Rocking-in exercise device
The present invention, rocking-in exercise device, offers a user the effective way of doing exercise through a rocking way by the arms. Chiefly, it relates to a step board, which is equipped with a multi-speed gear set at the front end. The multi-speed gear set binds to a rocking bar on the top and meshes with a driving wheel at the bottom. By rocking the rocking bar back and forth, the multi-speed gear set is able to drive the driving wheel and increase the speed. As a result, the purpose of rocking exercise is well served, safely and efficiently.
[0001] (A) Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise device, specifically, a device that enables a user to employ the way of rocking with his/her arms for achieving the effect of exercises. The invention mainly consists of a board and a combination of steering and rocking mechanisms to allow an individual to drive as well as to exercise.
[0003] (B) Description of Prior Art
[0004] Conventional exercise devices are stationary, their functions are restricted and not able to be fully exploited, moreover, consequently resulted in poor performance on coordination of muscles and tendons. Even a mechanical exercise device, for example, an exercise bike, works merely on lower extremity of a body. Therefore, the present invention is developed by allowing an exercise device to work on his/her chest, arms, waist, and extremity in a fun, dynamic way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0005] The present invention aims at establishing a steering mechanism to move a flat board forward. The rear of the aforesaid flat step board is equipped with a wheel and the front thereof is provided with a rotatable multi-speed gear set. The said multi-speed gear set is powered by a rocking bar, which is set on the upper side thereof; and an output axle of which meshes with a driving wheel that enables the rocking bar to sway or turn. The gear is shifted and speed is increased by reason of rocking (the crank). Thus, the primary object is achieved herein.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide greater speed for the multi-speed gear set and the mechanical movement of the rocking bar by shifting epicyclic gear sets through unidirectional rotation operation.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide variable speed selections for the multi-speed gear set by the installation of an outer ring gear, which acts as a speed adjuster.
[0008] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide at least two tiers of epicyclic train within the multi-speed gear set.
[0009] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide free movement of a rear wheel corresponding to the driving wheel underlying the step board by aligning the multi-speed gear set with the step board, fixedly and vertically.
[0010] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide mounting and aligning a brake device of the step board.
[0011] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide the step board to slide by establishing an unidirectional meshed gear device between the driving wheel and the multi-speed gear set.
[0012] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing device mounted between the step board and the rear wheel.
[0013] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a saddle, which permits a user to sit on or to rock (to and fro) in seated position, over the step board.
[0014] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable damper at the output position of the multi-speed gear set; also, to permit a user to stand on the step board in a fixed position rocking.
[0015] To enable a further understanding of the objective, structural features and function of the present invention, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[0016] FIG. 1 is the perspective structural diagram of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of partial exploded structural diagram of the front-end step board according to the invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is the preferred embodiment of structural diagram illustrating the actual use of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is the preferred embodiment of power-drive components allocation diagram of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is the structural diagram of gearing set of the invention in top plan view.
[0021] FIG. 6 is the preferred embodiment of sectional diagram for a shock-absorbing device of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is one of the preferred embodiment of sectional diagrams according to the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 shows the sectional diagram of a damper (and its related parts) of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODYMENTS[0024] First, referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of space diagram of the invention, illustrating a rocking-in exercise device, which mainly consists of a step board 1 and a rocking bar 15 to be disposed at the front end thereof. A pedal 11 is formed and centered on the face of the step board 1 and the rocking bar 15 thereof extends upward connecting to a steering handlebar 12. A rear wheel 13 is installed at the bottom of the step board 1. A rigid dust cover 14 is mounted to the front end of the step board 1, thereby having a bellows 18 is connected to the rocking bar 15, wherein, the rigid dust cover 14 encloses driving components.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, a circular coupling base 3, which provides pivotal connections for the gearing set 2 (as shown in FIG. 3), is installed horizontally within the rigid dust cover 14 of the front-end step board 1.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, the circular coupling base 3 provides a room to establish a link between the multi-speed gearing set 2 and a turning gudgeon 31. The multi-speed gearing set 2 extends upwardly to connect with the rocking bar 15 and extends downwardly to engage with a driving wheel 16.
[0027] Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated shows the correlation between the turning gudgeon 31 and the step board 1. The circular coupling base 3 (of the step board 1) provides a revolving space for the turning gudgeon 31 to swivel freely in a horizontal direction, thereby making the movement and turning of a vehicle.
[0028] The upper side of the turning gudgeon 31 is provided for installing the multi-speed gearing set 2. The revolving rate is improved by the multi-speed gearing set 2 by operating the rocking bar 15. The driving gear 23 outputs drive power and engages with a co-axial gear 27, which is in-line with the driving wheel 16. Moreover, an axle 161 couples the co-axial gear 27 with the driving wheel 16 and the entire physical entity couples to the turning gudgeon 31 in a movable fashion through a wheel rack 32.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5, shows the power steering mode of the multi-speed gearing set 2. The entire gearing set is situated inside the turning gudgeon 31. The turning gudgeon 31, which mounts a bearing 24, allows a spinning axis 25 of the multi-speed gearing set 2 to couple in a movable fashion. The mechanism of the multi-speed gearing set 2 utilizes a unidirectional meshed-gear 21, which is linked to the rocking bar 15. Once the axis 25 is powered, the power output is then transmitted to epicyclic gear sets 22. The mechanism for greater wheeling output involves in the spinning axis 25, a satellite gear 222, and a sun gear 221. The principle of the wheeling mechanism is to employ the spinning axis 25 (powered by the rocking bar 15) to drive the outer satellite gear 222 and the inner sun gear 221 to turn. Since outer-ring gears 223 limit the movement of the satellite gear 222, thereby enabling the revolving rate of the inner sun gear 221 to expand. As the result, the sun gear 221 is able to gain a faster rate. In the like manner, the sun gear 221 drives its rear-end epicyclic gear sets 22 to spin; the movement of the satellite gear 222 is also hindered by outer-ring gears 225 and the revolving rate is also improved. Furthermore, a sun gear 226 on the opposite end is connected to an output axle 26, which drives the driving gear 23 coaxially.
[0030] To gain larger-gear revolving rate from rocking the rocking bar 15 by means of the epicyclic gear sets 22, the driving gear 23 is able to output a faster revolving rate.
[0031] In a word, employing the unique feature of shift to a larger gear of the epicyclic gear sets 22 enables the output axle 26 to attain higher rotational speed or rotation rate. In addition, the driving gear 23 of the epicyclic gear sets 22 drives the driving wheel 16 to rotate (see the correlation in co-axial gear 27 as shown in FIG. 4). Thus, it is to say that it attains this aim of driving forward onto driving wheel 16. Meanwhile, users of this particular exercise device get a sense of driving power over it while they exercise.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6, it illustrates the shock-absorbing device of the present invention. A shock-absorbing device 4 is installed in-between the step board 1 and the rear wheel 13. A shock-absorbing device 4 greatly reduces the frequency and intensity of bumpiness a user possibly faces bumping on rough terrain. The shock-absorbing device 4 mainly comprises a cushion unit 42 corresponding to the rear wheel 13 thereof for shock-absorbing purpose. The rear wheel 13 is pivotally disposed to a wheel rack 41 under the step board 1. The rear wheel 13 extends upwardly and joints a wrist pin 43, which is linked to a rocker arm 44 underlying the step board 1 through a connecting axle 46 establishing a scissors-like linkage. A connecting pin 45 is installed at the free end of the rocker arm 44 thereof, which is attached to the end of the cushion unit 42. In the same fashion, the other end of the cushion unit 42 is secured underlying the step board 1. Consequently, when the rear wheel 13 bumps (or moves) up and down by means of linkage of the wrist pin 43 and the connecting axle 46, the kinetic energy (by displacement) is able to transmit to the cushion unit 42 from the free end of the rocker arm 44. Meanwhile, the cushion unit 42 gains the kinetic energy (by displacement) of the rear wheel 13. Since the cushion unit 42 has the ability to resume to its original position, the rear wheel 13 is also permitted to resume. Thus, the aforesaid shock-absorbing device 4 does the job and offers more comfort to a user while exercising.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 7, the preferred embodiment of sectional diagrams, illustrates that the front of the step board 1 is equipped with an installation rack 6, which is the housing of the driving wheel 16 and the multi-speed gear set 2. The installation rack 6 and the step board 1 are fixedly combined or joined together as a whole; this permits the installation of the multi-speed gear set. The multi-speed gear set 2, which has a direct linkage with the rocking bar 15, forces the driving wheel 16 to move through the co-axial gear 27. Passing through by an axle 161, the driving wheel 16 and the co-axial gear 27 are freely secured underlying the installation rack 6. Thus, the driving wheel 16 has no rotary function and it is securely aligned with the step board 1 in a vertical direction. However, the rear wheel 13 is able to turn by the action of a steering mechanism 7 done unto it.
[0034] The steering mechanism 7 is able to work in a similar way as a “T-junction” underneath conventional skateboard or a rotating mechanism of a sliding scooter or wheel turning by an external force.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 8, a sectional diagram of a damper, illustrates that the driving wheel 16, which is equipped with a ratchet-wheel 91. That is, the frictional force that is produced by the above-mentioned damper 9 restricts the ratchet-wheel 91. An opposing force, such as friction, is applied onto the surface of the ratchet-wheel 91, and the speed of which is reduced; meanwhile, damping effect is generated and acted upon the multi-speed gear set 2. This time damping is to against the rocking bar 15. The damper 9 may be manipulated or adjusted by a controller 92. The structure of the damper 9 may vary. The present invention employs a simple brake damping to serve the purpose. There are many different damper applications; however, it is not to be elaborated further here.
[0036] In the application of the aforementioned damper 9, the step board 1 is in a static state. Referring to FIG. 1, a support stand 10 is engaged at the base of the step board 1. When the support stand 10 of the step board 1 is well positioned, the driving wheel 16 is suspended in the air. As a result, the present invention can be applied in a stationary rocking-in status for using as gym equipment.
[0037] The preferred embodiment of shifting gears, referring to FIG. 5, is to permit speed adjustment of an arrester (reduction gear) 5. The arrester 5 is situated outside the outer ring gear 225, which is contained in the multi-speed gear set 2. The arrester 5 causes sliding friction unto the periphery of the outer ring gear 225 and consequently permits the satellite gear 224 to shift gears; it is able to finely adjust the speed and friction. While the outer ring gear 225 slowly reduces rotation in number thereof in the course of the driving process, the satellite gear 224 gains or picks up the speed thereby. On this account, the rate of change is well adjusted by the output speed of the output axle 26.
[0038] Various types of linings may apply to the arrester 5 in the invention as long as linings 51 may restrict the rate of revolution of the arrester 5, or finely adjust any adjustable screw, or dynamic friction to the arrester 5.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper section of the step board 1 is made suitable for a body to operate thereupon. The said section includes the rear friction brake 19, which is mounted to the step board 1 and is retained in place by a restoring spring 191. A brake-block 192 is arranged in a line with the rear friction brake 19 and the rear wheel 13. When a person steps on the rear friction brake 19, the brake-block 192 comes in contact with the rear wheel 13 and causes friction to stop.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 4, an unidirectional bearing 162, which moves together with the multi-speed gear set 2 in one single direction, is situated in between the driving wheel 16 and the co-axial gear 27. When an output power of the multi-speed gear set 2 ceases, the driving wheel 16 continues to roll via the unidirectional bearing 162 and the step board 1 continues to move. As a result, a skateboard application may thus apply here.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrates that a saddle 8 is fixed to the upper section of the step board 1 by an elastic, shockproof saddle stand 81.
[0042] As the advantages described above, the present invention, rocking-in exercise device, not only allows one to fully exercise his/her body effectively, but also allows him/her to access at home with ease. Furthermore, the rate of speed is greatly approved.
[0043] The present invention is suitable for adolescents and adults to operate. By rocking the rocking bar at an angle of thirty degrees, the step board is able to travel at a distance of one meter. The mechanism for the conversion of force is to accelerate the revolving rate of the aforementioned end system of the gears and drives; the load produced by the gear-shifting system may be manipulated by adjusting the length of the rocking bar 15. To achieve this, there must have a sophisticated designed structure of the multi-speed gear set, together with both epicyclic gear sets and sun gear mechanisms, to determine a plan. Thus, no eccentric momentum lost while transmitting motion among components and/or shafts. The aforementioned turning gudgeon 31 permits 360° turn and allows to-and-fro movement while it is in motion; thus, to become a multi-functional exercise device as well as a vehicle in motion/operation at a standard ground or site.
[0044] It is of course to be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An exercise device with rocking mechanism by hand-swaying, comprises a step board with a rear wheel and a front turning gudgeon in horizontal position, wherein, a multi-speed gear set that connects upwardly to a rocking bar and outwardly to a co-axial driving wheel to create motion.
2. A multi-speed gear set comprising a unidirectional meshed-gear device by swaying the rocking bar back and forth, to mesh with a satellite gear in epicyclic train is for shifting gear and increasing speed.
3. The multi-speed gear set in accordance with claim 2, wherein the satellite gear in epicyclic train is equipped with a speed-adjustable reduction gear and arrester outside the outer ring gear of the epicyclic train.
4. The multi-speed gear set in accordance with claim 2, wherein the satellite gear comprising at least two tiers of epicyclic trains.
5. The exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rear wheel of the step board is equipped with the rotatable function; a front fixed-direction driving wheel is installed underneath the step board thereof.
6. The exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a paddle of the rocking-in exercise device is equipped with a rear friction brake above the rear wheel.
7. The exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a driving wheel is equipped with a unidirectional bearing between the driving wheel and the co-axial gear to restrict the bearing's rolling direction.
8. The exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rear wheel and the step board indirectly connect to each other through a shock-absorbing device.
9. The exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step board is equipped with a saddle, which is supported by a saddle stand over the step board.
10. The exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein axle of the driving wheel is equipped with a ratchet-wheel, which is a part of the driving wheel; the ratchet-wheel provides damping by manipulating a damper.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 5, 2002
Publication Date: Jan 8, 2004
Inventor: Shih-Ming Huang (Chang-Hua Hsien)
Application Number: 10188891
International Classification: A63B022/00; A63B071/00;