Multipurpose exercising machine

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to physical exercisers and, more particularly, to a multipurpose exercising machine, which provides multiple operation modes including arm and chest exercise, front-bend, pedaling exercise, and etc.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Various exercising machines have been developed, and have appeared on the market. These exercising machines commonly provide only one operation mode for exercising the muscles of a specific part of the body. Due to one single operation mode, the user becomes tired of operating the exercising machine within a short time. Nowadays, the new design concept is to provide a universal gym that provides multiple operation modes for exercising the muscles of different parts of the body. Because a universal gym allows the user to frequently change the operation mode, it greatly increases the user's willing of using the machine to exercise the muscles of the body.

[0005] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose exercising machine, which is practical for exercising the muscles of the arms, abdomen and legs.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose exercising machine, which allows the user to change the operation position.

[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose exercising machine, which has a detachable individual exercising unit that is highly mobile.

[0008] To achieve these objects of the present invention, the multipurpose exercising machine comprises a machine base; a seat pad mounted on the machine base; a back pad pivoted to the machine base behind the seat pad and forwardly backwardly turnable relative to the machine base and positionable at a predetermined angle; a pedal unit mounted on the machine base in front of the seat pad; and a chest and back developer grip unit having an open frame detachably mounted on the machine base behind the seat pad, two swivel connectors respectively pivoted to the open frame at two sides and selectively set between a first position and a second position, two operation handles respectively pivoted to the swivel connectors, the operation handles being moved to a vertical position when the swivel connectors set in the first position, the operation handles being moved to a horizontal position when the swivel connectors set in the second position, and a plurality of elastomeric members symmetrically bilaterally connected between the handles and the open frame.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a multipurpose exercising machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the chest and back developer grip unit installed and the back pad set in horizontal.

[0010] FIG. 2 is another side view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the chest and back developer grip unit removed from the machine base and the back pad set in vertical.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of a part of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the connection between the supporting bar and one locating pin at the adjustment rack.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing adjustment of the retractable rack and the chest and back developer grip unit.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of a part of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the handles of the chest and back developer grip unit set in the vertical position.

[0014] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but showing the handles of the chest and back developer grip unit set in the horizontal position.

[0015] FIG. 7 shows one operation mode of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 8 shows another operation mode of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 9 shows still another operation mode of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 10 shows still another operation mode of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 11 shows still another operation mode of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a side view of a multipurpose exercising machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a side view of a multipurpose exercising machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a multipurpose exercising machine 10 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a machine base 20, a seat pad 30, a back pad 40, a pedal unit 50, a chest and back developer grip unit 60, and two elastic cord members 70.

[0023] The machine base 20 is horizontally positioned on the floor, comprising a main frame 21, a leg extension bar 22 disposed at the front side of the main frame 21, a mounting tube 23 disposed at the back side of the main frame 21, a retractable rack 24 forwardly movably extended from the main frame 21, an adjustment rack 25 extended from the back side of the main frame 21, and a lock screw 26 adapted to control adjustment of the pitch between the main frame 21 and the retractable rack 24. Further, the adjustment rack 25 comprises a plurality of upright locating pins 27 arranged in a line.

[0024] The seat pad 30 is mounted on the main frame 21 of the machine base 20 between the leg extension bar 22 and the mounting tube 23. The top side of the seat pad 30 is disposed at an elevation relatively higher than the top end of the mounting tube 23 for the sitting of the user.

[0025] The back pad 40 is pivoted to the main frame 21 of the machine base 20 behind the seat pad 30 and the mounting tube 23 for supporting to support the user's back and can be biased forwards and backwards, having a supporting bar 41 disposed at the back side. The supporting bar 41 has one end pivoted to the back side of the back pad 40, and the other end provided with a locating hole 42 (see FIG. 3). By means of selectively coupling the locating hole 42 to one of the upright locating pins 27, the back pad 40 is locked to the adjustment rack 25 at one of a series of angles.

[0026] The pedal unit 50 is of the known design mounted on the retractable rack 24 of the machine base 20, comprising two pedals 51 for pedaling by the user. The pedals 51 can be of the design similar to the pedals of a climber for stepping, or the design similar to the pedals of a bicycle for pedaling.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the chest and back developer grip unit 60 is comprised of an open frame 61, a mounting bar 62, two swivel connectors 63, two operation handles 64, two elastomeric members 65, a cushion 66, a lock screw 68, and two shoulder straps 69. The open frame 61 has a rectangular profile. The cushion 66 is mounted on the open frame 61 and adapted to support the user's back. The mounting bar 62 is a rectangular bar having a plurality of mounting holes 67 longitudinally aligned in a line. One end of the mounting bar 62 is fixedly connected to the open frame 61. The other end of the mounting bar 62 is detachably inserted into the mounting tube 23 and locked by the lock screw 68. The lock screw 68 is provided at the mounting tube 23 and selectively threaded into one of the mounting holes 67 to lock the mounting bar 62 to the mounting tube 23 at one of a series of vertically spaced positions. The swivel connectors 63 are bilaterally provided at the back side of the open frame 61, each having one end pivoted to the open frame 61 near the top and the other end respectively detachably locked to the two opposite longitudinal sides of the open frame 61 in the first position (see FIG. 5) or the transverse top side of the open frame 61 in the second position (see FIG. 6) by a respective lock screw 631. The operation handles 64 are respectively pivoted to the swivel connectors 63, and can be turned with the swivel connectors 63 between a vertical position (see FIG. 5; where the swivel connectors 63 are respectively moved to the first position) and a horizontal position (see FIG. 6; where the swivel connectors 63 are respectively moved to the second position). The elastomeric members 65 are rubber blocks respectively connected between the operation handles 64 and the open frame 61. The shoulder straps 69 are detachably provided at two sides of the open frame 61. When the chest and back developer grip unit 60 detached from the machine base 20 for independent use, the user can carry the chest and back developer grip unit 60 on the back with the shoulder straps 69 fastened to the shoulders and the cushion 66 of the chest and back developer grip unit 60 supported on the back (see FIG. 11).

[0028] The two elastic cord members 70 each have a hook 71 at one end for hooking on the front side of the machine base 20 (see FIG. 7) or the rear side of the machine base 20 (see FIG. 8), and a grip 72 at the other end for the holding of the hand.

[0029] The multipurpose exercising machine can be operated to exercise the muscles of different parts of the body as follows:

[0030] 1. Pedaling exercise (see FIGS. 7 and 8): When sitting on the seat pad 30, rest the back on the back pad 40 after the back pad 40 has been adjusted to the desired elevation, or on the cushion 66 of the chest and back developer grip unit 60 as desired after the chest and back developer grip unit 60 has been installed in the mounting tube 23 and adjusted to the desired elevation, and then pedal the pedals 51 of the pedal unit 50.

[0031] 2. Arm and chest exercise: When sitting on the seat pad, rest the back on the back pad 40 after the back pad 40 has been adjusted to the desired elevation, or on the cushion 66 of the chest and back developer grip unit 60 as desired after the chest and back developer grip unit 60 has been installed in the mounting tube 23 and adjusted to the desired elevation, and then hook the hooks 71 of the elastic cord members 70 on the back side of the machine base 20 (see FIG. 8) or the front side of the machine base 20 (see FIG. 7), and then lift the grips 72 with the hands (see FIG. 7) or push the grips 73 alternatively obliquely forwards and backwards with the hands (see FIG. 8).

[0032] 3. Front-bend (see FIG. 9): Detach the chest and back developer grip unit 60 from the machine base 20, and then adjust the connection between the supporting bar 41 and the locating pins 27 to further adjust the angular position of the back pad 40, and then lie the body on the seat pad 30 and the back pad 40, and then hook the feet on the leg extension bar 22 of the machine base 20, and then bend the trunk of the body to exercise the muscles of the abdomen.

[0033] 4. Chest and back exercise (see FIGS. 10 and 11): Insert the mounting bar 62 of the chest and back developer grip unit 60 to the mounting tube 25 of the base frame 20 and then adjust the distance between the chest and back developer grip unit 60 and the base frame 20 by means of the mounting holes 67 (see FIG. 10). If desired, directly carry the chest and back developer grip unit 60 on the back and fasten the shoulder straps 69 to the shoulders (see FIG. 11). When exercising, lock the operation handles 64 to the desired position, and then alternatively push and pull the operation handles 64. When the operation handles 64 set in the vertical position (see FIGS. 5 and 10), synchronously or alternatively pull and push the operation handles 64 in vertical direction. When the operation handles 64 set in the horizontal position (see FIGS. 6 and 11), synchronously or alternatively pull and push the operation handles 64 in horizontal direction. The number of the elastomeric members 65 may be increased so as to relatively increase damping resistance and exercising intensity.

[0034] As indicated above, the multipurpose exercising machine can be operated in either of the aforesaid four operation modes to exercise the muscles of the arms, abdomen and legs. Alternatively, the user can simultaneously perform two of the four operation modes, for example, Pedaling exercise plus Chest and back exercise, or Pedaling exercise plus Arm and chest exercise. Further, the user can also carry and operate the chest and back developer grip unit 60 while walking. In general, the multipurpose exercising apparatus provides multiple operation options for choice to exercise the muscles of different parts of the body.

[0035] The invention may be variously embodied. FIG. 12 shows a multipurpose exercising apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the multipurpose exercising apparatus 80 comprises a machine base 81, which has a front leg extension bar 86 and a rear adjustment rack 82, a seat pad 83 provided at the top side of the machine base 81, a back pad 84 pivoted to the machine base 81 behind the seat pad 83, the back pad 84 having a pivoted supporting bar 85 adapted to support the back pad 84 on the adjustment rack 82 in one of a series of elevational positions, a chest and back developer grip unit 90, and two elastic cord members 95. The chest and back developer grip unit 90 is comprised of an open frame 91, two swivel connectors 92, two operation handles 93, and at least two elastomeric members 94. The open frame 91 is detachably mounted on the machine base 81 behind the seat pad 83. The elastic cord members 95 each have one end respectively fastened to the machine base 81 and the other end provided with a grip 96. This embodiment allows the user to perform the operation modes of Arm and chest exercise, Front-bend, and Chest and back exercise to exercise the muscles of the abdomen and the arms.

[0036] FIG. 13 shows a multipurpose exercising machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the multipurpose exercising machine 100 comprises a machine base 110, a seat pad 111 provided at the top side of the machine base 110, a pedal unit 112 provided at the front side of the machine base 110, a chest and back developer grip unit 113 provided behind the seat pad 111, and two elastic cord members 114 fastened to the machine base 110 at two sides. This embodiment allows the user to perform the operation modes of Pedal exercise, Arm and chest exercise, and Chest and back exercise to exercise the muscles of the arms and the legs.