Exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus is provided. The exercise apparatus includes a base disposed on a surface, a bicycle frame having a first side and a second side and pivotally mounted on the base, a first supporter disposed on the first side, and a simulating device disposed on the bicycle frame to simulate a real bicycle riding. While the bicycle frame is swinging to the first side, the first supporter contacts the base to prevent the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent.
The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more particular to an exercise apparatus that virtually simulates a real bicycle riding.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe conventional exercise bicycles are generally operated by pedaling a rotatable wheel with a variable and adjustable resistance, so as to cause a corresponding amount of the energy consumption for the exerciser. It is so drab for the exerciser to do the body-building with such an exercise apparatus, and the exerciser may hence lose his interests thereon and give it up. However, conventional exercise bicycles only provide for an indoor exercise. The exerciser just pedals mechanically without feeling any road condition variation and acquiring any experience in handling such road conditions, which may make the exerciser lose his interests. In other words, exercising on a conventional exercise bike decreases the desire of the exerciser, and thus hinders the exerciser from developing his physical strength. In addition, a device for exercising the limbs and torso of the exerciser is disadvantageous in that the rotatable wheel thereof is positioned below the seat, which makes the exerciser fail to keep the balance while exercising.
For overcoming the mentioned disadvantage of the prior art, a novel exercise apparatus is provided in the present invention. The provided exercise apparatus is capable of providing the exerciser with an improved balance while exercising the therewith, so as to simulate a real bicycle riding and make the exerciser more interested in exercising.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an aspect of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus with which the exerciser would keep his balance while being on the bicycle frame thereof.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus which can prevent itself from swinging beyond a specific extent.
For achieving the objects above, the present invention provides an exercise apparatus, including a base disposed on a ground, a bicycle frame pivotally mounted on the base and having a swinging axis, a controlling unit pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame and mounting an adapting unit thereon, the adapting unit contacting and movable on the ground, and a supporter disposed between the bicycle frame and the base. In which, while the bicycle frame is swinging to a first side, the supporter prevents the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent.
Preferably, the exercise apparatus further includes a gyro-wheel pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame.
Preferably, the swinging axis is above a center of the gyro-wheel.
Preferably, the swinging axis is under a center of the gyro-wheel.
Preferably, the the controlling unit has a rotating axis pointing to the ground.
Preferably, the controlling unit further includes a handle opposite to the adapting unit for controlling therefor.
Preferably, the controlling unit further includes a rail movably running the adapting unit thereon.
Preferably, the adapting unit has only one roller that is linearly disposed with the bicycle frame at an instance.
Preferably, the exercise apparatus further has a connecting unit pivotally connecting the base with the bicycle frame.
Preferably, the connecting unit further includes a connecting rod formed on the bicycle frame and a connecting seat formed on the base, wherein the supporting rod and the supporting seat pivotally connect to each other.
Preferably, the connecting unit provides the swinging axis.
Preferably, the supporter further includes a first supporting arm fixed to the bicycle frame at the first side and a second supporting arm fixed to the bicycle frame at a second side opposite to the first side, wherein while the bicycle frame swings to one of the first side and the second side, a respective one of the first supporting arm and the second arm touches the base to stop the bicycle frame from swinging beyond the specific extent.
Preferably, the supporter further includes a first elastic unit connecting the bicycle frame with the frame at the first side, so that while the bicycle frame swings to the first side, the first elastic unit pushes the bicycle frame back to a desired position.
According to above aspects, the present invention provides another exercise apparatus. The exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame pivotally mounted on the base and forming a swinging axis, a first zone and a second zone divided by the swing axis, a controlling unit pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame and mounting an adapting unit thereon, and a supporter disposed between the bicycle frame and the base, wherein while the bicycle frame is swinging to the first zone, the controlling unit moves the adapting unit toward the first zone to create a reaction force pushing the bicycle frame toward the second zone and the supporter stops the bicycle frame to prevent the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent.
The exercise apparatus as set forth above, wherein the first zone begins from a right side of the bicycle frame and the second zone begins from a left side of the bicycle frame.
The exercise apparatus as set forth above, wherein the supporter further includes a first bar fixed on the right side of the bicycle frame, a first limiter mounted on the base and below the first bar, a second bar fixed on the right side of the bicycle frame, and a second limiter mounted on the base and below the second bar, wherein while the bicycle frame swings to one of the first zone and the second zone, a respective one of the first bar and the second bar is stopped by one of the first limiter and the second limiter to prevent the bicycle frame from turnover.
According to above aspects, the present invention further provides yet another exercise apparatus, including a base disposed on a surface, a bicycle frame having a first side and a second side, and pivotally mounted on the base, a first supporter disposed on the first side, and a simulating device disposed on the bicycle frame to simulate a real bicycle riding, wherein while the bicycle frame is swinging to the first side, the first supporter contacts the base to prevent the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent.
In accordance with the present invention, the simulating device further includes a gyro-wheel pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame.
In accordance with the present invention, the simulating device includes only one adapting unit that is linearly disposed with the bicycle frame at an instance.
In accordance with the present invention, the simulating device further includes a linking rod pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame, and an adapting unit fixed to the linking rod and contacting the surface, wherein the adapting unit is linearly disposed with the bicycle frame at an instance.
The above contents and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are front views schematically showing the operation of the connecting unit shown in
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the adapting device shown in
The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purposes of illustration and description only; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
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The driving unit 40 includes a driving wheel 41 connecting to a driven wheel 42 by a transmittal 44. The driven wheel 42 is fixed on the gyro-wheel 43, and thus the gyro-wheel 43 is rotated synchronously with the driven wheel 42. A pair of pedals 45 are connected to the driving wheel 41. In this embodiment, the driving wheel 41 and the driven wheel 42 would be one of a gear and a pulley. The transmittal 44 would be one of a chain and a belt, depending on the driving wheel 41 and the driven wheel 42.
The weight of the gyro-wheel 43 also affects its inertia, so the larger the weight is, the larger the inertia will be. Therefore, the exercise apparatus of the present invention may include more than one gyratory wheel 43 and the respective diameters and weights thereof are different. The user can exchange the gyro-wheel 43 with a proper weight according actual needs. Besides, a retainer 60 is provided on the supporting member 11 for holding the linking rod 31, so as to prevent the linking rod 31 from bouncing up and down while swinging.
The supporting member 11 and the base 13 are connected to each other through a connecting unit 50, which is described in detail with reference to
Please refer to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), which are front views schematically showing the operation of the connecting unit shown in
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Through the connecting unit 50, it is easy to adjust the bicycle frame 10 to fix at a position which is vertical to the base surface G, and alternatively, to swing within a limited angle. Besides, one should notice that the connecting unit 50 shown in FIGS. 2, 3(a) and 3(b) is only illustrated for the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The connecting unit 50 may also include a connecting rod 51 and a connecting seat 52, wherein the connecting rod 51 is able to be pivoted to the pivotal seat 52 with other components.
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In this embodiment, the roller 35 is a rotatable member which contacts the base surface G, and the contact point thereof with respect to the base surface G is regarded as a contacting point. Therefore, the reaction from the surface G affects the roller 35 first, and is then transmitted through the first and second brackets 32 and 34. At last, the reaction is transmitted to the linking rod 31 to support the bicycle frame (shown in
Please refer to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), which are cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the adapting device shown in
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While the bicycle frame 10 swings, the swinging unit 30 would swing left and right and the roller 35 contacting the base surface G is moved corresponding, so as to supply a supporting force for the bicycle frame 10. However, the swinging of the bicycle frame 10 would be slightly affected by an uneven base surface G or an excessive slant of the bicycle frame 10 which leads to an adverse manner, and therefore, one inventive design in this embodiment exists in that the controlling unit 30 is provided with the elastic member 37A. As a result, the controlling unit 30 is capable of providing a supporting effect for balancing and stabilizing the bicycle frame 10 as well as the exerciser.
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As the above-mentioned, the weight of the gyratory wheel would result in an inertia when the driving unit is rotated and the controlling unit is suitably rotated/turned, so as to dynamically balance the bicycle frame and provide the exerciser with a balance when the exerciser is exercising with the exercise apparatus. Furthermore, the provided exercise apparatus also makes the exercise simulation more real and interesting. The bicycle frame swings left and right in a predetermined range whose swinging angle is easily adjustable and thus the riding and the quality of riding simulation are well improved. In addition, the connecting unit and the bicycle frame are able to be adjusted to stand vertically or swing laterally, and thus the swinging angle of the bicycle frame is easily controlled by the exerciser as needed.
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In conclusion, through either of the embodiments described above, the user feels just like riding an ordinary bicycle. Especially, the controlling unit of the present invention provides a balance controlling feeling which is almost the same as an ordinary bicycle. Therefore, the present invention provides an improved exercise apparatus, making the user feel like riding a real bicycle in a limited space. Furthermore, the supporters of the present invention prevent the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent, and the rail of the present invention provides a smooth rotation for the roller moved thereon.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a base disposed on a ground;
- a bicycle frame pivotally mounted on the base and having a swinging axis;
- a controlling unit pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame and mounting an adapting unit thereon, the adapting unit contacting and movable on the ground; and
- a supporter disposed between the bicycle frame and the base,
- wherein while the bicycle frame is swinging to a first side, the supporter prevents the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent.
2. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a gyro-wheel pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame.
3. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the swinging axis is above a center of the gyro-wheel.
4. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the swinging axis is under a center of the gyro-wheel.
5. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controlling unit has a rotating axis pointing to the ground.
6. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controlling unit further comprises a handle opposite to the adapting unit for controlling therefor.
7. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controlling unit further comprises a rail movably running the adapting unit thereon.
8. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapting unit has only one roller that is linearly disposed with the bicycle frame at an instance.
9. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a connecting unit pivotally connecting the base with the bicycle frame.
10. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connecting unit further comprises:
- a connecting rod formed on the bicycle frame; and
- a connecting seat formed on the base, wherein the supporting rod and the supporting seat pivotally connect to each other.
11. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connecting unit provides the swinging axis.
12. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporter further comprises:
- a first supporting arm fixed to the bicycle frame at the first side; and
- a second supporting arm fixed to the bicycle frame at a second side opposite to the first side, wherein while the bicycle frame swings to one of the first side and the second side, a respective one of the first supporting arm and the second arm touches the base to stop the bicycle frame from swinging beyond the specific extent.
13. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporter further comprises a first elastic unit connecting the bicycle frame with the base at the first side, so that while the bicycle frame swings to the first side, the first elastic unit pushes the bicycle frame back to a desired position.
14. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a bicycle frame pivotally mounted on the base and forming a swinging axis;
- a first zone and a second zone divided by the swing axis;
- a controlling unit pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame and mounting an adapting unit thereon; and
- a supporter disposed between the bicycle frame and the base,
- wherein while the bicycle frame is swinging to the first zone, the controlling unit moves the adapting unit toward the first zone to create a reaction force pushing the bicycle frame toward the second zone and the supporter stops the bicycle frame to prevent the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent.
15. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first zone begins from a right side of the bicycle frame and the second zone begins from a left side of the bicycle frame.
16. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the supporter further comprises:
- a first bar fixed on the right side of the bicycle frame;
- a first limiter mounted on the base and below the first bar;
- a second bar fixed on the right side of the bicycle frame; and
- a second limiter mounted on the base and below the second bar,
- wherein while the bicycle frame swings to one of the first zone and the second zone, a respective one of the first bar and the second bar is stopped by one of the first limiter and the second limiter to prevent the bicycle frame from turnover.
17. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a base disposed on a surface;
- a bicycle frame having a first side and a second side, and pivotally mounted on the base;
- a first supporter disposed on the first side; and
- a simulating device disposed on the bicycle frame to simulate a real bicycle riding,
- wherein while the bicycle frame is swinging to the first side, the first supporter contacts the base to prevent the bicycle frame from swinging beyond a specific extent.
18. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the simulating device further comprises a gyro-wheel pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame.
19. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the simulating device comprises only one adapting unit that is linearly disposed with the bicycle frame at an instance.
20. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the simulating device further comprises:
- a linking rod pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame; and
- an adapting unit fixed to the linking rod and contacting the surface,
- wherein the adapting unit is linearly disposed with the bicycle frame at an instance.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 9, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2007
Inventor: Michael Lin (Taipei)
Application Number: 11/450,082
International Classification: A63B 22/06 (20060101);