Exercise device with pivoting assembly

• US 7,717,828 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Butler, Jaremy T., Simonson, Roy, Dalebout, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GINSBERG, OREN ISAAC
• Application Number:
  US11/832,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20080051260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482/57, 482/62, 482 70- 71
• US Class Current: 482/52
• 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 21/151 Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• 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 22/0017 the adjustment being controlled by movement of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/205 in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/182 for cross-country-skiing A63B23/0417, A63B69/0022 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

A non-impact exercise device comprising a framework, resistance assembly, and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly contains a pair of link arms pivotally coupled to a pair of foot support members. The link arms have handles for the user to grip and the foot support members have foot platforms for the user to stand upon. The foot platforms have a wheel attached to them and the wheel rests upon curved or arced ramps of the exercise device. The user exercises by putting force into the device through the handles and/or foot platforms. This causes the foot platforms to roll along the ramps while the user is standing upon the foot platforms. The user may readily vary the length and frequency of the reciprocating stride.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a stationary framework having at least one ramp;

a first handle assembly pivotally coupled to the framework;

a first pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a first pivot point, the first pivoting assembly comprising

a first link arm having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end of the first link arm is pivotally coupled to the framework at the first pivot point,

a first foot support pivotally coupled to the second end of the first link arm, wherein the first foot support is movably mounted on the at least one ramp, and

a first connecting arm pivotally coupling the first link arm to the first handle assembly, wherein a first end of the first connecting arm is pivotally coupled directly to the first link arm and a second end of the first connecting arm is pivotally coupled directly to the first handle assembly and wherein movement of the first link arm causes movement of the first handle assembly; and

a second pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a second pivot point, the second pivoting assembly comprising

a second link arm having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the second link arm pivotally coupled to the framework at the second pivot point, and

a second foot support pivotally coupled to the second end of the second link arm, wherein the second foot support is movably mounted on the at least one ramp.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second foot support have a free end that moves along the at least one ramp.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first wheel movably couples the first foot support member to the at least one ramp, said first wheel being capable of movably rolling upon said at least one ramp.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one ramp comprises a first spaced ramp and a second ramp spaced apart from the first ramp.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion of the pivot assemblies is substantially restricted to the footprint defined by the framework.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said framework comprises a main body, said main body has a horizontal footprint located within the distance in between said first and second link arms.

7. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a framework having at least one curved ramp;

a resistance assembly coupled to the framework;

a cable and pulley system operatively associated with the resistance assembly;

a first pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a first pivot point, the first pivoting assembly comprising a first link arm having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end of the first link arm is pivotally coupled to the framework at the first pivot point, a first foot support pivotally coupled to the second end of the first link arm, and a first pedal mounted on the first foot support, the first foot support movably mounted on the at least one curved ramp; and

a second pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a second pivot point, the second pivoting assembly comprising a second link arm, a second foot support coupled to the second link arm, and a second pedal mounted on the second foot support, the second foot support movably mounted on the at least one curved ramp,

wherein, when the first and second pivoting assemblies are in a neutral, aligned position, the first and second pedals are below and behind the first and second pivot points, respectively,

and wherein a cable of the cable and pulley system connects the first pivoting assembly to the second pivoting assembly.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein a reciprocating displacement of each foot support member substantially corresponds to a curved shape of the at least one ramp.

9. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a framework having first and second side members;

a first link arm and a second link arm, said first link arm and said second link arm each having a first end and an opposing second end, each of said link arms being pivotally attached at a respective first end to the first and second side members, respectively;

a first foot support member and a second foot support member, said first foot support member having a first end pivotally attached to said second end of said first link arm, said second foot support member having a first end pivotally attached to said second end of said second link arm, each of said foot support members having a second opposing free end movably mounted on said framework, wherein the first and second foot support members are positioned below the first and second side members; and

a cable and pulley system secured to said first foot support member and said second foot support member, wherein a first end of a cable of said cable and pulley system is secured to said first foot support member and a second end of said cable is secured to said second foot support member, wherein movement of said first foot support member is linked to movement of said second foot support member.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the framework comprises a beam assembly and a ramp assembly, said ramp assembly comprising at least one ramp.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the framework comprises at least one curved ramp.

12. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a stationary framework comprising a ramp assembly;

a handle assembly pivotally coupled to the framework;

first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and an opposing second end, each of said first and second link arms being pivotally attached at a respective first end directly to said framework;

first and second foot support members, each foot support member having a first end pivotally attached directly to a respective second end of the first and second link arms, each of said foot support members having a second opposing end movably mounted on said ramp assembly;

wherein each of said foot support members has a reciprocating stride motion and is movably mounted on said ramp assembly and is configured to reciprocate along said ramp assembly with a variable reciprocating stride length, wherein the stride length can be varied by a user during exercise.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the foot support members has an attached wheel, each of said attached wheel movably mounts a free end of each foot support member on said ramp assembly, each of said attached wheel being capable of movably rolling upon said ramp assembly.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the stride motion of each of the foot support members is determined by the motion of each of the attached wheels as said wheels travel along said ramp assembly.

15. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a framework comprising a ramp assembly, said ramp assembly comprising at least one ramp having a curved configuration;

a first link arm pivotally coupled directly to said framework and a second link arm pivotally coupled directly to said framework;

a first foot support member and a second foot support member each having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end of the first foot support member is pivotally coupled directly to the first link arm at a first pivot point and the first end of the second foot support member is pivotally coupled directly to the second link arm at a second pivot point, wherein the opposing second end of each of the first and second foot support members is movably mounted on said at least one curved ramp, and wherein when the first and second foot support members are in a neutral, aligned position, the first and second support members are below the first and second pivot points, respectively; and

a cable and pulley system linking the first foot support member to the second foot support member, wherein movement of the first foot support member causes movement of the second foot support member, thereby enabling a user to vary the stride length of the first and second foot support members during exercise.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein length of stride motion for an exercise routine is determined through the input of force by the user.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the foot support members has a wheel attached to the opposing second end thereof to thereby movably mount respective foot support members on said at least one ramp.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein each wheel can move at least about 30 inches along an arc of the at least one ramp.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein each wheel can move at least about 35 inches along an arc of the at least one ramp.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein each wheel can move at least about 40 inches along an arc of the at least one ramp.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein each wheel can move at least about 44 inches along an arc of the at least one ramp.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one ramp has an arc length of at least about 30 inches.

23. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one ramp has an arc length of at least about 35 inches.

24. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one ramp has an arc length of at least about 40 inches.

25. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one ramp has an arc length of at least about 45 inches.

26. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a stationary framework comprising at least one ramp, wherein the framework has a proximal end positioned in front of a user during exercise;

a first pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a first pivot point, the first pivoting assembly comprising a first link arm pivotally coupled directly to the framework at the first pivot point and a first foot support pivotally coupled directly to the first link arm at a third pivot point, wherein the first pivot point is above the third pivot point;

a second pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a second pivot point, the second pivoting assembly comprising a second link arm pivotally coupled directly to the framework at the second pivot point and a second foot support pivotally coupled directly to the second link arm at a fourth pivot point, wherein the second pivot point is above the fourth pivot point; and

wherein each respective portion of the first and second pivoting assemblies has a maximum stride length defined as a maximum distance that each of said respective portions moves along the at least one ramp, wherein said maximum stride length is at least about 25% of the footprint length of the framework of the exercise device.

27. The exercise apparatus of claim 26, wherein each of said respective portions comprises a wheel that moves along the at least one ramp.

28. The exercise apparatus of claim 26, wherein said maximum stride length is at least 35% of the footprint length of the framework of the exercise device.

29. The exercise apparatus of claim 26, wherein said maximum stride length is at least 45% of the footprint length of the framework of the exercise device.

30. The exercise apparatus of claim 26, wherein said maximum stride length is at least 55% of the footprint length of the framework of the exercise device.

31. The exercise apparatus of claim 26, wherein said maximum stride length is at least 65% of the footprint length of the framework of the exercise device.

32. The exercise apparatus of claim 26, wherein said maximum stride length is at least 75% of the footprint length of the framework of the exercise device.

33. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a framework;

a ramp assembly coupled to said framework, said ramp assembly comprising at least one ramp;

a first pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a first pivot point, the first pivoting assembly comprising;

a first link arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first link arm is pivotally coupled directly to the framework at the first pivot point,

a first foot support pivotally coupled directly to the second end of the first link arm at a third pivot point, wherein the first pivot point is above the third pivot point, and

a first wheel pivotally coupled to the first foot support, the first wheel being movably mounted on the at least one ramp;

a second pivoting assembly coupled to the framework at a second pivot point, the second pivoting assembly comprising;

a second link arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second link arm is pivotally coupled directly to the framework at the second pivot point,

a second foot support pivotally coupled directly to the second end of the second link arm at a fourth pivot point, wherein the second pivot point is above the fourth pivot point, and

a second wheel pivotally coupled to the second foot support, the second wheel being movably mounted on the at least one ramp,

wherein the pivoting assemblies move in a reciprocating, striding motion, and wherein the first and second wheels each have a maximum stride length defined as a maximum distance that each of said wheels moves along the at least one ramp, wherein said maximum stride length can be varied by a user during exercise.

34. The exercise apparatus of claim 33, wherein said maximum stride length is at least about 35 inches.

35. The exercise apparatus of claim 33, wherein said maximum stride length is at least about 40 inches.

36. The exercise apparatus of claim 33, wherein said maximum stride length is at least about 44 inches.

37. The exercise apparatus of claim 33, wherein said maximum stride length is at least about 30 inches.