Elliptical trainer

Abstract

An elliptical trainer includes a base and a movement unit. The base includes a stem formed thereon and two longitudinal bars, with each of the longitudinal bars comprising a track. The movement unit includes a sleeve supported on the stem, two bushing halves inserted in the sleeve, a shaft sandwiched between the bushing halves, two cranks connected to two opposite ends of the shaft, a first pedal including an end connected to one of the cranks, a second pedal including an end connected to the other crank, a first caster connected to an opposite end of the first pedal and movable to and fro along the track of the first longitudinal bar, and a second caster connected to an opposite end of the second pedal and movable to and fro along the track of the second longitudinal bar.

1 . An elliptical trainer comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a stem formed thereon; 
 a first longitudinal bar made with a track; and 
 a second longitudinal bar made with a track; and 
   a movement unit comprising:
 a sleeve supported on the stem of the base; 
 two bushing halves inserted in the sleeve; 
 a shaft sandwiched between the bushing halves; 
 two cranks connected to two opposite ends of the shaft; 
 a first pedal comprising an end connected to one of the cranks; 
 a second pedal comprising an end connected to the remaining one of the cranks; 
 a first caster connected to an opposite end of the first pedal and movable to and fro along the track of the first longitudinal bar of the base; and 
 a second caster connected to an opposite end of the second pedal and movable to and fro along the track of the second longitudinal bar of the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a first crossbar and a second crossbar extending to the first crossbar, and the stem is supported on a middle portion of the first crossbar. 
     
     
         3 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 2 , wherein the base further comprises four pads, with each of the pads connected to a corresponding end of a corresponding one of the first and second crossbars. 
     
     
         4 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second longitudinal bars are located on two opposite sides of the stem. 
     
     
         5 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second longitudinal bars extend parallel to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second longitudinal bars comprises two slant sections and a peak formed between the slant sections. 
     
     
         7 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 6 , wherein the track of each of the first and second longitudinal bars extends along one of the slant sections. 
     
     
         8 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 7 , wherein the track of each of the first and second longitudinal bars is a groove. 
     
     
         9 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the track of each of the first and second longitudinal bars is a groove. 
     
     
         10 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the movement unit further comprises an adjusting unit adapted for adjusting resistance against the rotation of the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 10 , wherein the adjusting unit comprises a knob rotatable to adjust a force exerted on the shaft by the bushing halves. 
     
     
         12 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 11 , wherein the adjusting unit comprises a pressing plate formed with a side adapted for contact with the knob and an opposite side adapted for contact with one of the bushing halves. 
     
     
         13 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein the movement unit further comprises two covers connected to two ends of the sleeve, thereby protecting at least the bushing halves and the shaft inserted in the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The elliptical trainer according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the cranks comprises a pedal-supporting section extending parallel to the shaft, and each of the first and second pedals is connected to the pedal-supporting section of the corresponding crank.