Patent Description:
Referring to <FIG>, a conventional exercise machine as disclosed in Chinese Utility Model Patent Publication No.<CIT> is shown. The conventional exercise machine has a base seat <NUM>, a first connecting pillar <NUM> that is perpendicular to and connected with the base seat <NUM>, and a top beam <NUM> that is parallel to the base seat <NUM> and connected with the connecting pillar <NUM>. The top beam <NUM> is connected to a first weight stack <NUM> via two first guiding posts <NUM> that are connected to the rear of the top beam <NUM>. The top beam <NUM> includes a first fixed pulley <NUM> and a second fixed pulley <NUM> respectively mounted at a front and a rear of the top beam <NUM>. The conventional exercise machine has a first steel cable <NUM> that has one end co-movably connected with a handle bar <NUM>, and another end that is connected with the weight stack <NUM>.

The conventional exercise machine allows a user to perform weight training by pulling the mounting bar <NUM> and lifting the weight stack <NUM>.

However, the conventional exercise machine is only useful for weight training and is unsuitable for cardio training as the weight stack <NUM> is slow in responding to the user pulling the mounting bar <NUM>. This is due to the inertia of the weight stack <NUM>, which causes the weight stack <NUM> to have a delayed acceleration under gravity after it has reached its highest point in an upwards movement. Furthermore, friction between the weight stack <NUM> and the guiding posts <NUM>, and between the steel cable <NUM> and the first and second fixed pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> exacerbates the slow response. Therefore, the conventional exercise machine is unsuitable for aerobic exercises that require quick feedback and swift movements such as rowing, cross-training, or boxing.

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a fitness exercise apparatus that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the disclosure the fitness exercise apparatus includes a main frame, a seat unit, a resistance unit, a transmission unit, and an operating unit. The main frame includes a base seat and a support unit that is connected to the base seat. The seat unit is mounted detachably on the base seat. The resistance unit includes a weight subunit that is mounted on the main frame, and an elastic subunit that is connected between the weight subunit and the main frame. The transmission unit includes a first fixed pulley set, two second fixed pulley sets, two third fixed pulley sets, a first movable pulley, a movable pulley set, two second movable pulleys, a first cable, two second cables, and a third cable. The first fixed pulley set is mounted on the support unit, and the two second fixed pulley sets are mounted on the support unit. The two third fixed pulley sets are mounted on the base seat, and the first movable pulley is disposed above the base seat and is proximate to the support unit. The movable pulley set is disposed at a side of the first movable pulley, and the two second movable pulleys are disposed respectively at opposite sides of the first movable pulley. The first cable wraps around the first fixed pulley set, the first movable pulley and the movable pulley set. The two second cables each wrapping around a respective one of the second movable pulleys and a respective one of the second fixed pulley sets. The third cable wraps around the third fixed pulley set and the movable pulley set, and is connected to the second movable pulleys. The operating unit includes at least one operating member that is connected to one of the first and second cables and pulling of the first cable drives the first movable pulley to move upwardly, thereby resulting in movement of the weight subunit against an elastic force of the elastic subunit. A pulling of the second cables drives the second movable pulleys to move upwardly, thereby pulling the first cable via the third cable and the movable pulley set, and eventually resulting in movement of the weight subunit against an elastic force of the elastic subunit.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale.

It should be noted herein that for clarity of description, spatially relative terms such as "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "on," "above," "over," "downwardly," "upwardly" and the like may be used throughout the disclosure while making reference to the features as illustrated in the drawings. The features may be oriented differently (e.g., rotated <NUM> degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an embodiment of a fitness exercise apparatus according to the disclosure includes a main frame <NUM>, a seat unit <NUM>, a resistance unit <NUM>, a transmission unit <NUM>, and an operating unit <NUM>.

Referring further to <FIG>, the main frame <NUM> includes a base seat <NUM> and a support unit <NUM> that is connected to the base seat <NUM>.

The base seat <NUM> includes two spaced-apart legs <NUM>, a plurality of connecting rods <NUM> that are connected between the legs <NUM>, and two retaining members <NUM>. Each of the legs <NUM> of the base seat <NUM> has a base segment <NUM> and an inclined segment <NUM> that is transverse to the base segment <NUM>, that has an inner end <NUM> connected to the base segment <NUM>, and an outer end <NUM> opposite to the inner end <NUM>. A distance between the inclined segments <NUM> of the legs <NUM> gradually increases from the inner ends <NUM> of the inclined segments <NUM> towards the outer ends <NUM> of the inclined segments <NUM>. The retaining members <NUM> are half-round gutter shaped, are respectively connected fixedly to the inclined segment <NUM> of the legs <NUM>.

The support unit <NUM> of the main frame includes a rear frame member <NUM>, a front frame member <NUM>, a hanging member <NUM>, two lower mounting rods <NUM>, an upper mounting rod <NUM>, two guide rods <NUM>, and a support handle <NUM>. The rear frame member <NUM> is inverted U-shaped and connected to the two legs <NUM> of the base seat <NUM>. The front frame member <NUM> is connected between the rear frame member <NUM> and the base seat <NUM>, and is inverted L-shaped. The hanging member <NUM> is mounted on top of the front frame member <NUM>. The two lower mounting rods <NUM> are connected respectively to opposite lateral sides of the front frame member <NUM> (see <FIG>). The upper mounting rod <NUM> is mounted on the hanging member <NUM>. The two guide rods <NUM> extend upwardly from the base seat <NUM> to the rear frame member <NUM>, and the support handle <NUM> is mounted on the front frame member <NUM>.

The seat unit <NUM> is mounted detachably on the base seat <NUM>, and includes an inner leg member <NUM>, and outer leg member <NUM>, a guide rail <NUM>, a seat member <NUM>, two foot rests <NUM>, and a latch unit <NUM>. The inner leg member <NUM> is coupled removably to the retaining members <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> is connected between the inner leg member <NUM> and the outer leg member <NUM>. The seat member <NUM> is mounted on the guide rail <NUM>, the foot rests <NUM> are secured to the inner leg member <NUM>, and the latch unit <NUM> is mounted to the seat member <NUM>. The inner leg member <NUM> includes a stationary tube <NUM>, an inner leg rod <NUM>, and an adjusting component <NUM>. The stationary tube <NUM> is connected transversely to the guide rail <NUM>. The inner leg rod <NUM> is inverted T-shaped, and has two arms coupled removably and respectively to the retaining members <NUM> of the base seat <NUM>. Moreover, the inner leg rod <NUM> is connected telescopically to the stationary tube <NUM> and is formed with a plurality of adjusting holes <NUM>. The adjusting component <NUM> is inserted transversely into the stationary tube <NUM> and engages a selected one of the adjusting holes <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the seat member <NUM> is capable of sliding relative to the guide rail <NUM> or capable of being securely affixed to the guide rail <NUM> via the latch unit <NUM>. More specifically, the guide rail <NUM> has a plurality of securing holes <NUM> arranged lengthwise. The latch unit <NUM> has a latch pin <NUM>, an outer sleeve <NUM> that is sleeved over the latch pin <NUM> and that has a groove <NUM>, and a spring <NUM> that is sleeved on the latch pin <NUM> and that is disposed between the latch pin <NUM> and the outer sleeve <NUM>. The latch pin <NUM> has a latch end <NUM> that can engage a selected one of the securing holes <NUM> of the guide rail <NUM> to securely fix the seat member <NUM> to the guide rail <NUM>. The latch unit <NUM> further has a pull knob <NUM> opposite to the latch end <NUM> of the latch pin <NUM>. The spring <NUM> biases the latch end <NUM> of the latch pin <NUM> against the guide rail <NUM>, so that the latch pin <NUM> can remain securely engaged to the selected one of the securing holes <NUM> of the guide rail <NUM> when the latch end <NUM> of the latch pin <NUM> engages that securing hole <NUM>. The pull knob <NUM> is connected fixedly to the latch pin <NUM>, and has an index portion <NUM> that is registered with the groove <NUM> of the latch pin <NUM>. When the seat member <NUM> is securely fixed to the guide rail <NUM> via the latch unit <NUM>, and the index portion <NUM> of the pull knob <NUM> engages the groove <NUM> of the latch pin <NUM>. The pull knob <NUM> can then be pulled to disengage the index portion <NUM> from the groove <NUM>, and the pulling back of the pull knob <NUM> disengages the latch end <NUM> of the latch pin <NUM> from the securing hole <NUM> of the guide rail <NUM>. At this moment, the pull knob <NUM> can be rotated <NUM> degrees so that the latch end <NUM> remains disengaged from the securing hole <NUM> by preventing the index portion <NUM> from engaging the groove <NUM> of the latch pin <NUM>, thereby facilitating sliding movement of the seat member <NUM> relative to the guide rail <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the resistance unit <NUM> includes a weight subunit <NUM> that is mounted on the main frame <NUM>, and an elastic subunit <NUM> that is connected between the weight subunit <NUM> and the main frame <NUM>. The weight subunit <NUM> includes a connecting seat <NUM> that is slidable along the guide rods <NUM>, an adjusting rod <NUM> that extends through the connecting seat <NUM>, a plurality of weight plates <NUM> that are slidably sleeved on the guide rods <NUM> and the adjusting rod <NUM>, and an adjusting pin <NUM> that is inserted removably into a selected one of the weight plates <NUM> and the adjusting rod <NUM>. The adjusting rod <NUM> has a plurality of pin holes <NUM>. The elastic subunit <NUM> includes two elastic sets <NUM> that are disposed respectively at opposite sides of the weight subunit <NUM>. Each of the elastic sets <NUM> includes a plurality of elastic strips <NUM>, each of said elastic strips <NUM> has opposite ends that are connected respectively to the connecting seat <NUM> and the base seat <NUM>. In this embodiment, the elastic subunit <NUM> further includes two upper hangers <NUM> that are mounted on the connecting seat <NUM> and that are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the two guide rods <NUM>, and two lower hangers <NUM> that are mounted to the base seat <NUM> and that are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the two guide rods <NUM>. Each of the elastic sets <NUM> is connected between a respective one of the upper hangers <NUM> and a respective one of the lower hangers <NUM>. Specifically, for each of the elastic sets <NUM>, the two opposite ends of the elastic strips <NUM> are respectively connected to the respective one of the upper hangers <NUM> and the respective one of the lower hangers <NUM>. The number of the elastic strips <NUM> of the two elastic sets <NUM> are the same. In this embodiment, there are three elastic strips <NUM> in each elastic set <NUM>, and the specifications of the elastic strips <NUM> of the elastic sets <NUM> are identical.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the transmission unit <NUM> includes a first fixed pulley set <NUM>, two second fixed pulley sets <NUM>, two third fixed pulley sets <NUM>, a first movable pulley <NUM>, a moveable pulley set <NUM>, two second movable pulleys <NUM>, a first cable <NUM>, two second cables <NUM>, and a third cable <NUM>. The first fixed pulley set <NUM> and the two second fixed pulley sets <NUM> are mounted on the support unit <NUM>; while the two third fixed pulley sets <NUM> are mounted on the base seat <NUM>. The first movable pulley <NUM> is disposed above the base seat <NUM> and is proximate to the support unit <NUM>. The movable pulley set <NUM> is disposed at a side of the first movable pulley <NUM>, and the two second movable pulleys <NUM> are disposed respectively at opposite sides of the first movable pulley <NUM>. The first cable <NUM> wraps around the first fixed pulley set <NUM>, the first movable pulley <NUM> and the movable pulley set <NUM>. The two second cables <NUM> each wrapping around a respective one of the second movable pulleys <NUM> and a respective one of the second fixed pulley sets <NUM>. The third cable <NUM> wraps around the third fixed pulley set <NUM> and the movable pulley set <NUM>, and is connected to the second movable pulleys <NUM>. The first fixed pulley set <NUM> of the transmission unit <NUM> includes a plurality of first fixed pulleys <NUM> that are mounted to the front frame member <NUM>, the rear frame member <NUM>, and the hanging member <NUM>. Each of the second fixed pulley sets <NUM> of the transmission unit <NUM> includes a plurality of second fixed pulleys <NUM> that are mounted to a respective one of the lower mounting rods <NUM> and a respective one of opposite lateral ends of the upper mounting rod <NUM>. Each of the third fixed pulley set <NUM> includes a plurality of third fixed pulleys <NUM> mounted on the base seat <NUM>. The movable pulley set <NUM> of the transmission unit <NUM> includes a block <NUM>, an upper movable pulley <NUM> fixed on the block <NUM>, and a lower movable pulley <NUM> fixed on the block <NUM> and disposed under the upper movable pulley <NUM>. The first cable <NUM> also wraps around the upper movable pulley <NUM>, and the third cable <NUM> wraps around the lower movable pulley <NUM>.

The operating unit <NUM> includes at least one operating member that is connected to one of the first and second cables <NUM>, <NUM>. In this embodiment, the operating unit <NUM> includes a plurality of operating members that are configured as two hand grips <NUM>, a long handlebar <NUM>, or a short handlebar <NUM>. However, this is not a limitation of the disclosure. The two hand grips <NUM> are respectively detachably connected to the second cables <NUM>. The long handlebar <NUM> is detachably connected to a first end of the first cable <NUM>, and the short handlebar <NUM> is detachably connected to a second end of the first cable <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when a user wishes to begin using the fitness exercise apparatus, the inner leg member <NUM> is first coupled to the retaining members <NUM>, and the seat member <NUM> may be selected, according to the type of training the user wishes to perform, to either slide against or be securely affixed to the guide rail <NUM> via the latch unit <NUM>. The number of elastic strips <NUM> may also be selected according to the type of training the user wishes to engage in, and the two opposite ends of each elastic strip <NUM> are respectively connected to the upper hanger <NUM> and the lower hanger <NUM> on a same side of the two guide rods <NUM>. Then the adjusting pin <NUM> (see <FIG>) is inserted into a selected one of the weight plates <NUM> and a corresponding pin hole <NUM> of the adjusting rod <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the seat member <NUM> is securely affixed relative to the guide rail <NUM> and the user is seated on the seat member <NUM>, the user may exert a pulling movement by pulling the long handlebar <NUM> downwards. The pulling of the first cable <NUM> drives the movable pulley <NUM> to move upwardly, thereby resulting in upward movement of the weight subunit <NUM> against an elastic force of the elastic subunit <NUM>. In this case, the first fixed pulley set <NUM> and the upper movable pulley <NUM> guide the first cable <NUM>, and second end of the first cable <NUM> is fixed by the front frame member <NUM> to prevent movement, so that when the when the long handlebar <NUM> is pulled by the user, the first movable pulley <NUM> and the weight subunit <NUM> will be moved upwards. The above setup allows the user to perform a wide grip lat pulldown exercise as shown in <FIG>, where the user is shown seated facing the fitness exercise apparatus. The user may vary the resistance of the exercise by inserting the adjusting pin <NUM> in a different weight plate <NUM> via a corresponding pin hole <NUM> of the adjusting rod <NUM> and/or by changing the number and/or resistance of the elastic strips <NUM>. The same set up also allows the user to perform a wide grip rear pulldown exercise (not shown in the Figures) by sitting in a reverse position with their back facing the fitness exercise apparatus. The advantages of the fitness exercise apparatus according to the disclosure is that the exercises may be performed aerobically as well as anaerobically. More specifically, when the weight blocks <NUM> of the weight subunit <NUM> are moved upwardly to a highest position and begins descending downwards the weight blocks <NUM> are accelerated by the force of gravity as wells as a restoring force of the elastic strips <NUM>, which results in increased acceleration and speed of return that allows the user to perform quicker repetitions and exercises aerobically.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is shown performing a chest pull exercise on the fitness exercise apparatus. In this case, referring further to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fitness exercise apparatus is set up by connecting the two hand grips <NUM> respectively to the first ends of the two second cables <NUM> with the second ends of the second cables <NUM> being fixed. The user may then perform a pulling motion on the two hand grips <NUM> which pulls the two second cables <NUM>. The pulling of the second cables <NUM> drives the second movable pulleys <NUM> to move upwardly, thereby pulling the first cable <NUM> via the third cable <NUM> and the movable pulley set <NUM>, and eventually resulting in upward movement of the weight subunit <NUM> and the first movable pulley <NUM> against the elastic force of the elastic subunit <NUM>. Additionally, it should be noted that a seated straight arm pulldown exercise (not shown in the Figures) may be performed from the same setup of the fitness exercise apparatus as described above.

Referring to <FIG>, a seated cable row exercise may be performed on the fitness exercise apparatus. In this case, the fitness exercise apparatus is set up by operating the latch unit <NUM> so that the seat member <NUM> is capable of sliding relative to the guide rail <NUM>. The user is seated on the seat member <NUM> and has both feet planted on the foot rests <NUM>. The short handlebar <NUM>, which is connected to the second end of the first cable <NUM>, is used in this exercise. The user pulls the short handlebar <NUM> while seated on the seat member <NUM> and sliding relative to the guide rail <NUM>. The first end of the first cable <NUM> is fixed to prevent movement, so that resistance against the user's pull from the resistance unit <NUM> can be transferred via the first cable <NUM>. The seated cable row exercise allows the user to effectively train the latissimus dorsi muscles and the trapezius muscles.

Referring to <FIG>, the seat unit <NUM> may be detached from the main frame <NUM> to allow the user to perform a triceps push down exercise. In this case, the user is standing and uses the long handlebar <NUM> to pull down against the resistance of the resistance unit <NUM>. The setup is similar to the wide grip lat pulldown exercise shown in <FIG> and further details are omitted for the sake of brevity.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is shown performing a standing low pulley bicep curl. In this case, the seat unit <NUM> is detached from the main frame <NUM> and the user stands in the middle of the spaced-apart legs <NUM> of the base seat <NUM>. The two hand grips <NUM> are connected respectively to the second ends of the two second cables <NUM> with the first ends of the second cables <NUM> being fixed. The user exerts a pulling motion that pulls the second cables <NUM>. The pulling of the second cables <NUM> will drive the second movable pulleys <NUM> to move upwardly, thereby pulling the first cable <NUM> via the third cable <NUM> and the movable pulley set <NUM>, and eventually the weight subunit <NUM> and the first movable pulley <NUM> will be pulled upward. The resistance unit <NUM> provides resistance against the user's pulling motion.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is shown performing an alternating straight arm pulldown exercise. For this exercise the fitness exercise apparatus is set up by detaching the seat unit <NUM> from the main frame <NUM>, and then respectively connecting the two hand grips <NUM> to the first ends of the two second cables <NUM> with the second ends of the second cables <NUM> being fixed. The user performs a pulling motion with the two hand grips <NUM> by pulling the two second cables <NUM>. The pulling of the second cables <NUM> will drive the second movable pulleys <NUM> to move upwardly, thereby pulling the first cable <NUM> via the third cable <NUM> and the moveable pulley set <NUM>, and eventually resulting in upward movement of the weight subunit <NUM> and the first movable pulley <NUM> against the elastic force of the elastic subunit <NUM>. Additionally, it should be noted that a standing straight arm pulldown exercise may be performed from the same setup of the fitness exercise apparatus.

Referring to <FIG>, in this setup the user is standing with their back facing the fitness exercise apparatus and performing a reverse low pulley standing bicep curl exercise. The two hand grips <NUM> are connected respectively to the second ends of the two second cables <NUM> with the first ends of the second cables <NUM> being fixed.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is shown performing a cross body bicep curl exercise. The user stands sideways relative to the main frame <NUM> of the fitness exercise apparatus and performs a pulling motion using only a single hand grip <NUM> that is connected to the second end of one of the second cables <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is shown performing a standing high and low cable crossover exercise, where the user pulls the two hand grips <NUM> from a higher angle and a lower angle, to crossover at chest height. For this exercise one of the two hand grips <NUM> is connected to the first end of one of the second cables <NUM>, and the other one of the two hand grips <NUM> is connected to the second end of the other one of the second cables <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is showing performing an alternating leg drop exercise. For this exercise, the fitness exercise apparatus is setup the same as for the chest pull exercise, and the user uses the hand grips <NUM> as foot straps.

The fitness exercise apparatus according to the present disclosure has the following advantages:.

Referring to <FIG>, a conventional rowing machine display and sensor <NUM> is installed on the seat unit <NUM>, a phone holder <NUM> is installed on the support unit <NUM>, and sensors <NUM>, <NUM> are installed respectively on the long handlebar <NUM> and the short handlebar <NUM>. These instruments allow the fitness exercise apparatus to display various exercise data such as laps/repetitions, speed, calorie expenditure, and heart rate so that the user may monitor their training progress and measure their progress quantitatively. This may increase user motivation and incentivize the user to accomplish their fitness goals. The user may monitor their calorie expenditure and their heart rate from the conventional rowing machine display and sensor <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the user is shown performing a cable glute kickback exercise where the support handle <NUM> may be used for support and the operating member may be an ankle strap.

In summary of the above, the fitness exercise apparatus according to the disclosure has the functions of both cardio and strength training exercise machines. The structure is simple, and the manufacture process may be streamlined. The fitness exercise apparatus allows users to quickly reach their strength training as well as cardio fitness goals.

Claim 1:
A fitness exercise apparatus including:
a main frame (<NUM>) including a base seat (<NUM>) and a support unit (<NUM>) that is connected to said base seat (<NUM>);
a seat unit (<NUM>) mounted detachably on said base seat (<NUM>);
a transmission unit (<NUM>) including
a first fixed pulley set (<NUM>) that is mounted on said support unit (<NUM>),
two second fixed pulley sets (<NUM>) that are mounted on said support unit (<NUM>),
two third fixed pulley sets (<NUM>) that are mounted on said base seat (<NUM>),
a first movable pulley (<NUM>) that is disposed above said base seat (<NUM>) and that is proximate to said support unit (<NUM>)
a movable pulley set (<NUM>) that is disposed at a side of said first movable pulley (<NUM>),
two second movable pulleys (<NUM>) that are disposed respectively at opposite sides of said first movable pulley (<NUM>),
a first cable (<NUM>) that wraps around said first fixed pulley set (<NUM>), said first movable pulley (<NUM>) and said movable pulley set (<NUM>),
two second cables (<NUM>), each wrapping around a respective one of said second movable pulleys (<NUM>) and a respective one of said second fixed pulley sets (<NUM>), and
a third cable (<NUM>) that wraps around said third fixed pulley set (<NUM>) and said movable pulley set (<NUM>), and that is connected to said second movable pulleys (<NUM>); and
an operating unit (<NUM>) including at least one operating member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that is connected to one of said first and second cables (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized in that said fitness exercise apparatus further includes:
a resistance unit (<NUM>) including a weight subunit (<NUM>) that is mounted on said main frame (<NUM>), and an elastic subunit (<NUM>) that is connected between said weight subunit (<NUM>) and said main frame (<NUM>);
wherein pulling of said first cable (<NUM>) drives said first movable pulley (<NUM>) to move upwardly, thereby resulting in movement of said weight subunit (<NUM>) against an elastic force of said elastic subunit (<NUM>); and
wherein pulling of said second cables (<NUM>) drives said second movable pulleys (<NUM>) to move upwardly, thereby pulling said first cable (<NUM>) via said third cable (<NUM>) and said movable pulley set (<NUM>), and eventually resulting in movement of said weight subunit (<NUM>) against an elastic force of said elastic subunit (<NUM>)