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Elliptical exercising device

Elliptical exercising device description/claims

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 096215161, filed on Sep. 10, 2007.

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an elliptical exercising device, more particularly to an elliptical exercising device for simulating running and stepping motions.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 shows a conventional stationary exercise device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829. The conventional stationary exercise device includes a frame 11, two foot links 12, two coupling members 13, and two guide members in the form of tracks 14. The frame 11 has a pivot axis defined by a shaft 16 which is supported by the frame 11, and a flywheel 15 supported by the shaft 16 for rotation about the pivot axis. Each coupling member 13 has one end connected pivotally to the shaft 16, and an opposite end connected pivotally to a first end of the corresponding foot link 12. A second end of each foot link 12 is provided with a roller unit 17 which is operable to slide along a respective one of the tracks 14. When the flywheel 15 is rotated, the coupling members 13 bring the first end of each foot link 12 to travel in a circular path about the pivot axis, while the tracks 14 direct the second end of each foot link 12 in a reciprocal path.

With reference to FIG. 2, in combination with FIG. 1, when the user places his/her foot on a foot retaining pad 121 of the respective foot link 12 and starts to exercise with his/her foot moving forwardly through locations IV, III, II and I in sequence, the heel portion of the user's foot rises at a faster rate than the toe portion.

With reference to FIG. 3, when the user's foot moves rearwardly through locations I, VI, V and IV in sequence, the heel portion of the user's foot lowers at a faster rate than the toe portion.

Therefore, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,391, the applicant disclosed an elliptical exercise device that includes a main frame having a rotary shaft defining an axis, left and right link rods having rear ends connected to the rotary shaft for rotation about the axis, left and right arms connected respectively to front ends of the link rods for reciprocal movement, and left and right foot plates connected pivotally and respectively to the link rods and movable along elliptical paths when the rear ends of the link rods rotate. A guide mechanism is connected to the foot plates and the main frame to restrict movement of the foot plates such that each foot plate is substantially horizontal when moving upward or downward from the lowest or highest point of the corresponding elliptical path.

It is desirable to improve the aforesaid elliptical exercise device to simplify the manufacturing process thereof and provide smoother running and stepping motions.

The object of the present invention is to provide an elliptical exercising device which can permit foot supports to remain in a horizontal position during exercise and which can simulate smoother running and stepping motions.

According to this invention, the elliptical exercising device includes a support frame having forward and rearward stanchions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, a rotating unit mounted on and rotatable relative to the forward stanchion, first and second link rods having front ends connected to the rotating unit, and intermediate segments extending rearwards to terminate at rear ends, first and second couplers coupling the rear ends of the first and second link rods to the rearward stanchion such that each intermediate segment is moved reciprocatively in an elliptical path when the rotating unit is rotated, and left and right foot supports, each of which has a footrest and is mounted on the intermediate segment such that toe-side and heel-side ends of the footrest is tiltable relative to the intermediate segment. Left and right suspending rails are elongated in the longitudinal direction, and are respectively moved with the left and right foot supports so as to be subjected to a gradually varying urging force that is generated as a result of movement of the intermediate segment along the elliptical path. The gradually varying urging force has x-axis and y-axis force components to continuously urge the corresponding suspending rail to angularly move upwards or downwards. A tilt restraining unit has a rail engaging rider which slidably contacts the respective suspending rail such that the gradually varying urging force is transmitted through the respective suspending rail to urge the rail engaging rider to angularly move upwards or downwards, and an urging force counteracting mechanism which has a proximate end unit pivotally mounted on the support frame, and a distal end unit coupled with the rail engaging rider. During the movement of the intermediate segment along the elliptical path, the distal end unit imparts a drawing force to counteract the x-axis force component so as to keep the respective suspending rail in a horizontal position while being lifted or lowered by the y-axis force component.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional stationary exercise device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of forward movement of a user's foot during use of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of rearward movement of the user's foot during use of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the preferred embodiment of an elliptical exercising device according to this invention;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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