TW423974B - Exercise apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An exercise apparatus has left and right foot skates which are constrained to move back and for the in reciprocal fashion. Left and right foot platforms are movably mounted on respective foot skates and constrained to move up and down in reciprocal fashion. The apparatus may be operated in different modes of operation, including a first mode, wherein the foot skates are free to move back and forth and the foot platforms are free to move up and down; a second mode, wherein the foot platforms are free to move up and down, but the foot skates are locked against movement; and a third mode, wherein the foot skates are free to move back and forth, but the foot platforms are locked against movement. Resistance may be provided to back and forth movement of the foot skates and/or up and down movement of the foot platforms.

Description

Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 423974 'A7 B7 _ V. Description of the Invention (1) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to sports methods and devices, and in particular to equipment that facilitates the foot to travel on various paths. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sports equipment has been designed to facilitate various lower body movements. For example, treadmills allow people to walk or run in place; steppers allow people to climb in place; bicycle machines allow people to step in place; and other machines to guide people The foot follows an elliptical path. There are still other exercise devices, disclosed in US Patent No. 5,290,21 to Stearns, which are designed to facilitate several different movements, including comparable to walking, running, stepping, stepping, stepping, skiing And / or elliptical movements of free-form foot movement path and control-type foot movement path. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among these, the present invention provides an exercise device that facilitates a natural walking motion like a treadmill, but has greater flexibility and / or less chance of injury. In this regard, the left and right foot supports are pivotally mounted on the left and right slides. The slide can move back and forth relative to a base, and the foot support can move up and down relative to the slide. Moreover, the length of each step and the speed of the foot movements can be changed by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the foot support is disposed above a platform, the platform provides a stable surface for mounting and removing the foot stand, and shields the slider and related link components. The long rod extends through the groove of the platform to connect the foot support to the carriage. The slide is defined to move back and forth in a reciprocating manner, and the stand is defined to move up and down in a reciprocating manner. Slide backward The paper size applies to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297mm)

(谞 Please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page) 4 423 974 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (2) The flywheel is subject to variable resistance caused by the movement of the flywheel> The resistance element is also connected between the footrest and the slide base 'so that Prevent the former from pivoting downwards relative to the latter. The entire foot support assembly is mounted on a base which is pivotable relative to a front pillar ' to facilitate storage and / or transport of the machine of this preferred embodiment. Another aspect of the present invention is to facilitate performing various kinds of motions on the left and right supports movably mounted on the base. In the first operation mode, the 'selector' is free to move back and forth and up and down relative to the base. In the second operation mode, the 'foot support can only move freely up and down relative to the base, similar to the way of stepping on a step. In the third mode of operation, the foot support is free to move back and forth relative to the base, similar to the way skiing. In each operation mode, the human foot is supported during the entire movement, and there is almost no impact on the human joint. If full body movement is required, the handle can be movably mounted on the base and connected to the foot link assembly. The advantages and variations of the present invention will become clearer from the more detailed description below. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be described briefly with reference to the following circular diagrams: Figure 1 is an external view of a sports device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention; Figure 2 is an external view of the stacked sports device of Figure 1-stacked appearance; Figure is the external view of the connecting rod assembly of the moving device of Figure 1: Figure 4 is another external view of the connecting rod assembly of Figure 3; Figure 5 is still the connecting rod assembly of Figure 3 Another appearance drawing; Figure 6 is the appearance of another connecting rod assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The paper size is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) (Please read the precautions on the back first) (Fill in this page again)

• III) ^ IIHI ^ 1 ^ IIII Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 5 4 23 97 4,!; A7 R7 Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs i. Invention Description (3) 团 · Group, Figure 7 is another external view of the connecting rod assembly of Figure 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is designated as 100 in Figs. The exercise device 100 includes a base 110 '-a ground-engaging support frame 120' connected to the base 110, two stationary handles 130 mounted on the support frame 120, and two foot support members 140. The foot support members 140 pass through the first The connecting rod assembly 150 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is movably mounted relative to the base 110. The movement device 100 is generally symmetrical about a vertical plane extending through the center longitudinal direction of the base 11 '. The left and right parts are given the same reference numerals. The base 110 is a shield or a housing, and extends from the front end 111 to the rear end 112, and has a platform 113 facing upward. The strength and space of the platform 113 behind the foot support member 140 is sufficient to support a person in a standing posture. Left and right longitudinally extending slots 114 are provided in the platform 113 for reasons explained below. The frame 120 includes a ground engaging portion 126 that is rotatably mounted to the base 110 at a pivot W, keeping the front end 111 of the base 110 above the ground. A spring-loaded extension member 115 has a rear end rotatably connected to a rear portion of the base 110 at a first pivot XI, and a front end rotatably connected to a rear portion of the frame 120 at a second pivot X2. Serving. The extension member 115 is compressed between the base 110 and the frame 120. Once the extension XI is moved above the line drawn between the axis X2 and the axis W, the extension member 115 pushes the rear end 112 of the base 110 upward. . The frame 120 also includes an upright portion or pillar 128 that extends upwardly from the ground-engaging portion 126. The distal end of the pillar 128 is bent back to provide the paper size applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) 6 _______________ r »______ Μ--Order_ _ _ ______I (Please read the note on the back first Fill out this page again) 423974 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (4) Fixed handle 130. The user interface element 190 is mounted on the top of the pillar 128 to facilitate the use of the exercise device 100 to provide information about the performance of the exercise device 100 and / or the user. A leaf spring latch 129 is mounted on one side of the pillar 128, and is arranged to snap into a recess or hole 119 of the base 110 when the base is rotated to a vertical orientation (as shown in FIG. 2). The handles 130 are spaced far enough apart to accommodate the rear end 112 of the base 1 10 therebetween. The wheels 127 are rotatably mounted on the front end of the frame 120 to facilitate the movement of the exercise device 100 on the ground. In Figures 1 and 2, the wheels 127 are both set slightly above the ground, so the exercise device 100 must be tilted forward so that the wheels 127 are in contact with the ground. If it is better to tilt the motion device in the opposite direction, a similar wheel structure may be provided at the rear end of the frame 120. Each foot support member 140 includes a slide base 141 and a foot base 145 (a modified slide base is designated by reference numeral 141 'in Fig. 3 for reasons described later). Rollers 144 are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of each carriage 141, and rails 104 are provided on the base 110 to receive and guide the rollers 144. In other words, the carriage 141 is supported by the base 110 and is movable back and forth relative to the base. The flexible connectors 151-154 are connected to each other between the carriages 141, and are routed relative to the base 110 in a reciprocating manner in which the carriages 141 are restricted to move back and forth relative to the base 110. The connectors 151-153 connect the rearward movement of the carriage 141 to the rotational movement of the flywheel shaft 166 and the associated flywheel 169. In this regard, at least the remote connectors 151 and 153 are timepiece belts' with ridges aligned to their respective unidirectional separations. This paper applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) (Please read first (Notes on the back then fill out this page)

·! ---- Line I Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 423974 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (5) The groove or tooth of the joint mechanism 161 (on the shaft 166). Other forms of connection structures ' include keying bars or rewound cables, which can be used instead of timepiece belts. The middle cable section 152 is connected between the distal sections 151 and 153 and is routed around two pulleys or other guides (which occupy the positions shown by the fifth icon numbers 162 and 163). The other cable sections 154 are similarly routed around two similar and axially aligned guides on the base 110. The flywheel 169 may be "graded" and / or subject to any of several conventional resistance elements as a design choice. On each side of the exercise device 100, an L-shaped long rod 147 has a relatively long section and a relatively short section. The relatively long section is disposed above the platform 113 and supports a foot 145, which is relatively short. The section extends through the groove 114 of the platform 113 and is connected to a triangular plate or yoke 149. The first vertex of the plate 149 is pivotally mounted on the sliding seat 14m. The second vertex of the plate 149 is attached to a flexible connector 159 (which will be described later). The third vertex of the plate 149 is framed to the front end of the connecting link 179. An opposite rear end of the connecting link 179 is pivotally connected to the front end of the dimple rocker 177. The middle portion of the rocker 177 is pivotally connected to the slider 141. The rear end of the rocker 177 is connected to a resistance element 175. In another embodiment, the resistance element 175 is a combination of an impact absorbing member and a spring, and has an opposite front rod portion which is retractable relative to an opposite rear cylindrical portion. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,072,928 issued. Other suitable resistance devices, including rubber blocks, can be used in the alternative. Also, a spring may be provided instead of the impact block or provided in addition to the impact block, and disposed relative to other components in another suitable manner. Operation of the illustrated embodiment (please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)

* .--. Order ---, ------ Line I Printed by the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economy

6J. 423 974 A7 ____ B7 V. Description of the invention (The advantage of the moving device 100 is that the parts are arranged to provide increasing resistance to the downward movement of the foot 145. In this regard, the rocker 177 orbits relative to the slide 141 The connecting link 79 is pivoted around the second axis with respect to the flat plate 149; and the connecting link and the rocker 177 define a third pivot axis, when the footrest 145 is downward relative to the slide 141 When moving (thus reducing the mechanical arm or moment of the connecting rod 179 relative to the rocker 177), the third pivot moves toward the line drawn between the first and second axes. Moreover, the resistance element 175 is relatively The slider 141 pivots about the fourth axis; and the resistance device ι75 and the rocker 77 define a fifth pivot 'when the footrest 145 moves downward relative to the slider 141 (thus increasing the resistance device 175 relative to the rocker 177 Mechanical force or moment of force), the fifth pivot moves away from the line drawn between the first and second shafts. A cable 159 is connected between each flat plate 149 and runs around a similar pulley or guide Piece 'was routed near the rear end of base 110. Cable 159 responded to another The downward movement of the stage 145 causes the foot stage 145 to move upward, and in combination with the gravity acting on the human body, the foot stage 145 is restricted to move up and down relative to the base 110 in a reciprocating manner. With the slide 141 relative to the base 11 Free movement of back and forth, and free movement of feet 145 up and down relative to the slide 141 'The movement device 100 facilitates unrestricted foot movements (with horizontal and / or vertical components) in various forms and sizes of paths. Movement device 〇〇 can also be easily changed in various ways to provide more restricted forms of movement. For example, Figure 3 shows an optional round grip 108 protruding from the side of the base 110, Operable to selectively lock the sliders 141 and 141 'without moving relative to the base 110 (will not hinder the up-and-down movement of the feet 145). In this regard, the locking of this paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS ) A4 specification (210 X 297 public love) < Jing first read the notes on the back before filling out this page) -------- Order --- Ί ------ Consumption by employees of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Cooperative printed A7

423 974 4 V. Description of the invention (7) The pin protrudes inwardly from the circular grip 108 and passes through the hole of the base 110, and a compressed coil spring moves the pin to the right foot stand 141, bias. When the round grip occupies the first orientation, the lock pin is held in a relatively outward position to disengage from the right chat table 141. When the left and right foot stands 141 and 14 丨 are arranged side by side, the circular grip 108 is rotated to the second orientation, and the lock pin is pushed inward into the alignment hole of the right foot stand 141 '. Figure 3 also shows an optional non-return pin, which is operable to selectively lock the feet 145 from moving relative to the feet 141 and 141 (without obstructing the front and back of the slides 141 and 141 '). mobile). In this regard, the pin can be inserted into one of the holes 143 of the optional bracket 142 on the right slide 141 'and into a similar hole in the long rod 147' (when the feet 145 are at the same height). An alternative link assembly is labeled 250 in Figures 6-7. The link assembly 250 provides an alternative device for selecting between different modes or foot movements, and is suitable for use alone or in conjunction with the link assembly 15o (instead of the setting of the slide 14Γ shown in Figure 3) ). For example, this alternative selection device can be used on any two mysterious alignment pulleys (coupled to cables 154 and 159, respectively). The link assembly 250 is shown without any resistance elements' merely to emphasize that the invention is not limited to one or the other. Among them, the weight of the human body, the original drag force in the system, and the reciprocating characteristics of foot movements can collectively provide a sufficient degree of resistance to movement. Moreover, a flywheel and any required flywheel resistance elements are operatively connected to one or both of these pulleys 262 and 264. Rollers 244 are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the carriage 241 to engage the rails, similar to those on the base 110 of the preferred embodiment. This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)

1 ----,-Order il ------- βI Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 10 423974 Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (8) Thin The continuous loop of line 251 has a first part fixed to the left slide 241, a second part orbiting the front pulley 261, a third part fixed to the right slide 241, and a fourth part around a rear pulley 262 Set the course (and return to the left slide 241). The second and fourth cable sections are wound multiple times around the respective pulleys 261 and 262 to ensure that the forward and backward movement of the carriage is related to the rotation of the pulleys 261 and 262. Move back and forth. On each side of the link assembly 250, an L-shaped member 247 has a relatively long section disposed above the slide base 241 and supporting a stand 245, and a relatively long portion extending downward in front of the slide base 241. Shorter sections. A lug 242 is near the junction between the longer and shorter sections, and extends upward and forward from the slider 241 to rotatably support the member 247. A cable 254 is connected between the distal ends of the shorter sections and is routed with respect to a pulley 264 disposed below the pulley 262. The cable 254 is also wound around the pulley 264 multiple times to ensure that the up-and-down movement of the stand 245 is related to the rotation of the pulley 264. Due to this arrangement, the stand 245 is limited to move up and down in a reciprocating manner. Various types of resistance devices' include the structure shown on the link assembly 150 and can be connected between the footrest 245 and the slide base 241 so as to obstruct the former's downward movement relative to the latter. The additional selection device includes an adjustment member 282 with an axially extending ridge or key 283, thereby giving the adjustment member 282 a non-circular cross section. The adjusting member 282 is rotatably and slidably mounted on the supporting member 281, which is preferably a linear actuator (not shown) anchored relative to the base. The adjustment member 282 is connected to a controller 289 by a line 287. The controller 289 includes a lever 288 or other suitable input element, which can be combined into a paper standard applicable to the national standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 x 297 public) 11 (Please read the precautions on the back before (Fill in this page)

--n «I n ^ -OJ · nn I Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 4 2 3 974 ^ A7 ___B7__ V. Description of the invention (9) The user interface is as indicated by reference numeral 190 in Figures 1 and 2 By. The adjustment member 289 is selectively moved relative to the base and into the key groove 263 of the pulley 262 and / or a similar key groove in the pulley 264. When fully positioned above the slide wheel 264, the keys 283 on the adjustment member 282 are engaged with similar keyways on the base.

The movement of the lever 288 causes the movement of the adjustment member 282, which has the following effects: (a) When the adjustment member 282 is at the uppermost position and there is a gap between the two pulleys 262 and 264 (as shown in FIG. 6), the slide 241 is Freely move with respect to the base, and the feet 245 move freely with respect to the respective slides 241, so it is convenient to perform a free action form with any desired horizontal component and any desired vertical component; (b) when the slide 241 is Set side by side, the adjusting member 282 is only placed in the upper pulley 262. The 'key 283 maintains engagement with the base and prevents the upper pulley 262 from rotating', thereby preventing the front and rear movement of the slide 241, and restricting the movement of the feet on the upper and lower pivots of the foot 245 The stepping action of turning; and (c) when the adjusting member 282 is placed in the two pulleys 262 and 264, the key 283 is disengaged from the base, and the pulleys 262 and 264 are restricted to rotate together, thereby preventing the feet 245 relative to The sliding seat 241 generates relative movement and restricts the foot movement from skiing movement D about the footrest 245 and the sliding seat 241. Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments and special applications, there will be other problems. Additional embodiments, modifications, and applications are within the scope of the invention. Among them, rigid connecting rods can be used to replace the cables and pulleys shown and described with respect to the drawings; different resistance structures and / or action selection devices can be used; and / or manual operating rods can be used in place of the remote adjustment member 282 . I agree that the above description only states part of the myriad possible modifications and changes, and the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope of patents mentioned below. ^ The paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (21 × 297 mm) (Chu) --- (Please read the note ^ on the back before filling out this page) ------.-- Order --- :: --- μ 423974 A7 B7 Employees ’Intellectual Property Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Consumption Cooperatives printed 5. The scope of the invention description (10) is within the scope of the request. The reference number of the components is 100 ... The movement device 104 ... The track 108 ... The round grip 110 _ .. The base 111 ... the front 112 ... the rear 113 ... the platform 114 ... the groove 115 ... ... mechanical load extension member 119 ... recess or cavity 120 ... ground engaging frame 126, ... ground engaging portion 127 ... wheel 128 ... pillar 129 ... leaf spring latch 130 ... handle 140 ... Foot support members 141, 141 '... Slide 143 .., Hole 144 ... Roller 145 ... Foot stand 147 ... L-shaped long rod 147' ... Long rod 149 ... Triangular flat plate 150 ... Link Assembly 151-154 ... flexible connector 159 ... cable 161 ... flywheel shaft 169 ... flywheel 175 ... resistance element 177 ... rocker 179 ... connection link 190 ... user Interface element 241 ... Slide 242 ... Lud 244 ... Roller 245 ... Foot stand 247 ... L-shaped member 250 ... Connecting rod assembly 251 ... Cable 254 ... Cable 261 ... pulley (please read the notes on the back before filling this page)

-^^ 1 ^^ 1 ^^ 1 ^^ 1 ^ 1 ^^ 1 ^^ 1 I ^^ 1 ^^ 1 ^^ 1 It i kB β-BI This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 ΟΠΟ X 297 mm) 13 423974 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (11) 262, 264 ... pulley 282 ... adjustment member 287 .. line 289 .. controller 263 ... key slot 283 ... key 288 ... lever {please (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) Printed on the paper by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 x 297 mm) -14-

Claims (1)

423974 A8, B8, C8, and D8, including a pedestal; a left slide mounted on the pedestal moves; can be printed relative to the front and back of the pedestal of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Intellectual Property Bureau X Consumer Cooperative and installed on the pedestal The right slide on the seat can be moved back and forth relative to the base; a rigid left foot support pivotally connected to the left slide includes a foot stand 'which is limited to move relative to the left slide An arc-shaped path; a rigid right foot support pivotally connected to the right slide, including a stand, which is limited to move in an arc-shaped path relative to the right slide; and a frame 'structured to stand still Placed on the ground, wherein the first end of the base is pivotally connected to the frame and supported by the frame on the ground, and an opposite second end of the base is selectively pivoted to be connected to the ground Contact or non-contact 'When the base is pivoted to a generally vertical orientation relative to the ground, the frame is configured to accommodate the base. 2. For example, the motion device of the first patent application scope further includes a link device connected between each slide for connecting the left slide and the right slide to each other in a reciprocating stepping manner. mobile. 3. For example, the motion device of the scope of the patent application further includes a link device connected between each foot support for connecting the left foot support and the right foot support so as to step back and forth. Ways move relative to each other. 4_ The motion device according to item 丨 of the patent application scope further includes a locking device for selectively locking each footrest so that it cannot move relative to its respective slide base. (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) --------- Order -------- Aunt I 80088 A3CD Employee Consumption Cooperation of Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economy The sports device of the item further includes a locking device for selectively locking each foot slide so that it cannot move relative to the base. 6. For example, the motion device of the first patent application scope further includes a left resistance device and a right resistance device, which are respectively connected between the respective footrests and the respective slides to prevent the respective footrests from being opposed to the respective footrests. Each of the resistance devices obtains mechanical benefits when the respective feet move toward the respective slider. 7. The motion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base defines a platform. 'Each slide is positioned below the platform, and a respective portion of each foot support extends through the platform. Respective grooves "8. If the motion device of the scope of patent application No. 1 further includes a complementary latch assembly on the frame and the base to selectively oppose the base relative to the frame, the frame is approximately vertical Orientation latch. 9. For example, the motion device of the first patent application range further includes a biasing device connected between the frame and the base for biasing the base between the approximately vertical orientation and the approximately horizontal orientation. center. 10. For example, the motion device of the scope of patent application further includes a flywheel rotatably mounted on the base near the first end, which is associated with the backward movement of each foot carriage. This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) -16- < Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) -------- Order ----- ----- Green I