EP0688584B1

EP0688584B1 - Multi-functional physical exercise device

Info

Publication number: EP0688584B1
Application number: EP94301999A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ping Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-03-21
Filing date: 1994-03-21
Publication date: 1996-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-21
Also published as: EP0688584A1; AU652115B3

Description

This invention relates to a physical exercise apparatus, more particularly to a multi-functional physical exercise apparatus.
Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing a known physical exercise apparatus which is disclosed in U.S Patent No. 5,263,908. The known physical exercise apparatus includes a small rod (1a) on which a large hollow rod (3) is sleeved slidably. A first cover unit (8) is connected to a free end of the large hollow rod (3). A second cover unit (1) is connected to a free end of the small rod (1a). A pressing element (4) is mounted movably on the large hollow rod (3). A coiled spring (2) is sleeved on the large hollow rod (3) and the small rod (1a). The coiled spring (2) has one end connected to the second cover unit (1) and another end connected to the pressing element (4). A first cylinder (5) is sleeved on the large hollow rod (3) and has an end connected to the first cover unit (8). A second cylinder (6) is sleeved on the small rod (1a) and has an end connected to the second cover unit (1). A large hollow cylinder (7) is sleeved on the first cylinder (5) and the second cylinder (6) and has an end connected to the first cover unit (8). A retaining ring (9) interconnects the large hollow rod (3) and a rotary knob (9a) in such a manner that rotation of the rotary knob (9a) causes corresponding rotation of the large hollow rod (3).
When the known apparatus is used to exercise the chest muscles, the first and second cover units (8,1) are pushed toward each other so as to cause relative longitudinal movement among the small rod (1a), the large hollow rod (3), the first cylinder (5), the second cylinder (6) and the large hollow cylinder (7) in order to compress the spring (2). When the pushing pressure applied on the first and second cover units (8,1) is removed, the compressed coiled spring (3) expands to return the small rod (1a), the large hollow rod (3), the first cylinder (5), the second cylinder (6) and the large hollow cylinder (7) to their normal positions. To exercise the arm muscles, the large hollow cylinder (7) and the second cylinder (6) are held and are rotated relative to each other so as to cause relative rotation among the small rod (1a), the large hollow rod (3) and the first hollow cylinder (5) and so as to vary the relative angular positions of the two ends of the coiled spring (2). Moreover, rotation of the rotary knob (9a) causes corresponding rotation of the large hollow rod (3) in order to cause longitudinal movement of the pressing element (4) relative to the large hollow rod (3) since the pressing element (4) is restrained to rotate relative to the large hollow rod (3), thereby adjusting the restoration force of the coiled spring (2).
The apparatus can also be placed on the ground surface and rotated reciprocally with respect to the ground surface by the user's foot so as to massage the user's sole by means of the massage projections (6a, 7a) which are provided respectively on the outer surfaces of the second cylinder (6) and the large hollow cylinder (7). However, slippage of the conventional physical exercise apparatus from the user's foot usually occurs since the conventional physical exercise apparatus is rotatable when placed on the ground surface.
Therefore, it is amongst the objects of the present invention to provide a multi-functional physical exercise apparatus which can overcome the drawback associated with the above described known physical exercise apparatus.
A multi-functional physical exercise apparatus, in accordance with the invention, includes a small rod, a large hollow rod, a first cover unit, a second cover unit, a coiled spring and a cylinder means. The large hollow rod is sleeved slidably on the small rod. The first cover unit is connected to a free end of the large hollow rod. The second cover unit is connected to a free end of the small rod. Each of the first and second cover units is provided with self-supporting means for supporting non-rotatably the physical exercise apparatus on a ground surface. The coiled spring is sleeved on the large hollow rod and the small rod and is located between the first and second cover units. The coiled spring has two ends that are coupled respectively to the large hollow rod and the small rod so as to permit returning of the large hollow rod to a normal position with respect to the small rod after the large hollow rod is rotated relative to the small rod or is moved toward the small rod. The cylinder means includes a small hollow first cylinder, a small hollow second cylinder and a large hollow cylinder. The first cylinder is sleeved on the coiled spring and extends from the first cover unit. The first cylinder has a distal end away from the first cover unit and is provided with at least one outwardly extending engaging member. The second cylinder is sleeved on the coiled spring and extends from the second cover unit. The second cylinder has a distal end away from the second cover unit and is provided with at least one outwardly extending engaging member. The large hollow cylinder is sleeved rotatably on the first and second cylinders and is movable relative to the first and second cylinders in an axial direction of the first and second cylinders. The large hollow cylinder has an annular outer surface that is provided with a plurality of massaging projections, an open first end provided with an inwardly extending flange member which contacts slidably an outer surface of the first cylinder and which engages the outwardly extending engaging member of the first cylinder so as to prevent disengagement of the first cylinder from the large hollow cylinder when the first cylinder moves outwardly of the large hollow cylinder, and an open second end provided with an inwardly extending flange member which contacts slidably an outer surface of the second cylinder and which engages the outwardly extending engaging member of the second cylinder so as to prevent disengagement of the second cylinder from the large hollow cylinder when the second cylinder moves outwardly of the large hollow cylinder.
The invention is set out in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are featured in the dependent claims 2 and 3.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the conventional physical exercise apparatus disclosed in U.S Patent No. 5,263,908;
Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a multi-functional physical exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the multi-functional physical exercise apparatus according to the present invention when assembled;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the assembly of the multi-functional physical exercise apparatus according to the present invention; and
Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the multi-functional physical exercise apparatus according to the present invention when a coiled spring thereof is compressed.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, a multi-functional physical exercise apparatus is shown which includes a small rod (24), a large hollow rod (14), a first cover unit (40), a second cover unit (40a), a coiled spring (30), a stop member (70) and a cylinder means which comprises a small hollow first cylinder (10), a small hollow second cylinder (20) and a large hollow cylinder (50).
The small rod (24) is hollow and has a free end and a distal end which is opposite to the free end thereof and which has an inner surface provided with an inwardly extending flange (25).
The large hollow rod (14) is sleeved slidably on the small rod (24) and has a free end and a distal end which is opposite to the free end thereof and which has an inner surface provided with at least one inwardly extending protrusion (15) that contacts slidably an outer surface of the small rod (24). In the present embodiment, the inner surface of the large hollow rod (14) is provided with more than one inwardly extending protrusion (15).
The first cylinder (10) is disposed around and is formed integrally with the large hollow rod (14). The first cylinder (10) has a free end and a distal end which is opposite to the free end thereof and which is provided with at least one outwardly extending engaging member (12). In the present embodiment, four outwardly extending engaging members (12) are provided at the distal end of the first cylinder (10). Each of the engaging members (12) is a resilient member and has an inclined abutment surface (121). The first cylinder (10) is provided with an outwardly extending flange (11) adjacent to the free end thereof. The flange (11) is formed with a notch and has a mounting surface which is opposite to the distal end of the first cylinder (10) and which is formed with an axially extending endless flange (111). A plurality of angularly spaced and longitudinally extending protuberances (112) are provided on the mounting surface of the flange (11). Each of the protuberances (112) is formed with a longitudinally extending receiving hole (113). Referring to Fig. 4, the large hollow rod (14) and the first cylinder (10) cooperatively define a receiving space (13) therebetween. The receiving space (13) is located adjacent to the distal end of the first cylinder (10). The large hollow rod (14) and the first cylinder (10) are further formed with a longitudinally extending positioning hole (16) that is located adjacent to the free end of the first cylinder (10) and that is communicated with the receiving space (13).
The second cylinder (20) has a construction similar to that of the first cylinder (10). The second cylinder (20) is disposed around and is formed integrally with the small rod (24). The second cylinder (20) has a free end and a distal end which is opposite to the free end thereof and which is provided with at least one outwardly extending engaging member (22). In the present embodiment, four outwardly extending engaging members (22) are provided at the distal end of the second cylinder (20). Each of the engaging members (22) is a resilient member and has an inclined abutment surface (221). The second cylinder (20) is provided with an outwardly extending flange (21) adjacent to the free end thereof. The flange (21) is formed with a notch and has a mounting surface which is opposite to the distal end of the second cylinder (20) and which is formed with an axially extending endless flange (211), as shown in Fig. 4. A plurality of angularly spaced and longitudinally extending protuberances (212) are provided on the mounting surface of the flange (21). Each of the protuberances (212) is formed with a longitudinally extending receiving hole (213). The small rod (24) and the second cylinder (20) cooperatively define a receiving space (23) therebetween. The receiving space (23) is located adjacent to the distal end of the second cylinder (20). The small rod (24) and the second cylinder (20) are further formed a longitudinally extending positioning hole (26) that is located adjacent to the free end of the second cylinder (20) and that is communicated with the receiving space (23).
The first cover unit (40) includes a generally annular cover plate (401) and a self-supporting means (44). In the present embodiment, the self-supporting means (44) is a substantially annular ring member having a generally C-shaped portion with two terminal ends and an indented portion interconnecting the terminal ends of the C-shaped portion in such a manner that the self-supporting means (44) conforms to the flange (11) of the first cylinder (10). The self-supporting means (44) has two side surfaces respectively formed with a substantially annular mounting groove (441,442), as shown in Fig. 4. The mounting groove (441) receives the endless flange (111) of the first cylinder (10). The self-supporting means (44) further has an outer surface formed with a plurality of slippage resisting projections (443) and two supporting legs (444) which extend respectively from the terminal ends of the C-shaped portion. The cover plate (401) is formed with a notch so as to conform with the self-supporting means (44) and is further formed with an axially extending endless flange (42) which extends into the mounting groove (442). A plurality of plug members (41) extend longitudinally from the cover plate (401) in a direction similar to that of the flange (42). Each of the plug members (41) extends into the receiving hole (113) of a corresponding one of the protuberances (112) so as to retain the first cover unit (40) at the free ends of the first cylinder (10) and the large hollow rod (14). The cover plate (401) further has a surface which is opposite to the plug members (41) and which is provided with a plurality of massaging projections (43).
The construction of the second cover unit (40a) is similar to that of the first cover unit (40). The mounting groove (441a) of the second cover unit (40a) receives the endless flange (211) of the second cylinder (20). The self-supporting means (44a) also has an outer surface formed with a plurality of slippage resisting projections (443a) and two supporting legs (444) which extend respectively from the terminal ends of the C-shaped portion. The cover plate (401a) is also formed with a notch so as to conform with the self-supporting means (44a) and is further formed with an axially extending endless flange (42a) which extends into the mounting groove (442a) of the self-supporting means (44a). A plurality of plug members (41a) extend longitudinally from the cover plate (401a) in a direction similar to that of the flange (42a). Each of the plug members (41a) extends into the receiving hole (213) of a corresponding one of the protuberances (212) so as to retain the second cover unit (40a) at the free ends of the second cylinder (20) and the small rod (24). The cover plate (401a) further has a surface which is opposite to the cover plate (401) of the first cover unit (40) and which is provided with a plurality of massaging projections (43a).
The coiled spring (30) is sleeved on the small rod (24) and the large hollow rod (14). The coiled spring (30) has one end which extends into the receiving space (13) and which is retained in the positioning hole (16), and another end which extends into the receiving space (23) and which is retained in the positioning hole (26).
The large hollow cylinder (50) is sleeved rotatably on the first and second cylinders (10,20) and is movable relative to the first and second cylinders (10,20) in an axial direction of the first and second cylinders (10,20). The large hollow cylinder (50) has an annular outer surface that is provided with a plurality of massaging projections (53), an open first end provided with an inwardly extending flange member (51) which contacts slidably the outer surface of the first cylinder (10) and which engages the abutment surfaces (121) of the outwardly extending engaging members (12) of the first cylinder (10) so as to prevent disengagement of the first cylinder (10) from the large hollow cylinder (50) when the first cylinder (10) moves outwardly of the large hollow cylinder (50), and an open second end (52) which is threaded externally. In the present embodiment, each of the massaging projections (53) is a generally conical projection. An internally threaded locking ring (60) engages threadably the second end (52) of the large hollow cylinder (50) and is formed with an inwardly extending flange member (61) which contacts slidably the outer surface of the second cylinder (20) and which engages the abutment surfaces (221) of the outwardly extending engaging members (22) of the second cylinder (20) so as to prevent disengagement of the second cylinder (20) from the large hollow cylinder (50) when the second cylinder (20) moves outwardly of the large hollow cylinder (50).
The stop member (70) is disposed in the large hollow rod (14) and includes an annular plate portion (71) and a hook portion (72). The annular plate portion (71) contacts slidably the inner surface of the large hollow rod (14). In the present embodiment, the hook portion (72) includes two spaced-apart resilient strips which define a space therebetween and which extend axially from the plate portion (71) and into the small rod (24) via the distal end of the latter. The strips of the hook portion (72) have hooked ends which engage the inwardly extending flange (25) so as to prevent the disengagement of the stop member (70) from the small rod (24), as shown in Fig. 4. When the small rod (24) moves away from the large hollow rod (14), the plate portion (71) of the stop member (70) abuts against the inwardly extending protrusion (15) of the large hollow rod (14) so as to prevent the disengagement of the small rod (24) from the large hollow rod (14).
In assembly, the locking ring (60) engages threadably the second end (52) of the large hollow cylinder (50). The small rod (24) and the second cylinder (20) are inserted into the large hollow cylinder (50) via the second end (52) of the latter. The engaging members (22) abut against the flange member (61) so as to prevent the second cylinder (20) from disengaging the large hollow cylinder (50) when the second cylinder (20) moves outwardly of the latter. The ends of the coiled spring (30) are then retained respectively in the receiving holes (16,26). The first cylinder (10) and the large hollow rod (14) are inserted into the large hollow cylinder (50) via the open first end of the latter. At the same time, the small rod (24) extends into the large hollow rod (14). The engaging members (12) abut against the flange member (51) so as to prevent the first cylinder (10) from disengaging the large hollow cylinder (50) when the first cylinder (10) moves outwardly of the latter. The stop member (70) is disposed slidably in the large hollow rod (14) such that the hooked ends of the hook portion (72) extend into the small rod (24) via the distal end of the latter in order to engage the flange (25) of the small rod (24). The plate portion (71) of the stop member (70) engages the protrusions (15) of the large hollow rod (14) in order to prevent disengagement of the small rod (24) from the large hollow rod (14) when the small rod (24) moves away from the large hollow rod (14). Therefore, because of the presence of the engaging members (12,22), the flange members (51,61), the protrusions (15) and the plate portion (71), separation of the first and second cylinders (10,20) from the large hollow cylinder (50) and that of the large hollow rod (14) from the small rod (24) do not occur easily. Finally, the first and second cover units (40,40a) are mounted to the flanges (11,21) of the first and second cylinders (10,20) in the above described manner.
Referring once more to Fig. 4, when the physical exercise apparatus is in a normal condition, the coiled spring (30) urges the plate portion (71) to abut against the protrusions (15) and the flange members (51,61) to abut against the engaging members (12,22). Referring to Fig. 5, when the preferred embodiment is used to exercise the chest muscles, the first and second cover units (40,40a) are pushed toward each other so as to compress the coiled spring (30). At this stage, movement of the first and second cylinders (10,20) relative to the large hollow cylinder (50) and movement of the small rod (24) relative to the large hollow rod (14) occur. The coiled spring (30) acts to return the first and second cylinders (10,20), the large hollow cylinder (50), the small rod (24) and the large hollow rod (14) to their normal positions when the pressure applied on the first and second cover units (40,40a) is removed.
To exercise the arm muscles, the first and second cylinders (10,20) are held and are rotated relative to each other so as to change the relative angular positions of the two ends of the coiled spring (30). Releasing one of the first and second cylinders (10,20) causes the coiled spring (30) to return to its normal state.
When the preferred embodiment is used to massage the user's sole, the physical exercise apparatus is supported non-rotatably on a ground surface by the supporting legs (444,444a) thereof. Then, the user can put his foot on the physical exercise apparatus such that his sole rests on the large hollow cylinder (50). Rolling the large hollow cylinder (50) reciprocally with the use of the user's sole results in massaging of the sole due to the presence of the massaging projections (53) on the large hollow cylinder (50). Since the physical exercise apparatus is supported non-rotatably on the ground surface, slipping of the physical exercise apparatus from the user's foot is thus prevented. It should be noted that another body part can also be massaged in the above described manner.

Claims

A physical exercise apparatus including a small rod (24), a large hollow rod (14) sleeved slidably on said small rod (24), a first cover unit (40) connected to a free end of said large hollow rod (14), a second cover unit (40a) connected to a free end of said small rod (24), and a coiled spring (30) which is sleeved on said large hollow rod (14) and said small rod (24) and which is located between said first and second cover units (40, 40a), said coiled spring (30) having two ends coupled respectively to said large hollow rod (14) and said small rod (24) so as to permit returning of said large hollow rod (14) to a normal position with respect to said small rod (24) after said large hollow rod (14) is rotated relative to said small rod (24) or is moved towards said small rod (24), and, a cylinder means including a small hollow first cylinder (10) which is sleeved on said coiled spring (30) and which extends from said first cover unit (40), said first cylinder (10) having a distal end away from said first cover unit (40) and provided with at least one outwardly extending engaging member (12), a small hollow second cylinder (20) which is sleeved on said coiled spring (30) and which extends from said second cover unit (40a), said second cylinder (20) having a distal end away from said second cover unit (40a) and provided with at least one outwardly extending engaging member (22), and a large hollow cylinder (50) which is sleeved rotatably on said first and second cylinders (10, 20) and which is moveable relative to said first and second cylinders (10, 20) in an axial direction of said first and second cylinders (10, 20), said large hollow cylinder (50) having an annular outer surface provided with a plurality of massaging projections (53), an open first end provided with an inwardly extending flange member (51) which contacts slidably an outer surface of said first cylinder (10) and which engages said outwardly extending engaging member (12) of said first cylinder (10) so as to prevent disengagement of said first cylinder (10) from said large hollow cylinder (50) when said first cylinder (10) moves outwardly of said large hollow cylinder (50), and an open second end provided with an inwardly extending flange member (61) which contacts slidably an outer surface of said second cylinder (20) and which engages said outwardly extending engaging member (22) of said second cylinder (20) so as to prevent disengagement of said second cylinder (20) from said large hollow cylinder (50) when said second cylinder (20) moves outwardly of said large hollow cylinder (50), wherein each of said first and second cover units (40, 40a) are provided with self-supporting means (44, 44a) for supporting non-rotatably said physical exercise apparatus on a ground surface.
A physical exercise apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said large hollow rod (14) has a distal end which is opposite to said free end thereof and which has an inner surface provided with at least one inwardly extending protrusion (15) that contacts slidably an outer surface of said small rod (24), said small rod (24) being hollow and having a distal end which is opposite to said free end thereof and which has an inner surface provided with an inwardly extending flange (25), said physical exercise apparatus further comprising a stop member (70) which is disposed in said large hollow rod (14), said stop member (70) including an annular plate portion (71) which contacts slidably said inner surface of said large hollow rod (14), and a hook portion (72) which extends axially from said plate portion (71) and into said small rod (24) via said distal end of said small rod (24) and which engages said inwardly extending flange (25) so as to prevent disengagement of said stop member (70) from said small rod (24), whereby, in a case where said small rod (24) moves away from said large hollow rod (14), said plate portion (71) of said stop member (70) abuts said inwardly extending protrusion (15) of said large hollow rod (14) so as to prevent disengagement of said small rod (24) from said large hollow rod (14).
A physical exercise apparatus as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said first cover unit (40) has a surface opposite to said second cover unit (40a) and provided with a plurality of massaging projections (43), said second cover unit (40a) further having a surface opposite to said first cover unit (40) and provided with a plurality of massaging projections (43a).