Patent Publication Number: US-7901329-B2

Title: Swinging gymnastic machine

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention relates to exercise equipment and more particularly to a swinging gymnastic machine with improved characteristics. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A conventional swinging gymnastic machine for legs and arms is disclosed in Taiwanese Utility Model Patent No. M300121. The swing type exercise machine comprises 
     a base frame comprising an upper support; 
     a mounting block comprising a front upright rod fixedly secured to the support; 
     a swinging assembly comprising an arm having one end pivotally secured to the upright rod, and two pedals bifurcated from the other end of the arm; 
     and left and right handlebars pivotally secured to the upright rod. 
     However, since both the swinging assembly and the handlebars are pivotally secured to the upright rod, the whole weight of a person is borne upon the upright rod when both hands grasp the handlebars and both feet step on the pedals. This can adversely tilt the upright rod. As a result, both the swinging assembly and the handlebars cannot pivot normally. 
     Moreover, this kind of swing type exercise machine is bulky and is not collapsible. Hence, it may occupy a great space when it is disposed in an ordinary house or apartment. This in turn can increase the living space of a home. 
     Thus, as viewed from the above, it is desirable to provide a novel swinging gymnastic machine with practical and improved structure in order to overcome the inadequacies of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a swinging gymnastic machine which is collapsible and overcomes the inadequacies of the conventional swinging gymnastic machine. 
     To achieve the above and other objects, the invention provides a swinging gymnastic machine comprising 
     a base frame comprising a front leg and two rear legs; 
     a front swinging assembly comprising a front rod fixedly fastened to the front end of the base frame, a front collar rotatably put on the front rod with an upper portion of the front rod being exposed, a front frame element extending from the front collar out of the front end of the base frame, a front ring fitted in the upper end of the front collar with the front rod passing through, a ring-shaped front damping member disposed on the front ring and being adapted to co-rotate with both the front ring and the front collar, a ring-shaped front washer fixedly put on the top end of the front rod and seated upon the front damping member, a circular front cap comprising a concave bottom and a spring unit disposed in the concave bottom thereof, and a front threaded fastener driven through the circular front cap into the front collar; 
     a rear swinging assembly comprising a rear rod fixedly fastened to the rear end of the base frame, a rear collar rotatably put on the rear rod with an upper portion of the rear rod being exposed, a rear frame element extending from the rear collar toward the rear end of the base frame, a rear ring fitted in the upper end of the rear collar with the rear rod passing through, a ring-shaped rear damping member disposed on the rear ring and being adapted to co-rotate with both the rear ring and the rear collar, a ring-shaped rear washer fixedly put on the top end of the rear rod and seated upon the rear damping member, a circular rear cap comprising a concave bottom and a spring unit disposed in the concave bottom thereof, and a rear threaded fastener driven through the circular rear cap into the rear collar; 
     a handle assembly comprising a handlebar pivotally secured to a front portion of the front frame element; 
     and a pedal assembly slidably put on the rear frame element and comprising one pedal spaced from each side of the rear frame element respectively. 
     In one aspect of the invention, at the front end of the base frame further comprises a joint and a leg threaded fastener underneath for releasably pivotally securing the front leg to the joint such that the front leg is adapted to pivot toward the rear end of the base frame in response to loosening the leg threaded fastener. Furthermore, when the leg threaded fastener is taken off, the front leg can be folded at the direction of the back end of the base frame. 
     In another aspect of the invention the rear legs are splay with the rear end of the base frame disposed therebetween. 
     In still another aspect of the invention the front swinging assembly comprises: 
     a front rod with two flat opposites on the opening comprising a threaded hole on the top, and an annular lower flange disposed at a lower portion of the front rod is fixedly fastened to the top of the base frame with the lower flange urged against the top of the base frame; 
     a front collar comprising an axial channel with a major portion of the front rod loosely disposed therein so that the front collar rotates around the front rod, one front recesses disposed on each top and bottom end of the channel of the front collar respectively, wherein a diameter of each of the front recesses is greater than that of the channel of the front collar, and one ring-shaped front bearings disposed in each of the front recesses respectively to be rotatable around the front rod; 
     a front ring with the front rod passing through and seated upon the upper one of the front bearings, the front ring comprising a plurality of spaced top projections; 
     a front damping member having an outer diameter equal to that of the front collar and being disposed on the tops of both the front collar and the front ring, the front damping member comprising a central hole and a plurality of spaced bottom cavities with the projections of the front ring matingly inserted therein; 
     a front washer comprising a central hole having two flat edges, the front washer being put on the top of the front rod to be flush therewith and being seated upon the front damping member; 
     a circular front cap comprising a central hole aligned with the central hole of the front washer, the concave bottom, and a spring unit disposed in the concave bottom thereof to urge against the front washer therebelow; 
     and a front threaded fastener driven through the central hole of the circular front cap, the central hole of the front washer, and the central hole of the front damping member into the threaded hole of the front rod and pressed downward the front damping member. 
     In another aspect of the invention the rear swinging assembly comprises: 
     a rear rod having two flat opposites on the opening comprising a rear threaded hole on the top, and an annular lower flange wherein a lower portion of the rear rod is fixedly fastened to the top of the base frame with the lower flange urged against the top of the base frame; 
     a rear collar comprising an axial channel with a major portion of the rear rod loosely disposed therein so that the rear collar rotates around the rear rod, one rear recess on each top and bottom ends of the channel of the rear collar respectively wherein a diameter of each of the rear recesses is greater than that of the channel of the rear collar, and one ring-shaped rear bearings disposed in each of the rear recesses respectively to be rotatable around the rear rod; 
     a rear ring seated upon the upper one of the rear bearings with the rear rod passing through, the rear ring comprising a plurality of spaced top projections; 
     a rear damping member having an outer diameter equal to that of the rear collar and being disposed on the tops of both the rear collar and the rear ring, the rear damping member comprising a central hole and a plurality of spaced bottom cavities with the projections of the rear ring matingly inserted therein; 
     a rear washer comprising a central hole having two flat edges, the rear washer being put on the top of the rear rod to be flush therewith and being seated upon the rear damping member; 
     a circular rear cap comprising a central hole aligned with the central hole of the rear washer, the concave bottom, and a spring unit disposed in the concave bottom thereof to urge against the rear washer therebelow; 
     and a rear threaded fastener driven through the central hole of the circular rear cap, the central hole of the rear washer, and the central hole of the rear damping member into the rear threaded hole of the rear rod and pressed downward the rear damping member. 
     In still another aspect of the invention the handle assembly further comprises a C-shaped coupling having the bottom disposed on the front portion of the front frame element and being rotatably put on a central portion of the handlebar, and a handle threaded fastener driven through two opposite protrusions on the central portion of the C-shaped coupling to secure the handlebar and the C-shaped coupling together; and loosening of the handle threaded fastener unfastens the handlebar so as to pivot the handlebar toward the rear end of the base frame. 
     In still another aspect of the invention a rear frame element comprises a plurality of spaced top apertures; and the pedal assembly further comprises a frame member of inverted U-section slidably put on the rear frame element; 
     and a pedal threaded fastener driven through the frame member into one of the apertures. 
     In still another aspect of the invention the pedal assembly further comprises one arm extending outwardly from each side of the frame member respectively and each arm comprising a pedal. By utilizing the invention and comparing with the prior art, the invention has the following advantages: The handle assembly and the pedal assembly are secured to the front swinging assembly and the rear swinging assembly respectively. This arrangement enables these two different swinging assemblies to co-share the weight of an exercising person. Hence, the prior disadvantage of the whole weight of an exercising person borne upon the upright rod when both hands grasp the handlebars and both feet step on the pedals is eliminated. Both the handlebar and the front leg can be folded to reduce the occupied space of the swinging gymnastic machine when it is not in use. A user has to exert a great force to overcome strong resistance of both the front and rear swinging assemblies in order to effectively exercise the arms and the calves. Provision of spring units in each of the front and rear swinging assemblies enables a smooth exercise to be carried out. The advantages of the invention are summarized as follows: 
     1) The weight of an exercising person can be co-shared by the front and rear swinging assemblies. Hence, the swinging gymnastic machine of the invention is more durable and has a prolonged period of use time. Frequent part replacement and maintenance are substantially avoided. Both the rods are unsusceptible of deflection and a smooth exercise can be carried out as compared with the prior art. 
     2) Both the handlebar and the front leg can be folded to reduce the occupied space of the swinging gymnastic machine when it is not in use. 
     3) A user has to exert a great force to overcome strong resistance of both the front and rear swinging assemblies in order to effectively exercise the arms and the calves. Provision of spring units in each of the front and rear swinging assemblies enables a smooth operation to be carried out during exercise. 
     The above-mentioned and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a swinging gymnastic machine according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the swinging gymnastic machine; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the front swinging assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of the front and rear swinging assemblies; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the swinging gymnastic machine showing a swing operation thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing a location adjustment of the pedals; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation of the front portion of the swinging gymnastic machine showing a folding operation of the handlebars. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a swinging gymnastic machine in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     A base frame  10  comprises a transverse front leg  12 , two splay rear legs  14 , a joint  11  fixedly secured to the rear legs  14 , and a thumb screw  13  for releasably pivotally securing the front leg  12  to the joint  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a front swinging assembly  20  comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     A front rod  21  having two flat opposites on the opening comprises a threaded hole  211  on the top, and an annular flange  212  proximate to the bottom. A lower portion of the rod  21  is fixedly fastened to the top of the base frame  10  with the flange  212  urged against the top of the base frame  10 . 
     A collar  22  comprises an axial channel  221  with a major portion of the rod  21  loosely provided therein so that the collar  22  can rotate around the rod  21 , one recess  222  on each end of the channel  221  respectively, wherein a diameter of the recesses  222  is greater than that of the channel  221 , one ring-shaped bearing  223  provided in each of the recesses  222  respectively, and a front frame element  224  extending from the collar  22  out of the front end of the base frame  10 . 
     A ring  23  is fitted in the upper bearing  223  with the rod  21  passing through. The ring  23  is flush with the top of the collar  22 . The ring  23  has a plurality of equally spaced small projections  231  on the top. 
     A ring-shaped damping member  24  has an outer diameter equal to that of the collar  22  and is disposed on the tops of both the collar  22  and the ring  23 . The damping member  24  comprises a central hole  241  and a plurality of equally spaced small cavities  242  on a bottom with the projections  231  matingly inserted therein. 
     A ring-shaped washer  25  comprises a central hole  251  having two flat edges. The washer  25  is put on the rod  21  to be flush therewith. Also, the washer  25  is seated upon the damping member  24 . 
     A circular cap  26  comprises a central hole  261 , a concave bottom  262 , and a spring unit  263  provided in the concave bottom  262 . The spring unit  263  is urged between the top of the rod  21  and top of the concave bottom  262 . One end of the spring unit  263  is seated upon the washer  25 . 
     A threaded fastener  27  is driven through the hole  261 , the hole  251 , and the hole  241  into the channel  221  and urged against the circular cap  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a rear swinging assembly  30  comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     A rod  31  having two flat opposites on the opening comprises a threaded hole  311  open to top, and an annular flange  312  proximate to the bottom. A lower portion of the rod  31  is fixedly fastened to the top of the base frame  10  with the flange  312  urged against the top of the base frame  10 . 
     A collar  32  comprises an axial channel  321  with a major portion of the rod  31  loosely provided therein so that the collar  32  rotates around the rod  31 , one recess  322  on each end of the channel  321  respectively, wherein a diameter of the recess  322  is greater than that of the channel  321 , one ring-shaped bearing  323  provided in each of the recesses  322  respectively, and an elongated rear frame element  324  extending from the collar  32  toward the rear end of the base frame  10 . The rear frame element  324  has a plurality of lengthwise equally spaced apertures  3241  on the top surface (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
     A ring  33  is fitted in the upper bearing  323  with the rod  31  passing through. The ring  33  is flush with the top of the collar  32 . The ring  33  has a plurality of equally spaced small projections  331  on the top. 
     A ring-shaped damping member  34  has an outer diameter equal to that of the collar  32  and is disposed on the tops of both the collar  32  and the ring  33 . The damping member  34  comprises a central hole  341  and a plurality of equally spaced small cavities  342  on the bottom with the projections  331  matingly inserted therein. 
     A ring-shaped washer  35  comprises a central hole  351  having two flat edges. The washer  35  is put on the rod  31  to be flush therewith. Also, the washer  35  is seated upon the damping member  34 . 
     A circular cap  36  comprises a central hole  361  correspondently to the central hole  351 , a concave bottom  362 , and a spring unit  363  is provided in the concave bottom  362 , one end of the spring unit  363  is urged against the ring-shaped washer  35 . 
     A threaded fastener  37  is driven through the hole  361 , the central hole  351 , and the central hole  341  into the channel  311  and urged against the circular cap  36 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a handle assembly  40  comprises a handlebar  42 , a C-shaped coupling  41  having the bottom provided on a portion of the front frame element  224  in proximity to the front end of the front frame element  224  and being rotatably put on a central portion of the handlebar  42 , and a thumb screw  43  driven through two opposite protrusions on a central portion of the C-shaped coupling  41  to secure the handlebar  42  and the C-shaped coupling  41  together. It is understood that loosening of the thumb screw  43  can unfasten the handlebar  42  so that it is possible to pivot the handlebar  42  toward the rear end of the base frame  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a pedal assembly  50  comprises a frame member  51  of an inverted U-section slidably put on the rear frame element  324 , a thumb screw  52  driven through the frame member  51  into one of the apertures  3241  for adjusting the position of the frame member  51 , one arm  53  extending outwardly from each side of the frame member  51  respectively, and each arm comprising a pedal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in an exercise mode, a person can have his or her calves rested upon the pedals  54  and hands grasping two ends of the handlebar  42 . 
     Thereafter, the person has to exert a force to cause both the handlebar  42  and the pedals  54  to swing both the front swinging assembly  20  and the rear swinging assembly  30  respectively. By using this mode, a user can exercise both the arms and the legs. 
     It is noted that the damping members  24 ,  34  and the rings  23 ,  33  rotate simultaneously as the collars  22 ,  32  rotate. That is, they co-rotate during the swing. But the washers  25 ,  35  are fixed during the swing because they are secured to the rods  21 ,  31  respectively. A strong resistance exists between the damping member  24  and the washer  25  when the threaded fastener  27  is driven to its fastened position and a strong resistance exists between the damping member  34  and the washer  35  when the threaded fastener  37  is driven to its fastened position respectively. Hence, a person has to exert a great force to overcome the resistance through his or her arms and calves in order to exercise. The provision of the spring unit  263  in the concave bottom  262  of the circular cap  26  can cause the washer  25  to urge against the damping member  24  therebelow and the provision of the spring unit  363  in the concave bottom  362  of the circular cap  36  can cause the washer  35  to urge against the damping member  34  therebelow respectively. As a result, a degree of smoothness is carried out in exercise. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the thumb screw  52  can be driven into any of the apertures  3241  for adjusting a position of the frame member  51 . Thus, it can accommodate users of different body heights and proportions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , loosening of the thumb screw  43  unfastens the handlebar  42 . Thereafter, the handlebar  42  can be folded toward the rear end of the base frame  10 . Moreover, loosening of the thumb screw  13  can pivot the front leg  12  toward the rear end of the base frame  10 . These folding operations have the benefit of reducing the occupied space of the swinging gymnastic machine when it is not in use. 
     The handle assembly  40  and the pedal assembly  50  of the invention are secured to the collar  22  of the front swinging assembly  20  and the collar  32  of the rear swinging assembly  30  respectively. This arrangement enables these two different swinging assemblies to co-share the weight of an exercising person. Hence, both the rods  21 ,  31  are unsusceptible of deflection. Frequent parts replacement and maintenance are substantially avoided. Therefore, the swinging gymnastic machine of the invention is more durable and has a prolonged period of use time. This is a great advancement as compared with the prior art. 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.