# Patent

## Title
Rodeo or riding device

## Abstract

A riding device includes one or more cranks rotatably attached to a base, and a rider support supported on a carrier and movable relative to the base for supporting a rider, the carrier has a front portion pivotally coupled to the base with a link and an arm and a rear portion coupled to the cranks for moving cyclically relative to the base and for allowing the carrier to be moved in an elliptical and reciprocating action relative to the base by the crank device, and the rider support is supported on the carrier and moved in concert with the rider support for supporting the rider, and an actuating device may be used for actuating the carrier and the rider support to move relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action.

## Background
The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/654,732, filed 17 Jan. 2007, pending.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rodeo or riding device, and more particularly to a rodeo or riding device including a rider support or saddle supported on a carrier which is movable relative to a base by the user or by an actuating device in an elliptical and reciprocating action for allowing the rider support also to be moved relative to the base in the elliptical and reciprocating action.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical riding devices or rodeo training devices comprise a rider support for supporting the users thereon, and a drive mechanism having a crank arm coupled to the rider support to drive the rider support and to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,979 to Turner discloses one of the typical rodeo training devices also comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the rider support with a crank arm for training cowboys to ride rodeo animals such as bulls and wild horses.
Normally, the drive mechanism is coupled to the rider support with the crank arm for actuating or moving or rotating the rider support. In addition, the drive mechanism is solidly coupled to the rider support with the crank arm, such that the rider support may not be moved relative to the crank arm and the drive mechanism in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the crank arm and the drive mechanism in different moving stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,425 to Collins et al. discloses a typical workout horse comprising a body portion having a support column extended downwardly therefrom, and an upper frame attached to the support column, and a drive mechanism coupled between the upper frame and a stationary base frame for actuating or moving the support column and the body portion relative to the stationary base frame.
However, the support column and the body portion may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action. In addition, the drive mechanism is also solidly coupled between the upper frame and the stationary base frame such that the support column and the body portion also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in different moving stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,626 to Beaty discloses a typical bucking machine also comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the rider support with one or more crank arms and/or links and/or spin wheels and/or spin shafts, and a rotating frame for supporting the rider support for allowing the rider support to be driven to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider.
However, the rotating frame may only be rotated relative to the stationary base frame but not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in different moving stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,594 to Greenwood discloses a typical polo training apparatus comprising a body portion having a lower frame portion, and a drive mechanism coupled between the lower frame portion of the body portion and a fixed frame for driving the lower frame portion of the body portion to simulate the polo training operation.
However, the fixed frame and the lower frame portion of the body portion may not be moved relative to the supporting ground or plane in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in different moving stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,614 to Tsai discloses a typical riding device also comprising a seat plate coupled to a front spindle and a rear spindle of a drive mechanism with cranks and swing arms respectively, for driving the seat plate to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider.
However, the seat plate is also solidly coupled to the drive mechanism with the cranks and the swing arms, such that the seat plate may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in different moving stroke.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional bucking or riding or rodeo training devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rodeo or riding device including a rider support or saddle supported on a carrier which is movable relative to a base by the user or by an actuating device in an elliptical and reciprocating action for allowing the rider support also to be moved relative to the base in the elliptical and reciprocating action.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a riding device comprising a base including a column and a stud extended upwardly from the base, an arm pivotally coupled to the column of the base with a pivot pin, a crank device rotatably attached to the stud of the base with an axle and rotatable relative to the base in a cyclic and reciprocating action, a carrier including a front portion pivotally coupled to a link which is pivotally coupled to the arm with a pivot pole, the pivot pole being spaced from the pivot pin for allowing the pivot pole and the link to be moved in a curved moving stroke around the pivot pin and to be moved up and down relative to the column of the base, the carrier including a rear portion pivotally coupled to the crank device for moving cyclically relative to the base and for allowing the carrier to be moved in an elliptical and reciprocating action relative to the base by the crank device, a rider support supported on the carrier and moved in concert with the rider support for supporting a rider, and the carrier and the rider support being movable relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the rider, and an actuating device for actuating the carrier and the rider support to move relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action.
The actuating device includes a pair of levers pivotally attached to the base and coupled to the crank device for moving the crank device to rotate relative to the base. The levers include a middle portion pivotally attached to the base with a spindle and include a first end pivotally coupled to the crank device.
The first ends of the levers are coupled to the crank device with beams. The levers include a foot pedal attached to each lever for being stepped by the rider. The rear portion of the carrier may be pivotally coupled to the crank device with a pivot pole.
The front portion of the carrier is pivotally coupled to the column of the base with a link. The link is dependent downwardly from the column of the base and pivotally coupled to the front portion of the carrier with a pivot pin.
The carrier includes a housing for supporting the rider support. The rider support includes a post extended downwardly therefrom and slidably engaged into the housing and adjustable up and down relative to the housing and the carrier.
A fly wheel is further provided and rotatably attached to the stud of the base with the axle for allowing the axle and the crank device and the fly wheel to be rotated in concert with each other. A follower is further provided and rotatably attached to the base and coupled to the fly wheel for allowing the follower to be rotated by the fly wheel.
The rear portion of the carrier is pivotally coupled to the crank device with a pendulum for allowing the rear portion of the carrier to be swung relative to the base. The crank device is coupled to the arm with an actuating lever for moving the arm in a reciprocating action relative to the column of the base.
The actuating lever is coupled to the arm with a pivot rod which is spaced from the pivot pin and the pivot pole. The pivot pole is disposed between the pivot rod and the pivot pin.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front and upper perspective view of a riding device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear and upper perspective view of the riding device;
FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the riding device;
FIG. 4 is another partial exploded view of the riding device;
FIG. 5 is a side plan schematic view of the riding device; and
FIG. 6 is a side plan schematic view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the operation of the riding device.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-5, a riding device in accordance with the present invention comprises a stationary base 10 including such as an I-shaped structure for increasing the stability of the base 10, and including a column 11 extended upwardly therefrom, such as extended upwardly from one end or the front portion 18 of the base 10, and including a stud 12 extended upwardly therefrom, such as extended upwardly from the other end or the rear portion 19 of the base 10, and including a crank device 13 or one or more (such as two) cranks 13 rotatably attached to or supported on the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 with an axle 14 and rotatable relative to the base 10 in a cyclic and reciprocating action. A bearing or pivot pole 15 is attached to the free end portion of each of the cranks 13.
A carrier 30 is to be supported on the base 10 and is to be moved relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action, and includes one or more (such as two) levers 31, 32 having one end or a front portion coupled together with a front barrel 33 which is pivotally coupled to the base 10, such as pivotally coupled to the one end or the front portion or the front column 11 of the base 10 with a pivotal link 16 and a pivot pin 17, in which the pivotal link 16 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the front column 11 of the base 10 for allowing the one end or the front portion or the front barrel 33 of the carrier 30 to be pivoted or rotated relative to the front column 11 of the base 10 and to be moved forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base 10 in a reciprocating action, best shown in FIGS. 5-6. It is preferable that the carrier 30 includes a bar 34 coupled between the middle portion of the levers 31, 32 for forming a stable or solid structure to the carrier 30.
The carrier 30 includes a rear end or rear portion 35 pivotally coupled to the pivot poles 15 of the cranks 13 indirectly with a pendulum 50 for allowing the rear portion 35 of the carrier 30 to be moved forwardly and rearwardly and upwardly and downwardly or cyclically relative to the base 10 by or with the cranks 13 (FIGS. 5-6) and also to be swung relative to the cranks 13 and the base 10 with the pendulum 50. A housing 36 is disposed on the carrier 30, such as attached to or disposed on the bar 34 of the carrier 30 and extended upwardly from the bar 34 of the carrier 30 for supporting a seat cushion or saddle or rider support 37 thereon in order to support a user or rider 8 (FIGS. 5-6) on the rider support 37. For example, the rider support 37 includes a post 38 extended downwardly therefrom and slidably engaged into the housing 36 and adjustable up and down relative to the housing 36 and the carrier 30, and adjustably secured to the housing 36 and/or the carrier 30 with a lock or latch device 39.
In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, the rear portion 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may be moved forwardly and rearwardly and upwardly and downwardly or cyclically relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action with the pivot poles 15 or the cranks 13, and may also be moved or swung forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action with the pendulum 50, and the one end or front portion or the front barrel 33 of the carrier 30 is pivotally coupled to the base 10 with the pivotal link 16 and the pivot pin 17 for allowing the front portion or the front barrel 33 of the carrier 30 to be moved forwardly and rearwardly or to be swung relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action such that the carrier 30 may be caused to move relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the cranks 13 and by the user or rider 8, and/or by the moment of inertia when the users or riders 8 are stepped onto the carrier 30. The rider support 37 may be moved or adjusted up and down along the housing 36 and relative to the carrier 30 according to the different heights of the users or riders 8.
A weight member or fly wheel 20 is rotatably attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 of the base 10 with the axle 14 for allowing the axle 14 and the cranks 13 and the fly wheel 20 to be rotated in concert with each other. A wheel or follower 21 is also rotatably attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to an extension 22 of the base 10 with a shaft 23, and the shaft 23 is coupled to the fly wheel 20 with a coupling device 24 (FIG. 4), such as a coupling belt 24, a gearing mechanism (not shown), a sprocket-and-chain mechanism (not shown) or the like for allowing the follower 21 to be rotated or driven relative to the base 10 by the fly wheel 20. The coupling of the fly wheel 20 to the follower 21 may thus be formed or acted as a speed reduction mechanism.
The riding device further includes a driving or actuating means or device 4 disposed and provided and arranged for coupling to the cranks 13 in order to rotate the cranks 13 relative to the base 10 in the cyclic and reciprocating action, or for moving the carrier 30 and the rider support 37 relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action, for example, the actuating means or device 4 includes a pair of levers 40 having a middle portion 41 rotatably or pivotally attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 of the base 10 with a spindle 42, and having a first or rear end or portion 43 pivotally coupled to the pivot poles 15 or the cranks 13 with a beam 44 for allowing the cranks 13 and the axle 14 to be driven or rotated relative to the base 10 or the stud 12 by the levers 40, and having a foot pedal 45 attached to the second or front end or portion of each lever 40 for being stepped and depressed by the user or rider 8.
In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, the foot pedals 45 or the front portions of the levers 40 may be stepped and depressed by the user or rider 8 to actuate the beams 44 to operate or to move the cranks 13 and then to move the carrier 30 relative to the base 10 in the elliptical and reciprocating action, and to allow the user or rider 8 to train or to exercise his lower muscle groups, the fly wheel 20 and the follower 21 may apply a resistive force to the cranks 13 and the axle 14 and the carrier 30. The levers 40 and/or the beams 44 may be acted or operated as a moving or actuating means for moving the carrier 30 and the rider support 37 relative to the base 10 in the elliptical and reciprocating action. The levers 40 each may include two or more segments or sections solidly or detachably secured together.
An arm 60 is further provided and pivotally coupled to the one end or the front portion or the front column 11 of the base 10 with another pivot pin 61, and the pivotal link 16 has an upper portion 64 pivotally coupled to the arm 60 with a pivot pole 65 which is spaced from the pivot pin 61, and an actuating lever 62 coupled to one of the cranks 13 and coupled to the arm 60 with a pivot rod 63 which is spaced from the pivot pin 61 and the pivot pole 65, and the pivot pole 65 is preferably disposed between the pivot pin 61 and the pivot rod 63, such that the arm 60 may be forced or actuated to move in a reciprocating action relative to the front column 11 or the base 10 by the cranks 13, and the pivot pole 65 or the upper portion 64 of the pivotal link 16 may be forced or actuated to move in a curved moving stroke around the pivot pin 61 and thus may be forced or actuated to move up and down relative to the front column 11 or the base 10 for allowing the rider support 39 to be moved in a changing or increased or different moving strokes.
It is to be noted that the pivotal link 16 may also be directly and pivotally coupled to the front column 11 of the base 10 and may only be swung relative to the front column 11 or the base 10, but may not be moved up and down relative to the front column 11 or the base 10. The pivotal coupling of the upper portion 64 of the pivotal link 16 to the arm 60 with the pivot pole 65 allows the pivot pole 65 or the upper portion 64 of the pivotal link 16 to be forced or actuated to move up and down relative to the front column 11 or the base 10 and allows the rider support 39 to be moved in the changing or increased or different moving strokes.
Accordingly, the riding device in accordance with the present invention includes a rider support supported on a carrier which is movable relative to a base by the user or rider or by an actuating device in an elliptical and reciprocating action for allowing the rider support also to be moved relative to the base in the elliptical and reciprocating action.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

## Claims

1. A riding device comprising:
a base including a column and a stud extended upwardly from said base,
an arm pivotally coupled to said column of said base with a pivot pin,
a crank device rotatably attached to said stud of said base with an axle and rotatable relative to said base in a cyclic and reciprocating action,
a carrier including a front portion pivotally coupled to a link which is pivotally coupled to said arm with a pivot pole, said pivot pole being spaced from said pivot pin for allowing said pivot pole and said link to be moved in a curved moving stroke around said pivot pin and to be moved up and down relative to said column of said base, said carrier including a rear portion pivotally coupled to said crank device for moving cyclically relative to said base and for allowing said carrier to be moved in an elliptical and reciprocating action relative to said base by said crank device,
a rider support supported on said carrier and moved in concert with said rider support for supporting a rider, and said carrier and said rider support being movable relative to said base in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the rider, and
means for actuating said carrier and said rider support to move relative to said base in an elliptical and reciprocating action.

2. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes a pair of levers pivotally attached to said base and coupled to said crank device for moving said crank device to rotate relative to said base.

3. The riding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said levers include a middle portion pivotally attached to said base with a spindle and include a first end pivotally coupled to said crank device.

4. The riding device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first ends of said levers are coupled to said crank device with beams.

5. The riding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said levers include a foot pedal attached to each lever for being stepped and depressed by the rider.

6. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear portion of said carrier is pivotally coupled to said crank device with a pivot pole.

7. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front portion of said carrier is pivotally coupled to said column of said base with a link.

8. The riding device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said link is dependent downwardly from said column of said base and pivotally coupled to said front portion of said carrier with a pivot pin.

9. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier includes a housing for supporting said rider support.

10. The riding device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said rider support includes a post extended downwardly therefrom and slidably engaged into said housing and adjustable up and down relative to said housing and said carrier.

11. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fly wheel is rotatably attached to said stud of said base with said axle for allowing said axle and said crank device and said fly wheel to be rotated in concert with each other.

12. The riding device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a follower is rotatably attached to said base and coupled to said fly wheel for allowing said follower to be rotated by said fly wheel.

13. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear portion of said carrier is pivotally coupled to said crank device with a pendulum for allowing said rear portion of said carrier to be swung relative to said base.

14. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said crank device is coupled to said arm with an actuating lever for moving said arm in a reciprocating action relative to said column of said base.

15. The riding device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said actuating lever is coupled to said arm with a pivot rod which is spaced from said pivot pin and said pivot pole.

16. The riding device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said pivot pole is disposed between said pivot rod and said pivot pin.