FOOT CUSHION ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM

Abstract

A foot cushion adjustment mechanism includes a base frame having a mounting portion, a cushion member having a through hole defining a first opening and a locating member disposed in the through hole, and an adjustment device having a body portion inserted through the locating member and a first end portion inserted through the first opening and pivotally coupled to the mounting portion. Biasing the adjustment device causes the cushion member to be moved linearly relative to the base member to adjust the distance between the cushion member and the base member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to foot cushion adjustment designs and more particularly, to a foot cushion adjustment mechanism for use in an exercising machine that has a high structural stability.

2. Description of the Related Art

When using an exercising machine, it is necessary to keep the exercising machine in stability, avoiding machine vibration or tilting during operation and preventing any possible athletic injury. Therefore, exercising machines are commonly equipped with adjustable foot cushions for positioning on the floor. When placing an exercising machine on an uneven floor surface, the elevation of the foot cushions can be properly adjusted to keep the exercising machine in horizontal, assuring application stability.

Commercial adjustable foot cushions generally comprise an adjustment screw and a rubber cushion block. When an adjustable foot cushion of this design is used in an exercising machine, the adjustment screw is fastened to the bottom side of the base member of the exercising machine, and the rubber cushion block is set between the adjustment screw and the floor. By means of rotating the adjustment screw relative to the base member of the exercising machine, the elevation of the base member of the exercising machine is relatively adjusted Simply using the adjustment screw to support the exercising machine is not structurally stable. An improvement in this regard is necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a foot cushion adjustment mechanism, which has a high structural stability.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a foot cushion adjustment mechanism includes a base frame, a cushion member and an adjustment device. The base frame has a mounting portion. The cushion member has a through hole defining a first opening, and a locating member disposed in the through hole. The adjustment device has a body portion inserted through the locating member, and a first end portion inserted through the first opening and pivotally coupled to the mounting portion. Biasing the adjustment device causes the cushion member to be moved linearly relative to the base member to adjust the distance between the cushion member and the base member. By means of the adjustment device, the foot cushion adjustment mechanism distributes the weight of the load supported thereon through the cushion member, assuring structural stability.

Other and further benefits, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a foot cushion adjustment mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational assembly view of the foot cushion adjustment mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the foot cushion adjustment mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention, illustrating the elevation of the cushion member adjusted relative to the base member (I).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present invention, illustrating the elevation of the cushion member adjusted relative to the base member (II).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1˜3, a foot cushion adjustment mechanism 10 with the invention is shown comprising a base member 20, a cushion member 30 and an adjustment device 40.

The base member 20 is used in any of a variety of exercising machines, such as treadmill, elliptical machine, standing bicycle, etc. to support a machine body on the floor, having a mounting portion 22 and a fastening member 24 at the top side of the mounting portion 22. The fastening member 24 according to this embodiment is a socket having an inner thread.

The cushion member 30 according to this embodiment is shaped like a rectangular prism. However, this configuration is not a limitation. The cushion member 30 can also be made in a cylindrical or polygonal prism. As shown in FIGS. 3˜5, the cushion member 30 includes a through hole 32, a locating member 34 and a bottom cover 36. The through hole 32 cut through top and bottom sides of the cushion member 30, thereby forming a first opening 301 and a second opening 302 on the top and bottom sides of the cushion member 30 respectively. The locating member 34 fixedly mounted in the through hole 32 inside the cushion member 30. According this embodiment, the locating member 34 is a rectangular thin plate, having a size and shape approximately equal to the cross section of the through hole 32. Thus, the border edge of the locating member 34 can be secured to the inside wall of the cushion member 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the locating member 34 has a hole 342 at the center. The locating member 34 further has an annular flange 344 extending around the hole 342 in direction toward the second opening 302. The bottom cover 36 is made of a flexible material, for example, but not limited to, rubber. Further, the bottom cover 36 is configured subject to the shape and size of the second opening 302 so that the bottom cover 36 can close the bottom side of the cushion member 30.

The adjustment device 40 has a first end portion 401, a second end portion 402 and a body portion 403 connected between the first end portion 401 and the second end portion 402. The first end portion 401 and body portion 403 of the adjustment device 40 are externally threaded. The body portion 403 is inserted through the locating member 34 and disposed in the hole 342 and the annular flange 344. A socket 42 is mounted in between the body portion 403 and the annular flange 344. The first end portion 401 protrudes over the first opening 301 and inserted into the mounting portion 22 and threaded into the fastening member 24. Further, a nut 44 is threaded onto the first end portion 401 toward the second opening 302 to lock the locating member 34 to body portion 403. The locating member 34 includes a plurality of, for example, but not limited to, two guide rods 50 disposed at two sides relative to the hole 342. Each guide rod 50 has one end located on the locating member 34, and the other end inserted through the mounting portion 22. Further, the guide rods 50 are arranged in a parallel manner relative to the adjustment device 40. Thus, rotating the adjustment device 40 causes the cushion member 30 to be moved with the guide rods 50 relative to the mounting portion 22.

Based on the aforesaid technical features, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the user can rotate the adjustment device 40 to move the cushion member 30 linearly relative to the base member 20. Because the cushion member 30 has a large surface area kept in contact with the floor, it achieves an excellent support effect. By means of the adjustment device 40, the foot cushion adjustment mechanism 10 distributes the weight of the exercising machine through the cushion member 30, assuring structural stability and achieving the objects of the invention.

Further, subject to the effect of the guide rods 50 to limit the direction of movement of the cushion member 30, the cushion member 30 is prohibited from rotation when the adjustment device 40 is being rotated, assuring high stability. However, it is to be understood that the arrangement of the guide rods 50 to limit the direction of movement of the cushion member 30 is not the only way. Any other measures may be selectively used to limit the direction of movement of the cushion member 30.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foot cushion adjustment mechanism, comprising:

a base member having a mounting portion;

a cushion member comprising a through hole forming opposing first opening and second opening on said cushion member and a locating member disposed in said through hole; and

an adjustment device comprising a first end portion and a body portion, said body portion being inserted through said locating member, said first end portion being inserted through said first opening and pivotally coupled to said mounting portion such that biasing said adjustment device relative to said base member causes said cushion member to be moved relative to said base member to adjust the distance between said cushion member and said base member.

2. The foot cushion adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a guide rod having one end thereof located on said locating member and an opposite end thereof inserted through said mounting portion to guide movement of said cushion member relative to said base member linearly.

3. The foot cushion adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cushion member comprises a bottom cover covering said second opening.

4. The foot cushion adjustment mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base member comprises a fastening member located on said mounting portion; said first end portion of said adjustment device is inserted through said mounting portion and screw-connected with said fastening member.