LIQUID-RESISTANCE FITNESS MACHINE

Abstract

A liquid-resistance fitness machine has a frame body, a liquid-resistance device mounted to the frame body, and a driving device. The liquid-resistance device has a liquid tank, a shaft, and a paddle wheel set. The paddle wheel set has a hub fixed to the shaft and multiple blades. The driving device is connected to the shaft and is configured to drive the shaft to spin clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the liquid tank. A shape of each of the blades when the shaft is spinning clockwise and a shape of the blade when the shaft is spinning counterclockwise are asymmetrical to a normal line between the blade and the hub. Therefore, the liquid-resistance device can provide two different liquid resistances without changing the volume of the liquids.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to liquid-resistance fitness equipment, and more particularly to a liquid-resistance fitness machine that can provide various resistances.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional liquid-resistance fitness machine, such as a water-resistance rowing machine, substantially comprises a liquid-resistance device and a driving device. The liquid-resistance device comprises a liquid tank, a shaft, and a blade wheel. The liquid tank is configured to store liquids. The shaft extends through the liquid tank and is rotatably connected to the liquid tank. The blade wheel is fixed to the shaft. The driving device is connected to the shaft and drives the shaft to rotate relative to the liquid tank. A user can drive the driving device to drive the blade wheel of the liquid-resistance device to spin in the liquids. To spin the blade wheel, the user needs to apply a force larger than a resistance from the liquids to the blade wheel.

However, the liquid-resistance device can only provide a single damping under a constant liquid volume. If the user would like to train by different damper settings, he/she needs to use different fitness machines, change the liquid-resistance device, or increase/decrease the volume of the liquids in the liquid tank. The user cannot train in various damper settings by one fitness machine without changing the liquid-resistance device or increasing/decreasing the volume of the liquids in the liquid tank.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a liquid-resistance fitness machine to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid-resistance fitness machine having a liquid-resistance device that can provide two different damper settings without modifying the volume of the liquids inside the liquid-resistance fitness machine.

The liquid-resistance fitness machine comprises a frame body, a liquid-resistance device mounted to the frame body, and a driving device. The liquid-resistance device comprises a liquid tank mounted to the frame body, a shaft rotatably connected to the liquid tank and extending into the liquid tank, and a paddle wheel set surrounding and fixed to the shaft, and disposed in the liquid tank. The paddle wheel set has a hub surrounding and fixed to the shaft and multiple blades arranged around the hub at angular intervals. The driving device is connected to the shaft of the liquid-resistance device and is configured to drive the shaft of the liquid-resistance device to spin clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the liquid tank. A shape of each of the blades when the shaft is spinning clockwise and a shape of the blade when the shaft is spinning counterclockwise are asymmetrical to a normal line between the blade and the hub.

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 a first embodiment of a liquid-resistance fitness machine in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid-resistance device of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the liquid-resistance device of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in FIG. 4, wherein a liquid tank of the liquid-resistance fitness machine is omitted;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid-resistance device of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in FIG. 4, wherein the liquid tank is omitted;

FIG. 7 is an operational perspective view of a paddle wheel set of the liquid-resistance device in FIG. 4 and shows that the paddle wheel set is unfolded;

FIG. 8 is an operational end view of the paddle wheel set of the liquid-resistance device in FIG. 4 and shows that the paddle wheel set is unfolded;

FIG. 9 is an operational perspective view of the paddle wheel set of the liquid-resistance device in FIG. 4 and shows that the paddle wheel set is folded;

FIG. 10 is an operational end view of a paddle wheel set of the liquid-resistance device in FIG. 4 and shows that the paddle wheel set is folded;

FIG. 11 is an operational end view in partial section of the liquid-resistance device in FIG. 4 and shows that the paddle wheel set rotates clockwise;

FIG. 12 is an operational end view in partial section of the liquid-resistance device in FIG. 4 and shows that the paddle wheel set rotates counterclockwise;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in FIG. 1, wherein part of a housing of the liquid-resistance device is omitted;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the paddle wheel set of a second embodiment of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an operational perspective view of the paddle wheel set of a third embodiment of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in accordance with the present invention and shows that the paddle wheel set is unfolded;

FIG. 16 is an operational perspective view of the paddle wheel set in FIG. 15 and shows that the paddle wheel set is folded;

FIG. 17 is an operational perspective view of the paddle wheel set of a fourth embodiment of the liquid-resistance fitness machine in accordance with present invention and shows that the paddle wheel set is unfolded; and

FIG. 18 is an operational perspective view of the paddle wheel set in FIG. 17 and shows that the paddle wheel set is folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of a liquid-resistance fitness machine in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame body 10, a liquid-resistance device 20, and a driving device 50. The frame body 10 is configured to be mounted by other components of the liquid-resistance fitness machine. The liquid-resistance device 20 is mounted to the frame body 10. The driving device 50 is connected to the liquid-resistance device 20.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the liquid-resistance device 20 comprises a liquid tank 21, a shaft 23, and a paddle wheel set 30. The liquid tank 21 is mounted to the frame body 10 and is configured to store liquids, e.g. water or oil. The shaft 23 is rotatably connected to the liquid tank 21 and transversally extends into the liquid tank 21. The paddle wheel set 30 surrounds and is fixed to the shaft 23 and is disposed in the liquid tank 21.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, the paddle wheel set 30 comprises a hub 31 and multiple blades 33. The hub 31 is fixed to and surrounds the shaft 23 to rotate with the shaft 23. The blades 33 are arranged around the hub 31 at angular intervals.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and 13, the driving device 50 is connected to the shaft 23 of the liquid-resistance device 20 and is configured to drive the shaft 23 to spin clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the liquid tank 21.

With reference to FIGS. 8, and 10 to 12, a first shape of each blade 33 when the shaft 23 is spinning clockwise is shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, and a second shape of each blade 33 when the shaft 23 is spinning counterclockwise is shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. The first and the second shapes of each blade 33 are asymmetrical to a normal line N defined between the blade 33 and the hub 31. Therefore, when the shaft 23 drives the paddle wheel set 30 to spin clockwise and counterclockwise, the paddle wheel set 30 is subjected to different liquid resistances.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, preferably, each blade 33 has one end pivotably connected to the hub 31 to allow the blade 33 to swing relative to the hub 31. So, each blade 33 has an unfolded position relative to the hub 31 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and a folded position relative to the hub 31 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

With reference to 6 to 8, preferably, the hub 31 has multiple blade holders 313 arranged at angular intervals. Each blade holder 313 has a stopping block 314 formed thereon. Each blade 33 is pivotably connected to a respective one of the blade holders 313. In the unfolded position, each blade 33 is blocked by the stopping block 314 of the respective one of the blade holders 313 to be limited at an unfolded angle relative to the hub 31.

Preferably, each blade 33 curves to be L-shaped and has a first side 331 being concave and a second side 332 being convex. The blades 33 curve in a same shape.

With reference to FIG. 11, when the shaft 23 is driven to spin clockwise, the concave first side 331 of each blade 33 faces a surface of the liquid inside the liquid tank 21 and enters the liquid. Each blade 33 pivots to the unfolded position by the liquid resistance and abuts against the stopping block 314. Whereby, each blade 33 paddles the liquid under the unfolded position and is subjected to a larger liquid resistance. With reference to FIG. 12, when the shaft 23 is driven to spin counterclockwise, the convex second side 332 of each blade 33 faces the surface of the liquid and enters the liquid. Each blade 33 pivots to the folded position by the liquid resistance. Whereby, each blade 33 paddles the liquid under the folded position and is subjected to a smaller liquid resistance. Accordingly, when the user drives the driving device 50 to drive the shaft 23 to spin clockwise, the liquid-resistance device 20 can provide a larger liquid resistance; and when the user drives the driving device 50 to drive the shaft 23 to spin counterclockwise, the liquid-resistance device 20 can provide a smaller liquid resistance.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, preferably, each blade 33 has two connecting portions 335 respectively formed at two opposite ends thereof and adjacent to the hub 31. The paddle wheel set 30 comprises two resilient rings 35. The connecting portions 335 of the blades 33 at one of the two ends of the blades 33 are surrounded by and are connected to a respective one of the two resilient rings 35. With the resilient forces of the resilient rings 35, the multiple blades 33 are kept in the unfolded positions or in the folded positions.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, preferably, the liquid-resistance device 20 comprises multiple said paddle wheel sets 30 arranged along the shaft 23 and fixed to the shaft 23 to increase the resistance provided by the liquid-resistance device 20. Each adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets 30 are connected by a respective connecting ring 25 fixed to the shaft 23. The connecting ring 25 is mounted between the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets 30 and has two ends respectively mounted into the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets 30. The connecting ring 25 has two connecting end portions 253 respectively located at the two ends thereof. Each connecting end portion 253 has a polygonal periphery. Each hub 31 has a polygonal cavity 312 formed in an end thereof. Each connecting end portion 253 of the respective one connecting ring 25 is inserted into and is engaged with the polygonal cavity 312 of the hub 31 of a respective one of the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets 30.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and 13, in the first embodiment, the liquid-resistance fitness machine is a water-resistance rowing machine. Wherein, the driving device 50 is a pull-strap device connected to the shaft 23 to drive the shaft 23 to spin relative to the liquid tank 21. The driving device 50 substantially comprises a strap 51 and a transmitting set 53 connected to the strap 51 and the shaft 23. The user can pull the strap 51 to drive the transmitting set 53 for driving the shaft 23 to spin relative to the liquid tank 21. The liquid-resistance fitness machine may further comprise a reversing unit 40 connected to the driving device 50 and configured to shift the driving device 50 to drive the shaft 23 to spin clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the liquid tank 21. Therefore, the user can operate the reversing unit 40 to change the resistance provided by the liquid-resistance devices 20.

With reference to FIG. 14, in the second embodiment, the blades 33A of the paddle wheel set 30A are fixed to the hub 31A. Each blade 33A is a helix blade having a shape asymmetrical to the normal line N between the blade 33A and the hub 31A. Therefore, the paddle wheel sets 30A will be subjected to different liquid resistances when spinning clockwise and counterclockwise.

With reference to FIGS. 15 to 18, in the third and the fourth embodiments, each blade 33B, 33C of the paddle wheel set 30B, 30C is pivotally connected to the hub 31B, 31C. The liquid resistance drives each blade 33B, 33C of the paddle wheel set 30B, 30C to move to the unfolded position or to the folded position when the paddle wheel set 30B, 30C is spinning clockwise and counterclockwise. Therefore, the paddle wheel sets 30B, 30C will be subjected to different liquid resistances when spinning clockwise and counterclockwise.

Since the paddle wheel set 30, 30A, 30B, 30C is subjected to different liquid resistance forces when the shaft 23 is driven to spin relative to the liquid tank 21 in the forward and backward directions by the driving device 50, the liquid-resistance device 20 can provide two different damper settings with the same paddle wheel set 30, 30A, 30B, 30C without changing the size of the liquid tank 21 and the volume of the liquids stored in the liquid tank 21. The user can choose to train by the larger liquid resistance or the smaller liquid resistance without increasing/decreasing the liquids stored in the liquid tank 21.

In addition, since each blade 33, 33B, 33C is pivotally connected to the hub 31, 31B, 31C, when the paddle wheel set 30, 30B, 30C is spinning in the forward and the backward directions, each blade 33, 33B, 33C can be moved by the liquid resistance to the unfolded position for allowing the liquid-resistance device 20 to provide the larger liquid resistance and to the folded position for allowing the liquid-resistance device 20 to provide the smaller liquid resistance, respectively.

Claims

1. A liquid-resistance fitness machine comprising:

a frame body;

a liquid-resistance device mounted to the frame body and comprising a liquid tank mounted to the frame body; a shaft rotatably connected to the liquid tank and extending into the liquid tank; a paddle wheel set surrounding and fixed to the shaft, disposed in the liquid tank, and having a hub surrounding and fixed to the shaft; and multiple blades arranged around the hub at angular intervals; and

a driving device connected to the shaft of the liquid-resistance device and configured to drive the shaft of the liquid-resistance device to spin clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the liquid tank; wherein

a shape of each of the blades when the shaft is spinning clockwise and a shape of the blade when the shaft is spinning counterclockwise are asymmetrical to a normal line between the blade and the hub.

2. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the blades of the paddle wheel set is pivotally connected to the hub of the paddle wheel set via one of two ends of the blade to allow the blade to swing relative to the hub of the paddle wheel set.

3. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the hub of the paddle wheel set has multiple blade holders arranged at angular intervals;

each of the blade holders has a stopping block;

each of the blades of the paddle wheel set is pivotally connected to a respective one of the blade holders and has an unfolded position and a folded position; and

when each of the blades of the paddle wheel set is in the unfolded position, the blade abuts against and is blocked by the stopping block of the respective one of the blade holders.

4. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the blades is curved.

5. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein

each of the blades of the paddle wheel set has two connecting portions respectively located at two opposite ends of the blade and adjacent to the hub of the paddle wheel set;

the paddle wheel set comprises two resilient rings;

the connecting portions of the blades at one of the two ends of the blades are surrounded by and are connected to a respective one of the two resilient rings.

6. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the liquid-resistance device comprises multiple said paddle wheel sets arranged along and fixed to the shaft.

7. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the liquid-resistance device comprises multiple said paddle wheel sets arranged along and fixed to the shaft.

8. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the liquid-resistance device comprises multiple said paddle wheel sets arranged along and fixed to the shaft.

9. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein

the liquid-resistance device comprises multiple said paddle wheel sets arranged along and fixed to the shaft.

10. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein

the liquid-resistance device comprises multiple said paddle wheel sets arranged along and fixed to the shaft.

11. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein

each adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets are connected by a respective connecting ring fixed to the shaft; wherein

two ends of the connecting ring are respectively inserted into the hubs of the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets.

12. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein

each adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets are connected by a respective connecting ring fixed to the shaft; wherein

two ends of the connecting ring are respectively inserted into the hubs of the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets.

13. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein

each adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets are connected by a respective connecting ring fixed to the shaft; wherein

two ends of the connecting ring are respectively inserted into the hubs of the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets.

14. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein

each adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets are connected by a respective connecting ring fixed to the shaft; wherein

two ends of the connecting ring are respectively inserted into the hubs of the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets.

15. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein

each adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets are connected by a respective connecting ring fixed to the shaft; wherein

two ends of the connecting ring are respectively mounted into the hubs of the adjacent two of the paddle wheel sets.

16. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving device is a pull-strap device.

17. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driving device is a pull-strap device.

18. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the driving device is a pull-strap device.

19. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the driving device is a pull-strap device.

20. The liquid-resistance fitness machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the driving device is a pull-strap device.