Exercising device

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to an exercising device which produces an elliptical foot movement, more particularly to an exercising device in which the elliptical path of the elliptical foot movement may be varied.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional exercising device with an elliptical foot movement is shown to include a support frame 1, a transmitting assembly 2, a pair of swing members 3, and a pair of treading members 4. The support frame 1 includes a base support 101 for placing on a ground, and front and rear mounting posts 102, 103 mounted on front and rear portions of the base support 101. The transmitting assembly 2 is pivoted on the rear mounting post 103, and has a pair of linking members 201. The swing members 3 have upper ends which are pivoted to the front mounting post 102, and lower ends which are pivoted to front ends of the treading members 4. The treading members 4 have rear ends which are pivoted to the linking members 201, respectively. Two foot pads 401 are mounted on the treading members 4. As such, when the user applies forward and backward forces on the foot pads 401 to swing the lower ends of the swing members 3, the treading members 4 will be brought to proceed with a reciprocating movement along an elliptical path.

[0006] However, the size of the elliptical path in the conventional exercising device is unchangeable. Thus, the conventional exercising device cannot suit the requirements of different users.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an exercising device which can generate a variable elliptical foot path to suit the requirements of different users.

[0008] According to this invention, the exercising device includes a base support which is adapted to be placed on a ground and which has front and rear portions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction. A front mounting post extends upwardly from the front portion. A hand operated member is mounted on and is pivotable relative to an upper segment of the front mounting post, and includes handle and lever portions. The lever portion extends downwardly and terminates at a first distal end. A first coupler member includes a first front coupling end which is connected to the first distal end, and a first intermediate portion which extends rearwardly from the first front coupling end and which terminates at a first rear coupling end. A first crank member includes a first crankpin which is pivoted to the first rear coupling end, a first crank arm which is connected to the first crankpin, and a first crankshaft which is pivoted to the first crank arm opposite to the first crankpin. A lever member includes a proximate end which is pivotally mounted relative to an intermediate segment of the front mounting post, and a middle portion which extends from the proximate end and terminating at a second distal end. A linking bar has right and left linking ends which are respectively connected to the first distal end of the lever portion and the middle portion of the lever member. A second coupler member includes a second front coupling end which is connected to the second distal end of the lever member, and a second intermediate portion which extends rearwardly from the second front coupling end and which terminates at a second rear coupling end.

[0009] A rear mounting post is disposed on and extends upright from the rear portion. A second crank member includes a second crankshaft which is mounted on and which is rotatable relative to the rear mounting post, a second crank arm which is connected to and which rotates with the second crankshaft, and a second crankpin which is connected to the second crank arm opposite to the second crankshaft and which extends to face toward the first crankshaft.

[0010] A motion guiding member is disposed underneath and is in friction contact with the second rear coupling end of the second coupler member, and has right and left ends which are respectively journalled on the second crankpin and the first crankshaft.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional exercising device;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an exercising device according to this invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the preferred embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of the preferred embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment when configured to generate a smaller elliptical path of foot movement;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of the preferred embodiment in the state shown in FIG. 7; and

[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of the preferred embodiment in the state shown in FIG. 7.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the preferred embodiment of the exercising device according to the present invention is shown to comprise a support frame 10, a transmitting mechanism, a pair of swing mechanisms 30, a path adjusting mechanism 40, and a pair of treading mechanisms 50.

[0022] The support frame 10 includes a base support 11 which is adapted to be placed on a ground and which has front and rear portions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, a front mounting post 12 which extends upwardly from the front portion of the base support 11 and which includes lower and upper segments respectively proximate to and distal from the front portion, and an intermediate segment interposed between the lower and upper segments, and a rear mounting post 13 which is disposed on and which extends upright from the rear portion.

[0023] Each of the swing mechanisms 30 includes a hand operated member 31, a first coupler member 32, and a linking bar 312. The hand operated member 31 is mounted on and is pivotable relative to the upper segment of the front mounting post 12 about a first pivoting axis (A), and includes handle and lever portions 313,314 disposed respectively at opposite sides of the first pivoting axis (A). The lever portion 314 extends downwardly and terminates at a first distal end 311. The first coupler member 32 includes a first front coupling end 321 which is connected pivotally to the first distal end 311, and a first intermediate portion 323 which extends rearwardly from the first front coupling end 321 and which terminates at a first rear coupling end 322. The linking bar 312 has a left (right) linking end which is secured to the first distal end 311 of the lever portion 314, and a right (left) linking end which extends towards the base support 11.

[0024] The transmitting mechanism 20 includes a pair of first crank members 23, a flywheel 21, a pair of second crank members 22, and a pair of motion guiding members 24.

[0025] The first crank member 23 includes a first crankpin 231, a first crank arm 232, and a first crankshaft 233. The first crankpin 231 has a first proximate pin end 2311 which is pivoted to the first rear coupling end 322 of the respective first coupler member 32, and a first distal pin end 2312 which extends from the first proximate pin end 2311 along a second pivoting axis parallel to the first pivoting axis (A). The first crank arm 232 has a first proximate arm end 2321 which is connected to the first distal pin end 2312, and a first distal arm end 2322 which extends from the first proximate arm end 2321 radially relative to the second pivoting axis. The first crankshaft 233 has a first proximate shaft end 2331 which is pivoted to the first distal arm end 2322 about a third pivoting axis parallel to the second pivoting axis, and a first distal shaft end 2332 which extends from the first proximate shaft end 2331 along the third pivoting axis.

[0026] The second crank member 22 includes a second crankshaft 221, a second crank arm 222, and a second crankpin 223. The second crankshaft 221 has a second proximate shaft end which is mounted on and which is rotatable relative to the rear mounting post 13 about a fifth pivoting axis parallel to the second pivoting axis, and a second distal shaft end which extends from the second proximate shaft end along the fifth pivoting axis. The second crank arm 222 has a second proximate arm end 2221 which is connected to and which rotates with the second distal shaft of the second crankshaft 221 about the fifth pivoting axis, and a second distal arm end 2222 which extends from the second proximate arm end 2221 radially relative to the fifth pivoting axis. The second crankpin 223 has a second proximate pin end 2231 which is connected to the second distal arm end 2222, and a second distal pin end 2232 which extends from the second proximate pin end 2231 along a sixth pivoting axis parallel to the fifth pivoting axis and which faces towards the first distal shaft end 2332 of the respective first crankshaft 233.

[0027] Preferably, the first crankshaft 233 is coaxial with and is formed integrally with the respective second crankpin 223 such that the third pivoting axis coincides with the sixth pivoting axis.

[0028] The flywheel 21 is mounted on and rotates with the second crankshafts 221 about the fifth pivoting axis. A resistance generating wheel 25 is coupled to the flywheel 21 in a known manner so as to exert a resisting force to retard rotation of the flywheel 21.

[0029] Each of the motion guiding members 24 is a roller which is rotatably sleeved on a corresponding pair of the second distal pin end 2232 and the first distal shaft end 2332.

[0030] The path adjusting mechanism 40 includes a motor 41 mounted on the front portion of the base support 11, a guiding seat 42 secured on the intermediate segment of the front mounting post 12, an adjusting mounting member 43, and a threaded bolt 442 which is mounted on the front portion of the base support 11 and which is coupled to and driven by the motor 41 to be rotatable relative to the front portion of the base support 11 about an upright axis. The guiding seat 42 has a pair of uprightly extending guiding rods 421. The adjusting mounting member 43 has an uprightly extending sleeve 441 with an internally threaded surface which engages threadedly the threaded bolt 442, and a pin portion 432 which extends along a fourth pivoting axis (B) parallel to the first pivoting axis (A) and which has two holes 431 for passage of the guiding rods 421. Thus, rotation of the threaded bolt 442 results in linear movement of the adjusting mounting member 43 along the upright axis.

[0031] Each of the treading mechanisms 50 includes a lever member 51 and a second coupler member 53.

[0032] The lever member 51 includes a proximate end 511 which is journalled on the pin portion 432 of the adjusting mounting member 43, and a middle portion 512 which extends from the proximate end 511 and which terminates at a second distal end 513. A limiting seat 52 is secured on the middle portion 512 adjacent to the second distal end 513, and has an elongate groove 521 which extends in a lengthwise direction. The right(left) linking end of the respective linking bar 312 is connected adjustably to the limiting seat 52. Particularly, the right (left) linking end of the respective linking bar 312 engages slidably the elongate groove 521 so as to vary the pivot position (C) of the linking bar 312 relative to the second distal end 513. When the lever portion 314 is moved by the handle portion 313 to swing about the first pivoting axis (A), the middle portion 512 of the lever member 51 will driven by the linking bar 312 to swing about the fourth pivoting axis (B).

[0033] The second coupler member 53 includes a second front coupling end 531 which is connected pivotally to the second distal end 513 of the lever member 51 about a seventh pivoting axis (D), and a second intermediate portion 533 which extends rearwardly from the second front coupling end 531 and which terminates at a second rear coupling end 532. Thus, when the middle portion 512 of the lever member 51 swings, the second intermediate portion 533 will be brought to proceed with a reciprocating movement in the longitudinal direction. In addition, a foot pad 54 is mounted on the second intermediate portion 533.

[0034] The second rear coupling end 532 of the second coupler member 53 is disposed on and in friction contact with the respective motion guiding member 24. As such, while the second intermediate portion 533 of the second coupler member 53 proceeds with the reciprocating movement, and while the motion guiding member 24 is dragged by the reciprocating movement through the friction contact to move the second crank arm 222 together with the second crankshaft 221 to rotate about the fifth pivoting axis, the first distal shaft end 2332 of the first crankshaft 233 remains supported by the motion guiding member 24 through journaling of the first distal shaft end 2332.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 6, when the user grasps the hand portions 313 and applies forward and backward forces on the foot pads 54, the lever portions 314 are swung about the first pivoting axis (A) to swing the first coupler members 32. In addition, the middle portions 512 of the lever members 51 can swing about the fourth pivoting axis (B) so as to drive the second coupler members 53 to proceed with the reciprocating movement in a substantially elliptical path. By virtue of the pivot connection of the linking bars 312 to the middle portions 512 of the lever members 51, the elliptical path is restrained. In particular, the larger the distance between the pivot position (C) of the linking bars 312 and the seventh pivoting axis (D), the larger will be the elliptical path.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, when it is desired to reduce the elliptical path, that is, to decrease the distance (L), the user can actuate the motor 41 by means of an operating panel mounted on the upper segment of the front mounting post to rotate the threaded bolt 442 so as to raise the adjusting mounting member 44. At this time, the fourth pivoting axis (B) is lifted, and the middle portions 512 of the lever members 51 swing downwardly about the fourth pivoting axis (B) so that the pivot position (C) of the linking bars 312 is close to the seventh pivoting axis (D).

[0037] Moreover, by virtue of the path adjusting mechanism 40, the fourth pivoting axis (B) and the pivot position (C) can be varied simultaneously so that the elliptical path of the foot pads 54 can be adjusted conveniently during exercising.

[0038] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.