Description

RUNNING MACHINE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a running machine, and more particularly, to an improved running machine, which can reinforce a muscular strength and cardiopulmonary functions and enhance a stretching effect of specific parts of a user's body. Background Art

[2] In general, a running machine is developed for allowing a user to enjoy running or walking, and is constructed in such a way that the user can properly control a speed of a running belt according to his or her cardiopulmonary functions or kinesthetic pace. Till now, various running machine products having various functions or improved in performance have been developed and come into the market.

[3] A fast walking or running using the running machine enhances the user's cardiopulmonary functions as aerobics, but cannot reinforce a muscular strength or muscle endurance and has few stretching effect.

[4] So, if an improved running machine, which can not only enhance the user's cardiopulmonary functions but also reinforce muscular strength or muscle endurance and stretching effect, is developed, it may obtain a good response from many consumers. Particularly, if an improved running machine, which can increase of quantity of motion by maximizing the stretching effect on waist and abdominal muscles, is developed, it may obtain a still more response from general consumers as well as persons, who have abdominal obesity.

[5]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a running machine comprising: a base frame; a driving roller and a slave roller mounted at the front and rear ends of the base frame; an endless type running belt wound on the driving roller and the slave roller in such a way as to be rotated endlessly by a rotational force of the driving roller; supporting rods mounted at the front end of the base frame; and upper bars located above both shoulders of a user, who takes exercise on the running belt in such a way as to extend rearwardly.

[7] In addition, the running machine further comprises rotatable upper hand-grips respectively mounted on the upper bars.

[8]

Technical Solution

[9] To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a running machine comprising: a base frame; a driving roller and a slave roller mounted at the front and rear ends of the base frame; an endless type running belt wound on the driving roller and the slave roller in such a way as to be rotated endlessly by a rotational force of the driving roller; supporting rods mounted at the front end of the base frame; and upper bars located above both shoulders of a user, who takes exercise on the running belt in such a way as to extend rearwardly.

[10] In addition, the running machine further comprises rotatable upper hand- grips respectively mounted on the upper bars.

[H] [12]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[13] FIG. 1

Mode for the Invention

[14] Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a running machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a used state of the running machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[16] The running machine 10 includes: a base frame 12; a driving roller and a slave roller mounted at the front and rear ends of the base frame 12, the driving roller and the slave roller being spaced apart from each other; and an endless type running belt 14 wound on the driving roller and the slave roller in such a way as to be rotated endlessly by a rotational force of the driving roller rotated by a motor mounted in the base frame 12. The running machine 10 further includes supporting rods 16 are respectively mounted at both sides of the front end of the base frame 12, a manipulation panel 18 mounted between the upper portions of the supporting rods 16; and curved- type handgrips 20 extending from the manipulation panel 18 toward the running belt 14.

[17] The structure of the running machine described above is the same as a typical running machine. The running machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes upper bars 22 connected to the supporting rods 16 thereof and located above both shoulders of a user 30, who takes exercise on the running belt 14 of the running machine 10, the upper bars 22 extending rearwardly. In addition, each upper bar 22 has an upper rotatably hand-grip 24 connected thereto, so that the user 30 can grasp it with the hand.

[18] The upper bars 22 are provided to allow the user 30, who takes exercise on the

running machine 10, can take exercise while grasping the upper bars 22 or the upper hand-grips 24 with the hand. In addition, the upper bars 22 can be adjusted in their heights according to the user's height. That is, the upper bars 22 can be adjusted in their heights by height-adjusting members 28 respectively mounted on connection tubes 28 coupled to the supporting rods 16.

[19] In FIG. 1, the unexplained reference numeral 23 designates a reinforcing support bar.

[20] Since the running machine 10 according to the present invention has the upper bars

22 and the upper hand-grips 24 as described above, it can allow the user 30 to take aerobics such as running or fast walking on the running machine 10 and reinforce the user's muscular strength or muscle endurance and stretching effect.

[21] As shown in FIG. 2, when the user 30 runs at the user's own pace while grasping the upper hand- grips 24 or the upper bars 22 with the hands, since the user's arms are located near the user's shoulder height and the user's hands grasp the upper hand-grips 24 or the upper bars 22 with force, the stretching effect on the muscles of the abdominal waist part is maximized, and a muscular training is naturally achieved. Moreover, since the user 30 can run on the running machine while twisting the user's wrists or body, the stretching effect on various muscles of the user's body can be achieved simultaneously.

[22] Then, when the user continuously runs on the running machine at the user's own pace in a state where the user's muscles get fatigued through the muscular training, the user's respiratory and circulatory organs, muscular strength and muscle endurance can be reinforced and the user can obtain a body where lactic acid is accumulated little.

[23] Furthermore, as a test result by the inventor of the present invention, when persons, who have waist obesity or abdominal obesity, used the improved running machine of the present invention, it was verified that the running machine of the present invention was more effective in waist or abdominal exercise than the typical running machines. When the user runs while grasping the upper hand-grips 24 or the upper bars 22 with the hands, a movement of the shoulder parts including the head is relatively reduced but stretching and movement of the abdomen or waist are activated, and so, the quantity of muscular motion of the waist and abdominal parts gets still more increased. It is similar with the principle that the quantity of motion of the upper abdominal part or waist part is increased when, in old times, women walk while grasping a water jar carried on the head with the hands.

[24] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, it has been described that the upper bars are mounted on one running machine, but it would be appreciated to those skilled that height-adjustable upper bars are constructed in such a way as to cross above a number of running machines, which are arranged horizontally

indoors, the upper bars being located above both shoulders of the user, who takes exercise on the running belt of the running machine, and having hand-grips hung thereon. While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiment, it is not to be restricted by the embodiment but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[25]

Industrial Applicability

[26] As described above, the running machine according to the present invention can provide a special effect in body management to persons, who have waist and abdominal obesity, since it can increase of quantity of motion by maximizing the stretching effect on the waist and abdominal muscles, and reinforce the user's cardiopulmonary functions, muscular strength or muscle endurance and stretching effect.

[27]