The invention generally relates to exercise apparatuses and, more particularly, to cross-trainer exercise apparatuses.
Indoor exercise is getting more and more popular during recent decades. One popular indoor exercise apparatus is the cross-trainer, which exercises both the upper body and the lower body of the user. One type of cross-trainer is called an “elliptical” exercise trainer, where the movement of either the hands or the feet (or both) is in a circuitous, closed path. An exemplary elliptical exercise trainer is shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,573,480 and 5,924,962, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.
The present invention provides an exercise apparatus, such as a cross-trainer apparatus, that can provide dual action arm and leg exercise to give a user a balanced total body workout (e.g., 50% upper body and 50% lower body). The exercise apparatus may generally create a feeling of walking/running and, in some constructions, may also provide an upward action like a climbing or hiking motion.
In some aspects, the exercise apparatus generally includes a frame, a pair of cranks pivotally connected to the frame and configured to rotate about a common axis, first and second reciprocating members, first and second support members, and first and second foot engaging members. The first end portion of each of the first and second reciprocating members may be pivotally coupled to the frame. The first portion of each of the first and second support members may be pivotally coupled to the corresponding crank, and the second portion of each of the first and second support members may be pivotally coupled to the second end portion of the corresponding reciprocating member. Each foot engaging member is coupled to a corresponding support member and may generally move through a closed path. Handle members may be coupled to the support members and may generally move through a closed path.
The support members may be substantially rigid such that the distance between the pivot point between the crank and the support member and the pivot point between the reciprocating member and the support member does not substantially change during the exercise. The reciprocating members may be connected to the frame and/or to the support members in different orientations to thereby change the path of the foot engaging members and/or of the handle members.
Independent features and independent aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings.
Before at least one independent embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The use of “including”, “having”, and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The use of “consisting of” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter. The use of letters to identify elements of a method or process is simply for identification and is not meant to indicate that the elements should be performed in a particular order. The use of directional or positional terms (e.g., forward, rearward, front, rear, etc.) are for the purpose of description and should not be regarding as limiting.
The exercise apparatus illustrated in
The exercise apparatus 10 includes a frame assembly 14 having a base assembly 18 which is supportable on a supporting surface 22 in an exercise area, such as in a gym or in a user's home. An upright assembly 26 extends upwardly from the base assembly 18 generally at the front of the exercise apparatus 10.
Two support members 30 are movably supported on the frame assembly 14. During exercise, a user will stand on and move the support members 30 relative to the frame assembly 14 to achieve leg exercise. Each support member 30 has first and second end portions 38, 42 and is substantially rigid between the end portions 38, 42. In the illustrated construction, each support member 30 is angled to generally form an L-shape. In some illustrated constructions, each support member 30 is formed as a single, unitary, substantially rigid piece. In other constructions, each support member 30 may be formed of multiple separate pieces that are connected to form a single, substantially rigid support member.
Each first end portion 38 defines a first pivot point 46 at which a first pivot pin 50 is supported. Each second end portion 42 defines a second pivot point 54 at which a second pivot pin 58 is supported (see
A crank assembly 66 is supported by the frame assembly 14, at an upper portion of the upright assembly 26. The crank assembly 66 includes a sprocket member 70 rotationally supported by the upright assembly 26 by a bearing assembly (not shown).
Two crank members 74 are connected, at one end, to the sprocket member 70 to rotate with the sprocket member 70. The opposite end of each crank member 74 is connected to the first end portion 38 of the associated support member 30. Each crank member 74 is connected to the associated first pivot pin 50 such that the support members 30 are pivotable relative to the crank members 74.
Reciprocating members 82 are connected to the base assembly 18 by respective third pivot pins 90. The reciprocating members 82 are supported to generally pivot back and forth relative to the base assembly 18. At the opposite end, each reciprocating member 82 is connected to the second portion 42 of each associated support member 30. Each reciprocating member 82 is connected to the associated second pivot pin 58 such that the support members 30 are pivotable relative to the reciprocating members 82.
In the illustrated construction, each reciprocating member 82 is connected to the associated support member 30 at a position below the foot pad 62. The connection to the base assembly 18 is located in front of the foot pad 62 in a position such that the reciprocating members 82 generally slant downwardly in the forward direction.
The exercise apparatus 10 also includes a flywheel assembly 98 that is coupled to the crank assembly 66. The flywheel assembly 98 includes a flywheel 102 that is rotationally supported by the frame assembly 14, generally by the upright assembly 26 at a location below the crank assembly 66. A sprocket member 106 on the flywheel is coupled to the sprocket member 70 by a connecting member 110, such as a chain, a belt, etc., such that rotation of the sprocket member 70 causes rotation of the flywheel 98.
In addition, the exercise apparatus 10 includes a load resistance assembly (not shown) that is operable to apply resistance during exercise. The resistance assembly may include any type of resistance structure to apply resistance during exercise. Such a resistance assembly may include, for example, an adjustable strap assembly (e.g., to apply an adjustable force to the flywheel 102 to resist rotation of the flywheel 102), electromagnetic structure, an alternator, an air fan, etc.
A control panel assembly 118 is supported on the frame assembly 14 generally on the upper portion of the upright assembly 26. The control panel assembly 118 provides an input interface having a plurality of input selectors (not shown) and at least one display. With the control panel assembly 118, the user may select operational features of the exercise apparatus 10 (e.g., resistance level, exercise time, etc.) and view the operating status and/or the selected features of the exercise apparatus 10.
In the illustrated construction, the exercise apparatus 10 also includes movable handle members 122 to exercise a user's upper body. A hand grip portion 130 is provided on each handle member 122 to provide a gripping surface for the user's hands. As shown in
In some illustrated constructions, each handle member 122 is formed with the associated support member 30. In other constructions, each handle member 122 may be formed separately from and then connected to the associated support member 30. In such constructions, each handle member 122 may be movable relative the associated support member 30, for example, to adjust the position of user's hand grip (e.g., forwardly, rearwardly, upwardly, downwardly, inwardly, outwardly) relative to the support member 30.
Stationary handle members 132 are also provided on the exercise apparatus 10, generally fixed to the upper portion of the upright assembly 26. The user may grip the stationary handle members 132 for example, if the user chooses not to exercise the arms/upper body, for added stability during exercise, or when entering or exiting the exercise apparatus 10, etc.
In operation, a user enters the exercise apparatus 10 by stepping onto each foot pad 62. The resistance to be applied during the exercise may be selected by inputting information into the control panel assembly 118. If arm exercise is also desired, the user grips the hand grip portions 130. As the user exercises, the support members 30 and handle members 122 move between a first position (for example, the position of the left support member 30 and the left handle member 122 in
During exercise, the foot pads 62 and the user's feet move along a foot path 138, and, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pads 62 move along different foot paths 138. The handle members 122 and the user's hands and arms, if holding the hand grip portions 130, move along an arm path 142. In the illustrated construction, the configuration and arrangement of the support members 30 and the reciprocating members 82 creates a foot path 138 that is a substantially upward arc, and an arm path 142 that is a generally “elliptical” path. The foot path 138 and the arm path 142 are generally circuitous, closed paths in which movement in one direction is along a different path than movement in the other direction.
In the illustrated construction, movement along the foot path 138 and the arm path 142 generally creates a feeling of walking or running with an upward action like a climbing motion. The movement of the dual action arms (handle members 122) and foot pedals (support members 30) allow the user to get a balanced total body workout (e.g., 50% upper body and 50% lower body).
A second construction of an exercise apparatus 10A is illustrated in
In the illustrated construction, each reciprocating member 82A is connected to the associated support member 30A at a position underneath and behind the foot pad 62A. The illustrated configuration creates a downward closed arm path 142A for the arms and a flattened, upward closed foot path 138A for the feet (again, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pad 62A move along different foot paths 138A). This creates a feeling of walking/running with an upward action like a hiking motion, and the dual action arm and foot pedal movement provides a balanced total body workout.
A third construction of an exercise apparatus 10B is illustrated in
In the illustrated construction, the frame assembly 14B also includes a rear upright assembly 146 and an upper frame assembly 150 generally connected between the front upright assembly 26B and the rear upright assembly 146. The user may grip the upper frame assembly 150 instead of the handle members 122B or the stationary handle members 132B.
A link support 154 is connected to the upper frame assembly 150, and each reciprocating member 82B is connected to the frame assembly 14B at the associated link support 154. In the illustrated construction, the connection of the reciprocating members 82B to the frame assembly 14B is generally located above the rear end of the foot pads 62B. The illustrated configuration creates a downward, closed arm path 142B for the arms and an upward closed foot path 138B for the feet (again, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pad 62B move along different foot paths 138B), which creates a feeling of walking/running and provides a balanced total body workout.
As shown in phantom in
As also shown in phantom in
A fourth construction of an exercise apparatus 10C is illustrated in
In the illustrated construction, each reciprocating member 82C is connected to the associated support member 30C at a position underneath and behind each foot pad 166, in a manner similar to that in the exercise apparatus 10A in
Structure is provided between each foot pad 166 and the associated support member 30C to allow limited movement of each foot pad 166 relative to (e.g., along) the associated support member 30C. In the illustrated construction, the structure includes a track or guide 170 on each support member 30C and a follower 174 on the associated foot pad 166. As such, the foot pad 166 is movable forwardly and rearwardly along the support member 30C.
Secondary cranks 178 are mounted to the crank assembly 66C such that each secondary crank 178 is rigidly connected to, and at a fixed angle with respect to, the associated crank 74. A connecting member 186 is connected between each secondary crank 178 and the associated foot pad 166. This arrangement is used to drive the foot pad 166 fore and aft on the associated support member 30C. The illustrated configuration creates a downward, closed arm path 142C for the arms and a substantially horizontal closed foot path 138C for the feet (again, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pad 166 move along different foot paths 138C). This creates a feeling of walking/running, and the dual action arm and foot pedal movement provides a balanced total body workout.
In other constructions (not shown), this movement can also be achieved by placing a secondary pulley (not shown) driven off of the flywheel 102C at a 1:1 ratio to the crank assembly 66C. The secondary crank 178 would be mounted to the secondary pulley.
In still other constructions (not shown), this movement can also be achieved with a series of gears (not shown) attached to the top rear link pivot point and a rack (not shown) attached to the bottom of the foot pad 166. As the rear link rotates fore and aft, this also drives the foot pad 166 fore and aft.
As described above, the exercise apparatus 10, 10A, 10B, 10C may have a relatively small footprint on the support surface 22. The construction may allow more complete assembly of the exercise apparatus 10, 10A, 10B, 10C in the shipping carton which may provide better quality of the product.
The exercise apparatus 10, 10A, 10B, 10C may have a lower material cost, for example, because of fewer components, such as connectors which would be necessary between relatively-movable portions of a support member in other exercise apparatus. Also, the exercise apparatus 10, 10A, 10B, 10C may have fewer pivots and joints than a typical elliptical trainer.
The exercise apparatus 10, 10A, 10B, 10C has a relatively low step-on height and/or a low Q Factor (the lateral distance between pedals). In the illustrated constructions, the exercise apparatus 10, 10A, 10B, 10C does not include wheels between the support members 30 and the reciprocating members 82.
In addition, in the apparatus of
One or more independent features and/or independent advantages may be set forth in the following claims:
Number | Date | Country | |
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60978335 | Oct 2007 | US |