Exercise device
First Claim
1. An exercise device comprising:
- a frame intended to rest on a floor or other supporting surface, said frame having a crank axis which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said exercise device;
a pair of cranks, each crank rotatably connected to said frame at said crank axis;
a pair of output links each having a pair of distal ends and a medial portion, said output links operably connected to a respective crank, wherein each output link is rotatably connected to its respective crank at its medial portion thereby defining a first connection point, each said output link operatively connected to said frame near one of said distal ends thereby defining a first pivot point, that limits movement in a first reciprocating path relative to said frame;
a pair of intermediate links each having a pair of distal ends and a medial portion, wherein each intermediate link is operatively connected to said frame near one of said distal ends thereby defining a second pivot point that limits movement in a second reciprocating path relative to said frame, and where each said intermediate link is rotatably connected at its medial portion to the second distal end of a respective output link thereby defining a third pivot point; and
,a pair of elongated pedal arms, each pedal arm having a surface area for an individual to stand upon with one foot and an axle, each pedal arm operatively connected to a respective intermediate link near the end distal from said second pivot point thereby defining a pedal arm pivot point, said axle operatively engaging said frame thereby limiting movement in a third reciprocating path relative to said frame; and
, wherein each of said pedal arm pivot points travel in a substantially tear-drop cyclic path in response to displacement of said pedals arms along said third reciprocating path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise apparatus having a pair of support pedals that, when a user steps upon both pedals, can be moved by the user in a closed path that is designed to be complimentary in motion to that of the user'"'"'s natural stride. The pedals are operably connected by a linkage that facilitates this natural motion. Moreover, this linkage can be adjusted thereby altering the shape of the closed path traveled by the pedals. The closed path can thus be altered to conform to the optimal biomechanics of each individual user or, it can be altered to form a closed path designed for more of a striding type of exercise or for more of a climbing exercise, thereby allowing different muscle groups to be exercised on the same machine.
95 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An exercise device comprising:
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a frame intended to rest on a floor or other supporting surface, said frame having a crank axis which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said exercise device; a pair of cranks, each crank rotatably connected to said frame at said crank axis; a pair of output links each having a pair of distal ends and a medial portion, said output links operably connected to a respective crank, wherein each output link is rotatably connected to its respective crank at its medial portion thereby defining a first connection point, each said output link operatively connected to said frame near one of said distal ends thereby defining a first pivot point, that limits movement in a first reciprocating path relative to said frame; a pair of intermediate links each having a pair of distal ends and a medial portion, wherein each intermediate link is operatively connected to said frame near one of said distal ends thereby defining a second pivot point that limits movement in a second reciprocating path relative to said frame, and where each said intermediate link is rotatably connected at its medial portion to the second distal end of a respective output link thereby defining a third pivot point; and
,a pair of elongated pedal arms, each pedal arm having a surface area for an individual to stand upon with one foot and an axle, each pedal arm operatively connected to a respective intermediate link near the end distal from said second pivot point thereby defining a pedal arm pivot point, said axle operatively engaging said frame thereby limiting movement in a third reciprocating path relative to said frame; and
, wherein each of said pedal arm pivot points travel in a substantially tear-drop cyclic path in response to displacement of said pedals arms along said third reciprocating path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25)
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23. An exercise device comprising:
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a frame intended to rest on a floor or other supporting surface, said frame having a crank axis which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said exercise device; a pair of cranks, each crank rotatably connected to said frame at said crank axis; a pair of output links each having a pair of distal ends and a medial portion, said output links operably connected to a respective crank, wherein each output link is rotatably connected to its respective crank at its medial portion thereby defining a first connection point, each said output link operatively connected to said frame near one of said distal ends thereby defining a first pivot point, that limits movement in a first reciprocating path relative to said frame; a pair of elongated members each having a handle located at a distal end, each of said members pivotally connected to said frame at one point and operatively connected to a respective said output link; a pair of intermediate links each having a pair of distal ends and a medial portion, wherein each intermediate link is operatively connected to said frame near one of said distal ends thereby defining a second pivot point that limits movement in a second reciprocating path relative to said frame, and where each said intermediate link is rotatably connected at its medial portion to the second distal end of a respective output link thereby defining a third pivot point; and
,a pair of elongated pedal arms, each pedal arm having a surface area for an individual to stand upon with one foot, a traveling means for limiting movement of a portion of a respective pedal arm along one direction to a reciprocating movement; each pedal arm operatively connected to a respective intermediate link near the end distal from said second pivot point thereby defining a pedal arm pivot point, said axle operatively engaging said frame thereby limiting movement in a third reciprocating path relative to said frame; and
, wherein each of said pedal arm pivot points travel in a substantially tear-drop cyclic path in response to displacement of said pedals arms along said third reciprocating path. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification