EXERCISING DEVICE

An exercising device comprises an operation module, a step module, and a seat module. The operation module has an operation unit. The step module has steps for bearing feet of the user, respectively. The step module is configured to move the step. The seat module has a seat and a driving unit configured to swing the seat. The step module and the seat module are detachably attached to the operation module. The exercising device has any one of a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition. The operation module is configured to hold the step module when the exercising device has the first condition. The operation module is configured to hold the seat module when the exercising device has the second condition. The operation module is configured to hold both the step module and the seat module when the exercising device has the third condition.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to exercising device. This invention particularly relates to an exercising device being configured to move members on which a user places so as to give a passive exercise to the user.

BACKGROUND ART

A prior exercising device comprising a seat on which a user sit, and being configured to give a periodic motion to the seat in order to give a motion corresponding to the periodic motion of the seat to the user is well-know. A patent literature 1 discloses a first prior exercising device. The first prior exercising device is, for example, configured to give exercise load like a horse riding. In addition, a patent literature 2 also discloses a second prior exercising device which comprises steps where the user's foot is placed and a seat on which the user sits. In a condition where the user places the user's foot on the steps and sits on the seat, the seat is swung. Consequently, the exercising device allows the user to tread the step. In this manner, user's lower limbs are exercised. The second exercising device gains the attention in view of that the second exercising device is capable of giving the exercise to the lower limbs of the user who is not able to bend the knee due to the knee pain.

In addition, a patent literature 3 also discloses a third prior exercising device which is used by the user in a standing posture, and which gives the exercise to the user's leg by giving the pseudo-walking exercise.

  • [Patent literature 1] Japanese patent application publication No. 2001-286578
  • [Patent literature 2] Japanese patent application publication No. 2005-58733
  • [Patent literature 3] Japanese patent application publication No. 10-55131

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Resolved by the Invention

The first, the second, and the third prior exercising devices are different from each other. Therefore, when the user desires to perform the three exercises, the user is needed prepare the three prior exercising devices. That is, there is a problem of cost and installation space.

This invention is achieved to solve the above problem. An object in this invention is to provide the exercising device “which comprises a plurality kinds of the modules which are configured to give exercises which is different from each other”, and “which is capable of selecting the modules”.

Means of Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above problem, an exercising device comprises an operation module, a step module, and a seat module. The operation module has an operation unit. The step module has steps. The steps are provided for bearing feet of the user, respectively. The step module is configured to move the steps. The seat module has a seat and a driving unit. The driving unit is configured to swing the seat. The step module is detachably attached to the operation module. The seat module is detachably attached to the operation module. The exercising device has a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition, selectively. When the exercising device has the first condition, the operation module is configured to hold the step module. When the exercising device has the second condition, the operation module is configured to hold the seat module. When the exercising device has the third condition, the operation module is configured to hold both the step module and the seat module.

It is preferred that the exercising device comprises a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to vary a module operation of “the step module attached to the operation module” and “the seat module attached to the operation module”. The module operation is determined on the basis of “the step module attached to the operation module” and/or “the seat module attached to the operation module”.

It is possible to employ the step module and the seat module which are attached to a base plate of the operation module such that the step module and the seat module are slidable with respect to the base plate. It is also possible to employ the step module and the seat module which are attached to a base plate of the operation module wuch that the step module and the seat module are drop in mounted on the base plate. It is also possible to employ the step module and the seat module which are fixed to a base plat of the operation module by a fixing member of a bolt or a magnet.

Effect of the Invention

The exercising device in this invention is configured to provide a first exercise when the exercising device has the first condition where the operation module holds the step module. The exercising device in this invention is configured to provide a second exercise when the exercising device has the second condition where the operation module holds the seat module. The exercising device in this invention is configured to provide a third exercise when the exercising device has the third condition where the operation module holds the step module and the seat module. The exercising device in this invention is configured to provide one of the first exercise, the second exercise, and the third exercise, selectively. Therefore, it is possible to reduce cost and installation space, compared with the case where a plurality of the exercising device having above functions, respectively, is individually prepared. Furthermore, it is possible to react to the variation of the demand of the user.

Furthermore, in a case where the operation module comprises the control circuit which is configured to vary the operation of the modules other than the operation modules according to the module which is attached to the operation module, the operation of the module which is attached to the operation module is automatically varied. Therefore, it is possible for the exercising device to provide the exercise to the user according to the module.

The configuration of that the step module and the seat module are attached to the base plate of the operation module such that the step module and the seat module are slidable with respect to the base plate, it is possible to easily attach the step module and the seat module to the operation module. The configuration of that the step module and the seat module are attached to the base plate o the operation module such that the step module and the seat module are drop in mounted on the base plate, it is possible to easily attach the step module and the seat module to the operation module. In contrast, the configuration of that the step module and the seat module are fixed to the base plate by the fixing member of the bolt or magnet, it is possible to firmly fix the step module and the seat module to the operation module. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the step module and the seat module from being displaced from the operation module.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exterior of one embodiment in this invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded side view of the above.

FIG. 3 shows a transparent view of a step module of the above.

FIG. 4 shows an explanation illustration of the operation of the step module of the above.

FIG. 5 shows a partial side view of the step module of the above.

FIG. 6 shows a partial exploded perspective view including a driving unit of a seat module of the above.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the driving unit of the seat module of the above.

FIG. 8 A shows a side view of the exercising device.

FIG. 8 B shows a side view of the exercising device.

FIG. 8 C shows a side view of the exercising device.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the above.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a driving unit of the seat module of the another embodiment.

FIG. 11A shows a partial cross sectional view of the driving unit.

FIG. 11B shows a front view of an output shaft of the driving unit of the above.

FIG. 12 A and FIG. 12 B show planar views which indicate difference of the trajectories of the seats which are moved by the driving unit of the above.

FIG. 13 A shows a perspective view of the structure for attaching the step module (seat module) to the operation module.

FIG. 13 B shows a perspective view of the structure for attaching the step module (seat module) to the operation module.

FIG. 13 C shows a cross section view of the structure for attaching the step module (seat module) to the operation module.

FIG. 13 D shows a planar view of the step module (seat module). As shown in FIG. 13D, a part of the step module is fractured.

FIG. 14 A shows a perspective view of the structure for attaching the step module (seat module) to the operation module.

FIG. 14 B shows a perspective view of the structure for attaching the step module (seat module) to the operation module.

FIG. 14 C shows a perspective view of the structure for attaching the step module (seat module) to the operation module.

 EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

  • CM: operation module
  • LM: step module
  • SM: seat module
  • 2: seat
  • 6: step

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An explanation of the exercising device in this embodiment is made with attached drawings. FIG. 1 shows a third condition of the exercising device. The exercising device in the third condition comprises an operation module CM, a step module LM, and a seat module SM. In the third condition of the exercising device, the step module LM is attached to the operation module CM. In the third condition of the exercising device, the seat module SM is also attached to the operation module CM. FIG. 2 shows the operation module CM. The operation module CM comprises a base plate 10, a supporting post 4, and an operation panel 9. The supporting post 4 extends upward from a front end of the base plate 10. The operation panel 9 is disposed on a top end of the supporting post 4. The supporting post 4 is provided at its both lateral ends of the top end with handles 40. The handles 40 extend laterally outwardly.

The step module LM comprises a step driving means 5 and a pair of steps 6. One of the steps 6 is located at a left side, and the other of the steps 6 is located at a right side. The step driving means 5 is configured to drive the steps 6. The step driving means 5 is configured to give a reciprocating slide motion and a vertical motion to the steps 6. The step driving means 5 is configured to give the reciprocating slide motion to the steps in order to slide the steps forward-rearward, and leftward-rightward, whereby the steps is reciprocated forward-rearward and leftward-rightward. The step driving means 5 is configured to give the vertical motion to vary the heights of the front ends of the steps 6 relative to the heights of the rear ends of the steps 6. Consequently, the step driving means 5 gives a plantar flexion exercise of lowering the toes and a dorsi flexion exercise of rising the toes, repeatedly.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show one embodiment of the step driving means 5. The base plate 50 has a left upper surface which holds a guide rail 51. The base plate 50 has a right upper surface which also holds a guide rail 51. The guide rails 51 are provided at its bottom surface with slide blocks 51, respectively. Each the slide block 51 is configured to slidably move each the guide rail 51. Each the slide block 52 is provided at its upper surface with a rotation shaft 53. The steps 6 are shaped to have a plate shape. Each the step 6 is pivotally supported by the rotation shaft to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 53. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, each one of the steps 6 is provided with a shaft 68, a plate 66, and a spring 67. The step 6 and the plate 66 are fixed by the shaft 68 such that the plate 66 is pivotally fixed about the shaft 68. The spring 67 is disposed on the step 6 to bias the plate 66 upwardly.

A first end (A rear end) of each the steps is connected to the base plate 50 by a link 54. A first end of the link 54 is joined to the base plate 50 by a universal joint 60. A second end of the link 54 is also joined to the step 6 via a universal joint 60.

The base 50 mounts the motor 55. The motor 55 is located between the slide blocks 52. The motor is provided with an output shaft which is formed with a worm. Each a worm wheel is located at a lateral side of the worm 56. The worm wheels 57 meshes with the worm 56. The worm wheels 57 have eccentric shafts 58, respectively. Each eccentric shaft 58 is connected to the link 54 via a connecting rod 59. The worm wheel 57 which comprises the eccentric shaft 58 is spaced from the link 54 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 51. A first end of the connecting rod 59 is connected to the eccentric shaft 58 via a universal joint 60. A second end of the connecting rod 59 is connected to the link 54 via a universal joint 60.

When the motor 55 rotates the eccentric shafts 58 through the worm 56 and the worm wheel 58, the link 54 (which is cooperative with the eccentric shaft 58 to act as a crank mechanism) gives a swing motion of swinging the link 54 about the universal joint 60 between the base 60 and the link 54. The swing motion comprises a longitudinal component which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 51. The longitudinal components reciprocate and slide each the slide block 52 and each the step 6 along each the guide rail 51.

In addition, the swing motion of the link also moves the joint section between the link 54 and the step 6 upward-downward. According to the upward-downward motion of the joint between the link 54 and the step 6, the step 6 is swung about the rotation shaft 53. The eccentric shaft 58 is connected to the link 54 through the connecting rod 59 such that the step 6 has a horizontal plane when the step is in a middle of a stroke of the slide motion. The eccentric shaft 58 is connected to the link 54 through the connecting rod 59 such that the step 6 has a rear end which is higher than the front end when the step is in a first end of the stroke of the slide motion. The eccentric shaft 58 is connected to the link 54 through the connecting rod 59 such that the step 6 has a rear end which is lower than the front end when the step is in a second end of the stroke of the slide motion.

Consequently, as the step 6 slides forward along the guide rail 2, the front end of the step 6 is lowered. As the step 6 slides rearward along the guide rail 2, the rear end of the step 6 is lowered.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in the illustration, the guide rail 51 of the left side makes angle of a degree with the guide rail 51 of the right side. Therefore, as the slide block 52 and the step 6 moves forward, the slide block 52 and the step 6 also moves laterally outwardly. However, as is obvious from FIG. 3, the rotation shaft 53, which acts as the swing center of the step 6, crosses the longitudinal direction of the step 6. In addition, the rotation shaft 53 is located at a rear half portion of the step 6 in the longitudinal direction of the step 6. An axial direction of the rotation shaft 53 is displaced from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 51 such that the front end (toe side) of the step 6 is located at an inside from the guide rail 51. The distance between the front ends of the steps 6 is wider than the distance between the rear ends of the steps 6. The longitudinal direction of the step 6 in the left side makes angle β of 10 to 30 degrees with the longitudinal direction of the step 6 in the right side.

It is noted that the exercising device may employ the guide rails 51 in parallel. In this case, the steps 6 move forward-backward, and are swung in the front-back direction.

In addition, a position of the eccentric shaft 58 of one worm wheel 57 which meshes with the worm 56 is displaced from a position of the eccentric shaft 58 of the other worm wheel 57 which meshes with the worm 56. Consequently, when the step 6 of the right side moves forward, the step 6 of the left side moves rearward. When the step 6 of the left side moves forward, the step 6 of the right side moves rearward. That is, the steps are moved to have phases which are opposite to each other.

The seat module SM comprises a main body 11, a seat 2, a driving unit 3, a stirrup 7. The main body 11 is elongated in the vertical direction, and is shaped to have a hollow structure. The seat 2 is mounted on an upper end of the main body 11. The driving unit 3 is incorporated into an upper portion of the main body 11. The driving unit 3 is configured to swing the seat 2 in a front-back direction and also in a lateral direction.

The main body 11 incorporates an electrical actuator 14. The electrical actuator is configured to move a support frame 13 upward and downward. The support frame 13 holds the driving unit 3. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the driving unit 3 comprises a movable frame 30, a motor 31 and gears 34. The movable frame 30 is shaped to have a box shape. The movable frame 30 incorporates the motor 31 and the gears. The motor 31 generates a rotation motion which is transmitted through the gears 34. The movable frame 30 is coupled to a movable plate 8 through a link 41 and a link 42. The movable plate 8 is located above the movable frame 30. The link 42 which is positioned at a front end of the movable frame 30 is provided with a lower end which is axially fixed to the movable frame 30 via a shaft 421. The link 42 is provided with an upper end which is axially fixed to the movable plate 8 via a shaft 422. The link 41 which is positioned at a rear portion of the movable frame 30 has a lower end which is axially fixed to the movable frame 30 via a shaft 411. The link 41 has an upper end which is axially fixed to the movable plate 8 via a shaft 412.

The movable frame 30 is provided at its front surface with a bearing 300, and is also provided at its rear surface with a bearing 300. The bearings 300 are coupled to the top plate 131 which is located at an upper end of the support frame 131 such that the bearings 300 are rotatable about an axis A shown in FIG. 7.

The output shaft 32 which is rotated by the motor comprises an eccentric portion 320 which is located at an outer surface of the movable frame 300. The eccentric portion 320 is connected to the top plate 131 of the support frame 13 via the link 35.

The output shaft 33 also comprises an eccentric portion 330 which is located at an outer surface of the movable frame 30. The eccentric portion 330 is connected to the link 42 through a connection link 36.

The eccentric portion of the output shaft 32 is connected to the support frame 13 through the link 35. Therefore, the rotation motion of the eccentric portion of the output shaft 32 gives a reciprocatory motion to the movable frame 30 to be rotatable about the axis A.

The eccentric portion 330 of the output shaft 33 gives the eccentric rotation motion to the movable plate 8 through the connection link 36 and the link 42, whereby the movable plate 8 is swung forwardly.

The seat 2 is fixed on the movable plate 8 which is swung forward-rearward and leftward-rightward according to the rotation motion of the output shafts 32, 33. Therefore, as the movable plate 8 moves, the seat 2 is also swung forward-rearward and leftward-rightward. The numbers of the rotation of the output shafts 32, 33 are determined such that the seat is swung one cycle in the lateral direction while the seat is swung two cycles in the front-rear direction. In addition, the phase of the front-rear swing of the seat has a relationship with respect to the phase of the lateral swing of the seat such that when the driving unit 3 is inclined leftward and rightward, the movable plate 8 and seat 2 is swung forward.

The stirrup 7 which is attached to the main body 11 has a bar shape, whereby the user is able to place the left foot and the right foot on a left side and a right side of the stirrup 7. It should be noted that the stirrup 7 shown in FIG. 1 is located at a nonuse position of being located at a position so as not to interrupt the placement of the feet on the step 6 when the user sits on the seat 2. Therefore, when the use wants to use the stirrup 7, the stirrup 7 is moved to the upper direction. Consequently, the stirrups 7 have a use position.

It is not possible to operate the step module LM independently. The step module LM is capable of being operated when the step module LM is connected to the operation module CM. Similarly, it is not possible to operate the seat module SM independently. The seat module SM is capable of being operated when the seat module SM is connected to the operation module CM. That is, the step module LM is detachably attached to the upper surface of a front side of the base plate 10 of the operation module CM. When the step module LM is attached to the base plate 10, the power source and the control circuit C of the operation module CM are connected to the motor 55 of the step module LM. In addition, when the step module LM is attached to the operation module CM, a first detection switch S1 on the base plate 10 sends the signal to the control circuit C. The signal which is sent when the step module LM is attached to the base plate 10 indicates a first mounting condition where the step module LM is attached to the base plate 10.

The seat module CM is detachably attached to a rear side of the upper surface of the base plate 10. When the seat module SM is attached to the base plate 10, the motor 31 and the electric actuator 14 of the seat module SM are connected to the power source and the control circuit C of the operation module CM, respectively. In addition, when the seat module SM is attached to the base plate 10, a second detection switch S2 which is disposed on the base plate 10 sends the signal to the control circuit C. The signal which is sent when the seat module SM is attached to the base plate 10 indicates a second mounting condition where the seat module SM is attached to the base plate 10.

On the basis of the above configurations, the exercising device in this embodiment has a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition. A condition where only the step module LM is attached to the operation module CM is defined as the first condition. A condition where only the seat module SM is attached to the operation module CM is defined as the second condition. A condition where both the seat module SM and the step module LM are attached to the operation module CM is defined as the third condition. The operation module CM is configured to provide a first operation to the step module LM when the exercising device has the first condition, is configured to provide a second operation to the seat module SM when the exercising device has the second condition, and is configured to provide a third operation to the seat module SM and the step module LM when the exercising device has the third condition, wherein the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation are different from each other.

When the exercising device has a third condition of both the step module LM and the seat module SM are attached to the operation module CM, the control circuit C turns off the motor 55 of the step module LM, and allows the seat module SM to swing the seat 2.

In this case, first, the user sits on the seat 2 and places the left foot and the right foot on the left step 6 and the right step 6, respectively. Subsequently, a starting switch of the operation panel 9 is turned on. Consequently, the control circuit C starts the driving unit 3 to swing the seat 2 forward-rearward and leftward-rightward. As mentioned above, as the seat is inclined leftward or rightward, the seat 2 is inclined forward. In this time, the user treads the plate 66 on the step 6 corresponding to the direction that the seat is inclined such that the user treads the plate 66 against the spring bias of the spring 67 on the step 6.

In contrast, when the exercising device has a second condition where only the seat module SM is attached to the operation module CM, the user uses the exercising device as follows. The user sits on the seat and places the feet on the stirrup 7 which is located at the use position. In this condition, the user operates the driving unit 3 to swing the seat 2. Consequently, the exercise like the horse riding is given to the user. When the exercise like the horse riding is given to the user, the user's body is swung leftward and rightward alternately. According to the swing of the user's body, the user's counteraction for retaining the user's balance is exerted.

The suitable speed of swinging the seat in the horse riding exercise is different from the suitable speed of swinging the seat while the user places the feet on the steps 6. Therefore, the control circuit C is configured to vary a rotation speed of the motor 31 of the seat module SM according to a switch condition where the first detection switch S1 is turned on or turned off and where the second detection switch S2 is turned on or turned off. It is possible for the user to hold the handle when the exercising device has the second condition or the third condition. Therefore, it is possible for user having low balance ability to use the exercising device safely.

Next, explanation of the exercising device having the first condition where only the step module LM is attached to the operation module CM is made. When the exercising device has the first condition, the user holds the handle 40 and places the left foot and the right foot on the steps 6 of the left side and the right side, respectively. Subsequently, an operation switch of the operation panel 9 is operated. Consequently, the step driving means 5 moves the step 6 of the left side and the step 6 of the right side forward-backward and also leftward-rightward. The step driving means 5 is configured to move the step 6 of the left side which has a phase which is opposite to a phase of the step 6 of the right side. In addition, as the step 6 moves forward, the step driving means 5 rotates the step 6 such that the front end of the step 6 moves downward. In contrast, as the steps 6 moves rearward, the step driving means 5 rotates the step 6 such that the rear end of the step 6 moves downward.

Consequently, the feet on the steps of the user are moved forward-rearward and leftward-rightward as the steps 6 moves forward-rearward and leftward-rightward. In addition, the feet on the steps of the user receive the plantarflex motion and the dorsal flexion motion as the steps 6 rotates. The plate 66 on the step 6 in this condition becomes integral with the step 6 because the load caused by the user's weight on the steps 6 is larger than the spring bias which is exerted by the spring 67.

In contrast, as mentioned above, the swing motion of the seat 2 comprises one swing cycle in the lateral direction and two swing cycles in the front-rear direction. In addition, the phases of the lateral swing and the front-back swing are set such that the seat is swung forward when the driving unit 3 is inclined leftward or the rightward. This setting of the phases is achieved by displacing the phase of the front-back direction with respect to the lateral direction by 90 degrees. Similarly, the setting of the phases is also achieved by swinging the seat 2 to trace the trajectory of eight-shape in the planar view shown in FIG. 12A. This setting of the phases is achieved by displacing the phase of the front-back direction with respect to the lateral direction by 90 degrees such that the seat 2 is swung to trace the trajectory of eight-shape in the planar view shown in FIG. 12A. Similarly, this setting of the phases is achieved by displacing the phase of the front-back direction with respect to the lateral direction by 90 degrees such that the seat 2 is swung to trace the trajectory of V-shape in the planar view shown in FIG. 12B. It should be noted that the lower sides of the sheet in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B corresponds to the front sides of the seat 2, respectively.

There is a case where the user uses the exercising device which has the operation module CM with only the seat module SM while the user places the feet on the stirrups 7. In this case, it is preferred to swing the seat 2 such that the seat 2 traces the trajectory shown in FIG. 12A. In addition, there is a case where the user uses the exercising device which has the operation module CM with the seat module SM and the step module LM while the user placed the feet on the step module LM. In this case, it is preferred to swing the seat 2 such that the seat 2 traces the trajectory shown in FIG. 12B. Therefore, it is desired to employ the operation module CM being configured to vary the trajectory of the swing of the seat 2 according to the exercise given to the user by the exercising device.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show one example for adjusting the above variation of the trajectory of the swinging. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the driving unit 3 comprises the output shaft 33 which is formed with an arc groove 335 extending along an arc of the output shaft 33. The arc groove 335 is provided at its first bottom end and its second bottom end with screw holes 336, 336. A screw 331 is selectively screwed into any one of the screw holes 336 while passing through the connection link 36. The screw 331 is provided with a knob. The screw 331 acts as an eccentric shaft 330.

It is possible to displace the phase of the front-rear swing with respect to the lateral swing by 90 degrees by means of screwing the screw 331 into either one of the screw hole 336. Consequently, it is possible swing the seat 2 along any one of the trajectories between the eight-shape and the V-shape.

In the above example, the seat 2 is swung in the front-rear direction and lateral direction by the rotation of the single motor 35. Therefore, the trajectory of the swing is varied mechanistically. However, in a case where the swing in the lateral direction is caused by a motor which is different from the motor for swinging the seat 2 in the front-rear direction, it is possible to electrically adjust the above phases. Therefore, it is possible to easily vary the phase of the trajectory of the swing. That is, it is possible to react to the variation the trajectory of the swing of the seat by an output of the control circuit C according to the condition where the seat module SM and the step module LM are attached to the operation module CM.

Whatever means may be used as the mechanical structures for attaching the seat module SM and the step module LM to the operation module CM. For example, it is possible to employ slide rails 100 in the left and right side shown in FIG. 13A as the base plate 10 of the operation module CM. Corresponding to the side rails 100, it is possible to employ the seat module SM and the step module LM which comprise slide member 101 which comes into sliding engagement with the slide rails 100. Furthermore, instead of the slide member 101, it is also possible to employ the seat module SM and the step module LM which comprises rolling discs 102 which has an outer circumferences coming into engagement with the slide rails 100 shown in FIG. 13B. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13C, it is also possible to employ the seat module SM and the step module LM which comprise rolling wheels 103 which comes into rolling contact with the slide rails 100. In these sliding types of the seat module SM and the step module LM which are attached to the operation module CM, it is preferred to employ the slide rails 100 which is shaped to have racks. In addition, it is preferred for the step module LM and the seat module SM to have pinions 105 which meshes with the racks 104, shown in FIG. 13D. With this configuration, it is possible to easily adjust the position of the seat module SM and the step module LM. Reference numeral 106 in FIG. 13A is an end cap for closing an end opening of the slide rail. The end cap 106 is removed when the step module LM and the seat module SM is attached to the slide rail 100 and is detached from the slide rail 100. In addition, in a case where one of the seat module SM or the step module SM is not attached to the slide rail 100, a dummy module (which is not shown) is attached to the slide rail 100. Consequently, the space of the slide rail 100 is filled.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, it is preferred to employ the base plate 10 which is formed at its upper surface with recesses 107. Corresponding to the recess 107, the step module LM and the seat module SM are provided at its lower surface with projections 108 which fits into the recesses 107. The projection 108 is provided at its outer circumference with balls 110 which are spring biased to fit in location holes being located at an inner surface of the recess 107. As another modification, it is possible to employ the base plate 10 with holes 111. Corresponding to the holes 111, the step module LM and the seat module SM are provided at their lower surface with pins 112 which fits in the holes 111. As yet another modification, it is possible to employ the base plate which is provided at its upper surface with grooves 113. Corresponding to the grooves 113, the step module LM and the seat module SM are provided at their lower surfaces with ridges. Consequently, the seat module SM and the step module LM are drop-in mounted on the base plate 10.

Needless to say, it is possible to fix the step module LM and the seat module SM to the operation module CM by the bolt. It is also possible to magnetically fix the step module LM and the seat module SM to the operation module CM by the magnet. Furthermore, it is possible to use the fixing member such as the bolt and the magnet in order to fix the step module LM and the seat module SM, drop-in mounted on the operation module CM, to the operation module CM.

Claims

1. An exercising device comprising:

an operation module having an operation unit;
a step module having steps which are provided for bearing feet of the user, respectively,
said step module is configured to move said steps;
a seat module having a seat and a driving unit which is configured to swing said seat,
wherein
said step module is detachably attached to said operation module,
said seat module being detachably attached to said operation module, wherein
said exercising device having any one of a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition,
said operation module being configured to hold said step module when said exercising device has the first condition,
said operation module being configured to hold said seat module when said exercising device has the second condition,
said operation module being configured to hold both said step module and said seat module when said exercising device has the third condition.

2. The exercising device as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said operation module comprises a control circuit,
said control circuit being configured to vary operation of said modules other than the operation module,
said operation being determined according to the said module which is attached to said operation module and which is other than the operation module.

3. The exercising device as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said operation module comprises a base plate,
said step module being attached to said base plate such that said step module is slidable with respect to said base plate,
said seat module being attached to said base plate such that said seat module is slidable with respect to said base plate.

4. The exercising device as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said operation module comprising a base plate,
said step module is drop in mounted on said base plate, and
said seat module is drop in mounted on said base plate.

5. The exercising device as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said operation module comprising a base plate,
said step module and said seat module being fixed to said base plate by a fixing member such as a bolt and a magnet.

6. The exercising device as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said operation module comprises a base plate,
said step module being attached to said base plate such that said step module is slidable with respect to said base plate,
said seat module being attached to said base plate such that said seat module is slidable with respect to said base plate.

7. The exercising device as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said operation module comprising a base plate,
said step module is drop in mounted on said base plate, and
said seat module is drop in mounted on said base plate.

8. The exercising device as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said operation module comprising a base plate,
said step module and said seat module being fixed to said base plate by a fixing member such as a bolt and a magnet.

9. The exercising device as set forth in claim 3, wherein

said operation module comprising said base plate,
said step module and said seat module being fixed to said base plate by a fixing member such as a bolt and a magnet.

10. The exercising device as set forth in claim 4, wherein

said operation module comprising said base plate,
said step module and said seat module being fixed to said base plate by a fixing member such as a bolt and a magnet.
Patent History
Publication number: 20110130248
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2011
Inventors: Takaaki Yoshikawa (Ibaraki-shi), Toshio Nakano (Osaka-shi), Akihiro Michimori (Kobe-shi)
Application Number: 12/934,615
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Equipment Control (482/4)
International Classification: A63B 24/00 (20060101);