Abstract:
A stationary exercise bike that includes a foot-exercise mechanism that rotates and a hand-exercise mechanism that rotates. In addition to the rotational movement, both the foot-exercise mechanism and the hand-exercise mechanism simultaneously move in a reciprocating manner. The foot-exercise mechanism makes reciprocating upward and downward movements in a vertical plane and the hand-exercise mechanism makes reciprocation forward and backward movements in a horizontal plane. The height of the hand-exercise mechanism and the seat of the bike are adjustable, so that they may be positioned at a proper height and angle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to stationary bicycles for gymnastic purposes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of conventional stationary bicycles for gymnastic purposes is to imitate the motions of the pedaling on the bicycle. The exerciser grips fixed handles and, using their feet, applies force on the pedals to make the cycling movements in order to cause the rotations of the gravity wheel. Thus, the legs of the user can obtain exercise or the exerciser may simulate the motions of a gymnastic tool by pulling and extending the handles to exercise their hands. However, the conventional stationary bike can only provide the exerciser either the hand pulling and pushing operations, or the pedaling motions with the feet. It is unable to cause the exerciser to move both the hands and the feet simultaneously, especially conventional exercise bicycles cannot cause the exerciser to make the forward or backward movements in both horizontal and vertical planes at the same time that his muscles on the hands and feet are turning the pedals. Thus it is impossible for the user to get sufficient exercises for all muscles on the entire body. Thus, it can be seen that there remains a need for an exercise bicycle having a foot-gearing mechanism that engages a foot-exercise base to cause the pedals to move continuously in reciprocal cycles so that the lower body together with the legs and the muscles of the lower body of the exerciser can obtain adequate exercises and a hand-exercise mechanism including a hand-gearing mechanism and a hand-exercise base to make the handles rotate successively and in reciprocal cycles so that the hands, neck and muscles of the hands, arms and upper body of the exerciser simultaneously be exercised. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional stationary bike which provides the user with a sufficient quantity of exercise for simultaneously exercising the muscles of the lower and upper body. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the muscles of the upper body of the user sufficient extensions on such stationary bike. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide the muscles of the lower body of the user with more practices than are presently available with the use of the conventional stationary bike. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of multi-functional stationary bike to the exerciser on which he can move all of his bodily muscles simultaneously. 
     These and other objects of the present inventions will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the enclosed drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stationary bike of the present invention with the guard cover removed therefrom for the sake of clarity. 
     FIG. 2 is aside view of the multi-functional stationary bike in the present invention, in which the dotted lines show the movement of the hand-exercise mechanism when the moving rod is raised. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foot-exercise mechanism on the multi-functional stationary bike. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the foot-exercise mechanism of the multi-functional stationary bike of the present invention, showing the relationship between the foot-gearing mechanism and gear rack. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foot-gearing mechanism of the multi-functional stationary bike in the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the assembly of the foot-gearing mechanism of the multi-functional stationary bike of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hand-exercise base of the multi-functional stationary bike of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the assembly of the hand-exercise mechanism of the multi-functional stationary bike in which the coordination relationship between the hand-gearing mechanism and hand-exercise base is demonstrated. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the forward frame of the multi-functional stationary bike of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross section view of the movable frame of the multi-functional stationary bike of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a cross section view of the rearward frame of the multi-functional stationary bike of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of the rearward frame of the multi-functional stationary bike of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides a multi-functional, stationary bike including a bike frame 1, and extension seat 9, a hand-exercise mechanism 4 and a foot-exercise mechanism 7. The extension seat 9 is carried by the upper portion of the bike frame 1 above the foot-exercise mechanism. The hand-exercise mechanism creates reciprocal movements to exercise the wrists, arms, torso and neck of the exerciser&#39;s upper body, and the foot-exercise mechanism also creates reciprocal movements to exercise the users body including feet, so that in combination with the hand-exercise mechanism, the complete exercise of the user&#39;s body can be achieved. 
     With particular reference now to FIGS. 2-6, the foot-exercise mechanism 7 is substantially oval in shape, and includes a foot-exercise base 70 and a foot-gearing mechanism 80. The foot-exercise base 70 is slightly oval in shape. Its cross section shows the shape of a character &#34;I&#34; and is fixed at the lower portion of the bike frame 1. The foot-exercise base 70 includes an outer plate 71 having an inner side and an outer side, an inner plate 74 having an inner side and an outer side stable plate 75. The stable plate 75, connects the inner side of the outer plate 71 and the outer side of the inner plate 74 uniting these plates such that respective left sides and right sides are defined on each of the inner side of the outer plate and the outer side of the inner plate, the outer plate 71 is arranged about the outer side (outside) of the foot-exercise base 70. The inner plate 74 is installed about the inner side of the foot-exercise base. The two sides of inner plate 74 are parallel to and are symmetrical with the sides of the outer plate 71. These two inner (left and right) sides of the inner plate are equipped with, respectfully, the left and right ring gear racks 72, 72a. The inner side or the inner plate 71 opposite to the left and right ring gear racks are provided having, rspectively, left and right concave grooves formed therein. The foot gearing mechanism 80 engages the foot-exercise base 70. The foot-gearing mechanism 80 includes left and right pedals (foot pedals) 84, 84a, left and right cranks (foot pedal shafts) 82, 82a left and right gears 81, 81a, left and right stable plates (fixation plates) 88, 88a, left and right bearings 83, 83a, left and right roll bearings 86, 86a left and right stop collars 87, 87a, left and right guard covers 89, 89a, and a positioning shaft 85. The positioning shaft 85 has a left and a right opposite end, each of which is reduced in cross-section. About the ends of the positioning shaft 85 are positioned the left and right roll bearings 86, 86a, respectively. The roll bearings 86, 86a are retained about the respective ends of the shaft by the left and right stop collars 87, 87a, respectively, and by the left and right fixation plates 88, 88a having respective lower ends and respective upper ends. The upper ends of the fixation plates 88, 88a, are respectively provided with the left and right bearings 83, 83a. The lower ends of the fixation plates 88, 88a are united and held by means of the positioning shaft 85 which extends therethrough. The left and right bearings 83, 83a are installed for association with, respectively, the left and right cranks 82, 82a to permit rotational movement of the cranks. The left and right cranks&#39; inner sides are respectively installed with (connected to) the left and right gears, respectively, and the outer sides of the left and right cranks are respectively installed with the left and right pedals 84, 84a carried on the outer sides thereof. In this fashion, force on the pedals drives the cranks and the gears connected thereto. The left and right guard covers 89, 89a have a semi-circular shape, which are respectively installed on (carried by) the upper end of the two fixation plates and also covers the outer sides of the left and right gears 81, 81a, respectively, with the effect of the protection for safety. When the foot-gearing mechanism 80 engages the foot-exercise base, the left and right gears 81, 81a engage, respectively, the left and right ring gear rack moving the foot-gearing mechanism in the reciprocating upward and downward movements. The left and right roll bearings 86, 86a coordinate the engagement of the left and right gears 81, 81a, and roll frictionally in, respectively, the left and right concave grooves 73, 73a. The left and right gears 81, 81a coordinate the left and right roll bearings to clamp the gears in the left and right ring shape toothed slats (teeth) 72, 72a of the gear racks and the left and right roll bearings 86, 86a in the respective left and right concave grooves 73, 73a of the inner ring plate 74 in the upward and downward reciprocal directions, so that the foot-gearing mechanism can move the upward and downward in the foot-exercise base. The left and right roll bearings 86, 86a are fixed (retained) by the left and right stop collars 87, 87a and the positioning shaft 85. The roll bearings 87, 87a roll in the concave grooves 73, 73a so that the foot-gearing mechanism is fixed (clamped) and retained in the foot-exercise base 70 in upward and downward positions and further, so that, the foot-gearing mechanism steadily and smoothly runs in the foot-exercise base. When the foot-exercise mechanism is pedaled, the foot-gearing mechanism 80 moves in reciprocating upward and downward movements at the same time that the cranks rotate. In other words, not only does the foot-gearing mechanism move in a circular pedaling motion, but it also makes gradual upward reciprocal motion when the mechanism of the gears climbs or gradual downward reciprocal motion when the mechanism of the gears rolls downward. As the foot-gearing mechanism makes the gradual upward or downward rotations for exercise, it can also be used to impart the large extent of the upward and downward movements to other things. Thus, the muscles and lower part of the exerciser&#39;s body are given sufficient exercise. 
     When the parts in the stationary bike are assembled, the bearings 83, 83a are respectively installed on the fixation plates 88, 88a at their upper ends. Then the cranks 82, 82a are respectively journaled about the bearings 83, 83a. Next, the gears 81, 81a are respectively secured to the inner ends of the cranks 82, 82a. The pedals 84, 84a are respectively and firmly secured to and carried by the outer sides (ends) of the cranks 82, 82a. The guard covers 89, 89a are respectively installed on the upper ends of the fixation plates 88, 88a. The roll bearings 86, 86a respectively are positioned about the opposite ends of the positioning shaft to encase the two sides of the middle section with the larger diameter. The stop collars 87, 87a are fixed at the roll bearings 86, 86a of the positioning shaft on their outer sides (ends). Finally the two fixation plates 88, 88a are firmly united (secured in place) by the positioning shaft on the seat base 70 for the exercise of the foot. 
     The bike frame 1 (see FIG. 2) is made up of the forward section forward frame of the movable supporting frame 20, the main body 10 and the rearward frame 30. The lower portion of the bike frame under the seat is installed with (positioned) the foot-exercise mechanism 7. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, the main body 10 is the main structure of the bike frame. The forward frame 20 slants (declines) substantially backward slightly and includes a hollow rod 21, a C-clamp 22, a movable rod 23 and sliding block 25. The C-clamp 22 locks the movable rod 23 in place. The rod 23, in turn, slips upwardly and downwardly within the hollow rod 21. The sliding block 25 by means of the joint pin 24, can be connected with and carried by the upper end of the movable rod 23. The center of the top of the sliding block 25 had a guide groove 253 formed therein. The rearward frame (see also FIGS. 11 and 12) 30 also includes another respective hollow rod 35, another respective C-clamp 34, another respective movable rod 31, and a joint pin 32. The movable rod 31 is slidably disposed within the hollow rod 35 for being raised and lowered within and is locked in lace by another C-clamp 34. The upper section of the movable rod carries a joint 37 thereon, the two sides of the joint 37 have respective pin holes 33 formed therein. The inner sides of the upper section of the joint 37 are further provided with a turning groove 36 formed therein. When the movable rod 23 in the forward frame 20 moves upward or downward (is raised or lowered), the hand-exercise mechanism 4 pivots about the joint pin 32 of the rearward frame 30. The sliding block 25 is locked firmly by means of the screws 26 to insure that the hand-exercise mechanism is properly held and mounted in the appropriate desired, selected angle. When the forward frame 20 and the rearward frame 30 expand or retract (are raised or lowered) simultaneously, the elevation (raising) and lowering of the hand-exercise mechanism 4 can adjust the hand mechanism to a desired angle and for the proper height of installation. 
     The extension seat 9 (FIG. 2) is positioned at the upper portion of the bike frame 1 above the foot-exercise mechanism. The extension seat 9 includes a movable rod 91 and seat 92. By means of the raising or lowering of the movable rod 91, the height of the extension seat can be adjusted. 
     With particular reference now to FIGS. 7-9, the hand-exercise mechanism 4 is horizontally installed at the upper portion of the rearward frame 30 and the forward frame 20 of the bike frame 1. It is comprised of the hand-exercise base 40 and the hand-gearing mechanism 50. The hand-exercise mechanism 4 is almost identical in structure, shape and function to the foot-exercise mechanism. The hand-exercise base has added a guide plate 41 secured to the bottom of the outer ring plate and an junction plate 42 secured to one of the ends of the mechanism 4 being of the semi-circular shape. The center of junction plate 42 is provided having a pin hole 45 formed therein through which pin 32 is received. This arrangement pivotally mounts the hand-exercise mechanism 4, including the hand-exercise base 40 to the rearward frame. To obtain the mountings in the various angles by means of the raising and lowering of the forward frame 20 and the rearward frame 30. Besides the pedal 84 in the foot-gearing mechanism may be modified into the shape of a handle grip 57. Like the foot-gearing mechanism, when the hand-gearing mechanism is rotated by the hand of the exerciser, the hand-gearing mechanism makes the reciprocal motions (forward and rearward) towards and away from the exerciser at the same time when the crank makes the turning (rotating) movement. That means that not only the hand-gearing mechanism makes the rotational reciprocal movement, but also it makes the gradual reciprocal movement towards and away from the user at the same time. The gradual reciprocating movement towards or away from the hand-gearing mechanism in relation to the exerciser causes the exerciser to crouch forward when the gears move far away from him and would also make him to lean backward when it comes towards him, thus the exerciser&#39;s body is driven forward and backward in the complex exerciser. At the same time when muscles and knuckles on the hands of the user rotate along the rotation of the stationary bike, the muscles on the torso and neck move in a forward and backward manner. Hence, the muscles of the exerciser&#39;s entire body as well as his knuckles on the hands get sufficient exercise. With the structure of the above components, the hand-gearing mechanism 50 in the hand-exercise mechanism 4 can make the reciprocal cycles in movement in relation to the user by the turning of the left and right cranks to cause the upper body of the exerciser&#39;s muscles in his hands, neck and torso and the knuckles in the hands to obtain sufficient exercise. The foot-exercise mechanism 7 causes the gears for the feet to move in relation to the exerciser so as to make the reciprocal cycles in movement by the turning of the left and right cranks. In this fashion, the feet, legs, and muscles on the thighs, knuckles and feet of the user can obtain sufficient exercise. The forward frame 20 and the rearward frame 30 permit the extension and retraction of the movable shaft, so as to permit the mounting and installation of the hand-exercise base at various angles for adjusting the base at upper and lower heights so as to change the directions the movements for the various kinds of muscles in the human body and their magnitudes. 
     Based upon the above statement, the present invention aids the muscles on the hands, neck and torso and knuckles on the hands in the upper part of the human body, and the muscles on the feet, thighs, hip and knuckles on the feet to obtain a sufficient quantity of exercise. 
     Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those claimed in the art that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than has been specifically described herein.