STEPPER STRUCTURE
A stepper structure includes a base having a shaft at a central section thereof to connect a rotation seat. Two pedals are pivotally connected to two sides of the rotation seat. A link unit is pivotally connected to the shaft and located above the rotation seat. When the rotation seat and the base are confined, the two pedals are moved up and down for an up-and-down step exercise. When the link unit and the base are confined, the rotation seat is linked to swing by the up-and-down movement of the pedals for a waist swing and step exercise, providing a different function of the stepper.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stepper structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional stepper has a single exercise function, such as TW Publication No. 324954 used for an up-and-down step exercise, and TW Publication No. M271593 used for an oblique step exercise. The user may feel unexciting after a period of time because the function of the stepper is unchangeable. This will influence the user's will to exercise more. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary object of the present invention is to provide a changeable stepper structure which can attract the user to exercise for a long time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stepper structure which can be used for an up-and-down step exercise and a waist swing exercise.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The rotation seat (20) comprises a horizontal seat rod (21) and a vertical rod (25) extending upward from a front end of the seat rod (21). The seat rod (21) has a rear section which is pivotally connected to the shaft (15). The rotation seat (20) has a first limit portion (22) in front of the shaft (15). The first limit portion (22) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for connection of the switch unit (50). The first limit portion (22) corresponds in position to the first limit portion (12) to provide a limit function for the switch unit (50). The seat rod (21) comprises a pair of support bars (24) extending from two sides of the front end of the seat rod (21). The vertical rod (25) comprises a pair of pivot rods (26) which extend from two sides of an upper end of the vertical rod (25) and are parallel to the support bars (24). The two pedals (30) are pivotally connected to the two pivot rods (26).
Each pedal (30) comprises a pivot sleeve (31) at a front end thereof. The pivot sleeve (31) is fitted on the relative pivot rod (26). Each pedal (30) has a link plate (32) which extends downward from the pivot sleeve (31) for connection of the link unit (40). Between the two pedals (30) and two sides of the rotation seat (20) is provided with a pair of resistance members (35) which may be retractable hydraulic cylinders. Each resistance member (35) has a pair of universal joints (36) at two ends thereof, so that the two resistance members (35) are pivotally connected between the two support bars (24) of the seat rod (21) of the seat (20) and the rear ends of the two pedals (30).
The link unit (40) is pivotally connected to the shaft (15) and located above the rotation seat (20). The link unit (40) comprises a driving wheel (41) which is pivotally connected to the shaft (15). The driving wheel (41) is selected from one of a belt pulley (as shown in
The switch unit (50) comprises a limit member (55). The limit member (55) may be an insertion pin which is selectively connected to the first limit portions (12, 22) or the second limit portions (13, 43). The switch unit (50) further comprises a fixing frame (51) connected on the base (10). The upper end of the shaft (15) of the base (10) is connected to the fixing frame (51). The fixing frame (51) has a second limit portion (53) behind the shaft (15) and corresponding in position to the second limit portion (13) of the base (10). The second limit portion (53) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for connection of the limit member (55). The limit member (55) is selectively connected to the second limit portions (53, 43, 13) or the first limit portions (22, 12) to confine rotation of the driving wheel (41) or leaf and right swing of the rotation seat (20).
Thereby, the present invention is assembled to constitute a stepper for different forms of exercise, enhancing exercise fun.
As shown in
As shown in
When the limit member (55) is inserted in the first limit portions (22, 12) of the rotation seat (20) to confine left and right swing of the rotation seat (20), the driving plate (61) of the link unit (60) can be swung relative to the base (10) and the two pedals (30) can provide an interlaced up-and-down exercise, as shown in
Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A stepper structure, comprising a base, a rotation seat, two pedals, a link unit, and a switch unit:
- the base having a shaft at a central section thereof, the base having a first limit portion in front of the shaft, the base having a second limit portion behind the shaft;
- the rotation seat comprising a seat rod and a vertical rod at a front end of the seat rod, the seat rod having a rear section which is pivotally connected to the shaft, the rotation seat having a first limit portion in front of the shaft, the first limit portion of the rotation seat corresponding in position to the first limit portion of the base, the seat rod comprising a pair of support bars extending from two sides of the front end of the seat rod;
- the two pedals being pivotally connected to two sides of the vertical rod, a pair of resistance members being connected between rear ends the two pedals and the two support bars;
- the link unit being pivotally connected to the shaft, the link unit linking the two pedals to move up and down, the link unit having a second limit portion behind the shaft, the second limit portion of the link unit corresponding in position to the second limit portion of the base;
- the switch unit comprising a fixing frame connected on the base, an upper end of the shaft of the base being connected to the fixing frame, the fixing frame having a second limit portion behind the shaft, the second limit portion of the switch unit corresponding in position to the second limit portion of the base, the switch unit further having a limit member which is selectively connected to the first limit portions or the second limit portions.
2. The stepper structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link unit comprises a driving wheel which is pivotally connected to the shaft, the driving wheel having a notch corresponding to the first limit portion of the rotation seat, the driving wheel having the second limit portion behind the shaft, the second limit portion of the driving wheel corresponding in position to the second limit portion of the base, the driving wheel being connected with a flexible link member, two ends of the flexible link member being respectively connected to the two pedals.
3. The stepper structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link unit comprises a driving plate and two link members, the driving plate being pivotally connected to the shaft, the driving plate having a second limit portion behind the shaft, the second limit portion of the driving plate corresponding in position to the second limit portion of the base, two ends of the driving plate being pivotally connected to the two link members.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 5, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 14, 2012
Applicant: (Taichung City)
Inventor: Tsung-Jen CHEN (Shuishang Hsiang)
Application Number: 13/310,798