Power-Supplying and Shock-Absorbing Device for an Exerciser

A power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser consists of a bracket and a dynamo. The dynamo generates electricity for the exerciser, and the bracket is connected with the dynamo and the exerciser by plural elastic members, which can provide different shock-absorbing and buffering effects on different positions of the bracket. By such arrangements, better shock-absorbing and buffering effect can be provided to the dynamo.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation of part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/882,127, which claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of Jul. 31, 2007. Claims 1-7 of this application are new, Claims 8-12 of this application corresponds to the previous claims 5, 2, 3, 6 and 7 of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/882,127, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exerciser, and more particularly to a power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Common exercisers are mostly each provided with a display screen for displaying the amount of exercise or cooperating with an operation panel to increase additional functions. However, the display screen needs to consume electric energy from external power supplies or in-built batteries, in other words, extra electrical energy.

In order to solve the above problems, exercisers which are each interiorly equipped with a dynamo have been developed on the market. During exercise, such an exerciser can actuate the internal dynamo to generate electric energy and supply the electric energy to its display screen, thus achieving the objective of energy conversation.

However, in the above exerciser, the dynamo is directly fixed on the exerciser, so that the force and impact produced by exercise will be transferred to the dynamo. Because no buffer structure is arranged between the dynamo and the exerciser, after a long time of use, it is likely to cause damage to the dynamo or a fixing structure between the dynamo and the exerciser.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser comprising a dynamo and an exerciser that are connected to a bracket through plural elastic members. The first elastic members are arranged on the bracket to provide the buffering and shock-absorbing function between the bracket, the dynamo and the exerciser. The respective second elastic members includes a screw in each of two ends thereof for screw connection, and the screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members are not in contact with each other in such a manner that the shock acting on the screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members can be absorbed by the elastic members. The elastic members arranged on different positions of the bracket can provide different buffering and shock-absorbing effects.

The bracket is only provided with the first elastic members to space the dynamo apart from the exerciser, or connected to the dynamo and the exerciser by plural additional second elastic members. The respective second elastic members include a screw in each of two ends thereof for screw connection.

During exercise, the dynamo can be actuated to generate electricity for the exerciser. The first elastic members are provided for spacing the dynamo apart from the bracket and the second elastic member are used to connect the dynamo with the bracket. Since the bracket is connected to the exerciser via the second elastic members, more than two times of shock-absorbing and buffering effects are provided to the dynamo with respect to the exerciser, thus offering the optimal shock-absorbing and buffering effect, reducing the damage to the dynamo due to shock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing that a power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention is disposed on an exerciser;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that a bracket is provided with second elastic members with respect to the dynamo, and provided with first elastic members with respect to a base frame.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that the bracket is covered with a layer of elastic rubber covering in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating that the second elastic members in accordance with the present invention are each formed with a concave portion;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating that the second elastic members in accordance with the present invention are each formed with the concave portion;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating that the second elastic members in accordance with the present invention are each formed with the concave portion; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the concave portions of the second elastic members and the elastic rubber covering covered on the bracket in accordance with the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be clearer from the following description when viewed together with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention is disposed on a base frame 1 of an exerciser and comprises a bracket 10 and a dynamo 20. The base frame 1 is provided with a driving wheel 2 which cooperates with a belt 3 to connect the power-supplying and shock-absorbing device.

The bracket 10 includes a base plate 101 integral with a side plate 102. The base plate 101 and the side plate 102 are respectively defined with plural mounting holes 11. The respective mounting holes 11 are disposed with plural elastic members 13, 30, 40 with respect to the dynamo 20 and the base frame 1. The number, position and structure of the respective elastic members 13 changes to offer different shock-absorbing effects, so as to achieve the optimal shock-absorbing effect.

The respective mounting holes 11 are interiorly provided with a first elastic member 13. Each of the first elastic members 13 is defined with an axial through hole 131. Each of two opposite ends of the respective first elastic members 13 extends to form a radial stop flange 132. The middle portions of the first elastic members 13 are accommodated in the respective mounting holes 11, and the two stop flanges 132 of each of the first elastic members 13 clamp both sides of the base plate 101 or the side plate 102, so that the first elastic members 13 are positioned in the respective mounting holes 11 to offer the first shock-absorbing function.

The dynamo 20 includes a stator 21 and a rotor 26. The stator 21 includes a magnet holder 22 which is defined with a center axle hole 25 and provided with a plurality of radial magnetic poles 24. An elastic cushion 290 and an axle bearing 29 are arranged in each of two ends of the axle hole 25 of the magnet holder 22. The respective elastic cushions 290 are located between the magnet holder 22 and the respective bearings 29. A plurality of windings 23 is wound on the respective magnetic poles 24 and shows a rhombic end-face profile. One side of the magnet holder 22 of the stator 21 is screwed with a plurality of mounting plates 15 by means of screws. The respective mounting plates 15 are fixed on the side plate 102 through a plurality of second elastic members 30, so that the stator 21 can be connected to the bracket 10 by the second elastic members 30. The respective second elastic members 30 are in the form of a cylinder and provided with a screw 33 in each of two ends thereof. One end of the respective screws 33 is disposed in the respective second elastic members 30, and the other end of the respective screws 33 extends out of the respective second elastic members 30. The screws 33 in two ends of the respective elastic members 30 are not in contact and connection with each other. The screw 33 in one end of the respective second elastic members 30 penetrates the first elastic member 13 in the respective mounting holes 11 of the side plate 102 of the bracket 10 to be screwed with a nut 34. The screw in the other end of the respective second elastic members 30 is screwed with the respective mounting plates 15. The rotor 26 includes a wheel 27 having a wheel axle 270, and a plurality of magnets 28. The wheel axle 270 is inserted through the two bearings 29 and the axle hole 25 of the magnet holder 22. The wheel axle 270 is fixed with a belt pulley 224 around which a belt 3 is wound. The magnets 28 are arranged opposite to the magnetic poles 24 of the stator 21. Further, the wheel 27 is defined in one side thereof with a plurality of air holes 271 for quick dissipation of heat during operation of the dynamo 20.

The bracket 10 is fixed on the base frame 1 through a plurality of second elastic members 40 having the same structure as the second elastic members 30. The respective second elastic members 40 are in the form of a cylinder. The respective elastic members 40 include a screw 43 in each of two ends thereof. One end of the respective screws 43 is disposed in the respective elastic members 40, and the other end of the respective screws 43 extends out of the respective elastic members 40. The screws 43 in two ends of the respective second elastic members 40 are not in contact and connection with each other. The screw 43 in one end of the respective second elastic members 40 penetrates the first elastic member 13 in the respective mounting holes 11 of the base plate 101 and is screwed with a nut 44 to connect the respective second elastic members 40 with the bracket 10. The screw 43 in the other end of the respective elastic members 40 is screwed with the base frame 1.

During exercise, the driving wheel 2 will be driven to pivot to drive the belt 3, and then the belt 3 will drive the belt pulley 224 of the rotor 26 of dynamo 20 to make the rotor 26 pivot. The magnetic lines of force of the magnets 28 will work on the windings 23 at the magnetic poles 24 of the stator 21 to generate electricity during pivoting of the rotor 26 with respect to the stator 21. The electricity generated by the windings 23 of the stator 21 will be supplied to the display screen 4 of the exerciser. Further, the rhombic end-face profile of the magnetic poles 24 of the stator 21 enables the magnetic lines of force of the magnets 28 of the rotor 26 to work on the magnetic poles 24 obliquely, and therefore the rotor 26 can be pivoted more smoothly with less resistance.

The second elastic members 30 are arranged between the bracket 10 and the stator 21 of the dynamo 21, and the second elastic members 40 are arranged between the base frame 1 and the bracket 10. The first elastic members 13 can be respectively pr-arranged on a position of the bracket 10, on which the second elastic members 30 and the second elastic members 40 will be then provided. Therefore, between the base frame 1 and the rotor 26 are provided two kinds of members having the buffering and shock-absorbing function, so that the transmission of force and impact from the base frame 1 to the dynamo 20 can be greatly lessened, thus achieving the double buffering and shock-absorbing effect and avoiding the damage to the bracket due to shock. The position, number and the cooperating configuration of the elastic members that are arranged on the bracket 10 can be varied as desired. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the bracket 10 can be provided with the first elastic members 13 first and then provided with the second elastic members 30 and the second elastic members 40. Alternatively, the bracket 10 can be provided with the second elastic members 30 on a position thereof opposite to the dynamo 20, and provided with the first elastic members 13 on a position thereof opposite to the base frame 1 to be directly connected to the base frame 1 by means of the screws 43 cooperating with the nuts 44, thus providing different elastic buffering effects on the above two positions to achieve the above functions.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 10 can be covered with a layer of elastic rubber covering 101 to enhance the buffering and shock-absorbing effect.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, in the power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser in accordance with the present invention, the respective second elastic members 30 can be defined with a radial concave portion 31 in the middle portion thereof, and provided with a stop ring 32 in each of two ends thereof. The screws 33 in two ends of the respective second elastic members 30 penetrate the respective stop rings and extend out of the respective elastic members 30. The screw 33 in one end of the respective second elastic members 30 is screwed with the nut 34 to mount the second elastic members 30 on the respective mounting plates 15. Elastic pads 16 are respectively provided between the respective mounting plates 15 and the magnet holder 22. The respective second elastic members 40 are defined with a radial concave portion 41 in the middle portion thereof, and provided a stop ring 42 in each of two ends thereof, and the screws 43 in two ends of the second elastic members 40 penetrate the respective stop rings 42 and extend out of the second elastic members 40.

By such arrangements, the elastic pads 16 between the respective mounting plates 15 and the magnet holder 22 can enhance the shock-absorbing and buffering effect. Moreover, the radial concave portions 31 of the second elastic members 30 and the radial concave portions 41 of the second elastic members 40 can increase deformation capacity, so as to enhance the shock-absorbing and buffering functions of the second elastic members 30 and the second elastic members 40. As shown in FIG. 10, the bracket 10 can also be covered with a layer of elastic rubber covering 101 to enhance the shock-absorbing and buffering effect further.

While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser being disposed on an exerciser with a dynamo including a stator and a rotor, comprising:

a bracket including a base plate integral with a side plate, the base plate and the side plate being respectively defined with plural mounting holes, the respective mounting holes being provided with plural elastic members for cooperation of connecting the base plate with the exerciser and connecting the side plate with the dynamo;
the elastic members including at least one first elastic member and at least one second elastic member;
the first elastic member including an axial through hole, each of two opposite ends of the respective first elastic members extending to form a radial stop flange, a middle portion of the first elastic member being accommodated in the mounting hole of the bracket; and
the second elastic member including a screw in each of two ends thereof, one end of the respective screws being disposed in the second elastic member, the other end of the respective screws extending out of the second elastic member, one of the screws being fixed with a corresponding member, and the other of the screws being inserted through the mounting hole of the bracket and then screwed with a nut.

2. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein plural second elastic members are arranged between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo, each of two ends of the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo includes a screw, one end of each of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo is arranged in the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo, and the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo are not in contact with each other, the other end of each of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo extends out of the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo, one of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo is fixed with the stator of the dynamo, and the other of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the side plate of the bracket and the dynamo is inserted through the mounting hole of the bracket and then screwed with the nut.

3. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein plural second elastic members are arranged between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser, each of two ends of the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser includes a screw, one end of each of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser is arranged in the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser, and the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser are not in contact with each other, the other end of each of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser extends out of the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser, one of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser is fixed with a base frame, and the other of the two screws in two ends of the respective second elastic members between the base plate of the bracket and the exerciser is inserted through the mounting hole of the bracket and then screwed with the nut.

4. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting holes in the side plate of the bracket is further provided with the respective first elastic members, each of the first elastic members includes an axial through hole for insertion of a screw.

5. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting holes in the base plate of the bracket is further provided with the respective first elastic members, each of the first elastic members includes an axial through hole for insertion of a screw.

6. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the respective second elastic members are in the form of a cylinder and formed with a radial concave portion in a middle portion thereof.

7. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of two ends of the second elastic members is interiorly provided with a stop ring, the screw in each of the two ends of the respective second elastic members penetrates the respective stop rings and extends out of the respective second elastic members.

8. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket is covered with a layer of an elastic rubber covering.

9. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator of the dynamo includes a magnet holder which is defined with a center axle hole and provided with a plurality of radial magnetic poles, an elastic cushion and an axle bearing are arranged in each of two ends of the axle hole of the magnet holder, the respective elastic cushions are located between the magnet holder and the respective bearings, a plurality of windings is wound on the respective magnetic poles and shows a rhombic end-face profile, one side of the magnet holder of the stator is screwed with a plurality of mounting plates by means of screws, the screw in one end of the respective second elastic members is screwed with the respective mounting plates, the rotor includes a wheel having a wheel axle, and a plurality of magnets, the wheel axle is inserted through the two bearings and the axle hole of the magnet holder, the magnets are arranged opposite to the magnetic poles of the stator.

10. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 9, wherein an elastic pad is provided between the respective mounting plates and the magnet holder of the stator.

11. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the respective magnetic poles of the stator have a rhombic end face.

12. The power-supplying and shock-absorbing device for an exerciser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wheel of the rotor of the dynamo is defined in one side thereof with a plurality of air holes.

Patent History
Publication number: 20090036275
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 24, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 5, 2009
Inventor: Chi-Chang Hsiao (Taichung Hsien)
Application Number: 12/178,712
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Utilizing Specific Resistance Generating Structure (482/63)
International Classification: A63B 22/08 (20060101);