Spontaneous symmetrical weight shifting device

• US 7,033,306 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2003
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Paradigm Shifter Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Jase Graber
• Inventors: Graber, Jase
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tam
• Application Number:
  US10/637,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20040072655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/56, 482/57, 482/70, 482/71, 482/79, 482/80, 482/148
• 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 2022/0647 for cycling in a standing position, i.e. without a seat or support for the trunk
• 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 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

A stationary exercise device includes a frame member having a transverse pivot axis. A first and a second foot tread member are operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the first end of each foot tread member to the pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, so that each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path about the pivot axis. Each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member. Each foot tread member second end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the second end of each foot tread member to a support surface. The glide members direct each foot tread member second end along a reciprocating path of travel, as each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path.

Claims

1. A stationary exercise device comprising;

(a) a frame member having a pivot axle disposed transversely relative to the frame member;

(b) a first foot tread member and a second foot tread member each having first and second ends, each foot tread member first end operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the first end of each foot tread member to the transverse pivot axle at a predetermined distance from the pivot axle, so that each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path about the transverse pivot axle, wherein each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member, and each foot tread member second end moves in a linear reciprocating path of travel as each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path.

2. The stationary exercise device of claim 1, wherein each foot tread member second end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the second end of each foot tread member to a support surface, to direct each foot tread member second end along a reciprocating path of travel as each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path.

3. The stationary exercise device of claim 1, wherein the coupling members comprise a first bell crank and a second bell crank, each bell crank having a bell crank first end operative to pivotally engage the first end of a respective one of the foot tread members and a bell crank second end pivotally affixed to the transverse pivot axle.

4. The stationary exercise device of claim 1, further including a pair of wheel members independently disposed for rotation about the transverse pivot axle.

5. The stationary exercise device of claim 4, wherein each wheel member comprises a coupling member, with the first end of each foot tread member pivotally affixed to one wheel member.

6. The stationary exercise device of claim 1, wherein each coupling member comprises a bell crank, each bell crank disposed so as to rotate with one wheel member, a first end of each bell crank pivotally connected to the first end of a respective one of the first and second foot tread members.

7. The stationary exercise device of claim 1 further including a braking mechanism operative to impose a drag upon the foot tread members as the first ends thereof travel in the arcuate path.

8. The stationary exercise device of claim 2, wherein the support surface coupled to the glide members includes the frame member.

9. The stationary exercise device of claim 2, wherein the frame member includes a linear track for each glide member.

10. The stationary exercise device of claim 1 further including a support member secured to the frame member.

11. A stationary exercise device comprising;

(a) a frame member having a pivot axle disposed transversely relative to the frame member;

(b) a first and a second foot tread member each tread member having a first end and a second end, each foot tread member first end operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the first end of each foot tread member to the transverse pivot axle at a predetermined distance from the transverse pivot axle, so that each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path about the transverse pivot axle, wherein each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member, and each foot tread member second end moves in a linear reciprocating associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the second end of each foot tread member to a support surface, to direct each foot tread member second end along a linear reciprocating path of travel as each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path.

12. The stationary exercise device of claim 11, wherein the coupling members comprise a first bell crank and a second bell crank, each bell crank having a bell crank first end operative to pivotally engage the first end of a respective one of the foot tread members and a bell crank second end pivotally affixed to the transverse pivot axle.

13. The stationary exercise device of claim 11 further including a pair of wheels independently disposed for rotation about the transverse pivot axle.

14. The stationary exercise device of claim 13, wherein each wheel comprises a coupling member and the first end of each foot tread member is pivotally affixed to one wheel.

15. The stationary exercise device of claim 13, wherein each coupling member comprises a bell crank, each disposed so as to rotate with one wheel member, a first end of each bell crank being pivotally connected to the first end of a respective one of the first foot tread member and second foot tread member.

16. The stationary exercise device of claim 11 further including a braking mechanism operative to impose a drag upon the foot tread members as the first ends thereof travel in the arcuate path.

17. The stationary exercise device of claim 11, wherein the support surface coupled to the glide members includes the frame member.

18. The stationary exercise device of claim 11, wherein the frame member includes a linear track for each glide member, and the glide member comprises a wheeled member.

19. The stationary exercise device of claim 11 further including a support member secured to the frame member.

20. A stationary exercise device comprising;

(a) a frame member having a pivot axle disposed transversely relative to the frame member;

(b) a first and a second foot tread member each having a first end and a second end, each foot tread member first end operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the first end of each foot tread member to the transverse pivot axle at a predetermined distance from the transverse pivot axle, so that each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path about the transverse pivot axle, a pair of wheel members disposed for rotation about the transverse pivot axis, each coupling member comprising a bell crank, each bell crank disposed so as to rotate with one wheel member, a first end of each bell crank pivotally connected to the first end of a respective one of the first and second foot tread members, each foot tread member moving independently of the other foot tread member, each foot tread member second end operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the second end of each foot tread member to the frame member, to direct each foot tread member second end along a linear reciprocating path of travel as each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path.

21. The stationary exercise device of claim 20, wherein the frame member includes a linear track for each glide member.