US20070042878A1

US20070042878A1 - Exerciser

Info

Publication number: US20070042878A1
Application number: US11/254,837
Authority: US
Inventors: Randal Lundquist; Chin-Lien Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-19
Filing date: 2005-10-21
Publication date: 2007-02-22
Also published as: TWM281662U

Abstract

An exerciser for exercising different parts of the body includes a base, two uprights mounted on the base, two transverse bars respectively fastened to the uprights at the top, a guide rail connected between the transverse bars, two rollers pivotally movably supported on the guide rails, two weight holders movably supported on the upright, a plurality of weights detachably mounted on the weight holders, two cord members, which have the respective first end respectively connected to the weight holders and a respective second end respectively mounted with a grip for pulling by the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to exercising machines and more particularly, to an exerciser that is practical for exercising the muscles of different portions of the body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to limited open field space and free time, people living in cities usually use exercising machines to exercise the body physically. Various exercising apparatus are commercially available for exercising the hands and/or the legs. A pectoral fly machine, which is so-called as butterfly machine, is known for exercising the muscles of the chest and the arms. During operation, the user hold the grips of the butterfly machine with the hands and rest the arms on the cushion, and then move the hands alternatively forwards and backwards to exercise the muscles of the chest. A stretching machine is known for exercising the muscles of the back. When using this design of stretching machine, the user holds the grips of the machine with the hands, and then pulls the grips downwards toward the chest and then releases the pressure repeatedly.
The aforesaid butterfly machine and stretching machine provide only one operation mode and can only exercise one specific part of the body. For exercising the muscles of the chest and the back, the user has to use these two different exercising machines.
Further, there is known a combination exerciser, which is a combination of a butterfly machine and a stretching exerciser. However, this design of combination exerciser can simply exercise the muscles of the chest and the back, not practical for exercising other parts of the body.
Further, dumbbells are commonly used for exercising the muscles of the human body. However, because conventional dumbbells have a fixed weight, they cannot satisfy different exercising requirements. If a user uses an overweight dumbbell to exercise the muscles of the arms, an athletic injury may occur easily. Further, when using a dumbbell or dumbbells to exercise the muscles of the arms, the dumbbell or dumbbells may fall to the ground to injure the user's feet accidentally. Therefore, it is not safety to use conventional dumbbells to exercise the muscles of the arms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore one objective of the present invention to provide an exerciser, which is practical for exercising different parts of the body.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an exerciser, which safely provides a dumbbell exercising mode.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the exerciser comprises a base, two uprights mounted on the base, two transverse bars respectively fastened to the uprights, a guide rail connected between the transverse bars, two rollers pivotally movably supported on the guide rail, two weight holders movably supported on the upright, a plurality of weights detachably mounted on the weight holders, two cord members, which run respectively over the rollers and have a respective first end respectively connected to the weight holders and a respective second end respectively mounted with a grip for pulling by the user.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exerciser further comprises two posts. The posts each have a bottom end fixedly connected to the base and a top end respectively fastened to the transverse bars.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exerciser further comprises two brackets each having a locating rod respectively pivoted to the aforesaid posts, two hooks, two side rods respectively connected between the locating rod and the two hooks, and a gap defined between the two hooks for the passing of the cord members for enabling the cord members to be respectively inserted through the brackets.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exerciser further comprises two guide pulleys respectively pivotally mounted on the connection areas between the uprights and the transverse bars to guide the cord members.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exerciser further comprises two limiters each having a sleeve respectively slidably sleeved onto the uprights, a locking member for locking the respective sleeve to the respective upright, a stop plate connected to the sleeve, and a buffer block connected to the stop plate.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight holders each have two support rods disposed at two sides thereof for holding the weights.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rollers are respectively moveably mounted on the guide rail by a respective universal joint ball bearing so that the rollers are tiltable relative to the axis of the guide rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exerciser according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the exerciser according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the exerciser according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing one action of the exerciser according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing another action of the exerciser according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing still another action of the exerciser according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is another front view of the exerciser, showing weights mounted on the grips according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of a part of the exerciser showing the grip hung on the corresponding bracket according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention provides an exerciser 10, which comprises a frame, which includes a base 11, two uprights 12 and two transverse bars 13, two weight holders 14, a number of weights 15, two limiters 16, a guide rail 17, two rollers 18, two cord members 19, and two grips 20.
The base 11 is a substantially U-shaped metal member formed by welding. Two posts 112 are respectively uprightly connected to the base 11. Two brackets 113 are respectively provided at the posts 112. The brackets 113 each comprise a locating rod 117 transversely pivotally fastened to one post 112, two hooks 115 facing each other and spaced by a gap 114, and two parallel side rods 116 respectively connected between the locating rod 117 and the two hooks 115.
The two uprights 12 are metal posts having the respective bottom end respectively welded to the left and right ends of the rear side of the base 11.
The transverse bars 13 are metal rods each having a rear end respectively welded to the top end of each of the uprights 12 and a front end forwardly extending from the respective upright 12 for enabling the top ends of the posts 112 to be respectively welded to the transverse bars 13. Further, a top bar 132 is fixedly connected between the front ends of the transverse bars 13 in front of the posts 112 to reinforce the structural strength of the transverse bars 13. Two guide pulleys 134 are respectively pivoted to the connection areas between the transverse bars 13 and the uprights 12 and biasable relative to the axis of the uprights 12.
The weight holders 14 are respectively slidably sleeved onto the uprights 12, each having two support rods 142 arranged at two sides and aligned in line and a stop plate 144 fixedly provide at the front side.
The weights 15 are circular heavy plate members detachably mounted on the support rods 142 of the weight holders 14 to give a predetermined weight to the weight holders 14.
The limiters 16 are respectively mounted on the uprights 12, each comprising a sleeve 162, a locking member 164, a stop plate 166, and a buffer block 168. The sleeve 162 is axially slidably sleeved onto one upright 12. The locking member 164 according to this embodiment is a lock screw adapted to lock the sleeve 162 to the respective upright 12 at a predetermined elevation. The stop plate 166 is welded to the front side of the sleeve 162. The buffer block 168 is provided at the bottom side of the stop plate 166 and adapted to buffer the striking force of the respective weight holder 14 against the respective limiter 16.
The guide rail 17 is a metal round rod fixedly connected between the front ends of the transverse bars 13 behind the top bar 132.
The rollers 18 are respectively mounted with a respective universal joint ball bearing (not shown) and respectively supported on the guide rail 17. Therefore, the rollers 18 can be moved along the guide rail 17 and rotated relative to the guide rail 17. Further, by means of the respective universal joint ball bearings, the rollers 18 are tiltable relative to the axis of the guide rail 17.
The cord members 19 according to this embodiment are steel cables each having one end respectively fixedly connected to the weight holders 14 and the other end respectively upwardly extending through the guide pulleys 134 and then extending forwards through the rollers 18 for connecting the grips 20 respectively.
The grips 20 each have a rod-like grip body 202, a connecting member 204 fastened to the two ends of the grip body 202, and two extending rods 206 respectively extending from the two ends of the grip body 202. The connecting members 204 of the grips 20 are respectively fastened to the free ends of the cord members 19. The extension rods 206 are adapted to hold weights 15. During exercise, the user can pull the grips 20 to move the cord members 19 and the weight holders 14. Further, the cord members 19 can be respectively passed through the gap 114 between the hooks 115 of each bracket 113, so that the cord members 19 can be respectively inserted through the brackets 113 to let the connecting members 204 of the grips 20 be respectively stopped at the hooks 115 of the brackets 113 and the grips 20 be respectively hung on the brackets 113.
Referring to FIG. 4, when using the exerciser 10, the user can stand on the floor adjacent to the base 11 and hold the grips 20 with the hands and then pull the grips 20 downwards to the chest. At this time, the cord members 19 are moved to rotate the rollers 18 and the guide pulleys 134 and to lift the weight holders 14 and the weights 15 on the weight holders 14 upwards toward the limiters 16. The user can then release the force applied on the grips 20 when the weight holders 14 strike the limiters 16. Thereafter, this exercising procedure is repeated again and again to exercise the muscles of the back and the arms.
Referring to FIG. 5, the user can stand on the floor adjacent to the base 11 and hold the grips 20 with the hands and then pull the grips 20 forwards and downwards toward to the chest. At this time, the cord members 19 are moved to rotate the rollers 18 and the guide pulleys 134 and to lift the weight holders 14 and the weights 15 on the weight holders 14 upwards toward the limiters 16. The user can then release the force applied on the grips 20 when the weight holders 14 strike the limiters 16. Thereafter, this exercising procedure is repeated again and again to exercise the muscles of the back.
Referring to FIG. 6, the user can stand on the floor adjacent to the base 11 and hold the grips 20 with the hands and then pull the grips 20 downwards to the chest and then move the hands gradually toward each other. At this time, the cord members 19 are moved to rotate the rollers 18 and the guide pulleys 134 and to lift the weight holders 14 and the weights 15 on the weight holders 14 upwards toward the limiters 16. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide pulleys 134 will bias relative to the axis of the respective upright 12 subject to the positions of the rollers 18 on the guide rail 17. The user can then release the force applied on the grips 20 when the weight holders 14 strike the limiters 16. Thereafter, this exercising procedure is repeated again and again to exercise the pectoralis major muscle and the deltoid muscle.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the user can remove the weights 15 from the weight holders 14 and then evenly attach the weights 15 to the extension rods 206 of the grips 20 and then fasten respective nuts (not shown) to the extension rods 206 to lock the weights 15 to the extension rods 206. Thus, the grips 20 can be used as dumbbells for exercising the muscles of the arms. After exercise, the user can hung the grips 20 on the brackets 113 at the posts 112.
As indicated above, the invention provides an exerciser 10 that can be used to exercise different parts of the body. During exercise, the user can stand or sit in front of the exerciser 10 and operate the grips 20 in different directions to exercise different parts of the body.
Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exerciser comprising:

a base;

a guide rail mounted on said base;

at least one weight holder movably supported on said base;

a plurality of weights selectively detachably mounted on said at least one weight holder;

at least one roller rotatably supported on said guide rail and movable along said guide rail;

at least one cord member having a first end connected to said at least one weight holder and a second end respectively extending through said at least one roller; and

at least one grip respectively fastened to the second end of said at least one cord member.

2. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two uprights, said uprights each having a bottom end respectively fixedly fastened to said base and a top end spaced above said base.

3. The exerciser as claimed in claim 2, further comprising two transverse bars, said transverse bars each having a rear end respectively fixedly connected to the top ends of said uprights, and a front end extending forwards.

4. The exerciser as claimed in claim 3, further comprising two posts each having a bottom end connected to said base and a top end respectively connected to the front ends of said transverse bars.

5. The exerciser as claimed in claim 4, further comprising two brackets respectively mounted on said posts for receiving said at least one grip, said brackets each comprising a locating rod respectively pivoted to said posts of said base, two hooks, two side rods respectively connected between said locating rod and said two hooks, and a gap defined between said two hooks for the passing of said at least one cord member for enabling said at least one cord member to be respectively inserted through said brackets.

6. The exerciser as claimed in claim 3, further comprising two guide pulleys respectively pivotally mounted on a connection areas between said transverse bars and said uprights and biasable relative to said uprights for guiding said at least one cord member.

7. The exerciser as claimed in claim 2, further comprising two limiters respectively mounted on said upright, said limiters each comprising a sleeve respectively slidably sleeved onto said uprights, a locking member for locking the respective sleeve to the respective upright, a stop plate connected to said sleeve, and a buffer block connected to said stop plate.

8. The exerciser as claimed in claim 7, wherein said locking member is a lock screw.

9. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one weight holder each has two support rods symmetrically disposed at two sides thereof for holding said weights.

10. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one roller each is respectively supported on said guide rail by a respective universal joint ball bearing so that said at least one roller is respectively tiltable relative to an axis of said guide rail.

11. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one grip each has two extension rods disposed at two sides for holding said weights.

12. An exerciser comprising:

a frame;

two weight holders movably supported on said frame;

two cord members each having a first end respectively connected to said weight holders and a second end;

two grips respectively fastened to the second ends of said cord members; and

a plurality of weights detachably mounted on said weight holders.

13. The exerciser as claimed in claim 12, wherein said frame comprises a base, two uprights connected to said base, two posts connected to said base, and two transverse bars respectively fastened to said uprights and said ports.

14. The exerciser as claimed in claim 13, further comprising two brackets respectively provided at said posts, said brackets each comprising a locating rod respectively pivoted to said posts, two hooks, two side rods respectively connected between said locating rod and said two hooks, and a gap defined between said two hooks for the passing of said cord members for enabling said cord members to be respectively inserted through said brackets.

15. The exerciser as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a guide rail connected between said transverse bars, and two rollers supported on and movable along said guide rails for guiding said cord members.

16. The exerciser as claimed in claim 15, wherein said rollers are respectively moveably supported on said guide rail by a universal joint ball bearing so that said rollers are tiltable relative to an axis of said guide rail.

17. The exerciser as claimed in claim 13, further comprising two guide pulleys respectively pivoted to connection areas between said uprights and said transverse bars for guiding said cord members, said guide pulley being biasable relative to said uprights.

18. The exerciser as claimed in claim 13, further comprising two limiters, said limiters each comprising a sleeve respectively slidably sleeved onto said uprights, a locking member for locking the respective sleeve to the respective upright, a stop plate connected to said sleeve, and a buffer block connected to said stop plate.

19. The exerciser as claimed in claim 18, wherein said locking member is a lock screw.