GB2160112A - Exercise machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a wheeled frame in two or more parts pivoted so that the user can propel the machine by relative pivoting action of the two parts and, in particular, comprises a frame 10 having at its upper end a seat 11 and at its lower end a wheel 12, and a frame 13 having at its upper end a handle or steering bar 14 and at its lower end a wheel 15, the two frames being pivoted together at 16 and joined by means of a spring 17 adjustably attached to a bracket 18. Each wheel has a one-way clutch incorporated in it which can be set for forward or rearward movement. The user sits on the seat 11 and pulls the handle 14 towards him which will cause the rear wheel 15 to roll, the one-way clutch allowing movement only in one direction. The user then releases the handle 14 and the front wheel 12 will roll forward until the spring is full stretched. The machine may have two, three or four wheels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercise machine The present invention relates to an exercise machine. An object of the invention is to provide an exercise machine which is of simple construction but provides the user with a machine which can be used either for training and exercise of the limbs or by children as a toy of sports device.

In accordance with the invention an exercise machine comprises at least one wheel connected to one end of a frame or shaft with a seat at the other end of the frame or shaft, at least one other wheel connected to one end of a second shaft with a handle at the other end of the second shaft, the two shafts or frames being pivoted together at an intermediate point and having means to limit their relative pivoting movement, the wheels incorporating means to allow free movement of the machine in a selected direction but to inhibit movement of the machine in the opposite direction.

Preferably the means to limit the relative pivoting movement of the two shafts or frames is in the form of resilient means such as a coil spring. Preferably also the position of at least one end of the coil spring is adjustable.

The means to allow free movement of the machine in a selected direction but inhibit movement of the machine in the opposite direction may comprise one-way clutches in each of the wheels but these clutches may be settable at will by the user so that the movement can be either direction as selected by the user.

The wheel or wheels associated with the second shaft may be steerable. For example there may be two wheels associated with the second shaft the wheels being at opposite ends of an axle pivoted to the second shaft.

The steering may be effected by means of foot pedals attached to the axle, one on either side of the pivotal point of the axle on the second shaft.

The handle at the end of the first shaft may be in the form of convention handlebars to allow the user to steer the machine.

Thus the machine may be in the form of a bicycle or a three or four wheel cycle or it may be in the form of a more conventional four wheeled gocart type of vehicle.

From another aspect of the present invention there is provided an exercise machine comprising a first shaft or frame provided with one or more wheels at its lower end and a seat at its upper end, a second shaft or frame provided with one or more wheels at its lower end and a steering handle at its upper end, the machine having at least three wheels in all, each wheel being mounted in such a way that all the wheels are free to rotate about their axis in a common direction, but are inhibited from rotation in the opposite direction, the first and second shafts or frames being pivotally connected in such a manner that movement of the machine may be effected manually by pulling the handle towards the seat.

Preferably the two shafts or frames are biased towards each other by means of a spring and the point of adjustment of the spring may be adjusted along one or both of the shafts or frames to allow adjustment of the bias force of the spring.

The exercise machine may be used by children, teenagers and adults as a toy or a sports device for the training and exercising of the limbs, waist and the abdomen to promote muscular growth and development. The machine may also be used for the trimming of excess fat tissue from the waist, the limbs and the abdomen or for general exercise.

In addition the machine may be used to train children and adults to increase their body strength and their mental and physical reflexes.

In the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an exercise machine embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of an exercise machine embodying the present invention; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows details of the construction of parts of the machine; Figure 5 is an isometric elevation of a wheel of the machine; and Figure 6 is an exploded view of the same wheel.

As illustrated in Figure 1, and in its very simplest form, the machine comprises a shaft or frame 10 having at its upper end a seat 11 and at its lower end a wheel 12, and a shaft or frame 13 having at its upper end a handle or steering bar 14 and at its lower end a wheel 15. The two shafts are pivoted together at 16 and are joined by means of a spring 17 attached to a bracket 18 which has a number holes in it to allow for different attachment points of the spring. Each of the wheels 12 and 15 has a one-way clutch incorporated in it. In this very simple form the machine is like a bicycle and the user sits on the seat 11 and pulls the handle 14 towards him which will cause the rear wheel 15 to roll forward, the one-way clutch allowing movement only in this direction. The user then releases the handle 14 and the front wheel 12 will roll forward until the spring is full stretched.There may be positive means to prevent the two shafts or frames moving apart further than a predetermined distance. Alternatively the spring may be relied upon to limit this movement.

In Figure 2 is shown a plan view of a four wheeled vehicle incorporating the same principles as Figure 1, but in this Figure the exercise machine is shown with the spring 17 fully extended i.e. the machine is fully compressed.

The shaft 10, also shown in Figure 4 in more detail, again supports a saddle 11 and carries the bracket 18 (Figure 4) to which the spring 17 is adjustably attached. At its lower end (the left-hand in Figure 2) the shaft 10 has a spigot 19 engaged in a hollow shaft 20 and resting on a steel ball 21. The hollow shaft 20 carries at its lower end a yoke 22 which is pinned at 23 to a transverse axle 24 carrying a pair of wheels 12 and 12A. On the axle are located foot pads or pedals 25 and 26.

The handlebars 14 are located at the upper ends of a frame comprising a pair of shafts 13 and 13A and the lower ends of these shafts 13 and 13A are connected to a fixed axle 27 having wheels 15 and 15A at its outer ends.

It wil be appreciated that the construction shown in Figure 4 is such that the yoke 22 and the axle 24 which it supports can be pivoted about the shaft 10 by the force supplied by the users feet on the pads or pedals 25 and 26.

Each of the wheels is in the form shown in Figure 5 and in the exploded view Figure 6. Each wheel has a plastic socket 29 which is fixed to the transverse axle 24 or the transverse axle 27 and a tyre 30 of rubber or similar material. Each wheel comprises a one-way clutch which comprises blocking keys 31, 32 engageable with teeth 33 or 34 at will so as to allow the wheel to rotate in one direction only. The two rings of teeth have a row of balls 35 between them and are mounted as shown in Figure 6.

Because the four wheels rotate in only one direction movement is limited to forward movement of the wheels. The user operates the machine by sitting on the seat and balancing his or her body weight on the footrests or pedals on the front axle.

The user then pulls the handlebars backwards towards his or her chest. This action brings the rear wheels forward. On releasing the handlebars the front wheels move forward while the rear wheels remain locked. As the exerciser or user repeats this movement he or she thus moves forward thereby exercising himself or herself.

The exerciser can change direction to the left or right by exerting pressure on the pedals on the front axle in the direction required. The spring assists in pulling the rear axle forward and helps to reduce the force required to pull the handlebars backwards but is not absolutely essential. If the spring is not used other means such as abutments on the two shafts must be provided to limit the movement of the shafts in the opening direction.

Claims (15)

1. An exercise machine comprising at least one wheel connected to one end of a frame or shaft with a seat at the other end of the frame or shaft, at least one other wheel connected to one end of a second shaft with a handle at the other end of the second shaft, the two shafts or frames being pivoted together at an intermediate point and having means to limit their relative pivoting movement, the wheels incorporating means to allow free movement of the machine in a selected direction but to inhibit movement of the machine in the opposite direction.

2. An exercise machine according to claim 1 and in which the means to limit the relative pivoting movement of the two shafts or frames is in the form of a resilient means.

3. An exercise machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 and in which the resilient means is a coil spring.

4. An exercise machine according to claim 3 and in which the position of at least one end of the coil spring is adjustable.

5. An exercise machine according to any preceding claim and in which means to allow free movement of the machine in a selected direction but inhibit movement of the machine in the opposite direction comprises one-way clutches in each of the wheels.

6. An exercise machine according to claim 5 and in which the clutches are settable at will by the user so that the movement can be in either direction as selected by the user.

7. An exercise machine according to any preceding claim and in which the wheel or wheels associated with the second shaft is steerable.

8. An exercise machine according to claim 7 and in which there are two wheels associated with the second shaft, the wheels being at opposite ends of an axle pivoted to the second shaft.

9. An exercise machine according to claim 8 and in which the steering is effected by means of foot pedals attached to the axle, one on either side of the pivotal point of the axle on the second shaft.

10. An exercise machine according to any preceding claim and in which the handle at the end of the first shaft is in the form of conventional handlebars to allow the user to steer the machine.

11. An exercise machine according to any preceding claim in the form of a bicycle or a three or four wheel cycle or in the form of a four-wheeled go-cart type of vehicle.

12. An exercise machine comprising a first shaft or frame provided with one or more wheels at its lower end and a seat at its upper end, a second shaft or frame provided with one or more wheels at its lower end and a steering handle at its upper end, the machine having at least three wheels in all, each wheel being mounted in such a way that all the wheels are free to rotate about their axes in a common direction but are inhibited from rotation in the opposite direction, the first and second shafts or frames being pivotally connected in such a manner that movement of the machine may be effected manually by pulling the handle towards the seat.

13. An exercise machine according to claim 11 and in which the two shafts or frames are biased towards each other by means of a spring.

14. An exercise machine according to claim 13 and in which the point of adjustment of the spring it adjustable along one or both of the shafts or frames to allow adjustment of the bias force of the spring.

15. An exercise machine substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.