U.S. patent application number 15/444435 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-07 for stepper exercise machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dong-Her Wu. Invention is credited to Dong-Her Wu.
Application Number | 20170252603 15/444435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58490100 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170252603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Dong-Her |
September 7, 2017 |
STEPPER EXERCISE MACHINE
Abstract
A stepper exercise machine is provided. When a pedal is pedaled
by a user, a drive gear is rotated forward or rearward. One end of
a link is rotated about a drive rod, and a turning lever connected
to the other end of the link is confined by a second accommodation
trough of the pedal, so that the link brings the pedal to move in
the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. In cooperation
with a shaft which is fixed, a sleeve is rotatable relative to the
shaft. When the pedal is driven, a first accommodation space
provides a space for the pedal to move in the front-rear direction.
By means of the action of two flywheels to provide an acceleration
effect, the rotation of the drive gear is to speed up, so that the
user can reduce the force exerted to the pedal.
Inventors: |
Wu; Dong-Her; (Changhua
Hsien, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wu; Dong-Her |
Changhua Hsien |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
58490100 |
Appl. No.: |
15/444435 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/159 20130101;
A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 22/0694 20130101; A63B 2022/0688
20130101; A61H 2201/164 20130101; A63B 69/0057 20130101; A63B
2023/006 20130101; A61H 2201/0157 20130101; A61H 2201/1261
20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/04 20130101; A61H 1/0237
20130101; A63B 21/4034 20151001; A63B 23/04 20130101; A61H
2201/0192 20130101; A61H 2201/1695 20130101; A63B 2208/0233
20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A61H 2203/0431 20130101; A61H
2201/1676 20130101; A61H 1/0266 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00; A63B 23/04 20060101
A63B023/04; A63B 21/22 20060101 A63B021/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 1, 2016 |
TW |
105106234 |
Claims
1. A stepper exercise machine, comprising: a base; a support
assembly, including a first support member, a shaft, and two
sleeves, the first support member being located close to a front
end of the base and extending upward, the shaft being inserted
through one end of the first support member, far away from the
base, the shaft and the first support member being perpendicular to
each other, the two sleeves being rotatably fitted on two ends of
the shaft and located at left and right sides of the first support
member respectively; a drive wheel unit, including a second support
member, a drive rod, a drive gear, two links, and two turning
levers, the second support member being located close to a rear end
of the base and extending upward, the second support member being
spaced from the first support member, the drive rod being inserted
through one end of the second support member, far away from the
base, and further inserted through a center of the drive gear, the
drive rod being interlinked with the drive gear, the drive rod
being perpendicular to the second support member and parallel to
the shaft, the two links being pivotally connected to two ends of
the drive rod and located at left and right sides of the drive
gear, the two links each extending outward from a corresponding one
of the two ends of the drive rod in an opposite direction, each of
the two turning levers being rotatably connected to one end of a
corresponding one of the two links, far away from the drive rod,
the turning levers being parallel to the drive rod respectively; a
flywheel unit, including a third support member, a spindle, a
transmission gear, and two flywheels made of a metal material, the
third support member extending upward from the base and being
located between the first support member and the second support
member, the spindle being pivotally inserted through one end of the
third support member, far away from the base, the spindle being
further inserted through the two flywheels and the transmission
gear, the spindle being interlinked with the two flywheels and the
transmission gear, the transmission gear being located between the
two flywheels, the transmission gear meshing with the drive gear,
the shaft, the drive rod, and the spindle being disposed at a same
height; wherein when the links drive the drive rod and the drive
gear to rotate, the drive gear drives the transmission gear and the
two flywheels to rotate; two pedals, located at left and right
sides of the base, the pedals each including a main body, a first
accommodation trough, and a second accommodation trough, the first
accommodation trough being disposed close to a front end of a
bottom of the main body for accommodating a corresponding one of
the sleeves to move therein, the second accommodation trough being
disposed close to a rear end of the bottom of the main body for
accommodating and limiting a corresponding one of the turning
levers to move therein; and a cover, covering the support assembly,
the drive wheel unit, and the flywheel unit, the two sleeves, the
two links, and the two turning levers being exposed out of the
cover.
2. The stepper exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
base has an I shape, the base includes a front transverse rod, a
connecting rod, and a rear transverse rod, two ends of the
connecting rod are connected to the front transverse rod and the
rear transverse rod respectively, the connecting rod and the front
transverse rod are perpendicular to each other, and the connecting
rod and the rear transverse rod are perpendicular to each
other.
3. The stepper exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
tuning levers each include a lever and two turning wheels, and the
two turning wheels are rotatably connected to two ends of the
lever, respectively.
4. The stepper exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
second accommodation trough of each of the pedals has a connection
space and two turning wheel spaces, two ends of the connection
space are in communication with the two turning wheel spaces
respectively, the connection space is configured to receive the
lever, and the two turning wheel spaces are configured to receive
and limit the two turning wheels.
5. The stepper exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a receiving pipe extending up from the front end of the
base for insertion of a T-shaped handle, the T-shaped handle being
adjustable up and down.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a stepper exercise machine,
and more particularly to a stepper exercise machine capable of
stretching the muscles of the let of the user when the front
portion of the foot of the user is forced to tilt.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many indoor leg training machines on the market,
such as a treadmill, a stepper, an elliptical machine (commonly
known as an elliptical machine, a space walking machines, etc.),
and a stationary bicycle. It is easy to hurt the knee and ankle of
the user because of vibration and pressure.
[0003] The elliptical machine provides the same function as the
stationary bicycle, for example, the motion of ascending and
bending knee. The angles of the foot and the leg of the user are
substantially the same. The front of the foot cannot be tilted to
stretch the muscles of the leg, not like the function of the
stepper.
[0004] As to the aforementioned elliptical machine, the user must
stand with both hands to hold the handles for keeping a balance.
The structure is complex and bulky, and the price is high. It is
usually used in a professional gym, not suitable for domestic use.
As to the stationary bicycle, the user can sit on the stationary
bicycle for doing exercise. But, it also has the shortcomings of a
complex and bulky structure and a slightly high price. It cannot be
widely used like a stepper which is small in size and low in
price.
[0005] A stepper exercise machine as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,705,975 comprises a base, two platform elements, and two elastic
elements.
[0006] The two platform elements are pivotally coupled to the base.
The two elastic elements are located between the base and the
corresponding platform elements. The two elastic elements provide
the recoil force for the platform elements, instead of mechanical
hydraulic pressure, so that the structure of the stepper exercise
machine is simplified and the user can choose a different way for
operation.
[0007] However, one end of the platform unit is pivotally connected
to the base, and the other end of the platform unit is connected to
the elastic element. When the user pedals the machine, one end of
the platform unit, connected to the base, functions as a pivot, and
the other end of the platform unit, connected to the elastic
member, is pedaled up and down. The user is allowed to move in the
up and down direction when the machine is operated. When the user
doesn't apply force, the operation will be stopped immediately.
This way is unable to reduce the force exerted by the user or bring
the user's feet to reciprocate in an inertia manner. It is very
inconvenient.
[0008] Particularly, the exercise effect of a conventional stepper
exercise machine on the market is to reciprocate the legs, knees
and ankles with a small angle. Although the foot can be tilted to
provide a partial stretching effect, the machine is operated by
means of the user's weight. This is obviously against the user's
natural walking posture and cannot provide a natural and
comfortable operation for the user. Therefore, it cannot be used
for stretching.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
stepper exercise machine. When the user pedals the machine, a pair
of flywheels made of a metal material is simultaneously driven to
provide an acceleration effect. The rotation of a drive gear is to
speed up, so that the user can reduce the force exerted to two
pedals and a drive wheel unit continues to turn in the same
direction. The two pedals can be pedaled continuously and smoothly.
The front portion of the foot is forced to tilt to stretch the
muscles of the leg of the user, which is the main feature of the
present invention.
[0010] The present invention is to provide a stepper exercise
machine. Through a transmission mechanism that the two pedals drive
the drive gear to link a transmission wheel and the two flywheels,
the user can do exercise in a sitting manner or in a standing
manner. The stepper exercise machine has the advantages of
occupying less space, a low cost, and a low failure rate. This is a
further feature of the present invention.
[0011] The present invention is to provide a stepper exercise
machine. Through the arrangement of the two elongated pedals, the
user may have a choice for a desired stepping position. When the
heel is positioned rearward, the tilt angle of the foot is
relatively large during exercise, that is, the relative effect of
stretching is strong; when the heel is positioned forward, the tilt
angle of the foot is relatively small during exercise, that is, the
relative effect of stretching is weak. The user himself/herself can
adjust the angle of stretching to achieve a more extensive
applicability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a stepper exercise machine of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stepper exercise machine
of the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 3-8 are schematic views showing the operation of the
stepper exercise machine taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIGS. 9-10 are schematic views of the stepper exercise
machine of the present invention, showing that the user sits to
pedal the machine;
[0016] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the stepper exercise machine
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stepper exercise
machine of FIG. 11; and
[0018] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the stepper exercise machine
of FIG. 11, showing that the user stands to pedal the machine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Advantages and features of the inventive concept and methods
of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of embodiments and
the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a stepper exercise machine
100 of the present invention comprises a base 1, a support assembly
2, a drive wheel unit 3, a flywheel unit 4, two pedals 5, and a
cover 6.
[0021] The base 1 is generally in an I-like shape. The base 1
includes a front transverse rod 11, a connecting rod 12, and a rear
transverse rod 13. Two ends of the connecting rod 12 are connected
to the front transverse rod 11 and the rear transverse rod 13,
respectively. The connecting rod 12 and the front transverse rod 11
are perpendicular to each other. The connecting rod 12 and the rear
transverse rod 13 are perpendicular to each other.
[0022] The support assembly 2 includes a first support member 21, a
shaft 22, and two sleeves 23. The first support member 21 is
located close to a front end of the base 1 and extends upward. The
shaft 22 is inserted through one end of the first support member
21, far away from the base 1. The shaft 22 and the first support
member 21 are perpendicular to each other. The two sleeves 23 are
rotatably fitted on two ends of the shaft 22 and located at left
and right sides of the first support member 21, respectively.
[0023] The drive wheel unit 3 includes a second support member 31,
a drive rod 32, a drive gear 33, two links 34, and two turning
levers 35. The second support member 31 is located close to a rear
end of the base 1 and extends upward. The second support member 31
is spaced from the first support member 21. The drive rod 32 is
inserted through one end of the second support member 31, far away
from the base 1, and is further inserted through the center of the
drive gear 33. The drive rod 32 is interlinked with the drive gear
33. The drive rod 32 is perpendicular to the second support member
31 and parallel to the shaft 22. The two links 34 are pivotally
connected to two ends of the drive rod 32 and located at left and
right sides of the drive gear 33. The links 32 each extend outward
from the corresponding end of the drive rod 32 in an opposite
direction. Each of the two turning levers 35 is rotatably connected
to one end of the corresponding link 34, far away from the drive
rod 32. The turning levers 35 are parallel to the drive rod 32,
respectively.
[0024] The flywheel unit 4 includes a third support member 41, a
spindle 42, a transmission gear 43, and two flywheels 44 made of a
metal material. The third support member 41 extends upward from the
base 1 and is located between the first support member 21 and the
second support member 31. The spindle 42 is pivotally inserted
through one end of the third support member 41, far away from the
base 1. The spindle 42 is further inserted through the two
flywheels 44 and the transmission gear 43. The spindle 42 is
interlinked with the two flywheels 44 and the transmission gear 43.
The transmission gear 43 is located between the two flywheels 44.
The transmission gear 43 meshes with the drive gear 33. The shaft
22, the drive rod 32, and the spindle 42 are disposed at the same
height.
[0025] The two pedals 5 are located at left and right sides of the
base 1. Each pedal 5 includes a main body 51, a first accommodation
trough 52, and a second accommodation trough 53. The first
accommodation trough 52 is disposed close to a front end of a
bottom of the main body 51 for accommodating a corresponding one of
the sleeves 23 to move therein. The second accommodation trough 53
is disposed close to a rear end of the bottom of the main body 51
for accommodating and limiting a corresponding one of the turning
levers 35 to move therein.
[0026] Furthermore, a plurality of massage protrusions 511 are
formed on the top surface of the main body 51 for simultaneously
massaging the feet of a user 200 when the user 200 pedals the
stepper exercise machine, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
[0027] Each tuning lever 35 includes a lever 351 and two turning
wheels 352. The two turning wheels 352 are rotatably connected to
two ends of the lever 351, respectively. The second accommodation
trough 53 of each pedal 5 has a connection space 531 and two
turning wheel spaces 532. Two ends of the connection space 531 are
in communication with the two turning wheel spaces 532,
respectively. The connection space 531 is configured to receive the
lever 351. The two turning wheel spaces 532 are configured to
receive and limit the two turning wheels 352.
[0028] The cover 6 is configured to cover the support assembly 2,
the drive wheel unit 3, and the flywheel unit 4. The two sleeves
23, the two links 34, and the two turning levers 35 are exposed out
of the cover 6.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 as well as FIGS. 9 to 10, when the
user 200 sits with his/her heel 210 to exert force to the rear end
of the pedal 5, the drive gear 33 is rotated forward. One end of
the link 34 is rotated about the drive rod 32. The turning lever 35
connected to the other end of the link 34 is limited by the second
accommodation trough 53 of the pedal 5, so that the rotation of the
link 34 brings the pedal 5 to move in the up-down direction and the
front-rear direction. The shaft 22 is fixed, and only the sleeve 23
is rotatable relative to the shaft 22. When the pedal 5 is driven
by the link 34 to move in the front-rear direction, the first
accommodation space 52 provides a space for the pedal 5 to move in
the front-rear direction.
[0030] When the link 34 drives the drive rod 32 and the drive gear
33 to rotate, the drive gear 33 drives the transmission gear 43 and
the two flywheels 44 to rotate because the drive gear 33 meshes
with the transmission gear 43. After that, by means of the inertia
rotation of the two flywheels 44, the transmission gear 43 is
driven to rotate the drive gear 33 so that the user 200 can reduce
the force exerted to the pedal 5.
[0031] In addition, the heights of the shaft 22, the drive rod 32,
and the spindle 42 are substantially the same. When the heel 210 of
the user 200 is turned to the lowest point of the link 34 along
with the rear end of the pedal 5, the front portion of the foot is
forced to tilt to stretch the muscles of the leg 220 of the user
200.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8 as well as FIGS. 9 to 10, when the
user 200 sits with his/her heel 210 to exert force to the rear end
of the pedal 5, the drive gear 33 is rotated forward. One end of
the link 34 is rotated about the drive rod 32. The turning lever 35
connected to the other end of the link 34 is limited by the second
accommodation trough 53 of the pedal 5, so that the rotation of the
link 34 brings the pedal 5 to move in the up-down direction and the
front-rear direction. The shaft 22 is fixed, and only the sleeve 23
is rotatable relative to the shaft 22. When the pedal 5 is driven
by the link 34 to move in the front-rear direction, the first
accommodation space 52 provides a space for the pedal 5 to move in
the front-rear direction.
[0033] When the link 34 drives the drive rod 32 and the drive gear
33 to rotate, the drive gear 33 drives the transmission gear 43 and
the two flywheels 44 to rotate because the drive gear 33 meshes
with the transmission gear 43. By means of the action of the
inertia rotation of the two metal and extra-heavy flywheels 44 to
provide an acceleration effect, the rotation of the drive gear 33
is to speed up, so that the user 200 can reduce the force exerted
to the pedal and the drive wheel unit 3 continues to turn in the
same direction. The two pedals 5 can be pedaled continuously and
smoothly.
[0034] In addition, the heights of the shaft 22, the drive rod 32,
and the spindle 42 are substantially the same. When the heel 210 of
the user 200 is turned to the lowest point of the link 34 along
with the rear end of the pedal 5, the front portion of the foot is
forced to tilt to stretch the muscles of the leg 220 of the user
200.
[0035] FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate another embodiment of the stepper
exercise machine 100 of the present invention. The stepper exercise
machine 100 may further comprise a receiving pipe 7 extending up
from the front end of the base 1 (i.e., the junction of the front
transverse rod 11 and the connecting rod 12) for insertion of a
T-shaped handle 8. The T-shaped handle 8 can be adjusted up and
down. This embodiment allows the user 200 to exercise in a standing
manner so as to achieve the same effects as the above-described,
reducing the force exerted by the user 200 and stretching the
muscles of the leg 220.
[0036] In addition, the length of the link 34 can be adjusted. By
adjusting the length of the link 34, the angle to stretch the
muscles of the leg 220 of the user 200 can be adjusted for
different users.
[0037] Although particular embodiments of the present 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 present invention. Accordingly, the
present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *