STATIONARY EXERCISE APPARATUS FOR LEG EXERCISES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stationary exercise apparatus for performing leg exercises.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002]Referring to FIG. 1, patent CN 108339235 B discloses an exercise apparatus 90 for allowing users to perform leg exercises. The exercise apparatus 90 includes a frame 91, left and right crank arms 92 coaxially and pivotally mounted on the upper portion of the frame 91, left and right first swing arms 93 coaxially and pivotally mounted on the lower portion of the frame 91, left and right second swing arms 94 coaxially and pivotally mounted on the upper portion of the frame 91, left and right first connecting rods 95 connecting the respective crank arms 92 and the respective first swing arms 93, left and right second connecting rods 96 connecting the respective second swing arms 94 and the respective first connecting rods 95, and left and right pedals 97 mounted on the lower ends of the respective second connecting rods 96. In more detail, the upper end of each first connecting rod 95 is pivotally connected to the outer end of the corresponding crank arm 92, forming a rotating portion that can move along a circular path. The lower end of each of each first connecting rod 95 is pivotally connected to the swing end of the corresponding first swing arm 93, forming a first reciprocating portion that can reciprocate along an arc-shaped first reciprocating path. The upper end of each second connecting rod 96 is pivotally connected to the swing end of the corresponding second swing arm 94, forming a second reciprocating portion that can reciprocate along an arc-shaped second reciprocating path. The first connecting rod 95 and the second connecting rod 96 on the same side are pivotally connected to each other at their respective pivot joints 98 near the bottom ends. When using the aforementioned exercise apparatus 90, the user steps on the left and right pedals 97 with both feet respectively, and steps alternatively, so that each pedal 97 can be cyclically moved along a vertically elongated closed path, and the effect of leg exercise can be achieved by lifting the legs upward and stepping downward.

[0003]However, from the perspective of practical applicability or commercialization, the structure of the exercise apparatus 90 shown in FIG. 1 may be defective. For example, the distribution and movement range of the aforementioned components are relatively large, making the structure appear cumbersome and redundant. In addition, the overall center of gravity is relatively high, which may affect stability of the exercise apparatus 90 during exercise.

[0004]The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of exercise apparatuses. Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The present invention is directed to a stationary exercise apparatus for performing leg exercises, which has a simpler and compact configuration, with a lower center of gravity so as to reduce production costs, optimize product appearance, and enhance practical applicability.

[0006]According to one aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus for leg exercises includes a frame, two first link rods, two second link rods, and two pedals. Each of the two first link rods has a rotating portion, a first reciprocating portion and a first pivot portion. The rotating portions of the two first link rods are restricted to moving along a circular path with respect to the frame. The first reciprocating portions of the two first link rods are restricted to moving along a first reciprocating path with respect to the frame. Each of the two second link rods has a second reciprocating portion and a second pivot portion. The second reciprocating portions of the two second link rods are restricted to moving along a second reciprocating path with respect to the frame. The second pivot portions of the two second link rods are respectively pivotally connected to the first pivot portions of the two first link rods. The two pedals are respectively coupled to the two second link rods. Each of the two pedals defines a toe end, a heel end, and a central portion between the toe end and the heel end.

[0007]When the rotating portions of the two first link rods move along the circular path, the first reciprocating portions of the two first link rods and the second reciprocating portions of the two second link rods respectively move along the first reciprocating path and the second reciprocating path, and the central portions of the two pedals move along a closed path. In addition, a vertical distance between an uppermost position and a lowermost position of the closed path is greater than a horizontal distance between a foremost position and a rearmost position of the closed path. Specifically, the first reciprocating path, the second reciprocating path and the closed path are located below a lowermost position of the circular path, and height ranges of the first reciprocating path and the second reciprocating path at least partially overlap.

[0008]Preferably, the height ranges of the first reciprocating path and the second reciprocating path at least partially overlap with a height range of the closed path.

[0009]Preferably, the distance between the first pivot portion and the rotating portion of each first link rod is greater than the distance between the second pivot portion and the second reciprocating portion of each second link rod.

[0010]Preferably, the exercise apparatus further comprises two first swing arms and two second swing arms. Each of the two first swing arms has an axial end and a swing end. The axial ends of the two first swing arms are respectively pivotally mounted to the frame. The swing ends of the two first swing arms are respectively pivotally mounted to the first reciprocating portions of the two first link rods. Each of the two second swing arms has an axial end and a swing end. The axial ends of the two second swing arms are respectively mounted to the frame. The swing ends of the two second swing arms are respectively pivotally mounted to the second reciprocating portions of the two second link rods.

[0011]Preferably, the two first swing arms and the two second swing arms are coaxially coupled to the frame about a swing axis corresponding to a lateral axis of the exercise apparatus. Specifically, the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each first swing arm differs from the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each second swing arm. For example, the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each first swing arm may be greater than the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each second swing arm. In addition, the swing axis is located lower than the lowermost position of the circular path. Specifically,

[0012]Preferably, both a lowermost position of the first reciprocating path and a lowermost position of the second reciprocating path are located higher than the swing axis. In addition, both the first reciprocating path and the second reciprocating path are located in back of the swing axis.

[0013]Preferably, the first reciprocating portion is located higher than the first pivot portion of each first link rod. The second reciprocating portion is located in front of the second pivot portion of each second link rod. Each pedal is located in back of the second pivot portion of the corresponding second link rod.

[0014]Preferably, when the central portion of each pedal is located at the lowermost position, the toe end and the heel end are substantially at the same height; and wherein when the central portion of each pedal is located at the uppermost position, the heel end is significantly higher than the toe end.

[0015]Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of a prior art, showing a stationary exercise apparatus for performing leg exercises.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side view of a stationary exercise apparatus for performing leg exercises in accordance with a first embodiment, wherein the left peal is located at a lowermost position of a pedal movement path.

[0018]FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but the left pedal is located at a middle height of the rear half of the pedal movement path.

[0019]FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, but the left pedal is located at an uppermost position of the pedal movement path.

[0020]FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 2, but the left pedal is located at a middle height of the front half of the pedal movement path.

[0021]FIG. 6 depicts the height relationships between the height ranges of the respective paths in the first embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 8 depicts the height relationships between the height ranges of the respective paths in the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024]In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically depicted in order to simplify the drawings.

[0025]FIG. 2 depicts a first embodiment of an exercise apparatus 10 for performing a leg exercise. The exercise apparatus 10 includes a frame 20, a console 30, left and right crank arms 40, left and right first swing arms 50, left and right second swing arms 60, left and right first link rods 70, left and right second link rods 80, and left and right pedals 85. In FIG. 2, the crank arm 40, the first swing arm 50, the second swing arm 60, the first link rod 70 and the second link rod 80, shown in solid lines, are relatively situated on the left side (e.g. the left side of the exercise apparatus 10). In contrast, the crank arm 40, the first swing arm 50, the second swing arm 60, the first link rod 70 and the second link rod 80, shown in dashed lines, are relatively situated on the right side (e.g. the right side of the exercise apparatus 10).

[0026]The frame 20 is adapted to stably rest on a ground G, as an installation foundation for other components. In practice, the aforementioned frame 20 is usually composed of a number of metal pipes (like the frame 91 shown in FIG. 1). The frame 20 can have various shapes, which are not restricted by the present invention. FIG. 2 merely shows a simple contour for illustration purposes.

[0027]The console 30 is mounted on the upper portion of the frame 20 for enabling a user to provide instructions to the exercise apparatus 10 and to control the operation thereof. The console 30 is also adapted to display workout information and performance data relating to operation of the exercise apparatus 10. The feedback and data performance analysis from the console 30 may include, but not limited to, time elapsed, distance, calories burned, heart rate, speed, etc.

[0028]Each crank arm 40 has an inner end and an outer end. The inner ends of the left and right crank arms 40 are pivotally mounted on the frame 20 according to a first axis A1, so that the outer end of each crank arm 40 is capable of rotating in two directions (e.g. forward direction and backward direction) around the first axis A1. The first axis A1 is a lateral axis corresponding to a lateral (left-right) direction of the exercise apparatus 10, which is represented by a black dot in FIG. 2. In practice, the inner ends of the left and right crank arms 40 are respectively fixed to a crank shaft (not shown). The crank shaft is transversely and pivotally mounted to the frame 20 at a predetermined height, and the axis of the crank shaft is referred to as the first axis A1. The outer ends of the left and right crank arms 40 are maintained at 180 degrees opposite to each other with respect to the first axis A1.

[0029]Each first swing arm 50 has an axial end and a swing end. The axial ends of the left and right first swing arms 50 are pivotally mounted on the frame 20 according to a second axis A2, so that the swing end of each first swing arm 50 is capable of rotating in two directions (e.g. forward direction and backward direction) around the second axis A2. The second axis A2 is another lateral axis corresponding to the lateral direction of the exercise apparatus 10, and is represented by another black dot in FIG. 2. In the first embodiment, the swing end of each first swing arm 50 is located in back of the axial end.

[0030]Each second swing arm 60 has an axial end and a swing end. The axial ends of the left and right second swing arms 60 are pivotally mounted on the frame 20 according to the second axis A2 as well, so that the swing end of each second swing arm 60 is capable of rotating in two directions around the second axis A2. In other words, the two first swing arms 50 and the two second swing arms 60 are coaxially coupled to the frame 20 about the second axis A2. That is, the swing axis of the two first swing arms 50 and the swing axis of the two second swing arms 60 are the same. In side view, the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each first swing arm 50 differs from the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each second swing arm 60. In the first embodiment, the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each first swing arm 50 is greater than the distance between the axial end and the swing end of each second swing arm 60.

[0031]Each first link rod 70 has an upper end and a lower end. The upper ends of the left and right first link rods 70 are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the respective crank arms 40, so that the upper end of each first link rod 70 can be operated to move along a circular path T1 around the first axis A1. Each first link rod 70 has a specific portion pivotally connected to the swing end of the corresponding first swing arm 50. The specific portion is located between the upper end and the lower end of the respective first link rod 70.

[0032]Each second link rod 80 has a front end and a rear end. The front ends of the left and right second link rods 80 are pivotally connected to the swing ends of the respective second swing arms 60. Each second link rod 80 has a specific portion pivotally connected to the lower end of the corresponding first link rod 70. The specific portion is located between the front end and the rear end of the respective second link rod 80.

[0033]Each pedal 85 is mounted on the rear end of the respective second link rod 80. Each pedal 85 defines a toe end, a heel end, and a central portion between the toe end and the heel end.

[0034]Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 (note: FIGS. 3, 4, 5 omit the components on the right side), based on the preset relative relationship between the aforementioned components, when the upper end of each first link rod 70 rotates along the circular path T1, the swing end of the respective first swing arm 50 will reciprocate once along an arc-shaped first reciprocating path T2 that circles the second axis A2. In addition, the swing end of the respective second swing arm 60 will reciprocate along an arc-shaped second reciprocating path T3 that circles the second axis A2 as well. Moreover, the central portion of the respective pedal 85 will move along a closed pedal movement path (hereinafter referred to as a closed path) T4 for one cycle. The closed path T4 is in an elongated shape, and the vertical distance between the uppermost position and the lowermost position of the closed path T4 is greater than the horizontal distance between the foremost position and the rearmost position of the closed path T4. That is, the height of the closed path T4 (distance between the highest position and the lowest position) is greater than the width of the closed path T4 (distance between the foremost position and the rearmost position). When the central portion of each pedal 85 is located at the lowermost position of the closed path T4 (e.g. the left pedal in FIG. 2 and the right pedal in FIG. 4), the toe end and the heel end of the pedal 85 are approximately at the same height. When the central portion of each pedal 85 is located at the uppermost position of the closed path T4 (e.g. the right pedal in FIG. 2 and the left pedal in FIG. 4), the heel end of the pedal 85 is obviously higher than the toe end. Generally speaking, when the pedal 85 is raised, the heel end gradually rises relative to the toe end. In contrast, when the pedal 85 is lowered, the heel end gradually descends relative to the toe end. Therefore, the user can step on the left and right pedals 85 with their feet and grasp the preset handles (not shown) on the top of the frame 20 with their hands to perform a leg exercise by alternatively stepping with both feet. Like prior arts, rotation of the crank arms 40 drives a flywheel (not shown) to rotate at a higher speed. The user is able to control the rotational resistance of the flywheel through the console 30. However, the structure and operation of the resistance device are conventional techniques that are well known in the art, the detailed description is not mentioned in the present invention.

[0035]The portion where each first link rod 70 and the corresponding crank arm 40 are pivotally connected forms a rotating portion that is restricted to moving along the circular path T1 with respect to the frame 20. The portion where each first link rod 70 and the corresponding first swing arm 50 are pivotally connected forms a first reciprocating portion that is restricted to moving along the first reciprocating path T2 with respect to the frame 20. The portion where each second link rod 80 and the corresponding second swing arm 60 are pivotally connected forms a second reciprocating portion that is restricted to moving along the second reciprocating path T3 with respect to the frame 20. Furthermore, the lower end of each first link rod 70 forms a first pivot portion, and a second pivot portion forms between the front end and the rear end of each second link rod 80. As viewed from a side view, the distance between the first pivot portion and the rotating portion of each first link rod 70 is greater than the distance between the second pivot portion and the second reciprocating portion of each second link rod 80.

[0036]FIG. 6 simply depicts the height relationships of the ground G, the circular path T1, the first reciprocating path T2, the second reciprocating path T3, and the closed path T4. As shown in FIG. 6, the height range H2 of the first reciprocating path T2, the height range H3 of the second reciprocating path T3, and the height range H4 of the closed path T4 are all completely lower than the height range H1 of the circular path T1. In other words, the uppermost position of the first reciprocating path T2, the uppermost position of the second reciprocating path T3, and the uppermost position of the closed path T4 are all lower than the lowermost position of the circular path T1. In addition, the height ranges H2, H3, and H4 of the first reciprocating path T2, the second reciprocating path T3, and the closed path T4 at least partially overlap with each other. In the present embodiment, the height of the highest position of the first reciprocating path T2 is located within the height range H3 of the second reciprocating path T3, and the height of the lowest position of the first reciprocating path T2 is located within the height range H4 of the closed path T4. The height of the lowest position of the second reciprocating path T3 is located within both the height range H2 of the first reciprocating path T2 and the height range H4 of the closed path T4. The height of the highest position of the closed path T4 is located within both the height range H2 of the first reciprocating path T2 and the height range H3 of the second reciprocating path T3.

[0037]Therefore, compared with similar exercise equipment in the prior art, which provides equivalent leg movement. The present exercise apparatus has a simpler and compact configuration, with a lower center of gravity, which reduces production costs, optimizes product appearance, and enhances practical applicability.

[0038]In the aforementioned embodiment, the first swing arms 50 and the second swing arms 60 are used to restrict the reciprocating portions of the first link rods 70 and the reciprocating portions of the second link rods 80 to the first reciprocating path T2 and the second reciprocating path T3, respectively. Specifically, the swing axis of the first swing arms 50 and the second swing arms 60 with respect to the frame 20, namely the second axis A2, is lower than the lowermost position of the circular path T1, and both the first reciprocating path T2 and the second reciprocating path T3 are located in back of the swing axis A2. In addition, both the lowermost position of the first reciprocating path T2 and the lowermost position of the second reciprocating path T3 are located higher than the swing axis A2.

[0039]In other possible embodiment, the first reciprocating portion of each first link rod and the second reciprocating portion of each second link rod may be equipped with rollers. The frame of the exercise apparatus may be provided with guide rails that can respectively support and guide the rollers, thereby limiting the first reciprocating portion of each first link rod and the second reciprocating portion of each second link rod to a first reciprocating path and a second reciprocating path respectively.

[0040]FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of an exercise apparatus 10′. Similarly, the exercise apparatus 10′ includes a frame 20′, a console 30′, left and right crank arms 40′, left and right first swing arms 50′, left and right second swing arms 60′, left and right first link rods 70′, left and right second link rods 80′, and left and left and right pedals 85′. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that the swing end of each second swing arm 60′ is located further forward than the axial end. In other words, the second reciprocating path T3 is located further forward than the second axis A2. The connection relationship between the components in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, so the detailed description is not mentioned again.

[0041]As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, the uppermost position of the first reciprocating path T2′, the uppermost position of the second reciprocating path T3′, and the uppermost position of the closed path T4′ are all lower than the lowermost position of the circular path T1′. In addition, the height ranges H2′, H3′, and H4′ of the first reciprocating path T2′, the second reciprocating path T3′, and the closed path T4′ at least partially overlap with each other.

[0042]It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.