GB2375718A

GB2375718A - Step exercising device.

Info

Publication number: GB2375718A
Application number: GB0112656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shu-Chtung Lat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-24
Filing date: 2001-05-24
Publication date: 2002-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-24
Also published as: GB2375718B; DE20110237U1; US20020155926A1; FR2826583A3; GB0112656D0

Abstract

An exercise device that permits simultaneous treading and skiing exercises comprises a mounting rod 22 adapted to be supported on a floor surface, right and left shafts 35 being joined at lower end to said mounting rod 22, right and left tubular members 40 respectively disposed on and rotatable about said shafts 35, right and left treadles 42 respectively attached to said tubular members 40, and a pull rope 60 connected to said tubular members 40 and wound around a rim 531 of a pulley member 53. The invention further comprises a support rod 23 to be spaced from and parallel to the mounting rod 22, being connected therein via a support bar 21. A mounting axle 54 projects in an upwardly direction from said support bar 21 so as to be mounted rotatably with said pulley member 53. Also displaced around said mounting axle 54 are frictional means with an adjustment means.

Description

1 2375718

EXERCISING DEVICE

The invention relates to an exercising device, more particularly to an exercising device that permits simultaneous treading end skiing exercises and that is 5 simple in construction.

With reference to Figure l, a conventional treading exerciser includes a generally I-shaped support frame l, an upright bar 2 extending upwardly from a front end of the support frame l, a pivot shaft 3 extending 10 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 15 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 20 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. Figure 2 shows a conventional skiing trainer. As 25 shown, two posts 7 are provided at a rear end of a base 6, and c 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 portionlO disposed "hereon. Inuse,theuser holds the grip handle 8, and puts both feet on the treadle portions lo. By swinging the hers 9 outwardly 5 and inwardly in relation to the base l with both feet, the usercansimulateskiingmovements. 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.

10 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 15 shafts, right and left tubular members, right and left treadles, apulleymember, anda pull rope.Themounting rod is adapted to be supported on a floor surface, and includes right andleft portions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and an intermediate 20 portioninterposed between the right andleft portions.

The right andleft shafts respectively define first and second axes end have right andlefLupperandlower ends.

The right and left lower ends are secured to the intermediate portion proximate to the right and left 25 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 andlefU tubular members are respectively disposed to sleeve on and to be rotatable relative to the right and left shafts about 5 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. ThelefUtubularmemberincludeslefLupper and lower tubular portions opposite to each other in 10 the second upright direction. The right treadle includes right proximate and distal portions opposite to each other inta first radial direction relative to the first axis. The left treadle includes left proximate and distal portions opposite to each other IS in a second radialdirection 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 20 from the intermediate portion in a first transverse direction relative tothelongitudinal 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 25 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 5 laterally treading action of the right foot of a user stepping on the right treadle, the second end ispulled by the first end totwist theleftlower tubular portion to turn counterclockwise, thereby producing a resistance to an outward and laterally treading action 10 oftheleft foot ofthe user stepping ontheleft treadle tomovetheleft lower tubular portion toturu clockwise via the left upper tubular portion.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional treading exerciser; 15 Figure is a schematic perspective view of a conventional skiing trainer; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an exercising device according to the invention; 20 Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 5 is a top sectional view of a pulley member of the preferred embodiment; Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the 25 preferred embodiment in a state of use; and Figures 7 and 8 axe schematic side views illustrating operation of the preferred embodiment.

Referring to Figures 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 5 members 40, right and left treadles 42, a pulley member 53, and a pull rope 60.

The mounting rod 22 is adapted to be supported on a floor surface, and includes right and left portions opposite to each otherin alongitudinal direction, and 10 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 15 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 20 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.

25 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 left shafts 35 respectively define 5 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 tothe right andleft portions, respectively.

The right and left upper ends are respectively opposite 10 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 15 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 tolateralends of the transverse 20 plate 31.

The right and left 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 25 right upper and lower tubular portions 401, 402 opposite to each other in the first upright direction.

The left tubularmember40 includeslefLupperandlower

tubular portions401, 402 opposite to each other in the second upright direction.

The right treadle 42 includes right proximate and distalportions opposite tocach otherina first radial 5 direction relative to the first axis. Theleft treadle 42includesleft proximate end distalportions opposite to each other in a second radial direction relative to the secondaxis. The right andleft proximate portions are anchored to end rotate with the right andleft upper 10 tubular portions 401, respectively.

The 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 15 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 20 annular groove for receiving the pull rope 60.

The 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 25 disposed Lo tee wound around the rim531. When the right lower tubular portion402isturnedabout 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 5 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 10 simultaneous treading and skiing exercises, while providing a damping effect without the need for a hydraulic cylinder.

A mounting axle 54 with a threaded section 541 is disposed on the support bar 21, and extends along the 15 third axis so es to tee mounted rotatable 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 20 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 lower friction members 56, 57, a thrusting member 51, 25 alowercovermember52, andafrictionadjusting 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 pulleymember53so as to create a dragging force applied 5 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 lower friction member 57 is mounted on the mounting axle 54 and is disposed at the opposite side 10 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 member53 so es to create a dragging force applied to the lower major friction 15 surface when the upper friction member 56 is moved toward the pulley member53, thereby bringing the lower major friction surfaceintofrictionalcontact with the upward friction-braking surface so as to produce an increased resistance to the pulling of either one of 20 the first and second ends of the pull rope 60.

The thrusting 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, 25 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

1 0 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.

5 The 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 10 threaded section 541 projects from the thrusting member 51. The friction adjusting member 55 is disposed outboard to and abuts against the thrusting member 51.

The friction adjusting member 55 threadedly engages the 15 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 20 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 arms 44 and right and left levers 412. The 25 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

1 1 portions 402, and right and left connected ends 442 extending respectively from the right andlefUcoupling ends in two radial directions relative to the first and second axes, respectively, and connected to the first 5 and second ends of the pull rope 60, respectively. The right and left connected ends 442 are so disposed as to tee spaced apart from the floor surface or the mounting rod 22.

The right and left levers 412 respectively include 10 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 15 axes, respectively, and supporting the right and left treadles 42, respectively. Inaddition, rightandleft 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 20 right and left levers 412 displace downwardly, thereby providing a shock absorbing function.

In use, when the user steps on the 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 25 will be pressed downwardly. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 and 7, the left treadle 42 is pressed downwardly. Since the right and left treadles 42 are

pivotally mounted on the right and left shafts35, 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 5 lever 412 together with the left treadle 42 to swing outwardly andlaterally with respect to the support bar 21 until the buffer pad 43 on the left lever 412 abuts against the support rod23 or until the user shifts his weight to the right foot. Displacement of the left 10 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 Figure 7).

15 Referring to Figure 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 20 42 along with the right lever 412 counterclockwise about the first axis, the right treadle 42 displaces laterally end 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 25 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 end 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 5 to provide a damping effect, the present invention, which achieves the desired damping effect by the arrangement of the pull rope 60, is simpler in construction. Besides, replacement of the pull rope 60 is convenient and inexpensive.

Claims

1 4 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 5 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 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 5 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 10 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 15 surfaces; and a pull rope including first and second ends respectively secured to said right and left lower tubular portions, end en intermediate friction segment interconnecting said first end second ends end disposed 20 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 ofthe right foot of a user stepping on said right treadle, said second end is pulled by said first end 25 to twist said left lower tubular portion to turn counterclockwise, thereLv 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

5 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 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 5 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.

10 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 15 against said thrusting member, said friction adjusting member engaging threadedlyeaid mounting axle such that screwing movement of said friction adjusting member along the third axis will bring said downward frictionbraking surface of said upper friction member 20 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 25 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 aninwardly and radially extending annular groove for receiving said pull rope.

5 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 10 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 15 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.

lO.The exercising device according to Claim 9, further 20 comprising right and left levers which respectively include right andleft anchoring ends secured Lo 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 25 anchoring ends in two radial directions relative to the first and second axes respectively and supporting said right and left treadles, respectively.

1 9 ll.The exercising device substantially ashereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.