US20130150214A1

US20130150214A1 - Device and system for work and exercise

Info

Publication number: US20130150214A1
Application number: US13/323,870
Authority: US
Inventors: Shu-Yao Wu
Original assignee: Strength Master Fitness Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Strength Master Fitness Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-12-13
Filing date: 2011-12-13
Publication date: 2013-06-13

Abstract

A device for work and exercise has a movable element, a support frame, a frame, a work platform, a fixing board, and a control assembly. The movable element allows a user to exercise thereon. The support frame is installed on one end of the movable element and has a supporting portion on the top end thereof. The frame is disposed on the supporting partion. The work platform mounted on the frame provides the user with a working surface. The fixing board is mounted to the work platform to extend the work platform toward the user. The control assembly controls the movable element and coupled to the fixing board.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an exercise device and system, in particular, to a device and system for work and exercise.
2. Related Art
FIG. 11 shows a conventional exercise device. Both sides of a treadmill 90 are provided with two retractable bars 91. The top ends of the two retractable bars 91 are fixed to a platform 92 directly. An operating interface is provided on the side of the platform 92 toward the user. The platform 92 is disposed with a computer device 94, including the host machine (not shown), the monitor 940, and input interfaces such as the mouse 941 and the keyboard 942. The user can set the exercise mode of the treadmill 90 via the operating interface 93. At the same time, the user can use the computer device on the platform 92, achieving the goal of working while exercising.
However, the combination of the platform 92 and the retractable bars 91 are merely point junction. That is, the platform 92 has supports only from the top fixed ends of the retractable bars 91. If the user presses against the platform 92 during the exercise, in the long run the platform 92 may have deformation or damages. This is because the pressing force on the platform results in a torque with respect to the supporting points.
Besides, when the user sets the treadmill 90, he or she can only select from the functions provided by the vendor. The user is only allowed to select the running modes of the treadmill through the operating interface 93. The machine functions cannot be expanded. After some time of use, the user may start to feel bored about running and will not continue the exercise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide a device for work and exercise, in which a work platform is firmly mounted on a support frame via a frame to prevent deformation or damages.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a handrail for the user to hold during exercise.
A further objective of the invention is to connect a computer device with a movable element in a communication connection. When the user exercise, the movable element functions can be expanded. The user can thus maintain the interest and habit of exercise.
To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the invention includes: an movable element for a user to exercise thereon; a support frame mounted on one end of the movable element and having a supporting portion on the top end thereof; a frame disposed on the supporting portion; a work platform disposed on the frame for the user to work thereon; a fixing board mounted to the work platform to extend the work platform toward the user; and a control assembly coupled to with the fixing board for controlling the movable element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional assembly view of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view from the bottom of the work platform and the two handrails reversed according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the assembly of the fixing board and the work platform according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the control assembly of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the standing frame rotating on the platform according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the standing frame rotating on the platform according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a user holding the handrails of the first embodiment of the invention while exercising;

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional assembly view of the second embodiment of the invention, including a graphics user interface in a window and input via an input interface;

FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional assembly view of the third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a conventional device for work and exercise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.
In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device for work and exercise includes a movable element 1, a support frame 2, a frame 3, a work platform 4, a control assembly 5, and a computer device 6. The details are as follows.
As shown in FIG. 1, the movable element 1 is a treadmill as an example. The user can thus run on the machine.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support frame 2 includes two outer tubes 20 and two inner bars 21. The two outer tubes 20 vertically stand on both sides of the movable element 1. The two inner bars 21 are disposed inside the two outer tubes 20, respectively, and retractable vertically. Each of the outer tubes 20 is provided with a positioning pin 200. The top end of each of the two inner bars 21 has a supporting partion 210. The supporting partion 210 in this embodiment is a board bent into a U shape (or an L shape). The inner bar has a plurality of positioning holes (not shown) in the section moving inside the corresponding outer tube. When the two inner bars 21 are adjusted to an appropriate height, one puts the positioning pins 200 into the corresponding positioning holes. The inner bars 21 are thus positioned in the outer tubes 20.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 3 is roughly a loop. It is hollow in this embodiment, and has a square cross section. The frame 3 is disposed on the supporting partion 210 on the top end of the two inner bars 21, fixed by screws.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the work platform 4 is mounted on the frame 3 and locked uniformly by screws. A rest pad 40 is provided on the side of the work platform 4 toward the user. The work platform 4 also has a fixing board 41 extending toward the user. A standing frame 42 is pivotally connected on the side of the work platform 4 opposite to the rest pad 40.
As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing board 41 in this embodiment has a horizontal part 410 attached to the upper surface 43 of the work platform 4. The horizontal part 410 bends along the side edge 44 of the work platform 4 downward to form a vertical part 411. The vertical part 411 extends below the work platform 4 and then extends toward the user to form an extension part 412.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 3 is pivotally provided with two handrails 30 below the work platform 4. The two handrails 30 can swing sideways. The two handrails 30 can extend out of the work platform 4 toward the user, or hide at the bottom of the work platform 4. When the two handrails 30 extend out of the work platform 4, the user can hold them to get support when necessary.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control assembly 5 in this embodiment is disposed on the extension part 412 of the fixing board 41. It includes an operating interface 50 covering the fixing board 41. A control unit 51 is provided in the operating interface 50 and mounted on the fixing board 41. The control assembly 5 controls the operations of the movable element 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the computer device 6 in this embodiment includes a host machine (not shown) and input interfaces such as a display 60, a keyboard 61, and a mouse 62. The computer device 6 is connected to the control unit 51 in a communication connection, and is installed with software for controlling the movable element 1. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the display 60 is mounted on the standing frame 42. The display 60 can rotate with respect to the vertical direction and the work platform 4 along with the standing frame 42. The display 60 can be turned to face the movable element 1 or the opposite direction. The computer device 6 can be a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistance (PDA) or a smart phone. If it is a tablet computer or a smart phone, the user can use the touch-control screen as the input interface.
With the embodiment, the user can run on the movable element 1. During the running process, as shown in FIG. 8, the two handrails 30 are turned to extend out of the work platform 4. The user can then hold the two handrails 30 for the purely running function. If the user wants to work while running on the movable element 1, documents can be placed on the work platform for the convenience of the user.
The user can also use the computer device 6 for word processing and web browsing, or purely enjoying the music while exercising.
It is easy to see the following advantages of the invention:
1. The disclosed device for work and exercise has the work platform 4 on the frame 3. Since the frame 3 has a loop shape with an appropriate area, the work platform 4 has a better support from the frame 3. In comparison with the conventional point support between the platform and the retractable bars, the invention has the advantage of more firmly fixing the work platform 4 on the frame 3.
2. According to the invention, the frame 3 has two handrails 30 that can swing sideways under the work platform 4. The user can rotate the handrails out of the work platform 4 so that he or she can hold while exercising.
3. According to the invention, in addition to using the operating interface 50 to control the movable element 1, the user can use the software to expand the exercise modes or replace the software by one with different functions. This is done through the computer device 6 and the control unit 51. The user can thus enjoy more exercise modes and maintain the interest and habit of exercise.
Of course, the invention still has many other embodiments that only vary in details. Please refer to FIG. 9 for a second embodiment of the invention. In the computer device 6, the software includes at least the functions of the operating interface 50 in the first embodiment. The software includes a graphics user interface G (GUI). The GUI G in the window includes options of speed, slope, and time. The user can set and observe related parameters during the exercise from the GUI G. The software can be updated or upgraded. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the GUI G has an update option U on the lower left corner. The user can expand the control items of the movable element 1 via the update option, thereby achieving the same effects as the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, the movable element 1A in a third embodiment of the invention uses a crank rotating mechanism as an example. The user can perform a cycling exercise thereon to achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to people skilled in the art. Therefore, it is contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for work and exercise, comprising:

a movable element for a user to exercise thereon;

a support frame mounted on one end of the movable element and having a supporting portion on the top end thereof;

a frame mounted on the supporting portion;

a work platform for the user to work thereon and disposed on the frame;

a fixing board mounted to the work platform and extending the work platform toward the user; and

a control assembly coupled to the fixing board for controlling the movable element.

2. The device for work and exercise of claim 1, wherein the movable element is a running platform or a crank rotating mechanism.

3. The device for work and exercise of claim 1, wherein the fixing board bends downward after extending out of the work platform toward the user and then further extends with an extension part toward the user.

4. The device for work and exercise of claim 1, wherein the supporting portion is a board bent into an L or U shape for supporting the frame.

5. The device for work and exercise of claim 1, wherein the work platform is pivotally connected with a standing frame at the end far from the user, a display is mounted in the standing frame, and the display is allowed to rotate with the standing frame with respect to a vertical axis of the work platform.

6. The device for work and exercise of claim 1, wherein the frame is pivotally connected with two handrails that are under the work platform and allowed to pivotally swing sideways, the handrails either extend out of the work platform toward the user or retract and hide under the work platform.

7. A system for work and exercise, comprising:

a movable element for a user to exercise thereon;

a work platform for the user to work thereon and disposed on the supporting portion; and

a computer device disposed on the work platform and including a display and at least one input interface; wherein the computer device is connected with the movable element in a communication connection and equipped with program for controlling the movable element, with the program containing at least a graphic user interface (GUI).

8. The system for work and exercise of claim 7, wherein the software expands the control options of the movable element through update or upgrade.

9. The system for work and exercise of claim 7, wherein the GUI includes options of speed, slope, and time.

10. The system for work and exercise of claim 7, wherein the computer device is a desktop computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or smart phone.