Exercise equipment

Abstract

To provide light-weight exercise equipment having fatigue resistance.SOLUTION: Exercise equipment 1 comprises pushing object parts 3L and 3R to be pushed in by a part of the user's body, bases 5L and 5R for supporting the pushing object parts 3L and 3R, and a resistance application member 7 disposed between the pushing object parts 3L and 3R and the bases 5L and 5R and applying resistance to the push-in of the pushing object parts 3L and 3R. The resistance application member 7 includes a tabular upper elastic piece 43 curved in an upward convex shape, and a tabular lower elastic piece 53 curved in a downward convex shape and rotationally connected to both ends of the upper elastic piece 43. When the pushing object parts 3L and 3R are pushed in such a manner as to linearly deform the upper elastic piece 43 and the lower elastic piece 53, resistance is applied to the user and the resistance becomes bouncing repulsive force to support exercise.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise machine that allows a user to obtain an exercise effect by pressing a pressed portion with a part of the user's body. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an exercise machine that provides an exercise effect by pushing a part of the user's body against a pushed part is a stepper type exercise machine. A stepper type exercise machine provides an exercise effect by applying resistance to the user's legs and waist by alternately stepping on (pushing) a pair of left and right pedals to which resistance is applied. Coil springs and oil cylinders have traditionally been used as a means for applying resistance to the pedals.

[0003] For example, the adjustable stepper described in Patent Document 1 uses an adjustable gravity hydraulic cylinder as a resistance body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] Utility model registration number 3057798 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a hydraulic cylinder is used as a resistance body as described above, there are problems such as a relatively heavy weight, oil leakage, and the fluidity of the oil being easily changed by the environmental temperature. In addition, there is a demand for a stepper-type exercise machine that is lightweight and has sufficient fatigue resistance, and has a new design that differs from the conventional designs using coil springs and hydraulic cylinders.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight exercise machine that is fatigue-resistant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The exercise equipment of the present invention comprises a pressed part that is pressed by a part of the user's body, a base on which the pressed part is supported, and a resistance providing member that is arranged between the pressed part and the base and applies resistance to the pressing of the pressed part, the resistance providing member having an upper elastic piece in a plate shape that is curved in an upward convex shape, and a lower elastic piece in a plate shape that is curved in a downward convex shape and rotatably connected to both ends of the upper elastic piece, and by pressing the pressed part so that the upper elastic piece and the lower elastic piece deform in a straight line, resistance is provided to the user, and the resistance becomes a bouncy repulsive force to support exercise.

[0008] In the present invention, the pressed portions may be a pair of pedals on which the user's feet are placed and alternately pressed.

[0009] In the present invention, the resistance providing member may further include an upper fixed piece that is integrally formed in a central portion of the upper elastic piece and fixed to each of the pedals, and a lower fixed piece that is integrally formed in a central portion of the lower elastic piece and fixed to each of the bases.

[0010] In the present invention, the upper elastic piece and the lower elastic piece may be curved in an arc shape.

[0011] The present invention may be characterized in that it further comprises an elastic member that is hung across a connecting portion between the upper elastic piece and the lower elastic piece.

[0012] In the present invention, the device may further include a connecting member connecting the pair of bases, the connecting member having two arms, one end of which is rotatably connected to each of the bases and the other end of which is rotatably connected to each other.

[0013] In the present invention, the resistance applying member may be made of POM. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, resistance is applied to the user by elastic deformation of the upper and lower elastic pieces, so that sufficient fatigue resistance can be obtained for stepping exercise and weight reduction is possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a stepper-type exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a stepper-type exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view showing a stepper-type exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one pedal, a base, and a resistance member of a stepper-type exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A stepper-type exercise machine 1 will be described as an example of an exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the stepper-type exercise machine 1, Fig. 2 is a side view of the stepper-type exercise machine 1, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the stepper-type exercise machine 1, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the left pedal 3, base 5, and resistance applying member 7. Fr, Rr, L, and R in each drawing indicate the front side, rear side, left side, and right side, respectively.

[0017] 1, the stepper-type exercise device 1 includes a pair of left and right pedals 3L, 3R (collectively referred to as pedals 3), a pair of left and right bases 5L, 5R (collectively referred to as bases 5), left and right resistance providing members 7L, 7R (collectively referred to as resistance providing members 7) disposed between each pedal 3 of the pair of left and right pedals 3L, 3R and each base 5 of the pair of left and right bases 5L, 5R, and a connecting member 9 connecting the pair of left and right bases 5L, 5R. The pair of left and right pedals 3L, 3R are an example of a pressed part in the present invention that is pressed by a part of the user's body.

[0018] First, the pair of left and right pedals 3L, 3R will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the pedal 3 is a shallow concave member having an elliptical bottom plate 11 that is long in the front-rear direction and a side wall 13 that stands along the periphery of the bottom plate 11. An insole 15 is placed on the bottom plate 11.

[0019] Next, the pair of left and right bases 5L, 5R will be described. The base 5 is an elliptical plate-like member that is long in the front-rear direction, similar to the pedal 3. As shown in Fig. 4, a shallow recess 21 is formed on the upper surface of the base 5. Legs 23 are fixed to the four corners of the lower surface of the base 5.

[0020] Next, the left and right resistance applying members 7L, 7R will be described. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the resistance applying member 7 includes an upper member 31 and a lower member 33. The upper member 31 and the lower member 33 are made of POM (polyacetal resin).

[0021] First, the upper member 31 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper member 31 has an upper fixed piece 41 fixed to the pedal 3, and an upper elastic piece 43 which is a plate-like piece curved in an upwardly convex arc. The center of the upper elastic piece 43 is fixed to the center of the lower surface of the upper fixed piece 41, and the upper elastic piece 43 and the upper fixed piece 41 are integrally formed.

[0022] The upper fixed piece 41 is formed in the shape of an oval plate that is long in the front-rear direction, similar to the bottom plate 11 of the pedal 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper fixed piece 41 is fixed to the four corners of the underside of the bottom plate 11 of the pedal 3 with screws B1. A cylindrical stopper 45 that protrudes downward is fixed to the center of the underside of the upper fixed piece 41.

[0023] 2, the upper elastic piece 43 is a plate-like member having a predetermined width (length along the left-right direction) and elongated in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the upper fixed piece 41, and is curved in an upwardly convex arc shape with a predetermined diameter and a predetermined central angle. The distance between both ends of the upper elastic piece 43 is approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the upper fixed piece 41. As described above, the center of the upper elastic piece 43 is fixed to the center of the upper fixed piece 41. The length of the fixed portion between them is approximately 1 / 3 the length of the upper elastic piece 43.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, two front bearing portions 47 having through holes along the width direction (left-right direction) of the upper elastic piece 43 are formed at one end (front end) of the upper elastic piece 43. The two front bearing portions 47 are formed at both ends in the width direction of the upper elastic piece 43. One rear bearing portion 49 having a through hole along the width direction of the upper elastic piece 43 is formed at the other end (rear end) of the upper elastic piece 43. The rear bearing portion 49 is formed in the center of the upper elastic piece 43 in the width direction.

[0025] Next, the lower member 33 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the lower member 33 has a lower fixed piece 51 fixed to the base 5, and a plate-like lower elastic piece 53 curved in a downwardly convex arc. The center of the lower elastic piece 53 is fixed to the center of the lower surface of the lower fixed piece 51, and the lower elastic piece 53 and the lower fixed piece 51 are integrally formed.

[0026] The lower fixed piece 51 is formed in an elliptical plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction, similar to the recess 21 of the base 5. As shown in Fig. 4, the lower fixed piece 51 is accommodated in the recess 21 of the base 5, and is fixed to the four corners of the bottom surface of the recess 21 of the base 5 with screws B2. In detail, through holes are formed in the lower fixed piece 51 and the base 5. The screw B2 is passed through both through holes from below, with the tip protruding from the upper surface of the lower fixed piece 51 and screwed into the nut N. The nut N is covered with a cap 55.

[0027] As also shown in Fig. 2, the lower elastic piece 53 has the same width as the upper elastic piece 43, is a plate-like member that is long in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the lower fixed piece 51, and is curved in a downwardly convex arc shape with the same diameter and central angle as the upper elastic piece 43. The distance between both ends of the lower elastic piece 53 is approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the lower fixed piece 51. As described above, the central part of the lower elastic piece 53 is fixed to the central part of the lower fixed piece 51. The length of the fixed part between them is approximately 1 / 3 the length of the lower elastic piece 53. A convex part 57 is formed on the upper surface of the central part of the lower elastic piece 53 (see Fig. 2).

[0028] 4, one front bearing portion 59 having a through hole extending along the width direction of the lower elastic piece 53 is formed at one end (front end) of the lower elastic piece 53. The front bearing portion 59 is formed in the center of the width direction of the lower elastic piece 53. Two rear bearing portions 61 having a through hole extending along the width direction of the lower elastic piece 53 are formed at the other end (rear end) of the lower elastic piece 53. The two rear bearing portions 61 are formed at both ends of the lower elastic piece 53 in the width direction.

[0029] 4, the front and rear bearing portions 47, 49 of the upper elastic piece 43 of the upper member 31 and the front and rear bearing portions 59, 61 of the lower elastic piece 53 of the lower member 33 are rotatably connected via front and rear pivot shafts 65, 67, respectively. In detail, one front bearing portion 59 of the lower elastic piece 53 is disposed between the two front bearing portions 47 of the upper elastic piece 43, and a front pivot shaft 65 passes through a through hole aligned in the width direction. In addition, one rear bearing portion 49 of the upper elastic piece 43 is disposed between the two rear bearing portions 61 of the lower elastic piece 53, and a rear pivot shaft 67 passes through a through hole aligned in the width direction.

[0030] Each of the front and rear rotating shafts 65, 67 has a head portion and a shaft portion having a screw formed at its tip portion. The front rotating shaft 65 passes through the through holes of the front bearing portions 47, 59 of both elastic pieces 43, 53, and the screw at its tip portion is screwed into a nut N. The rear rotating shaft 67 passes through the through holes of the rear bearing portions 49, 61 of both elastic pieces 43, 53, and the screw at its tip portion is screwed into a nut N. The head portions and the nuts N of the front and rear rotating shafts 65, 67 are each covered with a cap 69.

[0031] In this state in which the upper member 31 and the lower member 33 are connected by the front and rear pivot shafts 65, 67, the pedal 3 is tilted slightly downward and forward with respect to the base 5, as shown in Fig. 2. The inclination angle of the pedal 3 with respect to the base 5 is, for example, 2 degrees.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, left and right front rollers 73L, 73R are respectively passed through the shaft portion of the front pivot shaft 65 on both sides of the front bearings 47, 59. Left and right rear rollers 75L, 75R are respectively passed through the shaft portion of the rear pivot shaft 67 on both sides of the rear bearings 49, 61. Left and right rubber rings 77L, 77R are respectively hung between the left front roller 73L and the left rear roller 75R, and between the right front roller 73R and the right rear roller 75R. The rubber rings 77L, 77R are an example of an elastic member hung across the connecting portion between the upper elastic piece 43 and the lower elastic piece 53.

[0033] Next, a description will be given of the connecting member 9. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connecting member 9 has left and right arms 81L and 81R.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the rear ends of the left and right arms 81L, 81R are rotatably connected to the protrusions 57 provided on the lower elastic pieces 53 of the lower members 33 of the left and right resistance applying members 7L, 7R. Through holes are formed in the front ends of the left and right arms 81L, 81R. The front ends of the left and right arms 81L, 81R are stacked in the vertical direction, and a rotating shaft 83 is passed through both through holes from below. The rotating shaft 83 is supported non-rotatably by the left and right arms 81L, 81R. A screw is formed at the tip of the rotating shaft 83 protruding upward from the left and right arms 81L, 81R.

[0035] A handle 85 is screwed into the screw of the pivot shaft 83. A coil spring 87 is disposed around the pivot shaft 83 between the handle 85 and the front ends of the left and right arms 81L, 81R. By rotating the handle 85 in a tightening direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3), the coil spring 87 is compressed, so that the front ends of the left and right arms 81L, 81R are brought into closer contact with each other. As a result, the friction between the two restricts the rotation of the left and right arms 81L, 81R about the pivot shaft 83. On the other hand, by rotating the handle 85 in a loosening direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3), the friction between the two is reduced, and the left and right arms 81L, 81R can rotate about the pivot shaft 83.

[0036] The operation of the stepper-type exercise device 1 having the above configuration will be described. First, the user rotates the handle 85 of the connecting member 9 in a loosening direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3) to rotate the left and right arms 81L, 81R and spread the left and right bases 5L, 5R to a desired distance. Then, the user rotates the handle 85 in a tightening direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3) to restrict the rotation of the left and right arms 81L, 81R about the rotation shaft 83 and position the left and right bases 5L, 5R. The left and right bases 5L, 5R are also rotated around the convex portion 57 to open them to a desired angle.

[0037] Thereafter, the user places the left and right feet on the left and right pedals 3L, 3R and alternately steps on the pedal 3. When the pedal 3 is stepped on, the upper elastic piece 43 and the lower elastic piece 53 of the resistance applying member 7 are elastically deformed so as to become linear (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). The upper and lower elastic pieces 43, 53 can be deformed into a linear shape until the stopper 45 abuts on the center of the upper surface of the lower elastic piece 53. In this way, the elastic deformation of the upper and lower elastic pieces 43, 53 applies resistance to the foot that steps on the pedal, and this resistance becomes a bouncing repulsive force, providing an exercise effect that strengthens the user's legs and waist.

[0038] As described above, according to the stepper-type exercise machine 1 of the present invention, resistance is applied to the user by elastic deformation of the upper and lower elastic pieces 43, 53 made of resin (POM in this example). POM is a lightweight material with high strength, so it is possible to obtain sufficient fatigue resistance against stepping exercise and to reduce weight. In addition, since the resistance applying member 7 has a novel configuration different from the hydraulic cylinders and coil springs that have been used conventionally, it can be differentiated from other products and is likely to attract the user's attention.

[0039] In addition, the upper fixed piece 41 of the upper member 31 of the resistance applying member 7 is fixed to the pedal 3, and the length of the fixed portion between the upper fixed piece 41 and the pedal 3 is relatively long. Therefore, the upper elastic piece 43 does not rotate or move relative to the pedal 3. In addition, the lower fixed piece 51 of the lower member 33 is fixed to the base 5, and the length of the fixed portion between the lower fixed piece 51 and the base 5 is relatively long. Therefore, the lower elastic piece 53 does not rotate or move relative to the base 5.

[0040] For this reason, even if the upper and lower elastic pieces 43, 53 are bent when the pedal 3 is stepped on, the posture of the pedal 3 relative to the base 5 does not change. In other words, the pedal 3 moves up and down while maintaining its initial posture (a posture inclined downward by 2 degrees toward the front relative to the base 5). Therefore, the stepping action of the pedal 3 is stable.

[0041] In addition, since the upper elastic piece 43 and the lower elastic piece 53 are curved in an arc shape, the load applied through the pedal 3 is evenly distributed, and the resistance applying member 7 deforms stably. This increases the durability of the resistance applying member 7 and stabilizes the load applied to the user.

[0042] Furthermore, since the resistance applied to the user varies depending on the amount of deformation of the upper and lower elastic pieces 43, 53, it is possible to provide resistance according to the amount of movement of the user, and to reduce the impact on the knees and hips of the user.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the rubber rings 77L, 77R are hung across the connecting portion between the upper elastic piece 43 and the lower elastic piece 53, but the rubber rings 77L, 77R are not necessarily required. Since a large force is required to elastically deform the resistance applying member 7 by hanging the rubber rings 77L, 77R across, the rubber rings 77L, 77R may be hung only when a particularly large resistance is desired or when the user is relatively heavy.

[0044] The resistance applying member 7 of this embodiment can be used as an elastic member that applies resistance to a user not only in the stepper-type exercise machine 1 but also in fitness equipment such as a trampoline or a chair for squats. In the case of a trampoline, the mat is an example of the pressed part in the present invention, and in the case of a chair for squats, the seat of the chair is an example of the pressed part in the present invention.

[0045] In addition, the above description of the embodiments of the present invention describes preferred embodiments of the exercise equipment 1 according to the present invention, and therefore may include various technically preferable limitations on materials, dimensions, structure, etc., but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless there is a specific description limiting the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 exercise equipment 3L, 3R Pedals (pressed parts) 5L, 5R base 7 Resistance imparting member 9 Connecting members 41 Upper fixing piece 43 Upper elastic piece 51 Lower fixing piece 53 Lower elastic piece 81L, 81R Arm

Claims

1. A pushed portion that is pushed by a part of a user's body; A base on which the pressed portion is supported; a resistance applying member disposed between the pressed portion and the base, the resistance applying member applying resistance to the pressing of the pressed portion, The resistance applying member is An upper elastic piece having a plate shape curved in an upward convex shape; a plate-shaped lower elastic piece that is rotatably connected to both ends of the upper elastic piece and curved in a downward convex shape; This exercise equipment is characterized in that by pushing the pushed-in object so that the upper elastic piece and the lower elastic piece are deformed linearly, resistance is applied to the user, and the resistance becomes a bouncing repulsive force to support exercise.

2. 2. The exercise equipment according to claim 1, wherein the pressed portion is a pair of pedals on which the feet of the user are placed and which are alternately pressed down.

3. The resistance applying member is an upper fixed piece that is integrally provided at a central portion of the upper elastic piece and is fixed to each of the pedals; 2. The exercise equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a lower fixed piece that is integrally provided at a central portion of the lower elastic piece and is fixed to each of the bases.

4. 2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the upper elastic piece and the lower elastic piece are curved in an arc shape.

5. 2. The exercise equipment according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member hung across a connecting portion between the upper elastic piece and the lower elastic piece.

6. A connecting member for connecting the pair of bases is further provided, The connecting member is 2. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising two arms, one end of which is pivotally connected to each of said bases and the other end of which is pivotally connected to each other.

7. 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the resistance member is made of POM.

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