CLIMBING EXERCISE MACHINE

Abstract

A climbing exercise machine includes first and second lifting assemblies, each having a pedal and a handle. The two lifting assemblies can be moved up and down linearly and driven by each other through an alternating mechanism. The alternating mechanism has a rotating member, a first link rod and a second link rod. The rotating member has a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion. The first link rod connects the first rotating portion and the first lifting assembly, and the second link rod connects the second rotating portion and the second lifting assembly, so that up-down movements of the two lifting assemblies and rotation of the rotating member are driven by each other. Additionally, the rotating member is connected to a flywheel through a transmission mechanism and is driven by each other, and the inertia of the flywheel helps reciprocating movement of the pedal and the handle.

Claims

1. A climbing exercise machine, comprising: a frame; a first lifting assembly provided for linear up-down movement on the frame, having a first pedal, a first handle and a first driving portion, and angles of the first pedal and the first handle relative to a horizontal plane remaining unchanged during the up-down movement; a second lifting assembly provided for linear up-down movement on the frame, having a second pedal, a second handle and a second driving portion, and angles of the second pedal and the second handle relative to the horizontal plane remaining unchanged during the up-down movement; an alternating mechanism coupled to the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly, having a rotating member pivotally connected to the frame according to a rotation axis, a first link rod and a second link rod, the rotating member having a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion, the first link rod having a first end pivotally connected to the first rotating portion of the rotating member and a second end pivotally connected to the first driving portion of the first lifting assembly, the second link rod having a first end pivotally connected to the second rotating portion of the rotating member and a second end pivotally connected to the second driving portion of the second lifting assembly, so that the up-down movements of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly and rotation of the rotating member, are driven by each other, when the rotating member rotates for a cycle, the first and second lifting assemblies are reciprocated once between an uppermost position and a lowermost position; a flywheel pivotally coupled to the frame; and a transmission mechanism connecting the rotating member of the alternating mechanism and the flywheel, so that rotation of the rotating member and rotation of the flywheel are operable to drive each other, wherein a rotation speed of the flywheel is higher than a rotation speed of the rotating member by a predetermined speed ratio.

2. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion of the rotating member are kept 180 degrees opposite to each other with respect to the rotation axis, circular movement paths of the first and second rotating portions overlapping each other, linear movement paths of the first driving portion and the second driving portion overlapping each other, and wherein the extension of each linear movement path does not pass through each circular movement path.

3. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein when one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly is at the uppermost position, the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions is located at an upper dead point on the respective circular movement path; when one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly is at the lowermost position, the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions is located at a lower dead point on the respective circular movement path, and the other one of the first and second rotating portions is located at a position opposite to the lower dead point, and the other one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly is located at a high specific position below the uppermost position; and when one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly descends from the high specific position to the lowermost position, the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions rotates from the position opposite to the lower dead point along the respective circular movement path in a direction away from the upper dead point to the lower dead point.

4. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein when one of the first and second rotating portions is located at the position opposite to the lower dead point, an acute angle between a connection direction of the first and second ends of the corresponding one of the first and second link rods and a tangent direction of the position opposite to the lower dead point is less than 80 degrees.

5. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein an angular difference between the position opposite to the lower dead point and the upper dead point is less than 45 degrees.

6. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein a difference between the high specific position and the uppermost position is less than one tenth of a distance between the uppermost position and the lowermost position.

7. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein relative angles between the linear movement paths the first and second driving portions and the circular movement paths of the first and second rotating portions are adjustable, whereby lengths of the linear movement paths can be changed accordingly.

8. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a left lower guide rail, a right lower guide rail, a left upper guide rail and a right upper guide rail, each extending in a straight line, and extension directions of the guide rails are arranged in parallel; wherein the first lifting assembly comprises a first lower slide seat slidably coupled to the left lower guide rail, a first upper slide seat slidably coupled to the right upper guide rail, and a first connecting part connecting the first lower slide seat and the first upper slide seat, the first pedal mounted on the first lower slide seat and the first handle mounted on the first upper slide seat; and wherein the second lifting assembly comprises a second lower slide seat slidably coupled to the right lower guide rail, a second upper slide seat slidably coupled to the left upper guide rail, and a second connecting part connecting the second lower slide seat and the second upper slide seat, the second pedal mounted on the second lower slide seat and the second handle mounted on the second upper slide seat.

9. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein bottom ends of the left upper guide rail and the right upper guide rail are located further forward than top ends of the left lower guide rail and the right lower guide rail.

10. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the frame is at made up of a lower frame unit and an upper frame unit, the lower frame unit comprising the left lower guide rail and the right lower guide rail, the upper frame unit comprising the left upper guide rail and the right upper guide rail.

11. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the frame is at least made up of a lower frame unit and an upper frame unit, the lower frame unit comprising the left lower guide rail and the right lower guide rail, the upper frame unit comprising the left upper guide rail and the right upper guide rail.

12. A climbing exercise machine, comprising: a frame; a first lifting assembly provided for linear up-down movement on the frame, having a first pedal, a first handle and a first driving portion; a second lifting assembly provided for linear up-down movement on the frame, having a second pedal, a second handle and a second driving portion; an alternating mechanism coupled to the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly, having a rotating member pivotally connected to the frame according to a rotation axis, a first link rod and a second link rod, the rotating member having a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion, the first link rod having a first end pivotally connected to the first rotating portion of the rotating member and a second end pivotally connected to the first driving portion of the first lifting assembly, the second link rod having a first end pivotally connected to the second rotating portion of the rotating member and a second end pivotally connected to the second driving portion of the second lifting assembly, so that the up-down movements of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly and rotation of the rotating member, are driven by each other, when the rotating member rotates for a cycle, the first and second lifting assemblies are reciprocated once between an uppermost position and a lowermost position; a flywheel pivotally coupled to the frame; and a transmission mechanism connecting the rotating member of the alternating mechanism and the flywheel, so that rotation of the rotating member and rotation of the flywheel are operable to drive each other, wherein rotational inertia of the flywheel provides an extra inertia force to the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly during the up-down movements.

13. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein a rotation speed of the flywheel is higher than a rotation speed of the rotating member by a predetermined speed ratio.

14. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein angles of the first pedal and the first handle relative to a horizontal plane remaining unchanged during the up-down movement; and wherein angles of the second pedal and the second handle relative to the horizontal plane remaining unchanged during the up-down movement.

15. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion of the rotating member are kept 180 degrees opposite to each other with respect to the rotation axis, circular movement paths of the first and second rotating portions overlapping each other, linear movement paths of the first driving portion and the second driving portion overlapping each other, and wherein the extension of each linear movement path does not pass through each circular movement path.

16. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein when one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly is at the uppermost position, the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions is located at an upper dead point on the respective circular movement path; when one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly is at the lowermost position, the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions is located at a lower dead point on the respective circular movement path, and the other one of the first and second rotating portions is located at a position opposite to the lower dead point, and the other one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly is located at a high specific position below the uppermost position; and when one of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly descends from the high specific position to the lowermost position, the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions rotates from the position opposite to the lower dead point along the respective circular movement path in a direction away from the upper dead point to the lower dead point.

17. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein an angular difference between the position opposite to the lower dead point and the upper dead point is less than 45 degrees.

18. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a left lower guide rail, a right lower guide rail, a left upper guide rail and a right upper guide rail, each extending in a straight line, and extension directions of the guide rails are arranged in parallel; wherein the first lifting assembly comprises a first lower slide seat slidably coupled to the left lower guide rail, a first upper slide seat slidably coupled to the right upper guide rail, and a first connecting part connecting the first lower slide seat and the first upper slide seat, the first pedal mounted on the first lower slide seat and the first handle mounted on the first upper slide seat; and wherein the second lifting assembly comprises a second lower slide seat slidably coupled to the right lower guide rail, a second upper slide seat slidably coupled to the left upper guide rail, and a second connecting part connecting the second lower slide seat and the second upper slide seat, the second pedal mounted on the second lower slide seat and the second handle mounted on the second upper slide seat.

19. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein bottom ends of the left upper guide rail and the right upper guide rail are located further forward than top ends of the left lower guide rail and the right lower guide rail.

20. The climbing exercise machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the frame is at made up of a lower frame unit and an upper frame unit, the lower frame unit comprising the left lower guide rail and the right lower guide rail, the upper frame unit comprising the left upper guide rail and the right upper guide rail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a climbing exercise machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an initial state, wherein the second lifting assembly is located at a lowermost position.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, taken from another angle.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates the initial position of the link rods of the alternating mechanism shown in FIG. 3 and the direction of movement.

[0025] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, illustrating another position of the link rods after the alternating mechanism is actuated, and the inertial effect therein.

[0026] FIG. 6 depicts a height variation curve diagram of the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a front view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a front view of the preferred embodiment in another state, wherein the first lifting assembly is located at a lowermost position.

[0029] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 10 shows a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 11 illustrates the initial position of the link rods of the alternating mechanism in another preferred embodiment, and the direction of movement.

[0032] FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, illustrating another position of the link rods after the alternating mechanism is actuated, and the inertial effect therein.

[0033] FIG. 13 illustrates the angle of the linear movement path in FIGS. 11 and 12 relative to the ground can be adjusted independently with respect to the circular movement path.

[0034] FIG. 14 illustrates the position of the circular movement path in FIGS. 11 and 12 can be adjusted independently with respect to the linear movement path.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically depicted in order to simplify the drawings.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a climbing exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention has a frame body 10 that acts as a foundation for mounting other components. The frame body 10 includes a main frame 11, a console mast 12 and a plurality of guide rails 13-16. The main frame 11 can be stably rested on a horizontal plane (such as the ground). The console mast 12 extends vertically upward from the top of the main frame 11, and a rear-facing console 80 is mounted on the top of the console mast 12. The plurality of guide rails include a left lower guide rail 13, a right lower guide rail 14, a left upper guide rail 15 and a right upper guide rail 16, all of which are straight rods. The left lower guide rail 13 and the right lower guide rail 14 are fixed to the rear side of the main frame 11, and extend upward from the bottom of the main frame 11 to the top of the main frame 11. The left upper guide rail 15 and the right upper guide rail 16 are fixed to the rear side of the console mast 12, and extend upward from the top of the main frame 11 to the top of the console mast 12. The left upper guide rail 15 and the right upper guide rail 16 are respectively located on the left and right sides of the console 80. The bottom ends of the left upper guide rail 15 and the right upper guide rail 16 are located further forward than the top ends of the left lower guide rail 13 and the right lower guide rail 14. The extension directions of the guide rails 13-16 are parallel to one another. In the present embodiment, each guide rail has an elevation angle of 75 degrees from the bottom end to the top end relative to the horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 3, from a side view, the left lower guide rail 13 overlaps with the right lower guide rail 14, and the left upper guide rail 15 overlaps with the right upper guide rail 16.

[0037] For the present invention, the angle of the linear extension direction of the guide rail relative to the horizontal plane may be an angle other than 75 degrees, such as an elevation angle of 60 degrees or 90 degrees (vertical). In other possible embodiments (not shown), all or part of the aforementioned frame can be controlled manually or electrically by the user to change the angle of all the aforementioned guide rails relative to the ground. For example, if necessary, it is possible to adjust the elevation angle of the guide rails from 60 degrees to vertical relative to the ground.

[0038] The aforementioned climbing exercise machine has a first lifting assembly 20 and a second lifting assembly 30 that can be operated by the user to move up and down. The first lifting assembly 20 has a first lower slide seat 21 slidably coupled to the left lower guide rail 13 and a first upper slide seat 22 slidably coupled to the right upper guide rail 16. The second lifting assembly 30 has a second lower slide seat 31 slidably coupled to the right lower guide rail 14 and a second upper slide seat 32 slidably coupled to the left upper guide rail 15. Specifically, the first lower slide seat 21, the second lower slide seat 31, the first upper slide seat 22, and the second upper slide seat 32 all have a box-shaped shell. Each of them has upper and lower pairs of rollers 211, 311, 221, 321 inside the box-shaped shell (as shown in FIG. 3), configured to clamp against the front and rear sides of the left lower guide rail 13, the right lower guide rail 14, the right upper guide rail 16, or the left upper guide rail 15, so that the first lower slide seat 21, the second lower slide seat 31, the first upper slide seat 22, and the second upper slide seat 32 are able to slide smoothly along the aforementioned left lower guide rail 13, the right lower guide rail 14, the right upper guide rail 16, and the left upper guide rail 15, respectively.

[0039] The first lifting assembly 20 further has a first pedal 26 and a first handle 27. The first pedal 26 is fixed to the bottom end of the rear side of the first lower slide seat 21, which can be moved up and down linearly along the extension direction of the left lower guide rail 13, along with the first lower slide seat 21. The first handle 27 is fixed to the rear side of the first upper slide seat 22, which can be moved up and down linearly along the extension direction of the right upper guide rail 16, along with the first upper slide seat 22. The second lifting assembly 30 further has a second pedal 36 and a second handle 37. The second pedal 36 is fixed to the bottom end of the rear side of the second lower slide seat 31, which can be moved up and down linearly along the extension direction of the of the right lower guide rail 14, along with the second lower slide seat 31. The second handle 37 is fixed to the rear side of the second upper slide seat 32, which can be moved up and down linearly along the extension direction of the left upper guide rail 15, along with the second upper slide seat 32. Specifically, the angles of the first pedal 26, the first handle 27, the second pedal 36 and the second handle relative to the horizontal plane will not change during the up and down movements. For example, in the present invention, both the top surfaces of the first pedal 26 and the second pedal 36 remain parallel to the ground consistently.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 7, the aforementioned climbing exercise machine can be divided into a left half and a right half by an imaginary vertical plane V. The first pedal 26 is situated on the left half of the climbing exercise machine for the user's left foot to step on. The second pedal 36 is situated on the right half of the climbing machine for the user's right foot to step on. The first handle 27 is situated on the right half of the climbing machine for the user's right hand to grasp. The second handle 37 is situated on the left half of the climbing machine for the user's left hand to grasp. In the present embodiment, the first handle 27 and the second handle 37 each has a plurality of cross bars 28, 38 arranged vertically in parallel, so that the user can select one of the cross bars 28, 38 with a suitable gripping height according to personal conditions.

[0041] The first upper slide seat 22 has a connecting plate 23 protruding from the inner side (left side) thereof, and the connecting plate 23 is fixed to an upper connecting rod 24 that extends downward. The first lower slide seat 21 has a lower connecting rod 25 fixed to the inner side (right side) thereof and extending upward. The top end of the lower connecting rod 25 is connected to the bottom end of the upper connecting rod 24. In this way, the connecting plate 23, the upper connecting rod 24 and the lower connecting rod 25 together form a connecting portion that connects the first upper slide seat 22 and the first lower slide seat 21, so that the first upper slide seat 22 and the first lower slide seat 21 are capable of driving each other and moving up down synchronously. In other words, the user's right hand which grips the first handle 27, and the user's left foot which steps on the first pedal 26, are capable of moving up and down together.

[0042] Similarly, the second upper slide seat 32 has a connecting plate 33 protruding from the inner side (left side) thereof, and the connecting plate 33 is fixed to an upper connecting rod 34 that extends downward. The second lower slide seat 31 has a lower connecting rod 35 fixed to the inner side (right side) thereof and extending upward. The top end of the lower connecting rod 35 is connected to the bottom end of the upper connecting rod 34. In this way, the connecting plate 33, the upper connecting rod 34 and the lower connecting rod 35 together form a connecting portion that connects the second upper slide seat 32 and the second lower slide seat 31, so that the second upper slide seat 32 and the second lower slide seat 31 are capable of driving each other and moving up down synchronously. In other words, the user's left hand, which grips the second handle 37, and the user's right foot, which steps on the second pedal 36, are capable of moving up and down together.

[0043] In another passible embodiment of the present invention (not shown), unlike the aforementioned method in which the lifting assemblies slide on the guide rails of the frame through rollers, the frame is provided with a plurality of pairs of rollers arranged at intervals along an up-down movement direction, and each pair of rollers are opposite to each other. Each lifting assembly has a straight extending rod, which is inserted into at least two pairs of rollers and clamped by each pair of rollers both on the front and rear sides or both on the left and right sides, so that it can move up and down linearly along the up-down movement direction.

[0044] The first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 are connected to each other through an alternating mechanism, so that the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 are capable of driving each other through their up-down movements. The alternating mechanism includes a rotating member 41, a first link rod 42 and a second link rod 43. The rotating member 41 is pivotally connected to the main frame 11 of the frame body 10 according to a rotation axis A. The rotating member 41 has a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion that can rotate around the rotation axis A. In the present embodiment, the rotating member 41 is composed of a crankshaft (not shown), a left crank arm 44 and a right crank arm 45. The crankshaft is pivotally mounted on the main frame 11 with a central axis corresponding to a left-to-right axis, namely the rotation axis A. The left crank arm 44 and the right crank arm 45 are respectively fixed to the left and right ends of the crankshaft, each extending outward in the radial direction of the crankshaft, and the extension directions of the two crank arms 44, 45 are opposite to each other, so that the outer end of the left crank arm 44 forms the first rotating portion, and the outer end of the right crank arm 45 forms the second rotating portion. As shown in FIG. 3, the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion are kept 180 degrees opposite to each other with respect to the rotation axis A, and the circular movement paths C of the first and second rotating potions overlap each other.

[0045] Both the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 have a first end and a second end. The first end of the first link rod 42 is pivotally connected to the first rotating portion of the rotating member 41 (i.e., the outer end of the left crank arm 44), and the second end of the first link rod 42 is pivotally connected to a pivot bracket 29 preset on the front side of the first lower slide seat 21 of the first lifting assembly 20. The pivot bracket 29 forms a first driving portion of the first lifting assembly 20. The first end of the second link rod 43 is pivotally connected to the second rotating portion of the rotating member 41 (i.e., the outer end of the right crank arm 45), and the second end of the second link rod 43 is pivotally connected to a pivot bracket 39 preset on the front side of the second lower slide seat 31 of the second lifting assembly 30. The pivot bracket 39 forms a second driving portion of the second lifting assembly 30. The first lower slide seat 21, the first link rod 42 and the left crank arm 44 constitute a slider-crank mechanism. The second lower slide seat 31, the second link rod 43 and the right crank arm 45 constitute another slider-crank mechanism.

[0046] In this way, the up-down movement of the first lifting assembly 20, the up-down movement of the second lifting assembly 30, and the rotation movement of the rotating member 41, could be driven by each other. When the rotating member 41 rotates for a cycle, both the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 are reciprocated once between an uppermost position and a lowermost position. As shown in FIG. 3, observed along the axial direction of the rotation axis A, the linear movement path S of the first driving portion (the pivot bracket 29) of the first lifting assembly 20 and the linear movement path S of the second driving portion (the pivot bracket 39) of the second lifting assembly 30 overlap each other, and the extension of each linear movement path does not pass through the aforementioned circular movement path C. The length of the linear movement path S reflects the length of the up/down stroke of any part of the first lifting assembly 20 or the second lifting assembly 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the second driving portion (the pivot bracket 39) of the second lifting assembly 30 is located at the bottom end of the linear movement path S, which means that the second pedal 36 and the second handle 37 are also located at the lowermost positions of their possible moving ranges.

[0047] The aforementioned climbing exercise machine further has a flywheel 50 pivotally mounted on the main frame 11 of the frame body 10 and a transmission mechanism connecting the rotating member 41 and the flywheel 50, so that the rotation of the rotating member 41 and the rotation of the flywheel 50 are driven by each other, and their the rotation directions and rotation speeds have a predetermined corresponding relationship. Specifically, the rotation speed of the flywheel 50 is higher than the rotation speed of the rotating member 41 by a predetermined speed ratio. In the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism is a belt transmission system, which includes a large pulley 61, a small pulley 62 and an endless belt 63. The large pulley 61 is coaxially fixed to the rotating member 41, the small pulley 62 is coaxially fixed to the flywheel 50, and the endless belt 63 is mounted around the large pulley 61 and the small pulley 62 with appropriate tension. The radius of the large pulley 61 is approximately ten times the radius of the small pulley 62. Therefore, when the rotating member 41 rotates together with the flywheel 50, the rotation speed of the flywheel 50 will be ten times faster than that of the rotating member 41, and the torque of the rotating member 41 will be ten times greater than that of the flywheel 50. In addition to belt transmission, the transmission mechanism in the present invention may also use chain transmission or gear transmission.

[0048] A resistance device 70 is disposed next to the flywheel 50, such as an eddy current brake (ECB) or a friction brake, which can apply resistance to the flywheel 50 to slow or stop its rotation (equivalent to the resistance that resists the rotation of the rotating member 41 and resists movement of the first and second lifting assemblies 20, 30). The user can control the resistance of the resistance device 70 applied to the flywheel 50 through the console 80 to adjust the force required to drive the up/down movements of the first and second lifting assemblies 20, 30, that is, to adjust the difficulty of the exercise.

[0049] In general, when the climbing exercise machine is not in use, one of the first and second lifting assemblies 20, 30 is located near the lowest potion of the respective moving range, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. Users typically step on the lower pedal with one foot when they are ready to use the climbing exercise machine. After holding the handle with at least one hand, they step on the higher pedal with the other foot. Then, use the higher foot and the higher hand to apply force to lower the corresponding pedal and handle, thus starting the exercise.

[0050] By alternately stepping or releasing the first pedal 26 and the second pedal 36, and alternately pulling down or pushing up the first handle 27 and the second handle 37 with both hands, the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 will be reciprocated between the uppermost position and the lowermost position, and the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 will drive the rotating member 41 to rotate in a specific direction, and then drive the flywheel 50 to rotate at a faster speed through the transmission mechanism (belt transmission system). During the process, the rotational inertia of the flywheel 50 is transmitted to the rotating member 41 via the transmission mechanism, and then transmitted to the first and second lifting assemblies 20, 30 via the first and second link rods 42, 43. As a result, the rotational inertia of the flywheel 50 provides extra inertia force to the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 during both descending and ascending periods. Based on the relationship of the slider-crank mechanism between the two lifting assemblies 20, 30 and the rotating member 41, the rotational inertia from the flywheel 50 and the rotating member 41 will cause the first lifting assembly 20 (e.g., the first lower slide seat 21, the first upper slide seat 22) and the second lifting assembly 30 (e.g., the second lower slide seat 31, the second upper slide seat 32) to move upwards when they move down to the lowermost position, and turn into a downward movement when they move up to the uppermost position. Thus, when the user uses the climbing exercise machine to perform simulated climbing exercises with linear movements of hands and feet, their hands and feet can naturally and smoothly perform a fixed-stroke reciprocating up-down movement without deliberately controlling the return stroke, so that the user can exercise smoothly. Under this arrangement, the climbing exercise machine does not require a buffer or stop device at the end of the ascending stroke or descending stroke of the pedal or the handle, and the user's feet and hands will not be impacted or blocked at the end of the ascending stroke or descending stroke.

[0051] When the user wants to end the exercise, they usually stop applying force to the pedals 26, 36 and the handles 27, 37 and wait for the pedal of one foot to naturally descend to the lowermost position and stay steady. After that, the other foot, which is at a higher position, leaves the pedal first and stands on the ground, and then the foot at the lower position leaves the pedal. Therefore, after the user completely leaves the climbing exercise machine, one of the pedals (and the corresponding lifting assembly) of the climbing exercise machine will stay near the lowermost position.

[0052] The following details the process of the first and second lifting assemblies 20, 30 and the alternating mechanism, starting from the stationary state to the cyclically operating state. FIG. 4 simply shows the initial positions of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 before the movement in the state shown in FIG. 3, using simple straight lines. When one of the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 is located at the lowermost position P1 (represented by the second end of the second link rod 43 in FIG. 4), the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions (represented by the first end of the second link rod 43 in FIG. 4) is located at a lower dead point P2 on the aforementioned circular movement path C (Note: the lowermost position P1, the lower dead point P2 and the center A of the circular movement path C, i.e. the rotation axis, are aligned in a straight line); and the other one of the first and second rotating portions (represent by the first end of the first link rod 42 in FIG. 4) is located at an opposite position P3 that is opposite to the lower dead point P2 on the aforementioned circular movement path C (Note: the opposite position P3 is 180 degrees opposite to the lower dead point P2). Correspondingly, the other one of the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 (represented by the second end of the first link rod 42 in FIG. 4) is located at a high specific position P4 that is slightly below the uppermost position.

[0053] In the initial state shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the user applies downward force to the first lifting assembly 20 at the high specific position P4, the second end of the first link rod 42 will descend along the linear movement path S, thereby driving the first end of the first link rod 42 to rotate along the circular movement path C in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4 (Note: this rotation direction depends on the direction of the connection direction of the two ends of the first link rod 42 relative to the center A in the initial state), so that the first end of the second link rod 43 also rotates along the circular movement path C with the same rotation direction and the same speed, thereby driving the second end of the second link rod 43 to ascend from the lowermost position P1 along the linear movement path S.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, when the second end of the second link rod 43 moves up to the uppermost position P6, the first end of the second link rod 43 is located at an upper dead point P5 on the circular movement path C (Note: the uppermost position P6, the upper dead point P5 and the center A are aligned in a straight line). Correspondingly, the first end of the first link rod 42 is located at an opposite position P7 that is opposite to the upper dead point P5 on the circular movement path C (Note: the opposite position P7 is 180 degrees opposite to the upper dead point P5), and the second end of the first link rod 42 is located at a low specific position P8 that is slightly higher than the lowermost position P1. The angular difference between the opposite position P3 that is opposite to the lower dead point P2 and the upper dead point P5 is less than 45 degrees, for example, 21.9 degrees in the present embodiment.

[0055] In the movement period shown in FIG. 5, when the first end of the second link rod 43 rotates along the circular movement path C in the counterclockwise direction to the upper dead point P5, the inertia force from the flywheel 50 can help the first end of the second link rod 43 pass through the upper dead point P5, so that the second end of the second link rod 43 (and the corresponding second lifting assembly 30) that has reached to the uppermost position P6 can directly turn around and descend without any interruption or stop. Of course, the above description can also be applied to the first link rod 42. In summary, the inertial force can help the first ends of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 pass through the upper dead point P5 and the lower dead point P2, so that the second ends of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 (as well as the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30) will turn to descend while reaching the uppermost position P6 and turn to ascend while reaching the lowermost position P1.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, in order to allow the user to easily step on the first step (to lower the pedal at the high specific position P4) when starting the exercise, when one of the first and second rotating portions (represent by the first end of the first link rod 42 in FIG. 4) is located at the opposite position P3 that is opposite to the lower dead point P2, the acute angle between the connection direction of the first and second ends of the corresponding one of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 (e.g., the first link rod 42 shown in FIG. 4) and the tangent direction T of the opposite position P3 is less than 80 degrees, such as 75.1 degrees in the present embodiment.

[0057] When one of the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 descends from the high specific position P4 to the lowermost position P1, the corresponding one of the first and second rotating portions rotates from the opposite position P3 to the lower dead point P2 along the circular movement path C in a direction away from the upper dead point P5 (e.g., the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4).

[0058] FIG. 6 depicts a height variation curve diagram of the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30. The horizontal axis in the diagram represents the angular position of the rotating member 41. For example, the states shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 correspond to the positions of 0 degrees and 158.1 degrees on the horizontal axis in FIG. 6, respectively. The vertical axis in FIG. 6 represents the height of the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30, with the top end being the uppermost position P6 and the bottom end being the lowermost position P1. The two curves shown in FIG. 6, namely the first height variation curve H1 and the second height variation curve H2, respectively, show the height changes of the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 corresponding to the uniform rotation of the rotating member 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 generally move in opposite directions. However, in detail, when one of them descends to the lowermost position P1, the other one has actually passed the uppermost position P6 and descended to the high specific position P4. In addition, when one of them reaches the uppermost position P6, the other one only descends to the low specific position P8 and has not yet reached the lowermost position P1. In other words, during the cycle period in which the rotating member 41 rotates one circle and the first and second lifting assemblies 20, 30 reciprocate one circle, there are actually two brief periods in which the first lifting assembly 20 and the second lifting assembly 30 descend together, namely, the interval from 158.1 degrees to 180 degrees and the interval from 338.1 degrees to 360 degrees in FIG. 6. The time ratio is only about 12% of a cycle, which is very small. Furthermore, the difference between the aforementioned high specific position P4 and the uppermost position P6 is less than one tenth of the entire descending stroke (i.e. the distance from the uppermost position P6 to the lowermost position P1), and the difference between the aforementioned low specific position P8 and the lowermost position P1 is also less than one tenth of the entire descending stroke, so the user may not notice that the hands or feet are not entirely moving in opposite directions near the ends of the ascending stroke and the descending stroke.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in the preferred embodiment, the first lifting assembly 20 has a first pedal 26 for the user's left foot to step on and a first handle 27 for the right hand to grasp. The second lifting assembly 30 has a second pedal 36 for the user's right foot to step on and a second handle 37 for the left hand to grasp. Therefore, the user who uses the aforementioned climbing exercise machine to perform simulated climbing exercises generally shows opposite movements of the left and right hands, and opposite movements of the left and right feet. Moreover, the hand and foot on the same side also move in opposite directions. For example, when the left foot moves downward, the left hand moves upward. When the right foot moves upward, the right hand moves downward.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 9, in the preferred embodiment, in the preferred embodiment, the frame body 10 is made up of a lower frame unit 17 and an upper frame unit 18. The lower frame unit 17 includes the aforementioned left lower guide rail 13 and the right lower guide rail 14. The upper frame unit 18 includes the aforementioned left upper guide rail 15 and the right upper guide rail 16. When the climbing exercise machine leaves the factory, it is generally divided into two parts in its packaging state as shown in FIG. 9, namely the lower frame unit 17 with pre-assembled components (including the aforementioned first lower slide seat 21, second lower slide seat 31 and the alternating mechanism, etc.), and the upper frame unit 18 with pre-assembled components (including the aforementioned first upper slide seat 22, second slide seat 32 and the console 80, etc.). After being unpacked at the assembly site such as a fitness club, the assembly can be completed by locking the lower frame unit 17 and the upper frame unit 18 together through preset locking parts 19 and connecting the connecting rods 24, 25, 34, 35 in pairs. The compact packaging of the climbing exercise machine makes it easy to store and transport.

[0061] FIG. 10 simply depicts a modified embodiment of the climbing exercise machine. Similar to the previous embodiment, the first lifting assembly 20 has a first lower slide seat 21, a first upper slide seat 22, a first pedal 26 mounted to the first lower slide seat 21, a first handle 27 mounted to the first upper slide seat 22, and a connecting portion connecting the first lower slide seat 21 and the first upper slide seat 22 (composed of a connecting plate 23, an upper connecting rod 24 and a lower connecting rod 25). The second lifting assembly 30 has a second lower slide seat 31, a second upper slide seat 32, a second pedal 36 mounted to the second lower slide seat 31, a second handle 37 mounted to the second upper slide seat 32, and a connecting portion connecting the second lower slide seat 31 and the second upper slide seat 32 (composed of a connecting plate 33, an upper connecting rod 34 and a lower connecting rod 35). The difference is that the first pedal 26 and the first handle 27 of the first lifting assembly 20 are both located on the left half of the climbing exercise machine, for allowing the user's left foot to step on and the left hand to grasp respectively, while the second pedal 36 and the second handle 37 of the second lifting assembly 30 are both located on the right half of the climbing exercise machine, for allowing the user's right foot to step on and the right hand to grasp respectively. Therefore, when the user performs the simulated climbing exercises, the left hand and the left foot will move upward and downwards synchronously, and the right hand and the right foot will move upward and downwards synchronously as well.

[0062] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate the position relationship of the link rods of the alternating mechanism in another embodiment of the present invention, which respectively correspond to the states represented by FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 of the previous embodiment. The most obvious difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the circular movement path C of the first ends of the link rods 42, 43 is generally lower than the linear movement path S of the second ends of the link rods 42, 43. Similarly, when the second end of one of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 (e.g., the second link rod 43 in FIG. 12) is located at the uppermost position P6 of the linear movement path S, the corresponding first end is located at an upper dead point P5 on the circular movement path C. When the second end of one of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 (e.g., the second link rod 43 in FIG. 11) is located at the lowermost position P1 of the linear movement path S, the corresponding first end is located at a lower dead point P2 on the circular movement path C, and the first end of the other one of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 (e.g., the first link rod 42 in FIG. 11) is located at an opposite position P3 that is opposite to the lower dead point P2 on the circular movement path C. Correspondingly, the second end of the other one of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 is located at a high specific position P4 that is slightly below the uppermost position P6. When the second end of one of the first link rod 42 and the second link rod 43 descend from the high specific position P4 to the lowermost position P1, the first end of the corresponding link rod rotates from the opposite position P3 to the lower dead point P2 along the circular movement path C in a direction away from the upper dead point P5 (e.g., the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 11, 12). The angular difference between the opposite position P3 that is opposite to the lower dead point P2 and the upper dead point P5 is less than 45 degrees, for example, 32.3 degrees in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the acute angle between the connection direction of the first and second ends of the first link rod 42 and the tangent direction T of the opposite position P3 is less than 80 degrees, such as 50.2 degrees in the present embodiment.

[0063] As mentioned above, the climbing exercise machine of the present invention can be implemented so that all or part of the frame can be controlled manually or electrically by the user to change and angle of all the guide rails relative to the ground. It should be noted that, assuming the relative position between the portion of the frame that supports the aforementioned rotating member (such as crank assembly) and the guide rails is fixed, that is, the circular movement path of the rotating member will move along with the guide rails, and the distance between them remains constant. Then, changing the angle of the guide rails will only change the angle of the linear movement path (namely the elevation angle of the uppermost position relative to the lowermost position), and the length of the linear movement path will not be changed (namely the linear distance between the uppermost position and the lowermost position). Assuming that the portion of the frame that supports the rotating member is fixed relative to the ground and the angle of the guides relative to the ground can be changed independently, then changing the angle of the guide rails will not only change the angle of the aforementioned linear movement path, but also change the length of it. For example, the vertical linear movement path S in FIG. 13 is approximately 12% shorter than the linear movement path S with an elevation angle of 75 degrees in FIGS. 11 and 12 (note: the position of the circular movement path C and the lengths of the link rods 42, 43 remain unchanged).

[0064] In contrast, if the angle of the linear movement path is fixed (e.g., the guide rails are fixed relative to the ground), and the position of the circular movement path is changeable (e.g., the portion of the frame that supports the rotating member can be controlled by the user), then the angle of the linear movement path can be maintained, only changing the length of the linear movement path. For example, the linear movement path S with an elevation angle of 75 degrees in FIG. 14 is approximately 12% shorter than the linear movement path S with the elevation angle of 75 degrees in FIGS. 11 and 12 (note: the position of the circular movement path moves downward, but the length of the link rod remains unchanged). In general, in order to allow users to adjust the length of the up-down movement stroke of the pedals and handles according the their personal body shape or exercise needs, the present invention can be implemented to the relative angle of the linear movement path and the circular movement path can be adjusted, so that the length of the linear movement path can be changed accordingly. In addition, if the first and second link rods are designed to be length-adjustable (e.g., a telescopic rod that can be locked in length), the length of the linear movement path can also be adjusted by the user.

[0065] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.