Patent Publication Number: US-2004053748-A1

Title: Hand support controlling device for an elliptical exercise apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention relates to an elliptical exercise apparatus, more particularly to a hand support controlling device for an elliptical exercise apparatus.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional elliptical exercise apparatus  1  is shown to comprise a base seat  11 , a flywheel assembly  12 , a pair of shafts  13 , a pair of hand support rod members  14 , and a pair of linking rods  15 . The base seat  11  includes a base  111  and an upright post  112  extending upwardly and integrally from a front end of the base  111 . The flywheel assembly  12  includes a flywheel  121  and a pair of cranks  122  (only one is visible) connected respectively to two opposite sides of the flywheel  12 . Each of the shafts  13  has a front end  131  connected pivotally to a respective one of the cranks  122 , and a rear end  132  disposed slidably on the base  111 . The hand support rod members  14  are connected pivotally and respectively to the left and right sides of the post  112 . Each of the rod members  14  has an upper end  141  that serves as a hand support, and a lower end  142  that is opposite to the upper end  141 . Each of the linking rods  15  has a rear end portion  152  connected pivotally to a respective one of the shafts  13 , and a front end  151  connected pivotally to a respective one of the rod members  14  so that the rod members  14  can swing back and forth relative to the base  111 . The rear end portion  152  of each of the linking rods  15  is provided with a pedal member  153 .  
       [0005] In use, when the user stands on the pedal members  153  and exerts foot pressures alternately on the shafts  13 , the front ends  131  of the shafts  13  follow rotation of the cranks  122 , while the rear ends  132  of the shafts  13  move slidably on the base  111  so that forward and rearward sliding movements of the shafts  13  can guide the linking rods  15  to move in elliptical motions. The user grasps the hand support rod members  14  at the same time so that the hands of the user can swing back and forth relative to the base  111 . As such, exercise of the leg and arm muscles is attained.  
       [0006] However, the design of the conventional elliptical exercise apparatus  1  requires the user to exercise the hand portions aside from exercising the leg portions such that those users who do not want to exercise their hand portions have to release their grips on the hand support rod members  14  during exercise, thereby resulting in the possibility that the user may fall off from the exercise apparatus  1 .  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a hand support controlling device for an elliptical exercise apparatus that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawback of the prior art.  
       [0008] According to the present invention, a hand support controlling device is adapted to be used on an elliptical exercise apparatus, which includes a base positioned on a ground surface and having a front end, an upright post connected fixedly to the front end of the base, and a pair of shafts capable of movement on the base in elliptical motions. The controlling device comprises a pair of hand support rod members and a pair of controlling units disposed respectively and rotatably on the rod members. Each of the hand support rod members has an upper rod section with a lower end, and a lower rod section with an upper end. The lower ends and the upper ends are adapted to be connected pivotally to the post so that the upper rod sections and the lower rod sections are rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis. Each of the controlling units is rotatable between first and second positions. When the controlling unit is disposed at the first position, the upper rod section of a respective one of the rod members is connected fixedly to a respective one of the lower rod sections so that the respective one of the upper rod sections can swing back and forth about the pivot axis. When the controlling unit is disposed at the second position, the upper rod section of the respective one of the rod members is fixed relative to the base, and the lower rod section of the respective one of the rod members is rotatable about the pivot axis. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:  
     [0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional elliptical exercise apparatus, illustrating how elliptical motions of two pedal members can be achieved during exercise;  
     [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elliptical exercise apparatus incorporating the preferred embodiment of a hand support controlling device of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 3 is a partly exploded perspective view, illustrating a hand support rod member of the preferred embodiment;  
     [0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 2, illustrating how operation of L-shaped rotary levers of the controlling units can fix the position of upper rod sections of the hand support rod members relative to a base, while permitting rotation of lower rod sections of the rod members about a pivot axis, as shown by the arrows;  
     [0014]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hand support rod member shown in FIG. 3, illustrating how a limiting piece engages a limiting slot in an inner positioning member so as to fix the position of the upper rod section relative to the base of the exercise apparatus;  
     [0015]FIG. 6 is another schematic view of the elliptical exercise apparatus, illustrating how the operation of the rotary levers of the controlling units results in simultaneous movement of the upper and lower rod sections of the hand support rod members; and  
     [0016]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hand support rod member shown in FIG. 3, illustrating how the limiting piece engages a limiting slot in an outer positioning member so as to connect the upper rod section fixedly to the lower rod section. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a hand support controlling device  100  according to the present invention is adapted to be used on an elliptical exercise apparatus  2 , and is shown to comprise a pair of hand support rod members  3 , a pair of positioning units  4 , and a pair of controlling units  5  (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The exercise apparatus  2  includes a base  21  positioned on a ground surface and having a front end  211 , an upright post  213  connected fixedly to the front end  211  of the base  21 , a horizontal shaft  214  extending through the post  213 , a flywheel assembly  22  connected rotatably to the post  213 , a pair of pedal shafts  23  capable of movement on the base  213  in elliptical motions, a pair of pedal members  24 , and a pair of linking rods  25 . The base  21  further has a pair of rail seats  212  disposed opposite to each other at the rear ends of the base  21 . The flywheel assembly  22  has a flywheel  221  and a pair of cranks  222  (only one is visible in FIG. 2) disposed respectively on left and right sides of the flywheel  221 . Each of the pedal shafts  23  has a front end portion  231  connected pivotally to a respective one of the cranks  222 , and a rear end portion  232  that moves slidably along a respective one of the rail seats  212 . Each of the pedal members  24  is connected pivotally to a respective one of the pedal shafts  23 . Each of the linking rods  25  has a rear end portion  252  connected to a respective one of the pedal members  24  in a known manner, and a front end portion  251  opposite to the rear end portion  252 .  
     [0018] Each of the hand support rod members  3  of the preferred embodiment has an upper rod section  31  with a lower end  311 , and a lower rod section  32  with an upper end  321  (see FIG. 3). The lower ends  311  and the upper ends  321  are adapted to be connected pivotally to the post  213  so that the upper rod sections  31  and the lower rod sections  32  are rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis (X).  
     [0019] Each of the positioning units  4  of the preferred embodiment includes an outer positioning member  42 , an inner positioning member  43 , and an intermediate positioning member  41  (see FIG. 3). Each of the outer positioning members  42  has an annular outer wall  421  that surrounds the pivot axis (X) and that is connected fixedly to the upper end  321  of the lower rod section  32  of the respective one of the rod members  3 , an annular inner end wall  422  connected fixedly to an inner end of the outer wall  421 , an annular inner wall  424  surrounding the pivot axis (X) so as to define a shaft hole  423  for receiving the horizontal shaft  214  rotatably, and a limiting slot  425  (see FIGS. 5 and 7) that extends through the inner end wall  422 . The outer positioning member  42  of each of the positioning units  4  is disposed at one side of the respective upper rod section  31 .  
     [0020] The inner positioning member  43  of each of the positioning units  4  is disposed at the other side of the respective upper rod section  31 , has a limiting slot  431  (see FIG. 3) that is aligned with and that is substantially similar in shape to the limiting slot  425  in the outer positioning member  42  of a respective one of the positioning units  4 , and is sleeved fixedly on the horizontal shaft  214 .  
     [0021] The intermediate positioning member  41  of each of the positioning units  4  is connected fixedly to the lower end  311  of the upper rod section  31  of the respective one of the hand support rod members  3 , and includes a first side surface  411  abutting against the side surface  422  of a respective one of the outer positioning members  42 , a second side surface  412  opposite to the first side surface  411  and adjacent to a respective one of the inner positioning members  43 , an axial hole  413  that extends along the pivot axis (X) and that engages the horizontal shaft  214 , an axial slot  414  that extends horizontally through the intermediate positioning member  41  in alignment with the limiting slots  425 ,  431  and that is parallel to the pivot axis (X), and an annular outer surface  416  formed with a lever hole  415  that is in communication with the axial slot  414  and that is transverse to the pivot axis (X). The intermediate positioning member  41  of each of the positioning units  4  is sleeved rotatably on the horizontal shaft  214 .  
     [0022] Each of the controlling units  5  of the preferred embodiment includes a limiting piece  51  and an L-shaped rotary lever  52  (see FIG. 3). Each of the limiting pieces  51  is mounted rotatably on a respective one of the upper rod sections  31 , and has a free end  513 . Each of the rotary levers  52  is connected non-rotatably to a respective one of the limiting pieces  51 , and is operable to rotate a respective one of the controlling units  5  to first and second positions. When the controlling unit  5  is disposed at the first position, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper rod section  31  of the respective one of the rod members  3  is connected fixedly to a respective one of the lower rod sections  32  so that the respective one of the upper rod sections  31  can swing back and forth about the pivot axis (X), as shown in FIG. 6. When the controlling unit  5  is disposed at the second position, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper rod section  31  of the respective one of the rod members  3  is fixed relative to the base  21 , and the lower rod section  32  of the respective one of the rod members  3  is rotatable about the pivot axis (X), as shown in FIG. 4. The rotary levers  52  have a semicircular cross-section. The limiting pieces  51  include semicircular holes  512  for receiving the rotary levers  52  respectively and fittingly so that each of the limiting pieces  51  can rotate synchronously with a respective one of the rotary levers  52 .  
     [0023] Each of the axial slots  414  in the intermediate positioning members  41  is provided for receiving the limiting piece  51  of the respective one of the controlling units  5  therein so as to permit 180° rotation of the limiting pieces  51  within the axial slots  414 . Each of the lever holes  415  in the intermediate positioning members  41  is provided for extension of the rotary lever  52  of the respective one of the controlling units  5  therethrough so as to engage the hole  512  in a respective one of the limiting pieces  51 .  
     [0024] The free end  513  of each of the limiting pieces  51  is engaged within the limiting slot  425  in a respective one of the outer positioning members  42  when the respective one of the controlling units  5  is disposed at the first position, and within the limiting slot  431  in a respective one of the inner positioning members  43  when the respective one of the controlling units  5  is disposed at the second position. The limiting slot  431 ,  425  in each of the inner and outer positioning members  43 ,  42  has an enlarged upper portion  432  to facilitate engagement of the free end  513  of the limiting piece  51  of the respective one of the controlling units  5  therein, and a lower portion  433  that is narrower than the upper portion  432  and that is shaped so as to receive fittingly the free end  513  of the limiting piece  51  of the respective one of the controlling units  5 .  
     [0025] Because the horizontal shaft  214  is fixed to the post  213 , the inner positioning member  43  of each of the positioning units  4  is fixed relative to the post  213  so that the limiting piece  51  of the respective one of the controlling units  5  can engage a selected one of the inner and outer positioning members  43 ,  42  by rotating the respective one of the rotary levers  52 , thereby locating the respective one of the controlling units  5  at a selected one of the first and second positions.  
     [0026] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the user rotates the rotary levers  52  toward the post  213  of the exercise apparatus  2 , the free ends  513  of the limiting pieces  51  can rotate within the axial slots  414  until the free ends  513  engage the limiting slots  431  in the inner positioning members  43 , thereby fixing the intermediate positioning members  41  relative to the inner positioning members  43 . As such, the upper rod sections  31  of the hand support rod members  3  are prevented from swinging relative to the base  21 , while the lower rod sections  32  of the rod members  3  can still swing back and forth relative to the base  21 . Thus, it is only necessary for the user to step on the pedal members  24  with both hands gripping the upper rod sections  31  to start the exercise. The user pedals in frontward and rearward directions so as to rotate the cranks  222  and the flywheel assembly  22  subsequently such that the pedal members  24  follow generally elliptical motions, thereby achieving exercise of the user&#39;s leg muscles.  
     [0027] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the user rotates the rotary levers  52  from the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 away from the post  213  of the exercise apparatus  2  by an angle of 180° about the pivot axis (X), the free ends  513  of the limiting pieces  51  can rotate within the axial slots  414  until the free ends  513  engage the limiting slots  425  in the respective outer positioning members  42 . As such, the upper rod sections  31  of the rod members  3  are connected fixedly to the lower rod sections  32 , and can swing back and forth relative to the base  21 . Similarly, it is only necessary for the user to step on the pedal members  24  with both hands gripping the upper rod sections  31  to start the exercise. In this exercise, the hands and the feet of the user can move simultaneously, thereby achieving exercise of the user&#39;s leg muscles and hand portions.  
     [0028] From the above description of the preferred embodiment of the hand support controlling device  100  of the present invention, it is apparent that the upper rod sections  31  of the hand support rod members  3  can be connected fixedly to the lower rod sections  32  so that the upper and lower rod sections  31 ,  32  can swing back and forth, or separated from the lower rod sections  32  so as to be fixed relative to the base  21 . As such, the user can choose to have his hands moving with the feet at the same time, or simply holding the upper rod sections  31  steadily for support during exercise so as to maintain balance and enhance safety.  
     [0029] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.