Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EXERCISE DEVICE
The invention relates to elliptical exercise device including
changeable or adjustable or different moving strokes.
Typical stepping exercisers comprise a pair of handles pivotally
attached to an upwardly extending frame member of a base support
device, and a pair of foot supports pivotally coupled to the handles
and arranged for allowing the foot supports to be stepped or moved
up and down relative to the base support device.
U.S. Patent No. 5,290,211 to Stearns discloses one of the typical
exercise devices comprising a pair of handles pivotally attached to
an upwardly extending frame member of a base support device, and
a pair of foot supports pivotally coupled to the handles, and a pair of
force resisting device pivotally coupling the foot supports to the
upwardly extending frame member for allowing the foot supports to
be stepped or moved up and down relative to the base support
device.
However, normally, the middle portion of the foot supports is
pivotally coupled to the upwardly extending frame member such
that the middle portion of the foot supports is pivoted relative to the
base support device but may not be moved cyclically or in
reciprocating relative to the base support device, and such that the
moving stroke of the typical exercise devices may not be suitably
increased. In addition, the moving stroke of the typical exercise
devices may not be changed or adjusted.
U.S. Patent No. 5,499,956 to Habing et al. discloses a typical
articulated lower body exercise device comprising a pair of foot
supports pivotally coupled to the upwardly extending frame member
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of a base support device with a pair of vertical linkage arms, and a
device for swinging the vertical linkage arms and the foot supports
relative to the upwardly extending frame member of the base
support device for allowing the foot supports to be stepped or moved
elliptically relative to the base support device.
However, the middle portion of the foot supports is only pivoted
relative to the base support device but may not be moved cyclically
or in reciprocating relative to the base support device, and such that
the moving stroke of the typical exercise devices may not be
suitably increased. In addition, the moving stroke of the typical
exercise devices may not be changed or adjusted.
U.S. Patent No. 5,577,985 to Miller discloses a typical stationary
exercise device comprising a pair of guide links or handles pivotally
attached to an upright support, and a pair of foot supports each
pivotally coupled to the handles, and a pair of cranks pivotally
coupled to the handles and the foot supports with an intermediate
link and a control link, for swinging the handles and the foot
supports relative to the base support device and for allowing the foot
supports to be stepped or moved elliptically relative to the base
support device.
However, the middle portion of the foot supports is only pivotally
coupled to the handles, and may not be moved cyclically or in
reciprocating relative to the base support device such that the
moving stroke of the typical exercise devices may not be suitably
increased or adjusted. In addition, the moving stroke of the typical
exercise devices may not be changed or adjusted.
U.S. Patent No. 5,595,553 to Rodgers, Jr. discloses another typical
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stationary exercise device also comprising a pair of handles
pivotally attached to an upright support, and a pair of foot supports
each pivotally coupled to the handles, and a pair of cranks pivotally
coupled to the foot supports with a reciprocating member for
swinging the handles and the foot supports relative to the base
support device and for allowing the foot supports to be stepped or
moved elliptically relative to the base support device.
However, similarly, the foot supports is only pivotally coupled to
the handles, and may not be moved cyclically or in reciprocating
relative to the base support device such that the moving stroke of the
exercise devices may not be suitably increased or adjusted.
U.S. Patent No. 5,769,760 to Lin et al. discloses a further typical
stationary exercise device comprising a pair of foot supports
including a front portion pivotally coupled to an upright support,
and a pair of handles also pivotally attached to the upright support,
and a pair of cranks pivotally coupled to the handles for swinging
the handles and the foot supports relative to the base support device
and for allowing the foot supports to be stepped or moved
elliptically relative to the base support device.
However, the handles are located closer to the users, and are
pivotally coupled to the upright support and may also be moved
cyclically relative to the upright support of the base support device
such that the handles will also be moved cyclically relative to the
upright support and such that the handles may not be easily grasped
and handled by the users. In addition, the moving stroke of the
typical exercise devices may not be changed or adjusted.
U.S. Patent No. 6,022,296 to Yu discloses a further typical
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stepping exercise device comprising a pair of handles pivotally
coupled to an upright support with a pair of cranks, and a pair of foot
supports including a middle portion pivotally attached to the base
support and including a front portion pivotally coupled to the
handles.
However, the foot supports are only coupled to the upright support
or the base support such that the foot supports may only be stepped
or moved up and down relative to the base support device, but may
not be stepped or moved elliptically relative to the upright support
of the base support device. In addition, the moving stroke of the
typical exercise devices may not be changed or adjusted.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an exercise
device including an arrangement for allowing the exercise device to
be adjusted to different moving strokes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an exercise device
comprising:-
a base including an upright support extended upwardly from the
base,
a spindle disposed on the upright support,
two cranks rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the upright
support with a shaft which is spaced away from the spindle, the
cranks each including a pivot rod attached to the crank and spaced
away from the shaft,
two handles including a middle portion attached to the spindle for
allowing the handles to be pivotally coupled to the front portion of
the upright support with the spindle and for allowing the handles to
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be pivoted and swung relative to the upright support of the base, the
handles each including a hand grip provided on an upper portion for
being grasped or held by a user and each including a lower portion,
two foot supports each including a front portion pivotally coupled
to the lower portion of the handles, and each including a foot pedal
disposed on a rear portion for supporting the user's feet, and each
including a middle portion pivotally coupled to the pivot rod of the
cranks with a link for allowing the middle portions of the foot
supports to be moved cyclically relative to the upright support by
the cranks, and
two levers each including a first end pivotally coupled to the pivot
rod of the crank, and each including a second end adjustably
coupled to the middle portion of the handle and spaced away from
the spindle for forming a changeable polygonal coupling structure
together with the handles and the foot supports and the links, and for
allowing the foot pedals of the foot supports to be moved with
changeable and elliptical moving stroke relative to the upright
support of the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise device;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the exercise device;
FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the exercise device as seen
from the front portion of the exercise device;
FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the exercise device as seen
from the rear portion of the exercise device;
FIG. 5 is a side plan schematic view of the exercise device;
FIG. 6 is a side plan schematic view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating
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the operation of the exercise device;
FIG. 7 is a side plan schematic view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6,
illustrating the adjustment of the exercise device; and
FIGS. 8, 9 are side plan schematic views similar to FIGS. 5-7,
illustrating the other arrangements of the exercise device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an exercise device 1 comprises a base 10,
an upright support 11 extended upwardly from the base 10, a spindle
12 disposed or provided on the front portion 13 of the upright
support 11, a rotary member or pulley or wheel 20 rotatably attached
to the rear portion 14 of the upright support 11 with a shaft 21 which
is spaced away from the spindle 12, another wheel or pulley or
rotary member 22 rotatably attached to the middle portion of the
upright support 11 with an axle 23, a further wheel or rotary member
or pulley or follower 24 attached or secured to the axle 23 and
moved in concert with the axle 23, and the follower 24 is coupled to
the wheel 20 with a coupling device 25, such as a
sprocket-and-chain coupling device or a gearing coupling device
(not shown), or a belt 25 for allowing the follower 24 and the rotary
member 22 to be rotated or driven by the wheel 20.
A weight or flywheel 26 may further be provided and attached to
the middle or lower portion of the upright support 11 with a pivot
rod 27 which is coupled to the rotary member 22 with another
coupling device 28, such as a sprocket-and-chain coupling device or
a gearing coupling device (not shown), or a belt 28 for allowing the
flywheel 26 to be rotated or driven by the follower 24 and the rotary
member 22 that are rotated or driven by the wheel 20. The follower
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24 and the rotary member 22 and/or the flywheel 26 may apply a
resistive force against the wheel 20 and the shaft 21 for resisting the
rotational movement of the wheel 20 and the shaft 21. It is to be
noted that the flywheel 26, the follower 24, the rotary member 22,
the wheel 20 and the shaft 21 are coupled together to form a resistive
means or device for resisting the rotational movement of the wheel
20 and the shaft 21, however, the other resistive device, such as the
hydraulic or pneumatic resistive devices (not shown), or the
magnetic retarding devices (not shown) may also be used to apply
the resistive force against the wheel 20 and the shaft 21.
A pair of or two cranks 30 are secured to the shaft 21 such that the
cranks 30 may be rotatably coupled to the rear portion 14 of the
upright support 11 with the shaft 21, the cranks 30 each include a
pivot rod 31 provided or attached thereto or extended outwardly
therefrom and spaced away from or distal to the shaft 21, a pair of or
two handles 40 include an upper or middle portion 41 attached or
secured to the spindle 12 for allowing the handles 40 to be pivotally
coupled to the front portion 13 of the upright support 11 with the
spindle 12 and for allowing the handles 40 to be pivoted or swung
relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10. The handles 40 each
include a hand grip 42 formed or provided on the upper portion
thereof for being grasped or held or operated by the users. The
handles 40 each may further include one or more orifices 43 formed
in the middle portion 41 thereof for moving stroke adjusting
purposes.
A pair of or two foot supports 50 each include a middle portion 51
pivotally coupled to the pivot rod 31 of the cranks 30 with a link 52
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for allowing the middle portions 51 of the foot supports 50 to be
moved cyclically relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10 by
the cranks 30, and each include a front portion 53 pivotally coupled
the lower portion 44 of the handles 40 respectively for allowing the
foot supports 50 and the handles 40 to be pivotally coupled or
attached to the upright support 11 of the base 10, and for allowing
the foot supports 50 and the handles 40 to be moved or pivoted or
swung relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10. The foot
supports 50 each include a foot pedal 54 disposed or provided on the
rear portion thereof for supporting the feet of the users and for
allowing the feet of the users to step and to operate or to actuate the
foot supports 50.
A pair of or two arms or levers 32 may further be provided, and
each include one end or first end or rear portion 33 pivotally coupled
to the pivot rod 31 of the cranks 30, and each include the other end
or second end or front portion 34 selectively coupled to the middle
portions 41 of the handles 40 respectively with a fastener or
securing device 35 which is spaced away from the spindle 12, for
forming a polygonal pivot coupling structure together with the
handles 40 and the foot supports 50 and the links 52. For example,
the securing device 35 may be selectively or adjustably coupled to
either of the orifices 43 of the handles 40 respectively with the
securing device 35, for adjusting the distance between the spindle
12 of the upright support 11 and the front portion 34 of the levers 32,
and for adjusting the coupling between the handles 40 and the
cranks 30 and/or the link 52, and thus for adjusting the moving
strokes of the foot supports 50. For example, the moving stroke of
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the foot supports 50 may be increased when the front portion 34 of
the levers 32 are adjusted closer to the spindle 12 of the upright
support 11, and may be decreased when the front portion 34 of the
levers 32 are moved or adjusted farther away from the spindle 12 of
the upright support 11.
In operation, the handles 40 and the front portion 53 of the foot
supports 50 may pivoted or swung relative to the upright support 11
of the base 10 with the spindle 12 of the upright support 11, and the
middle portions 51 of the foot supports 50 may be moved cyclically
relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10 by the cranks 30,
such that the foot pedals 54 of the foot supports 50 may be moved
elliptically relative to the upright support 11 of the base 10. It is to
be noted that the provision and the coupling of the levers 32 between
the handles 40 and the cranks 30 and/or the link 52 may form a
polygonal pivot coupling structure together with the handles 40 and
the foot supports 50 and the links 52 for allowing the swinging
stroke of the handles 40 to be controlled or determined by the
rotational movement of the cranks 30, and also for allowing the
moving stroke of the foot supports 50 to be controlled or determined
by the rotational movement of the cranks 30.
The provision and the coupling of the wheel 20, and the rotary
member 22, and the follower 24, and the flywheel 26 may be formed
or acted as a resisting means or device for applying a resistive force
or a retarding force against the wheel 20 and the shaft 21 and thus
the cranks 30 and the link 52 and the foot supports 50 and the levers
32 and the handles 40, and thus for resisting the rotational
movement of the wheel 20 and the shaft 21 and the cranks 30 and
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also for resisting the swinging movement of the link 52 and the
handles 40. A magnetic retarding device (not shown) may further be
provided and coupled to the wheel 20 and/or the rotary member 22
and/or the follower 24 and/or the flywheel 26 for further applying a
resistive force against the wheel 20 and/or the rotary member 22
and/or the follower 24 and/or the flywheel 26 and for further
resisting the swinging movement of the link 52 and the handles 40.
In addition, when the front portion 34 of the levers 32 are adjusted
closer to the spindle 12 of the upright support 11, the swinging
stroke of the handles 40 may be increased by the rotational
movement of the cranks 30, and the moving stroke of the foot
supports 50 may also be increased. On the contrary, when the front
portion 34 of the levers 32 are moved or adjusted farther away from
the spindle 12 of the upright support 11, the swinging stroke of the
handles 40 may be decreased by the rotational movement of the
cranks 30, and the moving stroke of the foot supports 50 may also be
decreased.
The front portion 34 of the levers 32 may also be solidly and
pivotally coupled to the middle portions 41 of the handles 40 with
the securing device 35 at the predetermined position (FIG. 8)
without being moved or adjusted relative to the middle portions 41
of the handles 40 for such as marketing purposes, or the securing
device 35 may be slidably engaged in a channel 44 of the handle 40,
an adjusting device 60 having a motor 62 and/or a reduction gearing
63 coupled to the securing device 35 for adjusting the front portion
34 of the levers 32 toward or away from the spindle 12 (FIG. 9).
