US20020155926A1

US20020155926A1 - Exercising device

Info

Publication number: US20020155926A1
Application number: US09/842,245
Authority: US
Inventors: Shu-Chtung Lat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-24
Filing date: 2001-04-24
Publication date: 2002-10-24
Also published as: DE20110237U1; GB0112656D0; GB2375718B; FR2826583A3; GB2375718A

Abstract

An exercising device includes a mounting rod supported on a floor. Right and left shafts respectively have lower ends secured to the mounting rod and define first and second axes. Right and left tubular members are sleeved on and are rotatable relative to the right and left shafts about the first and second axes, respectively. Right and left treadles are respectively anchored to the right and left tubular members to be rotatable therewith. A pull rope includes first and second ends respectively secured to the right and left tubular members, and an intermediate friction segment wound around a rim of a pulley member which is spaced apart from the mounting rod.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an exercising device, more particularly to an exercising device that permits simultaneous treading and skiing exercises and that is simple in construction.

2. Description of the Related Art

With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional treading exerciser includes a generally I-

shaped support frame

1, an upright bar 2 extending upwardly from a front end of the support frame 1, a pivot shaft 3 extending transversely through an upper end of the upright bar 2, a pair of treadles 4 pivotally mounted on two ends of the pivot shaft 3 on opposite sides of the upright bar 2, and two hydraulic cylinders 5, each of which has one end secured to a bottom side of one of the treadles 4 and an opposite end secured to the front end of the support frame 1. The hydraulic cylinders 5 provide a damping effect when the user performs treading exercise by stepping on the treadles 4 alternately. Such a conventional treading exerciser permits exercising of the leg muscles only, and the treading action is quite monotonous. Besides, in case of oil leakage of the hydraulic cylinders, replacement of the latter is costly.

FIG. 2 shows a conventional skiing trainer. As shown, two

posts

7 are provided at a rear end of a base 6, and a grip handle 8 is erected at a front end of the base 6. Two bars 9 have front ends pivotally mounted on the posts 7, respectively. Each of the bars 9 has a treadle portion 10 disposed thereon. In use, the user holds the grip handle 8, and puts both feet on the treadle portions 10. By swinging the bars 9 outwardly and inwardly in relation to the base 1 with both feet, the user can simulate skiing movements. However, since the conventional skiing trainer merely permits outward and inward movement of the feet on the same plane, the exercising effect is not satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an exercising device that permits simultaneous treading and skiing exercises.

Accordingly, an exercising device of the present invention includes a mounting rod, right and left shafts, right and left tubular members, right and left treadles, a pulley member and a pull rope. The mounting rod is adapted to be supported on a floor surface, and includes right and left portions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and an intermediate portion interposed between the right and left portions. The right and left shafts respectively define first and second axes and have right and left upper and lower ends. The right and left lower ends are secured to the intermediate portion proximate to the right and left portions, respectively. The right and left upper ends are respectively opposite to the right and left lower ends in a respective one of first and second upright directions that are parallel to the first and second axes, respectively. The right and left tubular members are respectively disposed to sleeve on and to be rotatable relative to the right and left shafts about the first and second axes, respectively. The right tubular member includes right upper and lower tubular portions opposite to each other in the first upright direction. The left tubular member includes upper and lower tubular portions opposite to each other in the second upright direction. The right treadle includes right proximate and distal portions opposite to each other in a first radial direction relative to the first axis. The left treadle includes left proximate and distal portions opposite to each other in a second radial direction relative to the second axis. The right and left proximate portions are anchored to and rotate with the right and left upper tubular portions, respectively. The pulley member is disposed to be rotatable about a third axis and is spaced apart from the intermediate portion in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction. The pulley member includes upper and lower major friction surfaces opposite to each other, and a rim disposed to surround the third axis and to join the upper and lower major friction surfaces. The pull rope includes first and second ends respectively secured to the right and left lower tubular portions, and an intermediate friction segment interconnecting the first and second ends and disposed to be wound around the rim such that when the right lower tubular portion is turned about the first axis counterclockwise by an outward and laterally treading action of the right foot of a user stepping on the right treadle, the second end is pulled by the first end to twist the left lower tubular portion to turn counterclockwise, thereby producing a resistance to an outward and laterally treading action of the left foot of the user stepping on the left treadle to move the left lower tubular portion to turn clockwise via the left upper tubular portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: [0008]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional treading exerciser; [0009]
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional skiing trainer; [0010]
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an exercising device according to the invention; [0011]
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment; [0012]
FIG. 5 is a top sectional view of a pulley member of the preferred embodiment; [0013]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the preferred embodiment in a state of use; and [0014]
FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic side views illustrating operation of the preferred embodiment.[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. [0016] 3 to 5, the preferred embodiment of an exercising device according to the present invention is shown to include a mounting rod 22, right and left shafts 35, right and left tubular members 40, right and left treadles 42, a pulley member 53, and a pull rope 60.
The [0017] mounting rod 22 is adapted to be supported on a floor surface, and includes right and left portions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and an intermediate portion interposed between the right and left portions. In this embodiment, the exercising device further includes a support rod 23 disposed to be spaced apart from and parallel to the mounting rod 22, and a support bar 21 extending in the first transverse direction to interconnect the intermediate portion and the support rod 23, thereby forming an I-shaped support frame 20. The exercising device may further include a mounting seat 30 disposed on the support frame 20. The mounting seat 30 includes a transverse plate 31 and front and rear side plates 32, 33 extending longitudinally from front and rear edges of the transverse plate 31. The front and rear side plates 32, 33 have bottom ends thereof secured to the mounting rod 22 and the support bar 21, respectively. An obliquely extending reinforcing plate 34 has a top end connected to a juncture between the transverse plate 31 and the rear side plate 33, and a bottom end secured to the support bar 21, thereby reinforcing the connection of the mounting seat 30 with the support frame 20.
The right and [0018] left shafts 35 respectively define first and second axes and have right and left upper and lower ends. The right and left lower ends are secured to the intermediate portion of the mounting rod 22 proximate to the right and left portions, respectively. The right and left upper ends are respectively opposite to the right and left lower ends in a respective one of first and second upright directions that are parallel to the first and second axes, respectively. The right and left shafts 35 are disposed on the same longitudinal plane, and respectively incline toward the right and left portions of the mounting rod 22 in a substantially V-shaped configuration such that the right and left shafts 35 form the same angle with the floor surface. In this embodiment, the right and left lower ends are secured to lateral ends of the transverse plate 31.
The right and left [0019] tubular members 40 are disposed to sleeve on and to be rotatable relative to the right and left shafts 35 about the first and second axes, respectively. The right tubular member 40 includes right upper and lower tubular portions 401, 402 opposite to each other in the first upright direction. The left tubular member 40 includes left upper and lower tubular portions 401, 402 opposite to each other in the second upright direction.
The [0020] right treadle 42 includes right proximate and distal portions opposite to each other in a first radial direction relative to the first axis. The left treadle 42 includes left proximate and distal portions opposite to each other in a second radial direction relative to the second axis. The right and left proximate portions are anchored to and rotate with the right and left upper tubular portions 401, respectively.
The [0021] pulley member 53 is disposed to be rotatable about a third axis, and is spaced apart from the intermediate portion of the mounting rod 22 in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction. The pulley member 53 includes upper and lower major friction surfaces opposite to each other, and a rim 531 disposed to surround the third axis and to join the upper and lower major friction surfaces. The rim 531 has an inwardly and radially extending annular groove for receiving the pull rope 60.
The [0022] pull rope 60 includes first and second ends respectively secured to the right and left lower tubular portions 402, and an intermediate friction segment interconnecting the first and second ends and disposed to be wound around the rim 531. When the right lower tubular portion 402 is turned about the first axis counterclockwise by an outward and laterally treading action of the right foot of a user stepping on the right treadle 42, the second end is pulled by the first end to cause the left lower tubular portion 402 to swing counterclockwise, thereby producing a resistance to an outward and laterally treading action of the left foot of the user stepping on the left treadle 42 to move the left lower tubular portion 402 to turn clockwise via the left upper tubular portion 401. Thus, the exercising device of the invention permits simultaneous treading and skiing exercises, while providing a damping effect without the need for a hydraulic cylinder.
A mounting [0023] axle 54 with a threaded section 541 is disposed on the support bar 21, and extends along the third axis so as to be mounted rotatably with the pulley member 53. A generally rectangular support block 70 is also disposed on the support bar 21 proximate to the support rod 23, and the mounting axle 54 extends upwardly through the support block 70. The support block 70 is provided to enable the pulley member 53 and the pull rope 60 to lie on substantially the same plane so as to facilitate operation.
The exercising device further includes upper and [0024] lower friction members 56, 57, a thrusting member 51, a lower cover member 52, and a friction adjusting member 55. The upper friction member 56 is mounted on the mounting axle 54 and is movable along the third axis. The upper friction member 56 includes a downward friction-braking surface disposed to face and to be movable toward the upper major friction surface of the pulley member 53 so as to create a dragging force applied to the upper major friction surface, thereby producing an increased resistance to the pulling of either one of the first and second ends of the pull rope 60.
The [0025] lower friction member 57 is mounted on the mounting axle 54 and is disposed at the opposite side of the pulley member 53 relative to the upper friction member 56. The lower friction member 57 includes an upward friction-braking surface facing the lower major friction surface of the pulley member 53 so as to create a dragging force applied to the lower major friction surface when the upper friction member 56 is moved toward the pulley member 53, thereby bringing the lower major friction surface into frictional contact with the upward friction-braking surface so as to produce an increased resistance to the pulling of either one of the first and second ends of the pull rope 60.
The thrusting [0026] member 51 is mounted on the mounting axle 54 and is movable toward the upper major friction surface along the third axis. The thrusting member 51 is provided with a periphery surrounding the third axis, and a retaining wall 511 extending from the periphery in an axial direction parallel to the third axis and toward the lower friction member 57 so as to house the pulley member 53 along with the upper and lower friction members 56, 57 therein. Hence, the pull rope 60 is prevented from slipping from the rim 531 of the pulley member 53.
The [0027] lower cover member 52 is secured to the support block 70, and the mounting axle 54 passes, in sequence, through the lower cover member 52, the lower friction member 57, the pulley member 53, the upper friction member 56, and the thrusting member 51 such that the threaded section 541 projects from the thrusting member 51.
The [0028] friction adjusting member 55 is disposed outboard to and abuts against the thrusting member 51. The friction adjusting member 55 threadedly engages the threaded section 541 of the mounting axle 54, which projects from the thrusting member 51, such that screwing movement of the friction adjusting member 55 along the third axis will bring the downward friction-braking surface of the upper friction member 56 toward or away from the upper major friction surface of the pulley member 53 so as to increase or reduce the dragging force.
The exercising device further includes right and left linking [0029] arms 44 and right and left levers 412. The right and left linking arms 44 respectively include right and left coupling ends 441 coupled to rotate with a respective one of the right and left lower tubular portions 402, and right and left connected ends 442 extending respectively from the right and left coupling ends in two radial directions relative to the first and second axes, respectively, and connected to the first and second ends of the pull rope 60, respectively. The right and left connected ends 442 are so disposed as to be spaced apart from the floor surface or the mounting rod 22.
The right and left [0030] levers 412 respectively include right and left anchoring ends secured to rotate with a respective one of the right and left upper tubular portions 401, and right and left seat ends extending respectively from the right and left anchoring ends in two radial directions relative to the first and second axes, respectively, and supporting the right and left treadles 42, respectively. In addition, right and left buffer pads 43 are respectively disposed on the right and left anchoring ends opposite to the right and left treadles 42 to abut against the support rod 23 when the right and left levers 412 displace downwardly, thereby providing a shock absorbing function.
In use, when the user steps on the [0031] treadles 42 with both feet, with his weight placed on one of the feet, the treadle 42 bearing most of the weight of the user will be pressed downwardly. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and 7, the left treadle 42 is pressed downwardly. Since the right and left treadles 42 are pivotally mounted on the right and left shafts 35, when the left treadle 42 is pressed, the left upper tubular portion 401 secured to the left lever 412 turns about the second axis clockwise, thereby bringing the left lever 412 together with the left treadle 42 to swing outwardly and laterally with respect to the support bar 21 until the buffer pad 43 on the left lever 412 abuts against the support rod 23 or until the user shifts his weight to the right foot. Displacement of the left treadle 42 causes the pull rope 60 connected to the left linking arm 44 on the left lower tubular portion 402 to drag the right linking arm 44 on the right lower tubular portion 402 inwardly with respect to the support bar 21 via the pulley member 53 (see FIG. 7). Referring to FIG. 8, when the user shifts his weight to the right foot to press the right treadle 42 downwardly, a resistance resulting from the dragging of the pull rope 60 on the right linking member 44 is encountered. When the user swings the right treadle 42 along with the right lever 412 counterclockwise about the first axis, the right treadle 42 displaces laterally and outwardly with respect to the support bar 21, and the right linking arm 44 simultaneously drags the pull rope 60, so that the latter pulls the left linking arm 44 to thereby drag the left treadle 42 inwardly with respect to the support bar 21. As such, the user can perform simultaneous downward and swinging outward movements to exercise the leg muscles. The loin muscles can also be exercised.
Furthermore, as compared with the conventional treading exerciser which utilizes hydraulic cylinders to provide a damping effect, the present invention, which achieves the desired damping effect by the arrangement of the [0032] pull rope 60, is simpler in construction. Besides, replacement of the pull rope 60 is convenient and inexpensive.
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 interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. [0033]

Claims

I claim:

1. An exercising device comprising:

a mounting rod adapted to be supported on a floor surface, and including right and left portions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and an intermediate portion interposed between said right and left portions;

right and left shafts respectively defining first and second axes and having right and left lower ends secured to said intermediate portion proximate to said right and left portions respectively, and right and left upper ends respectively opposite to said right and left lower ends in a respective one of first and second upright directions, the first and second upright directions being parallel to the first and second axes, respectively;

right and left tubular members respectively disposed to sleeve on and to be rotatable relative to said right and left shafts about the first and second axes respectively, said right tubular members including right upper and lower tubular portions opposite to each other in the first upright direction, said left tubular member including left upper and lower tubular portions opposite to each other in the second upright direction;

a right treadle including right proximate and distal portions opposite to each other in a first radial direction relative to the first axis;

a left treadle including left proximate and distal portions opposite to each other in a second radial direction relative to the second axis, said right and left proximate portions being anchored to and rotating with said right and left upper tubular portions, respectively;

a pulley member disposed to be rotatable about a third axis and spaced apart from said intermediate portion in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction, said pulley member including upper and lower major friction surfaces opposite to each other, and a rim disposed to surround the third axis and to join said upper and lower major friction surfaces; and

a pull rope including first and second ends respectively secured to said right and left lower tubular portions, and an intermediate friction segment interconnecting said first and second ends and disposed to be wound around said rim such that when said right lower tubular portion is turned about the first axis counterclockwise by an outward and laterally treading action of the right foot of a user stepping on said right treadle, said second end is pulled by said first end to twist said left lower tubular portion to turn counterclockwise, thereby producing a resistance to an outward and laterally treading action of the left foot of the user stepping on said left treadle to move said left lower tubular portion to turn clockwise via said left upper tubular portion.

2. The exercising device according to claim 1, further comprising a support rod disposed to be spaced apart from and parallel to said mounting rod, a support bar extending in the first transverse direction to interconnect said intermediate portion and said support rod, and a mounting axle disposed on said support bar and extending along the third axis so as to be mounted rotatably with said pulley member.

3. The exercising device according to claim 2, further comprising an upper friction member mounted on said mounting axle and movable along the third axis, said upper friction member including a downward friction-braking surface disposed to face and to be movable toward said upper major friction surface of said pulley member so as to create a dragging force applied to said upper major friction surface, thereby producing an increased resistance to the pulling of either one of said first and second ends of said pull rope.

4. The exercising device according to claim 3, further comprising a lower friction member mounted on said mounting axle and disposed at the opposite side of said pulley member relative to said upper friction member, said lower friction member including an upward friction-braking surface facing said lower major friction surface of said pulley member to create a dragging force applied to said lower major friction surface when said upper friction member is moved toward said pulley member, thereby bringing said lower major friction surface into frictional contact with said upward friction-braking surface so as to produce an increased resistance to the pulling of either one of said first and second ends of said pull rope.

5. The exercising device according to claim 4, further comprising a thrusting member mounted on said mounting axle and movable toward said upper major friction surface along the third axis, and a friction adjusting member which is disposed outboard to and which abuts against said thrusting member, said friction adjusting member engaging threadedly said mounting axle such that screwing movement of said friction adjusting member along the third axis will bring said downward friction-braking surface of said upper friction member toward or away from said upper major friction surface so as to increase or reduce the dragging force.

6. The exercising device according to claim 5, wherein said thrusting member is provided with a periphery surrounding the third axis, and a retaining wall extending from said periphery in an axial direction parallel to the third axis and toward said lower friction member such that said pull rope is prevented from slipping from said rim of said pulley member.

7. The exercising device according to claim 6, wherein said rim has an inwardly and radially extending annular groove for receiving said pull rope.

8. The exercising device according to claim 7, wherein said right and left shafts are inclined respectively toward said right and left portions of said mounting rod.

9. The exercising device according to claim 8, further comprising right and left linking arms which respectively include right and left coupling ends coupled to rotate with a respective one of said right and left lower tubular portions, and right and left connected ends extending respectively from said right and left coupling ends in two radial directions relative to the first and second axes respectively and connected to said first and second ends of said pull rope, respectively.

10.The exercising device according to claim 9, further comprising right and left levers which respectively include right and left anchoring ends secured to rotate with a respective one of said right and left upper tubular portions, and right and left seat ends extending respectively from said right and left anchoring ends in two radial directions relative to the first and second axes respectively and supporting said right and left treadles, respectively.