Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable stride length

• US 7,201,707 B1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: True Fitness Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: True Fitness Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Moon, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow; Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US11/330,602
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 52, 482/57, 482/70, 482 79- 80
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/002 electronically, e.g. by using a program
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0629 each pedal being supported by two or more cranks
• 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 2022/067 with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/009 Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/208 On a track which is itself moving during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances

Abstract

An elliptical exercise machine and methods for using the machine where the horizontal length of the stride of the ellipse can be adjusted by the user without the user having to alter the vertical dimension of the ellipse by an equivalent amount. The machine provides for alteration using an inverted pendulum arm which is driven by rotation of a rail and which in turn drives a footskate on the rail. The position for the driving of the inverted pendulum arm by the rail and the driving of the footskate by the inverted pendulum arm are adjustable relative to each other so as to provide for multiple different stride lengths in exercising. The machine may allow for this adjustment to occur during the performance of an exercise routine.

Claims

1. An elliptical exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

at least two crankshafts rotationally connected to said frame;

a rail attached to said crankshafts so that said rail traverses a path in conjunction with the rotation of said crankshafts;

a footskate capable of reciprocating motion on said rail;

an interface arm, said interface arm having a distal and proximal end and a length therebetween, said proximal end of said interface arm being connected to said rail;

an inverted pendulum arm having a proximal and distal end and a length therebetween, said inverted pendulum arm rotating about an axis of rotation located toward said proximal end of said inverted pendulum arm;

a coupler connecting said distal end of said interface arm to said inverted pendulum arm at a point along said length of said inverted pendulum arm, said distance between said coupler and said first axis defining a first radius; and

a transfer arm having a proximal and distal end and a length therebetween, the transfer arm being attached at said proximal end to said inverted pendulum arm, said transfer arm also being connected at said distal end to said footskate, said distance between said proximal end of said transfer arm and said first axis defining a second radius;

wherein said interface arm causes said inverted pendulum arm to reciprocate about said first axis, which in turn causes said transfer arm to make said footskate reciprocate on said rail; and

wherein said first radius and said second radius are adjustable relative to each other.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said second radius is adjustable.

3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said first radius is fixed.

4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said first radius is adjustable.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said second radius is fixed.

6. The machine of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one of said first radius and said second radius.

7. The machine of claim 6 wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder.

8. The machine of claim 6 wherein said adjustment mechanism is electrically powered.

9. The machine of claim 6 wherein said adjustment mechanism include a worm screw.

10. The machine of claim 6 wherein said adjustment mechanism is hand powered.

11. The machine of claim 1 wherein at least one of said crankshafts is attached to a flywheel.

12. The machine of claim 11 wherein at least one of said crankshafts is attached to a resistance device.

13. The machine of claim 1 wherein the position of said rail at any selected point of rotation, is parallel to the position of said rail at any other selected point of rotation.

14. The machine of claim 1 further comprising an arm exercise mechanism which oscillates relative to said frame.

15. The machine of claim 14 wherein the angle through which said arm exercise mechanism oscillates is independent of the reciprocation of said footskate.

16. A method of altering the stride length of an elliptical exercise machine during an exercise, the method comprising:

providing an elliptical exercise machine;

the machine including;

a frame;

at least two crankshafts rotationally connected to said frame;

a rail attached to said crankshafts so that said rail traverses a path in conjunction with the rotation of said crankshafts;

a footskate capable of reciprocation motion on said rail;

an interface arm said interface arm having distal and proximal ends and a length therebetween, said proximal end of said interface arm being connected to said rail;

an inverted pendulum arm having a proximal and distal end and a length therebetween, said inverted pendulum arm rotating about an axis of rotation located toward said proximal end of said inverted pendulum arm;

a coupler connecting a distal end of said interface arm to said inverted pendulum arm along said length of said inverted pendulum arm, said distance between said coupler and said first axis defining a first radius; and

a transfer arm having a proximal and distal end and a length therebetween, the transfer arm being attached at said proximal end to said inverted pendulum arm, said transfer arm also being connected at said distal end to said footskate, said distance between said proximal end of said transfer arm and said first axis defining a second radius;

operating said machine so that said interface arm causes said inverted pendulum arm to reciprocate about said first axis, which in turn causes said transfer arm to reciprocate said footskate on said rail; and

adjusting said first radius or said second radius relative to the other while said machine is operating.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein during said step of adjusting, said second radius is adjusted.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein during said step of adjusting, said first radius remains constant.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein during said step of adjusting, said first radius is adjusted.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein during said step of adjusting, said second radius remains constant.