[3] BACKGROUND ART [4] An exercising apparatus is an apparatus with which a user exercises by contracting and relaxing the muscles. As examples of an exercising apparatus, there is Running machine, stationary bicycle, stepper, etc. as well as callisthenic iron dumbbell or dumbbell.

[5] Meanwhile, the conventional exercising apparatus has a problem that a user should actively move by himself/herself by using his/her physical strength in order to take exercise.

[6] In particular, the conventional exercising apparatus needs a user's active motion, so that a disabled person unable to actively move cannot uses the exercising apparatus.

[7] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [8] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exercising apparatus which needs not a user's active motion.

[9] To achieve these objects, there is provided an exercising apparatus which includes a main body having a motion unit performing a seesaw motion, a driving unit installed in the main body, the driving unit driving the motion unit to make a seesaw motion, and a control unit for controlling the driving unit.

[10] The control unit is comprised of a display unit displaying a controlled state of the driving unit.

[11] The control unit is further comprised of an input unit for controlling operation of the driving unit.

[12] The control unit is installed in a panel installed in an upper end of a post connected with the main body.

[13] The driving unit is comprised of a rotation driving device generating a rotation force, and a motion converting device installed in and connected with the motion unit in order to perform a seesaw motion, the motion converting device converting a rotation motion to a linear motion.

[14] The motion converting device is installed in one side or both sides of the motion unit.

[15] The motion converting device is comprised of a first rotation shaft rotatably supported by a second supporting member and connected with a driving shaft of the rotation driving device, a second rotation shaft eccentrically connected with the first rotation shaft, and a rod rotatably connected with the second rotation and connected with the motion unit, thereby making a seesaw motion of the motion unit.

[16] A balance weight is further connected with the first rotation shaft for balancing moment applied to the second rotation shaft in opposite direction of a rotation direction of the first rotation shaft.

[17] The rotation driving device is installed in one side or both sides of the motion unit.

[18] The rotation driving device is installed in a center of the motion unit and the motion converting device is further comprised of a rotation transmission unit for coupling the driving shaft with the first rotation shaft in order to transmit rotation of the driving shaft to the first rotation shaft.

[19] The rotation transmission unit is comprised of a plurality of pulleys respectively connected with the driving shaft and the first rotation shaft, and a belt or a chain coupled with the pulleys transmitting the rotation of the driving shaft to the first rotation shaft.

[20] The driving unit is comprised of a linear driving device connected with the motion unit in order to make a seesaw motion of the motion unit.

[21] A grip unit which a user grips is further connected with the main body and/or the post.

[22] The motion unit is comprised of a motion panel moving in a seesaw motion in accordance with the motion of the driving unit, the bottom of the motion panel being connected with the driving unit.

[23] A plurality of protrusions are formed on an upper surface of the motion panel, the protrusions pressing a palm of a user's hand or a sole of a user's foot.

[24] A pair of supporting panel units corresponding to user's hands or feet are further installed in both sides of the motion panel on the upper surface of the motion panel.

[25] A supporting unit for supporting a center of the motion panel is installed in the main body, the supporting unit having a rotation shaft at a center of the rotation of the motion panel.

[26] The supporting unit is comprised of a supporting member inserted with the rotation shaft thereof and connected with the motion panel at the bottom of the motion panel, the supporting member supporting the motion panel.

[27] The supporting unit is coupled with the motion panel by screws.

[28] The supporting unit is comprised of a pair of fixing brackets rotatably supporting both ends of the rotation shaft thereof.

[29] At least one of the pair of fixing brackets is formed with an opening for being inserted with the driving shaft of the rotation driving device.

[30] The pair of fixing brackets are further comprised of one or more spacing maintenance units for maintaining a regular interval between the pair of fixing brackets.

[31] Bearings inserted with the rotation shaft of the supporting unit are further installed in the pair of fixing brackets for enhancing rotation of the rotation shaft of the supporting unit.

[32] A movement prevention unit is further installed with the supporting unit for preventing movement of the rotation shaft thereof in an axis direction of the rotation shaft.

[33] The movement prevention unit is comprised of a first movement prevention member installed in one of the fixing brackets and contacted with one end of the rotation shaft, and a second movement prevention member installed at the other fixing bracket and contacted with the other end of the rotation shaft, the first and the second movement prevention members preventing movement of the rotation shaft thereof in an axis direction of the rotation shaft.

[34] At least one of the first and the second movement prevention members is formed with a groove, and a ball is installed at and contacted with the groove for enhancing rotation of the rotation shaft.

[35] At least one of the first and the second movement prevention members is further comprised of a push member for pushing the ball to the end of the rotation shaft in order to maintaining the contact state to the end of the rotation shaft.

[36] To achieve these objects, there is also provided an exercising apparatus which is comprised of a main body having a motion unit performing an up-and-down motion, a driving unit installed in the main body, the driving unit driving the motion unit to make an up-and-down motion, and a control unit for controlling the driving unit.

[37] The control unit is comprised of a display unit displaying a controlled state of the driving unit.

[38] The control unit is further comprised of an input unit for controlling operation of the driving unit.

[39] The control unit is installed in a panel installed in an upper end of a post connected with the main body.

[40] The driving unit is comprised of a rotation driving device generating a rotation force, and a motion converting device installed in and connected with the motion unit in order to perform a linear motion, the motion converting device converting a rotation motion to a linear motion.

[41] The motion converting device is installed in one side or both sides of the motion unit.

[42] The motion converting device is comprised of a first rotation shaft rotatably supported by a second supporting member and connected with a driving shaft of the rotation driving device, a second rotation shaft eccentrically connected with the first rotation shaft, and a rod rotatably connected with the second rotation and connected with the motion unit, thereby making a linear motion of the motion unit.

[43] A balance weight is further connected with the first rotation shaft for balancing moment applied to the second rotation shaft in opposite direction of a rotation direction of the first rotation shaft.

[44] The rotation driving device is installed in one side or both sides of the motion unit.

[45] The rotation driving device is installed in a center of the motion unit and motion converting device is further comprised of a rotation transmission unit for coupling the driving shaft with the first rotation shaft in order to transmit rotation of the driving shaft to the first rotation shaft.

[46] The rotation transmission unit is comprised of a plurality of pulleys respectively connected with the driving shaft and the first rotation shaft, and a belt or a chain coupled with the pulleys transmitting the rotation of the driving shaft to the first rotation shaft.

[47] The driving unit is further comprised of a motion changing device for controlling transmitting direction of the rotation of the rotation driving device to the motion unit.

[48] The motion changing device is comprised of a direction movement control device for selectively transmitting the rotation of the rotation driving device to left side, right side, or both sides of the motion unit.

[49] The driving unit is comprised of a linear driving device connected with the motion unit in order to make an up-and-down motion of the motion unit.

[50] The linear driving device is respectively installed at one side, or both sides of the motion unit, and is independently controlled.

[51] A grip unit which a user grips is further connected with the main body and/or the post.

[52] The motion unit is comprised of a motion panel moving in an up-and-down motion in accordance with the motion of the driving unit, the bottom of the motion panel being connected with the driving unit.

[53] A plurality of protrusions are formed on an upper surface of the motion panel, the protrusions pressing a palm of a user's hand or a sole of a user's foot.

[54] A pair of supporting panel units corresponding to user's hands or feet are further installed in both sides of the motion panel on the upper surface of the motion panel.

[55] A supporting unit for supporting a center of the motion panel is installed in the main body, the supporting unit having a rotation shaft at a center of the rotation of the motion panel.

[56] The supporting unit is comprised of a supporting member inserted with the rotation shaft thereof and connected with the motion panel at the bottom of the motion panel, the supporting member supporting the motion panel.

[57] The supporting unit is coupled with the motion panel by screws.

[58] The supporting unit is comprised of a pair of fixing brackets rotatably supporting both ends of the rotation shaft thereof.

[59] At least one of the pair of fixing brackets is formed with an opening for being inserted with the driving shaft of the rotation driving device.

[60] The pair of fixing brackets are further comprised of one or more spacing maintenance units for maintaining a regular interval between the pair of fixing brackets.

[61] Bearings inserted with the rotation shaft of the supporting unit are further installed in the pair of fixing brackets for enhancing rotation of the rotation shaft of the supporting unit.

[62] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [63] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a construction of the exercising apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[64] Figure 2 is a disassembled perspective view showing the construction of the main body of the exercising apparatus in Fig. 1.

[65] Figure 3 is a disassembled perspective view showing the construction of the motion converting device of the exercising apparatus in Fig. 1.

[66] Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing the construction of the linear driving device of the exercising apparatus in Fig. 1.

[67] Figure 5 is a plane view showing the construction of the motion prevention unit of the exercising apparatus in Fig. 1.

[68] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the motion prevention unit in Fig. 5.

[69] Figure 7 is a disassembled perspective view of the motion prevention unit in Fig. 5.

[70] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a construction of the exercising apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[71] Figure 9 is a disassembled perspective view showing the construction of the main body of the exercising apparatus in Fig. 8.

[72] Figure 10 is a disassembled perspective view showing the construction of the exercising apparatus in Fig. 8.

[73] Figure 11 is a disassembled perspective view showing the construction of the motion changing device in Fig. 8.

[74] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the operation state of the exercising apparatus in Fig. 1.

[75] MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE PREFERRED EM- BODIMENTS [76] Hereinafter, the exercising apparatus according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings in detail.

[77] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the exercising apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a main body 100 having a motion unit 110 performing a seesaw motion, a driving unit 200 installed in the main body 100, the driving unit 200 driving the motion unit 110 to make a seesaw motion, and a control unit 300 for controlling the driving unit 200.

[78] The control unit 300 is comprised of a display unit 310 displaying a controlled state of the driving unit 200. The display unit 310 may be comprised of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or touch screen, etc.

[79] Also the control unit 300 may be further comprised of an input unit 320 for controlling operation of the driving unit 200, as shown in Fig. 1.

[80] The control unit 300 is installed in a panel 410 installed in an upper end of a post 400 connected with the main body 100. And speedometer, calorimeter, timer, various meters for measuring and displaying quantity of motion, etc. may be mounted at the control panel 410.

[81] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the driving unit 200 is comprised of a rotation driving device 210 generating a rotation force, and a motion converting device 230 installed in and connected with the motion unit 110 in order to perform a seesaw motion, and the motion converting device 230 converts rotation motion to linear motion.

[82] The motion converting device 230 may be installed in one side or both sides of the motion unit 110. In other words, the motion converting device 230 may be installed in one side of the motion unit 110, and may also be installed in both sides of the motion unit 110 when the motion unit 110 consists of a pair 71 la, 71 lb so that a motion panel 111, which will be described hereinafter, independently move.

[83] The motion converting device 230 is comprised of a first rotation shaft 510 rotatably supported by a second supporting member 520 and connected with a driving shaft 211 of the rotation driving device 210, a second rotation shaft 530 eccentrically connected with the first rotation shaft 510, and a rod 540 rotatably connected with the second rotation 530 and connected with the motion unit 110 thereby making a seesaw motion of the motion unit 110. And the first and the second rotation shafts 510,530 may be formed in one body.

[84] Herein it is preferable that the second rotation shafts have a phase (angular) differences of a predetermined angle, in particular 180 ° each other when the motion converting device 230 is installed at each side of the motion unit 110.

[85] And a radius of rotation of the second rotation shaft 530 eccentrically installed may vary according to the specification conditions, and the radius of rotation is preferably 5 to 20 mm.

[86] And it is preferable that a pair of the rods 540 be respectively installed in front and rear portions of the motion unit 110.

[87] A balance weight 550 may be further connected with the first rotation shaft 510 for balancing moment applied to the second rotation shaft 530 in opposite direction of a rotation direction of the first rotation shaft 510. And the balance weight 550 prevents overloads applied to the driving unit 200 due to counter-moment of the user's weight.

And it is preferable that the balance weight 550 have a phase (angular) differences of predetermined angle, in particular 180 ° from the second rotation shaft 530. Also a pair of the balance weights 550 are respectively installed between pulleys 222 inserted to the second rotation shaft 530, which will be described hereinafter.

[88] Meanwhile, the rotation driving device 210 may be installed at one side or both sides of the motion unit 110.

[89] As shown in Fig. 2, the rotation driving device 210 may be installed in a center of the motion unit 110 and the motion converting device 230 may be further comprised of a rotation transmission unit 220 for coupling the driving shaft 211 with the first rotation shaft 510 in order to transmit rotation of the driving shaft 211 to the first rotation shaft 510.

[90] The rotation transmission unit 220 is comprised of a plurality of pulleys 221,222, respectively connected with the driving shaft 211 and the first rotation shaft 510, and a belt 223 coupled with the pulleys 221,222 transmitting the rotation of the driving shaft 211 to the first rotation shaft 510, as a transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation, such as a chain, gears, etc.

[91] In other words, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the pulleys 221,222 includes a driving pulley 221 connected with the driving shaft 211 by key 221a, and an auxiliary pulley 222 connected with the rotation shaft 510 by key 222a. And it is preferable that the pulleys 221,222 and the belt 223 have teeth structure for enhancing rotation transmission.

[92] Meanwhile, the driving shaft 200 may be directly driven by a linear driving instead of the conversion of a rotation driving to a linear driving. And the driving unit 200 may include a linear driving device 610 connected with the motion unit 200 in order to make a seesaw motion of the motion unit 110.

[93] As shown in Fig. 4, the linear driving device 610 includes a linear driving motor 611 producing a linear reciprocating motion, and a connection unit 612 movably connecting the linear driving device 610 with the motion unit 110.

[94] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 1, a grip unit 420 which a user may lean on or be supported with, by gripping the grip unit 420 may be further connected with the main body 100 and/or the post 400.

[95] In addition to the example of the grip unit 420 of the present invention, the shape and the connection position of the grip unit 420 may vary according to design condition and motion pattern.

[96] The motion unit 110 may be comprised of a motion panel 111 moving in a seesaw motion in accordance with the motion of the driving unit 200, the bottom of the motion panel 111 being connected with the driving unit 200.

[97] A plurality of protrusions 112 are formed on an upper surface of the motion panel 111, the protrusions 112 pressing a palm of a user's hand or a sole of a user's foot.

[98] A pair of supporting panel units (not shown) corresponding to user's hands or feet may be further installed in both sides of the motion panel 111 on the upper surface of the motion panel 111.

[99] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, a supporting unit 560 for supporting a center of the motion panel 111 is installed in the main body 100, the supporting unit 560 having a rotation shaft 561 at a center of the rotation of the motion panel 111.

[100] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the supporting unit 560 is comprised of a supporting member 564 inserted with the rotation shaft 561 thereof and connected with the motion panel 111 at the bottom of the motion panel 111, the supporting member 564 supporting the motion panel 111. And the supporting unit 564 is coupled with the motion panel 111 by screws. The reference number 564a in Fig. 5, indicates a screw hole for screw coupling with the motion panel 111.

[101] The supporting unit 560 is comprised of a pair of fixing brackets 562,563 rotatably supporting both ends of the rotation shaft 561 thereof.

[102] At least one of the pair of fixing brackets 562,563 is formed with an opening 565 for being inserted with the driving shaft 211 of the rotation driving device 210.

[103] The pair of fixing brackets 562,563 are further comprised of one or more spacing maintenance units 566 for maintaining a regular interval between the pair of fixing brackets 562,563.

[104] Bearings 567 respectively inserted with the rotation shaft 561 of the supporting unit 560 are further installed in the pair of fixing brackets 562,563 for rotation of the rotation shaft 561 of the supporting unit 560.

[105] And as shown in Figs. 5 to 7, a movement prevention unit 570 may be further installed with the supporting unit 560 for preventing movements of the rotation shaft 561 thereof in an axis direction of the rotation shaft 561.

[106] The movement prevention unit 570 is comprised of a first movement prevention member 571 installed in one of the fixing brackets 562,563 and contacted with one end of the rotation shaft 561, and a second movement prevention member 572 installed in the other fixing bracket 563 or 562 and contacted with the other end of the rotation shaft 561, the first and the second movement prevention members 571,572 preventing movements of the rotation shaft 561 thereof in an axis direction of the rotation shaft 561.

[107] At least one of the first and the second movement prevention members 571,572 is formed with a groove 561a, and a ball 573 is installed in and contacted with the groove 561a for enhancing rotation of the rotation shaft 561.

[108] At least one of the first and the second movement prevention members 571,572 is further comprised of a push member 574 for pushing the ball 573 to the end of the rotation shaft 561 in order to maintaining the contact state to the rotation shaft 561.

[109] Meanwhile, the motion unit of the exercising apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be comprised of in a pair, as independent members, respectively performing an up-and-down motion, instead of being comprised of in one body.

[110] In the following description of the exercising apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the similar constructions with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be denoted to the same elements as in the first embodiment of the present invention, for simplicity.

[111] As shown in Figs. 7 to 11, an exercising apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, is comprised of a main body 100 having a motion unit 710 performing an up-and-down motion, a driving unit 200 installed in the main body 100, the driving unit 200 driving the motion unit 710 to make an up- and-down motion, and a control unit 300 for controlling the driving unit 200.

[112] The motion unit 710 is comprised of a motion panel 711 moving in an up- and-down motion in accordance with the motion of the driving unit 200, the bottom of the motion panel 711 being connected with the driving unit 200.

[113] And the motion panel 711 is comprised of in a pair 711a, 711b, respectively being installed in both sides of the main body 100 and respectively moving an up-and-down.

[114] And the driving unit 200 may be comprised of a rotation driving device 210 generating rotating force, or a linear driving device 610 generating a linear driving force, as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[115] And when the driving unit 200 is comprised of the rotation driving device 210, the driving unit 200 is further comprised of a motion changing device 800 for controlling transmitting direction of the rotation force of the rotation driving device 210 to the motion unit 710, as shown in Fig. 9.

[116] The motion changing device 800 may be further comprised of a direction movement control device 810 for selectively transmitting the rotation of the rotation driving device 810 to left side 71 la, right side 71 lb, or both sides of the motion unit 710.

[117] As shown in Fig. 8, one example of the direction movement control device 810 may be comprised of a guide slot 811 formed in the upper surface of the main body 811, and a switch-over unit 812 installed in the main body 100, outwardly protruded through the slot 811 from the main body 100, and movable forward or backward by a user's operation thereby transmitting the rotation of the rotation driving device 810 to left side 71 la, right side 71 lb, or both sides of the motion unit 710.

[118] And the switch-over unit 812 transmits the rotation of the rotation driving device 810 to left side 71 la, right side 71 lb, or both sides of the motion unit 710 by being moved forward or backward.

[119] Herein, as shown in Fig. 9, the switch-over unit 812 may be further comprised of an idle bearing 813 connected to the driving shaft 211 in order to preventing the driving shaft 211 from transmitting the rotation force of the driving shaft 211 to the belt 223. The idle bearing 813 prevents the transmission of the rotation force of the rotation shaft 211 to one side of the motion unit 110.

[120] Also the driving shaft 211 is connected with a spacer 814 for lessening friction between the idle bearing 813 and the respective pulleys 221, and preventing the idle bearding 813 from being detached from the driving shaft 211.

[121] One end of the driving shaft 211 connected with the idle bearing 813, the pulleys 221, and the spacer 814 is supported by the fixing bracket 562, and the end of the driving shaft 211 protruded outwardly from the fixing bracket 562, is inserted with a spring 815 for adjusting a gap due to the movement of the driving unit 200.

[122] Meanwhile, the movement of the driving unit 200 by the operation of the sw itch- over unit 812 may cause the detachment of the belt 223 from the pulleys 221, so as shown in Fig. 9, detachment prevention means for prevention the detachment of the belt 223 from the pulleys 221 is installed between the pulleys 221,222.

[123] The belt 223 is rolled around an idle pulley 224 installed in the main body 100 in parallel with the driving shaft 211 away from the driving shaft 211, as detachment prevention means, having a width corresponding to that of the belt 223, and the idle pulley 224 is formed with a pair of flanges 225a, 225b for preventing the movement of the belt 223. And a shaft 226 both ends of which are supported by a pair of brackets 227 installed in the main body 100, is rotatably inserted into the idle pulley 224.

[124] Also, it is preferable to provide means for supporting the up-and-down motion of the motion panels 71 la, 71 lb since the pair of motion panels 71 la, 71 lb are inde- pendently operated. A pair of guide rollers 242 are rotatably installed at both sides of a hinge pin 241 rotatably connecting the rod 540 with the respective motion panels 71 la, 71 lob in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction of the hinge pin 241. And each guide roller 242 rotatably supported by each guide rail 243 smoothes the up-and-down motion of the motion panels 711a, 711b.

[125] Meanwhile, the driving unit 210 may be comprised of a pair of linear driving devices 610 respectively connected with the motion panels 71 la, 71 lb. Then no additional motion converting device is required, and one or both of the linear driving devices 610 are controlled, in particular independently controlled.

[126] The operations of the exercising apparatus according to the present invention will be explained in detail.

[127] The exercising apparatus according to the present invention gives an exercising effect, by user's passive movement, not by the user's active movement.

[128] The exercising apparatus starts to operate when a user puts his/her feet (or hands) or his/her foot (or hand) on the motion unit 110 or 710 installed in the main body 100, controlled by the control unit 300.

[129] The control unit 300 controls the driving unit 200 to operate the motion unit 110 or 710 connected with the driving unit 200 moves in a seesaw motion or an up-and-down according to the driving of the driving unit 200. Herein one side of the motion unit 110 or 710 moves downward, and the other side of the motion unit 110 or 710 moves relatively upward, thereby the motion unit 110 or 710 performs a seesaw motion or an up-and-down motion.

[130] The movement of the motion unit 110 or 710 makes a user's foot (or hand) supported by the motion unit 110 or 710 moved. Herein, a user may grip the grip unit 420 when exercising.

[131] The exercising pattern of the motion unit 110 or 710 are controlled by the control unit 300 according to the user's direct manipulation, or a preset program based on user's age, physical conditions, etc.

[132] Meanwhile, the exercising apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention may be controlled so that only one of the motion units 71 la, 71 lob to operate by the control of the direction movement control device 810 or the control unit 300.

[133] Industrial Applicability [134] It is advantageous that the exercising apparatus of the present invention is capable of giving exercising effect to a user by a seesaw motion or an up-and-down motion of the motion unit, without a user's active movement.

[135] It is also advantageous that the exercising apparatus of the present invention is capable of recovering a user's capacity of locomotion by giving a disabled person a passive exercise.

[136] It is also advantageous that the break-down or abnormal movement of the motion unit supporting a user's foot (or hand) could be prevented by preventing forward or backward movement of the motion unit.