U.S. patent application number 15/871937 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for elliptical trainer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Yu-Ting CHEN. Invention is credited to Yu-Ting CHEN.
Application Number | 20180207474 15/871937 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61013847 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180207474 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; Yu-Ting |
July 26, 2018 |
ELLIPTICAL TRAINER
Abstract
An elliptical trainer includes a base and a movement unit. The
base includes a stem formed thereon and two longitudinal bars, with
each of the longitudinal bars comprising a track. The movement unit
includes a sleeve supported on the stem, two bushing halves
inserted in the sleeve, a shaft sandwiched between the bushing
halves, two cranks connected to two opposite ends of the shaft, a
first pedal including an end connected to one of the cranks, a
second pedal including an end connected to the other crank, a first
caster connected to an opposite end of the first pedal and movable
to and fro along the track of the first longitudinal bar, and a
second caster connected to an opposite end of the second pedal and
movable to and fro along the track of the second longitudinal
bar.
Inventors: |
CHEN; Yu-Ting; (Taichung
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHEN; Yu-Ting |
Taichung City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
61013847 |
Appl. No.: |
15/871937 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0233 20130101;
A63B 21/4034 20151001; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/0694
20130101; A63B 21/4049 20151001; A63B 2022/0688 20130101; A63B
22/205 20130101; A63B 23/0405 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101;
A63B 21/015 20130101; A63B 2210/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00; A63B 23/04 20060101
A63B023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2017 |
TW |
106201166 |
Claims
1. An elliptical trainer comprising: a base comprising: a stem
formed thereon; a first longitudinal bar made with a track; and a
second longitudinal bar made with a track; and a movement unit
comprising: a sleeve supported on the stem of the base; two bushing
halves inserted in the sleeve; a shaft sandwiched between the
bushing halves; two cranks connected to two opposite ends of the
shaft; a first pedal comprising an end connected to one of the
cranks; a second pedal comprising an end connected to the remaining
one of the cranks; a first caster connected to an opposite end of
the first pedal and movable to and fro along the track of the first
longitudinal bar of the base; and a second caster connected to an
opposite end of the second pedal and movable to and fro along the
track of the second longitudinal bar of the base.
2. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein the base
further comprises a first crossbar and a second crossbar extending
to the first crossbar, and the stem is supported on a middle
portion of the first crossbar.
3. The elliptical trainer according to claim 2, wherein the base
further comprises four pads, with each of the pads connected to a
corresponding end of a corresponding one of the first and second
crossbars.
4. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein the first
and second longitudinal bars are located on two opposite sides of
the stem.
5. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein the first
and second longitudinal bars extend parallel to each other.
6. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein each of the
first and second longitudinal bars comprises two slant sections and
a peak formed between the slant sections.
7. The elliptical trainer according to claim 6, wherein the track
of each of the first and second longitudinal bars extends along one
of the slant sections.
8. The elliptical trainer according to claim 7, wherein the track
of each of the first and second longitudinal bars is a groove.
9. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein the track
of each of the first and second longitudinal bars is a groove.
10. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein the
movement unit further comprises an adjusting unit adapted for
adjusting resistance against the rotation of the shaft.
11. The elliptical trainer according to claim 10, wherein the
adjusting unit comprises a knob rotatable to adjust a force exerted
on the shaft by the bushing halves.
12. The elliptical trainer according to claim 11, wherein the
adjusting unit comprises a pressing plate formed with a side
adapted for contact with the knob and an opposite side adapted for
contact with one of the bushing halves.
13. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein the
movement unit further comprises two covers connected to two ends of
the sleeve, thereby protecting at least the bushing halves and the
shaft inserted in the sleeve.
14. The elliptical trainer according to claim 1, wherein each of
the cranks comprises a pedal-supporting section extending parallel
to the shaft, and each of the first and second pedals is connected
to the pedal-supporting section of the corresponding crank.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise machine and,
more particularly, to an elliptical trainer that occupies a small
space and allows a long stroke of movement.
2. Related Prior Art
[0002] People have smaller space and less time for exercise than
before since our life styles and environments are changing. Hence,
there are various exercise machines for different purposes and to
different effects. Steppers are popular because they occupy small
space and allow users to exercise their muscles in their legs and
hips. A typical stepper includes two pedals pivotally supported on
a base. The pedals connected to each other so that they are pivoted
alternately in operation. A user sets his or her feet on the pedals
and exercises his or her legs and hips by moving the pedals up and
down. However, the typical stepper allows a short stroke of
movement of the pedals and hence allows the user to exercise his or
her legs and hips to a small extent.
[0003] There is another stepper that allows a user to twist his or
her waist while exercising his or her legs and hips. However, this
stepper also allows a short stroke of movement of the pedals and
hence allows the user to exercise his or her legs and hips to a
small extent.
[0004] An elliptical trainer, this stepper allows a long stroke of
movement of pedals and hence allows the user to exercise his or her
legs and hips to a large extent. However, a typical elliptical
trainer is bulky and involves a complicated structure that includes
a large number of components. Obviously, the typical elliptical
trainer is expensive. It takes a skilled mechanic to maintain the
typical elliptical trainer. Hence, a typical elliptical trainer is
often used in a gymnasium, and seldom used at home.
[0005] As discussed above, there is an unsatisfied need for an
elliptical trainer that involves a simple structure and allows a
long stroke of movement.
[0006] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at
least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
structurally simple elliptical trainer that can be manufactured
easily at a low cost and occupies small space in operation.
[0008] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elliptical trainer that allows a long stroke of movement and
hence allows a user to exercise to a large extent.
[0009] To achieve the foregoing objectives, the elliptical trainer
includes a base and a movement unit. The base includes a stem
formed thereon and two longitudinal bars, with each of the
longitudinal bars comprising a track. The movement unit includes a
sleeve supported on the stem, two bushing halves inserted in the
sleeve, a shaft sandwiched between the bushing halves, two cranks
connected to two opposite ends of the shaft, a first pedal
including an end connected to one of the cranks, a second pedal
including an end connected to the other crank, a first caster
connected to an opposite end of the first pedal and movable to and
fro along the track of the first longitudinal bar, and a second
caster connected to an opposite end of the second pedal and movable
to and fro along the track of the second longitudinal bar.
[0010] Other objectives, advantages and features of the present
invention will be apparent from the following description referring
to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention will be described via detailed
illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elliptical trainer
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the elliptical trainer shown
in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial and cross-sectional view of
the elliptical trainer shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user exercising with the
elliptical trainer shown in FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the elliptical trainer shown in
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an elliptical trainer
includes a base (10) and a movement unit (20) supported on the base
(10) according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] The base (10) includes a first crossbar (11) and a second
crossbar (12) extending parallel to the first crossbar (11). A pad
(13) is connected to each end of each of the first and second
crossbars (11, 12). Preferably, each of the pads (13) is in the
form of a cap (or "collar") for wrapping the corresponding end of
the corresponding crossbars (11, 12). The pads (13) are used for
anti-skid and cushioning purposes. The first crossbar (11) is
formed with a stem (14) extending upward from a middle section
thereof. The stem (14) is used to support the movement unit (20) in
a manner to be described latter. Two longitudinal bars (16, 17) are
located between and connected to the first and second crossbars
(11, 12). The first longitudinal bar (16) is located on a side of
the stem (14), and the second longitudinal bar (17) is located on
an opposite of the stem (14). Each of the first and second
longitudinal bars (16, 17) is a bent element that includes a peak
formed between two slant sections. The first slant section of each
of the first and second longitudinal bars (16, 17) is connected to
the first crossbar (11). The second slant section of each of the
first and second longitudinal bars (16, 17) is connected to the
second crossbar (12). The first longitudinal bar (16) includes a
track (160) along the second slant section thereof. The second
longitudinal bar (17) includes a track (170) along the second slant
section thereof. Preferably, the tracks (160, 170) are grooves.
[0019] The movement unit (20) includes a sleeve (21) connected to
an upper end of the stem (14) of the base (10). Two bushing halves
(22) are inserted in the sleeve (21). The bushing halves (22) can
be moved toward or away from each other in operation. The bushing
halves (22) together make a bushing around a shaft (23), i.e., the
shaft (23) is located between the bushing halves (22). A crank (24)
extends from each end of the shaft (23). The cranks (24) and the
shaft (23) together make a crankshaft. Each of the cranks (24) is
made with a pedal-supporting section (240) extending parallel to
the shaft (23). There is an adjusting unit including a knob (25)
and a pressing plate (250). The knob (25) is supported on the
sleeve (21). In detail, the knob (25) includes a threaded bolt (not
numbered) inserted in a screw hole (not numbered) made in the
sleeve (21). The threaded bolt of the knob (25) is adapted for
contact with a side of a pressing plate (250) inserted in the
sleeve (21). An opposite side of the pressing plate (250) is
adapted for contact with a selected one of the bushing halves (22).
The knob (25) is rotatable relative to the sleeve (21) in a
direction to abut the threaded bolt thereof harder against the
pressing plate (250), which in turn moves the selected bushing half
(22) closer to the remaining bushing half (22). Thus, the bushing
halves (22) clamps the shaft (23) harder to exert larger resistance
against rotation of the shaft (23). A cover (210) is connected to
each end of the sleeve (21). The covers (210) are adapted for
protecting the bushing halves (22) and the pressing plate (250)
inserted in the sleeve (21). A first caster (260) is connected to
an end of the first pedal (26) located opposite to another end of
the first pedal (26) that is connected to the pedal-supporting
section (240) of one of the cranks (24) extending from an end of
the shaft (23). A second caster (270) is connected to an end of the
second pedal (27) located opposite to another end of the second
pedal (27) that is connected to the pedal-supporting section (240)
of the remaining crank (24) extending from the other end of the
shaft (23). The first and second pedals casters (260, 270), which
are respectively connected to the first and second pedals (26, 27),
are respectively movable to and fro in the tracks (160, 170) of the
first and second longitudinal bars (16, 17) of the base (10).
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of the elliptical
trainer will be described. A user puts her legs on the first and
second pedals (26, 27) of the movement unit (20), and steps down
the first and second pedals (26, 27) alternately. Thus, the user
rotates the cranks (24), which are connected to the first and
second pedals (26, 27). Hence, the user rotates the shaft (23),
which is connected to the cranks (24). The casters (260, 270),
which are connected to front ends of the first and second pedals
(26, 27), are movable to and fro along the tracks (160, 170) of the
first and second longitudinal bars (16, 17) of the base (10) while
rear ends of the first and second pedals (26, 27) are rotated.
Thus, the first and second pedals (26, 27) are moved in a
substantially elliptical manner, not just a simple circular or
rectilinear manner. Hence, the elliptical trainer allows the user
to exercise her legs and hips to a relatively large extent while
occupying small space.
[0021] Moreover, the user is allowed to operate the adjusting unit,
which includes the knob (25) and the pressing plate (250), to
change the extent to which the bushing halves (22) clamp the shaft
(23), thereby adjusting the resistance against the movement of the
first and second pedals (26, 27) when the user exercise with the
elliptical trainer.
[0022] The present invention has been described via the
illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art
can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the
preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present
invention defined in the claims.
* * * * *