Fitness equipment with three-dimensional sway structure

[0001] Not applicable.

[0002] Not applicable.

[0003] Not applicable.

[0004] The present invention relates generally to fitness equipment, and more particularly to fitness equipment which generates vertical sway and horizontal spin with treading movement.

[0005] The common fitness equipment is designed in such a manner that the treading movement of the people can be simulated to serve the purpose of fitness. With similar lateral configurations of pedal supports at the same side or both sides, the typical treading fitness equipments can generate only vertical sway. However, if the structural configuration and movement mode are maintained to develop new products, the developers will find it difficult to make some breakthrough design for imaginative and innovative products.

[0006] Therefore, this industry shall assume the responsibility of making some pioneering R&D for an innovative structure of fitness equipment.

[0007] The present invention has offered an improved efficiency as detailed below:

[0008] 1. To provide an innovative structure of fitness equipment that generates vertical sway and horizontal spin with treading movement.

[0009] 2. Based upon the unique structure of three-dimensional sway, the fitness equipment can provide a flexible and interesting physical exercise.

[0010] The new features of the present invention are as follows:

[0011] Based upon the structural design that the coupled bar 30 is provided coaxially at the lower spacing position of the movable pipe 11, it is possible to minimize the space of the coupled bar 30 and guarantee the smooth appearance of the fitness equipment as well as personal safety.

[0023] The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1–5, fitness equipment embodied in the present invention comprises: a basement 10, which is provided with a pedal 20. A crosswise movable pipe 11 is mounted at the bottom of the pedal 20 to enable both sides to sway vertically with the movable pipe 11 as the pivot point. And, a dragging member 12 (e.g. nitrogen bar) shall be installed to provide a preset resistance to pedal during treading movement. Also, one end of the movable pipe 11 is connected to the exterior of a shaft lever 14 at one side of a vertical pivotal pipe 13 over the basement 10. Thus, a movable end 15 with horizontal spin can take shape at the other end of the movable pipe 111 while a vertical swinging arm 16 shall be installed convexly at the bottom of the movable end. Besides, the bottom of the swinging arm shall be connected to the exterior of a coupled bar 30 via a first pin joint 31.

[0025] The coupled bar 30 is provided coaxially at the lower spacing position of the movable pipe 11. The interior of the coupled bar 30 shall be connected to a fixation point 17 at the corresponding side wall of the basement 10 via a second pin joint 32. But, the second pin joint 32 allows only the coupled bar 30 to sway vertically. And, the middle part of the coupled bar 30 shall be designed with an expansion section 33.

[0026] Of which, the pedal of the basement 10 is available with a structure of left and right pedals 20. Moreover, both sides of the bottom of left and right pedals can be attached securely to both sides of the movable pipe 11 via a support bar 21.

[0027] Based upon above-mentioned constructions and components, the vertical swinging arm 16 will generate simultaneously pointer type sway when left and right pedals 20 swing owing to alternative treading movement (refer to FIGS. 6–9). As the other end of the coupled bar 30 is immobile due to the limitation of the fixation point 17 of the basement 10, the counteracting force will enable the movable end 15 of the movable pipe 11 to sway horizontally with the pivotal pipe 13 as the pivot point. Thus, the fitness equipment will generate vertical sway and horizontal spin with treading movement. And, with regard to the design of the middle part of coupled bar 30 as an expansion section 33, the distance between the bottom of the vertical swinging arm 16 and the fixation point 17 of the basement 10 will vary a little during its pointer type swing. So, the expansion section 33 can ensure a smooth operation accordingly.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 10, the first pin joint at the bottom of the swinging arm 16 is available with another structure. With a ball-type universal joint, the first pin joint 31B can be applied for connection of the same function.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 11, the pedal 20B of the basement 10 is also available with a single-plate structure, which can enable horizontal movable pipe 11B to be directly fixed (e.g. welding and locking, etc) into the bottom center of the pedal 20B.