US20150174450A1

US20150174450A1 - Equilibrium training device

Info

Publication number: US20150174450A1
Application number: US14/136,109
Authority: US
Inventors: A-Lan JHANG
Original assignee: Shang Jia Yu Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shang Jia Yu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

An equilibrium training device mainly comprises a chassis, a crank component, a pedal and a revolving inertia auxiliary roller set. When the user stands on the pedal for rotary equilibrium training, the belt and the first/second rollers of the revolving inertia auxiliary roller set are pulled together in tune with the rotation of the flywheel, so the swinging uncertainty of the pedal in revolution could be eliminated, such that the pedal could swing smoothly via the inertia of its swinging path, thus avoiding falls due to loss of equilibrium and improving greatly the security, convenience and practicability.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a equilibrium training device, and more particularly to an innovative one which is designed to remove uncertain swinging of the pedal during inertia action of the swinging pedal.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
With the change of living patterns of the general public, their time and willingness for regular outdoor activities declines accordingly. For this reason, a variety of indoor fitness equipment, such as commonly-used treadmills, rowing machines or equilibrium training devices, have been developed to simulate various outdoor sports. The present invention is intended to explore how to make a breakthrough progress based on conventional equilibrium training mechanisms.
An equilibrium training device is exclusively used for equilibrium training, for example, when simulating surfing. A conventional equilibrium training device generally comprises a chassis, pedal set over the chassis and a linking mechanism set between the chassis and pedal. With use of the linking mechanism, the pedal could swing in a manner that the users could stand on the pedal to train their equilibrium sense in tune with the controlled swinging of the pedal. Yet, as the swinging of the pedal of conventional equilibrium training device is controlled by the equilibrium action of the users, the swinging path is free of inertia and the swinging motion is of uncertainty. Moreover, given poorer equilibrium sense of the users, it is very difficult to control the standing behavior on the pedal, leading to possible falls or even injury. Also, the users may depress their willingness, resulting in lower practicability and value.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the unique structure of the present invention wherein the “equilibrium training device” mainly comprises a chassis, a crank component, a pedal and a revolving inertia auxiliary roller set, when the user stands on the pedal for rotary equilibrium training, the belt and the first/second rollers of the revolving inertia auxiliary roller set are pulled together in tune with the rotation of the flywheel, so the swinging uncertainty of the pedal in revolution could be eliminated, such that the pedal could swing smoothly via the inertia of its swinging path, thus avoiding falls due to loss of equilibrium and improving greatly the security, convenience and practicability.
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 spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plane view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a status view of the present invention wherein the pedal could swing by taking the first coupling portion as the rotary pivot.

FIG. 5 is a structural perspective view of the present invention showing another preferred embodiment of the second coupling portion of the crank component.

FIG. 6 is a status view of the present invention wherein the pedal could swing in multiple directions.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein a soft gasket is covered onto the surface of the pedal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 depict preferred embodiments of an equilibrium training device of the present invention, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims.
Said equilibrium training device 05 comprises a chassis 10, defined into a preset seating pattern to form at least a plurality of seating portions 11. A pin joint portion 12 is additionally arranged on the preset location of the chassis 10.
A crank component 20 is provided and comprises of a first coupling portion 21 and a second coupling portion 22 in displaced configuration. Of which, the first coupling portion 21 is pivoted onto the pin joint portion 12 of the chassis 10, such that the second coupling portion 22 could swing by taking the first coupling portion 21 as the rotary pivot.
A pedal 30 is pivoted onto the second coupling portion 22 of the crank component 20. Based on the connection between the second coupling portion 22 and the pedal 30, the pedal 30 can swing in a transverse circular revolution by at least taking the first coupling portion 21 as the rotary pivot (indicated by arrow L1 in FIG. 4), or the pedal 30 can swing in an autorotation motion by at least taking the second coupling portion 22 as the rotary pivot.
A revolving inertia auxiliary roller set 40 is set between the chassis 10 and pedal 30, comprising of at least a first roller 41, a second roller 42, a flywheel 43 and a belt 44 wound between the first and second rollers 41, 42. Of which, the first roller 41 and the first coupling portion 21 of the crank component 20 are assembled coaxially (e.g. by welding), such that the first roller 41 could rotate synchronously with the revolution of the pedal 30. Of which, the second roller 42 is pivoted onto the chassis 10 at one side of the first roller 41, while the flywheel 43 and the second roller 41 are assembled coaxially. When the first roller 41 is rotated, the belt 44 is linked with the second roller 42 and flywheel 43, so the belt 44 and the first/ second rollers 41, 42 are pulled together with the rotation of the flywheel 43, and the swinging path of the pedal 30 is of inertia.
Based on above-specified structure, when the user stands on the pedal 30 to train their equilibrium sense (i.e. the swinging of the pedal 30 is controlled by the equilibrium motion of the human body), the belt 44 and the first/ second rollers 41, 42 of the revolving inertia auxiliary roller set 40 are pulled together in tune with the rotation of the flywheel 43, so the swinging uncertainty of the pedal 30 in revolution could be eliminated, such that the pedal 30 could swing smoothly via the inertia of its swinging path. Furthermore, the user with poorer equilibrium could easily control the pedal for training, avoiding possible injury from fall down due to loss of equilibrium, and also meeting the training demands of various users with improved security, convenience and practical value.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the axial direction of the second coupling portion 22 of the crank component 20 is perpendicular in relation to the ground level, so the pedal 30 is transversely assembled in relation to the second coupling portion 22. Or, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the axial direction of the second coupling portion 22 is oblique in relation to the ground level, so the pedal 30 is obliquely assembled in relation to the second coupling portion 22. Of which, when the axial direction of the second coupling portion 22 is oblique in relation to the ground level, the pedal 30 could swing in multiple directions in revolution or autorotation by the linking of the second coupling portion 22 and the pedal 30 (indicated by arrow L2 in FIG. 6).
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, at least an elastic auxiliary member 50 is set between the pedal 30 and chassis 10. Both ends of said elastic auxiliary member 50 are separately linked to the chassis 10 and pedal 30, allowing to limit the pedal 30 for only proper autorotation. During revolution of the pedal 30, the swinging stability and security of the pedal 30 could be improved by the auxiliary pulling action of the elastic auxiliary member 50. Further, the elastic auxiliary member 50 is preferably implemented by or not limited to either of elastic rope, spring or elastic rod.
Referring to FIG. 7, a soft gasket 60 is covered onto the surface of the pedal 30. Said soft gasket 60 is made of rubber, silica gel or soft plastics, or even latex or leather, etc. In addition, massage bulges 61 can be set on the surface of the soft gasket 60, generating a massage effect when the user stands on the pedal 30 for equilibrium training. On the other hand, the pedal 30 of the present invention could be designed into an arced pattern, so that when the pedal 30 swings in a transverse circular revolution, the users are allowed for surfing-like equilibrium training activities, so as to improve the diversification in operation.

Claims

1. An equilibrium training device comprising:

a chassis, defined into a preset seating pattern to form at least a plurality of seating portions; and a pin joint portion is additionally arranged on the preset location of the chassis;

a crank component, comprising of a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion in displaced configuration; of which the first coupling portion is pivoted onto the pin joint portion of the chassis, such that the second coupling portion could swing by taking the first coupling portion as the rotary pivot;

a pedal, pivoted onto the second coupling portion of the crank component; based on the connection between the second coupling portion and the pedal, the pedal can swing in a transverse circular revolution by at least taking the first coupling portion as the rotary pivot, or swing in an autorotation motion by at least taking the second coupling portion as the rotary pivot;

a revolving inertia auxiliary roller set, set between the chassis and pedal, comprising of at least a first roller, a second roller, a flywheel and a belt wound between the first and second rollers; of which the first roller and the first coupling portion of the crank component are assembled coaxially; of which the second roller is pivoted onto the chassis at one side of the first roller, while the flywheel and the second roller are assembled coaxially; when the first roller is rotated, the belt is linked with the second roller and flywheel, so the belt and the first/second rollers are pulled together with the rotation of the flywheel, and the swinging path of the pedal is of inertia;

when the user stands on the pedal to train their equilibrium sense, the swinging uncertainty of the pedal could be eliminated due to the inertia swinging path of the pedal, thus avoiding possible falls and improving the security and convenience in operation.

2. The device defined in claim 1, wherein the axial direction of the second coupling portion of the crank component is perpendicular or oblique in relation to the ground level, so the pedal is transversely or obliquely assembled in relation to the second coupling portion; of which, when the axial direction of the second coupling portion is oblique in relation to the ground level, the pedal could swing in multiple directions in revolution or autorotation by the linking of the second coupling portion and the pedal.

3. The device defined in claim 1, wherein at least an elastic auxiliary member is set between the pedal and chassis; both ends of said elastic auxiliary member are separately linked to the chassis and pedal, allowing to limit the pedal for only proper autorotation, during revolution of the pedal, the swinging stability and security of the pedal could be improved by the auxiliary pulling action of the elastic auxiliary member; of which, the elastic auxiliary member is preferably implemented by or not limited to either of elastic rope, spring or elastic rod.

4. The device defined in claim 3, wherein a soft gasket is covered onto the surface of the pedal; said soft gasket is made of rubber, silica gel or soft plastics.

5. The device defined in claim 4, wherein said pedal has an arced pattern, so that when the pedal swings in a transverse circular revolution, the users are allowed for surfing-like equilibrium training activities.