Cyclic skating motion exercise machines
A cyclical skating motion exercise machine has a base frame assembly. A first pedal arm mounted on a first pedal axle, wherein the first pedal axle is substantially vertical. A first link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm at a first pedal joint. The first pedal joint provides motion between the first link assembly and the first pedal arm. A first pedal mounted to the first pedal arm for supporting a user's foot. A second pedal arm is mounted on a second pedal axle, wherein the second pedal axle is substantially vertical. A crank assembly has a first link assembly is mounted to the a crank assembly, and the crank assembly has rotational inertia is substantially orthogonally to the first pedal axle.
This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/070238, filed Mar. 20, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an exercise apparatus that simulates a ski or skating motion for training a user the coordination and building body muscles.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.
Many ski or skating stationary exercise machines have been introduced in the field of the art with each machine having advantages and disadvantages compared to other machines. However, none of the related prior arts show a simple way to symmetrically simulate a ski or skating motion using a single crank axle linked with pedal assemblies that are based on arc motions or pivot motions for an effective use of an inertial component such as a flywheel in the system. Symmetrical ski or skating motion means that the curve of the speed of pedals moving from one side to the other side at angular positions of the pedals is mirror-imaged with the pedals moving in the opposite direction when the crank assembly, linked with the pedals, is at a set rotational speed and rotational direction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,460 to Miller discloses a skate training apparatus with a flywheel connected with the pedals using a flexible line such as chain links, but the flywheel has to change its rotational direction whenever the user changes the direction of the side motion, that doesn't create the smooth inertial effect with the direction change in motion. U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,935 to Chu discloses a skating exercise machine with different embodiments showing axes of crank assembly and axes of pedal assemblies being parallel or near parallel, and the crank assembly rotates in a single initial direction throughout a workout routine when the workout is not interrupted. However, the embodiments have two crank axles and two separate crank arms making the skating machine complicated and costly to build. U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,032 to Chu teaches a simplified skating exercise machine with a single crank with its axle near parallel to the axes of the pedal assemblies, however the embodiments of the art offers non-symmetrical ski or skating motion in which the speed of the pedals going one direction is different from the speed going in the opposite direction in a cycle at a given rotational speed and direction of the crank assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a system having advantages not taught by the prior art.
Another objective is to provide such an apparatus that simulates a ski or skate motion on a stationary system for working out lower body of a user.
Another objective is to provide such an apparatus that simulates a ski and skate motion on a stationary system for working out both lower and upper body of the user.
Another objective is to provide such an apparatus that provides a crank system that is linked to pedal arm system so that the inertial force is directly used for a smooth operation of pedals and handles.
Another objective is to provide such an apparatus that provides a single crank assembly with an orthogonal orientation of its rotational axis relative to the axes of the pedal assemblies that allows a symmetric movement or a near symmetric movement of the pedals.
Another objective is to provide such an apparatus with a link assembly, that connects the crank assembly to the pedal assemblies, constructed to minimize a slack in axial direction for a smooth operation of the apparatus.
Another objective is to provide such an apparatus with a flywheel system that help maintaining a long life of belts when it experiences a large inertial force and its frequent change of direction.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:
The above described drawings
First pedal assembly 40 comprises a first pedal arm 42 that provides a support structure for a first pedal axle 44, a first pedal joint point 46, and a first pedal pad 48. First pedal axle 44 is pivotally mounted on first pedal pivot 24 of base frame assembly 20. First pedal joint point 46 is placed at a set distance away from first pedal axle 44 so that first pedal arm 42 rotates about first pedal axle 44 when a force is applied on joint point 46. First pedal pad 48 is placed on first pedal arm 42 at a set distance away from first pedal axle 44 so that first pedal pad 48 moves toward the first side and back toward the second side when the force is applied on joint point 46. Second pedal assembly 60 comprises a second pedal arm 62 that provides a support structure for a second pedal axle 64, a second pedal joint point 66, and a second pedal pad 68. Second pedal axle 64 is pivotally mounted on second pedal pivot 26 of base frame assembly 20. Second pedal joint point 66 is placed at a set distance away from second pedal axle 64 so that second pedal arm 62 rotates about second pedal axle 64 when a force is applied on joint point 66. Second pedal pad 68 is placed on second pedal arm 62 at a set distance away from second pedal axle 64 so that second pedal pad 68 moves toward the first side and back toward the second side when the force is applied on joint point 66.
Each of pedal assemblies 40, 60 shown in
The first pedal axle is substantially vertical which means that it can be from about 45° angle to 120° angle from horizontal. Substantially orthogonal can be from about a 45° angle to 120° angle from perpendicular.
Crank assembly 80 is pivotally mounted at crank pivot 28 of base frame assembly 20. Crank assembly 80 comprises a crank pulley 82, a crank arm 84, a first crank joint 86, and a second crank joint 88. Crank pulley 82 can be a belt pulley for belts such as V-belts, flat belts, and round belts or a sprocket for a chain or even a gear with teeth so that crank pulley 82 can be mechanically linked with another rotational part such as a flywheel that turns faster than crank pulley 82.
In the first embodiment, crank assembly 80 is mechanically linked to first pedal assembly 40 and second pedal assembly 60 with a first link assembly 100 and a second link assembly 120 respectively. One side of first link assembly 100 is pivotally connected to first crank joint 86 of crank assembly 80 and the other side of first link assembly 100 is also pivotally connected to first pedal joint point 46. And one side of second link assembly 120 is pivotally connected to second crank joint 88 and the other side of the assembly is also pivotally connected to second pedal joint point 66. Because the rotational axis of crank arm assembly 80 is not parallel with neither of the axes of the first and second pedal assemblies, both link assemblies must have three-dimensional rotation. Even if they are theoretically in the same rotational plane, in the real world it is very challenging to keep their axes exactly parallel to each other in a large size structure. A three-dimensional link assembly will naturally compensate the offset angle created between any two axes of the parts linked together.
First link assembly 100 and second link assembly 120 can basically be a rod and ball joints at each end connecting crank joints 86, 88 to pedal joint points 46, 66 respectively to allow three-dimensional rotation in the link assemblies 100, 120. However, the ball joints still have a limited range of movement because they have to be mounted with either a rod or a bolt going through the ball part. Also it is hard to seal the ball joints. Another way to create the three-dimensional rotation is using simple bearings that are sealed or shielded for durability. In
There are many ways to provide moving handles linked with other moving parts in the invention. The handles could be on either side of a bar that has a rotational axis vertically on the centerline of the base assembly between the first side and the second side (not shown).
Flywheel systems are shown in
A good solution is a bi-directional retainer system 240 is used to relief the stress on the belt and keep the belt in the grooves or on the pulley surface securely at all the time for longevity. Bi-directional retainer system 240 comprises a first wing 242, a second wing 252, and at least one tension member such as a spring or a rubber cord. First wing 242 is pivotally mounted on base frame 22 at a first wing axle 244, and at a set distance away on the wing, a first retainer pulley 246 is mounted to push the belt on one side. Second wing 252 is pivotally mounted on base frame 22 at a second wing axle 254, and at a set distance away, a second retainer pulley 256 is mounted on second wing 252 to push the belt on the other side.
The connection between the pulleys and the wheels can also be gears instead of flexible loops such as belts or chains. In fact, the pulleys and the wheels themselves can have gear teeth to engaged to each other directly. While gears may work and last long time in a proper setting, they are noisy and costly for an application in which the force direction shifts frequently.
To use the apparatus, the user gets onto the two pedal pads on her or his feet and pushes the pedals to either of side directions. Then crank assembly 80 starts to rotate whether clockwise or counterclockwise. Since crank assembly 80 is linked with the flywheel system, the inertia from the flywheel helps the crank assembly maintain its initial rotational direction as the user pushes the pedals side to side. As the pedals move side to side, each handle also moves in a reciprocating manner because it is linked with the crank assembly or with any other moving parts. The user may push or pull the handles to assist the crank assembly maintain its initial rotational direction. The handle arms being linked with either the crank assembly directly or to first link assembly 100 and second link assembly 120 is useful not just for the user's arm workout, but also for the crank assembly to overcome its dead zone. When the crank assembly is linked with the pedal assemblies only as shown in
Other possible embodiments not shown are different ways of linking the crank assembly and the pedal assemblies using the link assemblies. At least one link assembly needs to be connected to the crank assembly directly whether the link assembly is directly or indirectly linked to at least one pedal assembly. The first and second pedal assemblies can be then linked directly together using another link assembly. The link assembly connecting the two pedal assemblies or connecting the crank assembly to the pedal assemblies can be a simple link with a single axle pivot at each end whenever the two mounting points that the link connects have axle lines that are parallel throughout the motion range. All the embodiments shown here may be used as their front side, the side the user is facing, being toward the crank assembly or toward the opposite direction of the crank assembly. Pedal assemblies 40, 60 shown
Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference only to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.
CALL OUT LIST OF THE ELEMENTS
- 10 Cyclical skating motion exercise machine
- 20 Base frame assembly
- 22 Base frame
- 24 First pedal pivot
- 26 Second pedal pivot
- 28 Crank pivot
- 30 First handle pivot
- 32 Second handle pivot
- 34 Slot
- 40 First pedal assembly
- 42 First pedal arm
- 44 First pedal axle
- 46 First pedal joint point
- 48 First pedal pad
- 50 First pad link
- 52 First pad link axle
- 54 First pad secondary pivot
- 56 First pad main pivot
- 60 Second pedal assembly
- 62 Second pedal arm
- 64 Second pedal axle
- 66 Second pedal joint point
- 68 Second pedal pad
- 70 Second pad link
- 72 Second pad link axle
- 74 Second pad secondary pivot
- 76 Second pad main pivot
- 80 Crank assembly
- 82 Crank pulley
- 84 Crank arm
- 86 First crank joint
- 88 Second crank joint
- 100 First link assembly
- 102 First cross joint
- 104 Second cross joint
- 106 Axial joint
- 108 Bearing one
- 110 Bearing two
- 112 Bearing one axle
- 114 Bearing two axle
- 116 Bearing three
- 117 Rod mount
- 118 Flange mount
- 119 Bearing three axle
- 120 Second link assembly
- 140 First handle assembly
- 142 First handle arm
- 144 First handle arm pivot
- 146 First handle joint point
- 148 First handle grip
- 160 Second handle assembly
- 162 Second handle arm
- 164 Second handle arm pivot
- 166 Second handle joint point
- 168 Second handle grip
- 180 Third link assembly
- 200 Fourth link assembly
- 220 Flywheel system
- 222 Wheel
- 224 Wheel pulley
- 226 Second belt
- 228 Second wheel
- 230 Belt tensioner
- 240 Bi-directional retainer system
- 242 First wing
- 244 First wing axle
- 246 First retainer pulley
- 248 First tension member
- 252 Second wing
- 254 Second wing axle
- 256 Second retainer pulley
- 258 Second tension member
- 260 Belt
Claims
1. A cyclical skating motion exercise machine comprising:
- a base frame assembly;
- a first pedal arm mounted on a first pedal axle, wherein the first pedal axle is substantially vertical;
- a first link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm at a first pedal joint, wherein the first pedal joint provides motion between the first link assembly and the first pedal arm;
- a first pedal mounted to the first pedal arm for supporting a user's foot;
- a second pedal arm mounted on a second pedal axle, wherein the second pedal axle is substantially vertical; and
- a crank assembly, wherein the first link assembly is mounted to the a crank assembly,
- wherein the crank assembly has rotational inertia substantially orthogonally to the first pedal axle.
2. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising: a first handle assembly, and a second handle assembly, the first handle assembly connected to the crank assembly by a third link assembly, and the second handle assembly connected to the crank assembly by a fourth link assembly.
3. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising: a first handle grip pivotally connected to the crank assembly via a first crank arm and a third link assembly.
4. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm comprises-a first cross joint, a second cross joint and an axle joint, further comprising: a first handle grip pivotally connected to the crank assembly via a first crank arm and a third link assembly.
5. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm comprises a first cross joint, a second cross joint and an axle joint, further comprising: a first handle grip pivotally connected to the crank assembly via a first crank arm and a third link assembly, further comprising a first pad link connected to a first pad secondary pivot and a second pad link connected to a second pad secondary pivot, wherein the first pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the second pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the crank assembly further comprises a belt, and wherein the crank assembly further comprises a bidirectional retainer system for removing slack from the belt.
6. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm comprises a first cross joint, a second cross joint and an axle joint.
7. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a first pad link connected to a first pad secondary pivot and a second pad link connected to a second pad secondary pivot, wherein the first pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the second pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly.
8. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the crank assembly further comprises a belt, and wherein the crank assembly further comprises a bidirectional retainer system for removing slack from the belt.
9. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a first pad link connected to a first pad secondary pivot and a second pad link connected to a second pad secondary pivot, wherein the first pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the second pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the crank assembly further comprises a belt, and wherein the crank assembly further comprises a bidirectional retainer system for removing slack from the belt.
10. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising: a first handle assembly, and a second handle assembly, the first handle assembly connected to the crank assembly by a third link assembly, and the second handle assembly connected to the crank assembly by a fourth link assembly.
11. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm comprises a first cross joint, a second cross joint and an axle joint.
12. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 10, further comprising a first pad link connected to a first pad secondary pivot and a second pad link connected to a second pad secondary pivot, wherein the first pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the second pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly.
13. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the crank assembly further comprises a belt, and wherein the crank assembly further comprises a bidirectional retainer system for removing slack from the belt.
14. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm comprises a first cross joint, a second cross joint and an axle joint, further comprising a first pad link connected to a first pad secondary pivot and a second pad link connected to a second pad secondary pivot, wherein the first pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the second pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the crank assembly further comprises a belt, and wherein the crank assembly further comprises a bidirectional retainer system for removing slack from the belt.
15. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first pedal joint has at least two degrees of freedom.
16. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 15, further comprising: a first handle assembly, and a second handle assembly, the first handle assembly connected to the crank assembly by a third link assembly, and the second handle assembly connected to the crank assembly by a fourth link assembly.
17. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 15, wherein the link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm comprises a first cross joint, a second cross joint and an axle joint.
18. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 15, further comprising a first pad link connected to a first pad secondary pivot and a second pad link connected to a second pad secondary pivot, wherein the first pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly, wherein the second pad link axle is connected to the base frame assembly.
19. The cyclical skating motion exercise machine of claim 15, wherein the crank assembly further comprises a belt, and wherein the crank assembly further comprises a bidirectional retainer system for removing slack from the belt.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 20, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 24, 2009
Inventor: Yong S. Chu (Glendale, CA)
Application Number: 12/383,185
International Classification: A63B 22/00 (20060101);