US20040097343A1

US20040097343A1 - Portable exerciser

Info

Publication number: US20040097343A1
Application number: US10/295,889
Authority: US
Inventors: Ping Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-18
Filing date: 2002-11-18
Publication date: 2004-05-20

Abstract

An exerciser has a stand, a base and two covers. The stand has a supporting rod, a knob and a stand rod. The knob is detachably attached to the supporting rod. The stand rod is universally connected between the supporting rod and the knob. The base is detachably attached to the bottom of the stand to support the stand. The covers are pivotally connected to supporting rod of the stand. Each cover has a chamber to receive the elements of the stand and the base after the stand and the base are disassembled. Accordingly, the exerciser is detachable and portable so that the portable exerciser can be carried to anywhere conveniently.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exerciser, and more particularly to an exerciser with a detachable structure for easily and conveniently carrying the exerciser by a user.

2. Description of Related Art

With convenience in use, indoor exercisers have become popular in recent years. However, the conventional indoor exerciser always has only one function. In addition, the conventional indoor exerciser has a large volume and a heavy weight, and so the conventional indoor exerciser cannot be moved to another place conveniently. Therefore, the conventional indoor exerciser is not versatile in use.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an exerciser to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide an exerciser that is detachable and portable so that the portable exerciser can be carried and moved to anywhere conveniently. The exerciser has a stand, a base and two covers. The stand has a supporting rod, a knob and a stand rod. The knob is detachably attached to the supporting rod. The stand rod is universally connected between the supporting rod and the knob. The base is detachably attached to the bottom of the stand to support the stand. The covers are pivotally connected to supporting rod of the stand. Each cover has a chamber to receive the elements of the stand and the base after the stand and the base are disassembled. With such an exerciser, multiple training and exercising effects are provided. The stand and the base are detachable and stored between the covers when the exerciser is not in use. To use and to transport the exerciser are both convenient.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exerciser in accordance with the present invention; [0008]
FIG. 2 is a side plan view in partial cross section of the exerciser in FIG. 1; [0009]
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional top plan view of the stand and base of the exerciser in FIG. 1; [0010]
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective of the covers of the exerciser in FIG. 1 showing that the elements of the exerciser are received in one of the covers; [0011]
FIG. 5 is a side plan view of a first operational embodiment of the exerciser in FIG. 1; [0012]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second operational embodiment of the exerciser in FIG. 1; [0013]
FIG. 7 is a side plan view of a third operational embodiment of the exerciser in FIG. 1; and [0014]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exerciser in FIG. 1 showing that the exerciser is detached and the elements are received in the combined covers.[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exerciser in accordance with the present invention comprises a stand ([0016] 20), a base (30) and two covers (10,101). The stand (20) comprises a supporting rod (28), a knob (21), a stand rod (25) and a positioning plate (24). The supporting rod (28) has a threaded hole (281) defined in the middle portion of the supporting rod (28). A through hole (282) with a diameter smaller than that of the threaded hole (281) is defined in a bottom of the threaded hole (281), such that a shoulder (not numbered) is formed between the threaded hole (281) and the through hole (282). Multiple cavities (284) are defined in the supporting rod (28). A groove (283) is defined around each respective end of the supporting rod (28).
The knob ([0017] 21) is detachably attached to the supporting rod (28). A stub (22) extends downward from the knob (21) and has an outer thread (not numbered) to screw with the threaded hole (281) in the supporting rod (28). A curve cavity (23) is defined in the bottom of the stub (28), and a tab (211) is formed on the top of the knob (21) for the user to conveniently rotate the knob (21).
The stand rod ([0018] 25) is rotatably mounted between the supporting rod (28) and the knob (21). The stand rod (25) has a rod body (27) extending through the through hole (282) of the supporting rod (28). A ball (26) is formed on the top of the rod body (27) and is rotatably received between the shoulder in the supporting rod (28) and the curve cavity (23) in the knob (21). A neck (261) with a diameter smaller than that of the rod body (27) is formed between the ball (26) and the rod body (27). In addition, multiple longitudinal channels (271) are defined in the outer periphery of the rod body (27) along an axial direction of the rod body (27). In practice, each channel (271) extends to the bottom of the rod body (27).
The positioning plate ([0019] 24) is rotatably mounted around the stub (22) on the knob (21) and abuts with the bottom of the knob (21). A through hole (242) is defined in the positioning plate (24) for the stub (22) extending through the through hole (242). Two curve edges (240) are formed on opposite sides of the positioning plate (24), and two flat edges (241) are formed on opposite sides of the positioning plate (24). Two protrusions (243) are formed on the bottom of the positioning plate (24).
The base ([0020] 30) is detachably attached to the bottom of the stand (20) to support the stand (20). The base (30) has four legs (31) attached to the rod body (27) of the stand rod (25). A T-shaped rail (33) is formed on one end of each respective leg (31) to engage with one of the channels (271) in the rod body (27). A supporting bar (35) with a U-shaped cross section is pivotally attached to each respective leg (31). An inverse U-shaped recess (311) is defined in the top of each respective leg (31) to receive the corresponding one of the supporting rods (35). Two pivotal holes (32) are respectively defined in two sides of each respective leg (31). Two pivots (351) extend from the inner surface of each respective supporting bar (35) and are respectively inserted into the pivotal holes (32) in the corresponding one of the legs (31) to make the supporting bar (35) be pivotally attached to the corresponding leg (31).
The covers ([0021] 10,101) are rotatably attached to the supporting rod (28) of the stand (20). Each respective cover (10,101) has a skirt (11) extending around the bottom of the cover (10,101) so as to define a chamber (12) in the bottom of the cover (10,101). Multiple baffles (not numbered) are formed on the inner surface of the chamber (12) of each respective cover (10,101). The elements of the stand (20) and the base (30) can be securely received in the chambers (12) and held on the baffles of the cover (10,101) after the stand (20) and the base (30) being disassembled as shown in FIG. 4. A holding tab (17) with a curve recess (not numbered) is formed on each respective cover (10,101) and corresponds to one of the grooves (283) in the supporting rod (28). A recess (14) with a curved inner edge is defined in one side of the top of each respective cover (10,101). A depression (15) is defined in the bottom of recess (14) in each respective cover (10,101). Multiple bumps (13) are formed on the top of each respective cover (10,101). Two lock holes (16) are defined in each respective cover (10,101).
In assembling, the rod body ([0022] 27) of the stand rod (25) penetrates through the through hole (282) in the supporting rod (28), and the ball (26) of the stand rod (25) is supported on the shoulder in the supporting rod (28). The covers (10,101) are attached on the supporting rod (28) respectively at two sides of the threaded hole (281), and the holding tabs (17) are respectively engaged with the grooves (283) in the supporting rod (28). A U-shaped rod holder (29) encloses each side of the supporting rod (28) and has two ears (291) respectively engaging with the lock holes (16) in the corresponding one of the covers (10,101). Consequently, the covers (10,101) will be rotatably attached to the supporting rod (28) with the rod holders (29). The stub (22) on the knob (21) then extends through the through hole (242) in the positioning plate (24) and is screwed into the threaded hole (281) in the supporting rod (28). The legs (31) are attached to channels (271) in the rod body (27) with the rails (33), such that the stand (20) with the covers (10,101) can be put on a flat object with the base (30).
In a first operational embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and [0023] 5, the knob (21) is slightly released from the threaded hole (281) in the supporting rod (28). The positioning plate (24) is rotated relative to the stub (22) of the knob (21) to a position where the curve edges (240) of the positioning plate (24) are respectively received in the recesses (14) in the covers (10,101). The protrusions (243) on the positioning plate (24) will be respectively inserted into the depressions (15) in the covers (10,101). After the knob (21) is screwed onto the positioning rod (28) to a tightened condition, the covers (10,101) are squeezed between the supporting rod (28) and the positioning plate (24) and are connected to each other through the positioning plate (24). Two supporting bars (35) corresponding to the supporting rod (28) are pivotally rotated relative to the corresponding legs (31) and respectively abut two cavities (284) on the supporting rod (28) with the free ends. Consequently, the user can step on the covers (10,101), and the user can pivotal rotate ankles in two directions with the supporting rod (28) as an axle as shown in FIG. 5. The ankles of the user can be exercised with the exerciser. In addition, the bumps (13) on the covers (10,101) provide a massage effect to the feet of the user.
In a second operational embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the knob ([0024] 21) is slightly released from the threaded hole (281) in the supporting rod (28). The positioning plate (24) is rotated relative to the stub (22) to a position where the flat edges (241) of the positioning plate (24) are parallel to the sides of the covers (10,101) and the curve edges (240) are released from the recesses (14). This can release the connection between the two covers (10,101). Consequently, the covers (10,101) can pivotally rotate relative to the supporting rod (28) in different directions respectively. Accordingly, the exerciser can be used as a stepping exerciser when the user steps on the covers (10,101).
With reference to FIG. 7, the supporting bars ([0025] 35) on the legs (31) are rotated to a position where they abut the corresponding legs (31) and leave the supporting rod (28), so as to release the supporting effect provided by the supporting bar (35) from the supporting rod (28). Consequently, the supporting rod (28) can universally rotate relative to the stand rod (25) at the ball (26) as a center, such that the covers (10,101) with the supporting rod (28) can be rotated in a universal direction relative to the stand rod (25). This can make the user rotate ankles in a universal direction.
With such an exerciser in accordance with the present invention, multiple exercising and training effects are provided, the use of the exerciser is versatile. [0026]
After unscrewing the knob ([0027] 21) from the threaded hole (281) in the supporting rod (28), the positioning plate (24) can be taken away from the supporting rod (28). The rails (33) on legs (31) are released from the channels (271) in the stand rod, and the stand rod (25) can be taken out from the through hole (282) in the supporting rod (28). To disengage the ears (291) on the rod holders (29) from the lock holes (16) in the covers (10,101), the covers (10,101) can be released from the supporting rod (28). Consequently, the exerciser is detached into multiple separate elements. The elements of the stand (20) and the base (30) can be put into the chambers (12) in the covers (10,101) and be held by the baffles in the chambers (12) as shown in FIG. 4. To combine the covers (10,101) with studs (not numbered) and holes (not numbered) formed on the covers (10,101), the covers (10,101) can combine with each other to receive the stand (20) and base (30). Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 8, the user can easily carry the exerciser to anywhere. The exerciser can be also put into the pocket of clothes or pants for transporting it, such that the exerciser is portable and the use of the exerciser is convenient.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. [0028]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable exerciser comprising:

a stand with a bottom and constructed of by multiple elements, the stand comprising:

a supporting rod;

a knob detachably attached to the supporting rod; and

a stand rod universally connected between the supporting rod and the knob, the stand rod having a rod body with a top and a bottom and a ball with a top portion and a bottom portion formed on the top of the rod body and universally connected between the supporting rod and the knob;

a base constructed of at least one element and detachably attached to the bottom of the stand to support the stand; and

two covers pivotally connected to supporting rod of the stand, each respective cover having a top and a bottom with a chamber, and the chamber in each cover having multiple baffles for selectively holding the elements of the stand and the base after the stand and the base are disassembled.

2. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting rod has a middle portion and a threaded hole defined in the middle portion of the supporting rod;

a through hole with a diameter smaller than that of the threaded hole is defined in a bottom of the threaded hole to form a shoulder between the threaded hole and the through hole;

the rod body of the stand rod penetrates through the through hole in the supporting rod;

the bottom portion of the ball on the stand body is supported on the shoulder in the supporting rod;

the knob has a stub extending downward from the knob and an outer thread formed on the stub to screw with the threaded hole in the supporting rod; and

the stub has a bottom and a curve cavity defined in the bottom of the stub to receive the top portion of the ball.

3. The exerciser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rod stand further has a neck with a diameter smaller than that of the rod body and formed between the ball and the rod body.

4. The exerciser as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a positioning plate with a bottom and a through hole mounted around the stub on the knob and abutting with the knob,

wherein the positioning plate has two curve edges formed on opposite sides of the positioning plate and two flat edges formed on another opposite sides of the positioning plate; and

each respective cover has a recess with a bottom and a curved inner edge defined in one side of the top of the respective cover to selectively receive one of the curve edges on the positioning plate.

5. The exerciser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the positioning plate has a bottom and two protrusions formed on the bottom of the positioning plate; and

each respective cover has a depression defined in the bottom of recess to selectively receive one of the protrusions on the positioning plate.

6. The exerciser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the supporting rod has two grooves respectively defined around two ends of the supporting rod; and

each respective cover has a holding tab with a curve recess to selectively engage with one of the grooves in the supporting rod.

7. The exerciser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stand rod has multiple longitudinal channels defined in an outer periphery of the rod body along an axial direction of the rod body; and

the base has multiple legs each having a rail detachably attached to one of the channels in the stand rod.

8. The exerciser as claimed in claim 7, wherein each respective channel in the stand rod extends to the bottom of the rod body.

9. The exerciser as claimed in claim 7, wherein each respective leg of the base has a top and an inverse U-shaped recess defined in the top of the leg; and

a supporting bar with a U-shaped cross section is pivotally attached to each respective leg and covers the inverse U-shaped recess in the leg.

10. The exerciser as claimed in claim 9, wherein each respective leg has two pivotal holes respectively defined in two sides of the leg; and

each respective supporting bar has two pivots respectively inserted into the pivotal holes in the corresponding one of the legs.

11. The exerciser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the supporting rod has multiple cavities; and

the supporting bars on the legs of the base are selectively engaged with the cavities on the supporting rod when the supporting bars are pivotally rotated relative the legs.

12. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each respective cover has a skirt extending around the bottom of the cover so as to define a chamber in the bottom of the cover.

13. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cover has multiple bumps formed on the top of the cover.

14. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1 further comprising two U-shaped rod holders respectively enclosing two sides of the supporting rod and detachably attached to the covers.

15. The exerciser as claimed in claim 14, wherein each respective cover has two lock holes; and

each respective rod holder has two ears respectively engaging with the lock holes in the corresponding one of the covers.