US20040009848A1

US20040009848A1 - Exercise-aid device

Info

Publication number: US20040009848A1
Application number: US10/191,828
Authority: US
Inventors: Chin-Tsun Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-09
Filing date: 2002-07-10
Publication date: 2004-01-15
Also published as: GB2390554B; GB2390554A; DE20211402U1; GB0215791D0

Abstract

An exercise-aid device comprises a base, a transmission mechanism, and a pair of cranks. The transmission mechanism comprises a motor, a first shaft, and a second shaft. The motor includes an output shaft with a worm. A drive gear is mounted on the first shaft and meshes with the worm. A follower gear is fixed to a side of the drive gear to turn therewith. A driven gear is mounted on the second shaft and meshes with the follower gear. Each crank has a pedal mounted thereto and is securely attached to an end of the second shaft to turn therewith. The worm and the drive gear provide a first-stage reduction. The follower gear and the driven gear provide a second-stage reduction, thereby providing a torque sufficiently high for driving said pedals to turn even if two feet of a user are placed on the pedals.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device that aids in exercising of legs of a seated user.

2. Description of the Related Art

Modem people have few physical activities, and the body of a seated person often feels tired after a period of time. The blood circulation is thus not smooth, and one would feel uncomfortable. Although various exercisers are available, they, however, cannot be used in working hours, as the exercisers would distract and exhaust the user. It is, therefore, a need in a device that aids in exercising a seated user without distracting and exhausting the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a device that may exercise the legs of a seated user in a manner that the legs of the user are exercised without any effort from the user. The user would be more vigorous, for the body circulation is improved. The user would not be distracted from the exercising of his or her legs, for no effort is required.

An exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention comprises a base, a transmission mechanism, and a pair of cranks. The transmission mechanism comprises a motor, a first shaft, and a second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft are rotatably supported by the base. The motor includes an output shaft rotatably supported by the base. A worm is provided on the output shaft. A drive gear is mounted on the first shaft to turn therewith. The drive gear meshes with the worm. A follower gear is fixed to a side of the drive gear to turn therewith. The follower gear is mounted on the first shaft. A driven gear is mounted on the second shaft to turn therewith. The driven gear meshes with the follower gear. Each crank has a pedal mounted thereto and is securely attached to an end of the second shaft to turn therewith.

The worm and the drive gear provide a first-stage reduction. The follower gear and the driven gear provide a second-stage reduction, thereby providing a torque sufficiently high for driving said pedals to turn even if two feet of a user are placed on the pedals. Thus, the exercise-aid device exercises the legs of a seated user in a manner that the legs of the user are exercised without any effort from the user.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention. [0009]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention, the cover being shown in broken lines for showing interior of the device. [0010]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention taken along a transverse direction. [0011]
FIG. 4 is another sectional view of the exercise-aid device taken along another plane. [0012]
FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating use of the exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment of the exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention. [0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention generally comprises a [0015] base 1, a transmission mechanism 2, and a pair of cranks 3. The base 1 includes axle holes 11, 12, and 13 in which bearings are mounted for assembly with the transmission mechanism 2 and the cranks 3. A cover 14 is mounted on top of the base 1 for covering the transmission mechanism 2. A display 17 is mounted on the cover 14 and includes a sensor (not labeled) for detecting the turns of the rotational movements of the cranks 3. Further, the display 17 may display time, turns, average rpm, and consumed calories. Further, the display 17 allows setting of circulating display, countdown display, zeroing, and sound, thereby providing the user with required information.
The [0016] transmission mechanism 21 includes a motor 2, a drive gear 22, a follower gear 23, and a driven gear, providing a two-stage reduction. The motor 21 is electrically connected to a power supply (not labeled) and a control (not labeled). The power supply is electrically connected to an A.C. or D.C. power source and has a voltage-stabilizing function. The control includes the functions of controlling the rotational speed of the motor 21, compensating the torque, providing protection when without service of electricity, and automatically cutting off power when in abnormal conditions.
A first-stage reduction provided by the [0017] transmission mechanism 2 includes a worm 211 on an output shaft (not labeled) of the motor 2 and the drive gear 22 mounted on a shaft 25 that is rotatably supported in the axle holes 12 of the base 1. Thus, the worm 211 and the drive gear 22 meshed with the worm 211 and having proper number of teeth together provide a first-stage reduction.
The output shaft of the [0018] motor 21 is rotatably held in the axle holes 11 of the base 1. A second stage reduction provided by the transmission mechanism 2 includes a follower gear 23 that is fixed to a side of the drive gear 22 to turn therewith and a driven gear 24 mounted on a shaft 26 that is rotatably held in the axle holes 13 of the base 1. The follower gear 23 is mounted on the shaft 25. The number of teeth of the driven gear 24 is larger than that of the follower gear 23 meshed with the driven gear 24, thereby providing a second-stage reduction. The motor 21 may be a small-size, high rotational speed motor in which the rotational speed is reduced through two-stage reduction to an appropriate speed to thereby provide a larger torque.
Each [0019] crank 3 is fixed to an end of the shaft 26 to turn therewith and has a pedal 31 mounted thereto. A number of knurls 32 are provided on the pedal 31 to provide a massaging function while cycling.
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, since the small-[0020] size motor 21 provides a sufficiently high torque through two-stage reduction, the overall size of the exercise-aid device in accordance with the present invention is relatively small and can thus be used under the desk of the seated user. After activating the motor 21, the worm 211, the drive gear 22, the follower gear 23, and the driven gear 24 turn, thereby driving the pedals 31. The legs of the user are exercised without any effort from the user. The two-stage reduction of the transmission mechanism 2 provides a sufficiently high torque for driving the pedals 31 even if the user's legs are placed on the pedals 31. No labor work is required for the user to cycle the pedals 31, and the user would not be distracted from the cycling that requires no effort from him or her. The blood circulation of the body is improved, and the user would be more vigorous, for the legs, pelvis, and butt of the user are exercised. The knurls 32 on which the user's feet are stepping on provide a massaging function while cycling.
The [0021] drive gear 22 and the shaft 25 may be integrally formed with each other, so are the driven gear 24 and the shaft 26.
FIG. 6 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the [0022] base 1 further includes a battery unit 4 and a charging-protecting circuit (not labeled). Thus, the exercise-aid device can be used without electrical connection to an A.C. power source.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. [0023]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An exercise-aid device comprising:

a base;

a transmission mechanism comprising a motor, a first shaft, and a second shaft, said first shaft and said second shaft being rotatably supported by said base, said motor including an output shaft rotatably supported by said base, a worm being provided on said output shaft, a drive gear being mounted on said first shaft to turn therewith, said drive gear meshing with said worm, a follower gear being fixed to a side of said drive gear to turn therewith, said follower gear being mounted on said first shaft, a driven gear being mounted on said second shaft to turn therewith, said driven gear meshing with said follower gear; and

a pair of cranks each having a pedal mounted thereto, each said crank being securely attached to an end of said second shaft to turn therewith;

said worm and said drive gear providing a first-stage reduction, said follower gear and said driven gear providing a second-stage reduction, thereby providing a torque sufficiently high for driving said pedals to turn.