EP2198933B1

EP2198933B1 - Rotating plate structure of a waist twist machine

Info

Publication number: EP2198933B1
Application number: EP20080022180
Authority: EP
Inventors: Leao Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-19
Filing date: 2008-12-19
Publication date: 2013-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-19
Also published as: EP2198933A1

Description

The invention relates to a rotating plate structure of a waist twist machine, and more particularly, to a structure that employs the rotational deformation of a rotating plate assembly such that both of the foot plates create more rotational angles. In this way, the waist-twisting exercise effect is enhanced.
As known in the prior art, the so-called "waist twist machine" is a fitness device by which the user may twist his waist and his abdominal muscles to achieve the unique exercise effect. At present, the conventional similar devices almost employ a rotating disc as a structural basis on which a user stands to apply force for its rotation. In use, the user has to hold a fixed handle with his both hands so that his upper body is positioned at a certain angle. At this point, the user twists the lower part of his body to the left and right sides. In this way, the fitness exercise of the waist and the abdominal part is achieved.
US 2004097336 discloses an exerciser including a handle and a supporting device rotatably secured to a base, two foot pedals are rotatably secured to the support with spindles for allowing the users' feet to be rotated relative to the supporting device and for preventing the users from being hurt or twisted while rotating relative to said base with the supporting device. A device may couple the the handle to the supporting device for allowing the handle to be rotatably coupled to the supporting device. The handle may include a shank rotatably and foldably secured to a lower segment.
US 2004097337 discloses an exerciser including a handle and a support rotatably secured to a base, two foot pedals are rotatably secured to the support with spindles for allowing the users' feet to be rotated relative to the support and for preventing the users from being hurt or twisted while rotating relative to said base with the support. The support includes two blocks pivotally secured between two pivotal and parallel beams for supporting the foot pedals. A device may couple the the handle to the support for allowing the handle to be rotatably coupled to the support.
US 7104928 (B1 ) discloses a rotating and swinging exerciser including a base, a housing rotatably attached onto an axle of the base, a frame disposed on the base and having an inclined peripheral surface, and a lever pivotally secured to the housing with a pivot pin and having two foot pedals pivotally attached to two end portions. The lever is slidably engaged onto and movable along the inclined peripheral surface of the frame, and to cause the housing to rotate relative to the base. One of the foot pedals may be forced to move upwardly along the inclined peripheral surface of the frame when the other foot pedal is stepped downwardly by a user and when the lever is moved along the inclined peripheral surface of the frame.
WO 2008067701 discloses a step machine including a pedestal(1), two pedal portions(2) and a coupled portion(3). The two pedal portions are pivoted on the pedestal for steping, and doubled by the couple portion to move by contraries. Axes of pivots(12) between the pedal portions and the pedestal are inclined to make the pedals slid and swung, so that the step machine can simultaneously do step exercise and waist exercise. An elastic portion(5)connects the two pedals of the step machine, so that two pedals are subject to opposite forces when moving, and muscles of user's legs need to overcome the forces. So the step machine can simultaneously do step exercise and muscles of user's legs exercise.
The present invention refers to a rotating plate structure as defined in claim 1.
The use of the fitness device is extremely simple. Moreover, there is no special design in its structure. Considering a careful study of its exercise effect, it is not difficult to find that the rotational angle of the rotating disc is subject to the force applied by the user himself. Therefore, if the lower body of the user twists at an angle of 20°, the rotational angle of the rotating disc is also 20°. In other words, the twisting angle is not increased and the fitness effect is not enhanced by the mechanical structure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotating plate structure of a waist twist machine that includes a rotating plate assembly for creating a rotational deformation. In this way, the foot plates create more rotational angles by use of the mechanical structure when they are subject to force and are rotated. Moreover, an increased body twisting exercise effect is achieved.
This object being achieved by a rotating plate structure of a waist twist machine according to independent claim 1.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rotating plate structure of a waist twist machine employs a crossbar and a rotating rod in match of the a rotating plate assembly such that both foot plates create a rotational deformation after the front and rear arms are subject to force and are rotated, thereby creating more rotational angles.
The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 2, wherein the direction of the movement is illustrated; and
FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 3, wherein another direction of the movement is illustrated.

The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that show various embodiments of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a waist twist machine 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a base frame 12, a rear support 14, and a front upright rod 18 with a handle 16 at the top thereof. A crossbar 20 is positioned near the center of the base frame 12. A rotating rod 22 is pivotally disposed at the top of the crossbar 20. A rotating plate assembly 30 is pivotally connected to the rotating rod 22.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating plate assembly 30 includes a front rotating arm 32, a rear rotating arm 34, and two foot plates 36 that are pivotally connected to one another. The bottom of the front and the rear end of the foot plates 36 is pivotally attached to the front and rear rotating arms 32, 34. The front and rear rotating arms 32, 34 each include a pivoting portion 33, 35 at the center thereof. The pivoting portions 33, 35 are pivotally coupled to both ends of the rotating rod 22. As a result, the front and rear rotating arms 32, 34 create a rotational deformation due to the action of the pivoting points when the foot plates 36 are subject to force and are rotated. In this way, both of the foot plates 36 create increased rotational angles.
Based on the assembly of the above-mentioned components, the twisting angle of the foot plates 36 can be effectively increased. In this way, a better waist-twisting exercise effect can be achieved in addition to an easy use of the apparatus. Therefore, the use value is increased.
Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A rotating plate structure of a waist twist machine (10) having a base frame (12), a rear support (14), and a front upright rod (18) with a handle (16) at the top thereof, a crossbar (20) being positioned near the center of the base frame (12), a rotating rod (22) being pivotally disposed at the top of the crossbar (20), and a rotating plate assembly (30) being pivotally connected to the rotating rod (22),
wherein the rotating plate assembly (30) includes a front rotating arm (32), a rear rotating arm (34), and two foot plates (36) that are pivotally connected to one another, and wherein the bottom of the front and the rear end of the foot plates (36) is pivotally attached to the front and the rear rotating arms (32, 34), and wherein the front and rear rotating arms (32, 34) each include a pivoting portion (33, 35) at the center thereof, and wherein the pivoting portions (33, 35) are pivotally coupled to both ends of the rotating rod (22); therefore, the front and rear rotating arms (32, 34) create a rotational movement due to the action of the pivoting points when the foot plates (36) are subject to force and are rotated such that both of the foot plates (36) create increased rotational angles.