Patent Publication Number: US-6217492-B1

Title: Embracing mechanism of exercise device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an exercise device, and more particularly to an embracing mechanism of the exercise device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art exercise device  1  comprises a frame body  2 , an embracing mechanism  3  mounted on the frame body  2 , a weight set  4 , a plurality of pulleys  5  mounted on the frame body  2 , and a plurality of ropes  6  running through the pulleys  5  such that both ends of the ropes  6  are connected with the embracing mechanism  3  and the weight set  4 . When a person uses the exercise device  1  to do the embracing exercise, the person must overcome the reaction force which is provided by the weight set  4  via the ropes  6 . 
     The embracing mechanism  3  has two suspension arms  7  which are fastened pivotally with the frame body  2  such that the two suspension arms  7  are separated at an interval to facilitate the embracing of the suspension arms  7  with both elbows, or the holding of the suspension arms  7  with both hands of the person using the exercise device  1 . The suspension arms  7  are fixed such that the distance between the two suspension arms  7  can not be adjusted in accordance with the body size of a person using the exercise device  1 . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise device with an embracing mechanism having two suspension arms which are adjustable in distance between the two suspension arms. 
     In keeping with the principle of the present invention, the foregoing objective of the present invention is attained by an exercise device comprising a frame body, a plurality of pulleys mounted on the frame body, a weight set, a plurality of ropes which run on the pulleys such that the ropes are fastened at one end thereof with the weight set, and an embracing mechanism mounted on the frame body and composed of two pivoting members, two suspension arms, and two driven members. The two pivoting members are fastened pivotally with the frame body. The two suspension arms are fastened pivotally with the two pivoting members. The two driven members are coaxially pivoted between the pivoting members and the frame body such that the two driven members are exerted on by the action force of the weight set via the ropes. The two suspension arms can be actuated by an external force to turn in a vertical surface such that the two suspension arms can be stopped at an appropriate position to enable the interval between the two suspension arms to adapt to the user&#39;s requirement. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a prior art exercise device having an embracing mechanism. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination. 
     FIG. 4 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 2-4, an exercise device  10  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame body  12 , a weight set  24 , a plurality of pulleys  26 , a plurality of ropes  28 , a seat  30 , a backrest  32 , and an embracing mechanism  40 . 
     The frame body  12  is formed of a bottom frame  14 , a front longitudinal support rod  16  mounted on the bottom frame  14 , a rear longitudinal support rod  18  mounted on the bottom frame  14 , a top support rod  20  fastened with top ends of the front longitudinal support rod  16  and the rear longitudinal support rod  18 . The top support rod  20  is provided at the front end thereof with an arcuate connection rod  22  having two open ends. The connection rod  22  is provided at the center thereof with a stop plate  23  extending upward and vertically therefrom. The weight set  24  is formed of a plurality of weights  242 . The pulleys  26  are mounted on the frame body  12 . The ropes  28  run on the pulleys  26  such that the ropes  28  are fastened at one end thereof with the weight set  24 . The seat  30  and the backrest  32  are fastened with the front longitudinal support rod  16 . 
     The embracing mechanism  40  is mounted on the connection rod  22  of the frame body  12  and is formed of two pivoting members  50 , two suspension arms  70 , and two driven members  80 . 
     The pivoting members  50  are of a hollow rectangular construction and are provided in the upper and the lower sides thereof with a first threaded hole  52  ( 52 ′) for fastening pivotally the pivoting members  50  with the free end of the connection rod  22  by a bolt  54  such that the pivoting members  50  turn horizontally. The pivoting members  50  are provided in the left and the right sides thereof with a lug  56  ( 56 ′), which is provided with a second threaded hole  58  ( 58 ′). Located between the two lugs  56  and  56 ′ is a holding space  59 . Each pivoting member  50  is provided in the lower side thereof with a rectangular connection piece  60  extending therefrom and having a pin seat  62 . The pin seat  62  has a hollow interior in which a pin  64  is disposed. 
     The two suspension arms  70  are of an inverted L-shaped tubular construction and are rectangular in their cross sections. The top end of each suspension arm  70  is held in the holding space  59  of the pivoting member  50 . The suspension arms  70  are provided with two threaded holes  72  and  72 ′, which are corresponding in location to the second threaded holes  58  and  58 ′ of the pivoting members  50 . The suspension arms  70  are fastened pivotally with the lugs  56  ( 56 ′) of the pivoting members  50  by bolts  74 , which force two opposite sides of the lug  56  ( 56 ′) to make an intimate contact with the suspension arms  70 , thereby resulting in a friction force. Each suspension arm  70  can be exerted on by the force of a user of the exercise device  10  to turn in a vertical surface. In light of the effect of the fiction force, the suspension arm  70  in motion can be stopped at a place where the user stops exerting the force. 
     The body of each suspension arm  70  is provided with a rest pad  75  to facilitate the embracing of the suspension arm  70  by the user&#39;s elbow. The suspension arm  70  is provided at the bottom end thereof with a handle  76  which is intended to be held by a hand of the user engaging in the embracing exercise. Each suspension arm  70  is provided at the top end thereof with a cylindrical stop strip  78 , which presses against one end of the lower side of the pivoting member  50  at such time when the suspension arm  70  is swiveled downward to locate at a predetermined position so as to reduce the distance between the two rest pads  75  or the two handles  76 . As a result, the rotational motion of the suspension arms  70  is confined in a predetermined angle by the upper and the lower sides of the pivoting member  50 . In other words, the two suspension arms  70  can be adjusted in position within the predetermined angle as desired by the user, thereby resulting in a change in the distance between the two rest pads  75  or the two handles  76 . 
     Each driven member  80  has a rectangular locating plate  82  and an arcuate strip  88  fastened with the locating plate  82 . The locating plate  82  is provided with a threaded hole  84  for pivoting the locating plate  82  between the connection rod  22  and each pivoting member  50 . The locating plate  82  is provided with four locating holes  86  for receiving the pins  64  for enabling the pivoting member  50  to connect with the driven member  80  so as to turn together horizontally. When the pins  64  are received in the different locating holes  86 , the angles between the pivoting member  50  and the driven member  80  are different. The driven member  80  is fastened with the rope  28  by the strip  88  so that the driven member  80  is exerted on by the action force of the weight set  24  via the ropes  28 . When the suspension arm  70  is not exerted on horizontally by an external force, one end of the strip  88  urges the stop plate  23  of the frame body  12 . Upon completion of the embracing exercise, the action of the urging of the stop plate  23  by the strip  88  can prevent the rotation of the suspension arm  70  by virtue of inertia, thereby providing the user with protection. The strip  88  has a U-shaped cross section to prevent the rope  28  from escaping. 
     The suspension arms  70  can be exerted on by elbows pressing against the rest pads  75  or by hands holding the handles  76  such that the suspension arms  70  are moved horizontally by the pivoting member  50  and each driven member  80 . The horizontal motion is brought about in a reciprocating manner to bring about the embracing exercise. The initial angle of the embracing exercise can be adjusted by the pin  64  which is inserted into one of the locating holes  86 . The suspension arms  70  can be forced to turn in the vertical plane such that the suspension arms  70  in motion can be stopped at an appropriate position so as to enable an exerciser to adjust the distance between the two suspension arms  70  in accordance with the need of the exerciser. 
     The embodiment of the present invention described above is to be regarded in all respects as being merely illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following appended claims.