Lifting and folding device for running exercise machine

• US 6,726,602 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Huang-Tung Chang
• Original Assignee: Huang-Tung Chang
• Inventors: Chang, Huang-Tung
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/340,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20030224910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51-54
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/56 electrically folded and erected

Abstract

A lifting and folding device for a running exercise machine comprises an ascending/folding device and an interacting device installed between a base and an exercise platform. By adjusting the ascending/folding device the interacting device is put in a synchronic motion, so as to achieve the effect of adjusting the exercise platform to an uphill, a horizontal or a downhill configuration. Further, the ascending/folding device has a driving device capable of automatically ascending and folding the running exercise machine.

Claims

1. A lifting and folding device for a running exercise machine comprising an ascending/folding device and an interacting device;

said ascending/folding device comprising a pair of movable arms and a pair of restrictive arms pivotally connected to two sides below a front end of an exercise platform;

said pair of restrictive arms each having one end pivotally connected to a respective inner side of a base;

said pair of movable arms each having a front wheel pivotally installed at one end thereof;

a first shaft being rigidly installed between said pair of movable arms;

a second shaft pivotally connecting to centers of said front wheels and coupled to a sleeve barrel of a driving device, thereby said second shaft moving synchronically with the movement of the said sleeve barrel;

said sleeve barrel screwed onto a screw bolt at one end;

said driving device having one end pivotally connected to said base, driving said screw bolt to rotate axially in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction by means of a motor and a gear set, so as to accomplish the function of moving said sleeve barrel back and forth;

characterized in that;

said interacting device comprises a pair of positioning wheels installed pivotally on each of corresponding sides near a middle part under said exercise platform;

a front link and a rear link pivotally connected to two ends about a pivot of said positioning wheel;

another end of said front link without being connected to said positioning wheel is pivotally connected to said first shaft;

another end of said rear link without being connected to said positioning wheel is pivotally connected to an shaft connecting a pair of rear supporting arms installed on two corresponding walls near the rear end of said exercise platform;

thereby, as said ascending/folding device is driven by said driving device, said interacting device is put in motion synchronically, providing an adjustment of said exercise platform to an uphill or downhill configuration.

2. The ascending and folding device of a running exercise machine of claim 1, wherein each of said rear supporting arms has a front wheel installed at the bottom end thereof.

3. The ascending and folding device of a running exercise machine of claim 1, wherein two front wheels symmetrically arranged at rear ends on two lateral sides below said exercise platform, for providing a function of assisting sliding while said exercise platform is being folded into an upright configuration.