Abstract:
The present invention is fitness equipment with multiple functions. The fitness equipment includes a main frame, rotatable head rack, handrail rack, seat set, linkage bar, damping device and a rotatable treadle device. With the coupled configuration of rotatable head rack, seat set, linkage bar and damping device, trampling, hand-pulling and buttock lifting exercises can be achieved. The fitness equipment meets diversified requirements for both horse-riding and trampling, and also saves the space and cost.

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 fitness equipment, and more particularly to improved fitness equipment with horse-riding and foot-operated mechanisms. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
     There is a variety of fitness equipment currently available with single or multiple functions for the user. 
     The present invention relates generally to an improved fitness equipment with horse-riding or pedal fitness mechanisms. A single function horseback riding fitness equipment often requires a series of movements, including trampling, hand-pulling and buttock lifting. The equipment is placed at a site where space is at a premium. Also, the user has to make more physical efforts to lift their buttocks for body-building, thus making them lose interest quickly. The single function pedal fitness equipment is also commonly used as similar to a treadmill. Despite a longer history, this fitness equipment has only simple functions such as movement of legs and feet in a limited environment, making it difficult to meet various demanding exercise requirements of a user. 
     Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve efficacy. 
     To this end, 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 
     The present invention has offered an innovative structure, including a main frame  10 , rotatable head rack  20 , handrail rack  30 , seat set  40 , linkage bar  50 , damping device  60  and rotatable treadle device  70 . This fitness equipment is able to meet the diversified requirements for both horse-riding and trampling, while also saving space and cost. The rotatable treadle device is operated when the damping device  74  is driven by the crank  72  and treadle  73 , rather than a traditional belt drive mode, thus delivering a simpler and space-saving structure. 
     The underframe  11  of main frame  10  comprises a cross-bar  111  and a rotatable wheel rack  112 . The underframe  11  is grounded reliably by cross-bar  111  when the bottom of rotatable wheel rack  112  rotates upwards. In such a case, the fitness equipment is optimally suited for a user. When the bottom of rotatable wheel rack  112  rotates downwards, the location of wheel body  114  is lowered down to the bottom of cross-bar  111 , placing the wheel body  114  into a sliding state and enabling the user to easily shift the fitness equipment. 
     The damping device  60  is a pneumatic shaft used to support rotatable rack  42  of seat set  40 . A user can perform the horse-riding exercise easily by pressing down with body weight. When the user lifts their buttocks, an auxiliary supporting force will be applied to perform the exercise more easily and ergonomically, since the rotatable rack  42  of seat set  40  can make use of the upward resetting from the damping device  60 . 
     A sliding chute  420  is placed at rear end of rotatable rack  42  of the seat set  40 , such that upright rod  43  of the cushion  41  is fitted with a linkage tube  431 . The linkage tube  431  is retractable in the sliding chute  420 , and the cushion  41  can be adjusted flexibly to meet the requirements of different players. 
     The foot rest  23  at a bottom of rotatable head rack  20  comprises a horizontal support  231 , a linkage seat  232 , a rotary extension rod  233  and a foot plate  234 . While performing the horse-riding exercise, the user may select to place their feet on horizontal support  231  or foot plate  234  to meet different demands, or obtain different effects and experience in the activity. 
     A support frame  13  is mounted between the rotatable rack  42  of seat set  40  and upper-frame  12  of main frame  10 . The support frame  13  can be used to control or switch the rotating or positioning state of rotatable rack  42 , thus serving the purpose of horse-riding and trampling. 
     A C-shaped jacket  90  is placed at top of upright rod  43  of the rotatable rack  42 , and a convex lug  92  is set at the lateral gap  91  to adjust the tightness of C-shaped jacket  90  through bolt  93  and screw cap  94 . It is possible to switch the lifting or positioning state of cushion  41  (inclusive of avoiding rotation and lifting of cushion  41 ) by adjusting the tightness of C-shaped jacket  90 . To loosely adjust the C-shaped jacket  90 , the nose bar  46  can be loosened, such that the cushion  41  could elevate flexibly according to the height of the user. 
     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  shows an assembled perspective view of the entire structure of the fitness equipment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an assembled side elevation view of the entire structure of the fitness equipment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of underframe of the present invention with the wheel body in a grounding state. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side elevation view of underframe of the present invention with the wheel body in a grounding state. 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded perspective view of the foot rest of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows an assembled sectional view of components of feet rest of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded perspective view of the handrail rack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows an assembled perspective view of the handrail rack of the present invention, showing various positions while operating. 
         FIG. 9  shows an assembled sectional view of the handrail rack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the seat set of the present invention in an adjustable state. 
         FIG. 11  shows a transverse sectional view of a locator structure of the cushion&#39;s nose bar of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a transverse sectional view of the linkage tube of the present invention in a positioning state. 
         FIG. 13  shows a transverse sectional view of the linkage tube of the present invention in an adjustable state. 
         FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of rotatable rack of the present invention supported and positioned by the support frame. 
         FIG. 15  shows an isolated elevation view of rotatable rack of the present invention supported and positioned by the support frame. 
         FIG. 16  is a similar elevation view to  FIG. 15 , with the support frame shown in a release state. 
         FIG. 17  shows an elevation view of the present invention in a state of operation. 
         FIG. 18  shows an elevation view of the present invention in another state of operation. 
         FIG. 19  shows an elevation view of the present invention in another state of operation. 
         FIG. 20  shows an elevation view of the present invention in still another state of operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  depict preferred embodiments of the fitness equipment with multiple functions of the present invention. These embodiments are for descriptive purposes only. The present invention is not limited to these exact embodiments. 
     The fitness equipment with multiple functions includes a main frame  10 , which comprises a frontal and rear underframe  11  and an upper-frame  12 . The main frame  10  is has a             structure.
     A rotatable head rack  20  has its lower section screwed into top of upper-frame  12  of main frame  10  via a shaft  21 . The bottom  22  of rotatable head rack  20  extends downwards, and foot rest  23  is placed at both sides of the bottom  22 . A control panel  25  is mounted onto top  24  of the rotatable head rack  20 . 
     A handrail rack  30  is mounted onto preset top location of rotatable head rack  20 . 
     A seat set  40  comprises a cushion  41  and a rotatable rack  42 , of which an upright rod  43  is placed at rear of rotatable rack  42  for assembly of cushion  41 . The bottom of rotatable rack  42  is screwed into preset bottom of upper-frame  12  of main frame  10  via a shaft  44 . 
     A linkage bar  50  is used to link the bottom  22  of rotatable head rack  20  to the front end of rotatable rack  42  of seat set  40 . 
     A damping device  60  is mounted between rotatable rack  42  of seat set  40  and main frame  10 , such that a resisting force is applied to downward rotation of rotatable rack  42 . The damping device of the preferred embodiment is a retractable pneumatic shaft used to support rotatable rack  42  of seat set  40 . 
     A rotatable treadle device  70  is mounted into a preset location of main frame  10 , comprising a mandrel  71 , a side crank  72  and a treadle  73  and a damping device  74 . The side crank  72  is placed at both sides of mandrel  71  at a 180 degrees. The damping device  74  may be formed by a magnetic flywheel. 
     The underframe  11  of the main frame  10  comprises a cross-bar  111  and a rotatable wheel rack  112 . The rotatable wheel rack  112  and cross-bar  111  are arranged alternatively on the main frame  10 . A spanner  113  is fixed at top of rotatable wheel rack  112 , and a wheel body  114  at the bottom. When the bottom of rotatable wheel rack  112  rotates upwards (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), the underframe  11  of main frame  10  is grounded tightly by the cross-bar  111 . When the bottom of rotatable wheel rack  112  rotates downwards (as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ), the location of wheel body  114  is lowered down to the bottom of cross-bar  111 , placing the wheel body  114  in a sliding state. The bottom of rotatable wheel rack  112  shall be fastened by a locator. The locator of the preferred embodiment is a hook-type plate  115  screwed into a preset location of rotatable wheel rack  112 . When the bottom of rotatable wheel rack  112  rotates downwards, the hook-type plate  115  enables the hook  116  to be snapped onto the top of cross-bar  111  for positioning. 
     A foot rest  23 , mounted at both sides of bottom of rotatable head rack  20 , comprises horizontal support  231 , linkage seat  232 , rotary extension rod  233  and a foot plate  234 . The horizontal support  231  and linkage seat  232  are fastened tightly by screw and bolt. The coupling end of rotary extension rod  233  is placed externally at linkage seat  232 , while the foot plate  234  is placed at extension end of rotary extension rod  233 . A sleeve  235  and a spring  236  are retained at external of horizontal support  231  and linkage seat  232 , and the spring  236  drives the sleeve  235  towards horizontal support  231  and linkage seat  232  to cover the linkage part. The foot rest  23  allows a user to place their feet on the horizontal support  231  (as shown in  FIG. 17 ) or on foot plate  234  (as shown in  FIG. 20 ) to obtain different effects and experience in the activity. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , both sides of handrail rack  30  have a curved section  31  such that a transverse hole  201  could be set at top of rotatable head rack  20  for assembly of handrail rack  30 . In addition, two locators  80  are adhered to both sides of transverse hole  201 , and fastened by two bolt locators  81 . The curved section  31  at both ends of handrail rack  30  can be covered by a flexible superficial coat, which comprises two short flexible coats  82  and two long flexible coats  83 . Two short flexible coats  82  are firstly inserted into handrail rack  30  such that the handrail rack  30  can be aligned centrally, and then two long flexible coats  83  are assembled. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  12 , a sliding chute  420  is mounted at rear end of rotatable rack  42  of the seat set  40 , such that a transverse linkage tube  431  is extended from the front of upright rod  43  of cushion  41 . With this linkage tube  431  retractable in the sliding chute  420 , the cushion  41  could be adjusted flexibly. And, the sliding state of linkage tube  431  in the sliding chute  420  could be fixed by a locator  45 . The locator  45  comprises a rotating handle  451  and a pressing block  452 . The pressing block  452  is placed into a hollow space within linkage tube  431 , and fitted with a bolt hole  453 . A screw rod  454  extended from rotating handle  452  passes through a long hole  421  at one side of sliding chute  420  and a punch hole  432  at one side of linkage tube  431 . Then, this screw rod  454  is screwed into bolt hole  453  of the said pressing block  452 , such that the rotation of pressing block  452  can be deactivated. When the rotating handle  451  drives the screw rod  454  and bolt hole  453  to rotate tightly (as shown in  FIG. 12 ), the pressing block  452  and rotating handle  451  will approach closely to position the linkage tube  431  and sliding chute  420 . Referring also to  FIG. 13 , when the rotating handle  451  is loosened, pressing block  452  will move away from rotating handle  451 , such that the linkage tube  431  can be flexibly adjusted in the sliding chute  420 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , a C-shaped jacket  90  is placed at top of upright rod  43  of the rotatable rack  42 . At the lateral gap  91  of C-shaped jacket  90 , there is a convex lug  92 , which could adjust the tightness of C-shaped jacket  90  through bolt  93  and screw cap  94 , such that a relieving slot  433  on top of upright rod  43  allows passing of convex lug  92  of C-shaped jacket  90 , and the bottom of cushion  41  could insert into C-shaped jacket  90  via a nose bar  46 . Thus, it helps to switch the lifting or positioning state of cushion  41  (inclusive of avoiding rotation and lifting of cushion  41 ) by adjusting the tightness of C-shaped jacket  90 . If C-shaped jacket  90  is adjusted loosely, nose bar  46  will be loosened, such that the cushion  41  could elevate flexibly according to the height of the user. Also, a clamping handle  47  is mounted onto nose bar  46  at the bottom of cushion  41 , thereby controlling pneumatically the lifting of cushion  41  (note: the inner space of upright rod  43  can accommodate the gas cylinder). 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , a support frame  13  is mounted between rotatable rack  42  of seat set  40  and upper-frame  12  of main frame  10 . The bottom of the support frame  13  is screwed into upper-frame  12  of main frame  10 , enabling rotation of the top of support frame  13 . There is an embedding slot  14  at the top of support frame  13 , such that an upright column  15  can be installed into upper-frame  12  of main frame  10 , thereby positioning both the embedding slot  14  of support frame  13  and the rotatable rack  42 . 
     Based upon the above-specified structural design, the fitness equipment of the present invention can serve the purpose of both horse-riding and trampling. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 ,  16 , if the user intends to perform the horse-riding exercise, the support frame  13  is rotated to enable the embedding slot  14  to be separated from upright column  15  of upper-frame  12  of the main frame  10 , thus making the rotatable rack  42  in a rotary state. Referring also to  FIG. 17 , the horse-riding exercise allows the user to grip the handrail rack  30  to pull the rotatable head rack  20  towards themselves, such that the bottom of rotatable head rack  20  will rotate forward to pull the linkage bar  50  and make rotatable rack  42  move obliquely. At the same time, the feet on the foot rest  23  apply downward force to lift the buttocks. In such a case, the damping device may support the cushion  41  of rotatable rack  42  to lift the buttocks of the user in a comfortable manner. Referring also to  FIG. 18 , the user will loosen the hands holding the handrail rack  30 , and then make buttocks press down the cushion  41 , such that the damping device  60  (retractable pneumatic shaft) is squeezed to generate resistance and accumulate elastic restoring force, as shown in  FIGS. 17 ,  18 . 
     When the user intends to perform a pedaling exercise on the fitness equipment, they must enable the embedding slot  14  of support frame  13  to be screwed into upright column  15  of upper-frame  12  of main frame  10  (referring to  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ), thus enabling the rotatable rack  42  to be positioned. Referring also to  FIG. 19 , the user can step separately on two treadles  73  at both sides of rotatable treadle device  70  for a rotary body-building exercise.