Patent Publication Number: US-11033794-B2

Title: Openable exercising device that is stored easily and conveniently and is adapted to function as furniture

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercising device and, more particularly, to a box-shaped openable exercising device that is opened upward. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A conventional indoor exercising device, such as a treadmill, a step machine, an elliptic exercise machine, an exercise bike or the like is used to provide an exercising effect to the user. However, the conventional exercising device has a determined volume and occupies a larger space, such that it cannot be stored easily, thereby greatly causing inconvenience to the user when not in use. In addition, the conventional exercising device has an outstanding appearance that cannot mate with the indoor appliances of the house. Further, dust easily accumulates on the conventional exercising device during a long period of time. 
     A conventional cabinet (or cupboard) type treadmill was disclosed in the Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 433218, and comprises a side board that is opened downward to expose the running platform (or board) such that the running platform is placed on the ground to facilitate the user running or walking on the running platform. However, the side board is not opened easily, thereby causing inconvenience to the user when opening or closing the side board. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an exercising device that is stored easily and conveniently and is adapted to function as furniture. The exercising device also has a dustproof function. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercising device comprising a base placed on a plane, a cover pivotally connected with the base, and an exercise apparatus mounted between the base and the cover. The cover has a side pivotally mounted on a side of the base. The cover is pivoted relative to the base to open or close a top face of the base. The exercise apparatus includes a leg working unit mounted on the base. 
     Preferably, the leg working unit has a platform structure and includes a rotary belt that is rotated on the base. 
     Alternatively, the leg working unit includes two operation members pivotally connected with the base, and two pedals mounted on the two operation members respectively. 
     Preferably, the exercise apparatus further includes a hand working unit mounted on the cover and located opposite to the leg working unit. The hand working unit is mounted on an inner face of the cover. The inner face of the cover is provided with a receiving groove, and the hand working unit is mounted in the receiving groove of the cover. 
     Preferably, the hand working unit and the leg working unit cooperate with each other and are operated mutually. 
     Alternatively, the exercise apparatus further includes a hand working unit mounted on the base and located beside the leg working unit. The base is provided with a receiving slot located beside the leg working unit, and the hand working unit is mounted in the receiving slot of the base. 
     Preferably, the exercise apparatus further includes an electronic instrument which is mounted on an inner face of the cover and electrically connected with the leg working unit. The inner face of the cover is provided with a receiving recess, and the electronic instrument is mounted in the receiving recess of the cover. 
     Preferably, the exercising device further comprises at least one cushion mounted on an outer face of the cover. 
     According to the primary advantage of the present invention, when the user wishes to use the exercise apparatus, the cover is pivoted outward to expose and unfold the exercise apparatus, such that the user directly operates the exercise apparatus to achieve an exercising effect, and the exercise apparatus does not occupies additional indoor space. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, when the exercise apparatus is folded, the at least one cushion is exposed outward after the cover covers the base, such that the exercising device is disposed at a furniture status and functions as a seat or a bed when not in use. 
     According to a further advantage of the present invention, when the cover closes the top face of the base, the exercise apparatus is covered by the cover, to achieve dustproof and storage functions, and to enhance the lifetime of the exercise apparatus. 
     According to a further advantage of the present invention, the exercise apparatus is stored easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user storing the exercise apparatus. 
     According to a further advantage of the present invention, the exercising device is adapted to function as furniture, such that the exercising device is incorporated into the house environment, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the house. 
     Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercising device in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic operational view of the exercising device as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic operational view of the exercising device as shown in  FIG. 2  in use. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exercising device in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic operational view of the exercising device as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic operational view of the exercising device as shown in  FIG. 5  in use. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exercising device in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic operational view of the exercising device as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic operational view of the exercising device as shown in  FIG. 8  in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exercising device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base  10  placed on a plane, a cover  20  pivotally connected with the base  10 , and an exercise apparatus  30  mounted between the base  10  and the cover  20 . The cover  20  has a side pivotally mounted on a side of the base  10 . The cover  20  is pivoted relative to the base  10  to open or close a top face of the base  10 . The exercise apparatus  30  includes a leg working unit  32  mounted on the base  10 . Preferably, the bottom face of the base  10  is provided with a stand or a plurality of casters. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the leg working unit  32  has a platform structure and includes a rotary belt  35  that is rotated on the base  10 . Thus, the user treads and moves on the rotary belt  35 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exercise apparatus  30  further includes an electronic instrument  33  which is mounted on an inner face of the cover  20  and electrically connected with the leg working unit  32 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner face of the cover  20  is provided with a receiving recess  22 , and the electronic instrument  33  is mounted in the receiving recess  22  of the cover  20 . The electronic instrument  33  is pivotally connected with the cover  20 . The electronic instrument  33  is folded and received in the receiving recess  22  of the cover  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or unfolded and extended outward from the receiving recess  22  of the cover  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Preferably, the electronic instrument  33  is provided with a transverse bar (or grip). 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exercising device further comprises at least one cushion  40  mounted on an outer face of the cover  20 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base  10  is made of wood, plastics, iron, glass or the like. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover  20  is made of wood, plastics, iron, glass or the like. 
     In operation, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  with reference to  FIG. 1 , the cover  20  is pivoted outward from the base  10 , to expose the leg working unit  32  and the electronic instrument  33  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Then, the electronic instrument  33  is unfolded and extended outward from the receiving recess  22  of the cover  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, the user treads and moves on the rotary belt  35  of the leg working unit  32  to achieve an exercising effect. When not in use, the electronic instrument  33  is folded and received in the receiving recess  22  of the cover  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Then, the cover  20  is pivoted toward the base  10 , to close the top face of the base  10 , such that the leg working unit  32  and the electronic instrument  33  are covered and stored. Thus, the exercise apparatus  30  is folded and stored. In addition, the at least one cushion  40  is exposed outward after the cover  20  covers the base  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 , such that the exercising device is disposed at a furniture status and functions as a seat or a bed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , the exercise apparatus  30  further includes a hand working unit  31  mounted on the base  10  and located beside the leg working unit  32 . The base  10  is provided with a receiving slot  11  located beside the leg working unit  32 , and the hand working unit  31  is mounted in the receiving slot  11  of the base  10 . The hand working unit  31  is pivotally connected with the base  10 . The hand working unit  31  is folded and received in the receiving slot  11  of the base  10 , or unfolded and extended outward from the receiving slot  11  of the base  10 . 
     In operation, referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6  with reference to  FIG. 4 , the cover  20  is pivoted outward from the base  10 , to expose the hand working unit  31  and the electronic instrument  33 . Then, the electronic instrument  33  is unfolded and extended outward from the receiving recess  22  of the cover  20 , while the hand working unit  31  is unfolded and extended outward from the receiving slot  11  of the base  10  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Thus, the user&#39;s hands hold the hand working unit  31 , and the user&#39;s feet wear skis and move on the rotary belt  35  of the leg working unit  32 , to simulate a skiing movement. When not in use, the electronic instrument  33  is folded and received in the receiving recess  22  of the cover  20 , and the hand working unit  31  is folded and received in the receiving slot  11  of the base  10 . Then, the cover  20  is pivoted toward the base  10 , to close the top face of the base  10 , such that the leg working unit  32  and the electronic instrument  33  are covered and stored. Thus, the exercise apparatus  30  is folded and stored. In addition, the at least one cushion  40  is exposed outward after the cover  20  covers the base  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 , such that the exercising device is disposed at a furniture status and functions as a seat or a bed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , the leg working unit  32  includes two operation members (or levers)  36  pivotally connected with the base  10 , and two pedals  37  mounted on the two operation members  36  respectively. Preferably, the leg working unit  32  is a stair stepper or an elliptic exercise machine. Thus, the user treads and moves on the two pedals  37 . The two operation members  36  are pivoted and moved upward and downward reciprocally. The hand working unit  31  is mounted on the cover  20  and located opposite to the leg working unit  32 . Preferably, the hand working unit  31  is mounted on the inner face of the cover  20 . The inner face of the cover  20  is provided with a receiving groove  21 , and the hand working unit  31  is mounted in the receiving groove  21  of the cover  20 . The hand working unit  31  is pivotally connected with the cover  20 . The electronic instrument  33  is folded and received in the receiving groove  21  of the cover  20  as shown in  FIG. 8 , or unfolded and extended outward from the receiving groove  21  of the cover  20  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The hand working unit  31  and the leg working unit  32  cooperate with each other and are operated mutually. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base  10  has an interior provided with a receiving space  13 . The base  10  has an upright peripheral wall  12  surrounding the receiving space  13 . The exercise apparatus  30  is a stair stepper including the hand working unit  31  and the leg working unit  32 . The hand working unit  31  includes two handles  311  pivotally mounted on the cover  20 . The leg working unit  32  is received in the receiving space  13  of the base  10 . Thus, the user holds the two handles  311  of the hand working unit  31  and steps the two pedals  37  of the leg working unit  32  to achieve an exercising effect. 
     In operation, referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9  with reference to  FIG. 7 , the cover  20  is pivoted outward from the base  10 , to expose the hand working unit  31  and the leg working unit  32  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Then, the hand working unit  31  is unfolded and extended outward from the receiving groove  21  of the cover  20  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Thus, the user&#39;s hands hold the hand working unit  31 , and the user&#39;s feet step on the two pedals  37  of the leg working unit  32 , to perform a stair stepping movement. When not in use, the hand working unit  31  is folded and received in the receiving groove  21  of the cover  20 . Then, the cover  20  is pivoted toward the base  10 , to close the top face of the base  10 , such that the hand working unit  31 , the leg working unit  32  and the electronic instrument  33  are covered and stored. Thus, the exercise apparatus  30  is folded and stored. In addition, the at least one cushion  40  is exposed outward after the cover  20  covers the base  10  as shown in  FIG. 7 , such that the exercising device is disposed at a furniture status and functions as a seat or a bed. 
     Accordingly, when the user wishes to use the exercise apparatus  30 , the cover  20  is pivoted outward to expose and unfold the exercise apparatus  30 , such that the user directly operates the exercise apparatus  30  to achieve an exercising effect, and the exercise apparatus  30  does not occupies additional indoor space. In addition, when the exercise apparatus  30  is folded, the at least one cushion  40  is exposed outward after the cover  20  covers the base  10 , such that the exercising device is disposed at a furniture status and functions as a seat or a bed when not in use. Further, when the cover  20  closes the top face of the base  10 , the exercise apparatus  30  is covered by the cover  20 , to achieve dustproof and storage functions, and to enhance the lifetime of the exercise apparatus  30 . Further, the exercise apparatus  30  is stored easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user storing the exercise apparatus  30 . Further, the exercising device is adapted to function as furniture, such that the exercising device is incorporated into the house environment, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the house. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the invention.