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1. Fields of the Invention
The invention relates to a pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer, and more particularly, to a mechanism that permits a free adjustment of the exercise pace in manually or electrically telescopic manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
The elliptical cross trainer is so used that the operator's feet can make an elliptical movement path, thereby simulating the real running and walking path. Moreover, the horizontal pace (simulating the movement on a flat ground) and the inclined pace (simulating the uphill and downhill movement) can be changed when the vertical position of the treadles of the elliptical cross trainer changes. This is the main intention of the invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,512, U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,014, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,925 teach a mechanism that directly adjusts the vertical position of the treadle planks in such a way that the exercise angle is changed for adjusting the pace. The above-mentioned adjustment permits an immediate change in the vertical exercise position of the treadles. However, the whole assembly of the adjusting mechanism will become considerably complicated. In addition to the difficulties in assembly, the mechanism does not favor the reduction of the manufacturing costs and the improvement of the economic benefit. Thus, the conventional mechanism requires further improvement.
It is a primary object of the invention is to provide a telescopic pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer that makes use of a telescopic way for changing the length of the treadle planks at any time. Accordingly, the basic effect of adjusting the vertical exercise position is achieved. Meanwhile, the assembly elements can be simplified for ensuring a better economic benefit and usability.
In accordance with the invention, the telescopic pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer includes two treadle planks that consist of two telescopic rods. An adjustment of the exercise pace can be easily achieved by the simple telescopic adjustment and the positioning action.
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 side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic operational view of the embodiment according to FIG. 2, and
FIG. 4 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a frame unit 10 with a bottom support frame 11 at the front end thereof and a flywheel transmission unit 30 at the rear end thereof. The flywheel transmission unit is covered by a protection hood 12. The flywheel transmission unit works in cooperation with two treadle planks 13 on each of which a treadle 14 is disposed for taking a treading exercise. Two movable handle rods 17 are pivotally mounted on a crossbar 16 of the frame unit 10. The bottom of the movable handle rods 17 is pivotally attached to a connecting rod 18. The other end of the connecting rod 16 is pivotally connected to the front section of the treadle plank 13, thereby creating a coupling action. Moreover, the top of the frame unit 10 is provided with a fixed handle rod 19. An upright rod 20 is pivotally attached to both sides of the bottom support frame 11, respectively. The top end of the upright rod 20 is pivotally coupled to a coupling rod 21 while the other end of the coupling rod 21 is pivotally connected to the treadle plank 13.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the treadle planks 13 mainly consist of two telescopic rods 131, 132. Meanwhile, a plurality of positioning elements 133 and insertion holes 134 are provided at corresponding position in such a way that the total length of the treadle planks 13 depends upon the telescopic adjustment between the telescopic rods 131, 132. Further, a synchronic displacement of the coupling rod 21 will be employed for an easy adjustment of the exercise pace.
The positioning effect exerted by the positioning elements 133 and the insertion holes 134 belongs to a prior art. The action thereof is not the claimed feature of the invention so that no further descriptions are given hereinafter.
As shown in FIG. 4 illustrating another embodiment of the invention, both of the telescopic rods 131, 132 can be electrically and telescopically adjusted by an electric adjustment assembly 40 having a motor 41, a reduction gear box 42 and a drive screw 43 for achieving the same expected effect.
Alternatively, the upright rod 20 is fixed at the position of the frame unit 10 between the two treadle planks 13. Both sides of the top end of the upright rod 20 are pivotally connected to the coupling rod 21, respectively, such that the pivotal connection to the two treadle planks 13 is achieved.
In order to easily understand the features of the invention, the treadle plank 13 at only one side of the elliptical cross trainer and a few relevant elements are illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In particular, the movable handle rods 17 and the bottom support frame 18 are omitted as well for the purpose of a clear illustration of the adjustment of the action thereof. Moreover, the lines in the drawings are so simple that a better observation effect is achieved.
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 claim.