FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The invention relates to the field of exercise equipment and in particular motion-based mechanisms to be used to enable user to move hands forward/backward in the same direction so that hands have a laterally divergent motion at the start of the routes and laterally convergent motion at the end of the routes. By moving hands along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes a symmetrical variable pressure will be applied on the different muscles. Feet move along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes in full harmony with hands so that hands move longitudinally in the opposite direction of feet.

BACKGROUND

Maintaining proper fitness is a growing concern for many people. Medical community has become increasingly aware in the value of exercise to the overall health of an individual. Furthermore, athletes need regular and stringent workout to maintain their abilities. Exercise apparatuses have been, and still are, an important part of the sport and workout. Exercise apparatuses have evolved from simple equipment to advanced and technically sophisticated equipment with special mechanisms. Using mechanical and electrical parts and new software enables users to take more advantages of exercise apparatuses.

In conventional exercise machine usually the user moves hands or feet in the opposite direction, this means at a certain moment while hands are being moved in the opposite direction and usually along the simple routes, an asymmetrical forces will be applied on the muscles of the user's upper body also asymmetrical pressure affecting on the feet and lower body's muscles. By moving hands forward/backward in the same direction and along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes, the user will experience a new type of symmetrical forces affecting on his muscles, and at the same time feet are being moved along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes in full harmony with hands so that hands move longitudinally in the opposite direction of feet and this helps the user to experience a new type of exercise.

DESCRIPTION:

Described exercise apparatus enables a user to move hands forward/backward in the same direction so that hands have a lateral divergent motion at the start of the routes and lateral convergent motion at the end of the routes. By moving hand along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes, a symmetrical variable pressure will be applied on the different muscles. Feet move along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes in full harmony with hands so that hands move backward/forward in the opposite direction of feet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus that enables the user to move hands forward/backward in the same direction so that hands have a laterally divergent motion at the start of the routes and laterally convergent motion at the end of the routes. By moving hands along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes a symmetrical variable pressure will be affecting on the different muscles. Feet move along the symmetrical semi elliptical routes in full harmony with hands so that hands move backward/forward in the opposite direction of feet. According to this invention an exercise apparatus with divergent/convergent motion comprises a main frame, a synchronized unit mounted on the upper front end of the said main frame, a synchronized unit mounted on the lower rear end of the said main frame, a power transmission system, a flywheel, slide unit, a controlling means for adjusting resisting force.

A main frame which includes a supporting base adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface, and also upper front end, lower rear end and middle section for the purpose of supporting plurality of components. An upper synchronized unit which includes two symmetrical link mechanisms installed on the upper front end of said main frame, and also two gears are rotatabiy connected to said main frame for the purpose of synchronizing said symmetrical link mechanisms of said upper synchronized unit. Two handlebars whose bottom sections are pivotally connected to said symmetrical link mechanisms of said upper synchronized unit.

A lower synchronized unit which includes two symmetrical link mechanisms installed on the lower rear end of said main frame, and also two gears are rotatabiy connected to said main frame for the purpose of synchronizing said symmetrical link mechanisms of said lower synchronized unit.

Two feet pedals whose middle bottoms are pivotally connected to the said symmetrical link mechanisms of the lower synchronized unit.

A power transmission system installed on the middle section of said main frame for the purpose of effecting harmonious movement between said upper and lower synchronized units and also transferring power to the flywheel as the speed ratio increases.

A slide unit which includes two rails are fixed laterally to the rear end of said main frame, and also two sliders whose bottoms are slidably connected to said rails, and also connector shaft whose middle section is slidably connected to the bottoms of said feet pedals and both ends are fixed at the top of said sliders.

A controlling means which includes a control panel mounted on the console at the top of said main frame, enabling said user to change resisting force during workout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

Other features and advantages of described invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the appended drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of described exercise apparatus including all parts, cases and control panel.

Figure 2a is schematic top view of the described exercise apparatus, shows mechanisms and position of the user's hands, handlebars, position of the user's feet and feet pedals when they are at the farthest points in relation to each other.

Figure 2b is a perspective view of the symmetrical semi elliptical routes and shows how user's feet and hands move in opposite direction to reach the farthest points in relation to each other so that user's feet move from position 3 to position 4 while user's hand move from position 1 to position 2 .

Figure 3a is schematic top view of the described exercise apparatus shows mechanisms and position of the user's hands, handlebars, position of the user's feet and feet pedals when they are at the nearest points in relation to each other.

Figure 3b is a perspective view of the symmetrical semi elliptical routes and shows how user's feet and hands move in opposite direction to reach the nearest points in relation to each other so that user's feet move from position 3 to 4 while user's hand move from position 1 to position 2 .

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the described exercise apparatus shows all mechanisms and units of apparatus and where they are mounted on the main frame

Figure 5 is a schematic top view of the lower synchronized unit and symmetrical semi elliptical routes shows feet pedals connection points 300, 600 and how these points travel along the routes in one complete cycle.

Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the upper synchronized unit.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper synchronized unit.

Figure 8 is a top view of the lower synchronized unit.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the power transmission systems.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the slide unit.

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of general layout of described exercise apparatus.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of another aspect of described exercise apparatus. In this case user gets exercise just for lower body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The description which follows and the embodiments described therein are provided by way of illustration of an example of particular embodiment of principles of present invention. This example is provided for the purposes of explanation and not limitation of those principles and of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 12, the preferred embodiment of an exercise apparatus with divergent/convergent motion according to present invention is shown to comprise a main frame 310, upper synchronized unit 901 , lower synchronized unit 902, power transmission system 903, slide unit 904, handlebars 210,21 1 , feet pedals 214,215 (See figure 4, 2a).

Handlebars 210,21 1 whose bottom sections are pivotally connected to the upper synchronized unit 901 respectively to the links 412,413. (See figure 6)

Upper synchronized unit 901 which includes two symmetrical link mechanisms 650,750 and two gears 4 7,416. (See Figure 7)

Link mechanism 650 which includes two shafts 402,403 are pivotally connected to upper front end of said main frame and link 410 whose rear end is fixed on the shaft 403, and also link 413 whose rear end is pivotally connected to the front end of said link 410 and also link 415 whose rear end pivotally connected to the said link 413 and having front end fixed on the said shaft 402. When the user is getting exercise, link 415 rotates continuously and said link 410 rotates oscillating and the middle section of link 413 moves along the semi elliptical routes.

Link mechanism 750 which includes two shafts 401 ,404 are pivotally connected to front end of said main frame, and also link 41 1 whose rear end is fixed on the shaft 404, and also link 412 whose rear end pivotally connected to the front end of said link 41 1 , and also link 414 whose rear end pivotally connected to the said link 412 and having front end fixed on the said shaft 401. When the user is exercising, link 414 rotates continuously and said link 41 1 rotates oscillating and the middle section of link 412 moves along semi elliptical routes

Gears 417,416 are fixed respectively on said shafts 402,401 for the purpose of effecting harmonious movement between symmetrical link mechanisms 650,750. (See Figure 7)

Lower synchronized unit 902 which includes two symmetrical link mechanisms 850,950 and also two gears 618,619. (See Figure 5) Link mechanism 850 which includes two shafts 604,602 pivotally connected to rear end of said main frame, and also link 617 whose rear end is fixed on the shaft 604 and also link 612 whose rear end pivotally connected to the front end of said link 617, and also link 610 whose rear end pivotally connected to the said link 617 and having front end fixed on the said shaft 602. When the user is exercising, link 610 rotates continuously and said link 617 moves oscillating and the middle section of link 612 moves along semi elliptical routes.

Link mechanism 950 which includes two shafts 601 ,603 are pivotally connected to rear end of said main frame, and also link 616 whose rear end is fixed on the shaft 603, and also link 613 whose rear end is pivotally connected to the front end of said link 616 and also link 61 1 whose rear end is pivotally connected to the said link 613 and having front end fixed on the said shaft 601 . When the user is exercising, link 61 1 rotates continuously and said link 616 rotates oscillating and the middle section of link 612 moves along the semi elliptical routes

Gears 618,619 are fixed respectively on said shafts 602,601 for the purpose of effecting harmonious movement between symmetrical link mechanisms 850,950. (See Figure 5) Feet pedals 214,215 whose front bottoms are pivotally connected to the shafts 712,713, and also bottoms slidably connected to the connector shaft 716 (see figure 10). Shafts 712,713 whose bottoms are fixed to the lower synchronized unit respectively to the links 613,612.

The slide unit which consists of two rails 714,715 are fixed laterally on the lower rear end of said main frame and two rails 710,71 1 whose bottoms slidably connected to the said rails 714,715, and also connector shaft 716 whose middle section slidably connected to bottoms of the feet pedals 214,215 and having both ends fixed at the top of said sliders 710,71 1. (See figure 10) Power transmission system which consists of main shaft 510 which rotatably connected to the middle section of said main frame 310 by two flanged bearings 51 1 ,512 and also pulley/sprocket 522 fixed on said shaft 601 of said lower synchronized unit 902, and also pulley/sprocket 514 is fixed on the said main shaft 510 ,and also belt/chain 515 which transfers power from said lower synchronized unit 902 to said main shaft 510, and also shaft 521 rotatably connected to said main frame 301 by flanged bearing 517, and also pulley/sprocket 518 is fixed on the said shaft 521 , and also belt/sprocket 516 to transfer power from main shaft 510 to flywheel 519 for the purpose of adjusting resisting force by magnetic brake 520 which fixed on the main frame 301 , and also link mechanism 904 installed at the top of middle section of said main frame 310 to transfer power from upper synchronized unit 901 to said main shaft 510 of said power transmission system 903.

Link mechanism 903 which consists link 420 whose rear end is fixed on the said shaft 402, and also link 421 whose rear end pivotally connected to the front end of said link 420, and also link 420 whose front end is pivotally connected to the front end of said link 421 and having front end is fixed on the main shaft 510 of power transmission system. As an option link mechanism 903 can be replaced by two pulleys/sprockets and belt/chain to transfer power. (See figure 9)

Furthermore, the described exercise apparatus further comprises of a console installed at the top section of the said main frame310 and panel 0 mounted on the said console. The panel 10 is a computerized device for showing the parameters such as heart rate, calories burned and speed. Grip sections may include sensors (not shown) to detect the pulse rate of the user.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangement.

Another aspect of described exercise apparatus

Another aspect and advantages of described invention will become apparent in the following description.

The described apparatus can be used for feet exercise. In this application the user grabs fixed grippers with hands while his feet travel along symmetrical semi elliptical routes. (See figure 12)