Adjustable stride length exercise method and apparatus

• US 7,824,314 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
• Original Assignee: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
• Inventors: Maresh, Joseph D., Stearns, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/397,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20090209395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482 57- 65, 482/70, 482/71, 482/79, 482/1, 482/5, 482 8- 9
• US Class Current: 482/52
• 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 2022/0682 with support elements being cantilevered, i.e. the elements being supported only on one side without bearing on tracks on the floor below the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• 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 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 : Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame for residing on a horizontal surface, a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user'"'"'s arms and a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user'"'"'s legs. A linkage assembly couples the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and moves the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to user forces applied to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members. The linkage assembly includes actuators for adjusting dimensions of the closed paths in response to control signal inputs. Sensors mounted on the linkage assembly generate force-indicating signals representing one or more of the user force. A user interface receives and processes the force-indicating signals and supplies the control signal inputs to the actuators, wherein a dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for exercising a user'"'"'s arms and legs comprising:

a frame for residing on a horizontal surface;

a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user'"'"'s arms;

a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user'"'"'s legs;

a linkage assembly for coupling the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and for moving the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to forces the user applies to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members, wherein the linkage assembly comprises at least one actuator, each actuator for adjusting a dimension of at least one of the closed paths in response to a control signal;

a sensor coupled to the linkage assembly for generating a force-indicating signal representing a user force applied to at least one of the arm-supporting and leg-supporting members; and

a user interface for receiving the force-indicating signal, generating the control signal from the force-indicating signal, and supplying the control signal to each actuator.

2. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1

wherein the closed paths of the leg-supporting members have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes and the at least one actuator adjusts dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along at least one of the two perpendicular axes.

3. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1

wherein the closed paths of each leg-supporting member have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes, and

wherein the at least one actuator adjusts dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along each of the two perpendicular axes.

4. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.

5. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one actuator adjusts a dimension of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members.

6. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sensor senses the user force applied to at least one of the arm-supporting members.

7. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a strain gauge.

8. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the linkage assembly interconnects the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members such that movement of the arm-supporting members is synchronized to movement of the leg-supporting until the user applies a threshold amount of force to the arm-supporting member, in which case, movement of the arm-supporting members deviate from their otherwise synchronized movement relative to the leg-supporting members.

9. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising;

a resistance device coupled to the frame and to the linkage assembly for providing an adjustable resistance to movement of the leg and arm-supporting members in the closed paths.

10. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the user interface adjusts the adjustable resistance provided by the resistance device in response to the force-indicating signal.

11. The exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the resistance device provides separate resistance to movement of the leg and arm-supporting members along their respective paths.

12. A method for exercising a user'"'"'s arms and legs comprising the steps of:

a. providing a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user'"'"'s arms;

b. providing a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user'"'"'s legs;

c. linking the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to a frame so that they move in closed paths relative to the frame in response to forces the user applies to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members;

d. adjusting a dimension of at least one of the closed paths in response to a control signal;

e. generating a force-indicating signal representing a user force applied to at least one of arm-supporting and leg-supporting members; and

f. providing a user interface for receiving the force-indicating signal and for generating the control signal from the force-indicating signal.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12

wherein the closed paths of the leg-supporting members have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes and step d comprises adjusting dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along at least one of the two perpendicular axes.

14. The method in accordance with claim 12

wherein the closed paths of the leg-supporting members have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes and

wherein step d comprises adjusting dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along each of the two perpendicular axes.

15. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein a dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.

16. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein step d comprises adjusting a dimension of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members is adjusted in response to the control signal.

17. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein step e comprises sensing user forces applied to at least one of the arm-supporting members and generating the force-indicating signal in response to the sensed user forces.

18. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein step c comprising linking the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members such that movement of the arm-supporting members is synchronized to movement of the leg-supporting until the user applies a threshold amount of force to the arm-supporting member, in which case, the arm-supporting members deviate from their synchronized movement relative to the leg-supporting members.

19. The method in accordance with claim 12 further comprising the step of

g. providing an adjustable resistance to movement of the leg and arm-supporting members in the closed paths.

20. The method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising the step of:

g. adjusting the adjustable resistance provided by the resistance device in response to the force-indicating signal.