FOLDABLE LEG LIFT MACHINE WITH A RESISTANCE LINKAGE MECHANISM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001]The present invention relates to an exercising machine and, more particularly, to a leg lift (or raise or extension) machine.

Description of the Related Art

[0002]A conventional leg lift machine generally comprises a base, a front handlebar, a rear bracket, a driving mechanism, a magnetically controlled resistance mechanism, and a linkage mechanism. The driving mechanism includes two driving levers. Each of the driving levers has a first end swingably connected to the rear bracket and a second end pivotally connected with a pedal. The driving mechanism further includes sprockets and chains mounted between the rear bracket and the driving levers. The magnetically controlled resistance mechanism is driven by the sprockets in a one-way direction to produce a resistance. The linkage mechanism is connected with the driving levers so that the driving levers swing in two opposite directions.

[0003]However, the conventional leg lift machine has the following disadvantages.

[0004]1. The sprockets and the chains are expensive and increase the cost of production. In addition, it takes much time to adjust the sprockets and the chains so that the sprockets and the chains are rotated smoothly.

[0005]2. The magnetically controlled resistance mechanism at least includes magnetically controlled components, rotating wheels, and belts (or chains), resulting in high cost of fabrication and production.

[0006]3. The conventional leg lift machine has a complicated construction with many parts so that the conventional leg lift machine is not assembled easily, thereby increasing the cost of assembly.

[0007]4. The conventional leg lift machine takes up a large space and cannot be folded for storage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008]The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable leg lift machine with a resistance linkage mechanism. The leg lift machine is partially collapsed when not in use.

[0009]In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a leg lift machine comprising a base unit, a main handle unit, two drive levers, two pedals, a fixed pulley, a cable, and two resistance telescopic cylinders. wherein: The base unit includes a first stand, a second stand, a third stand, a first transverse rod, and a second transverse rod. The first transverse rod is placed on the ground. The second transverse rod is placed on the ground. The first stand has a lower end secured to the first transverse rod. The second stand has a lower end secured to the second transverse rod. The second stand has an upper end foldably and pivotally connected with a middle position of the first stand. The third stand has an upper end securely connected with an upper end of the first stand. The main handle unit has a lower end securely connected with a front section of the first stand. The main handle unit has an upper end provided with a handgrip. The two drive levers are disposed at two sides of the first stand. Each of the two drive levers has an upper end pivotally connected with an upper section of the first stand and served as a fulcrum of rotation. The two drive levers reciprocally swing forward and backward and move along a curved trajectory. Each of the two pedals is pivotally connected with a lower end of one of the two drive levers. The fixed pulley is pivotally mounted on a front side of the third stand. The cable is wound around the fixed pulley and has two ends connected with the upper end of each of the two drive levers. The two resistance telescopic cylinders are disposed at two sides of the third stand. Each of the two resistance telescopic cylinders has a lower end pivotally connected with the third stand and an upper end pivotally connected with the upper end of one of the two drive levers. Thus, the two drive levers are limited by the two resistance telescopic cylinders and the cable to reciprocally and interactively swing forward and backward.

[0010]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 THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a leg lift machine in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 5 is another partial enlarged view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a folded view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side operational view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a leg lift machine in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 8.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 8.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a folded view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 8.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a side operational view of the leg lift machine as shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023]Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-7, a foldable leg lift machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base unit 10, a main handle unit 20, two drive levers 30, two pedals 40, a fixed pulley 60, a cable 61, and two resistance telescopic cylinders 70.

[0024]The base unit 10 includes a first stand (or support) 11, a second stand (or support) 12, a third stand (or supports) 13, a first transverse rod 14, and a second transverse rod 15. The first transverse rod 14 is placed on the ground. The second transverse rod 15 is placed on the ground. The first stand 11 has a lower end secured to the first transverse rod 14. The second stand 12 has a lower end secured to the second transverse rod 15. The second stand 12 has an upper end foldably and pivotally connected with a middle position of the first stand 11. The third stand 13 has an upper end securely connected with an upper end of the first stand 11. The third stand 13 has lower end placed on the ground.

[0025]The main handle unit 20 has a lower end securely connected with a front section of the first stand 11. The main handle unit 20 has an upper end provided with a handgrip 23.

[0026]The two drive levers 30 are disposed at two sides of the first stand 11. Each of the two drive levers 30 has an upper end pivotally connected with an upper section of the first stand 11 and served as a fulcrum of rotation. The two drive levers 30 reciprocally (or alternatingly) swing forward and backward and move along a curved trajectory (or track).

[0027]Each of the two pedals 40 is pivotally connected with a lower end of one of the two drive levers 30.

[0028]The fixed pulley 60 is pivotally mounted on a front side of the third stand 13. The cable 61 is wound around the fixed pulley 60 and has two ends connected with the upper end of each of the two drive levers 30.

[0029]The two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 are disposed at two sides of the third stand 13. Each of the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 has a lower end pivotally connected with the third stand 13 and an upper end pivotally connected with the upper end of one of the two drive levers 30. Thus, the two drive levers 30 are limited by the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 and the cable 61 to reciprocally and interactively swing forward and backward.

[0030]In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a seat 50 is mounted on the first stand 11. The seat 50 is close to the upper end of the first stand 11.

[0031]In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two rollers 18 are pivotally mounted on the first transverse rod 14 of the first stand 11.

[0032]In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main handle unit 20 includes an upper support 21 and a lower support 22. The upper support 21 has a lower end foldably and pivotally connected with an upper end of the lower support 22. A fastening pin 80 extends through the upper support 21 and the lower support 22 so that the upper support 21 and the lower support 22 are fixed mutually by the fastening pin 80. The handgrip 23 is secured to an upper end of the upper support 21. The lower support 22 has a lower end securely connected with the front section of the first stand 11.

[0033]In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main handle unit 20 has a top provided with a control panel 24. The control panel 24 is secured on the upper end of the upper support 21.

[0034]In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pivot member (or shaft) 111 is mounted on the first stand 11 and protrudes from the two sides of the first stand 11, and the upper end of each of the two drive levers 30 is pivotally mounted on the pivot member 111.

[0035]In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of each of the two drive levers 30 is provided with a first pivot ear 31 extending therefrom, and the first pivot ear 31 is pivotally connected with the upper end of each of the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70.

[0036]In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of each of the two drive levers 30 is provided with a third pivot ear 33 extending therefrom, and the third pivot ear 33 is pivotally connected with each of the two ends of the cable 61.

[0037]In operation, referring to FIG. 7 with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the user sits on the seat 50, with his/her two hands holding the handgrip 23 and two feet treading the two pedals 40. In such a manner, each of the two ends of the cable 61 is connected with the upper end of each of the two drive levers 30, and the upper end of each of the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 is pivotally connected with the upper end of one of the two drive levers 30, so that the two drive levers 30 are limited by the fixed pulley 60, the cable 61, and the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 to reciprocally swing or pivot forward and backward. Thus, the user can raise legs to achieve an exercising effect. In addition, the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 provide a resistance or damping force to the user.

[0038]In folding of the leg lift machine, referring to FIG. 6 with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the fastening pin 80 is detached from the upper support 21 and the lower support 22 so that the upper support 21 and the lower support 22 are unlocked. In such a manner, the second stand 12 is folded relative to the first stand 11, and the upper support 21 is folded relative to the lower support 22, so that the first stand 11, the second stand 12, the upper support 21, and the lower support 22 are folded easily and quickly.

[0039]Referring to FIGS. 8-12, the leg lift machine in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises two secondary handle units 90 pivotally mounted on two sides of the base unit 10. The upper end of each of the two drive levers 30 is provided with a second pivot ear 32 extending therefrom. Each of the two secondary handle units 90 includes a first linking member 91, a second linking member 92, and a third linking member 93. The first linking member 91 has a lower end pivotally connected with the main handle unit 20. The second linking member 92 has an upper end extending from the lower end of the first linking member 91. An angle is defined between the first linking member 91 and the second linking member 92. The third linking member 93 has a front end pivotally connected with a lower end of the second linking member 92. The third linking member 93 has a rear end pivotally connected with the second pivot ear 32 of one of the two drive levers 30.

[0040]In operation, referring to FIG. 12 with reference to FIGS. 8-10, the two secondary handle units 90 are arranged on two sides of the base unit 10. When the user’s two hands hold the first linking member 91 of each of the two secondary handle units 90, the third linking member 93 of each of the two secondary handle units 90 is driven by the second pivot ear 32 of one of the two drive levers 30, so that the two secondary handle units 90 are pivoted to swing in concert with the two drive levers 30. Thus, the user can exercise legs and hands simultaneously. In addition, the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 provide a resistance to the user.

[0041]In folding of the leg lift machine, referring to FIG. 11 with reference to FIGS. 8-10, the fastening pin 80 is detached from the upper support 21 and the lower support 22 so that the upper support 21 and the lower support 22 are unlocked. In such a manner, the second stand 12 is folded relative to the first stand 11, and the upper support 21 is folded relative to the lower support 22, so that the first stand 11, the second stand 12, the upper support 21, and the lower support 22 are folded easily and quickly.

Accordingly, the leg lift machine of the present invention has the following advantages.

[0042]1. When the leg lift machine is operated, the two drive levers 30 and the two secondary handle units 90 will swing smoothly and slowly by the resistance provided by the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70. Thus, the user operates the leg lift machine to perform an interactive leg raising movement to effectively stretch the user’s hips, knees, and ankle joints, and to stretch the user’s core muscles, such as the abdominal and buttock muscles.

[0043]2. The user’s hands reciprocatingly sway and move forward and backward, to stretch the forearms, upper arms, triceps and other muscle groups by the resistance provided by the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70.

[0044]3. The two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 are almost linearly retracted upward and downward, so that the two drive levers 30 directly pull the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 to expand and lengthen the arc trajectory of the swing.

[0045]4. The two drive levers 30, the fixed pulley 60, and the two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 construct a resistance linkage mechanism that is operated easily. In addition, the length of the third stand 13 is shortened, so that it is unnecessary to fold the third stand 13 and the second stand 12 mutually. Thus, the leg lift machine is assembled quickly, and the whole cost of assembly and construction is reduced.

[0046]5. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 11, the second stand 12 is folded relative to the first stand 11, and the upper support 21 is folded relative to the lower support 22, so that the first stand 11, the second stand 12, the upper support 21, and the lower support 22 are folded easily and quickly, to decrease the whole volume, thereby decreasing the cost of packaging, transportation, and storage, and thereby decreasing the cost of import. In addition, the leg lift machine is folded and stored easily and does not take up much space.

[0047]6. The leg lift machine does not have a complicated magnetic resistance mechanism and linkage mechanism, to decrease the cost of fabrication and production.

[0048]7. The two resistance telescopic cylinders 70 provide a resistance to the user when the two drive levers 30 are moved and when the two secondary handle units 90 are moved, so that the user’s body is trained more effectively and significantly.

[0049]Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the invention.