Recumbent mobile exercise apparatus

• US 6,017,295 A
• Filed: 04/20/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eschenbach, Paul William
• Original Assignee: Eschenbach, Paul William
• Inventors: Eschenbach, Paul William
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US09/063,316
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/53, 482/57, 482/70, 482/63, 482/62, 280/234, 280/257, 280/246, 280/252, 280/260, 74/594.1, 74/594.3
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0038 One foot moving independently from the other, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0682 with support elements being cantilevered, i.e. the elements being supported only on one side without bearing on tracks on the floor below the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0015 with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/005 Recumbent-type bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/20 with additional rider propulsion means
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/26 characterised by rotary cranks combined with reciprocating levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/28 characterised by the use of flexible drive members, e.g. chains

Abstract

A mobile exercise apparatus is provided for sit down exercise operated in the recumbent position where foot operated pedals follow an oblong pedal path coordinated with arm exercise. The pedal path is configured to provide a long downward power stroke that remains generally tangent to the lower leg for greater leg exercise and torque conversion to the driven wheel. The pedals are guided by extended foot supports as part of a linkage system that is coupled to the arm exercise. Pedal motion and arm exercise can be adjusted during operation of the exercise apparatus to exercise different muscles.

Claims

1. A mobile exercise apparatus comprising:

a framework means, said framework means configured to be supported by at least two wheels and support a seat means;

a pedal means, said pedal means configured for each foot of a seated operator;

a linkage means having first and second ends and having a crank means connected intermediate said ends and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof, said crank means rotatably connected to said framework means;

a coupling means operably associated with said linkage means at said first end and said framework means;

means for rotatably engaging said crank means with at least one of said wheels;

said pedal means connected to each said linkage means at a second end of said linkage means whereby said pedal means follows a generally elliptical inclined pedal path as said crank means rotates with the foot force acting upon said pedal means to initiate rotation of at least one of said wheels.

2. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means is a rocker arm means pivotally connected to said linkage means on one end and pivotally connected to said framework means on the other end.

3. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means is a reciprocation means pivotally connected to said linkage means and contrained to move with reciprocating motion by a track means connected to said framework means.

4. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means is a second crank means pivotally connected to said linkage means on one end and rotatably associated with said framework means on the other end, said second crank means being operably associated with said first crank means by a belt and equal diameter sprockets.

5. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an actuator means connected to said coupling means on one end and operably associated with the framework on the other whereby said coupling means connection to said framework means can be moved during operation of said mobile exercise apparatus thereby causing said oblong inclined pedal path to change.

6. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pedal adjustment means wherein said pedal means is connected to said linkage means with a locking means whereby said locking means can be released to reposition the pedal means relative to said linkage means thereby causing said oblong inclined pedal path to change.

7. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an adjustment means whereby said seat means can be moved relative to said framework means.

8. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising arm exercise means operably associated with said linkage means.

9. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pedal means for each foot becomes a handle means for each hand.

10. A mobile exercise apparatus comprising:

a framework means, said framework means configured to be supported by at least two wheels and support a seat means;

a pedal means, said pedal means configured for each foot of a seated operator;

a linkage means having a crank means projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof, said crank means rotatably connected to said framework means;

a coupling means operably associated with said linkage means and said framework means;

means for rotatably engaging said crank means with at least one of said wheels;

said pedal means connected to each said linkage means whereby said pedal means follows a generally elliptical pedal path as said crank means rotates with the foot force acting upon said pedal means of an operator positioned in said seat means, said foot force acting generally tangent to the uppermost portion of said elliptical path to initiate rotation of at least one of said wheels.

11. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said coupling means is a rocker arm means pivotally connected to said linkage means on one end and pivotally connected to said framework means on the other end.

12. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said coupling means is a roller means pivotally connected to said linkage means and contrained to move with reciprocating motion by a track means connected to said framework means.

13. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said coupling means is a second crank means pivotally connected to said linkage means on one end and rotatably associated with said framework means on the other end, said second crank means being operably associated with said first crank means.

14. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising an actuator means connected to said coupling means on one end and operably associated with the framework on the other whereby said coupling means connection to said framework means can be moved during operation of said exercise machine thereby causing said elliptical inclined pedal path to change.

15. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a pedal adjustment means wherein said pedal adjustment means can be released to reposition the pedal means relative to said linkage means thereby causing said elliptical inclined pedal path to change.

16. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising arm exercise means operably associated with said linkage means.

17. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising arm exercise means wherein said arm exercise means comprises a handle means operably associated with said coupling means.

18. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a load resistance means operably associated with said crank means to increase exercise intensity during operation of said mobile exercise apparatus.

19. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising an adjustable transmission means operably associated with said crank means and said wheel coupled to said crank means whereby the speed of said mobile exercise apparatus can be regulated.

20. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising another wheel operably associated with said driven wheel.

21. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a steering means connected to said framework means and operably controlling at least one of said wheels.

22. The mobile exercise apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said steering means positions said wheel with a turning axis that is substantially inclined.