Foldable exerciser

Abstract

A foldable exerciser includes a main frame and a prop member disposed to stand on a ground surface, a saddle mounting frame having a pivot end pivotally connected to the main frame and a saddle mounting segment for mounting a saddle, an operating unit having a fulcrum pivotally connected to the main frame, and weight and force ends at two sides of the fulcrum, and a coupler having an end coupled to the saddle mounting frame, and an opposite end detachably coupled to the weight end such that a pivoting movement of the force end results in turning of the saddle forwardly and upwardly for simulating a horse-riding action. The operating unit and the saddle mounting frame can be folded toward the main frame when the coupler is disengaged from the weight end.

1 . A foldable exerciser comprising: 
 an elongated main frame having top and bottom ends opposite to each other, and a middle portion interposed therebetween;    a prop member having a rest end and a propping end opposite to each other, and an intermediate portion interposed therebetween, said propping end being pivotally connected to said middle portion about a first axis such that said rest end is pivotable about the first axis between a straddle position, where said rest end is remote from said bottom end, and a folded position, where said rest end is closer to said bottom end, and such that in the straddle position, said bottom and rest ends are disposed to sit on a ground surface while said top end is disposed upwardly and forwardly of said bottom end;    a saddle mounting frame including a front pivot end which is pivotally connected to said middle portion about a second axis parallel to the first axis and between said top and propping ends, an arm segment which extends from said front pivot end in a radial direction relative to the second axis to terminate at a juncture, and a saddle mounting segment which extends rearwardly from said juncture such that said juncture is turnable about the second axis between proximate and distal positions relative to said top end;    a saddle mounted on said saddle mounting segment;    an operating unit including a fulcrum which is pivotally connected to said top end about a third axis parallel to the first axis, and a force end and a weight end at two sides of said fulcrum; and    an upper coupler having a first coupled end which is coupled to said juncture, and a second coupled end which is detachably coupled to said weight end such that in the straddle position, a rearward pivoting movement of said force end about the third axis toward said saddle mounting segment results in turning of said juncture from the distal position to the proximate position so as to move said saddle mounting segment forward for simulating a horse-riding action, and such that said second coupled end is disposed to be turnable relative to said juncture between an engaging position, where said second coupled end is retained with said weight end to thereby result in the rearward pivoting movement, and a disengaging position, where said second coupled end is disengaged from said weight end.    
   
   
       2 . The foldable exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein said arm segment is disposed to extend upwardly and rearwardly from said front pivot end when said second coupled end of said upper coupler is in the engaging position.  
   
   
       3 . The foldable exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein said main frame includes two elongated side bars spaced apart from each other, each of said propping end of said prop member, said front pivot end of said saddle mounting frame, and said fulcrum of said operating unit being disposed between and extending transverse to said side bars.  
   
   
       4 . The foldable exerciser of  claim 3 , further comprising a restricting unit which is disposed to releasably restrict pivoting movement of said rest end of said prop member to the folded position.  
   
   
       5 . The foldable exerciser of  claim 4 , wherein said restricting unit includes a mounting plate which is secured between said side bars adjacent to said propping end of said prop member, and a lock pin which is mounted on said mounting plate and which is extendable relative to said mounting plate in a radial direction relative to the first axis, said propping end having a locking hole which extends towards the first axis, and which is configured to receive said lock pin when said lock pin is extended so as to arrest said prop member in one of the straddle and folded positions.  
   
   
       6 . The foldable exerciser of  claim 1 , further comprising a pedaling unit which is mounted on said intermediate portion of said prop member, and which includes a pair of cranks journalled on said intermediate portion about a fourth axis parallel to the first axis, a pair of pedals connected to opposite ends of said cranks, respectively, for treading by a user, and a resistance mechanism surrounding the fourth axis to deliver a resistance force to said cranks.  
   
   
       7 . The foldable exerciser of  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a reinforcing shank which has lower and upper shank ends opposite to each other, and a middle shank portion interposed therebetween, said lower shank end being pivotally connected to said main frame proximate to said bottom end about a fifth axis parallel to the first axis such that said upper shank end is pivotable about the fifth axis between a holding position where said upper shank end braces said saddle mounting segment, and a collapsed position where said upper shank end is placed closer to said front pivot end; and    a lower coupler disposed to releasably retain said upper shank end in the holding position.    
   
   
       8 . The foldable exerciser of  claim 7 , wherein said lower coupler has a first connecting end which is pivotally coupled to said middle portion, and a second connecting end which is detachably coupled to said middle portion of said main frame between said lower shank end and said propping end.