Elliptical exercise machine

• US 6,994,657 B1
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul William Eschenbach
• Original Assignee: Paul William Eschenbach
• Inventors: Eschenbach, Paul William
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US11/081,398
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482/57, 482/70, 482 79- 80
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0676 with crank and handles being on the same side of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. crank and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/206 on a curved path
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0085 using pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking, jogging and climbing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Elliptical cross trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Existing elliptical cross trainers often use excessive pedal articulation which can overwork the ankle to achieve a longer stride. The present invention is an improved elliptical exercise machine capable of extended exercise with less pedal articulation that is more ankle friendly. One end of a foot support member has a pedal which follows elliptical motion while the other end is guided by a non-aligned drive link to drive an alternator and flywheel. The resulting pedal motion is foot friendly. Handles are coordinated with the foot support members for arm exercise. Adjustment is provided for the elliptical path.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;

a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;

a crank having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;

a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot;

a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link;

a pair of drive links, each drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link;

a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said drive link;

a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path;

a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends;

a pair of guides, each said guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a back and forth movement;

said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path.

2. The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said elongate curve path is generally elliptical in shape.

3. The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising arm exercise structure, said arm exercise structure operably associated with said linkage.

4. The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said arm exercise further comprises a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework.

5. The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel rotatably connected to said framework and operably associated with said crank.

6. The exercise machine according to claim 5 further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said flywheel, a means for adjustment of said load resistance and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said load resistance can be varied during operation of said exercise machine.

7. The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising an adjustment, said adjustment operably associated with said guide and said framework to adjust said elongate curve pedal path.

8. The exercise machine according to claim 7 wherein said adjustment is comprised of movable guide tracks, said movable guide tracks capable of being repositioned to change said elongate curve path.

9. The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said drive link contains at least three pivots, said three pivots configured such that a line connecting the two most distal said pivots does not contain the third pivot.

10. The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said guide is composed of a curved track, said curve track operably associated with said roller and said framework.

11. The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said drive link is nonaligned, said nonaligned drive link being a portion of said path generating linkage.

12. An exercise machine comprising:

a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;

a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;

a crank having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;

a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot;

a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link;

a pair of nonaligned drive links, each nonaligned drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link and configured such that each end of said nonaligned drive link follows an elongate path;

a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said nonaligned drive link;

a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said nonaligned drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path;

a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends;

a pair of guides, each said guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a back and forth movement;

said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path.

13. The exercise machine according to claim 12 further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said crank, a means for adjustment of said load resistance and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said load resistance can be varied during operation of said exercise machine.

14. The exercise machine according to claim 12 further comprising arm exercise structure, said arm exercise structure operably associated with said path generating linkages.

15. The exercise machine according to claim 12 further comprising an adjustment structure, said adjustment structure operably associated with said guide and said framework to adjust said elongate curve pedal path.

16. An exercise machine comprising:

a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;

a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;

a crank having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;

a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot;

a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link;

a pair of drive links, each drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link and configured such that each end of said drive link follows an elongate path;

a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said drive link;

a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path;

a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends;

a pair of curved guides, each said curved guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a back and forth movement;

a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework for arm exercise;

said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path.

17. The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said handles are operably associated with said path generating linkages.

18. The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said crank, a means for adjustment of said load resistance and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said load resistance can be varied during operation of said exercise machine.

19. The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising an adjustment structure, said adjustment structure operably associated with said curved guide and said framework to adjust said elongate curve pedal path.

20. The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said drive link contains at least three pivots, said three pivots configured such that a line connecting the two most distal said pivots does not contain the third pivot.