Dual-shaft hinge module for interactive training apparatus

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dual-shaft hinge module for mainly applied to a training apparatus providing exercise or rehabilitation functions, wherein, the hinge module allows a swinging member of the training apparatus to be controlled by a user to tilt and restore.

2. Description of Related Art

Examples of known training apparatuses with swinging members may be referred to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,613,690 and 4,509,743.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,690 provides a balance training machine that has a balance platform placed atop a base platform. The base platform may have either a spherically shaped convex support or a spherically shaped concave depression, with the balance platform having the complementary configuration to the base platform so that when the two platforms are combined, a low friction interface is formed therebetween. Further, a plurality of displacement sensors is provided on the base platform to determine a direction of the balance platform. The sensors are connected to a computer so that the computer can present a tilt angle of the balance platform at a display device through a suitable software for a user to easily access.

On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,743 comprises a base and a foot plate mounted in spaced relation above the base. The foot plate and base are interconnected by a plurality of springs disposed in a circular arrangement around the center of the foot plate so as to permit tilting of the foot plate relative to the base in all directions. Drive means is also provided for imparting a continuous irregular tilting movement to the foot plate so as to allow a user to stands on the foot plate and use the tilting movement to train his balance ability.

While the above prior arts are both related to training apparatuses allowing users to stand on swinging members thereof for training the users\' balance ability, the present discloses a dual-shaft hinge module that is controlled by a swinging member of a training apparatus providing exercise or rehabilitation functions.

It is one objective of the present invention to provide a dual-shaft hinge module for being applied to a training apparatus providing exercise or rehabilitation functions, wherein the dual-shaft hinge module permits a swinging member of the training apparatus to be controlled by a user to tilt and restore.

It is another objective of the present invention to link the above dual-shaft hinge module to an interactive device so that the training apparatus can transmit signals about tilt angles and tilt directions of the swinging member to the interactive device in a wire or a wireless way. Then the interactive device processes the signals with a suitable software so that the suitable software can instantly present an interactive screen on a display device for the user\'s reference. The signals about the tilt angles and the tilt directions of the swinging member can be processed by the software to be presented as an object in the interactive screen so that the user can successively control the swinging member according to a situational presentation of the interactive screen so as to realize an interesting operational experience. The software and the interactive screen may function for providing gaming entertainment, exercise evaluation or training results.

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the swinging member is supported by a swinging-member supporting unit to be positioned on a substantial surface of a training apparatus wherein the swinging-member supporting unit allows the swinging member to maintain balance in a static state thereof and tilt toward a direction where a downward deflecting force acting thereto and restore when the downward deflecting force is released. Further, when the swinging member tilts, a main post of a hinge module is driven to swing. Then a sensing unit senses a swinging direction and a swinging angle of the main post and converts them into a signal representing the tilt direction and the tilt angle of the swinging member. Afterward, the signal is transmitted to an interactive device in a wire or a wireless way. The interactive device at least comprises a computer, a display device, and a software stored in the computer for performing a specific function. The software receives and processes the signal output by the sensing unit and instantly presents an interactive screen through the display device. Further, after being proceeded by the software, the signal is presented as an object in the interactive screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a balance training apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a partial plane view of the balance training apparatus taken in a direction along Arrow 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a balance board of the balance training apparatus and a hinge module of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a swinging member of the balance training apparatus and the hinge module of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the hinge module of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a first shaft assembly, a second shaft assembly, a main post and other related components of the hinge module of the present invention;

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