Patent Publication Number: US-7901332-B1

Title: Multi-function exercise equipment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Fields of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercise equipment, especially to a multi-function exercise equipment that enables users stepping and stretching their feet. 
     2. Descriptions of Related Art 
     There are various types of exercise equipment available now. One of them is a stretcher. Two long seats are pivotally connected with two ends of a handle symmetrically. A wheel set covered with a housing is arranged symmetrically on two shorts sides of the long seat. A guiding slot is set on an edge of each of two long sides on a top surface of the long seat. Two pedals, each having at least two sets of symmetrical casters on bottom thereof, are respectively mounted in the symmetrical guiding slots. Two sets of symmetrical locking slots are arranged on two sides of a top end of the pedal respectively. A plurality of elastic cables is disposed in the long seat. The elastic cable is wound around the wheel set and a stopper is connected to a rear end of the elastic cable for being stopped over the housing or being mounted in the locking slot. The stretcher features on that: a long groove is disposed on top of the long seat, between the symmetrical guiding slots and a plurality of symmetrical equal-spaced locating holes is arranged near an outer side of the two long grooves. A stop base is disposed with pins on four corners of the bottom thereof while the four pins are mounted into the locating holes bear the long grooves. By adjusting the positions of the pins of the stop base, mounted into different locating holes, the distance of the pedal moving in the guiding slot is changed. However, the exercise equipment provides only one exercise mode. 
     Thus there is a need to improve the exercise equipment so that the exercise equipment is not only for feet stretching exercise but is also shifted to stepping exercise. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a multi-function exercise equipment that make users get stepping exercise and stretching exercise. By a shift unit, the exercise mode is changed. Thus users can have different exercise modes. 
     In order to achieve the above object, a multi-function exercise equipment of the present invention mainly includes a base, two track grooves, and two pedals. The base is disposed with an upper shaft and two lower shafts while the pedal is mounted in each of the two track grooves. At least one locating hole is arranged at an inner surface of the bottom of the track groove. An outer surface of the bottom of one track groove is pivotally connected to a left link and a lower link while the other track groove is similarly pivotally connected to a right link and a lower link. The other end of the left link and the other end of the right link are pivotally connected to the upper shaft while the other end of each of the two lower links is pivotally connected to each of the two lower shafts correspondingly. The left link is disposed with at least one stop hole while the right link is arranged with a latch that is matched to the stop hole. The bottom of the pedal is pivotally connected with two pulley sets against an inner surface of the bottom of the track groove and is arranged with a locking rod that is mounted into the locating hole. The two pedals are moved up and down synchronously by mounting the locking rod into the locating hole and the latch into the stop hole. After the locking rod and the latch being released from the corresponding hole, the pedals slide freely in the track grooves. 
     Moreover, a cylinder is disposed between the bottom of the two lower shafts of the base and the outer surface of the bottom of the two track grooves for providing resistance while the pedals are pressed so as to build foot strength. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an explosive view of an embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an explosive view of a pedal of an embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a sliding block on top of a pedal of an embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the assembled embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembled embodiment in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment along a line A-A in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the assembled embodiment in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment along a line B-B in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment shifted to another mode according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the embodiment in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial front cross sectional view of the embodiment in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Refer to  FIG. 1 , a multi-function exercise equipment of the present invention includes a base  10 , two track grooves  20 , two pedals  30  and two cylinders. 
     The base  10  is disposed with an upper shaft  11  and two lower shafts  12 . The two lower shafts  12  are respectively arranged at an outer side of the base  10  under the upper shaft  11 , opposite to each other. 
     The two track grooves  20  are long depression, symmetrical to each other. A stopping part  21  is disposed on each of two short sides of the track groove  20 , a pedal  30  is mounted in the track groove  20  and at least one locating hole  22  is arranged at an inner surface of the bottom of the track groove  20 . In this embodiment, there are two locating holes  22  spaced a certain distance apart. Moreover, an outer surface of the bottom of the track groove  20  is arranged with an upper shaft and a lower shaft  23 ,  24  that are respectively pivotally connected to a left link  25  and a lower link  27 . An outer surface of the bottom of the other track groove  20  is similarly disposed with another set of upper and lower shafts  23 ,  24  that are respectively pivotally connected to a right link  26  and a lower link  27 . The other end of the left link  25  and the other end of the right link  26  are pivotally connected to the upper shaft  11  while the other end of each of the two lower links  27  is pivotally connected to each of the two lower shafts  12  correspondingly. 
     Furthermore, refer to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 8 , a lower-left hole  251  for being inserted and connected pivotally by the upper shaft  11  is disposed on one end of the left link  25  and at least one stop hole  252  is arranged around the lower-left hole  251  that is a center of rotation. In this embodiment, there are three stop holes  252 . A lower-right hole  261  for being inserted and connected pivotally by the upper shaft  11  is disposed on one end of the right link  26  and an insertion hole  262  is also arranged at the right link  26 , beside and parallel to the lower-right hole  261 . While adjusting the movement of the right link  26 , the insertion hole  262  is corresponding to one of the above three stop holes  252 . A latch  263  is mounted in the insertion hole  262  and one end of the latch  263  is mounted into or released from the corresponding stop hole  252  according to users&#39; needs. 
     Refer to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , a socket  31  is connected on the bottom of the pedal  30  and a pulley set  32  is pivotally connected to a front part as well as a rear part of the socket  31 . Each pulley set  32  consists of a horizontal shaft  321  and two pulleys  322  that are respectively disposed on two outer sides of the socket  31 . The pulley  322  whose bottom is lower than the bottom of the socket  31  is contacted with the inner surface of the track groove  20  and is rolling smoothly therein. 
     The socket  31  on the pedal  30  is mounted with a locking rod  33  that can be moved vertically. The locking rod  33  having a flange head  331  and the locating hole  22  are matched correspondingly. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 , the socket  31  is arranged with a through hole  311  so that the locking rod  33  is mounted in the through hole  311 . An elastic element  34  such as a compression spring whose two ends are respectively against the flange head  331  and a top surface of the socket  31  is arranged around the locking rod  33 . An adjustable and movable sliding block  35  with a downward slant  352  on one end of a bottom surface  351  thereof is set on the pedal  30 , corresponding to the through hole  311 . Generally, the elastic element  34  keeps pushing the flange head  331  to move upward. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the top of the flange head  331  contacts the downward slant  352  of the sliding block  35 , the bottom of the locking rod  33  is completely released from the locating hole  22  of the track groove  20 . While moving the sliding block  35  so as to make the other end of the bottom surface  351  opposite to the downward slant  352  contact the top surface of the flange head  331 , the flange head  331  is pressed down so that the bottom of the locking rod  33  is mounted into the locating hole  22  and the pedal  30  is static in the track groove  20 . 
     In accordance with above structure, after the locking rod  33  being mounted into the locating hole  22 , the pedal is fixed in a certain position of the track groove  20  and is in a static state. Then one end of the latch  263  is mounted into one of the stop holes  252  so as to connect the left link  25  and the right link  26  in series. Thereby the feet swing upward and downward synchronously when the two pedals  30  are pressed by feet one after the other and moving up and down so that users can step on the exercise equipment to train their bodies for improving health and fitness. 
     When the exercise equipment of the present invention is adjusted to work like a stepper, the height difference between the two pedals  30  is changed by mounting one end of the latch  263  into the stop holes  252  at different height so as to have different exercise modes such as different class levers that provide increases or decreased in force. For example, refer to  FIG. 7 , when one end of the latch  263  is mounted into the stop hole  252  at the highest position, a smaller angle formed between the left link  25  and the right link  26 . Under such condition, the locking rods  33  of the pedals  30  are respectively mounted into the locating holes  22  on the inner side of the two track grooves  20 , closest to each other, the distance between the two pedals  30  is the shortest and the height difference of the steps is maximum. This requires more effort to push the pedals. When the locking rods  33  of the pedals  30  are respectively mounted into the locating holes  22  on the outer side of the two track grooves  20 , farthest from each other, the distance between the two pedals  30  is increased and the height difference of the steps is reduced a bit. This mode is more labor saving than the above mode. 
     Refer to  FIG. 7 , while mounting one end of the latch  263  into the stop hole  252  at the lowest position, a largest angle formed between the left link  25  and the right link  26 . Under such condition, if the locking rods  33  of the pedals  30  are mounted into locating holes  22  on the inner or the outer side (different positions) of the two track grooves  20 , the distance between the two pedals  30  is changed and adjustable. Thus the equipment can be shifted to different exercise mode as mentioned above. 
     The height difference between the two pedals  30  is adjustable by mounting the latch  263  into the stop hole  252  at different positions. Moreover, the distance between the two pedals  30  can also be changed by mounting the locking rod  33  of the pedal  30  into the locating hole  22  at different positions. 
     After the multi-function exercise equipment of the present invention being adjusted to be a stepper, one cylinder  40  is disposed between the bottom on the outer side of the left link  25  and the lower shaft  12  of the base  10 , while the other cylinder  40  is between the bottom on the outer side of the right link  26  and the lower shaft  12  of the base  10  so as to provide resistance while pressing the pedals  30 . Moreover, the two cylinders  40  can also be connected pivotally under the outer surface of the bottom of the track grooves  20  so as to produce resistance during the pressing of the pedals  30 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , a multifunction exercise equipment of the present invention is shifted to another mode for users to push feet outward and return. After one end of the latch  263  being released from the stop hole  252 , the left link  25  and the right link  26  are separated from each other and moving independently. Moreover, the bottom of the locking rod  33  is adjusted to be out of the locating hole  22  of the track groove  20  so that the pedal  30  moves freely along a preset path in the track groove  20 . Thereby after the two track grooves  20  being pressed down and the left link  25  and the right link  26  being extended to the maximum, the two track grooves  20  are parallel to a horizontal plane or inclined downward from an inner side to an outer side thereof. Thus the pedal  30  slips and leans against the lowest position of the inclined track groove  20 . Due to this feature, when the two pedals  30  are moving toward an inner side and getting closer to each other, the pedals  30  slide back to the lowest position automatically once the load on the pedals  30  is removed. Therefore, users can stretch their feet more smoothly. 
     When the exercise equipment of the present invention is adjusted to the feet stretch mode, an elastic pad  312  is arranged at one end of the socket  31 , facing the stopping part  21  of the track groove  20  so as to prevent noises and vibrations caused by contact between the socket  31  and the stopping part  21  of the track groove  20 . The elastic pad  312  can also be disposed on an inner side of each stopping part that faces each other (not shown in figure). In this embodiment, an elastic pad  312  is fixed on one end of the socket  31 . The elastic pad  312  is made from plastic foam or other materials with similar functions. 
     Moreover, an elastic member  13  is arranged at each of two sides of the base  10  symmetrically and is used for against the outer surface of the bottom of the track groove  20 . While the elastic members  13  contacting with the outer surface of the bottom of each track groove  20 , the elastic member  13  provides buffer action, reducing noises and vibration. 
     When the present invention is shifted to the feet stretch mode, a device for adding resistance to the pedal is disposed on the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , at least one set of symmetrical fastening slots  28  is arranged at an outer surface of two short sides of each track groove  20 . In this embodiment, each track groove  20  is disposed with two sets of fastening slots  28  and a shaft  29  is disposed under the two adjacent fastening slots  28 . At least one elastic band  50  whose number is corresponding to the number of the set of the symmetrical fastening slots  28  is set on the outer surface of the bottom of the track groove  20 . One end of the elastic band  50  is connected to a location block, then adhered on, wound around a surface of the shaft  29  on one end of the track groove  20 , toward and connected to another location block  51  on the other end of the track groove  20 . The location block  51  on one end is fastened and mounted in the corresponding fastening slot  28  of the track groove  20  to be located and held. At least one set of symmetrical locking slots  36  is disposed on two sides of the pedal  30 . The number of the set of the symmetrical locking slots  36  is the same with that of the symmetrical fastening slots  28  on the track grooves  20 . Thereby as shown in  FIG. 11 , the location blocks  51  on the outer sides of the two track grooves  20  are moved to be mounted and located in the locking slots  36  on the outer sides of the two pedals  30 . Thereby a resistance is provided when the two pedals  30  are moved inward and toward each other. Similarly, the location blocks  51  on the inner sides of the two track grooves  20  can be moved to be mounted and located in the locking slots  36  on the inner sides of the two pedals  30 . Thus a resistance is produced when the two pedals are pushed outward. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.