Compact, elliptical exercise device
First Claim
1. An exercise device comprising:
- a frame member configured to be supported on a floor, said frame member having a first pivot axis defined thereupon;
a first and a second primary foot link, each primary foot link having a first end and a second end;
a first and a second coupling member, each coupling member being disposed so as to couple the first end of a respective one of said primary foot links to said first pivot axis so that said respective first ends of said primary foot links each travel in an arcuate path;
a guide assembly operative to engage the second end of each of said first and second primary foot links at an engagement point defined upon said guide assembly, and to direct said second ends of said primary foot links in a reciprocating path of travel as said first ends thereof travel in said arcuate path; and
a first and a second auxiliary foot link, each auxiliary foot link being configured to receive a user'"'"'s foot, and each having a first end which is coupled to said guide assembly at a connection point defined upon said guide assembly, which connection point is spaced from said engagement point, each auxiliary link being slidably supported by a respective one of said primary foot links at a location which is between the first end and the second end of said primary foot link, so that a second end of each auxiliary foot link will travel in a reciprocal path along a portion of the length of its respective primary foot link between the first and second ends thereof, when said first end of said respective primary foot link travels in said arcuate path and said second end of said respective primary foot link travels in said reciprocal path.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compact, elliptical exercise device includes a pair of primary foot links, and a pair of corresponding auxiliary foot links. A first end of each primary foot link is coupled to a pivot axis so as to move in an arcuate path. A second end of each primary foot link is connected to a guide assembly, which constrains it to travel in a reciprocal path of motion. A first end of each auxiliary foot link is coupled to the guide assembly at a connection point spaced from an engagement point at which its respective primary link is connected. Each auxiliary link is slidably supported by a respective one of its primary foot links so that a second end of each auxiliary foot link will travel in a reciprocal path along the primary foot link.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An exercise device comprising:
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a frame member configured to be supported on a floor, said frame member having a first pivot axis defined thereupon;
a first and a second primary foot link, each primary foot link having a first end and a second end;
a first and a second coupling member, each coupling member being disposed so as to couple the first end of a respective one of said primary foot links to said first pivot axis so that said respective first ends of said primary foot links each travel in an arcuate path;
a guide assembly operative to engage the second end of each of said first and second primary foot links at an engagement point defined upon said guide assembly, and to direct said second ends of said primary foot links in a reciprocating path of travel as said first ends thereof travel in said arcuate path; and
a first and a second auxiliary foot link, each auxiliary foot link being configured to receive a user'"'"'s foot, and each having a first end which is coupled to said guide assembly at a connection point defined upon said guide assembly, which connection point is spaced from said engagement point, each auxiliary link being slidably supported by a respective one of said primary foot links at a location which is between the first end and the second end of said primary foot link, so that a second end of each auxiliary foot link will travel in a reciprocal path along a portion of the length of its respective primary foot link between the first and second ends thereof, when said first end of said respective primary foot link travels in said arcuate path and said second end of said respective primary foot link travels in said reciprocal path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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9. An exercise device comprising:
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a frame member configured to be supported on a floor, said frame member having a first and a second pivot axis defined thereupon;
a first and a second primary foot link, each primary foot link having a first end and a second end;
a first and a second crank arm, each crank arm being disposed so as to couple the first end of a respective one of said primary foot links to said first pivot axis so that said respective first ends of said primary foot links each travel in an arcuate path;
a guide assembly including a first and a second swing arm, each swing arm being pivotally connected to said frame at said second pivot axis, and each swing arm being operative to engage the second end of a respective primary foot link at an engagement point defined on said swing arm, and to direct said second ends of said primary foot links in a reciprocating path of travel as at first ends thereof travel in said arcuate path; and
a first and a second auxiliary foot link, each auxiliary foot link being configured to receive a user'"'"'s foot, and each having a first end which is coupled to a respective swing arm at a connection point defined upon said swing arm, which connection point is spaced from said engagement point, each auxiliary link being slidably supported by a respective one of said primary foot links at a location which is between the first end and the second end of said primary foot link, so that a second end of each auxiliary foot link will travel in a reciprocal path along portion of the length of its respective primary foot link, between the first and second ends thereof, when said first end of said respective primary foot link travels in said arcuate path and said second end of said respective primary foot link travels in said reciprocal path.
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10. An exercise device comprising:
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a frame member configured to be supported on a floor, said frame member having a first pivot axis defined thereupon;
a first and a second primary foot link, each primary foot link having a first end and a second end;
a first and a second coupling member, each coupling member being disposed so as to couple the first end of a respective one of said primary foot links to said first pivot axis so that said respective first ends of said primary foot links each travel in an arcuate path;
a guide assembly operative to engage the second end of each of said first and second primary foot links at an engagement point defined upon said guide assembly, and to direct said second ends of said primary foot links in a reciprocating path of travel as said first ends thereof travel in said arcuate path; and
a first and a second auxiliary foot link, each auxiliary foot link being configured to receive a user'"'"'s foot, and each having a first end which is coupled to said guide assembly at a connection point defined upon said guide assembly, which connection point is spaced from said engagement point, each auxiliary link having a second end having a roller affixed thereto, wherein each auxiliary link is slidably supported by said roller upon a respective one of said primary foot links so that the second end of each auxiliary foot link will travel in a reciprocal path along a portion of the length of its respective primary foot link between the first and second ends thereof, when said first end of said respective primary foot link travels in said arcuate path and said second end of said respective primary foot link travels in said reciprocal path.
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Specification