Elliptical exercise device with leaf spring supports
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An elliptical exercise apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
first and second foot supports, wherein each of said first and second foot supports comprises a leaf spring for flexibly deflecting force applied by a user operating the elliptical exercise apparatus; and
means coupled to the frame and the foot supports for enabling elliptical movement of the first and second foot supports.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An elliptical exercise apparatus including a frame, a crank, a pair of guide tracks, and a pair of flexibly resilient foot supports that provide elliptical exercises. Each foot support comprises a leaf spring and a foot engagement pad configured to receive the foot of a user. The foot engagement pads rotate in elliptical paths and the leaf springs flex in varying degree to accommodate for varying forces and gaits of different users. The leaf springs provide upward biasing forces in direct response to sudden and irregular downward forces, thereby flexing to improve the feel of the exercise.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An elliptical exercise apparatus comprising:
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a frame;
first and second foot supports, wherein each of said first and second foot supports comprises a leaf spring for flexibly deflecting force applied by a user operating the elliptical exercise apparatus; and
means coupled to the frame and the foot supports for enabling elliptical movement of the first and second foot supports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 22)
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9. An elliptical exercise apparatus comprising:
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a frame;
first and second foot supports, wherein each of said first and second foot supports comprises a leaf spring, and wherein said leaf spring is configured to flexibly displace force applied by a user operating the elliptical exercise apparatus; and
a crank coupled to the frame and the first and second foot supports, wherein said crank is pivotally connected to each of said first and second foot supports such that each of the first and second foot supports moves in a substantially elliptical path. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23)
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17. An elliptical exercise apparatus comprising:
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a frame;
first and second foot supports, wherein each of said first and second foot supports comprises a flexibly resilient leaf spring and a foot engagement pad configured to receive the foot of a user;
first and second guide tracks fixedly attached to the frame on an incline, wherein a first end of each of said first and second foot supports is rollably mounted on said first and second guide tracks respectively;
at least one arm support, wherein said at least one arm support is pivotally attached to both the frame and to the first end of either the first or second foot supports; and
a crank, wherein said crank is pivotally connected to a second end of each of the first and second foot supports, such that each of the first and second foot supports moves in a substantially elliptical path. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An elliptical exercise apparatus comprising:
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a frame;
first and second foot supports, wherein each of said first and second foot supports comprises a flexibly resilient leaf spring and a foot engagement pad configured to receive the foot of a user;
first and second guide tracks fixedly attached to the frame on an incline, wherein a first end of each of said first and second foot supports is rollably mounted on said first and second guide tracks respectively;
at least one arm support, wherein said at least one arm support is pivotally attached to both the frame and to the first end of either the first or second foot supports;
a crank, wherein said crank is pivotally connected to the second end of each of the first and second foot supports, such that each of the first and second foot supports moves in a substantially elliptical path; and
a second arm support, wherein each arm support comprises a larger diameter pole and a smaller diameter pole, and wherein the smaller diameter pole is slidably retractable into the lamer diameter pole.
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Specification