Suspension system for glider exercise device

• US 7,217,225 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joel P. Husted, Royce H. Husted
• Original Assignee: Joel P. Husted, Royce H. Husted
• Inventors: Husted, Royce H., Husted, Joel P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; (Jackie) Tan-Uyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US10/943,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20050054489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 969 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482/57, 482/70, 482/79, 482/80, 482/56, 482/121, 482/128, 482/148
• US Class Current: 482/51
• 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 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0051 the support elements being supported at a substantial distance below their axis, e.g. the axis for the foot support elements are arranged at hip height
• 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 2023/0452 the foot support being substantially below said axes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/009 Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus
• 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 22/0017 the adjustment being controlled by movement of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0429 with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by being cantilevered about a horizontal axis

Abstract

A glider device includes a pair of swingably mounted foot platforms pivotally supported by links at their heel ends. A spring cage, in one embodiment, includes a tension spring in each link to resiliently support the heel end of the foot platform. The spring cage limits displacement of the tension spring and includes a compression spring that cushions the displacement of the tension spring. In the a second, preferred embodiment, a stack of rubber bushings is supported in the spring cage and compress and decompress to provide a cushioning action to the foot platform.

Claims

1. A glider exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a foot platform;

a link coupled between a pivot on said frame and a pivot on said foot platform for swingably supporting said foot platform from said frame;

a shock absorbing arrangement in said link, said shock absorbing arrangement comprising a rubber spring and further including;

a spring case coupled to one of said pivots; and

said rubber spring being coupled to the other of said pivots, wherein said rubber spring comprises a plurality of rubber bushings and a plurality of spacers interposed between said rubber bushings.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the arrangement of said spring cage and said rubber spring establishes a variably sized pinch space;

and the machine further comprises a pinch guard on an end of said rubber spring for preventing inadvertent access to said pinch space.

3. A glider exercise machine comprising:

a frame having rear pivots;

a pair of foot platforms having heel end pivots;

a pair of links coupled between said rear pivots and said heel end pivots for swingably supporting said pair of foot platforms from said frame;

each of said links including;

a spring cage coupled to said rear pivot, said spring cage including an orifice through which said link freely passes; and

a rubber spring arrangement coupled between said spring cage and said heel end pivot, wherein said rubber spring arrangement comprises a plurality of rubber bushings and a plurality of spacers interposed between said rubber bushings.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the arrangement of said spring cage and said rubber spring establishes a variably sized pinch space;

and the machine further comprises a pinch guard on an end of said rubber spring for preventing inadvertent access to said pinch space.