Resistance device for an exercise apparatus

Abstract

In a resistance device for providing a resisting force to an exercise apparatus, a mounting plate is mounted fixedly on the exercise apparatus, and is disposed adjacent to a flywheel mounted rotatably on an axle. An actuating rod is mounted pivotally on the mounting plate, and is rotatable about a first axis parallel to the axle. A magnetic member includes an arched arm that is disposed so as to extend along a portion of an annular magnetically permeable surface of the flywheel and that has a pivot end connected pivotally to the mounting plate, and a movable end opposite to the pivot end and mounted movably on a coupling end portion of the actuating rod. Magnetic pieces are mounted on the arched arm and are disposed between the flywheel and the arched arm. The magnetic member is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis.

1 . A resistance device for providing a resisting force to an exercise apparatus that includes an axle defining an axial direction, and a flywheel mounted rotatably on the axle, the flywheel having an annular magnetically permeable surface and a mounting side, said resistance device comprising: 
 a mounting plate adapted to be mounted fixedly on the exercise apparatus and to be disposed adjacent to the mounting side of the flywheel, said mounting plate having first and second end portions opposite to each other in a transverse direction transverse to the axial direction;    an elongate actuating rod having opposite driven and coupling end portions, and an intermediate pivot portion mounted pivotally on said mounting plate and disposed between said driven and coupling end portions, said actuating rod being rotatable relative to said mounting plate about a first axis parallel to the axle; and    a magnetic member including an arched arm that is to be disposed so as to extend along a portion of the annular magnetically permeable surface and that has a pivot end connected pivotally to said first end portion of said mounting plate, and a movable end opposite to said pivot end and mounted movably on said coupling end portion of said actuating rod, said magnetic member further including a set of magnetic pieces mounted on said arched arm and adapted to be disposed between the annular magnetically permeable surface of the flywheel and said arched arm, said magnetic member being rotatable relative to said first end portion of said mounting plate about a second axis parallel to the first axis;    said actuating rod being capable of being driven to rotate said magnetic member about the second axis for moving said magnetic pieces from a greatest resistance position, where said magnetic pieces are disposed in close proximity to the annular magnetically permeable surface of the flywheel, to a least resistance position, where said magnetic pieces are disposed spacedly apart from the annular magnetically permeable surface of the flywheel.    
   
   
       2 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member connected between said second end portion of said mounting plate and said coupling end portion of said actuating rod for biasing said actuating rod to rotate about the first axis so as to dispose said magnetic pieces at the greatest resistance position.  
   
   
       3 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit for driving said actuating rod to rotate relative to said mounting plate about the first axis, said control unit being coupled to said driven end portion of said actuating rod and being operable so as to drive said driver end portion of said actuating rod to rotate said magnetic member about the second axis for moving said magnetic pieces from the greatest resistance position to the least resistance position.  
   
   
       4 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said control unit includes 
 a pull cord having opposite ends, one of which is connected to said driven end portion of said actuating rod, and    a control knob adapted to be mounted rotatably on the exercise apparatus, the other one of said ends of said pull cord being connected to said control knob.    
   
   
       5 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said control unit includes 
 a toothed driven member mounted on said driven end portion of said actuating rod; and    a drive gear disposed on said mounting plate, meshing with said driven member, and rotatable so as to cause said actuating rod to rotate relative to said mounting plate about the first axis.    
   
   
       6 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said control unit further includes a motor for driving rotation of said drive gear.  
   
   
       7 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said mounting plate further has a mounting portion disposed between said first and second end portions and adapted to be mounted fixedly on the axle.  
   
   
       8 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said coupling end portion of said actuating rod is formed with an arcuate guiding hole, said resistance device further comprising a fastener extending through said guiding hole and engaging said movable end of said arched arm.  
   
   
       9 . The resistance device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first axis forms a first distance with said coupling end portion, and further forms a second distance with said driven end portion, the first distance being shorter than the second distance.  
   
   
       10 . The resistance as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first distance is about one-half of the second distance.