Title:

Waist trimmer

United States Patent Application 20030100410

Kind Code:

Abstract:

A waist trimmer adaptable for use in homes, gyms, organizations, or schools, comprising a base frame which has a left arched tube and a right arched tube, a positioning mechanism mounted to front top ends and rear top ends of the left arched tube and the right arched tube of the base frame for a human body to lie thereon, and an exercise mechanism mounted to an upper side of a transverse tube located at front ends of the left arched tube and the right arched tube of the base frame. Additionally, A cradle dock is located between the left and the right arched tube, and a damper is bridged the cradle dock and a bucking tube located at a left side of the exercise mechanism to allow a waist roller moving down slowly without dropping abruptly to avoid incurring uncomfortable impact feeling to the user.

Inventors:

Chu, Yu-ming (Ping-Chen City, TW)

Application Number:

09/991660

Publication Date:

05/29/2003

Filing Date:

11/26/2001

Export Citation:

Click for automatic bibliography generation

Assignee:

CHU YU-MING

Primary Class:

482/51

International Classes:

A63B21/068; A63B23/02; (IPC1-7): A63B22/00

View Patent Images:

Download PDF 20030100410

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Primary Examiner:

NGUYEN, TAM M

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

Joe McKinney Muncy (Fairfax, VA, US)

Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. A waist trimmer comprising a base frame which has a left arched tube and a right arched tube, a positioning mechanism mounted to front top ends and rear top ends of the left arched tube and the right arched tube of the base frame for a human body to lie thereon, and an exercise mechanism mounted to an upper side of a transverse tube located at front ends of the left arched tube and the right arched tube of the base frame, wherein: the base frame is substantially a L-shaped tubular bracket and includes the transverse tube at a front end thereof and an upper transverse tube mounted to a rear top end of the left arched tube and the right arched tube, the left arched tube and the right arched tube being attached to a rear section of the transverse tube at two sides proximate the center thereof and being directed rearwards and bent upwards to form a L shape, the base frame further includes upright posts at selected locations of front ends of the left arched tube and the right arched tube, a seat plate mounting to the top ends of the upright posts and a seat pad located above the seat plate, an anchor plate mounted to the upper transverse tube, a back rest mounted to an upper side of the anchor plate to form a lying position for a human body, a cradle dock located between the left and the right arched tube and a damper bridged the cradle dock and a bucking tube located at the left side of the exercise mechanism; the positioning mechanism includes the upright posts, the seat plate, the seat pad, the anchor plate and the backrest; the seat pad having a trough formed in a rear middle section thereof to receive the bucking tube without hitting the seat pad when a waist roller located at the top end of the bucking tube is raised during exercise, the upper transverse tube being fixedly attached to the anchor plate for holding the backrest, the backrest having two sides at a rear end attached respectively to a left handle bar and a right handle bar which are extended outwards; the exercise mechanism includes a front arched tube mounted to the right side of an axle yoke attached to the transverse tube of the base frame, a front inner tube housed in the front arched tube, a left and a right foot pedal mounted to the top end of the front inner tube, the bucking tube mounted to the left side of the axle yoke, a coupling tube housed in the bucking tube, and a waist roller; wherein the axle yoke is mounted to an upper side of the transverse tube of the base frame and has upward flanges at two ends thereof each having an aperture formed respectively on the top end thereof for holding a pivotal shaft, the pivotal shaft running through and supporting a bearing tube, the front arched tube being mounted to a front side of the bearing tube and being extended right wards and upwards, the front inner tube being housed in the front arched tube at an upper end thereof, the front arched tube further having first adjusting holes linearly formed on an upper side to receive a first anchor pin to fasten the front inner tube at a selected location inside the front arched tube, the front inner tube having a transverse pin hole formed proximate the top end thereof for pivotally engaging with a left and a right foot pedal through a pin; the bucking tube being attached to the left side of the axle yoke in the center thereof and bent upwards to the left side, the bucking tube having an upper end to house the coupling tube and having second adjusting holes linearly formed on a lateral side thereof to receive a second anchor pin for fastening the coupling tube at a selected location inside the bucking tube, the coupling tube having a top end extending to form a rear axle yoke, the rear axle yoke having two upward flanges which have respectively an aperture formed on the top end thereof for pivotally holding a shaft which runs axially through the waist roller; the cradle dock being located between the left and the right arched tube and the damper being bridged the cradle dock and the left and the right arched tube to allow the waist roller located on the upper end of the bucking tube moving downwards slowly; wherein the left and the right foot pedal, the front arched tube, the bucking tube and the waist roller of the exercise mechanism form a linkage motion relationship and generate an oscillating movement; when user's feet treading the foot pedals, the waist roller is raised to lift user's back and waist; when user's feet stop treading the foot pedals, the damper below the bucking tube generating a resistant force to avoid incurring uncomfortable impact feeling to the user and giving the user desired exercise on the back and waist.

2. The waist trimmer of claim 1, wherein the damper is a static oil cylinder type damper.

3. The waist trimmer of claim 1, wherein the damper is a compression spring damper.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus and particularly a waist trimmer for stretching limbs and building waist and back of human body to healthier conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are a wide variety of exercise apparatus available on the market these days. Each has some specific purposes and function. For instance, some are for enhancing body endurance, some are for building stronger legs, some are to build arm muscles, some are to strengthen abdomen or waist, etc. However, not much has been developed for stretching waist, abdomen, limbs and back of human body. People usually like to stretch the body, especially the waist, and to relax the muscles when feel physical fatigue. Stretching exercise can eliminate fatigue, and restore physical energy and stamina. On human body, the back muscles generally get least movement and exercise. Many illnesses are related to the back, such as waist muscle pain, neck and shoulder inflammation, sore and ache on waist and back, etc. Hence to give the waist and back suitable exercises is important to the health and well being of people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In view of the foregoing concerns and disadvantages, the primary object of the invention is to provide a waist trimmer to give people's waist and back sufficient stretching and desired exercises so that people can quickly restore physical energy and gain stamina.

[0004] Another object of the invention is to provide a waist trimmer that is adaptable to people of different physical sizes and figures, and gives users full stretching and desired exercises on the waist and back, and becomes more acceptable to more people.

[0005] To attain aforesaid objects, the waist trimmer of the invention consists of a base frame, a positioning mechanism and an exercise mechanism. The base frame is substantially a L-shaped tubular bracket including a transverse tube at the front end, and a left and a right arched tube having respectively a front end attached to a rear section of the transverse tube at two sides proximate to the center thereof and another end directing rearwards and bending upwards to attach to an upper transverse tube. The positioning mechanism allows a human body to lie thereon and includes upright posts located at selected front positions of the left and the right arched tube of the base frame, a seat plate and a seat pad mounted to the top ends of the upright posts, and an anchor plate and a backrest mounted to the upper transverse tube. The exercise mechanism includes an axle yoke attached to the upper side of the transverse tube, a front arched tube housing a front inner tube, a left and a right foot pedal mounted to the top end of the front arched tube, a bucking tube attached to the left side of the transverse tube and housed a coupling tube, and a waist roller. The seat pad has a trough formed in the rear middle section thereof to prevent hitting the bucking tube when the waist roller is raised during exercise. There is a cradle dock located between the left and the right arched tube. A damper is bridged the cradle dock and the bucking tube to allow the waist roller moving downwards slowly without dropping abruptly to avoid incurring uncomfortable feeling to the user so that people can do exercise on the waist and back to get healthier physical conditions.

[0006] By means of the structure set forth above, the invention has the following advantages:

[0007] 1. The left and the right foot pedal, the front arched tube, the bucking tube and the waist roller of the exercise mechanism of the invention form a linkage motion relationship to produce an oscillating movement. Coupling with the feet pedaling motion, the waist roller on the bucking tube can lift user's back and waist upwards. When user's feet stop pedaling, the damper generates a resistant force to allow the waist roller moving downward slowly without dropping abruptly to avoid incurring uncomfortable feeling to the user and to give the user proper exercise on the back and waist and to get healthier physical conditions.

[0008] 2. The invention allows user's limbs to stretch, and give user's waist and back desired stimulus and exercises.

[0009] 3. The seat pad and backrest may be adjusted to various elevations to suit people of different physical sizes, to make use and exercise more convenient.

[0010] 4. The invention has a damper that serves as a buffer and can prevent shock and impact from incurring uncomfortable feeling to human body.

[0011] 5. The waist trimmer may give people's waist and back suitable exercises to mitigate sore and ache on the waist and back.

[0012] 6. The invention can be widely adapted for use in homes, gyms, organizations, recreation and nursing houses for aged people.

[0013] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the invention in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention consists of a base frame 1, a positioning mechanism 2 mounted to the front and the rear top ends of a left and a right arched tube 11, 11′ of the base frame 1 for people to lie thereon, and an exercise mechanism 3 mounted to an upper side of a transverse tube 10 located at the front ends of the left and right arched tube 11, 11′ of the base frame 1.

[0018] The base frame 1 is substantially a L-shaped tubular bracket including a transverse tube 10 at the front end, a left and a right arched tubes 11, 11′ having one end attached to a rear section of the transverse tube 10 at two sides proximate to the center thereof and another end directing rearwards and bending upwards to attach to an upper transverse tube 12. The positioning mechanism 2 includes upright posts 20 mounted to the front section of the left and right arched tubes 11, 11′ at selected locations, a seat plate 210 and a seat pad 21 mounted to the top ends of the upright posts 20, and an anchor plate 220 and a backrest 22 mounted to the upper transverse tube 12 for people to lie thereon. The exercise mechanism 3 includes an axle yoke 30 mounted to an upper side of the transverse tube 10 of the base frame 1, a cradle dock 13 located between the left and the right arched tube 11, 11′ and a damper 14 bridged the cradle dock 13 and a bucking tube 34 located at the left side of the exercise mechanism 3.

[0019] The positioning mechanism 2 includes the upright posts 20 mounted to the front section of the left and right arched tubes 11, 11′ at selected locations, a seat plate 210 and a seat pad 21 mounted to the top ends of the upright posts 20, and an anchor plate 220 mounted to the upper transverse tube 12 and a backrest 22 located above the anchor plate 220. The seat pad 21 has a trough 211 formed in the rear middle section thereof to allow the bucking tube 34 to move therein without hitting the seat pad 21 when a waist roller 35 located at the top end of the bucking tube 34 is raised during exercise. The anchor plate 220 is mounted to the upper transverse tube 12 located at the rear end of the left and right arched tube 11, 11′ for supporting the backrest 22. There are further a left and a right handle bar 221, 222 located at the rear end of the backrest 22 extending outwards from two sides thereof.

[0020] The exercise mechanism 3 further includes a front arched tube 33 mounted to the right side of the axle yoke 30 which is attached to an upper side of the transverse tube 10 of the base frame 1 and a front inner tube 330 housed in the front arched tube 33, a left and a right foot pedal 31, 32 mounted to the top end of the front inner tube 330, the bucking tube 34 mounted to the left side of the axle yoke 30, a coupling tube 340 housed in the bucking tube 34, and the waist roller 35.

[0021] The axle yoke 30 is fixedly mounted to the upper side of the transverse tube 10 and has upward flanges 300 at two ends each has an aperture 301 formed proximate the top end thereof for holding a pivotal shaft 303. The pivotal shaft 303 runs through and supports a bearing tube 302. The front arched tube 33 is mounted to the front end of the bearing tube 302 and extends right wards and upwards. The front inner tube 330 is housed in the front arched tube 33 at the upper end thereof. The front arched tube 33 further has first adjusting holes 331 linearly formed on the upper side to receive a first anchor pin 332 to fasten the front inner tube 330 at a selected location inside the front arched tube 33. The front inner tube 330 has a transverse pin hole 3300 formed proximate the top end thereof for pivotally engaging with the left and the right foot pedal 31, 32 through a pin 333. The bucking tube 34 is attached to the left side of the axle yoke 30 in the center thereof and bent upwards to the left side. The upper end of the bucking tube 34 houses a coupling tube 340 and has second adjusting holes 341 linearly formed on the lateral side thereof to receive a second anchor pin 342 for fastening the coupling tube 340 at a selected location inside the bucking tube 34. The coupling tube 340 has a top end extending upwards to form a rear axle yoke 36. The rear axle yoke 36 has two upward flanges 360 each has an aperture 3600 formed on the top end thereof for pivotally holding a shaft 350 that runs axially through the waist roller 35. The cradle dock 13 is located between the left and the right arched tube 11, 11′ and the damper 14 is bridged the cradle dock 13 and the left and the right arched tube 11, 11′ to allow the waist roller 35 located on the upper end of the bucking tube 34 moving downwards slowly.

[0022] By means of the structure set forth above, the left and the right foot pedal 31, 32, the front arched tube 33, the bucking tube 34 and the waist roller 35 of the exercise mechanism 3 form a linkage motion relationship and may generate an oscillating movement. When user's feet tread the foot pedals, the waist roller 35 on the bucking tube 34 will be raised to lift user's back and waist. When user's feet stop treading the foot pedals, the damper 14 below the bucking tube 34 generates a resistant force to cushion the impact to avoid giving user uncomfortable feeling and give the user desired exercise on the back and waist.

[0023] When in use, a user can sit on the seat pad 21 above the seat plate 210 of the positioning mechanism 2, with the back lying on the adjusted backrest 22 and with two hands grasping the left and the right handle bar 221 and 222, and the feet treading the left and right pedals 31, 32. Then the user may tread the pedals with the feet, the waist roller 35 on the bucking tube 34 will be raised to lift user's waist and back (as shown in FIG. 3). When user's feet stop treading the pedals, the waist roller 35 will be moved downwards slowly because of the damper 14 to avoid abruptly dropping of user's body to free the user from uncomfortable impact feeling.

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