WO2007081081A1

WO2007081081A1 - Horse riding exercise machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007081081A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ki Chun Kim; Jae Ho Lee
Original assignee: Ki Chun Kim; Jae Ho Lee
Priority date: 2006-01-13
Filing date: 2006-11-06
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Also published as: KR100739368B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a horse riding exercise machine capable of offering the same exercising effects and fun as real horse riding by supporting an vertical motion shaft for moving a saddle, to be smoothly moved up and down and tilt by a spherical rolling joint, minimizing generation of noise, and improving durability by preventing damage of parts by focused load.

Description

Description HORSE RIDING EXERCISE MACHINE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a horse riding exercise machine, and more particularly to a horse riding exercise machine capable of effectively preventing generation of noise and breakage of parts while offering a user the same exercising effect and fun as real horse riding.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, horse riding offers a rider great effects of exercise, amusement and fun, being performed by directly mounting a horseback and making various gestures on the horseback. Therefore, popularity of the horse riding has been growing.

[4] However, the horse riding is hardly accessible for general people because it requires a special outfit including a hat, gloves, boots and clothes, with other various articles such as a saddle, reins and a whip demanding high expenses. In addition, a riding field is usually located far away.

[5] Accordingly, a horse riding exercise machine simulating the real horse riding has been introduced and spread to enable general people to easily obtain the fun and exercising effect of horse riding. Such a horse riding exercise machine is widely supplied nowadays even in public gyms and homes as well as amusement facilities.

[6] In the horse riding exercise machine, a saddle which supports weight of a user is structured to reciprocate up and down, so that the user can experience the effect of horse riding merely by sitting on the machine, without laboring to exercise in person.

[7] To be more specific, other athletic equipment such as a running machine and a bike machine is so laborious that a user may not steadily keep exercising on them. Differently from such laborious equipment, the horse riding exercise machine is interesting and inspiring to continuously exercise.

[8] However, a conventional horse riding exercise machine is easily broken down due to its complicated structure for vertically moving the saddle. Furthermore, the complicated structure increases the manufacturing cost and the price.

[9] A "horse riding exercise machine" (Utility Model Application No. 2004-13523) has been filed by the present applicant to overcome the above problems. The conventional horse riding exercise machine will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the conventional horse riding exercise machine. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of main parts of the conventional horse riding exercise machine.

[11] Referring to the drawings, a conventional horse riding exercise machine 100 comprises a main body 110 installed on a floor or the ground, a motor 120 mounted inside the main body 110, a crank shaft 130 mechanically connected to the motor 120 and rotatably mounted inside the main body 110, a crank arm 140 connected to the crank shaft 130, a support shaft 150 exposed above the main body 110 in connection with the crank arm 140, a saddle 160 connected to an upper end of the support shaft 150, and a shaft supporting means 170 mounted to the main body 110 to support the support shaft 150.

[12] The motor 120 supplies a driving force to the crank shaft 130 through a belt and a pulley. Whereas rpm of the motor 120 is decreased by a decelerating clutch 180, the driving force of the motor 120 transmitted to the crank shaft 130 increases.

[13] The decelerating clutch 180 comprises a driving pulley 181 connected to a rotation shaft of the motor 120, a first driven pulley 183 linked to the driving pulley 181 through a first belt 182, a decelerating shaft 184 connected to the first driven pulley 183 horizontally mounted inside the main body 110 to be rotatable, a decelerating pulley 185 having a smaller diameter than the first driven pulley 183 and connected to the decelerating shaft 184, and a second driven pulley 187 having a greater diameter than the decelerating pulley 185, linked to the decelerating pulley 185 through a second belt 186, and connected to the crank shaft 130.

[14] The decelerating clutch 180 transmits the driving force of the motor 120 uniformly to the crank shaft 130 through both sides of the crank shaft 130. To this end, the decelerating shaft 184, the decelerating pulley 185, the second belt 186 and the second driven pulley 187 are provided in pairs, respectively, and mounted on either side of the first driven pulley 183.

[15] A pair of the crank arms 140 are provided, being connected to each other by a crank pin 141. The crank arms 140 are eccentrically connected to the crank shaft 130 and rotated along with the crank shaft 130, thereby reciprocating the support shaft 150 connected to the crank pin 141 up and down.

[16] A connection frame 161 is connected to an upper end of the support shafts 150 to mount thereto the saddle 160 for the user to sit on using a bolt (not shown).

[17] The connection frame 161 includes a handle 162 for the user sitting on the saddle

160 to grip, and an operation panel 163 disposed in the middle part of the handle 162. The handle 162 may be formed integrally with the connection frame 161, or as a separate part and fixed to the connection frame 161.

[18] The operation panel 163 comprises a plurality of operation switches 163a for setting various operation modes of the horse riding exercise machine 100, and a display part 163b for showing the operation states. For example, driving and stoppage, operation time, and operation speed can be set through the operation switches 163a.

[19] The shaft supporting means 170 is mounted in an opening 116a formed at an upper part of the main body 110, the opening 116a for fitting with the support shaft 150. The support shaft 150 is supported by vertical movement of the crank shaft 130 and the crank arm 140.

[20] The shaft supporting means 170 includes a pair of rollers 172b for supporting the supporting shaft 150. The rollers 172b are rotatably mounted inside the opening 116a to resiliently support front and rear sides of the supporting shaft 150 using a resilient member (not shown).

[21] The above- structured conventional horse riding exercise machine 100 is operated as follows.

[22] As the user sitting on the saddle 160 drives the motor 120 by operating the operation switch 163a provided on the operation panel 163, the driving force of the motor 120 is transmitted to the crank shaft 130 through the pulleys 181, 183, 185 and 187. Here, since the first driven pulley 183 and the second driven pulley 187 have a greater diameter than the decelerating pulley 185, rpm of the motor 120 is decreased while the driving force is being transmitted to the crank shaft 130. As a result, the driving force of the crank shaft 130 is increased.

[23] As the crank shaft 130 is rotated, the support shaft 150 fixed to the crank pin 141 of the crank arm 140 reciprocates up and down repetitively. At this time, the support shaft 150 is tilted forward and backward as being resiliently supported by the rollers 172b of the shaft supporting means 170. This brings the user to a feeling of horse riding.

[24] In the conventional horse riding exercise machine 100, as described above, the driving force of the motor 120 is transmitted to both sides of the crank shaft 130 for uniform transmission of the driving force. For this purpose, a pair of groups including the decelerating shaft 184, the decelerating pulley 185, the second belt 186, and the second driven pulley 187 need to be provided at the both sides, which increases the number of parts and complicates the structure. As a result, the whole volume of the horse riding exercise machine 100 is increased.

[25] Furthermore, the front and rear sides of the support shaft 150 are resiliently supported by the rollers 172b of the shaft supporting means 170. Therefore, while being moved up and down by the crank shaft 130 and the crank arm 140, the support shaft 150 is inclined to tilt forward and backward, thereby applying a considerable force onto the resilient member (not shown). Consequently, the resilient member generates noise while being compressed and recovered. In addition, the resilient member may be damaged, thereby deteriorating durability of the horse riding exercise machine 100.

[26] Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[27] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a horse riding exercise machine capable of diminishing noise and improved in durability to prevent damage of parts applied with loads, as well as offering a user as much effect of exercise and fun as real horse riding.

[28]

Technical Solution

[29] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horse riding exercise machine comprising a saddle; an vertical motion shaft fixed to the saddle; a spherical rolling joint connected to the vertical motion shaft to guide vertical and tilting movements of the vertical motion shaft; a crank arm transmitting a driving force to the vertical motion shaft, in connection with the vertical motion shaft; and a driving means rotating the crank arm.

[30] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horse riding exercise machine comprising a saddle; an vertical motion shaft perpendicularly fixed to the saddle; a frame mounting perpendicularly thereto the vertical motion shaft and having a supporter for supporting the vertical motion shaft; a crank arm having a crank journal connected to the vertical motion shaft at one side thereof and rotating to move up and down and tilt the vertical motion shaft; a motor for rotating the crank arm; and a decelerating member including a first driven pulley linked to a driving pulley fixed to a rotational shaft of the motor through a first belt and a second driven pulley linked to the crank arm through a second belt, the first and the second driven pulleys fixed to a decelerating shaft and rotated together, so that a driving force of the motor is reduced and transmitted to the vertical motion shaft, and a driving means including a bearing rotatably supporting the decelerating shaft of the decelerating member and disposed between the first driven pulley and the second driven pulley.

[31]

Advantageous Effects

[32] In a horse riding exercise machine according to the present invention, an vertical motion shaft for moving a saddle up and down is supported to smoothly move up and down and tilt, thereby offering a user the same exercising effects and fun as real horse riding.

[33] Moreover, in the horse riding exercise machine according to the present invention, noise generated during the operation can be much reduced, and durability is enhanced so that parts applied with loads are not easily damaged [34]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[35] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[36] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional horse riding exercise machine;

[37] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing main parts of the conventional horse riding exercise machine; [38] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a horse riding exercise machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [39] FIG. 4 is a side view of the horse riding exercise machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [40] FIG. 5 is a partially cut-out side view showing main parts of the horse riding exercise machine according to the first embodiment, especially showing an vertical motion shaft moving up and down and tilting; [41] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view cut along a line A-A of FIG. 4, for showing a crank arm of the horse riding exercise machine according to the first embodiment; [42] FIG. 7 is a sectional view cut along a line B-B of FIG. 6; and

[43] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a horse riding exercise machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [44]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [45] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings for easy application by those skilled in the art. [46] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a horse riding exercise machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of the horse riding exercise machine. [47] FIG. 5 is a partially cut-out side view showing main parts of the horse riding exercise machine according to the first embodiment, especially showing an vertical motion shaft moving up and down and tilting, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view cut along a line A-A of FIG. 5, for showing a crank arm of the horse riding exercise machine according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view cut along a line B-B of FIG. 6 [48] Referring to the drawings, a horse riding exercise machine 200 according to the first embodiment comprises a saddle 210, an vertical motion shaft 220 fixed to the saddle

210, a spherical rolling joint 240 guiding both vertical and tilting movements of the vertical motion shaft 220, a frame 250 fixing the spherical rolling joint 240 thereto, a crank arm 260 connected to the vertical motion shaft 220 to transmit a driving force, and a driving means 270 for rotating the crank arm 260.

[49] The saddle 210 is shaped for a user to comfortably sit on. The saddle 210 is connected to a static panel 211 disposed at a lower part thereof by a fastening member such as a bolt (not shown).

[50] A shaft insertion part 211a for inserting the vertical motion shaft 220 is integrally formed with a lower part of the static panel 211. An upper end of the vertical motion shaft 220 is fit in and fixed to the shaft insertion part 21 Ia by at least one fixing bolt 21 Ib. The fixing bolt 21 Ib penetrates the shaft insertion part 211a and is screw- connected.

[51] A panel fixing member 212 is extended from the static panel 211 toward a front side of the horse riding exercise machine 200. An operation panel 213 is mounted to an end of the panel fixing member 212.

[52] The operation panel 213 comprises a plurality of operation switches 213a and a display part 213b. Various operation modes such as driving and stoppage, operation time, and operation speed can be set through the operation switches 213a. Information such as the operation time and speed is displayed through the display part 213b for a user.

[53] A front handle 214 and a rear handle 215 are formed at rear parts of the panel fixing member 212 and the saddle 210, respectively, for a user to grip and keep her/his balance. In addition, a spur 216 is mounted to both sides of the saddle 210 for a user to foot on.

[54] The vertical motion shaft 220 supports the saddle 210. To this end, more specifically, a lower end of the vertical motion shaft 220 is connected to the crank arm 260. As the crank arm 260 rotates, the saddle 210 is repetitively moved up and down and tilted forward and backward by a predetermined angle.

[55] A slider 230 is connected to the vertical motion shaft 220 in a sliding manner, and fixed to the spherical rolling joint 240. An o-ring 231 is connected at a connecting portion between the slider 230 and the vertical motion shaft 220 to restrain grease from flowing down. The slider 230 may be made of synthetic resin, for example, polyte- trafluoroethylene(PTFE) .

[56] As shown in FIG. 4, the spherical rolling joint 240 comprises the slider 230 slidably connected to the vertical motion shaft 220, a spherical body 241 penetrating the center of the slider and fixed, and a bearing housing 242 enclosing the spherical body 241. The spherical body 241 connected to the slider 230 is guided to perform spherical motion in a spherical depression 242a of the bearing housing 242.

[57] Since the bearing housing 242 has corresponding curvature to the spherical body 241, the spherical body can be restricted within the bearing housing 242 while performing the spherical motion, as shown in FIG. 5.

[58] The spherical body 241 includes a connection projection 241a formed on an inner surface thereof. The connection projection 241a is inserted in a connection depression 232 formed on an outer surface of the slider 230, so that the slider 230 is not separated from the spherical body 241.

[59] The bearing housing 242 includes a grease nipple 243, and a grease storage depression 244 disposed at an upper part thereof.

[60] The grease nipple 243 is protruded to the outside, penetrating one side of the bearing housing 242. Grease is supplied through the grease nipple 243 to the spherical depression 242a where the spherical body 241 is contacted and rotated.

[61] The grease storage depression 244 formed at the upper part of the bearing housing

242 is placed around an upper part of the spherical body 241. Therefore, the grease storage depression 244 is filled up with the grease being supplied through the grease nipple 243.

[62] A cover 280 is provided to prevent the grease from scattering to an upper part of the grease storage depression 244.

[63] The cover 280 is made of a flexible material such as rubber and urethane, and has a bellows structure easily contracted and expanded. A lower end of the cover 280 is fixedly fit in the grease storage depression 244. An upper end of the cover 280 is fit in the shaft insertion part 21 Ia of the saddle 210, and fixed by the fixing bolt 21 Ib.

[64] The frame 250 is divided into a lower frame 251 placed on a floor or the ground to support the whole machine, and an upper frame 252 having an arc shape and connected to an upper part of the lower frame 251 by welding or by a bolt. A frame cover (not shown) may be connected to the outside of the frame 250.

[65] The upper frame 252 comprises a pair of upper frames disposed on the left and the right, which are spaced from each other in a manner that the interval therebetween decreases as going upward.

[66] A fixing board 253 is opened for the vertical motion shaft 220 to penetrate and formed at an upper part of the upper frame 252 integrally. The bearing housing 242 is fixed to an upper part of the fixing board 253 by a fixing bolt 253b. That is, the bearing housing 242 is fixed to the upper frame 252 through the fixing board 253.

[67] A crank journal 261 is connected to one side of the crank arm 260 to transmit the driving force of the crank arm to the vertical motion shaft 220. As shown in FIG. 5, when the crank arm 260 is rotated, the crank journal 261 moves up and down and tilts forward and backward the vertical motion shaft 220.

[68] Referring to FIG. 6, the crank journal 261 connected to a link connector 221 of the vertical motion shaft 220 is eccentrically formed at one side of the crank arm 260. [69] The crank journal 261 comprises a shaft 261b fixed eccentrically to the crank arm

260 by welding, and a rotation member 26 Id rotatably mounted to the shaft 261b through a first bearing 261c.

[70] Referring to FIG. 7, both ends of the link connector 221 of the vertical motion shaft

220 are fixed onto an outer surface of the rotation member 26 Id by a two-step bolt 261e.

[71] The two-step bolt 261e has a stepped structure including a larger-diameter part and a smaller-diameter part. A screw thread is formed on the smaller-diameter part, but not on the larger-diameter part. The screw thread of the two-step bolt 26 Ie is fastened with the rotation member 26 Id while the rest part without the screw thread penetrates the link connector 221.

[72] Referring back to FIG. 6, a crank shaft 262 is formed in the center of rotation of the crank arm 260. The crank shaft 262 is rotatably fixed to a crank shaft support member 254 through a second bearing 255. The crank shaft support member 254 is mounted to the lower frame 251.

[73] A plurality of the second bearings 255 mounted inside the crank shaft support member 254 may be provided. In this case, more second bearings 255 (for example, two second bearings) may be mounted to a portion applied with a great external force, that is, the portion where the crank arm 260 is disposed, than the opposite side applied with a relatively less external force.

[74] The driving means 270 comprises a motor 271 mounted on the lower frame 251, and a decelerating member 273. A driving pulley 271a is fixed to a rotational shaft of the motor. The decelerating member 273 reduces the driving force of the motor 271 and transmits the reduced force to the crank arm 260 through the first and the second belts 272 and 274.

[75] The decelerating member 273 comprises a first driven pulley 273a, a second driven pulley 273b, and a decelerating shaft 273c. The first driven pulley 273a is linked to the driving pulley 271a through the first belt 272 to operate in association with the driving pulley 271a supplied with the driving force from the motor 271. The second driven pulley 271b is directly connected to the first driven pulley 273 a, and linked to the crank arm 260 through the second belt 274. The first and the second driven pulleys 273a and 273b are fixed to both sides of the decelerating shaft 273c, respectively.

[76] The second driven pulley 273b has a smaller diameter than the first driven pulley

273a, for deceleration.

[77] The decelerating shaft 273c is rotatably mounted to be disposed between the first driven pulley 273 a and the second driven pulley 273b, penetrating a decelerating shaft fixing member 256 fixed on the lower frame 251. A third bearing (not shown) is mounted in the decelerating shaft fixing member 256 so as to support the decelerating shaft 273c.

[78] As the first and the second belts 272 and 274 are wound on both sides with the decelerating shaft fixing member 256 therebetween, the force applied to the decelerating shaft 273c can be balanced, thereby minimizing damage of the third bearing (not shown) caused by a biased load.

[79] The above- structured horse riding exercise machine 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is operated as follows.

[80] When the user sits on the saddle 210 and drives the motor 271 through the operation switches 213a, the driving force of the motor 271 is transmitted to the crank arm 260 through the first belt 272, the second belt 274, and the decelerating member 273, being decelerated. The vertical motion shaft 220 rotatably connected to the crank journal 261 which is eccentrically mounted to the crank arm 260, repeats vertical movement and tilting by the predetermined angle. Accordingly, the user can obtain the exercising effects and fun, feeling as if enjoying real horse riding.

[81] The user is able to set and control various operation modes, for example, the whole operation time and a motion period of the vertical motion shaft 220, through the operation switches 213a.

[82] The vertical motion shaft 220 connected to the saddle 210 can be smoothly moved up and down, by being slid along an inside of the slider 230. Additionally, in a state where the slider 230 penetrated by the horse riding exercise machine 220 is connected to the spherical body 241, as the spherical body 241 performs the spherical motion under guidance of the spherical depression 242a of the bearing housing 242, the vertical motion shaft 220 can be smoothly tilted forward and backward with respect to the horse riding exercise machine 200.

[83] More particularly, the vertical motion shaft 220 is mounted to slide in the slider

230, and the slider 230 penetrated by the vertical motion shaft 220 is connected to the spherical body 241 guided by the spherical depression 242a of the bearing housing 242. The link connector 221 of the horse riding exercise machine 220 is pivotably hinged upon the crank journal 261 disposed eccentrically from the center of rotation of the crank arm 260. Through this structure, the vertical motion shaft 220 is capable of smoothly moving up and down and tilting forward and backward.

[84] In the horse riding exercise machine 200, since the vertical motion shaft 220 is smoothly operated as described above, the load by the vertical motion shaft 220 applied to the frame 250 can be distributed by the slider 230 and the spherical rolling joint 240. As a result, the component parts can be prevented from being stressed and damaged, thereby enhancing durability. Also, noise is reduced.

[85] Especially, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the spherical rolling joint 240 is structured in a manner that the grease is supplied to a contacting portion between the bearing housing 242 and the spherical body 241 through the grease nipple 243, and the grease flowed in the grease storage depression 244 is supplied to a sliding portion between the slider 230 and the vertical motion shaft 220. The grease supplied to the sliding portion helps the vertical motion shaft 220 move more smoothly.

[86] The cover 280 prevents the grease in the grease storage depression 244 from scattering to the outside.

[87] According to the embodiment of the present invention, moreover, the number of parts for decelerating and transmitting the driving force of the motor 271 to the crank arm 260, such as the belts 272 and 274 and the decelerating member 273, is considerably reduced. Therefore, the whole structure is simplified, thereby reducing the whole volume and the manufacturing cost of the horse riding exercise machine 200.

[88] However, the reduction in the number of parts causes a biased load to the decelerating member 273, which may damage relevant parts.

[89] In order to overcome this problem, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the decelerating shaft 273c disposed between the first and the second driven pulleys 273a and 273b penetrates the decelerating shaft fixing member 256, as being supported by the third bearing (not shown) mounted inside the decelerating shaft fixing member 256.

[90] Accordingly, the load can be applied balancedly to both sides of the decelerating shaft 273c through the first belt 272 and the second belt 274, with the decelerating shaft fixing member 245 disposed between the belts 272 and 274. As a result, the biased load applied to the decelerating member 273 can be solved while reducing the number of parts such as the belts 272 and 274, and the decelerating member 273. Therefore, damage of the decelerating shaft 273c and the third bearing (not shown) can be prevented, accordingly improving durability of the horse riding exercise machine 200.

[91] Hereinafter, a horse riding exercise machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[92] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the horse riding exercise machine according to the second embodiment. A horse riding exercise machine 300 according to the second embodiment comprises a saddle 310, an vertical motion shaft 320 perpendicularly fixed to the saddle 310, a frame 350 mounting perpendicularly thereto the vertical motion shaft 320 and having a supporter 358 for supporting the vertical motion shaft 320, a crank arm 360 having a crank journal 361 at one side in connection with the vertical motion shaft 320 and rotating to move up and down and tilt forward and backward the vertical motion shaft 320, and a driving means 370 for rotating the crank arm 360. [93] The frame 350 comprises a lower frame 351 placed on the floor or the ground, and a pair of upper frames 352 having an arc shape and fixed to an upper part of the lower frame 351 by welding or by a bolt. A frame cover (not shown) may be further mounted to the outside of the frame 350.

[94] Since the saddle 310 and the vertical motion shaft 320 of the horse riding exercise machine 300 according to the second embodiment are structured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[95] The upper frame 352 includes the supporter 358 at an upper part thereof, so as to support movement of the vertical motion shaft 320 instead of the slider 230 and the spherical rolling joint 240 (FIGS. 4 and 5) in the first embodiment.

[96] The supporter 358 may be formed as a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the upper part of the upper frame 352 and supporting front and rear parts of the vertical motion shaft 320 being tilted, respectively, as shown in FIG. 8. However, the supporter according to the present invention is not limited to this form, but may be a projection curved on a surface facing the vertical motion shaft 320 to enable tilting as well as vertical moving of the vertical motion shaft 320.

[97] Besides the above, the supporter 358 may have other various structures except a spherical rolling joint as long as it can support the movement of the vertical motion shaft 320.

[98] The same as in the first embodiment, the driving means 370 comprises a motor 371 mounted to the lower frame 351, and a decelerating member 373. A driving pulley 371a is fixed to a rotational shaft of the motor. The decelerating member 373 reduces the driving force of the motor 371 and transmits the reduced force to the crank arm 360 through first and second belts 372 and 374.

[99] The decelerating member 373 comprises a first driven pulley 373a, a second driven pulley 373b, and a decelerating shaft 373c. The first driven pulley 373a is linked to the driving pulley 371a of the motor 371 through the first belt 372. The second driven pulley 371b is linked to the crank arm 360 through the second belt 374. The first and the second driven pulleys 373a and 373b are fixed to both sides of the decelerating shaft 373c, respectively.

[100] The second driven pulley 373b has a smaller diameter than the first driven pulley

373a, for deceleration.

[101] The decelerating shaft 373c penetrates a decelerating shaft fixing member 356, as being disposed between the first driven pulley 373a and the second driven pulley 373b and supported by a bearing (not shown) mounted in the decelerating shaft fixing member 356.

[102] As the first and the second belts 372 and 374 are wound on both sides with the decelerating shaft fixing member 356 therebetween, the force applied to the decelerating shaft 373c can be balanced, thereby minimizing damage of the bearing (not shown) by a biased load and improving durability.

[103] The above- structured horse riding exercise machine 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is operated as follows.

[104] When the crank arm 360 is rotated by a driving force of the motor 371 transmitted through the belts 372 and 374 and the decelerating member 373, the vertical motion shaft 320 connected to the crank journal 361, which is eccentrically mounted to the crank arm 360, is repetitively moved up and down. Along with this, the vertical motion shaft 320 repeats tilting movement, being supported at both front and rear sides thereof by the supporter 358.

[105] Through the above operations, the horse riding exercise machine 300 offers the user the same exercising effects and fun as real horse riding.

[106] According to the second embodiment as described above, in the same manner as the first embodiment, the number of parts such as the belts 372 and 374 and the decelerating member 373 is reduced, thereby simplifying the structure. Consequently, the manufacturing cost and the whole volume of the machine can be reduced.

[107] Moreover, the structure of the decelerating shaft 373c as explained above helps balance the load applied to the both sides of the decelerating shaft 373a through the first belt 372 and the second belt 374, with the decelerating shaft fixing member 356 disposed between the belts 372 and 374.

[108] Accordingly, the bias of the load applied to the decelerating member 373 can be minimized even with reduced number of parts. Therefore, damage of the bearing (not shown) is prevented, while improving durability.

[109] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[HO]

Industrial Applicability

[111] According to a horse riding exercise machine of the present invention, an vertical motion shaft for moving a saddle is well supported to move smoothly, so that a user can obtain the same exercising effects and fun as real horse riding. Additionally, operational noise is minimized whereas durability is improved by restraining damage of parts.

[112]

Claims

[1] A horse riding exercise machine comprising: a saddle; an vertical motion shaft fixed to the saddle; a spherical rolling joint connected to the vertical motion shaft to guide vertical and tilting movements of the vertical motion shaft; a crank arm transmitting a driving force to the vertical motion shaft, in connection with the vertical motion shaft; and a driving means rotating the crank arm. [2] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the spherical rolling joint comprises: a slider slidably connected to the vertical motion shaft; a spherical body penetrating the center of the slider and fixed; and a bearing housing enclosing the spherical body. [3] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the spherical body includes a connection projection formed on an inner surface thereof and inserted in a connection depression formed on an outer surface of the slider, so as to prevent separation of the slider from the spherical body. [4] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the bearing housing includes a grease nipple. [5] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the bearing housing includes a grease storage depression at an upper part thereof. [6] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 5, wherein a cover is formed at an upper part of the grease storage depression to prevent scattering of the grease. [7] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the cover is made of a flexible material such as rubber and urethane. [8] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 7, wherein the cover has a bellows structure to be easily expanded and contracted. [9] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the cover is inserted and fixed in the grease storage depression by a lower end thereof, and in a shaft insertion part of the saddle by an upper end thereof. [10] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the driving means comprises: a motor as a driving source; a driving pulley fixed to a rotational shaft of the motor; and a decelerating member connected to the driving pulley to decelerate and transmit to the crank arm a driving force of the motor. [11] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the decelerating member comprises: a first driven pulley linked to the driving pulley fixed to the rotational shaft of the motor through a first belt; a second driven pulley linked to the crank arm through a second belt; and a decelerating shaft fixing the first and the second driven pulleys to both sides thereof. [12] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the decelerating shaft is rotatably mounted between the first and the second driven pulleys, being inserted in a decelerating shaft fixing member through a third bearing. [13] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising: a lower frame placed on a floor to support the whole horse riding exercise machine; and an upper frame fixed to an upper part of the lower frame to support the spherical rolling joint. [14] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 13, wherein the upper frame is mounted with a fixing board having an opening for penetration of the vertical motion shaft, and the fixing board is fastened with the bearing housing. [15] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 13, wherein a frame cover is provided at the outside of the upper frame so that the upper frame and the driving means. [16] A horse riding exercise machine comprising: a saddle; an vertical motion shaft fixed to the saddle; a slider mounted at the outside of the vertical motion shaft so that the vertical motion shaft slides along an inner surface of the slider; a spherical body penetrating the center of the slider and fixed; a bearing housing having a spherical depression that encloses the spherical body, and mounted at the outside of the spherical body so that the spherical body performs spherical motion in the spherical depression; a crank arm having a crank journal connected to the vertical motion shaft at one side thereof, and rotating to move up and down and tilt the vertical motion shaft; and a driving means rotating the crank arm. [17] A horse riding exercise machine comprising: a saddle; an vertical motion shaft perpendicularly fixed to the saddle; a frame mounting perpendicularly thereto the vertical motion shaft and having a supporter for supporting the vertical motion shaft; a crank arm connected to the vertical motion shaft to transmit a driving force to the vertical motion shaft; a motor functioning as a driving source for rotating the crank arm; and a decelerating member reducing a driving force of the motor and transmitting the driving force to the vertical motion shaft, wherein a roller as the supporter is mounted to front and rear sides of the vertical motion shaft, and the crank arm includes a crank journal at one side for moving vertically and tilting the vertical motion shaft by rotating. [18] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the crank journal comprises: a shaft eccentrically fixed to the crank arm; and a rotation member rotatably mounted to the shaft through a first bearing. [19] The horse riding exercise machine of claim 18, wherein a link connector of the vertical motion shaft are fixed by both ends thereof to an outer surface of the rotation member using a two-step bolt.