WO2006118377A1

WO2006118377A1 - Chair type exercising apparatus for exercise of lower part of body having foot sole massaging function

Info

Publication number: WO2006118377A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/000965
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeong-Cheol Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-29
Filing date: 2006-03-16
Publication date: 2006-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-29
Also published as: KR100518924B1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a chair type exercising apparatus for the exercise of the lower part of a human body having a foot sole massage function, which can allow a person who must spend a majority of his/her time seated in a chair, for example, an examinee or office worker, to perform exercise for reinforcing the muscular strength of his/her lower body at any time while remaining seated, and can achieve a promotion in blood circulation and metabolism via the stimulation of acupuncture spots on the foot sole. The exercising apparatus comprises a base plate configured to be placed on a floor, a plurality of pivoting frames each having a first end coupled to a location of the base plate by use of a pivoting pin to be pivotally rotatable, the pivoting frames being adapted to be pushed downward and pivotally rotated toward the base plate upon receiving an external force, a plurality of elastic members each mounted between a second end of the relevant pivoting frame and the base plate, the elastic members being adapted to push up the pivoting frames to their original positions if the external force is removed, a plurality of foot plates each attached to a top of the second end of the relevant pivoting frame, and a plurality of acupressure bosses formed over the respective foot plates.

Description

CHAIR TYPE EXERCISING APPARATUS FOR EXERCISE OF LOWER PART OF BODY HAVING FOOT SOLE MASSAGING

FUNCTION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a chair type exercising apparatus for the exercise of the lower part of a human body having a foot sole massage function, which enables simple indoor exercise in the home or office. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chair type exercising apparatus for the exercise of the lower part of a human body having a foot sole massage function, which can allow a person who must spend a majority of time seated in a chair, for example, an examinee or office worker, to perform exercise for reinforcing the muscular strength of the lower body at any time while remaining seated, and can achieve a promotion in blood circulation and metabolism via the stimulation of acupuncture spots on the foot sole, thereby preventing a variety of bad effects due to the shortage of exercise, for example, degradation in physical strength, reduced power of concentration, and low immunity against diseases.

[2] Generally, an examinee or office worker tends to spend almost the whole day seated in a chair, and therefore, suffers from degradation in the muscular strength of the lower body as well as various muscular and internal diseases due to the shortage of exercise. In the case of women, in particular, they are liable to grow fat if blood circulation between the lower and upper parts of the body is inefficient. In spite of the importance of exercise, however, it is actually impossible for the examinee or office worker to make separate time in the daytime for visiting a health club or performing outdoor exercise. Accordingly, in order to achieve an increase in health to some extent, it is necessary to incorporate exercise in daily actions or daily life itself.

[3]

Background Art

[4] In accordance with examination of the applicant of the present invention, a variety of exercising apparatuses or foot massage apparatuses according to the prior art have been disclosed in several patents. These prior art apparatuses are designed to allow a user, for example, an examinee or office worker, to perform exercise while remaining seated, in order to solve the shortage of exercise. The relevant prior art patents include: Korean Patent Publication No. 1996-0016858 (published on June 17, 1996) which is entitled "ELECTRIC VIBRATING FOOT MASSAGE APPARATUS"; Korean Utility Model Registration No. 284522 (registered on July 23, 2002), which is entitled "ROTARY EXERCISE CHAIR" wherein a chair seat is eccentrically rotatable to perform waist exercise; Korean Utility Model Registration No. 341864 (registered on February 3, 2004), which is entitled "ACUPRESSURE APPARATUS HAVING PLAYING FUNCTION" wherein a pair of acupressure members, on which both feet of a user are put, are alternately and repeatedly moved up and down; Korean Patent Publication No. 2004-0040985 (published on May 13, 2004), which is entitled "FOOT ACUPRESSURE APPARATUS" wherein a plurality of acupressure bosses are formed on a foot plate to be moved up and down in accordance with the operation of an electrically-powered solenoid type actuator for the acupressure of the foot sole; and Korean Patent Publication No. 2004-0105527 (published on December 16, 2004), which is entitled "CHAIR HAVING FOOT SOLE ACUPRESSURE MEMBER" wherein a plurality of rotary acupressure protrusions are attached to predetermined one or more legs of a chair.

[5] The above described exercising apparatuses of the prior art, however, are designed to have only a simple massage function, or to perform a playing centered operation, and therefore, are less helpful to solve the shortage of exercise of an examinee or office worker. Moreover, in the case of massage apparatuses using electric power, they tend to generate excessive noise during operation, and therefore, may be an obstacle for an examinee or an office worker to concentrate on study or business.

[6]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a chair type exercising apparatus for the exercise of the lower part of a human body having a foot sole massage function, which is designed to be placed in front of a chair in the home or office so as to allow a user to repeatedly perform stepping motions with his/her both feet while remaining seated for studying or working, whereby efficient exercise of the lower part of the body and acupressure of the foot sole can be accomplished.

[8] It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercising apparatus which can eliminate boredom caused by monotonous repetitive stepping motions, and enables the exercise of all muscles of the lower part of a human body, for examples, muscles for moving the toes, foot sole, and ankle, whereby an improvement in the reinforcement of muscles and physical strength of the lower part of the human body can be accomplished.

[9]

Technical Solution [10] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a chair type exercising apparatus for the exercise of the lower part of a human body having a foot sole massage function, comprising: a base plate configured to be placed on a floor; a plurality of pivoting frames each having a first end coupled to a location of the base plate by use of a pivoting pin to be pivotally rotatable, the pivoting frames being adapted to be pushed downward and pivotally rotated toward the base plate upon receiving an external force; a plurality of elastic members each mounted between a second end of the relevant pivoting frame and the base plate, the elastic members being adapted to push up the pivoting frames to their original positions if the external force is removed; a plurality of foot-plates each attached to a top of the second end of the relevant pivoting frame; and a plurality of acupressure bosses formed over the respective foot plates.

[11] Preferably, the pivoting frames may include two or more pivoting frames, the foot plates attached to the top of the second end of the respective pivoting frames may be divided foot plates, and the elastic members for the plurality of pivoting frames may have different elastic coefficients from one another, to achieve the exercise of all muscles associated with the toes, foot sole, and ankle, rather than achieving a simple increase in pressure responsive force.

[12] More preferably, a counter may be provided to count the number of upward and downward movements of a rearmost one of the pivoting frames, and each or any number of the acupressure bosses may be separable from the relevant foot plate in accordance with the taste or demand of a user.

[13]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[15] FlG. 1 is a view illustrating the use of an exercising apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[16] FlG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercising apparatus shown in FlG. 1 ;

[17] FlG. 3 is a front view of the exercising apparatus shown in FlG. 1 ;

[18] FlG. 4 is a plan view of the exercising apparatus shown in FlG. 1 ;

[19] FlG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a sequential pushing operation performed by a foot that is put on the exercising apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

[20] FlG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exercising apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; [21] FlG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exercising apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FlG. 8 is a front view of the exercising apparatus shown in FlG. 7;

[23] FlG. 9 is a plan view of the exercising apparatus shown in FlG. 7;

[24] FlG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a sequential pushing operation performed by a foot that is put on the exercising apparatus in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FlG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an exercising apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, to which a separate counter (e.g. pedometer) is connected by use of a connecting wire;

[26] FlG. 12 is a front view of the exercising apparatus shown in FlG. 11 ;

[27] FlG. 13 is a plan view of the exercising apparatus shown in FlG. 11 ;

[28] FlG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating the locked state of the exercising apparatus when it is not in use;

[29] FlG. 15 is a front view illustrating an exercising apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

[30] FlG. 16 is a plan view illustrating an exercising apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[31]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[32] Now, preferred embodiments, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[33] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate an exercising apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the exercising apparatus of the present embodiment includes: a base plate 10; three pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b; three elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b; three foot-plates 40, 40a, and 40b; a plurality of acupressure bosses 50 formed over the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b; and a counter 60. Specifically, each of the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b has the first end 22, 22a, or 22b coupled to a location of the base plate 10 by use of a pivoting pin 14 in a pivotally rotatable manner. The pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b are adapted to be pushed downward and pivotally rotated toward the base plate 10 upon receiving an external force. Each of the elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b is mounted between the second end 24, 24a, or 24b of the relevant pivoting frame 20, 20a, or 20b and the base plate 10. The elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b are adapted to push up the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b to their original positions if the external force is removed. Each of the foot-plates 40, 40a, and 40b is attached to a top of the second end 24, 24a, or 24b of the relevant pivoting frame 20, 20a, or 20b. The counter 60 is used to count the number of upward and downward movements of the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b.

[34] The exercising apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention further includes: a cover 70 to surround the outer periphery of the base plate 10; and a pleated curtain 80 mounted between a top of the cover 70 and the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b. The pleated curtain 80 is made of a flexible soft material, such as rubber or silicone.

[35] A handle 90 is also provided at a peripheral location of the cover 70, to enable safe and convenient transportation of the exercising apparatus of the present invention. The handle 90 may be used as an assistant for the exercise of the upper part of a human body, such as pushups.

[36] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the base plate 10 is intended to be placed on the floor of a room or office. Accordingly, it is desirable that a shock absorbing pad be attached to a lower surface of the base plate 10 to prevent not only the generation of noise, but also damage to the floor of the room or office.

[37] The base plate 10 has a pair of left and right fixing plates 11 vertically extending from a front side location of an upper surface thereof. The fixing plates 11 are used to mount the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b by use of the pivoting pin 14. The pivoting pin 14 is penetrated through the center of an upper portion of each of the fixing plates 11, such that the first end of each pivoting frame 20, 20a, or 20b is pivotally coupled to the pivoting pin 14.

[38] The fixing plates 11 are formed, at their facing inner surfaces, with first to third stoppers 12, 12a, and 12b having different inclinations from one another. The first to third stoppers 12, 12a, and 12b serve to allow the respective pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b to be lifted by different angles from one another.

[39] The pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b have different lengths and widths from one another, such that they are able to overlap with each other about the pivoting pin 14. The three foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b are attached to the top of the second end 24, 24a, or 24b of the respective pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b by use of pivoting pins 42, 42a, and 42b, respectively. The three foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b have a general form obtained by dividing a single foot sole into three parts.

[40] Each of the elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b, corresponding to one of the plurality of pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b, has a lower end fixed on the upper surface of the base plate 10. An upper end of each elastic member 30, 30a, or 30b is fixed to a lower surface of the relevant foot plate 40, 40a, or 40b that is attached to the second end 24, 24a, or 24b of the relevant pivoting frame 20, 20a, or 20b. With this configuration, the elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b serve to keep the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b in their upwardly moved state. If the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b are pushed downward upon receiving an external force, the elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b are compressed, causing the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b to be pivotally rotated and moved downward about the pivoting pin 14. Then, if the external force applied to the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b is removed, the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b are returned to their original positions by use of a restoring force of the elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b.

[41] In the first embodiment of the present invention, each of the elastic members 30,

30a, and 30b is formed of a conical compressive coil spring, such that it can be stably pressed without the risk of leftward or rightward distortion when the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b are moved downward. The three elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b have different elastic coefficients from one another. Specifically, the elastic coefficient of the first elastic member 30 is larger than that of the second elastic member 30a, and in turn, the elastic coefficient of the second elastic member 30a is larger than that of the third elastic member 30b. With this configuration, the foremost foot plate 40b, which is adapted to receive an initial external force, is operable even by a slight force, whereas the middle foot plate 40a and the rearmost foot plate 40 must be pressed with gradually increased forces, to achieve their desired downward movements.

[42] Although the first embodiment of the present invention exemplifies the compressive coil spring type elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b, the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b may be known leaf springs or torsion springs, or may be a gas/hydraulic shock absorbers. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other various substitutions to the elastic members can be easily achieved without departing from the scope and sprit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[43] When the elastic member is formed of the compressive coil spring as stated above, furthermore, it is desirable that the elastic member be covered with a dust cover that is made of cloth or other rubber material, in order to prevent dust pollution of the spring, to reduce noise caused when the spring is compressed or returned to its original state, and to prevent various possible accidents.

[44] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b together define the form of a left or right foot sole as stated above. Specifically, the three foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b include the rearmost foot plate 40 for supporting the heel portion of the foot sole, the middle foot plate 40a for supporting the middle portion of the foot sole, and the foremost foot plate 40b for supporting the front portion of the foot sole. The plurality of acupressure bosses 50 are formed over the upper surface of the respective foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b, to come into direct contact with the user's foot sole. [45] The acupressure bosses 50 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention are integrally formed on the respective foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b, to have a predetermined pattern. However, when occasion demands, each or any number of the acupressure bosses 50 may be separable from the relevant foot plate. This allows the number of the acupressure bosses to be regulated based on the size of the user's foot sole, and also allows a user to freely rearrange the acupressure bosses to correspond to different acupressure positions.

[46] The counter 60 includes a non-contact type sensor 62 that is mounted in the base plate 10 to sense the number of downward movements of the rearmost foot plate 40, and a liquid crystal display device 64 for displaying sensed signals to the outside. Preferably, the liquid crystal display device 64 has a reset switch 64a and an On/Off switch 64b, to newly count the number of stepping motions whenever the exercising apparatus is newly used. The digital counter is known in the art, and thus, no detailed explanation thereof will be given.

[47] FlG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a sequential pushing operation performed by a foot that is put on the exercising apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring again to FlG. 1, the exercising apparatus of the present invention is used in such a fashion that a user places both left and right feet on a pair of exercising apparatuses of the present invention, respectively, while sitting in a chair with straightened waist, to alternately push the two exercising apparatuses like bicycle pedals, or to simultaneously push the left and right apparatuses. As shown in the first figure of FlG. 5, when the apparatus is initially operated, only the foremost foot plate 40b located beneath the front portion of the foot sole is pushed by a slight force. The second figure of FlG. 5 illustrates a state wherein the foremost and middle foot plates 40b and 40a are pushed together by the front and middle portions of the foot sole, and the third figure of FlG. 5 illustrates a state wherein the remaining rearmost foot plate, which is located beneath the heel portion of the foot sole, is pushed along with the two foot plates 40a and 40b.

[48] The pivoting frames 20a and 20 are sequentially pushed and moved downward while the foot plates 40b and 40a placed in the top of respective different pivoting flames 20b and 20a are moved downward. In this way, the three foot plates 40b, 40a, and 40 are sequentially pushed as the user initially concentrates a force only on the front portion of the foot sole, and then concentrates a force both on the front and middle portions of the foot sole, and finally concentrates a force over the entire foot sole including the heel portion. This enables the user to achieve exercise of all muscles of the lower part of the body. That is, differently from prior art apparatuses designed to simply push a single foot plate, in order to push the three foot plates 40b, 40a, and 40 of the exercising apparatus according to the present invention, the user has to concentrate a force on five toes of the front portion of the foot sole, the middle portion of the foot sole, and the heel portion in this sequence. Accordingly, the exercising apparatus of the present invention enables simultaneous use of all muscles associated with the foot sole, and the use of leg muscles required to move the ankle, thereby achieving efficient exercise of the lower part of the body while remaining seated.

[49] In addition to the exercise of the lower part of the body as stated above, the user's foot sole can be automatically stimulated by the acupressure bosses of the present invention. That is, the acupressure bosses of the present invention can achieve an acupressure effect by stimulating acupressure points, i.e. acupuncture spots, on the foot sole. Such acupressure effect promotes metabolism and the circulation of blood between the upper and lower parts of the body, thereby preventing corpulence of the lower part of the body, reinforcing abdominal muscles and other muscles associated with the back bone, and keeping the straightened posture while sitting in a chair.

[50] Meanwhile, the sensor 62 of the counter 60 is able to sense a signal only when the pivoting frame 20 beneath the heel portion of the foot sole is completely pushed as shown in the last figure of FlG. 5. The sensed electric signal is transmitted to the liquid crystal display device 64, so as to be displayed in numerals.

[51] FlG. 6 illustrates an exercising apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the circle of FlG. 6 illustrating the important part of the foot plate. In the present embodiment, each of the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b has a plurality of female screw type fitting holes 41 such that additional separable acupressure pieces 50' can be individually fastened to the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b to stimulate specific acupuncture spots on the foot sole. The separable acupressure pieces 50' are freely changeable in position as occasion demands. Each of the acupressure pieces 50' has a male screw type fitting portion 52 formed at a lower surface thereof, to be fastened into one of the fitting holes 41.

[52] Preferably, the acupressure bosses 50, acupressure pieces 50', and upper surfaces of the foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b are made of antibacterial plastic material having high antibacterial, sanitary, and anti-fouling properties because they come into direct contact with the foot sole. Additionally, it is preferable that the acupressure bosses 50, acupressure pieces 50', and foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b be fabricated by using one of materials having a magnetic property or far-infrared rays emission property, or mixture resins thereof.

[53] In the second embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the acupressure pieces 50' may have various shapes or sizes, to allow a product purchaser (i.e. user) to select a suitable shape or size. More preferably, when a guide illustration, in which the positions of acupressure points, i.e. acupuncture spots, on the foot sole and advantageous effects of the respective acupressure points are explained, is affixed to a product, the user is able to reset the positions of the acupressure pieces 50' based on the bodily characteristics of the user.

[54] For reference, approximately 7000 nerves are distributed over the foot sole of a human body, and these nerves have a close response relationship with respective regions of the human body. Also, it is known that acupuncture spots connected with several internal organs of the human body are distributed over the foot sole. Accordingly, acupressure of the foot sole can heal various diseases and promote an increase in health. Furthermore, resetting the positions of the acupressure pieces 50' based on the acupuncture spots, i.e. acupressure points, of different users has the effect of promoting the health of the respective users on demand, and achieving safe and efficient healing of various diseases via physical exercise, rather than a medication that may cause harmful side effects.

[55] FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate an exercising apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, only two pivoting frames 20 and 20a and two foot plates 40 and 40a are provided. Other configurations of the present embodiment are similar to those of the above described first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[56] Alternatively, it will be appreciated that, instead of the triple pivoting frames and foot plates of the first embodiment or the double pivoting frames and foot plates of the third embodiment, a single pivoting frame and foot plate may be used, or four or more pivoting frames and foot plates may be used.

[57] FIG. 10 illustrates the sequential pushing operation of a foot that is put on the exercising apparatus in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the exercising apparatus according to the present embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 5, and thus, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[58] FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate an exercising apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is basically similar to the first embodiment except for a contact switch 62' is mounted on the base plate 10. If the pivoting frame 20 is moved downward, the contact switch 62' is pushed by the pivoting frame 20 to thereby be turned on. Conversely, the contact switch 62' is turned off if the pivoting frame 20 is again moved upward. The contact switch 62' is connected to a connection jack 65, and in turn, the connection jack 65 is connected to an external counter 60' through a separable connecting wire 63. With this configuration, the upward and downward movements of the pivoting frame 20 can be countered. In the present embodiment, a locker 100 is provided at a front end of the base plate 10. The locker 100 serves to keep the other end of the respective pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b in a pushed state by pushing up the respective pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b. For this, when the exercising apparatus is not in use, the locker 100 is pushed below the front end of the respective pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b in a state wherein the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b are pushed. Thereby, as shown in FlG. 14, the locker 100 can keep the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b in the pushed state. This reduces the overall volume of the exercising apparatus, resulting in simplified transportation and storage of the exercising apparatus. To operate the locker 100, a slider 110 is formed on a top of the cover 70 to be exposed to the outside.

[59] In the present embodiment, also, a stopper 16 is mounted on the base plate 10 to limit the downward movement range of the pivoting frame 20.

[60] The counter 60' used in the present embodiment is a general pedometer. In this case, the contact switch 62' of the exercising apparatus of the present embodiment is electrically connected parallel to a switch (not shown), which is provided in the pedometer to be operated whenever a user takes a step, by use of the connecting wire 63. As a result, when the user performs stepping motions using the exercising apparatus of the present invention while remaining seated, the number of the stepping motions can be countered and displayed in the pedometer. The pedometer is separable from the connecting wire 63 when it is desired to be worn on the user's waist, such that the internal switch thereof can counter the number of the user's steps. Therefore, the pedometer can be used to count and display the entire quantity of exercise including the exercise performed while sitting in a chair and the walking exercise.

[61] Meanwhile, the pedometer has a program for converting the quantity of exercise into calories, and can generate a voice for informing the quantity of exercise, instead of displaying numerals on a liquid crystal digital screen. Thereby, purchasers can select appropriate one using the liquid crystal digital screen or voice generating device.

[62] The locker 100 of the present embodiment has a lower end pivotally coupled to the base plate 10, and an upper end formed with a pair of symmetrical left and right stepped portions 102 to keep the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b in the pushed state.

[63] FlG. 15 is a front view of an exercising apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Differently from the above described embodiments, the elastic members 30, 30a, and 30b (not shown) of the pivoting frames 20, 20a, and 20b are covered by pleated curtains 80, 80a, and 80b, respectively. The pleated curtains 80, 80a, and 80b take the form of a bag.

[64] FlG. 16 is a plan view of an exercising apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the plurality of foot plates 40, 40a, and 40b have circular forms having different diameters from each other. Similarly, the acupressure bosses 50 are formed on each of the foot plates.

[65]

Industrial Applicability [66] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a chair type exercising apparatus for the exercise of the lower part of a human body having a foot sole massage function. When a user, such as an examinee or office worker, has a recess after studying or working, the user can perform exercise by alternately or simultaneously pushing a pair of exercising apparatuses of the present invention like bicycle pedals in a state wherein the user places both left and right feet on divided foot plates of the respective exercising apparatuses while sitting in a chair with straightened waist. In the exercising apparatus of the present invention, the divided foot plates are adapted to be sequentially pushed as the user concentrates a force on five toes of the front portion of the foot sole, the middle portion of the foot sole, and the heel portion in this sequence by using all muscles associated with the foot sole as well as leg muscles required to move the ankle. This has the effect of achieving efficient exercise of the lower part of the body while remaining seated, preventing various bad effects due to the shortage of exercise, and achieving an improvement in studying or working efficiency. In addition to the exercise of the lower part of the body, the foot plates of the present invention are provided with acupressure bosses to stimulate acupuncture spots on the foot sole. This can achieve a promotion in blood circulation and activation of several internal organs of a human body, resulting in an increase in health and healing of a variety of diseases.

[67] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A chair type exercising apparatus for the exercise of the lower part of a human body having a foot sole massage function, comprising: a base plate configured to be placed on a floor; a plurality of pivoting frames each having a first end coupled to a location of the base plate by use of a pivoting pin to be pivotally rotatable, the pivoting frames being adapted to be pushed downward and pivotally rotated toward the base plate upon receiving an external force; a plurality of elastic members each mounted between a second end of the relevant pivoting frame and the base plate, the elastic members being adapted to push up the pivoting frames to their original positions if the external force is removed; a plurality of foot-plates each attached to a top of the second end of the relevant pivoting frame; and a plurality of acupressure bosses formed over the respective foot plates.

[2] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elastic members have different elastic coefficients from one another.

[3] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the base plate is provided with a contact switch to come into contact with a rearmost one of the pivoting frames, and the contact switch is connected to an external counter through a separable connecting wire and connecting jack to count the number of upward and downward movements of the rearmost pivoting frame.

[4] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein each or any number of the acupressure bosses are separable from the relevant foot plate.

[5] The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the base plate is provided with first to third stoppers such that the first end of the respective pivoting frames are caught by one of the first to third stoppers to allow the plurality of pivoting frames to be lifted by different inclination angles from one another, and if each foot plate, which is lifted by a large inclination angle, is pushed, the relevant pivoting frame, which is lifted by an inclination angle smaller than that of the foot plate, is simultaneously pushed.

[6] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the foot plates is coupled to a top of the second end of the relevant pivoting frame by use of a pivoting pin to be pivotally rotatable forward and reverse.

[7] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a cover to surround an outer periphery of the base plate; and a pleated curtain mounted between the cover and the foot plates to cover the elastic members located inside thereof, the pleated curtain being made of a soft material. [8] The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the cover is provided at a peripheral location thereof with a transportation handle. [9] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the base plate is provided with a locker for keeping the second end of the respective pivoting frames in a pushed state. [10] The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of elastic members are covered with a plurality of pleated curtains, respectively.