Stepper machine with elastic resistance generating component
View Patent ↗Embodiments of an exercise machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise machine includes a base frame, a pair of left and right pedal assemblies, and a pedal supporting assembly. The base frame is adapted to be positioned on a support surface. The left and right pedal assemblies have a pair of left and right pedals, and each is positioned over and rotatably supported by the base frame. The pedal supporting assembly is attached to the base frame and configured to pivot around an axis. The pedal supporting assembly also supports the left and right pedal assemblies. The pedal supporting assembly is operable to generate resistance in response to movement of the left and right pedals and the pedal supporting assembly pivoting around the axis.
1. An exercise machine, comprising:
a base frame adapted to be positioned on a support surface;
a pair of left and right pedal assemblies, each of which positioned over and rotatably supported by the base frame at a first end of the left and right pedal assemblies, the pedal assemblies having a pair of left and right pedals, and
a pedal supporting assembly attached to the base frame and configured to pivot around an axis and support the left and right pedal assemblies at a second end of each of the left and right pedal assemblies, the pedal supporting assembly comprising a resistance generating component, wherein the resistance generating component includes an elastic component operable to generate resistance in response to movement of the left and right pedals and the pedal supporting assembly pivoting around the axis.
2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the resistance generated by the pedal supporting assembly is proportional to a degree by which the pedal supporting assembly pivots away from a neutral position.
3. The exercise machine of claim 1 , the axis being positioned in a longitudinal direction of the exercise machine and parallel to the support surface.
4. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the elastic component adapted to attach the pedal supporting assembly to the base frame, the elastic component to become deformed, when the pedal supporting assembly pivots away from a neutral position, to adapt to a position change and generate the resistance.
5. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the base frame further comprises a bottom body to attach the pedal supporting assembly to the base frame, the bottom body configured with a front end receptacle and a rear end receptacle both to receive and constrain the elastic component, wherein the front end and rear end receptacles of the bottom body are stationary when the left and right pedals are in motion.
6. The exercise machine of claim 5 , wherein the pedal supporting assembly further comprises a pedal supporting component for supporting the left and right pedal assemblies, the pedal supporting component having a hollow cross-section to contain the elastic component.
7. The exercise machine of claim 6 , wherein the bottom body includes a pair of sliding slots to hold the front end and rear end receptacles, the pedal supporting component, and the elastic component.
8. The exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein the relative position of the receptacles, the pedal supporting component, and the elastic component with respect to the pair of sliding slots is adjustable and to adjust the resistance generated by the pedal supporting assembly.
9. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the resistance generated by the pedal supporting assembly is adjustable by fastening or loosening a knob to change the relative position of the front end and rear end receptacles, the pedal supporting component, and the elastic component to the base frame.
10. The exercise machine of claim 5 , wherein the elastic component has a central portion pivoting with the pedal supporting assembly, and the elastic component has a first constrained portion constrained by a first receptacle, and a second constrained portion constrained by a second receptacle, the first and second constrained portions located at opposing ends of the elastic component, and the first and second constrained portions of the elastic component generate torsion to force the central portion to return to the neutral position whenever the pedal supporting assembly pivots away from the neutral position.
11. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the resistance to the left pedal is substantially the same with the resistance to the right pedal.
12. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the base frame comprises a level parallel to the support surface that supports both the left and right pedal assemblies.
13. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the base frame comprises a left supporting rod to support the left pedal assembly and a right supporting rod to support the right pedal assembly.
14. The exercise machine of claim 13 , wherein the angle between the left and right supporting rods is less than 180 degrees.
15. The exercise machine of claim 4 , further comprising a handlebar assembly attached to a front end of the base frame to allow a user to hold onto the handlebar while stepping on the left and right pedals.
16. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the pedals have raised elements that increase friction with a user's feet and a heightened boundary to prevent a user from slipping off the pedals.
17. The exercise machine of claim 4 , further comprising a display unit to display user exercise information.