[0001] The invention relates to a connection socket of an exercise apparatus for a portable
mini electric device, and more particularly, to a structure intended to hold a portable
player or a cellular phone in different size and thickness. A loudspeaker and a microphone
built within the exercise apparatus can be employed for a practical audio/video output
or an easy telephony connection.
[0002] The portable players (such as MP3, MP4, etc.) or cellular phones have become indispensable
for the modern people. People who take exercise with the indoor fitness apparatus
hope that their portable players can be directly connected to the fitness apparatus
or the accessories of the cellular phone. As a result, the operator can play his favorite
music, film or make telephony connections by himself such that the exercise apparatus
can meet the personal requirements of different operators.
[0003] Of course, such a connection socket having built-in loudspeaker and microphone has
been provided in many fitness apparatuses in the market so that the above-mentioned
important requirements can be fulfilled. However, only special portable players or
cellular phones with certain brands, models, specifications are applicable without
problem due to the design mistake of the structure of the connection socket. Therefore,
the conventional connection socket cannot be used by all operators.
[0004] The above-mentioned problem lies in that the insertion head and the receptacle portion
of the connection socket of an exercise apparatus have fixed and not adjustable dimensions.
Therefore, a smooth insertion is hindered and this requires further improvements.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a connection socket of an exercise apparatus
in which a connector unit is installed in a swivel seat such that the swivel seat
can be properly swiveled within a base, thereby creating a sufficient space for a
smooth insertion of the portable player and the cellular phone having different dimensions
and thickness. In this way, the application scope can be effectively enhanced.
[0006] This object being achieved by a connection socket of an exercise apparatus according
to independent claim 1.
[0007] According to the invention, a connection socket of an exercise apparatus in accordance
with the invention includes a base and a swivel seat. The base has a support face
with a plurality of through holes for connection of an electronic control panel. A
soft pad is adhered to the support face. Moreover, the swivel seat includes an upper
cover, a connector unit and a lower cover. After assembly, the swivel seat is pivotally
attached to a cavity of the base in such a way that the connection pins of the connector
unit are extended out of the upper cover. In this way, the swivel seat can be properly
swiveled such that a problem-free insertion of the portable player or the cellular
phone in different dimensions and thickness is ensured.
[0008] 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 an exploded perspective view of a connection socket in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of a connection socket in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the invention applied to a fitness apparatus; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the invention applied to another fitness apparatus.
[0009] The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings that show various embodiments of the invention.
[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a connection socket in accordance with a first embodiment
of the invention includes a base 10 and a swivel seat 20. The base 10 has a support
face 11 with a plurality of through holes 12. An electronic control panel 30 is fixed
by means that locking elements 13 are screwed into the through holes 12. A soft pad
14 is adhered to the support face 11. Moreover, the swivel seat 20 includes an upper
cover 21, a connector unit 22 and a lower cover 23. After insertion pins 211 fit into
corresponding insertion holes 231, the swivel seat 20 is pivotally attached by a pivot
pin set 24 to a cavity 15 of the base 10 in such a way that the connection pins 221
of the connector unit 22 are extended out of a slot 212 of the upper cover 21. In
this way, the swivel seat 20 can be properly swiveled such that a problem-free insertion
of the portable player 40 or the cellular phone (not shown) in different dimensions
and thickness is ensured.
[0011] In use, the swivel seat 20 outwardly rotates on the pivot pin set 24 such that the
connection pins 221 are far away from the support face 11 of the base 10. No matter
how the dimensions and the thickness of the portable player 40 and the cellular phone
are, a problem-free insertion of the portable player 40 and the cellular phone is
guaranteed under the precondition that the connection pins 221 are suitable for their
insertion. Thereafter, the portable player 40 or the cellular phone rotates together
with the swivel seat 20 in the direction of the support face 11 back to the original
position. In this way, the portable player 40 and the cellular phone can stably lie
on the soft pad 14, and the soft pad 14 provides a proper cushioning and protecting
effect for the portable player 40 or the cellular phone.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection socket in accordance with the invention
can be installed without problem either on a small electronic control panel 30 of
a fitness apparatus (not shown, or an elliptical cross trainer 50) or on a large electronic
control panel 30 of a treadmill 60.
[0013] Of course, the connection pins 221 of the connector unit 22 have different forms
for corresponding requirements when used or replaced. Meanwhile, they are suitable
for certain female connector of the portable player 40 and the cellular phone with
different brands and models.
[0014] 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 connection socket of an exercise apparatus having a base (10) and a swivel seat
(20), the base (10) having a support face (11) with a plurality of through holes (12),
an electronic control panel (30) being fixed by means that locking elements (13) are
screwed into the through holes (12), a soft pad (14) being adhered to the support
face (11), the swivel seat (20) having an upper cover (21), a connector unit (22)
and a lower cover (23),
wherein, after insertion pins (211) fit into corresponding insertion holes (231),
the swivel seat (20) is pivotally attached by a pivot pin set (24) to a cavity (15)
of the base (10) in such a way that the connection pins (221) of the connector unit
(22) are extended out of a slot (212) of the upper cover (21), in this way, the swivel
seat (20) can be properly swiveled such that a problem-free insertion of a portable
player (40) or a cellular phone in different dimensions and thickness is ensured.
2. The connection socket of an exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the
connection pins (221) of the connector unit (22) have different forms for corresponding
requirements when used or replaced.