Stride adjustment program
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a step mechanism including a first pedal and a second pedal wherein said step mechanism effective to cause said pedals to move in a substantially elliptical path having a vertical component and a substantially horizontal component that corresponds generally to user stride length;
a stride length adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said step mechanism;
a control system, including a processor, operatively connected to said step mechanism and said stride length adjustment mechanism;
a user input and display system, operatively connected to said control system, including a plurality of input keys to permit a user to input information into said control system and at least one display for displaying exercise data;
a pedal speed sensor operatively connected to said control system; and
program logic associated with said control system effective to cause said stride length to increase with increased speed of said pedals.
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Abstract
In an elliptical step exercise apparatus where stride length can be varied the various user programs can take advantage of this feature to provide for an enhanced workout. A control system can be used to implement a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill program where stride is shortened as the user goes up a simulated hill and lengthened as the user goes down the hill. In an interval training program, stride length can be increased and decreased at periodic intervals. In a cross training program, stride length can be decreased when the user is pedaling backwards and increased when the user is pedaling forwards.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
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a step mechanism including a first pedal and a second pedal wherein said step mechanism effective to cause said pedals to move in a substantially elliptical path having a vertical component and a substantially horizontal component that corresponds generally to user stride length;
a stride length adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said step mechanism;
a control system, including a processor, operatively connected to said step mechanism and said stride length adjustment mechanism;
a user input and display system, operatively connected to said control system, including a plurality of input keys to permit a user to input information into said control system and at least one display for displaying exercise data;
a pedal speed sensor operatively connected to said control system; and
program logic associated with said control system effective to cause said stride length to increase with increased speed of said pedals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An exercise apparatus comprising:
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a step mechanism including a first pedal and a second pedal wherein said step mechanism effective to cause said pedals to move in a substantially elliptical path having a vertical component and a substantially horizontal component that corresponds generally to user stride length;
a stride length adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said step mechanism;
a control system, including a processor, operatively connected to said step mechanism and said stride length adjustment mechanism;
a user input and display system, operatively connected to said control system, including a plurality of input keys to permit a user to input information into said control system and at least one display for displaying exercise data;
a pedal speed sensor operatively connected to said control system; and
a resistive force generator operatively connected to said step mechanism and said control system for generating a resistive force to the movement of said pedals program logic associated with said control system effective to cause the stride length to increase and decrease according to an exercise program and wherein a user can utilize said keys to select said exercise program. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification