EXERCISE MACHINE WITH ADJUSTABLE TENSION

Abstract

An exercise machine has an exercise machine body, and the exercise machine body is combined with a soft pad, such that a user can put both knees onto the soft pad for abdominal or hip exercises. The exercise machine body has a base, an upper cover, an elastic line, a sliding set, an adjusting device and an adjusting screw.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise machine with adjustable tension, and more particularly to an exercise machine which can provide different levels of pulling force training for a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the quality of life improves, people are eating increasingly unhealthy foods, which is leading to increased cholesterol levels, hypertension, heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. As the pace of life increases, people have less time to devote to sports and fitness, with the result the waistlines increase even as people become more listless. In view of this, given the need to conserve space and provide convenience for the user, exercise equipment that can be easily stored when not in use is desired. An example of such equipment is push/pull exercise machines.

Please refer to FIG. 8. A typical pulling exercise machine comprises two tubes 81 forming a frame 80, a separator 82 and divider 83 are respectively disposed on two ends of the two tubes 81 to separate the two tubes 81 from each other. A sliding member 90 is installed between the two tubes 81, and two rollers 91 are disposed in the sliding member 90 and have a peripheral edge matching two tubes 81, such that the two tubes 81 secure the sliding member 90. The sliding member 90 further has a shaft 92 for accepting two handles 93 at two sides. A soft padding 84 and a supporting bar 85 are respectively installed at each end of the lower tube 81, and an elastic line 86 is hooked between the separator 82 and the sliding member 90. In use, the user puts both of his or her knees on the soft padding 84 and holds the two handles 93 of the sliding member 90 with both hands to move the sliding member 90 along the two tubes 81. With the tension provided by the elastic line 86, the user can exercise the hips and abdomen.

However, the tension of the elastic line 86 is not adjustable, and when the user wants to exercise using different tension strengths, he or she must change the elastic line 86 or even buy a different exercise machine, which can be expensive.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide the exercise machine with adjustable tension to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide to an exercise machine with adjustable tension.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives an improved exercise machine has an exercise machine body, and the exercise machine body is combined with a soft pad, such that a user can put both knees onto the soft pad for abdominal or hip exercises. The exercise machine body comprises a base, an upper cover, an elastic line, a sliding set, an adjusting device and an adjusting screw. The soft pad has an impact absorbing effect and is capable of being folded to reduce storage space requirements. The base comprises a platform. Two first sliding tracks are formed between two respective pairs of raised first stopping sidewalls, which are respectively disposed on two sides of a top of the platform such that a docking space is forming between the two first sliding tracks. A first bar is pivoted to a rear section within the docking space. Three protruding limiting edges are formed at a front section of each of the two stopping sidewalls in the docking space of the base, and each limiting edge is disposed a predetermined distance from the top of the platform to form an installation gap. A curved first stopping edge is disposed at a central position on a front face of the base, and the first stopping edge on the front face of the base extends upwardly to form a stopping slot. Two extended supporting pedestals are respectively disposed at the front face and the rear face of the base and lift up the base. The upper cover has two pairs of second stopping sidewalls and two seconds sliding tracks corresponding to the first stopping sidewalls and the first sliding tracks of the base. The upper cover is configured to provide a gap between each first sliding track and corresponding second sliding track when the upper cover covers the base. A curved second stopping edge is disposed at a central position on a front face of the upper cover. The elastic line is an elastic woven line or rubber elastic line, and two ends of the elastic line have enlarged portions. The sliding set has a second bar, and the second bar has a jacketed handle at each end and a roller respectively adjacent to each handle. The second bar, the rollers and the handles are separated from each other to enable the rollers to slide along the track provided by the second stopping sidewalls. The adjusting device comprises a bottom casing and a top cover. The bottom casing has a positioning slot with a rear opening at a central position, a threaded aperture, such as an embodied nut corresponding to the positioning slot at a front end of the bottom casing for accepting the adjusting screw, two securing slots with narrow openings respectively parallel with two sides of the positioning slot, and an extended wing is respectively formed on two side of a bottom face of the bottom casing. The adjusting screw has an extended portion and a threaded section, a knob at one end and a stopping member at another end. The stopping member is a C-shaped hook.

In order to provide different tensions, the knob of the exercise machine in the embodiment of the present invention can be adjusted to rotate the adjusting screw; since the adjusting device is limited by the limiting edge and the extending wings, the rotational movement is converted into horizontal movement which acts on the elastic line and changes its tension. When the adjusting device is moved forward, the distance between the adjusting device and the first bar is increased, which stretches the elastic line and increases its tension; therefore, the user needs to put more strength into pushing the sliding set. On the other hand, when the adjusting device is moved backward, the distance between the adjusting device and the first bar is shortened, which looses the elastic line and decreases its tension; therefore, the user can push and pull the sliding set easier. Without changing the exercise machine and the elastic line, the user can obtain different levels of training, which is very economical.

With the above-mention embodiment structure, the following benefits can be obtained: 1. By rotating the adjusting screw to drive the adjusting device to move horizontally to change the tension providing by the exercise machine, the elastic line does not need to be changed, which is suitable for various training regimens. 2. The embodiment structure for an exercise machine is also simple, which is inexpensive and easy to assemble.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective detailed view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates movement of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a prior art exercising machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

First, please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. An exercise machine has an exercise machine body, and the exercise machine body is combined with a soft pad 10, such that a user can put both knees onto the soft pad 10 for abdominal or hip exercises. The exercise machine body comprises a base 20, an upper cover 30, an elastic line 40, a sliding set 50, an adjusting device 60 and an adjusting screw 70. The soft pad 10 has an impact absorbing effect and is capable of being folded to reduce storage space requirements. The base 20 comprises a platform 21. Two first sliding tracks 23 are formed between two respective pairs of raised first stopping sidewalls 22, which are respectively disposed on two sides of a top of the platform 21 such that a docking space 24 is forming between the two first sliding tracks 23. A first bar 25 is pivoted to a rear section within the docking space 24. Three protruding limiting edges 26 are formed at a front section of each of the two stopping sidewalls 22 in the docking space 24 of the base 20, and each limiting edge 26 is disposed a predetermined distance from the top of the platform 21 to form an installation gap. A curved first stopping edge 27 is disposed at a central position on a front face of the base 20, and the first stopping edge 27 on the front face of the base 20 extends upwardly to form a stopping slot. Two extended supporting pedestals 28 are respectively disposed at the front face and the rear face of the base 20 and lift up the base 20. The upper cover 30 has two pairs of second stopping sidewalls 31 and two seconds sliding tracks 32 corresponding to the first stopping sidewalls 22 and the first sliding tracks 23 of the base 20. The upper cover 30 is configured to provide a gap 33 between each first sliding track 22 and corresponding second sliding track 31 when the upper cover 30 covers the base 20. A curved second stopping edge 34 is disposed at a central position on a front face of the upper cover 30. The elastic line 40 is an elastic woven line or rubber elastic line, and two ends of the elastic line 40 have enlarged portions. The sliding set 50 has a second bar 51, and the second bar 51 has a jacketed handle 53 at each end and a roller 52 respectively adjacent to each handle 53. The second bar 51, the rollers 52 and the handles 53 are separated from each other to enable the rollers 52 to slide along the track provided by the second stopping sidewalls 22, 31. The adjusting device 60 comprises a bottom casing 61 and a top cover 62. The bottom casing 61 has a positioning slot 611 with a rear opening at a central position, a threaded aperture 612, such as an embodied nut corresponding to the positioning slot 611 at a front end of the bottom casing 61 for accepting the adjusting screw 70, two securing slots 613 with narrow openings respectively parallel with two sides of the positioning slot 611, and an extended wing 614 is respectively formed on two side of a bottom face of the bottom casing 61. The adjusting screw 70 has an extended portion 71 and a threaded section 72, a knob 73 at one end and a stopping member 74 at another end. The stopping member 74 is a C-shaped hook.

For assembly of the embodiment, please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The bottom casing 61 utilizes the extending wings 614 to slide into the installation gap formed by the limiting edge 26 of the base 20 and the top of the platform 21. With the interaction with the limiting edge 26 and the extending wings 641, the bottom casing 61 is capable of moving along the docking space 24 of the base 20. The sliding set 50 utilizes the roller 52 to engage with the sliding track 23. The docking space 24 accepts the second bar 51, and the handles 53 extend from two sides of the base 20 to position the sliding set 50. The enlarged portion 41 at each end of the elastic line 40 is attached to a rear end of each securing slot 613 on one side of the bottom casing 61, and each elastic line 40 is pulled to pass under the first bar 25 and the second bar 51, wrap around first bar 25 and the second bar 51 together, and then wrap the first bar 25 again to pass under the second bar 51, such that the other end of each elastic line 40 is also attached to the securing slot 613 at the other side of the bottom casing 61. The adjusting screw 70 is disposed on the first stopping edge 27 of the base 20 and engaged with the threaded section 72 and the threaded aperture 612 of the bottom casing 61, and the stopping member 74 is installed at the end of the adjusting screw 70 for defining a maximum stroke for the adjusting screw 70. The knob 73 of the adjusting screw 70 is disposed in front of the base 20. Further, the top cover 62 and the upper cover 30 are separately displaced on the bottom casing 61 and the base 20 for securing the elastic line 40 and enclose the entire structure. The respective gap 33 provides space for the handle 53.

In operation, the user puts both knees onto the soft pad 10 and holds the two handles 53 of the sliding set 50 with both hands to push and pull the sliding set 50. In order to push the sliding set 50, the user needs to overcome the elastic strength of the elastic line 40, therefore, he or she needs to use his or her abdominal and waistline muscles. And, in order to pull back the sliding set 50, the user needs to lift up his or her hips. Since the roller 52, the elastic line 40, etc. and most other elements are enclosed in the base 20 and the upper cover 30, which prevents any external object from rolling in, and when the elastic line 40 is pulled back there is no danger of bounce back onto the user.

Please refer to FIG. 7. In order to provide different tensions, the knob 73 can be adjusted to rotate the adjusting screw 70; since the adjusting device 60 is limited by the limiting edge 26 and the extending wings 614, the rotational movement is converted into horizontal movement which acts on the elastic line 40 and changes its tension. When the adjusting device 60 is moved forward, the distance between the adjusting device 60 and the first bar 25 is increased, which stretches the elastic line 40 and increases its tension; therefore, the user needs to put more strength into pushing the sliding set 50. On the other hand, when the adjusting device 60 is moved backward, the distance between the adjusting device 60 and the first bar 25 is shortened, which looses the elastic line 40 and decreases its tension; therefore, the user can push and pull the sliding set 50 easier. Without changing the exercise machine and the elastic line 40, the user can obtain different levels of training, which is very economical.

With the above-mention embodiment structure, the following benefits can be obtained: 1. By rotating the adjusting screw 70 to drive the adjusting device 60 to move horizontally to change the tension providing by the exercise machine, the elastic line 40 does not need to be changed, which is suitable for various training regimens. 2. The embodiment structure for an exercise machine is also simple, which is inexpensive and easy to assemble.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. An exercise machine with adjustable tension, the exercise machine comprising an exercise machine body, the exercise machine body comprising a base, an upper cover, an elastic line, a sliding set, an adjusting device and an adjusting screw; wherein the base has a platform, two first sliding tracks formed between two respective pairs of raised first stopping sidewalls on two sides of a top of the platform such that a docking space is forming between the two first sliding tracks; a first bar pivoted to a rear section of the docking space, the upper cover capable of covering the base to form a closed space; the upper cover having two pairs of second stopping sidewalls and two seconds sliding tracks corresponding to the first stopping sidewalls and the first sliding tracks of the base; wherein the upper cover is configured to provide a respective gap between each first sliding track and corresponding second sliding track when the upper cover covers the base; the sliding set having a second bar, and the second bar having a jacketed handle at each end and a roller respectively adjacent to the handle;

at least one protruding limiting edge respectively formed at a front section of the both stopping sidewalls in the docking space of the base, each limiting edge disposed a predetermined distance from the top of the platform to form an installation gap; a curved first stopping edge and a second stopping edge respectively disposed at a central position on a front face of the base and the upper cover; both ends of the elastic line line having an enlarged portion; the adjusting device comprising a bottom casing and a top cover; the bottom casing having a positioning slot with a rear opening at a center position, a threaded aperture corresponding to the positioning slot at a front end of the bottom casing for accepting the adjusting screw, two securing slots with narrow openings respectively parallel with two sides of the positioning slot, and an extended wing respectively formed on two side of a bottom face of the bottom casing; the adjusting screw having a threaded section, a knob at one end and a stopping member at another end;

wherein with the above mentioned structure, the bottom casing utilizes the extending wings to slide into the installation gap formed by the limiting edge of the base and the top of the platform, with an interaction with the limiting edge and the extending wings, the bottom casing is capable of moving along the docking space of the base; the sliding set utilizing the roller to engage with the sliding track; the docking space accepting the second bar and the handle extending from two sides of the base to position the sliding set; the enlarged portion at each end of the elastic line line attached to a rear end of each securing slot on one side of the bottom casing, and each elastic line line pulled to respectively wrap around the first bar and the second bar such that the other end of each elastic line line is also attached to the securing slot at other side of the bottom casing; the adjusting screw disposed on the first stopping edge of the base and engaged with the threaded section and the threaded aperture of the bottom casing, and the stopping member installed at the end of the adjusting screw for defining a maximum stroke for the adjusting screw; the knob of the adjusting screw disposed in front of the base; the top cover and the upper cover separately displaced on the bottom casing and the base for securing the elastic line.

2. The exercise machine with adjustable tension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exercise machine body further comprises a soft pad.

3. The exercise machine with adjustable tension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first stopping edge at the front face of the base extends upwardly to form a stopping slot.

4. The exercise machine with adjustable tension as claimed in claim 1, wherein two extended supporting pedestals are respectively disposed at the front face and the rear face of the base and lift up the base.

5. The exercise machine with adjustable tension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic line line is an elastic woven line or rubber elastic line.

6. The exercise machine with adjustable tension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threaded aperture of the bottom casing is a screw nut.

7. The exercise machine with adjustable tension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting screw has an extended portion and a threaded section, and the knob is secured on to a freed end of the extended portion.

8. The exercise machine with adjustable tension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopping member of the adjusting screw is a C-shaped hook.