U.S. patent application number 15/156535 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-24 for elliptical trainer with resilient unit.
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 Wen Tu LI.
Application Number | 20160339288 15/156535 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57324232 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160339288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LI; Wen Tu |
November 24, 2016 |
ELLIPTICAL TRAINER WITH RESILIENT UNIT
Abstract
An elliptical trainer with a resilient unit includes a frame, an
exercising unit axially disposed on the frame, a pedal unit
pivotally mounted to the exercising unit, a damper for providing a
damping resistance to the pedal unit, a guide unit for supporting
the pedal unit and guiding the pedal unit to slide thereon, and a
pair of resilient units respectively disposed in proximity to the
pivoted junctions between the exercising unit and the pedal unit
for enabling a pair of rear end portions of the pedal unit to be
constantly kept far from a pair of pivot-connection portions of the
exercising unit so that an inertial-elastic force is produced
during operation of the elliptical trainer.
Inventors: |
LI; Wen Tu; (Taichung,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP., LTD. |
Taichung |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP.,
LTD.
Taichung
TW
|
Family ID: |
57324232 |
Appl. No.: |
15/156535 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/015 20130101;
A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 21/0087 20130101;
A63B 2022/0051 20130101; A63B 2071/009 20130101; A63B 22/0056
20130101; A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 21/023
20130101; A63B 22/0017 20151001; A63B 2022/0682 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02; A63B 21/04 20060101 A63B021/04; A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 19, 2015 |
TW |
104115914 |
Claims
1. An elliptical exercise machine, comprising: a frame comprising a
base; an exercising unit comprising a pair of arm members
respectively pivotally connected to said frame and alternatively
turnable back and forth, each said arm member comprising a
pivot-connection portion located at one end thereof and pivotally
connected to said frame; a pedal unit comprising a pair of pedal
shafts respectively pivotally connected to said arm members, each
said pedal shaft comprising a rear end portion located at a rear
end thereof; a damper adapted for imparting a damping resistance to
said pedal shafts; a guide unit adapted for supporting said pedal
shafts and guiding said pedal shafts to slide; and a pair of
resilient units respectively disposed in proximity to the pivoted
junctions between said arm members and said pedal shafts and
adapted for constantly keeping said rear end portions of said pedal
shafts far from the respective said pivot-connection portions of
said arm members.
2. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said frame further comprises a support fixedly mounted to said
base; said pivot-connection portions of said arm members of said
exercising unit are respectively pivotally connected to said
support of said frame; each said arm member further comprises a
swinging portion located at an opposite end thereof remote from
said pivot-connection portion; each said pedal shaft of said pedal
unit further comprises a front end portion located at an opposing
front end thereof remote from said rear end portion and pivotally
connected to said swinging portion of the respective said arm
member; said damper comprises a rotatable wheel, said rotatable
wheel comprising an axle pivotally connected to said frame; said
guide unit comprises a pair of rockers turnable relative to said
frame, and a pair of connection rods respectively pivotally coupled
between said rockers and said rotatable wheel of said damper for
driving said rotatable wheel to rotate, each said rocker comprising
a pivoting portion pivotally connected to frame, a sliding guide
portion located at one side of said pivoting portion for supporting
one respective said pedal shaft and guiding the respective said
pedal shaft to slide, and an interlocking portion located at an
opposite side of said pivoting portion and pivotally connected to
one respective said connection rod; said resilient units are
respectively disposed in proximity to the pivoted junctions between
said swinging portions of said arm members and said front end
portions of said pedal shafts.
3. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein
each said resilient unit comprises a first link pivotally connected
to one respective said arm member between said swinging portion and
said pivot-connection portion of the respective said arm member, a
second link pivotally connected between one respective said pedal
shaft of said pedal unit and said first link and a resilient
member, each said resilient member comprising a first pivoting
portion pivotally connected to said swinging portion of one
respective arm member or said front end portion of one respective
pedal shaft and a second pivoting portion pivotally connected to
said pivoted point between said first link and second link of one
respective resilient unit, said resilient members providing a
resilient force for enabling said rear end portions of said pedal
shafts of said pedal unit to be constantly kept far away from said
pivot-connection portions of the respective said arm members of
said exercising unit.
4. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein
each said resilient unit comprises a link pivotally connected to
one respective said arm member between said swinging portion and
said pivot-connection portion of the respective said arm member, a
roller pivotally connected to said link and slidably supported on
one respective said pedal shaft and a resilient member, each said
resilient member comprising a first pivoting portion pivotally and
selectively connected to said swinging portion of one respective
said arm member or said front end portion of one respective said
pedal shaft, and a second pivoting portion pivotally connected to
said link adjacent to said roller, said resilient members providing
a resilient force for enabling said rear end portions of said pedal
shafts of said pedal unit to be constantly kept far away from said
pivot-connection portions of the respective said arm members of
said exercising unit.
5. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein
each said resilient unit comprises a link pivotally connected to
one respective said pedal shaft between said front end portion and
said rear end portion of the respective said pedal shaft, a roller
pivotally connected to said link and slidably supported on one
respective said arm member and a resilient member, each said
resilient member comprising a first pivoting portion pivotally and
selectively connected to said swinging portion of one respective
said arm member or said front end portion of one respective said
pedal shaft and a second pivoting portion pivotally connected to
said link adjacent to said roller, said resilient members providing
a resilient force for enabling said rear end portions of said pedal
shafts of said pedal unit to be constantly kept far away from said
pivot-connection portions of the respective said arm members of
said exercising unit.
6. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein
each said arm member of said exercising unit further comprises an
inner wall facing toward said rear end portion of one respective
said pedal shaft of said pedal unit, and an outer wall opposite to
said inner wall; each said resilient unit comprises a resilient
member connected between one respective said arm member and one
respective said pedal shaft, said resilient member comprising a
first positioning portion connected to said outer wall of one
respective said arm member of said exercising unit and a second
positioning portion connected to one respective said pedal shaft;
said resilient members of said two resilient units providing a
resilient force for enabling said rear end portions of said pedal
shafts of said pedal unit to be constantly kept far away from said
pivot-connection portions of the respective said arm members of
said exercising unit.
7. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein
each said pedal shaft of said pedal unit further comprises an
extension portion extended from said front end portion opposite to
said rear end portion, a top wall extended from said rear end
portion to said extension portion and facing upwards, and an
opposing bottom wall opposite to said top wall and facing
downwards; said second positioning portion of each said resilient
member is disposed in proximity to one of said top wall and said
bottom wall of one respective said pedal shaft.
8. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a handlebar unit and a constraint unit, said handlebar
unit comprising a pair of grips respectively connected to
respective top sides of said arm members, said constraint unit
comprising a pivot shaft axially mounted on said frame, a pair of
upper cranks respectively and fixedly connected to two opposite
ends of said pivot shaft in reversed directions and a pair of
linkage rods respectively pivotally coupled between said upper
cranks and said grips.
9. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said resilient members of said resilient units are selected from
the group of spring members, elastic cords and pneumatic
cylinders.
10. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, further
comprising a handlebar unit and a constraint unit, said handlebar
unit comprising a pair of grips respectively connected to
respective top sides of said arm members, said constraint unit
comprising a pivot shaft axially mounted on said frame, a pair of
upper cranks respectively and fixedly connected to two opposite
ends of said pivot shaft in reversed directions and a pair of
linkage rods respectively pivotally coupled between said upper
cranks and said grips.
11. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, further
comprising a handlebar unit and a constraint unit, said handlebar
unit comprising a pair of grips respectively connected to
respective top sides of said arm members, said constraint unit
comprising a pivot shaft axially mounted on said frame, a pair of
upper cranks respectively and fixedly connected to two opposite
ends of said pivot shaft in reversed directions and a pair of
linkage rods respectively pivotally coupled between said upper
cranks and said grips.
12. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 4, further
comprising a handlebar unit and a constraint unit, said handlebar
unit comprising a pair of grips respectively connected to
respective top sides of said arm members, said constraint unit
comprising a pivot shaft axially mounted on said frame, a pair of
upper cranks respectively and fixedly connected to two opposite
ends of said pivot shaft in reversed directions and a pair of
linkage rods respectively pivotally coupled between said upper
cranks and said grips.
13. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 5, further
comprising a handlebar unit and a constraint unit, said handlebar
unit comprising a pair of grips respectively connected to
respective top sides of said arm members, said constraint unit
comprising a pivot shaft axially mounted on said frame, a pair of
upper cranks respectively and fixedly connected to two opposite
ends of said pivot shaft in reversed directions and a pair of
linkage rods respectively pivotally coupled between said upper
cranks and said grips.
14. The elliptical exercise machine as claimed in claim 6, further
comprising a handlebar unit and a constraint unit, said handlebar
unit comprising a pair of grips respectively connected to
respective top sides of said arm members, said constraint unit
comprising a pivot shaft axially mounted on said frame, a pair of
upper cranks respectively and fixedly connected to two opposite
ends of said pivot shaft in reversed directions and a pair of
linkage rods respectively pivotally coupled between said upper
cranks and said grips.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to fitness equipment
technology and more particularly, to an elliptical trainer with a
resilient unit.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A fitness machine (US Patent Application 2013/0053218)
consisting of a frame, a pedal unit, a driving unit and a damper is
known. The frame comprises a base, an upright post fixedly
connected to the base, a support rack connected between the upright
post and the base, and a shaft fixedly connected between the
upright post and the support rack. The pedal unit comprises a pair
of rotary interlocking members respectively sleeved onto the shaft,
a pair of sleeves respectively mounted around the rotary
interlocking members, a pair of arm members respectively connected
to the sleeves, and a pair of pedal shafts respectively pivotally
connected to the arm members. The driving unit comprises a pair of
detent cables slidably inserted through the support rack and
connected between the rotary interlocking members and the pedal
shafts. The damper is mounted at the frame and movable by the
driving unit to impart a damping force to the pedal shafts.
[0005] This design of the fitness machine allows the user to
exercise stepping exercises, and uses the elasticity of the detent
cables to produce an inertial-elastic force during operation of the
fitness machine. However, because these detent cables are
respectively connected between the rotary interlocking members and
the pedal shafts, the path of these detent cables is quite long,
and the long opposite ends of the detent cables are exposed to the
outside of the support rack. Thus, the exposed opposite ends of the
detent cables can interfere with the user, and these detent cables
are prone to elastic fatigue after a long period of use, and the
maintenance of these detent cables is also very inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been achieved to overcome the
above noted deficiencies. It is the main object of the present
invention to provide an elliptical trainer with a resilient unit,
which avoids interference with the user, has a simple structure,
and facilitates maintenance.
[0007] To achieve this and other objects of the present invention,
the elliptical trainer comprises a frame, an exercising unit, a
pedal unit, a damper, a guide unit, and a pair of resilient units.
The frame comprises a base. The exercising unit comprises a pair of
arm members respectively pivotally connected to the frame and
alternatively turnable and movable back and forth. Each arm member
comprises a pivot-connection portion located at one end thereof and
pivotally connected to the frame. The pedal unit comprises a pair
of pedal shafts respectively pivotally connected to the arm
members. Each pedal shaft comprises a rear end portion located at a
rear end thereof. The damper is adapted for imparting a damping
resistance to the pedal shafts. The guide unit is adapted for
supporting the pedal shafts and guiding the pedal shafts to slide.
The resilient units are respectively disposed in proximity to the
pivoted junctions between the arm members and the pedal shafts, and
adapted for constantly keeping the rear end portions of the pedal
shafts far from the pivot-connection portions of the respective arm
members.
[0008] The design of the elliptical training of the invention has
the following effects: by means of the characteristic that the
resilient units are respectively disposed in proximity to the
pivoted junctions between the swinging portions of the arm members
and the front end portions of the pedal shafts and the
characteristic that the rear end portions of the pedal shafts are
constantly kept far from the pivot-connection portions of the arm
members, the elliptical trainer facilitates maintenance and can
produce an inertial-elastic force and prevents the resilient units
from interfering with the user during operation.
[0009] Other advantages and features of the present invention will
be fully understood by reference to the following description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
signs denote like components of structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an oblique top elevational view of an elliptical
trainer with resilient unit in accordance with a first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the elliptical trainer with
resilient unit in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front assembly view of the elliptical trainer
with resilient unit in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the first
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the rear end
portion of one pedal shaft kept far from the pivot-connection
portion of the respective arm member.
[0014] FIG. 5 is another schematic operational view of the first
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the rear end
portion of the pedal shaft moved toward the pivot-connection
portion of the respective arm member.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of an elliptical trainer
with resilient unit in accordance with a second embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a rear end portion of one pedal
shaft kept far from a pivot-connection portion of a respective arm
member.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the second
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the rear end
portion of one pedal shaft kept and the pivot-connection portion of
the respective arm member disposed in proximity to each other.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of an elliptical trainer
with resilient unit in accordance with a third embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a rear end portion of one pedal
shaft kept far from a pivot-connection portion of a respective arm
member.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic operational view of the third
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the rear end
portion of one pedal shaft kept and the pivot-connection portion of
the respective arm member disposed in proximity to each other.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of an elliptical trainer
with resilient unit in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a rear end portion of one pedal
shaft kept far from a pivot-connection portion of a respective arm
member.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic operational view of the fourth
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the rear end
portion of one pedal shaft kept and the pivot-connection portion of
the respective arm member disposed in proximity to each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an elliptical trainer with a
resilient unit in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The elliptical exercise machine comprises a
frame 10, an exercising unit 20, a pedal unit 30, a damper 40, a
guide unit 50, a pair of resilient units 60, a handlebar unit 70, a
constraint unit 80, and a shell 90.
[0022] The frame 10 comprises a base 11, and a support 12 fixedly
mounted to a front side of the base 11. The support 12 comprises an
upright post 13 located at a top side thereof, a transverse axle
131 fixedly and transversely extending across the upright post 13
near a top end thereof, and an extension bar 132 extended from the
upright post 13 below transverse axle 131.
[0023] The exercising unit 20 comprises a pair of arm members 21
respectively pivotally connected to two opposite ends of the
transverse axle 131 of the frame 10 and alternatively turnable back
and forth about the transverse axle 131. Each arm member 21
comprises a pivot-connection portion 211 located at a top end
thereof and pivotally connected to the respective one end of the
transverse axle 131, a swinging portion 212 located at an opposing
bottom end thereof, and a protruding rod 213 extended from the
pivot-connection portion 211.
[0024] The pedal unit 30 comprises a pair of pedal shafts 31
respectively pivotally connected to the arm members 21 of the
exercising unit 20, and a pair of pedals 32 respectively fixedly
supported on the respective pedal shafts 31. Each pedal shaft 31
comprises a front end portion 311 pivotally connected to the
swinging portion 212 of one respective arm member 21, and an
opposing rear end portion 312. The pedals 32 are respectively
fixedly mounted on the rear end portions 312 of the respective
pedal shafts 31.
[0025] The damper 40 is adapted for imparting a damping resistance
to the pedal shafts 31, comprising a rotatable wheel 41 pivotally
mounted in the support 12, and a damping wheel 42 pivotally mounted
in the support 12 and rotatable by the rotating wheel 41. The
rotatable wheel 41 comprises an axle 411 axially located at the
center and pivotally mounted in the support 12, and a pair of
cranks 412 respectively fixedly connected to two opposite ends of
the axle 411 in reversed directions.
[0026] The guide unit 50 comprises a pair of rockers 51 turnable
relative to the frame 10, and a pair of connection rods 52
respectively pivotally coupled between the rockers 51 and the
rotatable wheel 41 of the damper 40 for driving the rotatable wheel
41 to rotate. The rockers 51 have an inverted T-shape, each
comprising a pivoting portion 511 pivotally connected to the
support 12, a sliding guide portion 512 located at one side of the
pivoting portion 511 for supporting one respective pedal shaft 31
and guiding the respective pedal shaft 31 to slide, and an
interlocking portion 513 located at an opposite side of the
pivoting portion 511 and pivotally connected to one respective
connection rod 52. The connection rods 52 are respectively
pivotally connected to the cranks 412.
[0027] The resilient units 60 are respectively disposed in
proximity to the pivot-connection junctions between the swinging
portions 212 of the arm members 21 and the front end portions 311
of the pedal shafts 31, each comprising a first link 61 pivotally
connected to one respective arm member 21 between the swinging
portion 212 and pivot-connection portion 211 of the respective arm
member 21, a second link 62 pivotally connected between one
respective pedal shaft 31 of the pedal unit 30 and the first link
61, and a resilient member 63. Each resilient member 63 comprises a
first pivoting portion 631 pivotally connected to the swinging
portion 212 of one respective arm member 21 or the front end
portion 311 of one respective pedal shaft 31, and a second pivoting
portion 632 pivotally connected to the pivoted point between the
first link 61 and second link 62 of one respective resilient unit
60. The resilient force of the resilient members 63 enables the
rear end portions 312 of the pedal shafts 31 of the pedal unit 30
to be constantly kept far away from the pivot-connection portions
211 of the respective arm members 21 of the exercising unit 20. In
this embodiment, the resilient members 63 can be spring members,
elastic cords or pneumatic cylinders.
[0028] The handlebar unit 70 comprises a pair of grips 71
respectively connected to the top ends of the arm members 21 above
the transverse axle 131.
[0029] The constraint unit 80 comprises a pivot axle 81 pivotally
mounted at the extension bar 132 of the frame 10, a pair of upper
cranks 82 respectively fixedly connected to two opposite ends of
the pivot axle 81 in reversed directions, and a pair of linkage
rods 83 respectively pivotally connected between the upper cranks
82 and the protruding rods 213 of the arm members 21 of the
exercising unit 20. The constraint unit 80 can limit the swinging
stroke of the arm members 21 of the exercising unit 20.
[0030] The shell 90 is mounted on the frame 10 to shield the damper
40, a part of the guide unit 50 and the constraint unit 80.
[0031] When a user uses the elliptical trainer to exercise
free-stepping and/or orbitrek exercises, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the
legs are used to apply pressure to the pedals 32 and pedal shafts
31 of the pedal unit 30 horizontally forwards and vertically
downwards. As the pedals 32 and pedal shafts 31 of the pedal unit
30 are being alternatively moved, the front end portions 311 of the
pedal shafts 31 will be forced against the swinging portions 212 of
the respective arm members 21, causing the respective arm members
21 to turn back and forth about the transverse axle 131 of the
frame 10. Subject to the functioning of the constraint unit 80, the
pedal shafts 31, the arm members 21 and the grips 71 are moved back
and forth in the predetermined paths. Further, when the pedal
shafts 31 are being alternatively moved during the stepping
operation and the rear end portion 312 of one pedal shaft 31 is
moved far from the pivot-connection portion 211 of the respective
arm member 21, as shown in FIG. 4, an inertial-elastic force is
produced subject to the relative pivoting action between the first
link 61 and second link 62 of the respective resilient unit 60 and
the resilience of the respective resilient member 63. Further, as
shown in FIG. 5, when the user releases the pressure from the pedal
shaft 31, the rear end portion 312 of the respective pedal shaft 31
will be moved toward the pivot-connection portion 211 of the
respective arm member 21. Therefore, when the pedal shafts 31 of
the pedal unit 30 are being alternatively moved, the pedal shafts
31 are forced to impart a pressure to the sliding guide portions
512 of the respective rockers 51 of the guide unit 50, causing each
rocker 51 to turn about the axis that extends through the pivoting
portion 511 of the respective rocker 51 and the support 12, and
thus, the rotatable wheel 41 is forced by the respective connection
rod 52 of the guide unit 50 to rotate the damping wheel 42, causing
generation of a damping resistance.
[0032] At this time, mating with the coordinated action of the
user's legs, the resilient member 63 corresponding to the other
pedal shaft 31 is forced to extend outwards, causing the rear end
portion 312 of the pedal shaft 31 to be moved toward the
pivot-connection portion 211 of the respective arm member 21, and
thus, the pedal shafts 31 can be forced to turn the respective
rockers 51 of the guide unit 50 about the axes that extend through
the pivoting portions 511 of the respective rockers 51 and the
support 12.
[0033] Thus, by means of the stepping action of the user's legs in
an alternative manner and characterized in that the resilient units
60 are respectively disposed in proximity to the pivoted junctions
between the swinging portions 212 of the arm members 21 and the
front end portions 311 of the pedal shafts 31 and because the rear
end portions 312 of the pedal shafts 31 are constantly kept far
from the pivot-connection portions 211 of the arm members 21, an
inertial-elastic force can be produced during operation of the
pedal unit 30, and the resilient units 60 are prohibited from
interfering with the user. Furthermore, this design facilitates
maintenance.
[0034] In addition to the aforesaid operating modes, when the user
intends to carry out a simple mode of stepping up and down, by
using the two legs to alternatively impart a vertically downward
pressure to the pedals 32 and pedal shafts 31 of the pedal unit 30,
forcing the pedals 32 and the pedal shafts 31 to give a downward
pressure to the sliding guide portions 512 of the respective
rockers 51, and thus, subject to the functioning of the damper 40,
a damping in the column vector is produced. At this time, the arm
members 21 are almost prohibited from swinging.
[0035] When the user intends to carry out a sliding mode, by using
the two legs to alternatively impart a horizontally forward
pressure to the pedals 32 and pedal shafts 31 of the pedal unit 30,
forcing the front end portions 311 of the pedal shafts 31 against
the swinging portions 212 of the respective arm members 21 and
causing the respective arm members 21 to turn about the transverse
axle 131, and thus, subject to the functioning of the constraint
unit 80, the swinging stroke of the arm members 21 are almost
prohibited from swinging and the pedal shafts 31 is limited.
[0036] Therefore, the user can operate the elliptical trainer to
selectively carry out the desired operating mode, such as
free-stepping and orbitrek mode, sliding mode, or simple stepping
mode.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an elliptical trainer with
resilient unit 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:
each resilient unit 60' comprises a link 61' pivotally connected to
one respective arm member 21 between the swinging portion 212 and
the pivot-connection portion 211, a roller 62' pivotally connected
to the link 61' and slidably supported on one respective pedal
shaft 31, and a resilient member 63'. Each resilient member 63'
comprises a first pivoting portion 631' pivotally connected to the
swinging portion 212 of one respective arm member 21 or the front
end portion 311 of one respective pedal shaft 31, and a second
pivoting portion 632' pivotally connected to the link 61' adjacent
to the roller 62'. The resilient force of the resilient members 63'
enables the rear end portions 312 of the pedal shafts 31 to be
constantly kept far away from the pivot-connection portions 211 of
the respective arm members 21. In this embodiment, the resilient
members 63' can be spring members, elastic cords or pneumatic
cylinders. This second embodiment achieves the same effects as the
aforesaid first embodiment does.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an elliptical trainer with
resilient unit in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention is shown. This third embodiment is substantially similar
to the aforesaid second embodiment with the exception that: each
resilient unit 60'' comprises a link 61'' pivotally connected to
one respective pedal shaft 31 between the front end portion 311 and
the rear end portion 312, a roller 62'' pivotally connected to the
link 61' and slidably supported on one respective arm member 21,
and a resilient member 63''. Each resilient member 63'' comprises a
first pivoting portion 631'' pivotally connected to the swinging
portion 212 of one respective arm member 21 or the front end
portion 311 of one respective pedal shaft 31, and a second pivoting
portion 632'' pivotally connected to the link 61'' adjacent to the
roller 62'. The resilient force of the resilient members 63''
enables the rear end portions 312 of the pedal shafts 31 to be
constantly kept far away from the pivot-connection portions 211 of
the respective arm members 21. In this embodiment, the resilient
members 63'' can be spring members, elastic cords or pneumatic
cylinders. This third embodiment achieves the same effects as the
aforesaid first embodiment does.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an elliptical trainer with
resilient unit in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the
present invention is shown. This fourth embodiment is substantially
similar to the aforesaid first through third embodiments with the
exception that: each pedal shaft 31' of the pedal unit 30' further
comprises an extension portion 313' extended from said front end
portion 311' opposite to the rear end portion 312', a top wall 314'
extended from the rear end portion 312' to the extension portion
313' and facing upwards, and an opposing bottom wall 315' opposite
to the top wall 314' and facing downwards; each arm member 21 of
the exercising unit 20 further comprises an inner wall 214 facing
toward the rear end portion 312' of the respective pedal shaft 31'
of the pedal unit 30', and an outer wall 215 opposite to the inner
wall 214; each resilient unit 6 comprises a resilient member 601
connected between one respective arm member 21 and one respective
pedal shaft 31'; each resilient member 601 comprises a first
positioning portion 602 connected to the outer wall 215 of one
respective arm member 21 of the exercising unit 20, and a second
positioning portion 603 connected to one respective pedal shaft
31'; the resilient members 601 of the resilient unit 6 provide a
resilient force for enabling the rear end portions 312' of the
pedal shafts 31' of the pedal unit 30' to be constantly kept far
away from the pivot-connection portions 211 of the respective arm
members 21 of the exercising unit 20. In this embodiment, the
second positioning portions 603 of the resilient members 601 can be
selectively disposed in proximity to the top wall 314' or the
bottom wall 315'. Further, the resilient members 601 can be spring
members, elastic cords or pneumatic cylinders. This fourth
embodiment achieves the same effects as the aforesaid first
embodiment does.
[0040] 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.
* * * * *