Abstract:
A composite fitness machine is provided which is readily adapted to serve as a single integrated device for simulating a walking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing exercise, which can be chosen by a user as desired. The device has right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from suspension frames provided on an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise with the platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links. The platforms can also be arranged so that they are alternately pivoted to simulate a stair climbing exercise. Furthermore, the platforms can also be fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a composite fitness machine which is readily adapted to serve as a single integrated device for simulating a walking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing exercise, which can be chosen by a user as desired.  
           [0003]    2. Prior Art  
           [0004]    Examples of conventional fitness machines include the one shown in FIG. 13, which is provided with a piece of wide endless belt B to be walked on, the endless belt B being driven by the impact of the user&#39;s tread to simulate a walking exercise. Another example is shown in FIG. 14, in which a pair of foot paddles S is alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. Another example is shown in FIG. 15, in which a pair of foot paddles S is swingably suspended with a pair of parallel links T to be alternately moved back and forth to simulate a cross country skiing exercise. In a combined fitness machine shown in FIG. 16A, the pair of foot paddles S is provided on the endless belt B and is alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. The device is also available to simulate a walking exercise as shown in FIG. 16B, in which the aforementioned foot paddles S are individually folded upwardly to be retracted.  
           [0005]    Many of the fitness machines of the aforementioned types are used indoors at home, thus being required to provide a sufficient performance of these types of bodily exertion and to be compact in size. However, many of the aforementioned conventional fitness machines are provided with a single function and thus a single device cannot provide the performance of different types of bodily exertion. Therefore, a user who would wish to simulate other exercises would have to purchase discrete dedicated fitness machines one after another which were provided with the functions for simulating the exercises the user desired. Consequently, this would lead to not only additional expenditures but also to storage problems in a household environment. In addition, the combined fitness machine of the aforementioned conventional type was too heavy to be readily moved or stored.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention was developed to solve the aforementioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a composite fitness machine which provides two or more types of exercise by means of a single device, improved ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.  
           [0007]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine is provided which comprising right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The front end portions of said right and left endless foot platforms are rotatably affixed to any one of a base and an upright frame provided vertically thereto. The right and left endless foot platforms can be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise. In addition, the platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.  
           [0008]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine comprises parallel links each swingably affixed to an upright frame affixed vertically to a base. Right and left foot paddles are each attached to lower end portions of parallel links to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. The paddles can be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise.  
           [0009]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine is provided with right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. This is done with said right and left endless foot platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links. The right and left endless foot platforms can also be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise. In addition, the platforms can be fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.  
           [0010]    As describe above, the arrangement of the present invention makes it possible to provide a composite fitness machine which provides two or more types of exercise by means of a single device, improved ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment according to the present invention,  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 3A being a side view thereof and FIG. 3B being a plan view thereof,  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3A with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 5A, 5B, and  5 C are views illustrating a seventh embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 5A being a side view thereof, and FIGS. 5B and 5C being explanatory views showing the action of a switching lever,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 5A, FIG. 6A being a side view thereof with a stair climbing exercise being simulated, and FIG. 6B being a cross sectional view showing an example of use of a helical spring,  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 7A and 7B are views illustrating a twelfth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 7A being a side view thereof, and FIG. 7B being a plan view thereof,  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7, with a cross-country skiing exercise being simulated,  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7, with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 10A and 10B are views illustrating a thirteenth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 10A being a side view thereof and FIG. 10B being a plan view thereof,  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 10A, with a walking exercise being simulated,  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory views illustrating the action of the stair climbing exercise being simulated in the embodiment of FIG. 10A,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a conventional fitness machine,  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is an explanatory view illustrating another example of a conventional fitness machine,  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating still another example of a conventional fitness machine, and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views illustrating yet another example of a conventional fitness machine.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a third embodiment according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is pivotably affixed the front end portion of each of movable frames  26 ,  27  at a lower portion of an upright frame  25  mounted vertically to a front end portion of a base  24 . There are rotatably mounted a pair of rollers (not shown) to each of the movable frames  26 ,  27 . Endless belts  28 ,  29  are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames  26 ,  27 , the rollers, and the endless belts  28 ,  29  constitute a right and left endless foot platform R.  
         [0028]    Each upper end portion of a pair of load resistance cylinders  30 ,  31  is affixed to the aforementioned upright frame  25 , and lower ends thereof are affixed to the front portions of the aforementioned movable frames  26 ,  27 , respectively.  
         [0029]    Reference numeral  32  designates a swing rod adapted to swing vertically about a spindle  32   a  oriented laterally and transversely. The right and left edge portions thereof abut against the aforementioned movable frames  26 ,  27  on the right and left, being adapted to actuate alternately the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R up and down. The aforementioned swing rod  32  is provided to be vertically movable by means of an actuation rod  33  and is coupled to the lower end portion of a coupler rod  34 . The upper end portion of the coupler rod  34  is coupled to the edge portion of an actuation rod  35  which is pivotably affixed to the aforementioned upright frame  25 . The aforementioned swing rod  32  is adapted to be operatively moved up and down by latching an operation rod  35   a  to or unlatching it from a latch plate  35   b.    
         [0030]    The third embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. Incidentally, with this arrangement, the movable frames  26 ,  27  of the right and left endless foot platforms R are fixed to the base  24  by means of locking means  36 . Moreover, the endless belts  28 ,  29  of the right and left endless foot platforms R are operatively associated with flywheels  37 .  
         [0031]    Releasing the aforementioned locking means  36  and operatively latching the aforementioned operation rod  35   a  to the latch plate  35   b  would cause the right and left endless foot platforms R to be raised from the base  24  as shown in FIG. 2, making it possible to thereby simulate a stair climbing exercise. Incidentally, the aforementioned endless belts  28 ,  29  are fixed by means of a descending tread stopper  33   a  provided on the aforementioned actuation rod  33 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The front end of each of movable frames  39 ,  40  is pivotably affixed at the front portion of a base  38 . The movable frames  39 ,  40  are provided rotatably with a pair of rollers  41 ,  42 , respectively. Endless belts  43 ,  44  are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers  41 ,  42 , respectively. The aforementioned movable frames  39 ,  40 , the rollers  41 ,  42 , and the endless belts  43 ,  44  constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R. Reference numeral  45  designates a handgrip upright frame.  
         [0033]    Reference numeral  46  designates a pulley, which is provided to be movable by means of a spiral shaft  47  in the direction shown by the arrow. A wire  48  passes over the pulley  46 , the both ends of the wire  48  being coupled to actuating pieces  39   a ,  40   a  provided on the movable frames  39 ,  40 , respectively. Incidentally, the aforementioned pulley  46  is adapted to allow the right and left endless foot platforms R to be adjustably subjected to load resistance, that is, to treading resistance thereto. Reference numeral  49  designates locking means, reference numerals  43  and  44  designate endless belts, and reference numeral  50  designates flywheels.  
         [0034]    The fourth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. In addition, suppose that the aforementioned locking means  49  is released and the aforementioned spiral shaft  47  is rotated to cause the aforementioned pulley  46  to move rearwards (in the direction shown by the arrow). In this case, for example as shown in FIG. 4, the actuating piece  40   a  will be pulled by means of the wire  48  to cause the movable frame  40  integrated therewith to be pivoted upwardly. With this arrangement, the stair climbing exercise can be simulated. Incidentally, adjustment of displacement of the pulley  46  to be produced by the aforementioned spiral shaft  47  would make it possible to adjust the amount of tread onto the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 5A to  5 C are views illustrating a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The front portion of each of movable frames  77 ,  78  is pivotably affixed to an upright piece  76  a provided vertically at the front portion of a base  76  via a mounting axle  76   b . The movable frames  77 ,  78  are provided rotatably with a pair of rollers  79 ,  80 , respectively. Endless belts  81 ,  82  are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers  79 ,  80 , respectively. The aforementioned movable frames  77 ,  78 , the rollers  79 ,  80 , and the endless belts  81 ,  82  constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R.  
         [0036]    Reference numeral  83  designates a switching lever which is affixed to the aforementioned upright piece  76   a  and which is elastically pressed in the counterclockwise direction by means of springs  83   a . As can be seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the switching lever  83  is provided with a cam piece  83   b , being adapted to actuate a keeper lever  84  mounted to the aforementioned movable frames  77 ,  78 . Incidentally, FIG. 5B illustrates a spiral spring  87 , which is interposed between the movable frames  77 ,  78  of the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R and the aforementioned mounting axle  76   b . The spiral spring  87  is adapted to elastically press the endless foot platforms R in the counterclockwise direction in place of or in conjunction with the aforementioned springs  83   a.    
         [0037]    The seventh embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A to  5 C, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, pivoting the aforementioned switching lever  83  in the counterclockwise direction would cause the rear portions of the right and left endless foot platforms R to be raised by means of the springs  83   a . This also causes the cam piece  83   b  of the aforementioned switching lever  83  to be dislodged from the keeper lever  84 , and a keeper portion  84   a  to be pressed elastically against the aforementioned endless belts  81 ,  82  by means of a spring  84   b . Consequently, it is made possible to simulate a stair climbing exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrating a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided suspension frames  139 ,  140  generally in parallel to a base  137  on the upper end portion of an upright frame  138 , which is vertically provided on the front end portion of the base  137 . Suspension rods  141 ,  142  are suspended swingably from the suspension frames  139 ,  140 , respectively. There are provided handgrips  141   a ,  142   a  each integrated with the upper portions of the upper end of the suspension rods  141 ,  142 .  
         [0039]    The front end portions of movable frames  143 ,  144  are pivotably affixed to the lower end portions of the aforementioned suspension rods  141 ,  142  via spindles  141   b ,  142   b , respectively. There are rotatably provided a pair of rollers  145 ,  146  at the both end portions of the movable frames  143 ,  144 , respectively. Endless belts  147 ,  148  are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers  145 ,  146 , respectively. The aforementioned movable frames  143 ,  144 , the rollers  145 ,  146 , and the endless belts  147 ,  148  constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R.  
         [0040]    Reference numerals  149  and  150  designate second suspension rods, the upper end portions of which are pivotably affixed to the aforementioned suspension frames  139 ,  140 , respectively. The lower end portions of the aforementioned second suspension rods  149 ,  150  are pivotably coupled to one end portions of reversible rods  151 ,  152 , respectively. The other end portions of the reversible rods  151 ,  152  are pivotably affixed to the rear portions of the aforementioned movable frames  143 ,  144 , respectively.  
         [0041]    The upper end portions of a pair of load resistance cylinders  153   a ,  153   b  are affixed to the aforementioned upright frame  138 , and the lower end portions thereof are affixed to the front portions of the aforementioned movable frames  143 ,  144 , respectively.  
         [0042]    Reference numeral  155  designates a swing rod, the right and left edge portions of which are in contact with the aforementioned movable frames  143 ,  144 , respectively, and which is adapted to move alternately the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R up and down. The aforementioned swing rod  155  is provided to be movable up and down by means of an actuation rod  156 . Reference numeral  156   a  designates an operation rod,  156   b  designates a latch plate, and  156   c  designates a fixing portion. In addition, reference numeral  157  designates locking means for the endless belts  147 ,  148 , and reference numeral  158  designates flywheels.  
         [0043]    The twelfth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the right and left endless belts  147 ,  148  fixed by the locking means  157  provided on the base  137  are released and the endless belts  147 ,  148  are operatively associated with the flywheels  158  to allow a user to simulate a walking exercise. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 25, the rear portions of the aforementioned endless foot platforms R are raised, the aforementioned reversible rods  151 ,  152  are reversed, and the endless foot platforms R are arranged in a generally horizontal configuration. This allows a user to reciprocate the right and left foot alternately to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the aforementioned reversible rods  151 ,  152  are put back to where they were and the actuation rod  156  is pivoted upwardly by means of the aforementioned operation rod  156   a  to stop the descending phase of the step by means of a stopper  156   d . The spindles  141   b ,  142   b  are also fixed by means of the aforementioned fixing portion  156   c  to prevent the right and left endless foot platforms R from moving back and forth. The user is thereby allowed to simulate a stair climbing exercise.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrating a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided suspension frames  161 ,  162  generally in parallel to a base  159  on the upper end portion of an upright frame  160 , which is vertically provided on the front end portion of the base  159 . A pair of first suspension rods  163 ,  164  and a pair of second suspension rods  165 ,  166  are suspended swingably in parallel to each other from the suspension frames  161 ,  162 , respectively.  
         [0045]    The lower end portions of the aforementioned first suspension rods  163 ,  164  are pivotably affixed to the front portionsofmovableframesl 67 ,  168 , respectively. On the other hand, the lower end portions of the aforementioned second suspension rods  165 ,  166  are pivotably coupled to one ends of reversible rods  169 ,  170 , respectively. The other ends of the reversible rods  169 ,  170  are pivotably affixed to the middle portions of the aforementioned movable frames  167 ,  168 .  
         [0046]    The aforementioned suspension frames  161 ,  162  are provided with load resistance cylinders  171 ,  172 , respectively, and the lower end portions thereof are affixed to the aforementioned movable frames  167 ,  168 .  
         [0047]    The both ends of the aforementioned movable frames  167 ,  168  are rotatably provided with a pair of rollers  173 ,  174 , respectively. Endless belts  175 ,  176  are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers  173 ,  174 , respectively. The aforementioned movable frames  167 ,  168 , the rollers  173 ,  174 , and the endless belts  175 ,  176  constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R. Incidentally, reference numeral  177  designates locking means, for the endless belts  175 ,  176 , and reference numeral  178  designates flywheels.  
         [0048]    The thirteenth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the right and left foot can be alternately reciprocated back and forth to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the aforementioned reversible rods  169 ,  170  are reversed to cause the right and left endless foot platforms R to incline. Then, the locking means  177  is released to cause the endless belts  175 ,  176  to be rotatable. The endless belts  175 ,  176  are operatively associated with the flywheels  178 . This makes it possible for a user to simulate a walking exercise. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the aforementioned endless belts  175 ,  176  fixed by the aforementioned locking means  177  are released and the movement thereof is locked. Fixing pins  169   a ,  170   a  are inserted therein to provide a lower limit to the descending step phase. This makes it possible to simulate a stair climbing exercise.