HONG, Chul-un (102-802, Hyundai Ecor ApartmentJunghwasan-dong 2ga, Wansan-g, Jeonju-si Chonrabuk-do 560-741, KR)
Claims
[1] A pedal apparatus which rotates a wheel unit of an indoor cycle machine where a user rides on a saddle, the pedal apparatus comprising: a pair of fixing units, one end of each of which is fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit; a pair of crank units, each of which comprises a replaceable unit, one end of each replaceable unit being detachably connected to the other end of each of the fixing units; and a pair of pedal units each of which is rotatably connected horizontally to one side of the other end of the pair of replaceable units, wherein each of the pair of the replaceable units comprises a plurality of replaceable units having different lengths so that the length of the pair of crank units is capable of being changed.
[2] The pedal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixing means which penetrates the fixing unit and a connection protrusion together to fix the replaceable unit to the fixing unit, wherein the fixing unit comprises a connection groove at the other end, the replaceable unit comprises the connection protrusion at the one end which is inserted into the connection groove.
[3] The pedal apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fixing means is a bolt, a nut, or a separation pin.
[4] A pedal apparatus which rotates a wheel unit of an indoor cycle machine where a user rides on a saddle, the pedal apparatus comprising: a pair of crank units one end of each of which is fixed to repective sides of the wheel unit, and each of which is a different length; and a pair of pedal units which are rotatably connected horizontally to one side of the other end of the pair of crank units, wherein at least one of the pair of crank units is capable of being changed in length.
[5] The pedal apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pair of crank units comprises a pair of fixing units the upper part of one end of each of which is detachably fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit; a pair of moving shafts which are disposed co-axially with the axis of the fixing unit under the pair of fixing units; a pair of adjusting nuts one side of each of which is rotatably connected to a respective fixing unit of the pair of fixing units, and the other side of which is screwed with one of the pair of moving shafts; and a slidable guide unit which prevents the moving shaft from being rotated, and slidably guides the moving shaft to draw close to or away from the pair of fixing units in the axial direction of the pair of fixing units if at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, wherein as the at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, the moving shaft draws close to or away from the pair of fixing units.
[6] The pedal apparatus of claim 5, wherein the slidable guide unit comprises a guide bar which protrudes vertically from the upper end of the moving shaft; and a guide groove which is formed at the lower end of the fixing unit to slidably insert the guide bar, and the guide bar and the guide groove have a cross-section of an oval or polygonal shape, so that when the adjusting nut is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, the moving shaft is prevented from being rotated.
[7] The pedal apparatus of claim 5, wherein the slidable guide unit comprises at least one key groove which is formed vertically from the upper end of the outer surface of the moving shaft; a supporting body which surrounds the moving shaft; at least one fixing side which fixes the moving shaft to draw away from the fixing unit; and a key which protrudes from the inner surface of the supporting body to be slidably inserted into the key groove.
[8] The pedal apparatus of claim 5, wherein the each of the pair of fixing units comprise a connection protrusion which is rounded along the outer circumference at the lower end of the repective fixing unit, and the adjusting nut comprises a connection groove which is formed along the inner circumference of the adjusting nut and is snappably connected to the connection protrusion.
[9] A pedal apparatus which rotates a wheel unit of an indoor cycle machine where a user rides on a saddle, the pedal apparatus comprising: a pair of crank units one end of each of which is fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit, and which changes in length; a driving motor which is formed at each side of the pair of crank units to automatically change the length of the pair of crank units, and which comprises a driving gear to transmit driving force to a part of the pair of crank units; a pair of pedal units which are rotatably connected horizontally to one side of the other end of a respective crank unit of the pair of crank units; a pair of distance sensors which are formed at one side of a respective crank unit of the pair of crank units to sense distance between the respective crank unit and the respective pedal unit and generate a distance sensing signal; and a pair of control units which receives the distance sensing signal from the pair of distance sensors, and determines the distance sensing signal when controlling rotation clockwise or anti-clockwise by transmitting a driving signal to the driving motor, wherein if the distance between the distance is lower than the minimum value or higher than the maximum value of a preset movable section, the control unit stops the operation of the driving motor, and the length of at least one of the pair of crank units is changed.
[10] The pedal apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pair of crank units comprises a pair of fixing units an upper part of the end of each of which is detachably fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit; a pair of moving shafts which are disposed co-axially with the axis of the fixing unit under the pair of fixing units; a pair of adjusting nuts one side of each of which is rotatably connected to a respective fixing unit of the pair of fixing units, and the other side of each of which is screwed with a moving shaft of the pair of moving shafts, and which comprises one of a pair of distance sensors at an end facing the respective pedal unit; and a pair of slidable guide units which prevent the pair of moving shafts from being rotated, and slidably guide the moving shaft to draw close to or away from the pair of fixing units in the axial direction of the pair of fixing units if at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, wherein each of the pair of adjusting nuts comprises a gear unit on at least one part of the upper end of the respective adjusting nut, and each gear unit is engaged with the driving gear of the driving motor, wherein as the at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, the moving shaft draws close to or away from the pair of fixing units.
[11] The pedal apparatus of claim 10, wherein the slidable guide unit comprises a guide bar which protrudes vertically from the upper end of the moving shaft; and a guide groove which is formed at the lower end of each of the fixing units wherein the guide bar is slidably inserted, and the guide bar and the guide groove have a cross-section of oval or polygonal shape, so that when the respective adjusting nut is rotated clockwise or anticlockwise, the moving shaft is prevented from being rotated.
[12] The pedal apparatus of claim 10, wherein the slidable guide unit comprises at least one key groove which is formed vertically from the upper end of the outer surface of the moving shaft; a supporting body which surrounds the moving shaft; at least one fixing side which fixes the moving shaft to draw away from the pair of fixing units; and a key which protrudes from the inner surface of the supporting body to be slidably inserted into the key groove.
[13] The pedal apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of the pair of fixing units comprises a connection protrusion which is rounded along the outer circumference at the lower end of the repective fixing unit, and the repective adjusting nut comprises a connection groove which is formed along the inner circumference of the adjusting nut and is snappably connected to the connection protrusion.
[14] The pedal apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a display unit which is electrically connected to the control unit, and informs a user of the currently-set distance of each of the pair of pedal units which is sensed by the respective distance sensor. |
Description
A PEDAL APPARATUS OF SPORT OUTFITS
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates to a pedal apparatus, and more particularly to a pedal apparatus used in an indoor cycle machine or in a bicycle designed for outdoor use. Background Art
[2] In general, indoor cycle machines or bicycles designed for outdoor use comprise a pair of crank units, one end of each of which is connected to a respective end of a driving sprocket disposed in the middle of the bicycle, and a pair of pedal units which are rotatably connected to the other ends of the pair of crank units. The pedals are made to rotate by rotation of the driving sprocket. Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[3] When a user having legs of different lengths due to a disorder or disease such as poliomyelitis rides a bicyle having a conventional pedal apparatus, the length of the pair of crank units does not change. The user has trouble riding such a the bicycle, and so the upper part of his or her body may swing from right and left. As a result, the user must use greater strength than other people. This problem is raised in indoor cycle machines.
[4] Furthermore, some users may desire to use the indoor cycle machine to more strongly exercise one leg more than the other, but this is more difficult by the fact that the pair of crank units has the same length and the same force is applied to both legs equally.
Technical Solution
[5] An aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a pedal apparatus in order for a user having legs of different lengths due to disfiguring conditions caused by, for example, poliomyelitis to more easily use indoor cycle machines or bicycles designed for outdoor use.
[6] In order to achieve the above-described and other aspects of embodiments of the present invention, a pedal apparatus which rotates a wheel unit of an indoor cycle machine where a user rides on a saddle is provided including a pair of fixing units, one end of each of which is fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit, a pair of crank units, each of which comprises a replaceable unit, one end of each replaceable unit being detachably connected to the other end of each of the fixing units, and a pair of
pedal units each of which is rotatably connected horizontally to one side of the other end of the pair of replaceable units, wherein each of the pair of the replaceable units comprises a plurality of replaceable units having different lengths so that the length of the pair of crank units is capable of being changed.
[7] The pedal apparatus further includes a fixing means which penetrates the fixing unit and a connection protrusion together to fix the replaceable unit to the fixing unit, wherein the fixing unit comprises a connection groove at the other end, the replaceable unit comprises the connection protrusion at the one end which is inserted into the connection groove. The fixing means is a bolt, a nut, or a separation pin.
[8] In order to achieve the above-described and other aspects of embodiments of the present invention, a pedal apparatus which rotates a wheel unit of an indoor cycle machine where a user rides on a saddle is provided including a pair of crank units one end of each of which is fixed to repective sides of the wheel unit, and each of which is a different length, and a pair of pedal units which are rotatably connected horizontally to one side of the other end of the pair of crank units, wherein at least one of the pair of crank units is capable of being changed in length.
[9] The pair of crank units comprises a pair of fixing units the upper part of one end of each of which is detachably fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit, a pair of moving shafts which are disposed co-axially with the axis of the fixing unit under the pair of fixing units, a pair of adjusting nuts one side of each of which is rotatably connected to a respective fixing unit of the pair of fixing units, and the other side of which is screwed with one of the pair of moving shafts, and a slidable guide unit which prevents the moving shaft from being rotated, and slidably guides the moving shaft to draw close to or away from the pair of fixing units in the axial direction of the pair of fixing units if at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anticlockwise, wherein as the at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, the moving shaft draws close to or away from the pair of fixing units.
[10] The slidable guide unit comprises a guide bar which protrudes vertically from the upper end of the moving shaft, and a guide groove which is formed at the lower end of the fixing unit to slidably insert the guide bar, and the guide bar and the guide groove have a cross-section of an oval or polygonal shape, so that when the adjusting nut is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, the moving shaft is prevented from being rotated.
[11] The slidable guide unit comprises at least one key groove which is formed vertically from the upper end of the outer surface of the moving shaft, a supporting body which surrounds the moving shaft, at least one fixing side which fixes the moving shaft to draw away from the fixing unit, and a key which protrudes from the inner surface of the supporting body to be slidably inserted into the key groove.
[12] The each of the pair of fixing units includes a connection protrusion which is rounded along the outer circumference at the lower end of the repective fixing unit, and the adjusting nut comprises a connection groove which is formed along the inner circumference of the adjusting nut and is snappably connected to the connection protrusion.
[13] In order to achieve the above-described and other aspects of embodiments of the present invention, a pedal apparatus which rotates a wheel unit of an indoor cycle machine where a user rides on a saddle is provided including a pair of crank units one end of each of which is fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit, and which changes in length, a driving motor which is formed at each side of the pair of crank units to automatically change the length of the pair of crank units, and which comprises a driving gear to transmit driving force to a part of the pair of crank units, a pair of pedal units which are rotatably connected horizontally to one side of the other end of a respective crank unit of the pair of crank units, a pair of distance sensors which are formed at one side of a respective crank unit of the pair of crank units to sense distance between the respective crank unit and the respective pedal unit and generate a distance sensing signal, and a pair of control units which receives the distance sensing signal from the pair of distance sensors, and determines the distance sensing signal when controlling rotation clockwise or anti-clockwise by transmitting a driving signal to the driving motor, wherein if the distance between the distance is lower than the minimum value or higher than the maximum value of a preset movable section, the control unit stops the operation of the driving motor, and the length of at least one of the pair of crank units is changed.
[14] The pair of crank units comprises a pair of fixing units an upper part of the end of each of which is detachably fixed to a respective side of the wheel unit, a pair of moving shafts which are disposed co-axially with the axis of the fixing unit under the pair of fixing units, a pair of adjusting nuts one side of each of which is rotatably connected to a respective fixing unit of the pair of fixing units, and the other side of each of which is screwed with a moving shaft of the pair of moving shafts, and which comprises one of a pair of distance sensors at an end facing the respective pedal unit; and a pair of slidable guide units which prevent the pair of moving shafts from being rotated, and slidably guide the moving shaft to draw close to or away from the pair of fixing units in the axial direction of the pair of fixing units if at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, wherein each of the pair of adjusting nuts comprises a gear unit on at least one part of the upper end of the respective adjusting nut, and each gear unit is engaged with the driving gear of the driving motor, wherein as the at least one of the pair of adjusting nuts is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, the moving shaft draws close to or away from the pair of
fixing units.
[15] The slidable guide unit comprises a guide bar which protrudes vertically from the upper end of the moving shaft, and a guide groove which is formed at the lower end of each of the fixing units wherein the guide bar is slidably inserted, and the guide bar and the guide groove have a cross-section of oval or polygonal shape, so that when the respective adjusting nut is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise, the moving shaft is prevented from being rotated.
[16] The slidable guide unit comprises at least one key groove which is formed vertically from the upper end of the outer surface of the moving shaft, a supporting body which surrounds the moving shaft, at least one fixing side which fixes the moving shaft to draw away from the pair of fixing units, and a key which protrudes from the inner surface of the supporting body to be slidably inserted into the key groove.
[17] Each of the pair of fixing units comprises a connection protrusion which is rounded along the outer circumference at the lower end of the repective fixing unit, and the repective adjusting nut comprises a connection groove which is formed along the inner circumference of the adjusting nut and is snappably connected to the connection protrusion.
[18] The pedal apparatus further includes a display unit which is electrically connected to the control unit, and informs a user of the currently-set distance of each of the pair of pedal units which is sensed by the respective distance sensor.
Advantageous Effects
[19] As can be appreciated from the above description, the pair of pedal apparatuses can be easily adjusted, so a user having legs of different lengths can more easily use indoor cycle machines or bicycles designed for outdoor use. [20] In addition, general users can exercise one leg more than the other by varying the length of the pedal apparatuses, and can also exercise arms by rotating the pedal unit using their hands.
[21] [Brief Description of the Drawings ]
[22] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor cycle machine having a pedal apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [23] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pedal apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [24] Figs. 3 to 5 are perspective views illustrating the moving shaft of Fig. 2 having various different lengths; [25] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor cycle machine having a pedal apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [26] Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pedal apparatus according to
the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [27] Fig. 8 is a partial cross-section view cut along line A-A in FIG. 7;
[28] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pedal apparatus of Fig. 7 excluding for an adjusting nut; [29] Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a pedal apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[30] Fig. 11 is a partial cross-section view cut along line B-B in FIG. 10;
[31] Fig. 12 is a partial perspective view illustrating connection between the moving shaft and the supporting body of Fig. 10; [32] Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a pedal apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [33] Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the pedal apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [34] Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the crank unit and the pedal unit in a connected state according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[35] Fig. 16 is a partial cross-section view cut along line C-C in FIG. 15;
[36] Fig. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the crank unit and the pedal unit in a connected state according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [37] Fig. 18 is a partial cross-section view cut along line D-D in FIG. 17; and
[38] Fig. 19 is a partial perspective view illustrating connection between the moving shaft and the supporting body of Fig. 17.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [39] A pedal apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. [40] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor cycle machine having a pedal apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pedal apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 3 to 5 are perspective views illustrating the moving shaft of Fig. 2 having various different lengths. [41] The pedal apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied to indoor cycle machines or bicycles designed for outdoor use. In Fig.l, the pedal apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to an indoor cycle machine as an example. [42] As shown in Fig.1 , the indoor cycle machine having a pair of pedal apparatuses 20 includes a leg unit 1, a main body 3, a wheel unit 4, a saddle 8, and a handle 11. The leg unit 1 includes a plurality of legs extending from the front and rear to stably
support the main body 3. The main body 3 is rotatably connected to the wheel unit 4 therein, and a first supporting bar 7 extends upwards from the main body 3 at a backward-slanting angle. The saddle 8 is fixed to the upper end of the first supporting bar 7. A second supporting bar 9 is connected to the main body 3, and curves upwards at a certain curvature. The handle 11, designed to be held by a user is formed on the upper end of the second supporting bar 9.
[43] A pair of pedal apparatuses 20 are formed in symmetrical fashion, so only one of the pedal apparatuses 20 is described hereinbelow. As shown in Fig. 2, the pedal apparatus 20 includes a crank unit 21 which is variable in length, and a pedal unit 29 which is rotatably connected to the crank unit 21. The crank unit 21 includes a fixing unit 22, and a replaceable unit 23.
[44] The fixing unit 22 includes a fixing axis 22a at one side of one end, which is detachably connected to the center of one side of the wheel unit 4, a connection groove 22b of a certain depth at the other end, and a penetration hole 22c through which a fixing member 25 a penetrates the fixing unit 22 and the connection groove 22b horizontally.
[45] The replaceable unit 23 has a bar shape of a certain length, and has a connection protrusion 24 which is formed vertically at one end. The replaceable unit 23 is detachably connected to the fixing unit 22 through the connection protrusion 24 which is inserted into the connection groove 22b of the fixing unit 22. The replaceable unit 23 is fixed to the fixing unit 22 by the fixing member 25a which penetrates the penetration hole 22c of the fixing unit 22 and a peneration hole 24a of the connection protrusion 24 together. The fixing member 25a may be a bolt 25a screwing into a nut 25b as shown in Fig, 2. The fixing member 25a may also be a screw or a separation pin.
[46] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the replaceable unit 23 may have lengths of Hl, H2, and
H3. Accordingly, when a user having legs of different lengths rides indoor cycle machines or a bicyle designed for outdoor use, the user can use the replaceable unit 23 having an appropriate length in connection with the fixing unit 22, and can thus ride the indoor cycle machines or the bicyle designed for outdoor use with ease.
[47] Hereinbelow, a pedal apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention are described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.
[48] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor cycle machine having a pedal apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pedal apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 8 is a partial cross-section view cut along line A-A in FIG. 7, and Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pedal apparatus of Fig. 7 except for an adjusting nut.
[49] As shown in Fig. 6, an indoor cycle machine having a pair of pedal apparatuses 120
according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a leg unit 1, a main body 3, a wheel unit 4, a saddle 8, and a handle 11, as in the first exemplary embodiment. The leg unit 1 includes a plurality of legs extending from the front and rear thereof to stably support the main body 3. The main body 3 is rotatably connected to the wheel unit 4 therein, and a first supporting bar 7 extends upwards from the main body 3 at a backward-slanting angle. The saddle 8 is fixed to the upper end of the first supporting bar 7. A second supporting bar 9 is connected to the main body 3, and curves upwards at a certain curvature. The handle 11, designed to be held by a user is formed on the upper end of the second supporting bar 9.
[50] The pair of pedal apparatuses 120 are formed in symmetrical fashion, so only one of the pedal apparatuses 120 is described hereinbelow. As shown in Fig. 7, the pedal apparatus 120 includes a crank unit 121 which varies in length, and a pedal unit 129 which is rotatably connected to the crank unit 121.
[51] The crank unit 121 is described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. The crank unit 121 includes a fixing unit 122, a moving shaft 123, a slidable guide unit 124 (see Fig. 8), and an adjusting nut 125.
[52] As shown in Fig. 9, the fixing unit 122 includes a fixing axis 122a at one side of the upper end thereof, which is detachably connected to the center of one side of the wheel unit 4, and a connection protrusion 122b which has a hemispheric shape and is rounded along the outer circumference of the lower part of the fixing unit 122.
[53] The moving shaft 123 has a certain length, is co-axially disposed under the fixing unit 122, and has a spiral part 123a of a certain lenth which is screwed with a spiral part 125a of the adjusting nut 125.
[54] As shown in Fig. 8, the slidable guide unit 124 includes a guide bar 124a which protrudes vertically from the upper end of the moving shaft 123 to a certain length, and a guide groove 124b which is formed at the lower end of the fixing unit 122 to slidably insert the guide bar 14a therein. The guide bar 124a and the guide groove 124b may have a cross-section of oval or polygonal shape, so that when the adjusting nut 125 is rotated forwards or backwards, the moving shaft 123 is prevented from being rotated together with the adjusting nut 125 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the adjusting nut 125. As a result, the moving shaft 123 is slided to draw close to or away from the fixing unit in the axial direction of the fixing unit 122, and the length of the crank unit 121 can thus vary.
[55] As shown in Fig. 8, the adjusting nut 125 has a connection groove 125b on one side of the inner surface to be snappably connected to the connection protrusion 122b of the fixing unit 122, so that the adjusting nut 125 is rotatably engaged with the fixing unit 122. The adjusting nut 125 also has a spiral part 125a at the other side of the inner surface of a certain length to be screwed with the spiral part 123a of the moving shaft
123.
[56] As shown in Fig. 9, the pedal unit 129 has a rotation axis 128 which protrudes from one side of the pedal unit 129, and the rotation axis 128 is rotatably connected to a connection hole 123c on one side of the lower end of the moving shaft 123.
[57] The length of the crank unit 121 can be changed by the following process. First, if the adjusting nut 125 is rotated in a certain direction, the adjusting nut 125 is rotated with the adjusting nut 125 fixed to the fixing unit 122. The moving shaft 123 is restricted so as to be rotated by the slidable guide unit 124, and moves downdwards in the axial direction of the fixing unit 122, so that the distance of the the moving shaft 123 from the fixing unit 122 and the length of the crank unit 121 can be thus extended. On the contrary, if the adjusting nut 125 is rotated in the reverse direction, the adjusting nut 125 is rotated with the adjusting nut 125 fixed to the fixing unit 122 as described in the above. The moving shaft 123 is restricted to be rotated by the slidable guide unit 124, and moves upwards in the axial direction of the fixing unit 122, so that the moving shaft 123 moves gradually closer to the fixing unit 122 and the length of the crank unit 121 is thus reduced.
[58] The change of the length of the crank unit 121 results in the change of the length between the upper end of the fixing unit 122 and the pedal unit 129. Accordingly, the user can diversely adjust the force provided by each leg by adjusting pressure on the pedal unit 129 when rotating the wheel unit 4 (see Fig. 6).
[59] Consequently, when a user having legs of different lengths due to disorders such as poliomyelitis rides an indoor cycle machine or an outdoor bicyle adopting the pedal apparatus 120 according to the present invention, the user can vary the length of the crank unit 121 of the pair of pedal apparatuses 120 connected at the wheel unit 4, and thus ride the cycle machine or bicycle at ease.
[60] Furthermore, when general users with legs of different strengths wish to exercise one leg more than the other, the users can adjust the length of the crank unit 121. For examplel, the user can set the length of the crank unit 121 of the pedal apparatus 120 corresponding to the leg requiring more exercise to be shorter than that of the other pedal apparatus 120. In addition, the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be used by a user for exercising his or her arms by rotating the pedal unit 129 using his or her hands.
[61] A pedal apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to Figs. 10 to 12.
[62] Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a pedal apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 11 is a partial cross-section view cut along line B-B in FIG. 10, and Fig. 12 is a partial perspective view illustrating the connection between the moving shaft and the supporting body of Fig. 10.
[63] The pedal apparatus 220 according to the third exemplary embodiment has the same elements as the pedal apparatus 120 according to the second exemplary embodiment, and also has a slidable guide unit 224. The overlapping elements of the pedal apparatus 220 according to the third exemplary embodiment have the same reference numerals as those of the pedal apparatus 120 according to the second exemplary embodiment, and detailed desription thereof is omitted. The slidable guide unit 224 is described in greater detail hereinbelow.
[64] As shown in Fig. 11, the slidable guide unit 224 includes first and second key grooves 224a and 224b, a supporting body 224c, first and second fixing sides 224d and 224e, and first and second keys 224f and 224g.
[65] As shown in Fig. 8, the first and second key grooves 224a and 224b are formed vertically from the upper end of the outer surface of the moving shaft 123 in a certain length.
[66] As shown in Fig. 12, the supporting body 224c has a ring shape to penetrate the moving shaft 123, and slidably supports the moving shaft 123 when the moving shaft 123 moves.
[67] As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, one side of the first and second fixing sides 224d and
224e is fixed to one side of the fixing unit 122, and the other side is fixed to one side of the supporting body 224c. Accordingly, the first and second fixing sides 224d and 224e support the supporting body 224c with the supporting body 224c spaced from the fixing unit 122 by the length of the adjusting nut 125.
[68] The first and second keys 224f and 224g protrude from the inner surface of the supporting body 224c to be slidably inserted into the first and second key grooves 224a and 224b. The first and second key grooves 224a and 224b and the first and second keys 224f and 224g are formed in two as an example, but may also be formed in one or more than three.
[69] The length of the crank unit 121 in the pedal apparatus 220 according to the third embodiment can be changed in the following process. First, if the adjusting nut 125 is rotated in a certain direction, the adjusting nut 125 is rotated with the adjusting nut 125 fixed to the fixing unit 122. The moving shaft 123 is restricted to be rotated by the first and second key grooves 224a and 224b inserted into the first and second key grooves 224a and 224b of the slidable guide unit 224, and moves downwards in the axial direction of the fixing unit 122, so that the moving shaft 123 is moved away from the fixing unit 122 and the length of the crank unit 121 is thus extended. On the contrary, if the adjusting nut 125 is rotated in the reverse direction, the adjusting nut 125 is rotated with the adjusting nut 125 fixed to the fixing unit 122 as described above. The moving shaft 123 is restricted to be rotated by the slidable guide unit 124, and moves upwards in the axial direction of the fixing unit 122, so that the moving shaft 123
moves gradually closer to the fixing unit 122 and the length of the crank unit 121 is thus reduced.
[70] By changing the length of the crank unit 121 according to the third embodiment, the user can diversely adjust the pressure of each leg by differently adjusting pressure on the pair of pedal units 129 when rotating the wheel unit 4.
[71] A pedal apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to Figs. 13 to 16.
[72] Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the pedal apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the crank unit and the pedal unit in a connected state according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 16 is a partial cross-section view cut along line C-C in FIG. 15.
[73] The pedal apparatus 320 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied to indoor cycle machines or bicycles designed for outdoor use. As shown in Fig.13, the pedal apparatus 320 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to an indoor cycle machine as described in the first to third exemplary embodiments.
[74] As shown in Fig.13, the indoor cycle machine having a pair of pedal apparatuses
320 includes a leg unit 1, a main body 3, a wheel unit 4, a saddle 8, and a handle 11. The leg unit 1 includes a plurality of legs extending front and rear to stably support the main body 3. The main body 3 is rotatably connected to the wheel unit 4 therein, and a first supporting bar 7 extends upwards from the main body 3 at a certain backwards- slanting angle. The saddle 8 is fixed to the upper end of the first supporting bar 7. The main body 3 is connected to a second supporting bar 9 in front which curves upwards. The handle 11, which is to held by a user, is formed on the upper end of the second supporting bar 9.
[75] A pair of pedal apparatuses 320 are formed in symmetrical fashion, so only one of the pedal apparatuses 20 is described hereinbelow. As shown in Fig. 14, the pedal apparatus 320 includes a crank unit 321, a driving motor 328, a pedal unit 329, a distance sensor 340, a control unit 350, a display unit 360, and a switch 370.
[76] The crank unit 21 is described with reference to Figs. 15 and 16. The crank unit 321 includes a fixing unit 322, a moving shaft 123, a slidable guide unit 324, and an adjusting nut 325.
[77] The fixing unit 322 includes a fixing axis 322a on one side of the upper end, which is detachably connected to the center of one side of the wheel unit 4, and a connection protrusion 322b which has a hemispheric shape and is rounded along the outer circumference of the lower part of the fixing unit 322.
[78] The moving shaft 323 has a certain length, is co-axially disposed under the fixing
unit 322, and has a spiral part 323a of a certain length which is screwed with a spiral part 325a of the adjusting nut 325.
[79] The slidable guide unit 324 includes a guide bar 324a which protrudes vertically from the upper end of the moving shaft 323 to a certain length, and a guide groove 324b which is formed on the lower end of the fixing unit 322 to slidably insert the guide bar 324a therein. The guide bar 324a and the guide groove 324b may have a cross-section of oval or polygonal shape, so that when the adjusting nut 325 is rotated forwards or backwards, the moving shaft 323 is prevented from being rotated together with the adjusting nut 325 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the adjusting nut 325. As a result, the moving shaft 323 is slided to draw close to or away from the fixing unit in the axial direction of the fixing unit 322, and the length of the crank unit 321 can thus be varied.
[80] The adjusting nut 325 has a connection groove 325b on one side of the inner surface to be snappably connected to the connection protrusion 322b of the fixing unit 322, so that the adjusting nut 325 is rotatably engaged with the fixing unit 322. The adjusting nut 325 also has a spiral part 325a on the other side of the inner surface in a certain length to be screwed with the spiral part 323a of the moving shaft 323. In addition, the adjusting nut 325 has a gear unit 325c of a certain height at the upper end.
[81] The driving motor 328 is fixed to the round surface of the fixing unit 322, and the driving motor 328 is connected by a driving axis 328a to a driving gear 328b, which is engaged with the gear unit 325c of the adjusting nut 325. Therefore, the driving motor
328 can rotate the adjusting nut 325 clockwise or anti-clockwise by rotating the driving gear 328b clockwise or anti-clockwise.
[82] As shown in Fig. 16, the distance sensor 340 is formed at the lower end of the adjusting nut 325 facing the pedal unit 329 to detect distance between the pedal unit
329 and the distance sensor 340, and generate a distance sensing signal. The distance sensor 340 is electrically connected to the control unit 350, and transmits the distance sensing signal to the control unit 350.
[83] The control unit 350 receives the distance sensing signal from the distance sensor
340, and determines the distance sensing signal. If the distance between the distance is lower than the minimum value or higher than the maximum value of a preset movable section of the moving shaft 323, the control unit 350 stops the operation of the driving motor 328, and the length of the crank unit 321 is thus not changed. The movable section is a section defining the movable distance of the moving shaft 323 to prevent load on the driving motor 328 when the moving shaft 323 is separated from the adjusting nut 325 or restricted at the lower end of the fixing unit 322 by moving upwards.
[84] As shown in Fig. 13, the display unit 360 is supported by a third supporting bar 13
which is curved and connected to the second supporting bar 9. As shown in Fig. 14, the display unit 360 is electrically connected to the control unit 350, and informs the user of the currently-set length of the crank unit 321 sensed by the sensor 340.
[85] As shown in Fig. 13, a pair of switches 371 and 372 are formed on the right and left sides of the handle 11. The switches 371 and 372 are electrically connected to the control unit 350, and turn on or off the driving motor 328. The switches 371 and 372 have a UP function for operating the moving shaft 323 to draw close to the fixing unit 322, and a DOWN function for operating the moving shaft 323 to distance from the fixing unit 322 when the driving motor 328 is turned on. The respective switches 371 and 372 independently operate each driving motor 328 formed on the pair of crank units 321.
[86] The length of the crank unit 321 described above changes as follows. If the user sits on the saddle 8, and puts his legs on the pair of pedal units 329, the user may turn on the a switch from among the switches 371 and 372 on the handle 11 to set the length of the crank unit of the corresponding leg. As the driving motor 328 rotates in a forward direction or reverse direction, the driving gear 328b rotates in the same direction as the driving axis 328a rotates. Whether the driving motor 328 rotates in a forward or reverse direction depends on whether the switches 371 and 372 are pressed in UP direction or DOWN direction, as shown in Fig. 13.
[87] The adjusting nut 325 receives a rotation driving force from the driving gear 328b, and is rotated with the adjusting nut 325 connected to the fixing unit 322. The moving shaft 323 is prevented from being rotated by the slidable guide unit 324, and moves in the axial direction of the fixing unit 322 to draw close to or away from the fixing unit 322 according to the rotation of one direction or reverse direction of the adjusting nut 325. Consequently, the length of the crank unit 321 can be changed.
[88] The change of the length of the crank unit 321 results in a change of the length between the upper end of the fixing unit 322 and the pedal unit 329. Accordingly, the user can diversely adjust the pressure of each leg by adjusting pressure on the pedal unit 329 when rotating the wheel unit 329.
[89] Consequently, when a user having legs of different lengths rides an indoor cycle machine or an outdoor bicyle adopting the pedal apparatus 320 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user can vary the length of the crank unit 321 of the pair of pedal apparatuses 320 connected at the wheel unit 4, and thus ride the cycle machine or bicycle more easily.
[90] Furthermore, when general users wish to exercise one leg more than the other, the users can adjust the length of the crank unit 321. For example, the user can set the length of the crank unit 321 of the pedal apparatus 320 corresponding to a leg requiring more exercise to be shorter than that of the other pedal apparatus 320. In addition, the
user can exercise his or her arms using the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention by rotating the pedal unit 329 with his or her hands as in the first to third exemplary embodiments.
[91] Moreover, in the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user can easily adjust the length of the crank unit 321 using the switches 371 and 372 without personally rotating the adjusting nut 325 using a tool or hand, and so user convenience is enhanced.
[92] A pedal apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to Figs. 17 to 19.
[93] Fig. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a pedal apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 18 is a partial cross-section view cut along line D-D in FIG. 17, and Fig. 19 is a partial perspective view illustrating connection between the moving shaft and the supporting body of Fig. 17.
[94] The pedal apparatus 420 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment has the same elements as the pedal apparatus 320 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, and also has a slidable guide unit 324. The overlapping elements of the pedal apparatus 420 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment have the same reference numerals as those of the pedal apparatus 320 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, and detailed desription thereof is omitted. The slidable guide unit 424 is described in greater detail hereinbelow.
[95] The slidable guide unit 424 includes first and second key grooves 424a and 424b, a supporting body 424c, first and second fixing sides 424d and 424e, and first and second keys 424f and 424g.
[96] As shown in Fig. 15, the first and second key grooves 424a and 424b are formed vertically from the upper end of the outer surface of the moving shaft 323 to a certain length.
[97] As shown in Fig. 19, the supporting body 424c has a ring shape to penetrate the moving shaft 323, and slidably supports the moving shaft 323 when the moving shaft 323 moves.
[98] As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, one side of the first and second fixing sides 424d and
424e is fixed to one side of the fixing unit 322, and the other side is fixed to one side of the supporting body 424c. Accordingly, the first and second fixing sides 424d and 424e support the supporting body 224c with the supporting body 224c spaced from the fixing unit 322 by the length of the adjusting nut 325.
[99] The first and second keys 424f and 424g protrude from the inner surface of the supporting body 424c so as to be slidably inserted into the first and second key grooves 424a and 424b. The first and second key grooves 224a and 224b and the first and second keys 424f and 424g are formed in pairs in the example, but may also be formed
singly or in sets of three or more.
[100] The length of the crank unit 321 in the pedal apparatus 420 according to the fifth embodiment can be changed by the following process. First, if the adjusting nut 325 is rotated in a certain direction, the adjusting nut 325 is rotated with the adjusting nut 325 fixed to the fixing unit 322. The moving shaft 323 is restricted to be rotated by the first and second key grooves 424a and 424b inserted into the first and second key grooves 424a and 424b of the slidable guide unit 424, and moves downdward in the axial direction of the fixing unit 322, so that the moving shaft 323 moves away from the fixing unit 322 and the length of the crank unit 321 is thus extended. On the contrary, if the adjusting nut 325 is rotated in the reverse direction, the adjusting nut 325 is rotated with the adjusting nut 325 fixed to the fixing unit 322 as described above. The moving shaft 323 is restricted to be rotated by the slidable guide unit 424, and moves upwards in the axial direction of the fixing unit 322, so that the moving shaft 323 moves gradually closer to the fixing unit 322 and the length of the crank unit 321 is thus reduced.
[101] By changing of the length of the crank unit 321 according to the fifth embodiment, the user can diversely adjust the amount of exercise provided to each leg by adjusting the pressure on the pair of pedal units 129 when rotating the wheel unit 4. Industrial Applicability
[102] The present invention relates to a pedal apparatus, and more particularly to a pedal apparatus used in a indoor cycle machine or bicycles designed for outdoor use.
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