US20030176260A1

US20030176260A1 - Resistance device for an exerciser

Info

Publication number: US20030176260A1
Application number: US10/098,386
Authority: US
Inventors: Yung-Tsai Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-18
Filing date: 2002-03-18
Publication date: 2003-09-18
Also published as: DE20204735U1

Abstract

A resistance device for an exerciser of the present invention is provided to be exclusively applied to exercisers, such as a bicycle exerciser, a pedal-type exerciser or a running exerciser for a resisting function; the resistance device adopts an oil resistance-type device of a completely different mechanical design for an innovative structural operation to overcome the shortcomings of an conventional oil resistance-type device of high cost and with complicate peripheral elements; the advantages of the present invention are that the function derived therefrom is basic with non-step resistance and the volume thereof is light and small for endurable use and easy operation; therefore, the design of the present invention enhances the quality and the function of the abovementioned exercisers to be applied by the present invention exclusively through the provision of a resistance device with a preferred cost, volume, function, endurable and useful life.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a resistance device for an exerciser, more especially, to an resistance device with innovative structural function and idea designed exclusively for an exerciser according to the principle of oil resistance for overcoming the shortcomings of the conventional device of magnetic resistance through the provision of a resistance device with preferred and simplified operation, small and lightweight volume and strong function so as to enhance the targeted exercisers to achieve the ultimate objective of the present invention for being perfect and ideal.

2) Description of the Prior Art

Exercisers with the advantages of not being limited by location and space have become the most efficient apparatus for the busy modem people to do activities for leisure time, body building and loosing weight; wherein, the bicycle exerciser, as shown in FIG. 1, is most representative in becoming most popular and indispensable in family life

Accordingly, the conventional exerciser, such as a bicycle exerciser, a pedal-type exerciser or a running exerciser, is necessarily equipped with an element mechanism of a resistance device for forming a resisting function driven by an applied external force; for example, the bicycle exerciser shown in FIG. 1, has a resistance device (A 1) composed by a magnetically controlled metal wheel (A11) and a magnetic resistance piece (A12); wherein, the magnetically controlled metal wheel (A11) is driven by the pedaling force of a driving pedal wheel (A13) via a belt or a chain (A14); the magnetic resistance piece (A12) of a clutch structure disposed adjacently controls the rotation of the magnetically controlled metal wheel (A11) by magnetic resistance thereof to form a resisting action for forcing the user to exert strength against resistance so as to achieve the exercising function of building a stronger body.

All conventional resistance devices of various structures are not exceptionally equipped with magnetic resistance devices; the minor changes exist only in the operating function and applicative structure between the magnetically controlled metal wheel (A 11) and the magnetic resistance piece (A12) but without any breakthrough in function or superiority; the shortcomings of the conventional resistance device manufactured for years according to this kind of structure are summed up as follows:

1. The magnetic force used in the conventional device for resistance causes magnetic attenuation after a long-term usage that further results in unstable and unsmooth resistance value failed to meet the requirements of the international quality standards.

2. The problems caused by the expensive cost of the conventional magnetic resistance piece and the huge volume required for the magnetically controlled metal wheel of the magnetic resistance device are serious in terms of cost and practical effect; that affects not only the sale cost of the manufacturer, but also the consumer's purchase cost and the required storage space for the purchased device.

3. The rotating function of the magnetically controlled metal wheel, especially, inside the magnetic resistance mechanism of the conventional device definitely causes two major problems of vibration and noise in operation due to high speed rotation; the most dangerous object is the magnetically controlled metal wheel rotating in high speed and that usually attracts children's touch and is hard to be prevented and eliminated.

4. The peripheral elements required for the magnetic resistance mechanism of the conventional device are numerous and complicated; part maintenance and replacement trouble and burden the consumer; the damaged conventional exerciser might become an expensive decorating object occupying a considerable space in the house and that result is not the original objective of exercising and body building.

In view of the abovementioned shortcomings of the conventional exercisers, the present invention provides a resistance device for an exerciser capable of not only overcoming all the shortcomings of the prior art, but also enhancing the structure, function and utilization of related objects; furthermore, the new structural concept, the practical and multiple advantages of the present invention definitely enable both the manufacturer and the consumer to win efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the objectives of the present invention include:

1. The first advantage of the design of the present invention is to have a unitary machine; in brief, all the active functions are completed inside the resistance device of the present invention without requiring additionally auxiliary peripheral elements; therefore, to apply the present invention to the resistance portion of an exerciser tremendously minimizes the volume thereof and obtains the effect of saving the most cost due to the simplified structure.

2. The second advantage of the design of the present invention, according to the first advantage of a unitary machine having all the active functions completed inside the resistance device is that the external view thereof is completely static; that means, there is no any possible danger to be caused by any exposed external rotation; it eliminates the magnetically controlled metal wheel of the prior at and the resulted danger due to its high speed rotation using vibration, causing noise and attracting children's touch.

3. The third advantage of the design of the present invention is that the mechanical design thereof has extremely high endurance and lasting useful life; the situation of magnetic attenuation doesn't exist therein; contrarily, its consistent, stable and smooth resistance is the best function of the present invention.

4. The fourth advantage of the design of the present invention is to have basic function of not-step resistance control; therefore, the required resistance can be alternated through high mobility even when the resistance device is in operation.

5. The fifth advantage of the design of the present invention is to have a precise movement derived from mechanization to make the generated resistance value achieve the standardized regulation for meeting the requirement of the international quality standards and comprise high competitive ability for competing on the international markets.

6. The sixth advantage of the design of the present invention is to utilize the advantage of being a unitary machine to completely eliminate the limit of attachment installation to facilitate the application unto multiple exercisers and have more extensive application or practical value than the conventional magnetic resistance device.

The present invention of a resistance device for an exerciser comprises external cases of left and right machines, a driving resistance disk, a positioning ring, a adjustable resistance disk, an oblique Y-shaped clamp, a tension spring, a main shaft and a drawing steel rope; wherein, the driving resistance disk and the adjustable resistance disk are disposed inside the clamp locked external cases of the machines and penetrated by the main shaft; the diving resistance disk accepts an external force and has the function of making spinning rotation; the basic function of the adjustable resistance disk is controlled to be incapable of making spinning rotation other than making forward and backward micro displacement.

The interior of the external case of the machine is filled with machine oil of high viscosity grade number; a stable and smooth resistant property and principle are thus generated through this mechanical design and machine oil of high viscosity grade number as well as through the factors of the viscosity of the machine oil, the surface area reached by the machine oil, the gaps among all resistance pieces and the spinning only movement of the driving resistance disk.

However, the principle and the mechanical concept of the surface area and the gap viscosity make the disk surface of the driving resistance disk and the adjustable resistance disk disposed with a plurality of meshed and inserted concentric circular pieces capable of obtaining high efficient, stable and smooth resistance; this principle and the cooperative operation of the oblique Y-shaped clamp, the tension spring and the drawing steel rope enables the adjustable resistance disk to have the function of displacing forwardly and backwardly on the main shaft; in brief, efficient change of resistance value can be obtained among all resistance pieces disposed on two resistance disks due to the change of the gaps; the bigger the gaps are , the smaller the resistance value is; that relationship is of an inverse ratio; contrarily, this resistance value can be a variable function and that is the adjustable effect of the non-step resistance value of the present invention; especially, this function will not be limited even when the driving resistance disk is in operation.

Additionally, without changing the essence and the principle, the adjustable resistance disk wherein can be a member of two semi-spheres covered externally onto the outer rim side of the driving resistance disk to also make the driving resistance disk spin or rotate by an applied external force; of course, a plurality of resistance pieces disposed on the outer rim of the driving resistance disk and a plurality of resistance pieces disposed on the inner rim of the adjustable resistance disk are also in a meshed and inserted state; the adjustable resistance disk has the function of making expanding displacement to achieve the effect of forming equivalent resistance and adjusting resistance value.

According to the abovementioned brief introduction of the related principle and mechanism, the resistance device of the present invention can be applied to any resistance equipment required by various exercisers and will not be limited by installation or driving so as to obtain the effect of being more stable, smoother, having minimized volume and saving the most cost.

To enable a further understanding of the spirit, features and the structure of the present invention, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a plane structure and movement of a conventional exerciser. [0025]
FIG. 2 is an external view and schematic drawing of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention applied to a bicycling exercise. [0026]
FIG. 3 is a pictorial, external view and schematic drawing of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic drawing of the structure of all elements of the present invention. [0028]
FIG. 5 is the first cross-sectional and schematic drawing of the structure and movement of all elements of the present invention in an enclosed state. [0029]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic drawing of FIG. 5. [0030]
FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the plane of the internal structure of a driving resistance disk of present invention. [0031]
FIG. 8 is schematic drawing of the plane of the internal structure of an adjustable resistance disk of present invention. [0032]
FIG. 9 is the second cross-sectional and schematic drawing of the structure and movement of all elements of the present invention in an expanded state. [0033]
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional and schematic drawing of the entire structure of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the external design of a resistance device of the present invention has a unitary machine, in brief, all the active functions are completed inside the resistance device of the present invention without requiring additionally auxiliary peripheral elements; therefore, to apply the present invention to the resistance portion of an exerciser ([0035] 100) tremendously minimizes the volume thereof and obtains the effect of saving the most cost due to simplified structure.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the present invention of a resistance device ([0036] 10) for an exerciser mainly comprises external cases of left and right machines (1, 2), a driving resistance disk (3), a positioning ring (4), a adjustable resistance disk (5), an oblique Y-shaped clamp (6), a tension spring (7), a main shaft (8) and a drawing steel rope (9); wherein, the external cases of left and right machines (1, 2) are locked in clamping type and filled with machine oil (B) of high viscosity to allow the driving resistance disk (3), the positioning ring (4), the adjustable resistance disk (5), the oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) and the tension spring (7) to exist and operate therein.
Referring to FIG. 5, wherein a unitary belt wheel ([0037] 30) is formed at the front end of the driving resistance disk (3); the said belt wheel (30) is penetrated by the main shaft (8); the shaft bearings (11, 32) disposed on the internal and external portions of the wheel (30) as well as the oil seals (12, 33) disposed on the internal and external portions enable the entire driving resistance disk (3) to drive the belt wheel (30) by an exerted external force and further drive the entire driving resistance disk (3) to form a function of spinning rotation; the basic function of the adjustable resistance disk (5) is completely controlled by the positioning ring (4), the oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) and the tension spring (7) and not capable of making spinning rotation other than making forward and backward micro displacement; the front aspect of the said disk (5) is positioned by the positioning ring (4) and the rear aspect thereof is pushed by the tension spring (7); the main shaft (8) penetrates through a center hole (50) of the adjustable resistance disk (5); the shaft bearing (21) and the oil seal (22) disposed inside the external case of the machine (2) position and seal the adjustable resistance disk (5); according to this structure, the said adjustable resistance disk (5) and the driving resistance disk (3) form a corresponding state; under the interchanging action of the oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) and the tension spring (7), only the main shaft (8) of the adjustable resistance disk (5) has the function of making forward and backward micro displacement.
The front planes of the driving resistance disk ([0038] 3) and the adjustable resistance disk (5) are disposed with a plurality of meshed and inserted concentric circular pieces (31, 51); more particularly, a proper gap (C) is reserved between the resistance piece (31) and the resistance piece (51), as shown in FIG. 6; the function of the gap (C) is to allow the machine oil (B) to exist therein; the viscosity of the machine oil (B) generates viscous resistance; the degree of this resistance is decided by the gap variation generated by the displacement of the adjustable resistance disk (5); the bigger the gap is, the smaller the resistance value is and the smaller the gap is, the bigger the resistance value is; the relationship between them is of an inverse ratio; furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inner rims of the resistance pieces (31, 51) of the said two disks (3, 5) are disposed with circular oil lead holes (311, 511) and not corresponding ( three to two, five to three, etc.) oil lead slot ways (312, 512); referring to FIG. 4, the not corresponding oil lead slot ways (312, 512) disposed on the resistance pieces (31, 51) on the plane of the driving and adjustable resistance disks (3, 5) are inclined and convergent; the backsides of the two disks (3, 5) are disposed with diagonal slot ways (313, 513) for rapidly leading the machine oil (B) into all the resistance pieces (31, 51) of the disks (3, 5).
Referring to FIG. 4 again, the positioning ring ([0039] 4) is locked and positioned on the main shaft (8) disposed at the front aspect of the adjustable resistance disk (5); the position at the rear aspect of the adjustable resistance disk (5) is supported by the tension spring (7) to form a function of forceful expansion; the hollow section at the bottom portion of the oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) straddles on the main shaft (8) with two end foot portions (62) respectively fastened on the backside of the adjustable resistance disk (5); the central position (63) on the oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) is fastened with the top end of the drawing steel rope (9) penetrated into the external case of the machine (2); the top end point (64) of the said oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) is fixed onto the inner rim wall of the external case of the machine (2); as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, since the oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) is inclined and slightly resilient, when the drawing steel rope (9) draws at the central position (63), the deformation rate of the said oblique Y-shaped clamp (6) generated through the drawing force becomes the force base for the adjustable resistance disk (5) to displace backwardly; contrarily, when the drawing force of the drawing steel rope (9) is released, the expanding force of the backward tension spring (7) makes the adjustable resistance disk (5) move forward again to be stopped and positioned by the positioning ring (4) to thereby form a function of reciprocating movement; when the resistance value changes, this reciprocating movement becomes the adjustable function of the non-step resistance value of the present invention; more particularly, this function won't be limited even when the driving resistance disk (3) is in operation.
Referring to FIG. 10, without changing the essence and the principle of the present invention, the adjustable resistance disk ([0040] 5) therein can be a member of two semi-spheres covered externally onto the outer rim side of the driving resistance disk (3) to also make the driving resistance disk (3) spin by an applied external force; of course, the plurality of resistance pieces (31) disposed on the outer rim of the driving resistance disk (3) and the plurality of resistance pieces (51) disposed on the inner rim of the adjustable resistance disk (5) are in a meshed and inserted state; when the adjustable resistance disk (5) reached the function of making expanding displacement, the equivalent effect of forming resistance and adjusting resistance value can be achieved.
In summation of the abovementioned, the present invention is an achievable advanced structural design with special breakthrough capable of achieving multiple functions and possessing structural advantages. It is of course to be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. [0041]

Claims

1. A resistance device for an exerciser with an external design thereof in a unitary machine; application of the present invention to an exerciser minimizes the volume thereof and obtains the effect of saving the most cost; the structure of the present invention mainly comprises external cases of left and right machines, a driving resistance disk, a positioning ring, a adjustable resistance disk, an oblique Y-shaped clamp, a tension spring, a main shaft and a drawing steel rope; wherein:

the external cases of left and right machines are locked in clamping type and filled with machine oil of high viscosity and a main shaft positioned and sealed through the cooperation of a shaft bearing and a oil seal to allow the driving resistance disk, the positioning ring, the adjustable resistance disk, the oblique Y-shaped clamp and the tension spring to exist and operate therein;

the driving resistance disk has a unitary belt wheel penetrated by the main shaft; the internal and external portions of the wheel are disposed with the shaft bearings and the oil seals; it is capable of making spinning rotation and forming a corresponding structure with the adjustable resistance disk; the front plane of the disk is disposed with a plurality of concentric circular pieces staggered and inserted with resistance pieces of the adjustable resistance disk; a proper gap is reserved between the resistance pieces; the innerest rims of the resistance pieces are disposed with circular oil lead holes and the resistance pieces are disposed with inclined and convergent slot ways; the backside of the disk is disposed with diagonal slot ways for rapidly leading the machine oil into all the resistance pieces;

the adjustable resistance disk is penetrated by the main shaft and controlled by the positioning ring, the oblique Y-shaped clamp and the tension spring; it is not capable of making spinning rotation; the front aspect of the disk is stopped and positioned by the positioning ring; the rear aspect thereof is forced by the tension spring to form a corresponding structure with the driving resistance disk; the front plane of the disk is disposed with a plurality of concentric circular pieces staggered and inserted with resistance pieces of the driving resistance disk; a proper gap is reserved between the resistance pieces; the innerest rims of the resistance pieces are disposed with circular oil lead holes and the resistance pieces are disposed with inclined and convergent slot ways; the backside of the disk is disposed with diagonal slot ways for rapidly leading the machine oil into all the resistance pieces;

the oblique Y-shaped clamp is inclined and slightly resilient; the hollow section at the bottom portion thereof straddles on the main shaft with two end foot portions respectively fastened on the backside of the adjustable resistance disk; the central position on the oblique Y-shaped clamp is fastened with the drawing steel rope penetrated into the external case of the machine; the top end point of the said oblique Y-shaped clamp is fixed onto the inner rim wall of the external case of the machine to draw the adjustable resistance disk via the drawing steel rope to form a micro adjusting function of displacing forwardly and backwardly.

2. A resistance device for an exerciser according to claim 1, wherein the oil lead slot ways disposed on the driving resistance disk and the adjustable resistance disk are not of a corresponding structure.

3. A resistance device for an exerciser according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable resistance disk can be a member of two semi-spheres covered externally onto the outer rim side of the driving resistance disk; the inner and outer rims of the resistance pieces of two disks are correspondingly staggered and inserted to enable the driving resistance disk to make spinning rotation under the applied external force and the adjustable resistance disk to have function of expanding displacement so as to achieve the equivalent effect of forming resistance and adjusting resistance value.