Exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise machine which includes support structure which is pivotally movable about a main axis and first and second substantially co-planar footpads which are mounted to the support structure and which are movable relatively to the support structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views illustrating types of movement using an exercise machine according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view which shows the physical construction of an exercise machine, according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise machine with a cover plate removed,

FIG. 5 is an under plan view of the exercise machine,

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of support structure in the exercise machine,

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a carriage, to which a footpad is mounted, and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side views, on an enlarged scale, illustrating mounting details of components of the exercise machine.

Claims

1. An exercise machine which includes support structure which is pivotally movable about a main axis and first and second substantially co-planar footpads which are mounted to the support structure and which are movable relatively to the support structure.

2. An exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein the first footpad is pivotally movable about a first axis and the second footpad is pivotally movable about a second axis.

3. An exercise machine according to claim 2 wherein the main axis is positioned between the first axis and the second axis and extends substantially vertically.

4. An exercise machine according to claim 1 which includes a base and wherein the support structure is mounted to the base for pivotal movement about the main axis.

5. An exercise machine according to claim 4 wherein the base is floor engaging and the support structure includes a cross piece, and wherein the spacing between opposing surfaces of ends of the cross piece and the floor is less than 5 cm.

6. An exercise machine according to claim 4 wherein the spacing is less than 2 cm.

7. An exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein the footpads are mounted to the support structure for reciprocating movement.

8. An exercise machine according to claim 7 wherein the footpads are linked so that they are movable in reciprocating fashion in unison.

9. An exercise machine according to claim 8 wherein the first footpad is pivotally movable about a first axis and the second footpad is pivotally movable about a second axis, and each footpad is reciprocally movable towards, and away from, the main axis.

10. An exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein the support structure is pivotally movable about the main axis against a frictional resistance force.

11. An exercise machine according to claim 7 which includes at least one resistance device which acts against reciprocal movement of the footpads in at least one direction.

12. An exercise machine according to claim 1 which includes an upwardly extending handle, at least a lower end of which is aligned with the main axis, and handgrips which are supported by the handle.

13. An exercise machine which includes a base, support structure which is mounted to the base and which is pivotally movable relatively to the base about a main substantially vertical axis, first and second footpads which are mounted to the support structure, on opposing sides of the main axis, for pivotal movement relatively to the support structure about first and second axes respectively, and which are laterally movable in reciprocating fashion, in unison, towards, and away from, the main axis, and at least one resistance device which is connected directly or indirectly to the footpads and which produces a resistance force against movement of the footpads at least when the footpads are moved laterally away from the main axis.