Hand controlled regulator for a resistance-providing device of an exerciser

Abstract

A hand controlled regulator is connected to a resistance-providing device through a string, includes an elongated rotatable member mounted rotatably in a casing, and a sliding carriage mounted movably in the casing. The sliding carriage is connected to a connecting end of the string, and engages the rotatable member in such a manner that rotation of the rotatable member results in a linear movement of the sliding carriage in an axial direction that is parallel to a rotation axis of the rotatable member, which, in turn, results in a linear movement of the connecting end of the string in the axial direction.

1 . A hand controlled regulator adapted to be connected to a resistance-providing device through a string, said hand controlled regulator comprising: 
 a casing;    an elongated rotatable member that is mounted rotatably on said casing, that defines a rotation axis, and that is operable to rotate about said rotation axis; and    a sliding carriage that is mounted movably on said casing, that is adapted to be connected to a connecting end of the string, and that engages said rotatable member in such a manner that rotation of said rotatable member results in a linear movement of said sliding carriage in an axial direction that is parallel to said rotation axis, which, in turn, results in a linear movement of the connecting end of the string in said axial direction.    
   
   
       2 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said rotatable member is a screw rod, said sliding carriage including a movable carriage part that is formed with an inner thread engaging threadedly said screw rod, and a stationary carriage part disposed securely in said casing and associated with said movable carriage part in such a manner as to limit co-rotation of said movable carriage part with said screw rod.  
   
   
       3 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said stationary carriage part has a contact face, said movable carriage part having an abutment face that slidably abuts against said contact face of said stationary carriage part so as to limit co-rotation of said movable carriage part with said screw rod.  
   
   
       4 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said screw rod is a multiple-thread screw rod.  
   
   
       5 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a hand operating mechanism that engages said screw rod, and that includes a driving gear rotatably mounted in said casing adjacent to said screw rod, and a driven pinion mounted securely and coaxially on said screw rod and meshing with said driving gear.  
   
   
       6 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said casing is formed with a side opening, said hand operating mechanism further including a lever that extends outwardly from said driving gear through said side opening in said casing so as to facilitate turning of said driving gear.  
   
   
       7 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a hand operating mechanism that engages said screw rod, and that includes a first friction wheel mounted rotatably in said casing adjacent to said screw rod, and a second friction wheel mounted securely and coaxially on said screw rod and engaging frictionally said first friction wheel, and a turning knob mounted on said casing and connected coaxially to said first friction wheel, said first friction wheel having a diameter greater than that of said second friction wheel.  
   
   
       8 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a hand operating mechanism that engages said screw rod and that includes a first pulley rotatably mounted in said casing adjacent to said screw rod, and a second pulley mounted securely and coaxially on said screw rod, a friction belt trained over said first and second pulleys, and a turning knob mounted on said casing and connected coaxially to said first pulley, said first pulley having a diameter greater than that of said second pulley.  
   
   
       9 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a hand operating mechanism that engages said screw rod, and that includes a first grooved wheel mounted rotatably in said casing adjacent to said screw rod, and a second grooved wheel mounted securely and coaxially on said screw rod, a beaded chain trained over said first and second grooved wheels, and a turning knob mounted on said casing and connected coaxially to said first grooved wheel, said first grooved wheel having a diameter greater than that of said second grooved wheel.  
   
   
       10 . The hand controlled regulator as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said casing is formed with a side opening, said hand controlled regulator further comprising a hand operating mechanism that engages said screw rod, and that includes a rack-and-pinion assembly having a pinion mounted securely and coaxially on said screw rod, a rack-holding member disposed in said casing and formed with a rack-guiding track extending in a direction transverse to said rotation axis, a rack member disposed slidably in said rack-guiding track and meshing with said pinion, and an operating lever connected to said rack member and extending outward therefrom through said side opening in said casing.  
   
   
       11 . A hand controlled regulator adapted to be connected to a resistance-providing device through a string, said hand controlled regulator comprising: 
 a casing;    a screw rod that is mounted rotatably on said casing, that defines a rotation axis, and that is operable to rotate about said rotation axis;    a sliding carriage that is adapted to be connected to an end of the string, and that is formed with an inner thread engaging said screw rod; and    a hand operating mechanism that engages said screw rod, and that includes a driving member mounted in said casing, and a driven member mounted coaxially on said screw rod and engaging with said driving member so as to co-rotate with said driving member;    wherein, the speed ratio of said driven member to said driving member is greater than on so as to permit linear and accelerated movement of said sliding carriage.    
   
   
       12 . A hand controlled regulator adapted to be connected to a resistance-providing device through a string, said hand controlled regulator comprising: 
 a casing formed with a side opening;    a screw rod that is mounted on said casing, that defines a rotation axis, and that is operable to rotate about said rotation axis;    a sliding carriage that is adapted to be connected to a connecting end of the string, and that is formed with an inner thread engaging said screw rod; and    a hand operating mechanism that engages said screw rod and that includes a rack-and-pinion assembly having a pinion mounted securely and coaxially on said screw rod, a rack-holding member disposed in said casing and having an upper face formed with a rack-guiding track extending in a direction transverse to said rotation axis, a rack member disposed slidably in said rack-guiding track and meshing with said pinion, and an operating lever connected to said rack member and extending outward therefrom through said side opening in said casing.