US20010016542A1 - Composite fitness machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A composite fitness machine is provided which is readily adapted to serve as a single integrated device for simulating a walking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing exercise, which can be chosen by a user as desired. The device has right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from suspension frames provided on an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise with the platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links. The platforms can also be arranged so that they are alternately pivoted to simulate a stair climbing exercise. Furthermore, the platforms can also be fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• The present invention relates to a composite fitness machine which is readily adapted to serve as a single integrated device for simulating a walking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing exercise, which can be chosen by a user as desired.[0002]
• 2. Prior Art[0003]
• Examples of conventional fitness machines include the one shown in FIG. 13, which is provided with a piece of wide endless belt B to be walked on, the endless belt B being driven by the impact of the user's tread to simulate a walking exercise. Another example is shown in FIG. 14, in which a pair of foot paddles S is alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. Another example is shown in FIG. 15, in which a pair of foot paddles S is swingably suspended with a pair of parallel links T to be alternately moved back and forth to simulate a cross country skiing exercise. In a combined fitness machine shown in FIG. 16A, the pair of foot paddles S is provided on the endless belt B and is alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. The device is also available to simulate a walking exercise as shown in FIG. 16B, in which the aforementioned foot paddles S are individually folded upwardly to be retracted.[0004]
• Many of the fitness machines of the aforementioned types are used indoors at home, thus being required to provide a sufficient performance of these types of bodily exertion and to be compact in size. However, many of the aforementioned conventional fitness machines are provided with a single function and thus a single device cannot provide the performance of different types of bodily exertion. Therefore, a user who would wish to simulate other exercises would have to purchase discrete dedicated fitness machines one after another which were provided with the functions for simulating the exercises the user desired. Consequently, this would lead to not only additional expenditures but also to storage problems in a household environment. In addition, the combined fitness machine of the aforementioned conventional type was too heavy to be readily moved or stored.[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention was developed to solve the aforementioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a composite fitness machine which provides two or more types of exercise by means of a single device, improved ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.[0006]
• According to a first aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine is provided which comprising right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The front end portions of said right and left endless foot platforms are rotatably affixed to any one of a base and an upright frame provided vertically thereto. The right and left endless foot platforms can be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise. In addition, the platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.[0007]
• According to a second aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine comprises parallel links each swingably affixed to an upright frame affixed vertically to a base. Right and left foot paddles are each attached to lower end portions of parallel links to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. The paddles can be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise.[0008]
• According to a third aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine is provided with right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. This is done with said right and left endless foot platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links. The right and left endless foot platforms can also be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise. In addition, the platforms can be fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.[0009]
• As describe above, the arrangement of the present invention makes it possible to provide a composite fitness machine which provides two or more types of exercise by means of a single device, improved ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.[0010]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment according to the present invention,[0011]
• FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,[0012]
• FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 3A being a side view thereof and FIG. 3B being a plan view thereof,[0013]
• FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3A with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,[0014]
• FIGS. 5A, 5B, and[0015]5C are views illustrating a seventh embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 5A being a side view thereof, and FIGS. 5B and 5C being explanatory views showing the action of a switching lever,
• FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 5A, FIG. 6A being a side view thereof with a stair climbing exercise being simulated, and FIG. 6B being a cross sectional view showing an example of use of a helical spring,[0016]
• FIGS. 7A and 7B are views illustrating a twelfth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 7A being a side view thereof, and FIG. 7B being a plan view thereof,[0017]
• FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7, with a cross-country skiing exercise being simulated,[0018]
• FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7, with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,[0019]
• FIGS. 10A and 10B are views illustrating a thirteenth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 10A being a side view thereof and FIG. 10B being a plan view thereof,[0020]
• FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 10A, with a walking exercise being simulated,[0021]
• FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory views illustrating the action of the stair climbing exercise being simulated in the embodiment of FIG. 10A,[0022]
• FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a conventional fitness machine,[0023]
• FIG. 14 is an explanatory view illustrating another example of a conventional fitness machine,[0024]
• FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating still another example of a conventional fitness machine, and[0025]
• FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views illustrating yet another example of a conventional fitness machine.[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a third embodiment according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is pivotably affixed the front end portion of each of[0027]movable frames26,27 at a lower portion of anupright frame25 mounted vertically to a front end portion of abase24. There are rotatably mounted a pair of rollers (not shown) to each of themovable frames26,27.Endless belts28,29 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers, respectively. The aforementionedmovable frames26,27, the rollers, and theendless belts28,29 constitute a right and left endless foot platform R.
• Each upper end portion of a pair of[0028]load resistance cylinders30,31 is affixed to theaforementioned upright frame25, and lower ends thereof are affixed to the front portions of the aforementionedmovable frames26,27, respectively.
• [0029]Reference numeral32 designates a swing rod adapted to swing vertically about a spindle32aoriented laterally and transversely. The right and left edge portions thereof abut against the aforementionedmovable frames26,27 on the right and left, being adapted to actuate alternately the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R up and down. Theaforementioned swing rod32 is provided to be vertically movable by means of anactuation rod33 and is coupled to the lower end portion of acoupler rod34. The upper end portion of thecoupler rod34 is coupled to the edge portion of anactuation rod35 which is pivotably affixed to theaforementioned upright frame25. Theaforementioned swing rod32 is adapted to be operatively moved up and down by latching anoperation rod35ato or unlatching it from alatch plate35b.
• The third embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. Incidentally, with this arrangement, the[0030]movable frames26,27 of the right and left endless foot platforms R are fixed to thebase24 by means of locking means36. Moreover, theendless belts28,29 of the right and left endless foot platforms R are operatively associated withflywheels37.
• Releasing the aforementioned locking means[0031]36 and operatively latching theaforementioned operation rod35ato thelatch plate35bwould cause the right and left endless foot platforms R to be raised from the base24 as shown in FIG. 2, making it possible to thereby simulate a stair climbing exercise. Incidentally, the aforementionedendless belts28,29 are fixed by means of a descending tread stopper33aprovided on theaforementioned actuation rod33.
• FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The front end of each of[0032]movable frames39,40 is pivotably affixed at the front portion of abase38. Themovable frames39,40 are provided rotatably with a pair ofrollers41,42, respectively.Endless belts43,44 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair ofrollers41,42, respectively. The aforementionedmovable frames39,40, therollers41,42, and theendless belts43,44 constitute the right and left endless foot platformsR. Reference numeral45 designates a handgrip upright frame.
• [0033]Reference numeral46 designates a pulley, which is provided to be movable by means of aspiral shaft47 in the direction shown by the arrow. Awire48 passes over thepulley46, the both ends of thewire48 being coupled to actuatingpieces39a,40aprovided on themovable frames39,40, respectively. Incidentally, theaforementioned pulley46 is adapted to allow the right and left endless foot platforms R to be adjustably subjected to load resistance, that is, to treading resistance thereto.Reference numeral49 designates locking means,reference numerals43 and44 designate endless belts, andreference numeral50 designates flywheels.
• The fourth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. In addition, suppose that the aforementioned locking means[0034]49 is released and theaforementioned spiral shaft47 is rotated to cause theaforementioned pulley46 to move rearwards (in the direction shown by the arrow). In this case, for example as shown in FIG. 4, theactuating piece40awill be pulled by means of thewire48 to cause themovable frame40 integrated therewith to be pivoted upwardly. With this arrangement, the stair climbing exercise can be simulated. Incidentally, adjustment of displacement of thepulley46 to be produced by theaforementioned spiral shaft47 would make it possible to adjust the amount of tread onto the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R.
• FIGS. 5A to[0035]5C are views illustrating a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The front portion of each ofmovable frames77,78 is pivotably affixed to an upright piece76 a provided vertically at the front portion of abase76 via a mountingaxle76b. Themovable frames77,78 are provided rotatably with a pair ofrollers79,80, respectively.Endless belts81,82 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair ofrollers79,80, respectively. The aforementionedmovable frames77,78, therollers79,80, and theendless belts81,82 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R.
• [0036]Reference numeral83 designates a switching lever which is affixed to the aforementioned upright piece76aand which is elastically pressed in the counterclockwise direction by means of springs83a. As can be seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the switchinglever83 is provided with acam piece83b, being adapted to actuate akeeper lever84 mounted to the aforementionedmovable frames77,78. Incidentally, FIG. 5B illustrates aspiral spring87, which is interposed between themovable frames77,78 of the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R and the aforementioned mountingaxle76b. Thespiral spring87 is adapted to elastically press the endless foot platforms R in the counterclockwise direction in place of or in conjunction with the aforementioned springs83a.
• The seventh embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A to[0037]5C, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, pivoting theaforementioned switching lever83 in the counterclockwise direction would cause the rear portions of the right and left endless foot platforms R to be raised by means of the springs83a. This also causes thecam piece83bof theaforementioned switching lever83 to be dislodged from thekeeper lever84, and a keeper portion84ato be pressed elastically against the aforementionedendless belts81,82 by means of aspring84b. Consequently, it is made possible to simulate a stair climbing exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R.
• Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrating a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided suspension frames[0038]139,140 generally in parallel to a base137 on the upper end portion of anupright frame138, which is vertically provided on the front end portion of thebase137.Suspension rods141,142 are suspended swingably from the suspension frames139,140, respectively. There are providedhandgrips141a,142aeach integrated with the upper portions of the upper end of thesuspension rods141,142.
• The front end portions of[0039]movable frames143,144 are pivotably affixed to the lower end portions of theaforementioned suspension rods141,142 viaspindles141b,142b, respectively. There are rotatably provided a pair ofrollers145,146 at the both end portions of themovable frames143,144, respectively.Endless belts147,148 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair ofrollers145,146, respectively. The aforementionedmovable frames143,144, therollers145,146, and theendless belts147,148 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R.
• [0040]Reference numerals149 and150 designate second suspension rods, the upper end portions of which are pivotably affixed to the aforementioned suspension frames139,140, respectively. The lower end portions of the aforementionedsecond suspension rods149,150 are pivotably coupled to one end portions ofreversible rods151,152, respectively. The other end portions of thereversible rods151,152 are pivotably affixed to the rear portions of the aforementionedmovable frames143,144, respectively.
• The upper end portions of a pair of[0041]load resistance cylinders153a,153bare affixed to the aforementionedupright frame138, and the lower end portions thereof are affixed to the front portions of the aforementionedmovable frames143,144, respectively.
• [0042]Reference numeral155 designates a swing rod, the right and left edge portions of which are in contact with the aforementionedmovable frames143,144, respectively, and which is adapted to move alternately the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R up and down. Theaforementioned swing rod155 is provided to be movable up and down by means of anactuation rod156.Reference numeral156adesignates an operation rod,156bdesignates a latch plate, and156cdesignates a fixing portion. In addition,reference numeral157 designates locking means for theendless belts147,148, andreference numeral158 designates flywheels.
• The twelfth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the right and left[0043]endless belts147,148 fixed by the locking means157 provided on thebase137 are released and theendless belts147,148 are operatively associated with theflywheels158 to allow a user to simulate a walking exercise. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 25, the rear portions of the aforementioned endless foot platforms R are raised, the aforementionedreversible rods151,152 are reversed, and the endless foot platforms R are arranged in a generally horizontal configuration. This allows a user to reciprocate the right and left foot alternately to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the aforementionedreversible rods151,152 are put back to where they were and theactuation rod156 is pivoted upwardly by means of theaforementioned operation rod156ato stop the descending phase of the step by means of astopper156d. Thespindles141b,142bare also fixed by means of theaforementioned fixing portion156cto prevent the right and left endless foot platforms R from moving back and forth. The user is thereby allowed to simulate a stair climbing exercise.
• Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrating a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided suspension frames[0044]161,162 generally in parallel to a base159 on the upper end portion of anupright frame160, which is vertically provided on the front end portion of thebase159. A pair offirst suspension rods163,164 and a pair ofsecond suspension rods165,166 are suspended swingably in parallel to each other from the suspension frames161,162, respectively.
• The lower end portions of the aforementioned[0045]first suspension rods163,164 are pivotably affixed to the front portionsofmovableframesl67,168, respectively. On the other hand, the lower end portions of the aforementionedsecond suspension rods165,166 are pivotably coupled to one ends ofreversible rods169,170, respectively. The other ends of thereversible rods169,170 are pivotably affixed to the middle portions of the aforementionedmovable frames167,168.
• The aforementioned suspension frames[0046]161,162 are provided withload resistance cylinders171,172, respectively, and the lower end portions thereof are affixed to the aforementionedmovable frames167,168.
• The both ends of the aforementioned[0047]movable frames167,168 are rotatably provided with a pair ofrollers173,174, respectively.Endless belts175,176 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair ofrollers173,174, respectively. The aforementionedmovable frames167,168, therollers173,174, and theendless belts175,176 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R. Incidentally,reference numeral177 designates locking means, for theendless belts175,176, andreference numeral178 designates flywheels.
• The thirteenth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the right and left foot can be alternately reciprocated back and forth to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the aforementioned[0048]reversible rods169,170 are reversed to cause the right and left endless foot platforms R to incline. Then, the locking means177 is released to cause theendless belts175,176 to be rotatable. Theendless belts175,176 are operatively associated with theflywheels178. This makes it possible for a user to simulate a walking exercise. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the aforementionedendless belts175,176 fixed by the aforementioned locking means177 are released and the movement thereof is locked. Fixingpins169a,170aare inserted therein to provide a lower limit to the descending step phase. This makes it possible to simulate a stair climbing exercise.

Claims (3)

What is claimed is:

1. A composite fitness machine comprising

right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt, front end portions of said right and left endless foot platforms being rotatably affixed to any one of a base and an upright frame provided vertically to the base, wherein

said right and left endless foot platforms are arranged so as to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise, and

said right and left endless foot platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.

2. A composite fitness machine wherein

parallel links are each swingably affixed to an upright frame affixed vertically to a base, and right and left foot paddles are each attached to lower end portions of parallel links to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise, and

said right and left foot paddles are arranged so as to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise.

3. A composite fitness machine wherein

right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt are each suspended from an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise with said right and left endless foot platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links,

said right and left endless foot platforms are arranged so as to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercises, and

said right and left endless foot platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.

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