Stationary exercise apparatus having a preferred foot platform path

• US RE38,803 E1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Robert E Rodgers Jr (Robert E. Rodgers)
• Inventors: Rodgers, Robert E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US09/438,509
• Time in Patent Office: 2,146 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/53, 482/57, 482/70, 482/79, 482/80
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0676 with crank and handles being on the same side of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. crank and handles are in front of the user
• 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 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/12 operated by both hand and foot power
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/26 characterised by rotary cranks combined with reciprocating levers

Abstract

A stationary exercising apparatus which promotes cardiovascular exercise yet minimizes impact on critical joints through the generation of a predetermined elliptical path movement while maintaining foot platforms substantially parallel with the floor. A base structure supports a pair of reciprocating members which are displaced in a horizontal direction parallel with the floor at one end yet reciprocate in circular motion at the other end through a coupling system attached to the frame. A linkage assembly is included which operates in conjunction with the reciprocation of one end of the reciprocating members to maintain the foot platforms substantially parallel with a reference plane while revolving the foot platforms in a substantially elliptical path. The apparatus may include additional linkage to facilitate a corresponding upper body exercise involving movement of the arms along a predetermined arc.

Claims

1. An apparatus for exercising comprising:

a frame having a base portion adapted to be supported by a floor;

first and second reciprocating members, each reciprocating member having a first end and a second end, a portion of said first and second reciprocating members adapted for substantially linear motion;

a coupling member having (i) a pulley supported by said frame defining a pivot axis, and (ii) means for attaching said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members to said pulley so that rotation of said pulley results in orbital movement of said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members about said pivot axis; and

means operatively associated with said reciprocating members for orienting the bottom of the foot of the user of the apparatus, said orienting means including first and second foot platforms so that during operation of the apparatus each said foot platform remains substantially parallel with a predetermined reference plane while revolving in a predetermined substantially elliptical path.

2. The exercising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a top portion adapted to provide hand support for the user of the apparatus.

3. The exercising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupler member attaching means comprises:

a first element attached at one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its other end to said second end of said first reciprocating member; and

a second element attached at one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its other end to said second end of said second reciprocating member.

4. The exercising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each reciprocating member includes means for enabling said first ends of said reciprocating members to contact said base portion.

5. The exercising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said reciprocating member includes means for enabling said first ends of said reciprocating members to contact the floor.

6. The exercising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reference plane is the floor supporting said frame.

7. The exercising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises means operatively associated with said foot platforms for linking arcuate motion of the hands of the user with the revolution of said foot platforms in said predetermined substantially elliptical path.

8. The exercising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said orienting means comprises:

a first linkage assembly having a first pair of links, a second pair of links, and a pivot plate, said first pair of links having first and second ends, said first end of at least one of said first pair of links pivotally attached between said first and second ends of said first reciprocating member proximate said first end of said first reciprocating member and said first ends of said first pair of links pivotally attached to said first foot platform and said second ends of said first pair of links pivotally attached to said pivot plate, said second pair of links having first and second ends, said first ends of said second pair of links pivotally attached to said pivot plate and at least one of said second pair of links pivotally attached to said frame; and

a second linkage assembly having a first pair of links, a second pair of links, and a pivot plate, said first pair of links of said second linkage assembly having first and second ends, said first end of at least one of said first pair of links of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached between said first and second ends of said second reciprocating member proximate said first end of said second reciprocating member, said first ends of said first pair of links of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached to said second foot platform, and said second ends of said first pair of links of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached to said pivot plate of said second linkage assembly, said second pair of links of said second linkage assembly having first and second ends, said first ends of said second pair of links of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached to said pivot plate of said second linkage assembly and at least one of said second pair of links of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached to said frame,

said second end of one of said second pair of links of said first linkage assembly and said second end of one of said second pair of links of said second linkage assembly having a handle portion so that the user of said apparatus may grip said handle portions during use of the apparatus enabling a substantially arcuate movement of said handle portions.

9. An apparatus for exercising comprising:

a frame having a base portion adapted to be supported by a floor;

first and second reciprocating members, each reciprocating member having a first end and a second end, a portion of said first and second reciprocating members adapted for substantially linear motion;

a coupling member having (i) a pulley supported by said frame defining a pivot axis, and (ii) means for pivotally attaching said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members to said pulley so that rotation of said pulley results in orbital movement of said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members about said axis; and

first and second linkage assemblies, said first linkage assembly pivotally connected proximate a first end between the first and second ends of said first reciprocating member proximate said first end of said first reciprocating member and said first linkage assembly having a second end attached to said coupling member attaching means at said first reciprocating member, said second linkage assembly pivotally connected proximate a first end between the first and second ends of said second reciprocating member proximate said first end of said second reciprocating member and said second linkage assembly having a second end attached to said coupling member attaching means at said second reciprocating member,

said first linkage assembly having a foot platform proximate said first end of said first linkage assembly and said second linkage assembly having a foot platform proximate said first end of said second linkage assembly,

wherein during use of the apparatus said foot platforms remain substantially parallel with a predetermined reference plane while revolving in a predetermined substantially elliptical path.

10. The exercise apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said apparatus further comprises means for linking arcuate motion of the hands of the user with the revolution of said foot platforms in said predetermined substantially elliptical path.

11. The exercise apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said reference plane is the floor supporting said frame.

12. An exercising apparatus comprising:

a frame having a base portion adapted to be supported by a floor;

a first linkage assembly having;

(i) a reciprocating member,

(ii) a foot member assembly, and

(iii) an arm member assembly, said reciprocating member having a first end and a second end, a portion of said reciprocating member being adapted for substantially linear movement;

a second linkage assembly having;

(i) a reciprocating member,

(ii) a foot member assembly, and

(iii) an arm member assembly, said reciprocating member of said second linkage assembly having a first end and a second end, a portion of said second linkage assembly reciprocating member being adapted for substantially linear movement; and

a coupling member having;

(i) a pulley supported by said frame defining a pivot axis; and

(ii) means for pivotally attaching said second ends of said reciprocating members to said pulley so that rotation of said pulley results in orbital movement of said second ends of said reciprocating members about said axis,

said first linkage assembly foot member assembly comprising a first foot link and a second foot link, said first foot link having first and second ends and said first foot link pivotally connected to said first linkage assembly reciprocating member proximate said first end of said first linkage assembly reciprocating member and proximate said first end of said first foot link, said second foot link having first and second ends, said first end of said second foot link attached to said coupler member attaching means at said second end of said first linkage assembly reciprocating member and said second end of said second foot link engaging said first foot link proximate said second end of said first foot link, said first foot link of said first linkage assembly foot member assembly includes a foot platform proximate said first end of said first foot link,

said second linkage assembly foot member assembly comprising a first foot link and a second foot link, said first foot link of said second foot member assembly having first and second ends, said first foot link of said second foot member assembly being pivotally connected to said second linkage assembly reciprocating member proximate said first end of said second linkage assembly reciprocating member and proximate said first end of said first foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly, said second foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly having first and second ends, said first end of said second foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly attached to said coupling member attaching means at second end of said second linkage assembly reciprocating member and said second end of said second foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly engaging said first foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly proximate said second end of said first foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly, said first foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly includes a foot platform proximate said first end of said first foot link of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly,

wherein upon operation of the apparatus, said foot platform of said first linkage assembly foot member assembly and said foot platform of said second linkage assembly foot member assembly remain substantially parallel with a predetermined reference plane while revolving in a predetermined substantially elliptical path.

13. The exercising apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said second foot link of said first and second linkage assemblies foot member assembly include a roller mounted at the second end of said second foot links to slidably engage said first foot links of said first and second linkage assemblies foot member assembly proximate said second end of said first foot links.

14. The exercising apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each said arm member assembly of said first and second linkage assemblies comprise first and second arm members pivotally interconnected and pivotally attached at one end to a reciprocating member proximate the first end of said reciprocating member and pivotally attached at the other end of said pivotally interconnected first and second arm members to said frame.

15. The exercising apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said coupler member attaching means comprises:

a first element attached at one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its other end to said second end of said first linkage assembly reciprocating member; and

a second element attached at one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its other end to said second end of said second linkage assembly reciprocating member.

16. The exercising apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each reciprocating member includes means for enabling said first ends of said reciprocating members to contact said base portion.

17. The exercising apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each said reciprocating member includes means for enabling said first ends of said reciprocating members to contact the floor.

18. The exercising apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said reference plane is the floor supporting said frame.

19. An exercising apparatus comprising:

a frame having a base portion adapted to be supported by a floor;

a first linkage assembly having a reciprocating member and a foot link, said reciprocating member having first and second ends, a portion of said reciprocating member adapted for substantially linear movement, said foot link having first and second ends, said foot link pivotally attached proximate said first end of said foot link between said first and second ends of said reciprocating member proximate said first end of said reciprocating member;

a second linkage assembly having a reciprocating member and a foot link, said reciprocating member of said second linkage assembly having first and second ends, a portion of said second linkage assembly reciprocating member adapted for substantially linear movement, said foot link of said second linkage assembly having first and second ends, said foot link of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached proximate said first end of said foot link between said first and second ends of said reciprocating member of said second linkage assembly proximate said first end of said reciprocating member of said second linkage assembly; and

a coupling member having (i) a pulley supported by said frame defining a pivot axis, and (ii) means for attaching said second ends of said reciprocating members to said pulley and said second ends of said foot links so that rotation of said pulley results in orbital movement of said second ends of said reciprocating members about said axis and in orbital movement of said second ends of said foot links about said axis while said foot platforms remain substantially parallel with a predetermined reference plane and revolves in a predetermined substantially elliptical path.

20. The exercising apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said coupler member attaching means comprises:

a first element attached to one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its other end to said second end of said reciprocating member of said first linkage assembly; and

a second element attached at one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its other end to said second end of said reciprocating member of said second linkage assembly.

21. The exercising apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said frame further comprises a top portion adapted to provide hand support for the user of the apparatus.

22. The exercising apparatus according to claim 19 wherein each reciprocating member includes means for enabling said first ends of said reciprocating members to contact said base portion.

23. The exercising apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said reference plane is the floor supporting said frame.

24. The exercising apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said second foot links of said first and second linkage assemblies include a roller mounted at said second end of said second foot links of said first and second linkage assemblies to slidably engage said second end of said first foot link of said first and second linkage assemblies.

25. An apparatus for exercising comprising:

a frame having a base portion adapted to be supported by a floor;

first and second reciprocating members, each reciprocating member having first and second ends, a portion of said first and second reciprocating members adapted for substantially linear motion;

a coupling member having (i) a pulley supported by said frame defining a pivot axis, and (ii) means for pivotally attaching said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members to said pulley so that rotation of said pulley results in orbital movement of said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members about said pivot axis;

a first linkage assembly having a first link and a second link, said first link having first and second ends, said first link pivotally attached between said first and second ends of said first reciprocating member proximate said first end of said first reciprocating member and proximate said first end of said first link, said first link including a foot platform proximate said first end of said first link and said first link including a bent portion distally from said foot platform, said second link having first and second ends, said first end of said second link attached to said coupler member attaching means at said second end of said first reciprocating member and said second end of said second link pivotally attached to said second end of said first link;

a second linkage assembly having a first link and a second link, said first link of said second linkage assembly having first and second ends, said first link of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached between said first and second ends of said second reciprocating member proximate said first end of said second reciprocating member and proximate said first end of said first link of said second linkage assembly, said first link of said second linkage assembly including a foot platform proximate said first end of said first link of said second linkage assembly and said first link of said second linkage assembly including a bent portion distally from its foot platform, said second link of said second linkage assembly having first and second ends, said first end of said second link of said second linkage assembly attached to said coupler member attaching means at said second end of said second reciprocating member and said second end of said second link of said second linkage assembly pivotally attached to said second end of said first link of said second linkage assembly,

wherein during operation of the apparatus each said foot platform remains substantially parallel with a predetermined reference plane while revolving in a predetermined substantially elliptical path.

26. The exercising apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said first links of said first and second linkage assemblies include a telescoping portion.

27. The exercising apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said coupler member attaching means comprises:

a first element attached at one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its other end to said second end of said first reciprocating member; and

a second element attached at one end to said pulley proximate said pivot axis and at its one end to said second end of said second reciprocating member.

28. The exercising apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said apparatus further comprises means for linking arcuate motion of the hands of the user with the revolution of said foot platforms in said predetermined substantially elliptical path.

29. The exercising apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said reference plane is the floor supporting said frame.

30. An apparatus for exercising comprising:

a frame having a base portion adapted to be supported by a floor;

first and second reciprocating members, each reciprocating member having a first end and a second end, a portion of said first and second reciprocating members adapted for substantially linear motion;

a coupling member having (i) a pulley supported by said frame defining a pivot axis, and (ii) means for attaching said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members to said pulley so that rotation of said pulley results in orbital movement of said second ends of said first and second reciprocating members about said pivot axis; and

first and second linkage assemblies for orienting the bottom of the foot of the user of the apparatus,

said first linkage assembly pivotally connected to said first reciprocating member and said frame and including a foot platform and said second linkage assembly pivotally connected to said second reciprocating member and said frame and including a foot platform so that during operation of the apparatus each said foot platforms remain substantially parallel with a predetermined reference plane while revolving in a predetermined substantially elliptical path.

31. An apparatus for exercising, comprising:

a coupling member having (i) a pulley defining a pivot axis and (ii) crank assemblies having distal ends and intermediate locations moving in first and second orbital paths respectively about said pivot axis,

first and second pairs of operative members comprised of at least a first operative member and a second operative member, a portion of each pair of operative members adapted for reciprocating movement,

a pair of foot platforms, each foot platform being attached to a pair of operative members,

said first operative members being operatively connected adjacent to a first end to said distal ends of said crank assemblies for orbital movement in said first orbital path, said second operative members being operatively connected to said intermediate locations of said crank assemblies such that crank assembly rotation about said pivot axis causes said foot platforms to move in a substantially elliptical path.

32. An apparatus for exercising, comprising:

a coupling member having (i) a pulley defining a pivot axis and (ii) crank assemblies having distal ends and intermediate locations moving in first and second orbital paths respectively about said pivot axis,

first and second pairs of operative members comprised of at least a first operative member and a second operative member, a portion of each pair of operative members adapted for reciprocating movement,

a pair of foot platforms, each foot platform being attached to a pair of operative members,

said first operative members being operatively connected adjacent to a first end to said distal ends of said crank assemblies for orbital movement in said first orbital path, said second operative members being operatively connected to said intermediate locations of said crank assemblies such that crank assembly rotation about said pivot axis causes said foot platforms to move in a substantially elliptical path and remain substantially parallel to a predetermined reference plane during at least a portion of the ellipse.

33. An apparatus for exercising, comprising:

a coupling member having (i) a pulley defining a pivot axis and (ii) crank assemblies having distal ends and intermediate locations moving in first and second orbital paths respectively about said pivot axis,

first and second pairs of operative members comprised of at least a first operative member and a second operative member, a portion of each pair of operative members adapted for reciprocating movement,

a pair of foot platforms, each foot platform being attached to a pair of operative members,

said first operative members being pivotally connected to said distal ends of said crank assemblies, said second operative members being pivotally connected to said intermediate locations of said crank assemblies such that crank assembly rotation about said pivot axis causes said foot platforms to move in a substantially elliptical path.

34. An apparatus for exercising, comprising:

a coupling member having (i) a pulley defining a pivot axis and (ii) crank assemblies having distal ends and intermediate locations moving in first and second orbital paths respectively about said pivot axis,

first and second pairs of operative members comprised of at least a first operative member and a second operative member, a portion of each pair of operative members adapted for reciprocating movement,

a pair of foot platforms, each foot platform being attached to a pair of operative members,

said first operative members being pivotally connected to said distal ends of said crank assemblies, said second operative members being pivotally connected to said intermediate locations of said crank assemblies such that crank assembly rotation about said pivot axis causes said foot platforms to move in a substantially elliptical path and remain substantially parallel to a predetermined reference plane during at least a portion of the ellipse.