CN111870881A - Climbing exercise device - Google Patents

Abstract

A climbing exercise device having ipsilateral and contralateral modes of operation may include a frame supporting generally vertically oriented movable slide members in spaced relation to one another. The slide member may include a foot support secured at a lower distal end thereof and a handle in adjustable telescoping relationship with the slide member. The handle may be rotatably mounted proximate the upper distal end of the handlebar. The handle may be rotatable about a tilt axis that is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the grip and selectively locked for ipsilateral and contralateral operation of the climbing exercise device.

Description

Climbing exercise device

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority and benefit of U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/920,559 filed on 3/5/2019 and is a partial continuation of chinese patent application No. 201911127973.0 filed on 18/11/2019, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to a climbing exercise device having exercise paths that are substantially vertical and parallel to each other.

Background

Climbing exercise machines allow a user to simulate a climbing activity in which roughly two coordinated physical movements are possible. The first motion may be referred to as ipsilateral motion, wherein asymmetric motion of the upper and lower extremities occurs on the same side, and the second motion is referred to as contralateral motion, wherein the upper extremity moves diagonally with the opposite lower extremity. The first motion of ipsilateral or linear climbing is more closely related to martial arts, which typically employ ipsilateral motions, than the second motion of symmetric or cross-climbing, which is more closely related to reverse exercises such as swimming and walking. In ipsilateral movements, the body halves do not cooperate but move independently, and in contralateral movements, the brain sides work in a coordinated manner simultaneously.

Disclosure of Invention

A climbing exercise device having ipsilateral and contralateral modes of operation may include a frame supporting generally vertically oriented movable slide members in spaced relation to one another. The slide member may include a foot support secured at a lower distal end thereof and a handle in adjustable telescoping relationship with the slide member. The handle may be rotatably mounted proximate the upper distal end of the grip. The handle may be rotatable about a tilt axis that is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the grip. The handles may be selectively locked for climbing ipsilateral and contralateral operations of the exercise device.

Drawings

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a climbing exercise device.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3A-3C are partial perspective views depicting a transition of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 1 from a contralateral exercise mode to an ipsilateral exercise mode.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded partial perspective view of the handle of the climbing exercise device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded partial perspective view of an alternative configuration of a handle of the climbing exercise device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a climbing exercise device.

Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a front view of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 7.

11A-11C are perspective views depicting the transition of the climbing exercise device shown in FIG. 7 from the ipsilateral exercise mode to the contralateral exercise mode.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a climbing exercise device.

Fig. 13 is a side view of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a climbing exercise device.

Fig. 15A is an enlarged perspective view of the handle of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 15B is an exploded view of the handle shown in fig. 15A.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative configuration of the handle of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged perspective view, partially broken away, of the handle of the climbing exercise device shown in fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the handle shown in fig. 16.

Detailed Description

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a climbing exercise device is indicated generally by reference numeral 100. Climbing exercise device 100 may include a frame 110, frame 110 including spaced apart base members 112, 113 interconnected by cross-connecting members 114. Left and right guide members 118, 120 extending generally vertically may be fixedly secured to the base member 112. The left guide member 118 and the right guide member 120 may be spaced apart and connected at the upper distal ends of the immediately adjacent guide members by a transverse bracket 122 that bridges the space between the left guide member 118 and the right guide member 120 and maintains their parallel relationship to each other. The generally angularly extending support member 116 may have a lower end secured to the base member 112 and an upper end connected to the bracket 122. The left and right guide members 118, 120 may extend generally vertically upward from the base member 112 generally at an acute angle a of about fifteen (15) degrees, angled toward the base member 113.

The left and right guide members 118, 120 may movably support left and right tubular slide members 124, 126, respectively. The guide members 118, 120 and the slide members 124, 126 are depicted in the figures as having a substantially rectangular cross-section. However, it should be understood that the guide members 118, 120 and the slide members 124, 126 may include other cross-sectional shapes, such as, but not limited to, circular, cylindrical, triangular, etc. The sliding members 124, 126 may reciprocate linearly relative to the guide members 118, 120. The rollers 128, etc. may provide a linear bearing surface in a manner known in the art. The foot platform 130 may be secured in a generally non-adjustable manner proximate the lower distal ends of the reciprocating members 124, 126. A cover or shield may be secured to frame 110 to cover or enclose a central portion of climbing exercise device 100.

The rollers 128 may be disposed between the front and rear plates of the bracket 122. The roller 128 may be rotatable about an axle 132, the axle 132 fixedly securing the bracket 122 to the left and right guide members 118, 120. The bracket 122 may include a center block 134 secured between its front and rear plates. The central block 134 in cooperation with the rollers 128 may provide lateral restraint to the mutual movement of the sliding members 124, 126.

The foot platform 130 may be fixedly secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members 124, 126 in a substantially non-adjustable manner. In some cases, the foot platform 130 may be configured for pivotal movement. The foot platform 130 may be secured to a generally C-shaped foot bracket 138, the foot bracket 138 being fixedly secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members 124, 126. The roller 140 may be rotatably secured to the foot bracket 138, the foot bracket 138 providing lateral restraint at the lower end of the sliding members 124, 126.

The slide members 124, 126 are generally vertically oriented and may be linearly reciprocated by the user at a distance corresponding to the user's maximum desired step height. The pulley 142 may be rotatably secured to the bracket 122. A flexible member or cable 144 may be used to provide reciprocal or counter-dependent motion of the slide members 124, 126. The cable 144 may be routed over the pulley 142 and its distal end secured to the respective slide member 124, 126.

Left and right handles 146, 148 may be adjustably secured to slide members 124, 126. The handles 146, 148 may include elongated handle leg members 150 in telescoping relation with the respective slide members 124, 126. The handles 146, 148 may be selectively adjusted relative to the slide members 124, 126. Handles 146, 148 may be releasably engaged with latch adjustment apertures 152 formed in slide members 124, 126 to set handles 146, 148 to a desired arm extension distance of a user climbing exercise device 100.

The left and right handles 146, 148 may include left and right handles 154, 156 secured to the upper distal ends of the handle leg members 150. Left and right handles 154, 156 may be rotatably secured to mounting studs 158 projecting from handle leg member 150. The mounting stud 158 may extend outwardly from the handle leg member 150 and define an axis a that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle leg member 150. The mounting stud 158 may include a stud boss 160 at its distal end having an outwardly facing generally flat face or flat surface 162 that slopes rearwardly from the top edge to the bottom edge of the flat surface 162. The pier boss 160 can include a threaded bore 164 defining an axis B perpendicular to the face 162 of the pier boss 160. The axes a and B may define an inclination angle θ of between five and thirty degrees (5 ° to 30 °). The handles 154, 156 may be coupled to the handle leg member 150 by screwing the threaded shaft 166 of the knob 168 into the bore 164 of the pier boss 160 through the bore 155 extending through the handle proximate the distal end of the handles 154, 156 such that the handles 154, 156 are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle leg member 150.

Referring now to fig. 4, it will be appreciated that the axes B of the two handles 154, 156 lie in a vertical plane P1 at the lateral center of the climbing exercise device 100, illustrating that the lateral displacement of the handles 154, 156 is equal in both ipsilateral and contralateral modes of operation of the climbing exercise device 100.

Handles 154, 156 may be secured to handle leg member 150 for a user to operate climbing exercise device 100 in both ipsilateral (straight) or contralateral (cross) exercise modes. Changing the operating mode of the climbing exercise device 100 from the ipsilateral mode to the contralateral mode (or vice versa) may be performed by loosening the knob 168 and rotating the handles 154, 156 about axis B to the opposite lateral side of the climbing exercise device 100. The tilt axis B of the handles 154, 156 prevents the handles 154, 156 from colliding when rotated about the axis B, as depicted in fig. 3A-3C, which illustrate the transition of the handles 154, 156 from the contralateral mode of operation to the ipsilateral mode of operation of the climbing exercise device 100. For example, but not by way of limitation, the tilt angle θ shown in FIG. 1 may be approximately eighteen (18) degrees.

Referring now to fig. 5, the flat surface 162 of the pier boss 160 and the interface surfaces of the handles 154, 156 may include crowns or circumferentially displaced tips and recesses 170, 172, respectively, to minimize the torque required to tighten or loosen the knob 168. The tips and recesses 170, 172 may allow fine angular adjustment to enable a user to position the handles 154, 156 at angles other than horizontal relative to axis B as desired.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative configuration for locking the handles 154, 156 to the handle support leg member 150. The face 162 of the pier boss 160 may include a generally vertical recess 174 that intersects the threaded bore 164. The handles 154, 156 may include upstanding projections 176 on opposite sides of the aperture 155 at the distal ends of the handles 154, 156. The recess 174 and the projection 176 may intersect the axis B at right angles. The projections 176 may be received in the corresponding recesses 174 and the knob 168 is tightened to lock the handles 154, 156 to the grip leg member 150.

Referring now to fig. 7-11A-11C, a second embodiment of a climbing exercise device is indicated generally by the reference numeral 200. As indicated by the common reference numbers, the climbing exercise device 200 is similar to the climbing exercise device 100 except that the tubular slide members 224, 226 are generally displaced fore and aft relative to each other rather than being arranged side-by-side as with the climbing exercise device 100. Similar to the climbing exercise device 100, the pulley 142 and cable 144 may cooperatively provide the opposite, dependent action of the sliding members 224, 226, with the cable 144 routed over the pulley 142 and the distal end of the cable 144 fixedly secured to the respective sliding member 224, 226. The handles 246, 248 may be adjustably retractable into or extendable out of the respective slide members 224, 226 in a selective manner. Locking pin adjustment apertures 252 and the like disposed on leg members 250 of the handles 246, 248 may be cooperatively engaged by spring biased pins 253 and the like secured to the slide members 224, 226 to position the handles 154, 156 to a desired arm extension height of the user. The foot platform 230 may be secured in a generally non-adjustable manner proximate the lower ends of the slide members 224, 226, however, in some cases, pivoting of the foot platform 230 may be provided to allow for changes in the orientation of the user's foot.

The climbing exercise device 200 may include a frame including a base 210 and a post 212, the post 212 extending generally vertically upward from the base 210 generally forwardly at an acute angle β of approximately fifteen (15 °) degrees, as shown in fig. 10. The slide members 224, 256 may be linearly fastened to the frame 210 by rollers or slides not shown. The slide members 224, 226 may be secured to the frame 210 by guide members that include two or more generally U-shaped brackets 270 and 272 vertically spaced from each other and fixedly secured to the strut 212. For purposes of illustration, but not by way of limitation, the slide members 224, 226 may be linearly constrained by rollers 260, 262, and 264. The rollers 260 and 264 may be disposed between the sidewalls of the brackets 270, 272 and rotatably secured thereto. The fore-aft rolling constraint may be provided by a central roller 264 disposed between the slide members 224, 226, where the roller 264 is tangent to the opposing moving surface, and a roller 260 that may be in rolling contact with the side of the slide members 224, 226 opposite the roller 264. Additional side-to-side rolling constraint may be provided by lateral rollers 262 rotatably secured to roller support 274. The roller support 274 may be fixedly secured to the supports 270, 272. Lateral rollers 262 may be oriented perpendicular to rollers 260 and may be in rolling contact with opposite sides of sliding members 224, 226. Those skilled in the art will recognize that where roller 260 includes a circumferential flange, roller 262 may be omitted.

The pulley 142 may be disposed between the sliding members 224, 226 below the bracket 270. The pulley 142 may be rotatably supported by support arms 225, 227 fastened to and extending downwardly from opposite sides of the bracket 270. The frame 210 may include a fixed handle 119 that the user can grasp to stabilize himself or to grasp while reciprocating his legs up and down only.

As with the climbing exercise device 100, the inclined orientation of the handles 154, 156 prevents the handles 154, 156 from colliding when rotating about the axis B. Fig. 11A-11C depict the transition of handles 154, 156 from the ipsilateral mode of operation to the contralateral mode of operation of climbing exercise device 200. For example, but not by way of limitation, the tilt angle θ shown in FIG. 7 may be approximately eighteen (18) degrees.

Referring now to fig. 12-14, a third embodiment of a climbing exercise device is indicated generally by the reference numeral 300. As indicated by the common use of reference numbers, climbing exercise device 300 is similar to climbing exercise device 200 except that handles 354 and 356 are not inclined. Similar to the climbing exercise device 200, the tubular slide members 224, 226 are generally displaced back and forth relative to each other. The pulley 142 and cable 144 may cooperatively provide an opposing dependent action of the sliding members 224, 226, with the cable 144 routed over the pulley 142 and the distal end of the cable 144 fixedly secured to the respective sliding member 224, 226. The handles 346, 348 may be adjustably retractable into or extendable out of the respective slide members 224, 226 in a selective manner. A locking pin adjustment aperture 352 and the like disposed on the leg member 350 of the handles 346, 348 may be cooperatively engaged by a spring biased pin 253 and the like secured to the slide members 224, 226 to position the handles 354, 356 to a desired arm extension height of the user. The foot platform 230 may be secured in a generally non-adjustable manner proximate the lower ends of the slide members 224, 226, however, in some cases, pivoting of the foot platform 230 may be provided to allow for changes in the orientation of the user's foot.

Handles 354, 356 may be releasably secured to leg member 350 of handles 346, 348 for use in either the ipsilateral or contralateral exercise mode. For purposes of illustration, but not by way of limitation, bolts or pins 358 or the like may be used to secure the handles 354, 356 to the leg member 350. Alternatively, a pin may protrude from a distal end (not shown in the figures) of the handles 346, 348, which may be inserted into the hole 352 to secure the handles 354, 356 to the leg member 350. Other devices and methods may be employed to secure the handles 354, 356 to the leg member 350, such as a friction clamp. Geometric shapes (convex or concave) such as squares, rectangles or triangles may be formed on the leg member 350 and corresponding squares, rectangles or triangles formed on the handles 354, 356 for mating engagement therewith.

Referring now to fig. 14, a fourth embodiment of a climbing exercise device is generally indicated by reference numeral 400. As indicated by the common reference numbers, climbing exercise device 400 is similar to climbing exercise device 100 except for handle assembly 410. The handle assembly 410 may be rotatably secured to a mounting stud 158 protruding from the handle leg member 150. As described above with reference to climbing exercise device 100, mounting studs 158 may extend outwardly from handle leg member 150 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of handle leg member 150. The mounting stud 158 may include a stud boss 160 at its distal end having an outwardly facing generally flat or planar face 162 that slopes rearwardly from the top edge to the bottom edge of the planar face 162. The pier boss 160 can include a threaded bore 164 defining an axis B perpendicular to the face 162 of the pier boss 160. Hub 414 may be fixedly secured to flat surface 162 of pier boss 160. The hub 414 may include two notches 415 at one hundred eighty degrees (180 °) of circumferential displacement.

Handle assembly 410 may include a handle support member 416 rotatably secured to pier boss 160. The handle support member 416 may include a support arm 418 fixedly secured to a generally L-shaped bracket 420. The support 420 may enclose a cavity 421.

The handle assembly 410 may also include a handle 422 fixedly secured to a generally L-shaped indexing shaft 424. An indexing pin 426 may protrude from the distal end of the indexing shaft 424. When assembled with the handle support member 416, the handle 422 can be slid over the support arm 418 and the indexing shaft 424 extends through the opening 430 into the cavity 421 of the support 420. An indexing pin 426 may protrude through a slot 428 formed in the bracket 420 to engage one of the notches 415 of the hub 414 to position the handle assembly 410 for either ipsilateral or contralateral climbing exercises. Handle assembly 410 may be rotatably secured to pier boss 160 by a hub shaft 431, hub shaft 431 extending through a hole 433 in bracket 420 and threadably secured to pier boss 160.

A biasing member 432 (e.g., without limitation, a compression spring) may provide a biasing force to maintain the index pin 426 in contact with the notch 415. The biasing member 432 may be journaled about a bolt 434, the bolt 434 being threadably connected to the support arm 418. Biasing member 432 may be disposed between bolt head 436 and the end of handle 422. Tightening the bolt 434 to the support arm 418 compresses the biasing member 432 against the end of the handle 422 and thereby provides a biasing force that moves the index pin 426 into engagement with one of the notches 415 of the hub 414. Switching the climbing mode may be accomplished by moving the handle 422 laterally outward to disengage the indexing pin 426 from one of the recesses 415 and rotating the handle assembly 410 about the hub axle 431 to align the indexing pin 426 with another one of the recesses 415. The biasing force applied by the biasing member 432 causes the indexing pin to move laterally into the recess 415.

Referring now to fig. 16-18, an alternative configuration of a handle assembly is generally indicated by reference numeral 500. The handle assembly 500 is similar to the handle assembly 41420, as indicated by the common reference numerals. The handle assembly 500 may include a thumb ring 510, and the thumb ring 510 may be actuated laterally outward when the handle 422 is substantially stationary and not directly connected to the index shaft 424. The thumb ring 510 may be fixedly secured to the end of the indexing shaft 424, which may be enclosed within the L-shaped bracket 420. The handle 422 may be fixedly secured to the bracket 420. A biasing member 512 (e.g., without limitation, a compression spring) may be inserted between the end face of the handle 422 and the indexing shaft 424 to bias the indexing pin 426 into engagement with one of the recesses 415 of the hub 414. The biasing member 512 may be journaled about a pin 514 having an end secured to the indexing shaft 424 and an opposite end extending into a bore 516 formed in the handle 422, as shown in fig. 17. The index pin 426 may be disengaged from the recesses 415 by moving the thumb ring 510 laterally outward against the biasing force of the biasing member 512 and rotating the handle assembly 500 about the hub axle 431 to align the index pin 426 with another one of the recesses 415.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims (10)

1. A climbing exercise device comprising:

a) a frame;

b) two or more guide members fixedly secured to the frame;

c) a tubular member movably supported by each of the two or more guide members;

d) a handle coupled to the tubular member;

e) a handle assembly movably secured to the handle, the handle assembly movable from a first position to a second position to perform ipsilateral or contralateral climbing exercises; and

f) a foot support secured proximate a lower distal end of the tubular member.

2. The climbing exercise device of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a leg member slidably received by the tubular member, and further comprising a mounting stud projecting from the leg member.

3. The climbing exercise device of claim 2, wherein the mounting stud includes an outwardly facing planar surface that slopes rearwardly from a top edge to a bottom edge of the planar surface, the mounting stud including an aperture perpendicular to the planar surface, the aperture defining a second axis that slopes relative to the first axis.

4. The climbing exercise device of claim 3, wherein the second axis is inclined at an angle between 5 ° and 30 ° relative to the first axis.

5. The climbing exercise device of claim 4, wherein the handle assembly is rotatable about the second axis.

6. The climbing exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes a handle support member rotatably secured to the handle, the handle support member including a support arm fixedly secured to a bracket, the bracket enclosing a cavity.

7. The climbing exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes a handle fixedly secured to an indexing shaft, the indexing shaft including an indexing pin protruding from a distal end of the indexing shaft.

8. The climbing exercise device of claim 7, comprising a hub fixedly secured to the handle, the hub including at least two notches circumferentially displaced from one another by one hundred eighty degrees (180 °).

9. The climbing exercise device of claim 8, comprising a biasing member that applies a biasing force to the indexing shaft.

10. The climbing exercise device of claim 6, wherein the handle assembly includes a handle fixedly secured to the bracket.

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