elliptical machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses an elliptical machine, which mainly comprises a main frame body, a resistance device, a front belt pulley, a two-crank, a two-foot pedal component, a two-cross link and a two-flexible connecting member. The main feature is that the two-flexible connecting member is arranged on both sides of the vertical frame part of the main frame body. Each flexible connecting member comprises a driven front end, a connecting rear end and an abutting section between the driven front end and the connecting rear end. The driven front end is pivotally connected to the eccentric connecting end of the corresponding crank, the connecting rear end is pivotally connected to the front section of the pedal, and the abutting section is in a spanning state and abuts on the pulley arranged on the corresponding upper shaft. Thus, the elliptical trajectory guiding function can be achieved with the least components and assembly path, the components are simple and the manufacturing material and assembly cost are reduced, and the noise is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a sports and fitness equipment; in particular, it refers to an innovative structural form of an elliptical machine. Background Technology

[0002] An elliptical trainer, also known as a stepper, is a stationary fitness machine designed to simulate the movements of climbing stairs, walking, or running. It allows both legs to share the body's weight, reducing excessive stress on the joints and thus lowering the risk of impact injuries. Based on this advantage, it has become a typical piece of exercise equipment on the market.

[0003] When using an elliptical trainer, the user's feet move along an elliptical or near-elliptical trajectory, a movement method different from traditional fitness equipment. Elliptical trainers typically consist of a frame, resistance system, pulleys, cranks, guide rod assembly, and hand assembly.

[0004] Traditional elliptical trainers typically mount pulleys at the rear of the frame, with crank shafts on either side of the pulleys connected to the left and right pedals to stabilize their operation. However, this design results in an excessively large and space-consuming elliptical trainer. Subsequently, some manufacturers developed a new, conventional design where the pulleys are moved forward to a position above the resistance device at the front of the elliptical trainer. The stabilization of the left and right pedals is achieved by connecting rods or flexible elements (cables or belts) to the pulleys. For details, please refer to US Patent No. 10,518,128B2, "Elliptical Trainer." In this patent (note: the component symbols in the following section are taken from the patent description and are unrelated to the component symbols of this utility model), the front end of the flexible element 15 is indirectly pivotally connected to the first pivot 101, and the rear end is connected to the corresponding guide rod assembly 13. However, the components in this installation path are quite complex. The front end of the flexible member 15 is connected to a connecting member 16, and the other end of the connecting member 16 is pivotally connected to the first pivot 101. The elliptical machine includes a hollow support tube 17 fixed on the frame 10. The hollow support tube 17 is provided with multiple rollers 171. The flexible member 15 is guided through these rollers 171 and passes through the hollow support tube 17, and then is connected to the corresponding guide link assembly 13. The flexible member 15 is suspended from both ends of the hollow support tube 17. Each foot support 133 includes a protruding crossbar 1331, and the flexible member 15 is then connected to the crossbar 1331.

[0005] Furthermore, the connecting component 16 swings up and down repeatedly during operation. As a result, when it reaches the position of the up and down turning point, a phenomenon known in the industry as the "dead center" will occur, causing a jerky and unsmooth operation during use.

[0006] However, upon review, relevant industry research and evaluation revealed that the assembly form of the flexible component 15 in the conventional structure described above is still too cumbersome and complex. As a result, not only can the material and manufacturing cost of the components not be reduced, but the assembly process also requires more procedures and manpower, which in turn increases noise and wear. Therefore, it may be difficult to achieve the effect required by the original design. This is indeed an important technical issue that the relevant industry should continue to pay attention to and make breakthroughs in. Utility Model Content

[0007] The main purpose of this utility model is to provide an elliptical machine. The technical problem it aims to solve is to explore and innovate a new type of elliptical machine structure that is more ideal and practical.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] An elliptical trainer includes: a main frame, comprising a transverse ground-contact portion and an upright portion connected to each other, and defined with front axis, rear axis, vertical axis, and lateral axis according to the lateral directions of use of the main frame; a resistance device having a first shaft spun along the lateral axis at a lower position of the upright portion; a front-mounted pulley having a second shaft spun along the lateral axis at an upper position of the upright portion, and the front-mounted pulley is connected to the resistance device via a transmission component in a synchronous relationship; two cranks, arranged in opposite bending directions on both sides of the front-mounted pulley, with two eccentric connecting ends formed at their opposite outer ends corresponding to the lateral axes; two vertical swing links, arranged on both sides of the upright portion of the main frame, each vertical swing link including an upper swing end, a lower swing end, and a pivoting portion between the upper and lower swing ends, the pivoting portion being spun onto the eccentric connecting ends of the corresponding cranks; and two foot pedals, arranged on the main frame. On both sides of the main frame, each foot pedal component includes a crossbar and a foot pedal connected to the rear section of the crossbar. The front end of the crossbar is pivotally connected to the lower swing end of the corresponding vertical swing linkage. The foot pedal includes a front section and a rear section. An upper shaft is located on the main frame, with two shaft ends protruding from both sides of the frame. Two pulleys are screwed onto the upper shaft. Two horizontal connecting rods are located on both sides of the main frame, each including a front end and a rear end. The front end is pivotally connected to the upper swing end of the corresponding vertical swing linkage, and the rear end is pivotally connected to the shaft end of the corresponding upper shaft. Two flexible linkages are located on both sides of the main frame. Each flexible linkage includes a driven front end, a linked rear end, and a stop section between the driven front end and the linked rear end. The driven front end is pivotally connected to the eccentric linkage end of the corresponding crank, the linked rear end is pivotally connected to the front section of the foot pedal, and the stop section abuts against the pulley on the corresponding upper shaft in a straddling state.

[0010] The main effects and advantages of this utility model are that it can simplify components, reduce manufacturing materials and assembly costs, reduce noise, and achieve elliptical trajectory guidance with the fewest components and assembly paths. In addition, because the driven front end of its flexible linkage is pivotally connected to the eccentric linkage end of the crank, that is, the forward and backward displacement of the driven front end is achieved through the circular cyclic motion of the eccentric linkage end, the operation process is smooth and there are no dead points, thereby achieving better quality of exercise and fitness, and thus has practical progress and better industrial application benefits.

[0011] Another objective of this invention is to further enhance the user's hand-grip control by pivotally providing hand grip levers extending towards the vertical axis on the upper side of each shaft end of the upper shaft, and by pivotally connecting the bottom end of the hand grip levers to the eccentric linkage end of the corresponding crank via an elbow-moving connector. The elbow-moving connector allows the hand grip levers to swing back and forth with the circular motion of the eccentric linkage end, thereby enriching the user's movement patterns. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a combined perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the elliptical machine of this utility model.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the elliptical machine of this utility model.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the elliptical machine of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the single-sided structure of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the elliptical machine in use according to the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the elliptical machine in use according to the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0018] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the foot pedal movement trajectory of the elliptical machine of this utility model. Figure 1 .

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the foot pedal movement trajectory of the elliptical machine of this utility model. Figure 2 . Detailed Implementation

[0020] Please see Figures 1 to 8 The diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the elliptical machine of this invention. However, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not limited to this structure in patent applications.

[0021] The elliptical trainer comprises the following components: a main frame 10, including a transverse ground-contact portion 11 and an upright portion 12 connected to each other, and defining a front axis X1, a rear axis X2, an upright axis Z, and two lateral axes Y according to the lateral directions of use of the main frame 10; a resistance device 20, having a first shaft 21 spun along the lateral axis Y at the lower position of the upright portion 12; and a front-mounted pulley 30, having a second shaft 31 spun along the lateral axis Y at the upper position of the upright portion 12, and the front-mounted pulley 30 is connected to the resistance device 20 via a transmission member 32 and moves in tandem. Two cranks 40, arranged in opposite directions, are located on either side of the front-mounted pulley 30. The corresponding outer ends of the two cranks 40 have two eccentric connecting ends 41. Two vertical swing links 50 are located on either side of the main frame 10's support section 12. Each vertical swing link 50 includes an upper swing end 51, a lower swing end 52, and a pivoting branch 53 between the upper and lower swing ends 51 and 52. The pivoting branch 53 is screwed onto the corresponding eccentric connecting end 41 of the crank 40. Two foot pedal components 60 are located on either side of the main frame 10's support section 12. Each foot pedal component 60... The frame 10 includes a crossbar 61 and a foot pedal 62 connected to the rear section of the crossbar 61. The front end of the crossbar 61 is pivotally connected to the lower swing end 52 of the corresponding vertical swing link 50. The foot pedal 62 includes a front section 623 and a rear section 625. An upper shaft 70 is provided on the upright section 12 of the main frame 10. The upper shaft 70 has two shaft ends 71 ​​protruding from the two sides of the upright section 12. Two pulleys 72 are screwed onto the upper shaft 70 (near the two shaft ends 71). Two crossbars 80 are provided, each crossbar 80 including a front end 81 and a rear end 82. The front end 81 is pivotally connected to the opposite vertical swing link 50. The upper swing end 51 of the upright swing linkage 50 is pivotally connected to the rear end 82 of the corresponding upper shaft 70 shaft end 71; two flexible linkages 90 are respectively provided on both sides of the upright part 12 of the main frame 10. Each flexible linkage 90 includes a driven front end 91, a linked rear end 92, and a stop section 93 between the driven front end 91 and the linked rear end 92. The driven front end 91 is pivotally connected to the eccentric linked end 41 of the corresponding crank 40, the linked rear end 92 is pivotally connected to the front part 623 of the foot pedal 62, and the stop section 93 is in a straddle state and abuts against the pulley 72 provided on the corresponding upper shaft 70.

[0022] Therefore, when the eccentric connecting end 41 of the two cranks 40 produces eccentric circular motion, it can drive the two vertical swing connecting rods 50 to swing back and forth, and on the other hand, it can pull the corresponding foot pedal 62 to produce an elliptical motion trajectory through the flexible connecting member 90 (see...). Figures 7 to 8 (as shown in the changes).

[0023] The perspective described above is based on the movement of the two cranks 40 to discuss the linkage relationship of its components. However, from the perspective of the starting point of the driving force, it is actually the user's feet that step on the two foot pedals 62 to apply force back and forth, thereby generating driving force. As for the linkage form of the components, it is the same as described above.

[0024] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in this example, each shaft end 71 of the upper shaft 70 is further pivotally provided with a hand grip lever 100 extending towards the vertical axis, and the bottom end of the hand grip lever 100 is pivotally connected to the eccentric linkage end 41 of the corresponding crank 40 via an elbow linkage 101. The main feature of this embodiment is to enhance the linkage effect of the user's hand, and the elbow linkage 101 allows the hand grip lever 100 to swing back and forth with the circular motion of the eccentric linkage end 41, thereby enriching the user's movement patterns.

[0025] The flexible linkage 90 is any one of the following: belt, steel cable or nylon rope.

[0026] Based on the above-described structural composition and technical features, the elliptical machine of this utility model, in practical use according to the aforementioned preferred embodiment, is as follows: Figures 5 to 6 As shown, the user places both feet on the foot pedals 62 of the two foot pedal components 60, while holding the two hand grips on the hand control levers 100. When the user applies force back and forth on the two foot pedals 62, a driving force is generated, which in turn drives the eccentric linkage ends 41 of the two cranks 40 to produce eccentric circular motion. During this process, on the one hand, it can drive the two vertical swing linkages 50 to swing back and forth, and on the other hand, it can pull the corresponding foot pedals 62 through the flexible linkage 90 to produce an elliptical motion trajectory T1 (see reference). Figures 7 to 8 As shown in the change), the motion trajectory T1 is similar to a smiling mouth shape, indicating that when the foot pedal 62 moves to the upper part of the motion trajectory T1, it can obtain a relatively flat path shape, but when it reaches the lower part of the motion trajectory T1, it can also obtain a smooth and gliding operation feel.

[0027] Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that this utility model uses a simple flexible linkage 90 to replace the conventionally used connecting rod and bearing structure. The driven front end 91 of the flexible linkage 90 is pivotally connected to the eccentric linkage end 41 of the corresponding crank 40, the linkage rear end 92 is pivotally connected to the front section 623 of the foot pedal 62, and the abutting section 93 abuts against the pulley 72 of the corresponding upper shaft 70 in a straddling state. In this way, the structure can be greatly simplified, thereby saving components, reducing manufacturing materials and assembly costs, reducing noise, and achieving the effect of elliptical trajectory guidance with the fewest components and assembly path (only an L-shaped path). In addition, because the driven front end 91 of its flexible linkage 90 is pivotally connected to the eccentric linkage end 41 of the crank 40, that is, the forward and backward displacement of the driven front end 91 is achieved through the circular cyclic motion of the eccentric linkage end 41, so the operation process is smooth and there is no conventional dead point problem, thereby achieving better exercise and fitness quality.

[0028] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An elliptical machine characterized by include: A main frame includes a transverse ground-facing part and a vertical frame part that are connected to each other, and a front axis, a rear axis, a vertical axis and two lateral axes are defined according to the different lateral directions of the main frame in use. A resistance device having a first shaft that is spun along a lateral axis at a lower position on the upright portion; A front-mounted pulley has a second shaft that is spun along the lateral axis at the upper part of the upright, and the front-mounted pulley is connected to the resistance device through a transmission member in a synchronous relationship. The two cranks are located on the two sides of the front-mounted pulley in opposite directions, and the two cranks have two eccentric connecting ends on the opposite outer ends of the axial direction of the corresponding sides. Two vertical swing links are respectively located on both sides of the upright part of the main frame. Each vertical swing link includes an upper swing end, a lower swing end, and a rotating support between the upper swing end and the lower swing end. The rotating support is eccentrically connected to the corresponding crank. Two foot pedal components are respectively located on both sides of the upright part of the main frame. Each foot pedal component includes a horizontal bar and a foot pedal connected to the rear section of the horizontal bar. The front end of the horizontal bar is pivotally connected to the lower swing end of the corresponding vertical swing link. The foot pedal includes a front section and a rear section. An upper shaft is located on the upright part of the main frame. The upper shaft has two shaft ends that protrude from the two sides of the upright part, and two pulleys are screwed onto the upper shaft. Two horizontal connecting rods, each horizontal connecting rod includes a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end is pivotally connected to the upper swing end of the corresponding vertical swing connecting rod, and the rear end is pivotally connected to the shaft end of the corresponding upper shaft. Two flexible linkages are respectively located on both sides of the upright part of the main frame. Each flexible linkage includes a driven front end, a linked rear end, and a stop section between the driven front end and the linked rear end. The driven front end is pivotally connected to the eccentric linkage end of the corresponding crank, the linked rear end is pivotally connected to the front part of the foot pedal, and the stop section is in a straddle state and abuts against the pulley provided on the corresponding upper shaft.

2. An elliptical machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein Each shaft end of the upper shaft is further pivotally provided with a hand grip lever extending toward the vertical axis, and the bottom end of the hand grip lever is pivotally connected to the eccentric linkage end of the corresponding crank via an elbow linkage.

3. The elliptical machine of claim 1, wherein The flexible linkage is any one of the following: belt, steel cable or nylon rope.

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