AU2008202142A1 - Rodeo or riding device - Google Patents

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Rodeo or riding device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: P/00/0 11 5102 The invention relates to a rodeo or riding device including a rider support supported on a carrier which is movable relative to a base by the rider or by an actuating device in an elliptical and 5 reciprocating action for allowing the rider support also to be moved relative to the base in the elliptical and reciprocating action. Typical riding devices or rodeo training devices comprise a rider support for supporting the users thereon, and a drive mechanism having a crank arm coupled to the rider support to drive 10 the rider support and to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,997,979 to Turner discloses one of the typical rodeo training devices also comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the rider support with a crank arm for 15 training cowboys to ride rodeo animals such as bulls and wild horses. Normally, the drive mechanism is coupled to the rider support with the crank arm for actuating or moving or rotating the rider support. In addition, the drive mechanism is solidly coupled to the 20 rider support with the crank arm, such that the rider support may not be moved relative to the crank arm and the drive mechanism in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the crank arm and the drive mechanism in different moving stroke. 25 U.S. Patent No. 5,085,425 to Collins et al. discloses a typical workout horse comprising a body portion having a support column extended downwardly therefrom, and an upper frame attached to the 1 a support column, and a drive mechanism coupled between the upper frame and a stationary base frame for actuating or moving the support column and the body portion relative to the stationary base frame. 5 However, the support column and the body portion may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action. In addition, the drive mechanism is also solidly coupled between the upper frame and the stationary base frame such that the support column and the body portion also may 10 not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in different moving stroke. U.S. Patent No. 6,402,626 to Beaty discloses a typical bucking machine also comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the rider 15 support with one or more crank arms and/or links and/or spin wheels and/or spin shafts, and a rotating frame for supporting the rider support for allowing the rider support to be driven to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider. 20 However, the rotating frame may only be rotated relative to the stationary base frame but not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in different moving stroke. 25 U.S. Patent No. 6,866,594 to Greenwood discloses a typical polo training apparatus comprising a body portion having a lower frame portion, and a drive mechanism coupled between the lower 2 frame portion of the body portion and a fixed frame for driving the lower frame portion of the body portion to simulate the polo training operation. However, the fixed frame and the lower frame portion of the 5 body portion may not be moved relative to the supporting ground or plane in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in different moving stroke. U.S. Patent No. 6,964,614 to Tsai discloses a typical riding 10 device also comprising a seat plate coupled to a front spindle and a rear spindle of a drive mechanism with cranks and swing arms respectively, for driving the seat plate to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider. 15 However, the seat plate is also solidly coupled to the drive mechanism with the cranks and the swing arms, such that the seat plate may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of 20 the drive mechanism in different moving stroke. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a rodeo or riding device including a rider support or saddle supported on a carrier which is movable relative to a base by the user or by an actuating device in an elliptical and reciprocating action for 25 allowing the rider support also to be moved relative to the base in the elliptical and reciprocating action. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 3 According to the invention there is provided a riding device comprising: a base including a column and a stud extended upwardly from the base, 5 a crank device rotatably attached to the stud of the base with an axle and rotatable relative to the base in a cyclic and reciprocating action, a carrier including a front portion pivotally coupled to the column of the base for swinging relative to the base, and including a 10 rear portion pivotally coupled to the crank device for moving cyclically relative to the base and for swinging relative to the base and for allowing the carrier to be moved in an elliptical and reciprocating action relative to the base by the crank device, and a rider support supported on the carrier and moved in concert 15 with the rider support for supporting a rider, and the carrier and the rider support being movable relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the rider. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front and upper perspective view of a riding device 20 in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a rear and upper perspective view of the riding device; FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the riding device; FIG. 4 is another partial exploded view of the riding device; 25 FIG. 5 is a side plan schematic view of the riding device; FIG. 6 is a side plan schematic view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the operation of the riding device; and 4 FIGS. 7, 8, 9 are side plan schematic views illustrating the other arrangements of the riding device. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a riding device comprises a stationary 5 base 10 including such as an I-shaped structure for increasing the stability of the base 10, and including a column 11 extended upwardly therefrom, such as extended upwardly from one end or the front portion 18 of the base 10, and including a stud 12 extended upwardly therefrom, such as extended upwardly from the other end 10 or the rear portion 19 of the base 10, and including a crank device 13 or one or more (such as two) cranks 13 rotatably attached to or supported on the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 with an axle 14 and rotatable relative to the base 10 in a cyclic and reciprocating action. A bearing or pivot pole 15 is attached to the 15 free end portion of each of the cranks 13. A carrier 30 is to be supported on the base 10 and is to be moved relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action, and includes one or more (such as two) levers 31, 32 having one end or a front portion coupled together with a front barrel 33 20 which is pivotally coupled to the base 10, such as pivotally coupled to the one end or the front portion or the front column 11 of the base 10 with a pivotal link 16 and a pivot pin 17, in which the pivotal link 16 is downwardly dependent on or from the front column 11 of the base 10 for allowing the one end or the front portion or the front 25 barrel 33 of the carrier 30 to be pivoted or rotated relative to the front column 11 of the base 10 and to be moved forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base 10 in a reciprocating action, best 5 shown in FIGS. 5-6. It is preferable that the carrier 30 includes a bar 34 coupled between the middle portion of the levers 31, 32 for forming a stable or solid structure to the carrier 30. The carrier 30 includes a rear end or rear portion 35 pivotally 5 coupled to the pivot poles 15 of the cranks 13 directly (FIG. 7) or indirectly with a pendulum 50 for allowing the rear portion 35 of the carrier 30 to be moved forwardly and rearwardly and upwardly and downwardly or cyclically relative to the base 10 by or with the cranks 13 (FIGS. 5-6) and also to be swung relative to the cranks 13 10 and the base 10 with the pendulum 50. A housing 36 is disposed on the carrier 30, such as attached to or disposed on the bar 34 of the carrier 30 and extended upwardly from the bar 34 of the carrier 30 for supporting a seat cushion or saddle or rider support 37 thereon in order to support a rider 8 (FIGS. 5-6) on the rider support 37. For 15 example, the rider support 37 includes a post 38 extended downwardly therefrom and slidably engaged into the housing 36 and adjustable up and down relative to the housing 36 and the carrier 30, and adjustably secured to the housing 36 and/or the carrier 30 with a lock or latch device 39. 20 In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, the rear portion 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may be moved forwardly and rearwardly and upwardly and downwardly or cyclically relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action with the pivot poles 15 or the cranks 13, and may also be moved or swung forwardly and 25 rearwardly relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action with the pendulum 50, and the one end or front portion or the front barrel 33 of the carrier 30 is pivotally coupled to the base 10 with the 6 pivotal link 16 and the pivot pin 17 for allowing the front portion or the front barrel 33 of the carrier 30 to be moved forwardly and rearwardly or to be swung relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action such that the carrier 30 may be caused to move 5 relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the cranks 13 and by the rider 8, and/or by the moment of inertia when the users or riders 8 are stepped onto the carrier 30. The rider support 37 may be moved or adjusted up and down along the housing 36 and relative to the carrier 30 according to the different 10 heights of the users or riders 8. A weight member or fly wheel 20 is rotatably attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 of the base 10 with the axle 14 for allowing the axle 14 and the cranks 13 and the fly wheel 20 to be rotated in concert with each other. A wheel or 15 follower 21 is also rotatably attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to an extension 22 of the base 10 with a shaft 23, and the shaft 23 is coupled to the fly wheel 20 with a coupling device 24 (FIG. 4), such as a coupling belt 24, a gearing mechanism (not shown), a sprocket-and-chain mechanism (not shown) or the 20 like for allowing the follower 21 to be rotated or driven relative to the base 10 by the fly wheel 20. The coupling of the fly wheel 20 to the follower 21 may thus be formed or acted as a speed reduction mechanism. The riding device further includes a driving or actuating means 25 or device 4 disposed and provided and arranged for coupling to the cranks 13 in order to rotate the cranks 13 relative to the base 10 in the cyclic and reciprocating action, or for moving the carrier 30 and 7 the rider support 37 relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action, for example, the actuating means or device 4 includes a pair of levers 40 having a middle portion 41 rotatably or pivotally attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the 5 stud 12 of the base 10 with a spindle 42, and having a first or rear end or portion 43 pivotally coupled to the pivot poles 15 or the cranks 13 with a beam 44 for allowing the cranks 13 and the axle 14 to be driven or rotated relative to the base 10 or the stud 12 by the levers 40, and having a foot pedal 45 attached to the second or front 10 end or portion of each lever 40 for being stepped and depressed by the rider 8. In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, the foot pedals 45 or the front portions of the levers 40 may be stepped and depressed by the rider 8 to actuate the beams 44 to operate or to move the cranks 13 15 and then to move the carrier 30 relative to the base 10 in the elliptical and reciprocating action, and to allow the rider 8 to train or to exercise his lower muscle groups, the fly wheel 20 and the follower 21 may apply a resistive force to the cranks 13 and the axle 14 and the carrier 30. The levers 40 and/or the beams 44 may be 20 operated as a moving or actuating means for moving the carrier 30 and the rider support 37 relative to the base 10 in the elliptical and reciprocating action. The levers 40 each may include two or more segments or sections solidly or detachably secured together. The actuating means or device 4 may also be removed from the base 25 10 (FIGS. 8, 9), and the carrier 30 may be caused to move relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the cranks 13 and by the rider 8, and/or by the moment of inertia when the 8 users or riders 8 are stepped onto the carrier 30 or are conducting the rodeo or riding exercises. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and 5 variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and 10 should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. 9

Claims (14)

1. A riding device comprising: a base including a column and a stud extended upwardly from the base, 5 a crank device rotatably attached to the stud of the base with an axle and rotatable relative to the base in a cyclic and reciprocating action, a carrier including a front portion pivotally coupled to the column of the base for swinging relative to the base, and including a 10 rear portion pivotally coupled to the crank device for moving cyclically relative to the base and for swinging relative to the base and for allowing the carrier to be moved in an elliptical and reciprocating action relative to the base by the crank device, and a rider support supported on the carrier and moved in concert 15 with the rider support for supporting a rider, and the carrier and the rider support being movable relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the rider.

2. A riding device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of levers pivotally attached to the base and coupled to the crank 20 device for moving the crank device to rotate relative to the base.

3. A riding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the levers include a middle portion attached to the base with a spindle and include a first end pivotally coupled to the crank device.

4. The riding device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first 25 ends of the levers are coupled to the crank device with beams.

5. A riding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the levers include a foot pedal attached to each lever for being stepped and 10 depressed by the rider.

6. A riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear portion of the carrier is pivotally coupled to the crank device with a pendulum. 5

7. A riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front portion of the carrier is pivotally coupled to the column of the base with a link.

8. A riding device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the link is dependent downwardly from the column of the base and pivotally 10 coupled to the front portion of the carrier with a pivot pin.

9. A riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier includes a housing for supporting the rider support.

10. A riding device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rider support includes a post extended downwardly therefrom and 15 slidably engaged into the housing and adjustable up and down relative to the housing and the carrier.

11. A riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fly wheel is rotatably attached to the stud of the base with the axle for allowing the axle and the crank device and the fly wheel to be 20 rotated in concert with each other.

12. A riding device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a follower is rotatably attached to the base and coupled to the fly wheel for allowing the follower to be rotated by the fly wheel.

13. A riding device substantially as herein described with 25 reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Any invention described or claimed herein. II