Patent Application
20070265143
With reference to the Figures of the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,
The present invention provides elliptical motion exercise machines which link rotation of left and right crank members to generally elliptical motion of respective left and right foot supports. The term “elliptical motion” is intended in a broad sense to describe a closed path of motion having a relatively longer major axis and a relatively shorter minor axis. In general, the present invention may be said to use displacement of the crank members to move the foot supports in a direction coincidental with one axis of the elliptical path, and displacement of crank driven members to move the foot supports in a direction coincidental with the other axis. A general characteristic of the present invention is that the crank diameter determines the length of the one axis, but does not determine the length of the other axis. Also, the crank members are preferably configured and arranged to accommodate a person's feet within a space defined therebetween, while nonetheless traveling through generally elliptical paths having a desirable aspect ratio. As a result, the machines that embody this technology may be made relatively more compact, as well.
The preferred embodiment shown and described herein is generally symmetrical about a vertical plane extending lengthwise through a floor-engaging base (perpendicular to the transverse ends thereof). However, the components of the “right-hand” linkage assembly are generally one hundred and eighty degrees out of phase relative to the components of the “left-hand” linkage assembly. In any event, like reference numerals are used to designate both the “right-hand” and “left-hand” parts, and when reference is made to one or more parts on only one side of an apparatus, it is to be understood that corresponding part(s) are disposed on the opposite side of the apparatus. Also, to the extent that reference is made to forward or rearward portions of an apparatus, it is to be understood that a person can typically exercise on such apparatus while facing in either direction relative to the linkage assembly.
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment exercise apparatus designated as 100 in
Left and right crank discs 120 are rotatably mounted on respective sides of the frame 110 at respective journals 118. An intermediate Z-shaped bar or crank connector 122 is interconnected between the crank discs 120, and constrains the crank discs 120 to rotate together as a unit about a common crank axis. As shown in
At least one of the crank discs 120 is preferably connected to a conventional inertia altering device (not shown), including, for example, a motor, a “stepped up” flywheel, an adjustable braking mechanism, or some combination thereof. For example, a belt is preferably looped about the cylindrical wall of one disc 120 and also about a relatively smaller diameter pulley spaced radially apart from the rotational axis of the disc 120. The pulley is constrained to rotate together with a relatively larger diameter flywheel, subject to resistance imparted on the flywheel by a conventional eddy current brake. Persons skilled in the art will also recognize that at least one of the crank discs 120 may be replaced by a crank arm on an alternative embodiment.
Left and right rocker links 150 are rotatably mounted on respective sides of the forward stanchion 114 for pivoting about a common pivot axis. More specifically, each rocker link 150 includes a base member or tube that is mounted coaxially on a respective portion of the bar 116. Each rocker link 150 also includes an upper portion that extends generally upward from the base member, and the upper distal end of each upper portion may be described as a handle 155 that is sized and configured for grasping. Each rocker link 150 also includes an offset arm 156 that extends generally forward from the base member, proximate the pivot axis. Each rocker link 150 also includes a lower portion that extends generally downward from the base member, and the lower distal end of each lower portion is rotatably connected to the forward end of a respective foot supporting link 130. As suggested in a previous paragraph, and perhaps best seen in
Left and right intermediate links 160 have upper ends that are rotatably connected to the distal ends of respective offset arms 156, and lower ends that are rotatably connected to the forward ends of respective crank links 140. On the preferred embodiment 100, the respective intermediate links, crank links 140, and guide rollers 144 are all rotatably connected to one another at a common axis. However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement. In other words, each guide roller 144 could be rotatably mounted to one forward portion of a respective crank link 140, and each intermediate link 160 could be rotatably connected to a discrete forward portion of a respective crank link 140. Alternatively, each guide roller 144 could be rotatably mounted to one lower portion of a respective intermediate link 160, and each crank link 140 could be rotatably connected to a discrete lower portion of a respective intermediate link 160.
Each guide roller 144 is configured and arranged to travel along a respective track or guide 111 that is pivotally mounted on a respective side of the forward stanchion 114, proximate the base 112. The guides 111 are preferably rigidly interconnected to one another by welding each to a common rod 113, and may alternatively be described as at least one guide having first and second tracks. One end of an adjustable length member 190 is rotatably connected to a central section of the rod 113, and an opposite end of the adjustable length member 190 is rotatably connected to the frame 110 (at rod 119). As seen by comparing
On the preferred embodiment 100, the adjustable length member 190 is a linear actuator that is preferably linked to the user interface (described above but not shown). Under such circumstances, the adjustable length member 190 changes length in response to a control signal. On an alternative embodiment, a spring and dampener piston is substituted for the linear actuator to accommodate changes in stride length as a function of user imparted force against the handles 155 and/or the foot supporting links 130.
Each foot supporting link 130 has a rearward portion that defines an upwardly facing platform sized and configured to support a person's foot. The left and right foot platforms 133 move through adjacent, generally elliptical paths that are disposed between the left and right crank discs 120. Generally speaking, the vertical displacement of the foot platforms 133 is a function of the crank swing or diameter defined by rotation of the crank members, namely, the radially displaced and diametrically opposed left and right portions of the crank bar 122. On the other hand, the horizontal displacement of the foot platforms 133 is not similarly limited. In this regard, the guides 111 may be adjusted relative to the frame 110, as described above, to provide horizontal displacement ranging from a fraction of the crank diameter to several (at least three) times the crank diameter.
The present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments with the understanding that persons skilled in the art will recognize various advantages thereof, as well as numerous alternative embodiments thereof. With the foregoing in mind, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the extent of the claims which follow.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60799419 | May 2006 | US |
