Adjustable geometry exercise devices and methods for use thereof
First Claim
1. An exercise apparatus allowing instantaneously variable striding motions, the exercise apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
a crank system supported by the frame and adapted for continuous rotation;
a right foot support member comprising a right foot plate, the right foot support member coupled to the frame;
a left foot support member comprising a left foot plate, the left foot support member coupled to the frame;
a first flexible support system comprising a first flexible element, the first flexible element coupled to the right foot support member and the crank system and operative to rotate the crank system when the right foot plate moves downward;
a second flexible support system comprising a second flexible element, the second flexible element coupled to the left foot support member and the crank system and operative to rotate the crank system when the left foot plate moves downward; and
an adjustment assembly providing adjustment of the structural geometry of the exercise apparatus;
wherein force is applied by a user to the right and left foot support members permitting the user to vary between a nearly vertical motion and a closed path striding motion, the length of the striding motion being instantaneously variable by the user when the user varies a forward and a rearward force applied to the foot support members, the vertical amplitude of the nearly vertical motion being controlled by the adjustment assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise apparatus comprises: a frame; a crank system comprising first and second crank system coupling locations, the crank system being supported by the frame; a right foot support member; a left foot support member; a first flexible support system comprising a first flexible element, the first flexible element coupled to the right foot support member and the first crank coupling location; and a second flexible support system comprising a second flexible element, the second flexible element coupled to the left foot support member and coupled to the second crank coupling location, and an adjustment assembly, wherein the user of the exercise apparatus may undertake a stepping motion or an instantaneously variable striding motion, and wherein the structural geometry of the exercise apparatus can be changed with operation of the adjustment assembly.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An exercise apparatus allowing instantaneously variable striding motions, the exercise apparatus comprising:
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a frame; a crank system supported by the frame and adapted for continuous rotation; a right foot support member comprising a right foot plate, the right foot support member coupled to the frame; a left foot support member comprising a left foot plate, the left foot support member coupled to the frame; a first flexible support system comprising a first flexible element, the first flexible element coupled to the right foot support member and the crank system and operative to rotate the crank system when the right foot plate moves downward; a second flexible support system comprising a second flexible element, the second flexible element coupled to the left foot support member and the crank system and operative to rotate the crank system when the left foot plate moves downward; and an adjustment assembly providing adjustment of the structural geometry of the exercise apparatus; wherein force is applied by a user to the right and left foot support members permitting the user to vary between a nearly vertical motion and a closed path striding motion, the length of the striding motion being instantaneously variable by the user when the user varies a forward and a rearward force applied to the foot support members, the vertical amplitude of the nearly vertical motion being controlled by the adjustment assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An exercise apparatus allowing nearly vertical stepping motions and instantaneously variable striding motions, the exercise apparatus comprising:
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a frame; a crank system comprising first and second crank system coupling locations, the crank system being supported by the frame and adapted for continuous rotation; a right pivotal linkage assembly comprising a right foot plate, the right pivotal linkage assembly coupled to the frame; a left pivotal linkage assembly comprising a left foot plate, the left pivotal linkage assembly coupled to the frame; a first flexible support system comprising a first flexible element, the first flexible element coupled to the right pivotal linkage assembly and the first crank system coupling location and operative to rotate the crank system when the right foot plate moves downward; a second flexible support system comprising a second flexible element, the second flexible element coupled to the left pivotal linkage assembly and the second crank system coupling location and operative to rotate the crank system when the left foot plate moves downward; and an apparatus structural geometry adjustment assembly configured to change a vertical amplitude of the nearly vertical stepping motions; wherein force is applied by a user to the right and left foot plates permitting the user to vary between the nearly vertical stepping motions and a closed path striding motion, the length of the striding motion being instantaneously variable by the user when the user varies a forward and a rearward force applied to the foot plates. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for using an exercise device that includes first and second foot support members respectively coupled to first and second flexible elements, the first and second flexible elements respectively coupled to first and second linkage assemblies at first and second flexible element coupling locations, the first and second linkage assemblies coupled to a crank assembly through first and second actuating links so that striding motions applied to the first and second foot support members cause the crank system to experience continuous rotation, the method comprising:
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applying one or more of instantaneously varying striding motions and nearly vertical stepping motions to the first and second foot support members, thereby tracing a first family of paths with the first and second foot support members; adjusting a structural geometry of at least one of the following;
the first and second flexible element coupling locations, the first and second actuating links; andapplying one or more of instantaneously varying striding motions and nearly vertical stepping motions to the first and second foot support members, thereby tracing a second family of paths with the first and second foot support members, wherein the first family of paths is traced before the adjusting, and wherein the second family of paths is traced after the adjusting, and wherein the first family of paths has a different vertical amplitude than the second family of paths.
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Specification