BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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. From the document US 2006/084553 A1 a twisting stepper is known, which only allows for a combined step and twist 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. From the document WO 2008/156379 A1 an exercising device is known, which allows the user to select between step, twist or twist and step exercises. This is achieved by using a complicated switch structure comprising a gearbox with several plates and with plates extending sideward. While this solves the problem of fixed exercise type, this solution has the drawback of a complicated, large and difficult to manufacture structure. 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 INVENTION
The 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.
These objects are solved by a stepper comprising a structure according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are outlined in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
- Fig. 1 is an exploded view according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 4 is a side view according to the first embodiment of the present invention used for a step exercise;
- Fig. 5 is a top view according to the first embodiment of the present invention used for a step exercise;
- Fig. 6 is a rear view according to the first embodiment of the present invention used for a step exercise;
- Fig. 7 is a side view according to the first embodiment of the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
- Fig. 8 is a top view according to the first embodiment of the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
- Fig. 9 is a rear view according to the first embodiment of the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
- Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing a belt to link the link unit of the present invention;
- Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing a cable to link the link unit of the present invention;
- Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing a chain to link the link unit of the present invention;
- Fig. 13 is an exploded view according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 14 is a partial perspective view according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 15 is a perspective view according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 16 is a side view according to the second embodiment of the present invention used for a step exercise;
- Fig. 17 is a top view according to the second embodiment of the present invention used for a step exercise;
- Fig. 18 is a rear view according to the second embodiment of the present invention used for a step exercise;
- Fig. 19 is a side view according to the second embodiment of the present invention used for a waist swing exercise;
- Fig. 20 is a top view according to the second embodiment of the present invention used for a waist swing exercise; and
- Fig. 21 is a rear view according to the second embodiment of the present invention used for a waist swing exercise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 35, the stepper structure of the present invention comprises a base (10), a rotation seat (20), two pedals (30), a link unit (40), and a switch unit (50).
The base (10) has a middle rod (11). The middle rod (11) has a shaft (15) at a central section thereof. The base (10) has a first limit portion (12) in front of the shaft (15). The first limit portion (12) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for connection of the switch unit (50). The base (10) has a second limit portion (13) behind the shaft (15). The second limit portion (13) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for connection of the switch unit (50).
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 Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), a V-shaped belt pulley (as shown in Fig. 10), a pulley (as shown in Fig. 11) and a chain wheel (as shown in Fig. 12). The driving wheel (41) has a notch (42) corresponding to the first limit portion (22) of the rotation seat (20) for avoidance of the switch unit (50) when the driving wheel (41) turns or the rotation seat (20) swings, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 8. The driving wheel (41) has a second limit portion (43) behind the shaft (15). The second limit portion (43) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for connection of the switch unit (50). The second limit portion (43) corresponds in position to the second limit portion (13) of the base (10). The rear section of the rotation seat (20) won't interfere with the range of the second limit portion (13, 43). The driving wheel 41 is connected with a flexible link member (45). The flexible link member (45) is selected from one of a belt (as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), a V-shaped belt (as shown in Fig. 10), a cable or a CPRD (as shown in Fig. 11) and a chain (as shown in Fig. 12). Two ends of the flexible link member (45) are respectively connected to the link plates (32) of the two pedals (30).
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 left 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 Fig. 3 through Fig. 6, when in use, the limit member (55) of the switch unit (50) is inserted in the first limit portions (22, 12) of the rotation seat (20) and the base (10) as shown in Fig. 4, such that there are two interconnections to confine left and right swing of the rotation seat (20). The driving wheel (41) of the link unit (40) is pivotally connected with the shaft (15), so the driving wheel (41) drives the flexible link member (45) by means of the two pedals (30) for left and right rotation. When the user steps one pedal (30) down, the pedal (30) will compress the resistance member (35) to generate damping. The two pedals (30) have a link relationship through the flexible link member (45) and the link plates (32), so that the other pedal (30) is lifted up. In this way, the two pedals (30) provide an interlaced up-and-down exercise.
As shown in Fig. 7 through Fig. 9, when the limit member (55) of the switch unit (50) is inserted in the second limit portions (53, 43, 13) of the fixing frame (51), the driving wheel (41) and the base (10) as shown in Fig. 7, the driving wheel (41) of the link unit (40) and the base (10) have the shaft (15) and the limit member (55) as two fixed points to confine rotation of the driving wheel (41). The rotation seat (20) and the base (10) are connected by the shaft (15), so the rotation seat (20) can be swung left and right. When the user steps one pedal (30) down, the pedal (30) will compress the resistance member (35) to generate damping. The two pedals (30) are linked by the flexible link member (45) and the link plates (32), so that the other pedal (30) is lifted up and the rotation seat (20) is swung toward one side. In this way, when the two pedals (30) are moved up and down, the present invention also has a waist swing function for a different form of exercise.
Fig. 13, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 show another embodiment of the present invention. A link unit (60) comprises a driving plate (61) and two link members (65). The driving plate (61) is pivotally connected to the shaft (15). The driving plate (61) has a second limit portion (63) behind the shaft (15). The second limit portion (63) may be a connection part (such as a through hole) for connection of the limit member (55). The second limit portion (63) corresponds in position to the second limit portion (13) of the base (10). Two ends of the driving plate (61) are pivotally connected to the two link members (65). The two link members (65) may be steel link rods. The other ends of the two link members (65) are pivotally connected to the link plates (32) of the two pedals (30), respectively. When the driving plate (61) of the link unit (60) is swung left and right, the two pedals (30) are simultaneously pushed through the link members (65) for the two pedals (30) to generate an interlaced link relationship.
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 Fig. 16, Fig. 17 and Fig. 18. when the limit member (55) of the switch unit (50) is inserted in the second limit portions (53, 63, 13) of the fixing frame (51), the driving plate (61) and the base (10) to confine left and right swing of the driving plate (61), the rotation seat 920) can be swung left and right relative to the base (10) to provide a waist swing and step exercise, as shown in Fig. 19, Fig. 20 and Fig. 21.
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 scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.