Stepping exerciser

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus to take exercise, and more particularly to a stepping exerciser which has multiple functions.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Currently stepping exercisers are mainly classified into two kinds. One kind of them has a very simple structure and merely conduct swaying exercises. The kind of stepping exercisers merely exercises the legs of a user. The other kind of them operates by means of one or more oil cylinders to apply a resistive force against the pedals. However, the kind stepping exercisers have complex structure and are too expensive to be widespread applied in common families.

[0005] Accordingly, what is needed is a stepping exerciser which has multiple functions and can efficiently exercise multiple parts of a user.

[0006] A stepping exerciser includes a bracket, a rack, a pair of pedal holders rotatably mounted to an upper portion of the bracket, a pair of pedal holders rotatably mounted to an upper portion of the bracket, a pair of pedals, a beam pivoting the bracket to an upper portion of the rack, a pair of connecting levers respectively rotatably connected between the pedals and the rack, a pair of wheels and a pair of flexible pulling members. The wheels are rotatably installed on the rack. Each flexible pulling member is pivoted at one end thereof to the beam and at the other end thereof to a lower portion of the pedal holders. The flexible pulling members installed between the beam and the pedal holders enhance movement resistance to the pedals, for efficiently exercising multiple parts of a user. An amount of the flexible pulling members can also be changed to regulate the resistance to the pedals, for meeting requirement of different user.

[0007] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a stepping exerciser comprises a bracket 170, a V-shaped rack 220, a pair of flexible pulling members 150, a pair of pedals 100, a beam 160, a pair of connecting levers 190, a pair of pedal holders 140, two rotating rods 180, a pair of wheels 250, a shell 120, two L-shaped pipes 260, two handles 280 and a carpet 290.

[0012] The bracket 170 comprises two L-shaped plates 210 at a center thereof and two groups of tabs 200 respectively adjacent opposite ends thereof. Each plate 210 defines an installing hole 212 therein, for installing the beam 160 between the plates 210. Each tab 200 defines a through hole 202 adjacent to an outer side thereof. Each group of tabs 200 is connected by a limiting member 204 at an inner side thereof.

[0013] The rack 220 comprises two supporting legs 222 at a lower portion thereof. Each support leg 222 has a U-shaped engaging portion 240 at a distal end thereof. The wheels 250 are mounted to the engaging portions 240 respectively. The stepping exerciser smoothly moves on the flow by means of the wheels 250. A double end nut 230 having inner thread at opposite ends thereof, is provided to a center of the rack 220.

[0014] The beam 160 is installed to the bracket 170 via two opposite ends thereof engaging in the installing holes 212 of the plates 210. A center of the beam 160 is rotatably extended through an upper portion of the rack 220.

[0015] The pedal holders 140 each comprises a mount 141 for the corresponding pedal 100 being mounted thereon, a connecting portion 142 extending downwardly from the mount 141. Each rotating rod 180 can pass through the through hole 202 of one tab 200 of the bracket 170 and a hollow tube 143 extending through the connecting portion 142 of a corresponding pedal holder 140. Opposite ends of each rotating rod 180 are engaged with nuts (not labeled), in order to rotatably install the corresponding pedal holder 140 to the bracket 170. A positioning nut 300 extends perpendicularly and inwardly from the connecting portion 142 of each pedal holder 140. One end of each connecting lever 190 is rotatably connected to the positioning nut 300, and the other end of the connecting lever 190 is rotatably connected to one end of the double end nut 230. An outer positioning protrusion 144 extends outwardly from the connecting portion 142 of each pedal holder 140.

[0016] Each flexible pulling member 150 is pivoted at one end thereof to the beam 160, and at an opposite end thereof to the positioning nut 300 of the corresponding pedal holder 140.

[0017] The pedal holders and the L-shaped pipes 260 are positioned to the positioning protrusions 144 by means of pegs 270. The handles 280 are respectively positioned into the L-shaped pipes 260 via copper pins. Each L-shaped pipe 260 defines a plurality of locating holes 262 at an upper portion thereof. Each handle 280 defines a locating portion 282 adjacent a bottom end thereof. The locating portion 282 are selectively locked at different locating holes 262 by the copper pins to allow a height of each hanndle 280 to be adjustable in accordance with different users.

[0018] In use of the stepping exerciser, the pedals 100 rotate inwardly and outwardly, according to a movement of the pedal holders 140. The limiting members 204 of the bracket 170 limit the rotation range of the pedal holders 140. When the pedals 100 are rotated to a predetermined location, the pedal holders 140 are prevented by the limiting members 204 from continuing moving to an undesired location.

[0019] The shell 120 is placed above the beam 160 and the plates 210 for shading them. A counter 130 is employed in the stepping exerciser to measure the stepping time. The counter 130 can be any conventional counter.

[0020] In the embodiment, the flexible pulling members 150 are installed between the beam 160 and the pedal holders 140, for enhancing movement resistance to the pedals 100, for efficiently exercising multiple parts of a user. An amount of the flexible pulling members 105 can be changed to regulate the resistance to the pedals 100, for meeting requirement of different user. Thus, the stepping exerciser can be widespread applied in common families.

[0021] The carpet 290 is placed on the floor, for supporting the rack 220 thereon.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a stepping exerciser in accordance with another embodiment. The stepping exerciser of this embodiment is similar to that of the above-mentioned embodiment. However, the L-shaped pipes 260, the handles 280 are left out to make the stepping exerciser simple. This stepping exerciser of this embodiment has substantially same stepping functions as that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0023] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.