This invention relates generally to exercise equipment. More specifically the invention relates to exercise equipment which provides a natural running and stepping motion. In particular, the invention relates to an exercise device providing a natural running and stepping motion wherein the action of the device adaptively adjusts to a user's changing stride.
Many different types of exercise device have been implemented in the prior art. Such devices operate to simulate various athletic activities such as rowing, cross-country skiing, stair climbing and the like. One particular class of exercise devices which have been found to have significant benefit comprise those devices which simulate a natural combined running and stepping action wherein a user's foot follows a path of resistance having both horizontal and vertical components. One notable class of such devices comprise those known as elliptical devices, as typified by the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829.
While exercise devices which simulate a running and stepping foot motion are in very widespread use, many such devices provide a single, fixed, foot path. In some instances, a user of the device may wish to modify the foot action to accommodate a longer or shorter stride length and/or vary the vertical component of the foot motion. Such modifications may be accomplished by changing the geometric configuration of the linkages constituting the device. However, such modifications cannot easily be accomplished when the device is in use; therefore, such systems cannot allow for in-motion modification of the foot path as is desired by many users. The prior art has implemented a great number of systems which attempt to modify the foot action of an elliptical trainer or other such running/stepping exercise device. Some of these prior art approaches are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,244,218; 7,201,705; 7,172,531; 7,316,632; 7,179,201; 7,169,089; and 7,214,168; as well as in pending published applications US 2007/0087907 and US 2007/0087906.
However, to date, there is still a need for a running/stepping type exercise device in which the horizontal and vertical components of the foot motion may be continuously modified while the device is in use. Any such systems should be relatively simple in construction, low in cost and easy to use. As will be explained in detail hereinbelow, the present invention provides a running/stepping exercise device, including elliptical devices, in which a user's foot path may be varied while the device is in use. The system of the present invention is simple, easy to use and easy to implement. These and other advantages will be apparent from the drawings, discussion and description which follow.
Disclosed herein is an exercise device operable to provide an adjustable stride. The device includes a frame having a first, a second and a third pivot point defined thereupon at mutually spaced apart locations. The device further includes a crank assembly including a first crank arm. The crank assembly is pivotally supported on the frame at the first pivot point so that the first crank arm is rotatable thereabout. The device includes a first and a second reciprocating link. Each is pivotally supported on the frame at the second pivot point so that a first end of each can move in a reciprocal path relative to the frame. The device includes a first and a second foot link each of which is in mechanical communication with a respective reciprocating link through a pivot point on the foot link which is spaced from either end of the foot link. The device also includes a first and a second swing arm. Each swing arm is pivotally supported on the frame at the third pivot point so that a first end of each pivot arm can move in a reciprocal path of travel relative to the frame. The swing arms are in mechanical communication with the crank assembly so that when the first crank arm rotates about the first pivot axis, the crank assembly causes the first ends of the swing arms to move in a reciprocal path. The device also includes a first and a second control link. Each control link is connected to a respective foot link and to a respective swing arm so that when the first end of each swing arm travels in its reciprocal path, its respective control link moves in a reciprocating path of travel and thereby raises and lowers a portion of the foot link. In this manner, the reciprocating links provide for motion of the foot links along a first, generally horizontal path of travel and the control links provide for motion of the foot links along a generally vertical path of travel, wherein the horizontal path of travel and the vertical path of travel are mechanically independent of one another.
In some embodiments, the crank assembly includes a second crank arm which is rotatable about the first pivot point. In this embodiment, the first swing arm is in mechanical communication with the first crank arm via a first connecting link and the second swing arm is in mechanical communication with the second crank arm via a second connecting link.
In yet other embodiments, the first and the second swing arm comprise portions of a single unitary, elongated member which is pivotally supported on the frame at the second pivot point. In this embodiment, the first crank arm may be connected to the unitary, elongated member through a connecting link and in this manner operate to move both swing arms.
In certain embodiments, the device is configured so that a connection point at which each swing arm is connected to its respective control link travels along a path of travel from a first limit to a second limit and wherein as each reciprocating link moves in its reciprocal path of travel the end thereof defines an angle relative to the point at which the reciprocating link is pivotally supported on the frame, and wherein the apparatus is configured so that a line extending between the first and second limits of travel of a swing arm is parallel to the bisector of the angle formed by the travel of the reciprocating link.
In some embodiments, the connection points between the various members constituting the device may be made adjustable so that the configuration of the device may be varied.
In some embodiments, the reciprocating links may be mechanically coupled together so as to move in synchrony.
The present invention concerns an exercise device of the running/stepping type in which a user may adjust the parameters of foot motion while the device is in use. In this regard, the device of the present invention adapts to, and follows, a user's foot motion while providing support and a smooth even resistance. As such, the present invention provides exercise devices which can accommodate users of different sizes and athletic ability. Furthermore, the devices in accord with the present invention allow a user to vary the ratio of vertical and horizontal components of the foot motion continuously, and independently, throughout a workout. For example, a user employing a device in accord with the present invention can start a workout with a relatively short, flat stride and then progress to an elongated stride without stopping. Likewise, the vertical component of the motion may be varied; and in this manner, an exercise program covering a very large range of motion is readily implemented. In addition to the foregoing, the device of the present invention is configured to have a simplified structure, as compared to prior art devices, so that a user can easily mount and dismount from the device.
Presented herein are some specific embodiments of devices in accord with the present invention. In view of the teaching of the general principles of the invention and the illustration of these specific embodiments, other modifications and variations will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
Referring now to
The device 10 of
The device includes a first and a second foot link, each of which is in mechanical communication with a respective reciprocating link through a pivot point on the foot link which is spaced from either end of the foot link. In the illustrated embodiment, a first foot link 22a is pivotally affixed to the first reciprocating link through pivot point 24a. Likewise, a second foot link 22b is affixed to the second reciprocating link 16b through pivot point 24b (shown in phantom outline). As illustrated in
The exercise device 10 further includes a first control link 28a and a second control link 28b. Each of the control links 28 is connected to a respective foot link 22, and each control link 28 is also in mechanical communication with a respective crank arm. In the instance of the
In the illustrated embodiment, the reciprocating links 16 provide for motion of the foot link along a first path of travel having a significant horizontal component and the control link, as activated by the crank arm and associated coupling assembly, provides for motion of the foot link along a path of travel having a large, generally vertical component. As is to be understood, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are used in a relative sense to indicate two separate axes of motion, disposed in an angular relationship. And, depending on the positioning and configuration of the apparatus, the “horizontal” component may not be parallel to the floor, ground or other surface proximate the foot links. Likewise, the “vertical” component may not be in a right angled relationship with such surface. The motion of the reciprocating links and the motion of the control links are mechanically independent of one another and hence the vertical and horizontal components of the foot motion achieved through the use of the exercise device are substantially independent of one another. This arrangement allows the motion of the device to adapt to a user's needs and wants.
The drawing of
In this particularly configured embodiment, line A-A and B-B are substantially parallel. It has been found that configuring the exercise device so that this geometric relationship is attained effectively decouples the vertical and horizontal components of the motion of the foot links, and allows for the smooth and efficient functioning of the device through a large range of motions. It is to be understood that owing to some resilience in the materials used to manufacture the device, and various tolerances at the pivot points, some deviation from this absolutely parallel relationship may be tolerated while still securing the benefits of this particular embodiment.
In the
Yet other modifications of the foregoing apparatus may be employed. For example, the crank arm assembly may have a variable resistance device such as a magnetic device, frictional device, or other such device associated therewith to control the action of the system. Likewise, or alternatively, the motion of the reciprocating link 16 may incorporate a variable resistance device in association therewith. Also, ramps, guides and the like may be incorporated into the apparatus as is known in the art.
In the
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The device of
In the embodiments of
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The foregoing constitutes a description of some embodiments and implementations of the present invention. It is to be understood that yet other modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the teaching presented herein. The foregoing are thus to be understood not to be illustrations of some specific embodiments of the invention and not limitations upon the practice thereof. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/981,217 filed Oct. 19, 2007, entitled “Exercise Device with Adjustable Stride” which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60981217 | Oct 2007 | US |