Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This application relates to gait tread simulation fitness equipment which is able to adjust and change the position of the pivot through the configuration of the linkage mechanism. As a result, the pedal is able to be actuated correspondingly to human&#39;s natural gait treads and matches the ergonomics while different muscle groups are trained so as to achieve the objective of exercise training. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    At present, the exercise type of the conventional gait tread fitness equipment is lacking in freedom due to structural limitations, and it thus results that users are not able to adjust the range of gait tread or the exercise type. Furthermore, the existing gait tread fitness equipment is still incapable of simulating the natural gait tracks perfectly, resulting that each joint of the lower limbs of the user may suffer from the sport injury easily due to the sudden impact after a long-term usage. 
         [0005]    The traditional gait training apparatus applies the action of the linkage mechanism to enable the pedal disposed at the tread rod performing an elliptical closed track. Nonetheless, how to avoid the exercise track causing the technical problems such as length of long and short axis are not in an optimal ratio, the gait tread tracks are not consistent, meniscus gait track and the operation speed cannot be maintained in an adequate situation, and so on, is the problem in urgent need. 
         [0006]    As far as the slope simulation is concerned, the current common exercise type is to use an actuator to adjust the inclined angle of the apparatus. It, however, needs greater power consumption, and the actuator and the related components may get damage easily owing to overuse. Consequently, the technical problem has to be further improved. 
         [0007]    In conclusion, the inventor of the present invention has been mulling the aforementioned technical problems over, and then designs gait tread simulation fitness equipment which is applied to overcome the existing drawbacks so as to promote the industrial applicability. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which applies the theory of the topology mechanism to choose the optimal type of the kinematic chain, so as to match the exercise track to facilitate the action track of the pedal being closer to the natural gait tread. 
         [0009]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which applies the arrangement of the suspending side frame and the suspending rod to improve the technical problems concerning that the arrangement of the conventional components such as slide rail, roller, and so on may get damage easily owing to overuse. 
         [0010]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment applying a simple adjustment apparatus which is able to effectively adjust the exercise track so as to promote the flexibility of the exercise track. 
         [0011]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which applies the adjustment apparatus to adjust the length of the linkage mechanism or the position of the pivot so as to change the length of the long axis of the exercise track and to fit into different ranges of the gait treads. 
         [0012]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which applies the adjustment apparatus to adjust the length of the linkage mechanism or the position of the pivot so as to enable the exercise track performing various the inclined angles and to demonstrate diverse types of resisting forces to achieve the objective of exercise training in the slope simulation. 
         [0013]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which simulates different levels of slope to train the different muscle groups so as to achieve the objective of exercise training. 
         [0014]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which applies the arrangement and modification of the linkage to promote the flexibility of the exercise track and to match the natural gait tread which corresponds to the ergonomics, such that the legs may be able to do exercise conveniently while avoid the sport injury due to the sudden impact. 
         [0015]    In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which has the exercise track that fits into the natural gait tread. As a result, user&#39;s ankle joints, keen joints, hip joints and the other lower limbs&#39; joints are able to avoid the damage caused by the sudden impact, and the risk of the sport injury can be decreased greatly. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which may include a main body, a suspending side frame, a rotation mechanism and a guiding mechanism. The main body may have a support frame, and a central stand may be disposed at a front end of the support frame and may have a first pivot. Two suspending side frames may be respectively disposed at two sides of the main body and each suspending side frame may be disposed with a suspending pivot. In practice, the suspending side frame may include a vertical rod, a horizontal rod or a combination thereof. For example, the vertical rod may be disposed vertically at the rear end of the support frame, and the horizontal rod may extend forwardly to connect to the central stand. 
         [0017]    The rotation mechanism having two active members may be disposed at two sides of the first pivot correspondingly by 180° and rotated about the first pivot respectively. Two guiding mechanisms may be connected pivotally at two sides of the central stand respectively, each guiding mechanism may include a tread rod and a suspending rod, the active member of the rotation mechanism and the suspending rod that are at the same side may be connected by the tread rod. One end of the suspending rod may be connected pivotally to the suspending pivot, the other end of the suspending rod and the tread rod may be connected pivotally to a movable pivot, and a pedal disposed on the tread rod. When the pedal is treaded, the pedal is actuated along a closed track to enable the guiding mechanism being drawn back and forth, wherein a distance of the suspending pivot relative to the movable pivot is adjusted, or a distance of the movable pivot relative to the pedal is changed to facilitate the closed track matching a natural gait tread. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the tread rod may further include a stretching apparatus adjusting a relative position of the movable pivot. The stretching apparatus may include a single-stroke stretching apparatus, a multiple-stroke stretching apparatus, or a linear actuator. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the suspending rod may further include a length adjustment apparatus adjusting a length of the suspending rod. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the suspending rod may further include a position adjustment apparatus adjusting a relative position of the suspending pivot or a position of the movable pivot. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention may further include a linkage unit having a triple-joint link and a double-joint link, wherein a Stephenson six-bar linkage may be comprised of the linkage unit, the rotation mechanism and the guiding mechanism. 
         [0022]    According to the aforementioned objectives, the present invention further provides gait tread simulation fitness equipment which may include a main body, a suspending side frame and a guiding six-bar linkage. The main body may have a support frame, and a central stand may be disposed at a front end of the support frame and may have a first pivot and a second pivot. Two suspending side frames may be respectively disposed at two sides of the main body and each suspending side frame may be disposed with a suspending pivot. In practice, the suspending side frame may include a vertical rod, a horizontal rod or a combination thereof. For example, the vertical rod may be disposed vertically at the rear end of the support frame, and the horizontal rod may extend forwardly to connect to the central stand. 
         [0023]    Two suspending side frames may be respectively disposed at two sides of the main body and each suspending side frame may be disposed with a suspending pivot. Two guiding six-bar linkages may be respectively disposed at two sides of the central stand, each of the guiding six-bar linkages may be disposed at the first pivot and the suspending pivot that are at the same side to form a constrained kinematic chain. The guiding six-bar linkage may include a crank, a swing rod, a triple-joint link, a tread rod and a suspending rod. Wherein the crank is connected pivotally to the first pivot, the swing rod is connected pivotally to the second pivot and extends to form a handle. One end of the suspending rod may be connected pivotally to the suspending pivot, and the other end of the suspending rod and the tread rod may be connected pivotally to a movable pivot. The triple-joint link may be respectively connected to the crank, the swing rod and the tread rod, the triple-joint link and the suspending rod may be connected by the tread rod, and a pedal may be disposed on the tread rod to facilitate the pedal actuating along a gait track. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the tread rod may further include a first adjustment apparatus adjusting a length of the tread rod so as to further change an aspect of the gait track. The first adjustment apparatus may include a single-stroke stretching apparatus, a multiple-stroke stretching apparatus, or a linear actuator. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the tread rod may further include a first adjustment apparatus adjusting a relative position of the movable pivot so as to further change the aspect of the gait track. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the suspending rod may further include a second adjustment apparatus adjusting a length of the suspending rod so as to further change the aspect of the gait track. The second adjustment apparatus may include a single-stroke stretching apparatus, a multiple-stroke stretching apparatus, or a linear actuator. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the suspending rod may further include a third adjustment apparatus adjusting a position of the suspending pivot or a position of the movable pivot. 
         [0028]    With these and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention that may become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the detailed description of the invention, the embodiments and to the several drawings herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize the present invention, wherein: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a brief diagram showing the mechanism of the first embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a brief diagram showing the mechanism of the third embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the third embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the third embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the third embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the first adjustment apparatus of the third embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the second adjustment apparatus of the third embodiment of gait tread simulation fitness equipment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
         [0040]    The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only. 
         [0041]    Please refer to  FIG. 1 . As shown in part (A) of  FIG. 1 , the first embodiment of the present invention applies a four-bar linkage mechanism as the prototype. A main body  110  is served a fixed member, and a rotation mechanism  130  is disposed on a first pivot  1121 , a suspending rod  142  is pivotally connected to a suspending pivot  123 , and the active members of the rotation mechanism  130  and the suspending rod  142  are pivotally disposed at two ends of a tread rod  141  respectively. A pedal  145  is disposed on the tread rod  141 , and the suspending rod  142  and the tread rod  141  are pivotally connected on a movable pivot  1425 . By adjusting the rod length of at least one of the suspending rod  142  and the tread rod  141 , a relative position of the movable pivot  1425  changes. 
         [0042]    Furthermore, the rotation mechanism  130  having two active members performs a circular action through the first pivot  1121 . In practice, the rotation mechanism  130  may be a crank or a flywheel mechanism. The suspending rod  142  is pivotally connected to the suspending pivot  123  to be swung back and forth. Hence, it can be found that the four-bar linkage mechanism of the present embodiment is a crank set. 
         [0043]    As shown in part (B) of  FIG. 1 , when the rotation mechanism  130  is acting along the circle track, the pedal  145  disposed on the tread rod  141  acts along an elliptical closed track  180  to enable user performing the tread training. As to part (C) of  FIG. 1 , it shows that when the length of the linkage of the tread rod  141  is adjusted, the closed track  180  produces various included angles so as to further change the exercise type. The present embodiment shows that the type of the closed track  180  of the pedal  145  can be changed by adjusting the length of the tread rod  141 . 
         [0044]    The first embodiment applies a four-bar mechanism. It is known that the exercise type is able to be adequately adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the movable pivot  1425 . However, the limitations of the rods of the mechanism may interfere with the flexibility of the closed trace  180  and the natural gait tread. 
         [0045]    Please refer to  FIG. 2 . The second embodiment further apples a linkage unit  160  having a triple-joint link  161  and a double-joint link  162  on the basis of the first embodiment. A Stephenson six-bar linkage comprised of the linkage unit  160 , the rotation mechanism  130  and the guiding mechanism  140  facilitates the exercise track matching the natural gait tread. 
         [0046]    It can be found though  FIG. 2  that gait tread simulation fitness equipment  100  includes the main body  110 , the suspending side frame  120  that is disposed correspondingly, the rotation mechanism  130  and the guiding mechanism  140 . The main body  110  has a support frame  111 , and a central stand  112  disposed at a front end of the support frame  111  and having a first pivot  1121 . Two suspending side frames  120  are respectively disposed at two sides of the main body  110  and each suspending side frame  120  may be disposed with a suspending pivot  123 . In practice, the suspending side frame  120  includes a vertical rod  121 , a horizontal rod  122  or a combination thereof. The suspending side frame  120  may be designed according to the actual requirements, supporting strength, and so on. For example, the vertical rod  121  applied in the present embodiment is able to be disposed vertically at the rear end of the support frame  111 , and the horizontal rod  122  may extend forwardly to connect to the central stand  112 . Wherein, apart from sharing the loading of the support, the horizontal rod  122  is able to be designed according to actual requirements. 
         [0047]    Two active members of the rotation mechanism  130  are disposed at two sides of the first pivot  1121  correspondingly by 180°. Two guiding mechanisms  140  are connected pivotally at two sides of the central stand respectively. Each guiding mechanism  140  includes the tread rod  141  and the suspending rod  142 , the active member of the rotation mechanism  130  and the suspending rod  142  that are at the same side are connected by the tread rod  141 . One end of the suspending rod  142  is connected pivotally to the suspending pivot  123 , the other end of the suspending rod  142  and the tread rod  141  are connected pivotally to the movable pivot  1425 , and the pedal  145  is disposed on the tread rod  141 . When the pedal is treaded, the pedal  145  is actuated along the closed track  180  to enable the guiding mechanism being drawn back and forth. Wherein adjusting at least one rod length of the suspending rod  142  and tread rod  141  is able to change a relative position of the movable pivot  1425  so as to facilitate the close track  180  matching the natural gait tread. 
         [0048]    In practice, the tread rod  141  further includes a stretching apparatus  1415  to adjust the relative position of the movable pivot  1425 . The stretching apparatus  1415  includes a single-stroke stretching apparatus, a multiple-stroke stretching apparatus or a linear actuator. Similarly, the suspending rod  142  further includes a length adjustment apparatus to adjust the relative position of the suspending rod  142 . Moreover, a position adjustment apparatus (not shown) may be disposed on the suspending rod  142  to adjust the relative position of the suspending pivot  123  or the relative position of the movable pivot  1425 . The position adjustment apparatus may be a gear wheel and rack set. 
         [0049]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 . For the sake of further designing gait tread fitness equipment to match ergonomics and be capable of simulating the natural gait tread, the gait tread simulation fitness equipment disclosed in the present invention applies the theory of the topology mechanism to choose the optimal type of the kinematic chain which fits into the exercise track, so as to further facilitate the action track of the pedal to match the natural gait tread. 
         [0050]    The relative correlation among each linkage shown in part (A) of  FIG. 3  and the simulation shown in parts (B) and (C) of  FIG. 3  demonstrates the point which the exercise type can be changed easily and effectively by adjusting the length of the linkage or the position of the pivot. 
         [0051]    Please refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7  together. The schematic diagram and each diagram of the third embodiment demonstrate clearly the relative correlation among each rod of the third embodiment. 
         [0052]    The gait tread simulation fitness equipment  200  of the third embodiment includes the main body  210 , the suspending side frames  220  that are disposed correspondingly and the guiding six-bar linkages  230 . The main body  210  has a support frame  211 , and the central stand  212  disposed at a front end of the support frame  211  and having the first pivot  2121  and a second pivot  2122 . Two suspending side frames  220  are respectively disposed at two sides of the main body  210  and each suspending side frame  220  is disposed with a suspending pivot  223 . In practice, the suspending side frame  220  includes a vertical rod  221 , a horizontal rod  222  or a combination thereof. The suspending side frame  220  may be designed according to the actual requirements, supporting strength, and so on. For example, the vertical rod  221  applied in the present embodiment is able to be disposed vertically at the rear end of the support frame  211 , and the horizontal rod  222  may extend forwardly to connect to the central stand  212 . Wherein apart from sharing the loading of the support, the horizontal rod  222  is able to be designed according to actual requirements as well. 
         [0053]    Two guiding six-bar linkages  230  are respectively disposed at two sides of the central stand  212 , each of the guiding six-bar linkages  230  is disposed at the first pivot  2121  and the suspending pivot  223  that are at the same side to form a constrained kinematic chain. The guiding six-bar linkage  230  includes a crank  231 , a swing rod  232 , a triple-joint link  233 , a tread rod  234  and a suspending rod  235 . Wherein the crank  231  is connected pivotally to the first pivot  2121  and the swing rod  232  is connected pivotally to the second pivot  2122  and extends to form a handle. One end of the suspending rod  235  is connected pivotally to the suspending pivot  223 , and the other end of the suspending rod  235  and the tread rod  234  are connected pivotally to the movable pivot  2348 . The triple-joint link  233  is respectively connected to the crank  231 , the swing rod  232  and the tread rod  234 . The triple-joint link  233  and the suspending rod  235  are connected by the tread rod  234 , and the pedal  237  is disposed on the tread rod  234  to facilitate the pedal  237  actuating along the gait track  238 . 
         [0054]    To be more precise, when the crank  231  applies the first pivot  2121  as the circle center to rotate, acting the swing rod  232  and the tread rod  234  through the triple-joint link  233  while enabling the handle extended from the swing rod  232  being drawn back and forth is able to facilitate user&#39;s hand to simulate the natural swing. The pedal  237  is disposed on the tread rod  234 , and through the correlation among each rod and the arrangement of the size, the gait track  238  is able to match the natural gait tread, such that each joint angle of the user&#39;s lower limbs may be not affected due to the action track of the pedal  237 , and the risk of suffering from the sport injury is reduced greatly. 
         [0055]    Furthermore, the first adjustment apparatus  2345  disposed on the tread rod  234  is able to change the length of the tread rod  234  or the position of the movable pivot  2348 , so as to enable the gait track  238  producing various lifting angles and the ranges, such that the objectives of adjusting the slope, the gait tread, and the kinematic chain are able to be achieved. In practice, a third adjustment apparatus (not shown) may be disposed on the suspending rod  235 . The action of the third adjustment apparatus is able to adjust the position of the suspending pivot  223  or the movable pivot  2348 . In practice, the third adjustment apparatus may be a gear wheel and rack set. 
         [0056]    Please refer to  FIG. 8  which is a schematic diagram showing different aspect of the first adjustment apparatus. The first adjustment apparatus  2345  has various aspects. The positions of the movable pivot  2348  between the tread rod  234  and the suspending rod  235  which can be changed all belong to the applied aspect of the present invention. Here are several common used aspects for explaining, but not limited thereto. The tread rod  234  shown in part (A) of  FIG. 8  is formed of an internal sleeve and an external sleeve which are sheathed and fixed with each other. Two ends of the first adjustment apparatus  2345  are respectively disposed on the internal sleeve and the external sleeve, and when the first adjustment apparatus  2345  is actuated to change the relative position of the internal sleeve and the external sleeve, the length of the tread rod  234  changes. The first adjustment apparatus  2345  may be a single-stroke stretching apparatus, a multiple-stroke stretching apparatus or an actuator. Another aspect shown in part (B) of  FIG. 8  demonstrates that the first adjustment apparatus  2345  has roller and guiding rail set. The suspending rod  235  is connected pivotally to the roller to thereby change the position of the roller to correspond to the relative position of the movable pivot  2348 , so as to change the exercise track. 
         [0057]    Please refer to  FIG. 9  which is a schematic diagram of the second adjustment apparatus. It can be found according to the aforementioned points that the relative position of each rod is changed so that the exercise track is changed. For example, the suspending rod  235  may be designed as an aspect of sleeve sheath to cooperate with the second adjustment apparatus to change the length of the suspending rod  235 . The second adjustment apparatus  2355  includes various stretching apparatuses or linear actuators. 
         [0058]    The range of the action of the first adjustment apparatus  2345  or that of the second adjustment apparatus  2355  has to satisfy with the size limitation of the linkage mechanism so as to satisfy with the exercise track of the natural gait tread. Applying the gait tread simulation fitness equipment  200  disclosed in the third embodiment to simulate and then analyze, it can be found that when the first adjustment apparatus  2345  is acting in a range of 0-40 cm, the gait tread range of the gait track  238  varies in a range of 45 cm-65 cm, the lifting angle of the gait track  238  varies in a range of 0°-20°, and the flat ratio of the long and short axis varies in a range of 8:1-3:1. Thus, it can be found through the preceding embodiments that the present invention is able to change different aspects of the exercise track such as the gait tread range, lifting angle, flat ratio, track smoothness, and so on to facilitate the exercise track matching the natural gait tread by adjusting the length of each rod to change the relative position of the pivot. 
         [0059]    By adding the adjustment apparatuses, the objective of adjusting the exercise track is able to be achieved. Compared with the current various adjustment methods, the present invention indeed provides a relative inventive step and possesses flexibility of the adjustment method. Moreover, by means of the simple arrangement of the linkage mechanism, the related cost can be saved so as to promote the industrial benefit. 
         [0060]    While the means of specific embodiments in present invention has been described by reference drawings, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. The modifications and variations should in a range limited by the specification of the present invention.

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