (Taichung,
TW) ; YANG; Chun-Huang; (Taichung, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP., LTD. |
Taichung |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP.,
LTD.
Taichung
TW
|
Family ID: |
54929414 |
Appl. No.: |
14/755197 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/001 20130101;
A63B 21/4047 20151001; A63B 22/0017 20151001; A63B 21/008 20130101;
A63B 21/023 20130101; A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 21/015 20130101;
A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 2022/067
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/015 20060101
A63B021/015; A63B 22/06 20060101 A63B022/06; A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2014 |
TW |
103122528 |
Claims
1. An elliptical trainer, comprising: a frame comprising a base
bracket, a column fixedly mounted at said base bracket, and guiding
means connected to said base bracket and spaced from said column at
a distance; a linkage unit comprising a pair of handles
respectively axially coupled to said column and reciprocately
movable relative to said column, each handle comprising a pivot
connecting portion located at one end thereof and pivotally
connected to said column and a swinging portion located at an
opposite end thereof; a pedal unit comprising a pair of pedal
levers respectively pivotally connected to said handles, each pedal
lever comprising a front end portion pivotally connected to the
swinging portion of the corresponding handle and an opposing rear
end portion slidable relative to said guiding means; and a
horizontal damping unit comprising a pair of elongated strip
members, each elongated strip member comprising a driven end
located at one end thereof and directly connected to one of said
handles and said pedal levers and an opposing damping
force-generating portion located at an opposite end thereof and
adapted for providing the corresponding handle with a damping in a
horizontal vector and rendering a potential energy for driving the
associating driven end to restore.
2. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
a vertical damping unit mounted at said base bracket of said frame
and adapted for providing the rear end portions of said pedal
levers of said pedal unit with a damping in a vertical vector.
3. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
vertical damping unit comprises a brake wheel mounted at said base
bracket, a pair of driving wheels axially pivotally mounted at said
base bracket at one lateral side relative to said brake wheel, a
transmission member connected between said brake wheel and one said
driving wheel, and a crankshaft eccentrically coupled between said
driving wheels; said guiding means comprises two axle bearings
respectively mounted at two opposite ends of said crankshaft to
support said rear end portions of said pedal levers; said brake
wheel is adapted for providing the rear end portions of said pedal
lever with a damping in said vertical vector.
4. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said
elongated strip member of said horizontal damping unit further
comprises a belt connected between one respective said handle and
one respective said pedal lever; the driven end of each said
elongated strip member is located at one end of the associating
said belt; the damping force-generating portion of each said
elongated strip member is connected between the associating said
belt and said frame.
5. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim as claimed in claim
2, wherein each said elongated strip member of said horizontal
damping unit further comprises a belt connected between one
respective said handle and one respective said pedal lever; the
driven end of each said elongated strip member is located at one
end of the associating said belt; the damping force-generating
portion of each said elongated strip member is connected between
the associating said belt and said frame.
6. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim as claimed in claim
3, wherein each said elongated strip member of said horizontal
damping unit further comprises a belt connected between one
respective said handle and one respective said pedal lever; the
driven end of each said elongated strip member is located at one
end of the associating said belt; the damping force-generating
portion of each said elongated strip member is connected between
the associating said belt and said frame.
7. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
damping generators of said horizontal damping unit are selected
from the group of tension springs, elastic strips and hydraulic
cylinders.
8. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
horizontal damping unit further comprises a pair of damping wheels
respectively pivotally mounted at said frame to support the
respective said belts of said elongated strip members.
9. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim as claimed in claim
1, wherein each said elongated strip member of said horizontal
damping unit further comprises a belt connected between one
respective said handle and one respective said pedal lever; the
driven end of each said elongated strip member is located at one
end of the associating said belt; the belt of each said elongated
strip member comprises a connection end opposite to the associating
said driven end; the damping force-generating portion of each said
elongated strip member is connected the connection end of the
associating said belt.
10. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim as claimed in claim
2, wherein each said elongated strip member of said horizontal
damping unit further comprises a belt connected between one
respective said handle and one respective said pedal lever; the
driven end of each said elongated strip member is located at one
end of the associating said belt; the belt of each said elongated
strip member comprises a connection end opposite to the associating
said driven end; the damping force-generating portion of each said
elongated strip member is connected the connection end of the
associating said belt.
11. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim as claimed in claim
3, wherein each said elongated strip member of said horizontal
damping unit further comprises a belt connected between one
respective said handle and one respective said pedal lever; the
driven end of each said elongated strip member is located at one
end of the associating said belt; the belt of each said elongated
strip member comprises a connection end opposite to the associating
said driven end; the damping force-generating portion of each said
elongated strip member is connected the connection end of the
associating said belt.
12. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
frame further comprises an upright slider guide; said damping
force-generating portions of said horizontal damping unit are
counterweights linearly movable along said slider guide.
13. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
horizontal damping unit further comprises a plurality of guide
rollers pivotally mounted at said base bracket of said frame, said
pedal levers and said crankshaft; said elongated strip members are
tension springs wound around said guide rollers.
14. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
horizontal damping unit further comprises a plurality of guide
rollers pivotally mounted at said base bracket of said frame, said
pedal levers and said crankshaft; said elongated strip members are
tension springs wound around said guide rollers.
15. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
horizontal damping unit further comprises a plurality of guide
rollers pivotally mounted at said base bracket of said frame, said
pedal levers and said crankshaft; said elongated strip members are
tension springs wound around said guide rollers.
16. The elliptical trainer as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a grip unit and a linking-up unit, said grip unit
comprising a pair of grips respectively connected to respective top
ends of said handles, said linking-up unit comprising a pivot bar
swingeable relative to said column and two links respectively
pivotally coupled between two opposite ends of said pivot bar and
said handles.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to sports equipment technology
and more particularly, to an elliptical trainer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,787 discloses an elliptical trainer,
entitled "Exercise Machine," which comprises a frame, a pair of
handles axially disposed on a column at the frame, a pair of pedals
respectively pivotally mounted at respective bottom ends of the
handles, and a damping unit mounted at a rear side of the frame.
The damping unit comprises a flywheel pivotally mounted at the
frame, a crankshaft disposed in a coaxial manner relative to the
flywheel, a pair of guide members supported on the two opposite
ends of the crankshaft and respectively fixedly connected to
respective rear bottom sides of the pedals, a friction wheel
axially disposed on one lateral side of the flywheel, and a
transmission belt mounted between the flywheel and the friction
wheel. By means of stepping on the pedal to impart a force to the
pedals, and using the flywheel to rotate the friction wheel in
producing a damping in a vertical vector and the guide members to
provide the two opposite ends of the crankshaft with a resistance
in a horizontal vector, the operator can carry out a stepping
motion mode with elliptical trajectory.
[0005] Although the aforesaid prior art elliptical trainer can
produce the desired bodybuilding effect, due to the damping unit
producing a damping in the horizontal vector by means of surface
friction between the guide members and the opposite ends of the
crankshaft, a large amount of fines and dust particles can be
produced during operation. Further, fines and dust particles can be
adhered between the guide members and the two opposite ends of the
crankshaft, leading to unsmooth operation.
[0006] Further, each time the damping unit of the elliptical
trainer is operated to produce a damping in the horizontal vector,
no potential energy will be generated, and the elliptical trainer
can simply utilize the inertial force for making the reciprocating
motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been accomplished under the
circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present
invention to provide an elliptical trainer, which uses elongated
strip members to produce damping resistance, thus minimizing fines
and dust particles and enhancing operation smoothness. Another
object of the present invention is to provide an elliptical trainer
which provides various different operation modes for producing
different damping so that the operator can select different
operation modes according to different requirements.
[0008] To achieve these and other objects of the present invention,
an elliptical trainer comprises a frame, a linkage unit, a pedal
unit and a horizontal damping unit. The frame comprises a base
bracket, a column fixedly mounted at the base bracket, and a
guiding member connected to the base bracket and spaced from the
column at a distance. The linkage unit comprises a pair of handles
respectively axially coupled to the column and reciprocately
movable relative to the column. Each handle comprises a pivot
connecting portion located at one end thereof and pivotally
connected to the column, and a swinging portion located at an
opposite end thereof. The pedal unit comprises a pair of pedal
levers respectively pivotally connected to the handles. Each pedal
lever comprises a front end portion pivotally connected to the
swinging portion of the respective handle, and an opposing rear end
portion slidable relative to the guiding means. The horizontal
damping unit comprises a pair of elongated strip members. Each
elongated strip member comprises a driven end located at one end
thereof and directly connected to one handle or pedal lever, and an
opposing damping force-generating portion located at an opposite
end thereof and adapted for providing the respective handle with a
damping in a horizontal vector and rendering a potential energy for
driving the associating driven end to restore.
[0009] The invention achieves the effects that: by directly
connecting the driven ends of the elongated strip members of the
horizontal damping units to the handles or the pedal levers and
using the damping force-generating portions to provide the handles
with a damping in a horizontal vector and to impart a potential
energy for driving the driven ends to restore, the invention can
produce the expected damping effect and effectively reduce the
generation of fines and dust particles. Further, the invention
provides different operation modes for producing different damping,
and thus, the operator can select different operation modes
according to different requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other advantages and features of the present invention will
be understood by reference to the following in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote
like elements of structure.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elliptical trainer in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the elliptical trainer
in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the elliptical trainer
in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the elliptical trainer
in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the elliptical trainer
in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the elliptical trainer
in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the elliptical trainer
in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the elliptical trainer
in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] It should be noted that the drawing figures are not
necessarily drawn to scale, but instead are drawn to provide a
better understanding of the components thereof, and are not
intended to be limiting in scope, but rather to provide exemplary
illustrations. It should further be noted that the figures
illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the
components thereof, and in no way limits the structures,
configurations and components thereof according to the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an elliptical trainer in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is
shown. The elliptical trainer comprises a frame 10, a linkage unit
20, a pedal unit 30, a horizontal damping unit 40, a vertical
damping unit 50, a grip unit 60, and a linking-up unit 70.
[0021] The frame 10 comprises a base bracket 11, a column 12
fixedly mounted at a front side of the base bracket 11, and a pair
of axle holders 13 fixedly mounted at an opposing rear side of the
base bracket 11 and spaced from the column 12 at a predetermined
distance. The column 12 comprises a transverse axle 121 disposed
near a top end thereof, an extension bar 122 spaced below the
transverse axle 12, a front panel 123 downwardly extended from the
extension bar 122, and two rollers 124 symmetrically pivotally
mounted at two opposite lateral sides of the front panel 123.
[0022] The linkage unit 20 comprises a pair of handles 21
respectively coupled to two opposite ends of the transverse axle
121 in an axial direction relative to the column 12 and
reciprocately movable relative to the column 12. Each handle 21
comprises a pivot connecting portion 211 and a swinging portion 212
respectively formed on two ends thereof. The pivot connecting
portion 211 is pivotally connected to one end of the transverse
axle 121. A detent member 213 is spaced between the pivot
connecting portion 211 and the swinging portion 212.
[0023] The pedal unit 30 comprises a pair of pedal levers 31
respectively pivotally connected to the handles 21, and a pair of
pedals 32 respectively mounted at the pedal levers 31. Each pedal
lever 31 has a front end portion 311 and a rear end portion 312
opposite to the front end portion 311 formed thereon. The front end
portion 311 is pivotally connected to the swinging portion 212 of
the corresponding handle 21. The pedals 32 are respectively mounted
at the rear end portions 312 of the pedal levers 31.
[0024] The horizontal damping unit 40 comprises a pair of elongated
strip members 41, and a pair of damping wheels 42 mounted at the
frame 10. Each elongated strip member 41 comprises a belt 43
directly connected to one respective handle 21, and a damping
force-generating portion 44 connected between the belt 43 and the
frame 10. The belt 43 comprises a driven end 431 connected to the
detent member 213 of the corresponding handle 21, and a connection
end 432 opposite to the driven end 431. The damping wheels 42 are
mounted at the front panel 123, each comprising a gear 421. In this
embodiment, the belts 43 of the elongated strip members 41 are
respectively wound around the respective rollers 124 and the
respective damping wheels 42. Each belt has a single-sided gear
rack 433 meshed with the corresponding gear 421. The damping
force-generating portion 44 of each elongated strip member 41 is
disposed at one end of the respective belt 43 which is opposite to
the driven end 431. In this embodiment, the damping
force-generating portion 44 of each elongated strip member 41 is
connected to the connection end 432 of the associating belt 43, and
is adapted for providing the respective handle 21 a damping in a
horizontal vector X and a potential energy for driving the
respective handle to restore. In this embodiment, the damping
force-generating portions 44 of the elongated strip members 41 are
tension springs. However, elastic strips or hydraulic cylinders can
be used as substitutes.
[0025] The vertical damping unit 50 is adapted for providing the
rear end portions 312 of the pedal levers 31 of the pedal unit 30
with a damping in a vertical vector Y. The vertical damping unit 50
comprises a brake wheel 51 mounted at the base bracket 11, a pair
of driving wheels 52 mounted at the base bracket 11 and disposed at
one side relative to the driving wheel 52, a transmission member 53
coupled between the brake wheel 51 and one of the driving wheels
52, and a crankshaft 54 eccentrically coupled between the two
driving wheels 52. The brake wheel 51 provides the rear end
portions 312 of the pedal levers 31 a damping in the vertical
vector Y. The frame 10 further comprises guiding members 14
connected to the base bracket 11 through the crankshaft 54. In this
embodiment, the two guiding members 14 are axle bearings
respectively mounted at two opposite ends of the crankshaft 54. The
rear end portions 312 of the pedal levers 31 are slidably supported
on the two axle bearings of the guiding members 14.
[0026] The grip unit 60 comprises two grips 61 respectively
connected to the handles 21 above the transverse axle 121.
[0027] The linking-up unit 70 comprises a pivot bar 71 pivotally
connected to a distal end of the extension bar 122 and swingeable
relative to the column 12. The two links 72 are respectively
pivotally coupled between two opposite ends of the pivot bar 71 and
the two handles 21.
[0028] When the operator wishes to operate the elliptical trainer
in accordance with the aforesaid component parts and to perform a
sliding operation mode, the crankshaft 54 of the vertical damping
unit 50 is almost not driveable. When the operator's feet are
respectively stepped on the pedals 32 to impart a force to the
pedals 32 and the pedal levers 31 forwardly and horizontally, the
front end portions 311 of the pedal levers 31 force against the
swinging portions 212 of the handles 21, such that the handles 21
are turned about the axis that extends through the pivot connecting
portions 211. At this time, with the arrangement of the linking-up
unit 70, the pedal levers 31, the handles 21 and the grips 61 are
driven to produce coordinate actions.
[0029] When the handles 21 are moved back and forth, the detent
members 213 are forced to stop against the driven ends 431 of the
belt bodies 43 of the elongated strip members 41 of the horizontal
damping unit 40. As the belts 43 of the elongated strip members 41
extend over the rollers 124, they can be stopped smoothly. Further,
because the belts 43 of the elongated strip members 41 are
respectively meshed with the respective gears 421 by means of the
single-sided gear racks 433 thereof, they can positively drive the
damping wheels 42 to rotate and to further generate a damping in
the horizontal vector X. When the handle 21 is biased forward, the
respective damping force-generating portion 44 is pulled to
generate another damping in the horizontal vector X (at this time,
the respective damping force-generating portion 44 is stretched for
preserving an elastic restoring force). Therefore, using the total
damping in the horizontal vector X enables the operator to achieve
the purpose of training the muscles of the legs. When the force
applied by the operator disappears, the restoring force of the
damping force-generating portion 44 is released to return the
driven end 431 of the belt 43 of the respective elongated strip
member 41 of the horizontal damping unit 40, i.e., the respective
handle 21 can be biased backwards. Thus, the present invention
greatly enhances the operator's operational rhythm sensations.
[0030] When the operator intends to carry out the operation mode of
the stepping with elliptical trajectory, the operator can use two
legs to impart force forwardly along the horizontal direction and
downwardly along the vertical direction to the pedals 32 and the
pedal levers 31. At this time, the front end portion 311 of the
pedal lever 31 is forced against the swinging portion 212 of the
respective handle 21, causing the respective handle 21 to be turned
about the axis that extends through the pivot connecting portions
211 of the handles 21. When the handle 21 is turned about the axis
that extends through the pivot connecting portions 211 of the
handles 21, the respective belt 43 and damping force-generating
portion 44 of the horizontal damping unit 40 will be deterred, thus
generating a damping in the horizontal vector X. Further, subject
to the functioning of the pedal levers 31 to alternatively impart a
downward pressure to the two ends of the crankshaft 54 and the
functioning of the vertical damping unit 50, a damping in the
vertical vector Y can be created.
[0031] Except the two operation modes described above, the operator
can perform a simple up and down stepping operation mode. When the
operator intends to perform the up and down stepping operation
mode, the operator imparts a force vertically downward to the
pedals 32 and the pedal levers 31. At this time, the pedal levers
31 and pedals 32 of the pedal unit 30 will alternatively impart a
downward pressure to the two ends of the crankshaft 54, and thus, a
damping in the vertical vector Y can be created subject to the
functioning of the vertical damping unit 50. During the stepping
operation mode, the handles 21 are almost immovable, and the
horizontal damping unit 40 creates almost no damping in the
horizontal vector X. Thus, when the operator performs a different
operation mode, a different damping can be created. Therefore, the
operator can selectively perform different operation modes
according to different requirements, such as, the operation mode of
up and down stepping with back and forth elliptical trajectory,
sliding operation mode, or simple up and down stepping operation
mode.
[0032] Subject to the feature that the handles 21 can be driven to
move the belts 43 directly and the feature that the single-sided
gear rack 433 of the belt 43 is meshed with the respective gear
421, the horizontal damping unit 40 can drive the damping wheel 42
to rotate and to further produce a damping in the horizontal vector
X. Further, subject to the feature that the damping
force-generating portion 44 can be deterred to generate another
damping in the horizontal vector X, the invention can produce the
expected damping effect. Further, because there is no friction
damping, the invention effectively reduces the generation of dust
particles. When the force applied by the operator disappears, the
elastic restoring force of the damping force-generating portion 44
can impart a potential energy for driving the respective driven end
431 to restore.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, an elliptical trainer in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. This
second embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first
embodiment with the exception that the rollers are removed, and the
belts 43' are directly wound around the respective damping wheels
42' and meshed with the respective gears 421. Thus, when operating
the pedals 32 and the pedal levers 31, a damping resistance in the
horizontal vector X and the vertical vector Y can be rendered to
the handles 21, and an elastic potential energy for driving the
driven end 431' to restore. Therefore, this second embodiment can
achieve the same effects as the aforesaid first embodiment.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, an elliptical trainer in accordance
with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. This
third embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first
embodiment with the exception that the driven ends 431'' of the
belts 43'' are directly connected to the respective pedal levers
31, and the belts 43'' are directly wound around the respective
damping wheels 42 and meshed with the respective gears 421. Thus,
when operating the pedal levers 31, a damping resistance in the
horizontal vector X and the vertical vector Y can be rendered to
the handles 21, and for driving the respective driven end 431'' to
restore. Therefore, this third embodiment can achieve the same
effects as the aforesaid first embodiment.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, an elliptical trainer in accordance
with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This
fourth embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first
embodiment with the exception that the driven ends 431''' of the
belts 430 are directly connected to the handles 21, and, the
damping wheels 420 are pivotally mounted at the base bracket 11.
Therefore, this fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as
the aforesaid first embodiment.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 6, an elliptical trainer in accordance
with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This
fifth embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first
embodiment with the exception that the damping wheels are removed,
the belts 430' are directly connected to the respective handles 21,
and, the damping force-generating portions 440' are directly
connected to the frame 10. Therefore, this fifth embodiment can
achieve the same effects as the aforesaid first embodiment.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, an elliptical trainer in accordance
with a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This
sixth embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first
embodiment with the exception that the damping wheels are removed.
In addition to the two rollers 124', the frame 10' further
comprises a pair of guide rod-shaped upright slider guides 125'.
The damping force-generating portions 440'' of the horizontal
damping unit 400'' are counterweights respectively linearly movable
along the slider guides 125'. Subject to the feature that the
handles 21 can deter the horizontal damping unit 400'' when they
are biased, the effect of the gravity weight of the horizontal
damping unit 400'' imparts the handles 21 with a damping in the
horizontal vector X and the effect of the gravity weight of the
horizontal damping unit 400'' imparts a potential energy for
driving the driven end 431'''' to restore. Thus, this sixth
embodiment can achieve the same effects as the aforesaid first
embodiment.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 8, an elliptical trainer in accordance
with a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown. This
seventh embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first
embodiment with the exception that the horizontal damping unit 4
comprises a pair of belts 401 and a plurality of guide rollers 402
respectively pivotally mounted at the base bracket 11 of the frame
10, the pedal levers 31 and the crankshaft 54. The elongated strip
members 401 are tension springs, each having a driven end 403
directly connected to the respective handle 21. The damping
force-generating portions 404 are respectively mounted at the
opposite ends of the respective elongated strip members 401 remote
from the respective driven ends 403. The elongated strip members
401 are wound around the guide rollers 402 with the respective
damping force-generating portions 404 respectively connected to the
base bracket 11 of the frame 10. Thus, this seventh embodiment can
achieve the same effects as the aforesaid first embodiment.
[0039] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *