BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Fields of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates to a swing handle arrangement for an exercise equipment, and
more particularly, to a structure through which a leg movement of the lower body and
a waist-twisting movement of the upper body can be synchronically achieved.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] As well-known, the fitness apparatus used for training the legs, such as fitness
bike, treadmills or elliptical cross trainers, etc. is provided with structure on
which the operator's feet stand. Some of the above-mentioned apparatuses include additional
coupled handles on which both hands of the operator hold. However, they can be held
by both hand of the operator only for conducting a forward and backward swing action
that simulates the movement of the extremities when people walk or run. In other words,
the upper body of the operator such as abdominal muscle can not be trained at the
same time.
[0003] In order to resolve the above-mentioned problem, another structure disclosed in
US Pat. Appl. No. 2006/0293153 aims to achieve a synchronic stretching-forward effect of both hands (like the boxing
action in the boxing game) when both feet of the operators conducts a treading movement.
[0004] The stretching-forward action of the upper limbs may achieve the training effect
of the arm strength. However, it is not beneficial to the waist and abdominal muscles
of the operator. When the operator requires the training of his waist and abdominal
muscles, another fitness apparatuses must be used to fulfill his personal needs. As
a result, the conventional apparatus requires further improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A primary object of the invention is to provide a swing handle arrangement for an
exercise equipment that achieves the effect of training the legs at the lower body
and at the same time the upper body of the operator by use of a single exercise equipment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise equipment including
a swing handle arrange of the above kind.
[0006] The above object is achieved by a swing handle arrangement according to claims 1,
XXX and by an exercise equipment according to claim XXX. Further advantageous embodiments
are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.
[0007] In a swing handle arrangement according to the present invention through a synchronic
coupled and swing movement of the upper and lower body of the operator the effect
of twisting the waist and abdominal muscles of the upper body of the operator only
by use of a single exercise equipment can be achieved to thereby train also the upper
body when the legs at the lower body are exercised. In this way, an overall training
and fitness effect is achieved, thereby increasing the application value and the body-building
effect.
[0008] According to the invention, a swing handle arrangement for an exercise equipment
includes a pair of drive rods driven by the pedal rods such that longitudinal drive
gears fixed at the drive rods are cooperated with swing handles having the lateral
drive gears for conducting a swing action. In this way, a waist-twisting movement
of the upper body can be synchronically achieved when the operator holds the swing
handles to take exercise at his feet of the lower body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent
from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the partial structure of the preferred embodiment
of the invention according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG.
2 wherein the operation thereof is illustrated;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG.
2 wherein a continuous operation thereof is illustrated;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG.
4;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG.
5; and
FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of the partial structure of another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings that show various embodiments of the invention.
[0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 that is applied
to an elliptical cross trainer. According thereto, the preferred embodiment of the
invention includes a base frame 10, a resistance load mechanism 20, two drive rods
30, and two swing handles 40.
[0012] The base frame 10 includes a front ground-touching rod 11, a rear ground-touching
rod 12, a front support 13, and two pedal rods 14. An electronic console 15 and a
fixed type handle unit 16 are provided at the top of the front support 13. The fixed
type handle units 16 are pivotally connected to the pedal rods 14 through suspension
rods 17 and connection rods 18 at both sides of the front ground-touching rod 11.
[0013] The resistance load mechanism 20 includes two swingable load weights 21 and a synchronic
drive gear set 22. Moreover, the load weights 21 are pivotally connected to the other
end of the pedal rods 14, respectively, such that a coupled relationship is created.
[0014] The drive rods 30 are pivotally coupled to the pedal rods 14 through the transmission
rods 31 to create a coupled relationship. The other end of the drive rods 30 is pivotally
connected to a first cross shaft 191 of the front support 13. A longitudinal drive
gear 32 is positioned at the top of the drive rods 30, respectively.
[0015] The swing handles 40 are formed in a bent shape and pivotally coupled to a second
cross shaft 192 of the front support 13. The swing handles 40 further include a lateral
drive gear 41 opposite to the longitudinal drive gear 32 such that a reliable engagement
is achieved.
[0016] Based on the assembly of the above-mentioned components, as shown in FIGS. 4 through
7, a synchronic movement is achieved when the operator steps on the pedal rods 14
to make a to-and-fro movement or uses his both hands to push the swing handles 40
to swing to the right and left sides. Moreover, the load weights 21 provide a proper
exercise resistance and an inertia swing force such that a waist-twisting movement
of the upper body can be synchronically achieved when the operator holds the swing
handles 40 to take exercise at his feet of the lower body.
[0017] The handle 42 of the swing handles 40 may be designed in a pivotally coupled state
such that a practical adjustment to the twisting movement of the operator's wrist
is ensured and an exercise injury is avoided.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. The longitudinal drive gear
32 of the drive rods 30 is cooperated with a single lateral drive gear 52 positioned
at the bottom of the swing handles 50. In this way, the same exercise features and
effects are achieved, too.
[0019] In summary the present invention relates to a swing handle arrangement for an exercise
equipment having a pair of drive rods driven by the pedal rods such that longitudinal
drive gears fixed at the drive rods are cooperated with swing handles having the lateral
drive gears for conducting a swing action. In this way, a waist-twisting movement
of the upper body can be synchronically achieved when the operator holds the swing
handles to take exercise at his feet of the lower body.
[0020] Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention
can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly,
to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed
and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
1. A swing handle arrangement for an exercise equipment having a pair of drive rods (50)
driven by the pedal rods (14) such that longitudinal drive gears (32) fixed at the
drive rods (30) are cooperated with swing handles (40) having the lateral drive gears
(41) for conducting a swing action,
whereby a waist-twisting movement of an operator's upper body can be synchronically
achieved when the operator holds the swing handles to take exercise at his feet of
the lower body.
2. The swing handle arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a) a base frame (10) having a front ground-touching rod (11), a rear ground-touching
rod (12), a front support (13), and two pedal rods (14), an electronic console (15)
and a fixed type handle unit (16) being provided at the top of the front support,
the fixed type handle unit being pivotally connected to the pedal rods (14) through
suspension rods (17) and connection rods (18) at both sides of the front ground-touching
rod;
b) a resistance load mechanism (20) having two swingable load weights (21) and a synchronic
drive gear set (22), the load weights being pivotally connected to the other end of
the pedal rods, respectively, such that a coupled relationship is created;
c) two drive rods (30) pivotally coupled to the pedal rods (14) through the transmission
rods (31) to create a coupled relationship, the other end of the drive rods being
pivotally connected to a first cross shaft (191) of the front support (13), a longitudinal
drive gear (32) being positioned at the top of the drive rods (30), respectively;
and
d) at least one swing handle (40), each swing handle (40) further having a lateral
drive gear (41; 52) opposite to the longitudinal drive gear (32) such that a reliable
engagement is achieved.
3. The swing handle arrangement as claimed in claim 2, having two swing handles (40)
formed in a bent shape and pivotally coupled to a second cross shaft (192) of the
front support (13).
4. The swing handle arrangement as claimed in claim 2, having a swing handle (50) mounted
near the top of the front support, the swing handle further having a lateral drive
gear (52) opposite to the longitudinal drive gear (32) such that a reliable engagement
is achieved.
5. The swing handle arrangement as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein each swing handle
includes a handle designed in a pivotally coupled state.
6. A swing handle arrangement for an exercise equipment, comprising:
a) a base frame (10) having a front ground-touching rod (11), a rear ground-touching
rod (12), a front support (13), and two pedal rods (14), an electronic console (15)
and a fixed type handle unit (16) being provided at the top of the front support,
the fixed type handle unit being pivotally connected to the pedal rods (14) through
suspension rods (17) and connection rods (18) at both sides of the front ground-touching
rod;
b) a resistance load mechanism (20) having two swingable load weights (21) and a synchronic
drive gear set (22), the load weights being pivotally connected to the other end of
the pedal rods, respectively, such that a coupled relationship is created;
c) two drive rods (30) pivotally coupled to the pedal rods (14) through the transmission
rods (31) to create a coupled relationship, the other end of the drive rods being
pivotally connected to a first cross shaft (191) of the front support (13), a longitudinal
drive gear (32) being positioned at the top of the drive rods (30), respectively;
and
d) at least one swing handle (40), each swing handle (40) further having a lateral
drive gear (41; 52) opposite to the longitudinal drive gear (32) such that a reliable
engagement is achieved.
7. The swing handle arrangement as claimed in claim 6, having two swing handles (40)
formed in a bent shape and pivotally coupled to a second cross shaft (192) of the
front support (13).
8. The swing handle arrangement as claimed in claim 6, having a swing handle (50) mounted
near the top of the front support, the swing handle further having a lateral drive
gear (52) opposite to the longitudinal drive gear (32) such that a reliable engagement
is achieved.
9. The swing handle arrangement as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein each swing handle
includes a handle designed in a pivotally coupled state.
10. An exercise equipment for training the legs of an operator, comprising a swing handle
arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims through which a leg movement
of the lower body of the operator and a waist-twisting movement of the upper body
of the operator can be synchronically achieved