Patent Publication Number: US-2013237385-A1

Title: Adjustable frame for excercise device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly to an exercise device comprising an adjustable frame, in which a distance between a seat frame and a handle frame can be freely and conveniently adjusted. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a conventional exercise device, such as a conventional stationary exercise bicycle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,958 to Goldberg, comprises a frame having a front and a rear sockets, an adjustable seat, mounted in the rear socket, and a handlebar mounted in the front socket. In this conventional exercise device, the adjustable seat is extendable in fore and aft direction relative to the rear socket. 
     More specifically, the frame disclosed in &#39;958 patent comprises a seat holding mechanism which is capable of mounting the seat assembly at different positions relative to the frame. Moreover, the seat is adjustable for height and connected to the seat socket. The seat post pop pin permits height adjustment of the seat. The fore and aft saddle pop pin permits adjustment of the seat by sliding fore and aft in the seat socket. Thus, it can be seen that the seat is movable relative to the seat socket. 
     A major disadvantage of this configuration of the stationary exercise bicycle is that the connection between the seat socket and the seat is very easy to break because the connection is relatively weak while the seat is subject to heavy weight of a user. When the connection between the seat socket and the seat fails, it may cause harm to the rider because the rider may accidentally falls from the stationary exercise bicycle. 
     Furthermore, the handlebar of the stationary exercise bicycle comprises an upright portion lateral bar and a second bar extended forwardly from the lateral bar in one common plane. These can easily be observed from  FIG. 1 . One major disadvantage of this second bar is that the user is not guided to grip on suitable positions of the handlebar. Since the second bar is a one-piece member, the user may grip on any position of the second bar. As such, the resulting riding posture may not be correct. When the riding posture is incorrect, the user may be hurt by his or her own riding habit. The conventional stationary exercise bicycle is not capable of remedying this situation or alleviating this potential danger. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The invention is advantageous in that it provides an exercise device comprising an adjustable frame, in which a distance between a seat frame and a handle frame can be freely and conveniently adjusted. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide an exercise device comprising an adjustable frame, wherein a seat frame is adjustably mounted to a main supporting frame. In this case, the seat frame can be adequately and optimally supported by the main supporting frame. This arrangement substantially overcomes the disadvantages described above for conventional stationary exercise bicycle. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide an exercise device comprising an adjustable frame wherein a handle frame comprises a first handle bar and a pair of second handle bars which are optimally designed to allow a user to ride on the exercise device in one of two predetermined postures. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide an exercise device comprising an adjustable frame, wherein the second handle bars are crafted and designed to guide the user riding at a particular posture. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide an exercise device comprising an adjustable frame, which is simple in structure and is easy to manufacture. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the present invention can be minimized. 
     Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims. 
     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by providing an exercise device comprising an adjustable frame and an exercise equipment supported by the adjustable frame, wherein the adjustable frame comprises:
         a main supporting frame which comprises a frame member for facilitating a predetermined exercise type, wherein the frame member has a first end portion and a second end portion;   a handle frame which is supported by main supporting frame at a position above the first end portion of the frame member, and comprises:   a first handle bar having a transverse portion and two longitudinal portions extended from two ends of the transverse portion for a user&#39;s hands to grip thereon respectively so as to allow the user to exercise in a first riding posture; and   a pair of second handle bars extended from the first handle bar for the user&#39;s hand to grip thereon respectively so as to allow the user to exercise in a second riding posture; and   an adjustable seat assembly which is adjustably supported by the main supporting frame at a position above the second end portion of the frame member, and comprises:   a seat frame having a coupling portion moveably coupled with the main supporting frame; and   a seat member mounted on a support portion of the seat frame, wherein by adjustably and movably coupling the seat frame with respect to the main supporting frame, a distance between the seat member and the handle frame is capable of being freely adjusted for fitting different users.       

     Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a conventional exercise device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exercise device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the exercise device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a first alternative mode of the exercise device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a second alternative mode of the exercise device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a coupling joint of a second alternative mode of the exercise device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a third alternative mode of the exercise device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a fourth alternative mode of the exercise device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, an exercise device, such as a stationary bicycle frame, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the exercise device comprises an adjustable frame  10  and an exercise equipment  20  supported by the adjustable frame  10 . The adjustable frame  10  comprises a main supporting frame  30 , a handle frame  40  and an adjustable seat assembly  50 . 
     The main supporting frame  30  comprises a frame member  31  for facilitating a predetermined exercise type, such as bicycle exercise, wherein the frame member  31  has a first end portion  311  and a second end portion  312 . 
     The handle frame  40  is supported by main supporting frame  30  at a position above the first end portion  311  of the frame member  31 , and comprises a first handle bar  41  and a plurality of second handle bars  42 . The first handle bar  41  has a transverse portion  411  and two longitudinal portions  412  extended from two ends of the transverse portion  411  for a user&#39;s hands to grip thereon respectively so as to allow the user to selectively exercise in a first riding posture. 
     On the other hand, the second handle bars  42  are extended from the first handle bar  41  for the user&#39;s hand to grip thereon respectively so as to allow the user to selectively exercise in a second riding posture. 
     The adjustable seat assembly  50  is adjustably supported by the main supporting frame  30  at a position above the second end portion  312  of the frame member  31 , and comprises a seat frame  51  and a seat member  52 . 
     The seat frame  51  has a coupling portion  511  moveably coupled with the main supporting frame  30 . On the other hand, the seat member  52  is mounted on a support portion  512  of the seat frame  51 , wherein by adjustably and movably coupling the seat frame  51  with respect to the main supporting frame  30 , a distance between the seat member  52  and the handle frame  40  is capable of being freely adjusted for fitting different users with different riding postures. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exercise device is preferably embodied as a stationary bicycle, so that the adjustable frame  10  is embodied as a stationary bicycle frame. Thus, the exercise equipment  20  comprise a bicycle wheel  21  rotatably mounted on the first end portion  311  of the frame member  31 , a plurality of pedals  22  operatively provided on the second end portion  312  of the frame member  31 , and a driving mechanism  23  supported by the frame member  31  for transmitting the movement of pedals  32  into the rotation of the bicycle wheel  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings, the frame member  31  of the main supporting frame  30  is substantially elongated in structure wherein the first end portion  311  and the second end portion  312  constitute front and rear end portions of the frame member  31  respectively. The main supporting frame  30  further comprises a plurality of leg frames  32  supporting the frame member  31  and the exercise equipment  20  on a ground surface. Of course, the leg frames  32  also serve to support the handle frame  40  and the adjustable seat assembly  50  at a predetermined elevation above the ground surface. 
     On the other hand, the handle frame  40  further comprises a supporting member  43  extended from the frame member  31  of the main supporting frame  30  to suspendedly support the first handle bar  41  and the second handle bars  42  at a predetermined elevation above the ground surface. The transverse portion  411  and the longitudinal portions  412  of the first handle bar  41  constitute a substantially U-shaped cross sectional shape thereof to define a handle cavity  413  between the transverse portion  411  and the longitudinal portions  412 , wherein a user is arranged to grip on the two longitudinal portions  412  while seating on the seat member  52 , wherein the user&#39;s legs are arranged to step on the pedals  22  of the exercise equipment  20  for exercising at the first riding posture. 
     Each of the second handle bars  42  is also inwardly extended from the longitudinal portion  411  of the first handle bar  41  in the handle cavity  413 . It is worth mentioning that each of the second handle bars  42  also has a predetermined cross sectional shape designed to allow the user to grip on the second handle bars  42  for riding on the exercise device at a second riding posture. 
     At this point, it is important to mention that since there are two second handle bars  42 , each of the second handle bars  42  substantially guide the corresponding user&#39;s hand to grip thereon. The result is that the user is prevented from gripping on incorrect positions on the second handle bars  42 , and this feature ensures that the second riding posture is correctly made by the user. 
     The frame member  31  of the main supporting frame  30  further has an elongated coupling slot  313  formed at a second end portion  312 , wherein the coupling portion  511  of the seat frame  51  is adjustably inserted into the elongated coupling slot  313  so as to adjustably couple the seat frame  51  to the main supporting frame  30 . More specifically, the coupling portion  511  and the support portion  512  of the seat frame  51  are extended at a predetermined angle of inclination in which the support portion  512  is upwardly extended to support the seat member  52 , while the coupling portion  511  is longitudinally extended (with respect to the frame member  31 ) from a lower end of the support portion  512  to adjustably insert into the elongated coupling slot  313 . 
     Thus, the adjustable seat assembly  50  further comprises a securing locker  53  provided on the second end portion  312  of the frame member  31 , and is arranged to penetrate the second end portion  312  to lock up a position of the coupling portion  511  of the seat frame  51 . Thus, the adjustable seat assembly  50  further has a plurality of locking holes  314  spacedly formed on the coupling portion  511  of the seat frame  51 , wherein the securing locker  53  is arranged to selectively lock up a position of the seat frame  51  through a corresponding locking hole  314  and by penetrating through the second end portion  312 . Note that by locking up the coupling portion  511  through different locking holes  314 , the distance between the seat frame  51  and the handle frame  40  can be altered and adjusted. 
     In other words, a cross sectional shape of the coupling portion  511  of the seat frame  51  is substantially similar to that of the elongated coupling slot  313  while a cross sectional area of the coupling portion  511  is slightly smaller than that of the elongated coupling slot  313  so that the coupling portion  511  is adapted to slidably connect to the frame member  31  by inserting into the elongated coupling slot  313 . 
     Furthermore, the seat frame  51  further has an elongated connecting slot  513  formed in the upper end of the support portion  512 , wherein the seat member  52  comprises a seat cushion  521  and a seat connector  522  downwardly extended from the seat cushion  521 , and is arranged to be inserted and slidably moved along the elongated connecting slot  513  so as to adjust the elevation of the seat cushion  521  above the ground surface. 
     Thus, the adjustable seat assembly  50  further comprises a seat locking device  54  provided on the support portion  512  of the seat frame  51 , and is arranged to penetrate the seat connector  522  to lock up a position of the seat cushion  521  with respect to the ground surface. Thus, the seat frame  51  further has a plurality of seat locker holes  55  spacedly formed on the support portion  512  of the seat frame  51 , wherein the seat locking device  54  is arranged to selectively lock up a position of the seat frame  51  through a corresponding seat locker hole  55 . Note that by locking up the support portion  512  through different seat locker holes  55 , the height of the seat connector  522  and thus the seat cushion  521  can be selectively altered and adjusted. 
     From the above description, it can be seen that the user may adjust the position of the seat frame  51  by sliding the coupling portion  511  along the coupling slot  313  of the second end portion  312  of the frame member  31 . Furthermore, the user may adjust the elevation of the seat cushion  521  by sliding the seat connector  522  along the elongated connecting slot  513  formed on the seat frame  51 . Thus, the user may, according to his or her particular height and desired riding posture, freely adjust the distance between the seat cushion  521  and the handle frame  40 , and the height of the seat cushion  521  with respect to the ground surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, a first alternative mode of the exercise device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The first alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the seat frame  51 ′ of the adjustable seat assembly  50 ′ and the main supporting frame  30 ′. In this first alternative mode, the main supporting frame  30 ′ comprises a frame member  31 ′ having a first end portion  311 ′ and a second end portion  312 ′. 
     The adjustable seat assembly  50 ′ is adjustably supported by the main supporting frame  30 ′ at a position above the second end portion  312 ′ of the frame member  31 ′, and comprises a seat frame  51 ′ and a seat member  52 ′. As in the preferred embodiment, the seat frame  51 ′ has a coupling portion  511 ′ moveably coupled with the main supporting frame  30 ′. 
     According to the first alternative mode of the present invention, the frame member  31 ′ of the main supporting frame  30 ′ further has an elongated coupling slot  313 ′ formed at a second end portion  312 ′, wherein the coupling portion  511 ′ of the seat frame  51 ′ is adjustably inserted into the elongated coupling slot  313 ′ so as to adjustably couple the seat frame  51 ′ to the main supporting frame  30 ′. Unique to this first alternative mode, the coupling portion  511 ′ of the seat frame  51 ′ has a T-shaped cross section which defines a vertical section  5111 ′ and a horizontal section  5112 ′, wherein the horizontal section  5112 ′ of the coupling portion  511 ′ of the seat frame  51 ′ is slidably inserted into the coupling slot  313 ′ so as to adjust the position of the seat member  52 ′. 
     In other words, the vertical section  5111 ′ of the coupling portion  511 ′ is integrally extended from the support portion  512 ′ while the horizontal section  5112 ′ is horizontally extended from the vertical section  5112 ′ toward two sides thereof so as to constitute a T-shaped cross section of the coupling portion  511 ′. 
     Moreover, the securing locker  53 ′ is provided on the second end portion  312 ′ of the frame member  31 ′, and is arranged to penetrate the second end portion  312 ′ to lock up a position of the horizontal section  5112 ′ of the coupling portion  511 ′ of the seat frame  51 ′. Thus, the plurality of locking holes  314 ″ is spacedly formed on the second end portion  312 ′, wherein the securing locker  53 ′ is arranged to selectively lock up a position of the seat frame  51 ′ through a corresponding locking hole  314 ′. Note that by locking up the coupling portion  511 ′ through different locking holes  314 ′, the distance between the seat frame  51 ′ and the handle frame  40  can be altered and adjusted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, a second alternative mode of the exercise device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The second alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the adjustable seat assembly  50 ″ and the main supporting frame  30 ″. 
     The main supporting frame  30 ″ comprises a frame member  31 ″ for facilitating a predetermined exercise type, such as bicycle exercise, wherein the frame member  31 ″ has a first end portion  311 ″ and a second end portion  312 ″. 
     The adjustable seat assembly  50 ″ is adjustably supported by the main supporting frame  30 ″ at a position above the second end portion  312 ″ of the frame member  31 ″, and comprises a seat frame  51 ″ and a seat member  52 ″. 
     The seat frame  51 ″ has a coupling portion  511 ″ pivotally coupled with the main supporting frame  30 ″. On the other hand, the seat member  52 ″ is mounted on a support portion  512 ″ of the seat frame  51 ″, wherein by adjustably and pivotally coupling the seat frame  51 ″ with respect to the main supporting frame  30 ″, a distance between the seat member  52 ″ and the handle frame  40  is capable of being freely adjusted for fitting different users with different riding postures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings, the adjustable seat assembly  50 ″ further comprises a coupling mechanism  56 ″ pivotally coupling the second end portion  312 ″ of the frame member  31 ″ and the coupling portion  511 ″ of the seat frame  51 ″. As a result, the seat frame  51 ″ is capable of pivotally moving with respect to the frame member  31 ″ for altering the distance between the seat member  52 ″ and the handle frame  40 . 
     Thus, in this second alternative mode, the coupling portion  511 ″ and the support portion  512 ″ of the seat frame  51 ″ are integrally extended and do not form the angle of inclination with respect to each other. The coupling mechanism  56 ″ comprises a first and a second gear units  561 ″  562 ″ provided at the second end portion  312 ″ of the frame member  31 ″ and the coupling portion  511 ″ of the seat frame  51 ″ respectively for selectively and pivotally moving the coupling portion  511 ″ with respect to the second end portion  312 ″. 
     The first and the second gear units  561 ″,  562 ″ are normally engaged with each other so as to lock up a lateral movement between the coupling portion  511 ″ of the seat frame  51 ″ and the second end portion  312 ″ of the frame member  31 ″. However, the coupling mechanism  56 ″ may be selectively disengaged so as to disengage the first gear unit  561 ″ from the second gear unit  562 ″. Afterwards, the user may pivotally move the seat frame  51 ″ with respect to the frame member  31 ″ for adjusting a distance and height of the seat member  52 ″ with respect to the handling frame  40 . After the adjustment, the first gear unit  561 ″ and the second gear unit  562 ″ are driven to engage with each other again so as to lock up the position of the seat frame  51 ″ again. 
     Accordingly, the coupling mechanism  56 ″ further comprises an actuator  563 ″ connected to the first and the second gear unit  561 ″,  562 ″ for selectively driving the first gear unit  561 ″ to engage to or disengage from the second gear unit  562 ″. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, a third alternative mode of the exercise device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The third alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except handling frame  40 A. 
     In this third alternative mode, the supporting frame  43 A is pivotally coupled with the main supporting frame  30 A so as to selectively adjust a distance between the handling frame  40 A and the adjustable seat assembly  50 A. More specifically, the handling frame  40 A further comprises a driving cylinder  45 A comprising a first cylindrical member  451 A inclinedly mounted on the main supporting frame  30 A, and a second cylindrical member  452 A having one end portion slidably coupled to the first cylindrical member  451 A, and another end portion mounted to the supporting frames  43 A of the handling frame  40 A, in such a manner that the second cylindrical member  452 A is arranged to selectively slide with respect to the first cylindrical member  451 A for pivotally moving the supporting frame  43 A. Moreover, the first and the second handle bar  41 A,  42 A are both upwardly extended from the main supporting frame  30 A, and are pivotally extended from the main supporting frame  30 A. 
     For example, the movable first and the second handle bar  41 A,  42 A disclosed in the third alternative mode may be used in conjunction with the adjustable seat frame assembly disclosed in the preferred embodiment. These variations are also covered by the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, a fourth alternative mode of the exercise device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The fourth alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the handling frame  40 B further comprises a plurality of auxiliary handle bars  44 B pivotally extended from the main supporting frame  30 B for allowing the user to selectively perform an additional type of exercise. Note that a distance between the adjustable seat assembly  50  and the auxiliary handle bars  44 B is also adjustable. 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.