Free stride elliptical exercise apparatus

• US 20110065551A1
• Filed: 11/16/2009
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul William Eschenbach
• Original Assignee: Paul William Eschenbach
• Inventors: Eschenbach, Paul William
• Granted Patent: US 7,938,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 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 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• 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 22/0015 with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0017 the adjustment being controlled by movement of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. The exercise apparatus is easy to start and has generally elliptical shaped curves throughout stride variations.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising;

a framework, said framework configured to be supported on a generally horizontal surface;

a pair of crank arms, said crank arms being connected to rotate about a pivot axis on said framework;

a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a foot engaging pedal attached;

a pair of support links, each said support link pivotally connected to a respective said crank arm and a respective said foot support member;

a pair of tracks, said tracks attached to said framework;

a pair of rollers, each said roller pivotally connected to a respective said foot support member and in rollable contact with a respective said track;

a pair of handles for arm exercise, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework;

a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a respective said handle and to a respective said support link;

a crossover assembly, said crossover assembly operably associated with said handles to cause one said handle to move in a direction opposed to the other said handle;

said pedals configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of an operator is rotating said crank arms whereby said pedals follow an elongate curve path wherein the stride length of said elongate curve path is determined by the movement of said operator.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongate curve path is generally elliptical in shape.

3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said crossover assembly comprises:

a crossover member, said crossover member pivotally connected to said framework intermediate the ends of said crossover member;

a pair of crossing links, each said crossing link pivotally connected to one end of said crossover member and to a respective said handle whereby forward movement of one said handle causes the rearward movement of the other said handle.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel operably associated with said crank arms.

5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a load resistance device, said load resistance device operably associated with said crank arms.

6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said load resistance device is adjustable to vary the intensity of exercise.

7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a load actuator, said load actuator operably associated with said load resistance device and a control system to vary the intensity of exercise during operation of said exercise apparatus.

8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a track actuator, said track actuator operably associated with said tracks and a control system to vary the intensity of exercise during operation of said exercise apparatus.

9. An exercise apparatus comprising;

a framework, said framework configured to be supported on a generally horizontal surface;

a pair of crank arms, said crank arms being connected to rotate about a pivot axis on said framework;

a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a foot engaging pedal attached;

a pair of support links, each said support link pivotally connected to a respective said crank arm and a respective said foot support member;

a pair of tracks, said tracks attached to said framework;

a pair of rollers, each said roller pivotally connected to a respective said foot support member and in rollable contact with a respective said track;

a pair of handles for arm exercise, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework;

a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a respective said handle and to a respective said support link;

a crossover member, said crossover member pivotally connected to said framework intermediate the ends of said crossover member;

a pair of crossing links, each said crossing link pivotally connected to one end of said crossover member and to a respective said handle such that forward movement of one said handle causes the rearward movement of the other said handle;

said pedals configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of an operator is rotating said crank arms whereby said pedals follow an elongate curve path wherein the stride length of said elongate curve path is determined by the movement of said operator.

10. The exercise apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel operably associated with said crank arms.

11. The exercise apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a load resistance device, said load resistance device operably associated with said crank arms.

12. The exercise apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said load resistance device is adjustable to vary the intensity of exercise.

13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a load actuator, said load actuator operably associated with said load resistance device and a control system to vary the intensity of exercise during operation of said exercise apparatus.

14. An exercise apparatus comprising;

a framework, said framework configured to be supported on a generally horizontal surface;

a pair of crank arms, said crank arms being connected to rotate about a pivot axis on said framework;

a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;

a pair of support links, each said support link pivotally connected to a respective said crank arm and a respective said foot support member to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have a generally up and down movement;

a pair of tracks, said tracks attached to said framework;

a pair of rollers, each said roller pivotally connected to a respective said foot support member and in rollable contact with a respective said track to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a generally back and forth movement;

a pair of handles for arm exercise, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework rearward of said pivot axis;

a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a respective said handle and to a respective said support link;

a crossover assembly, said crossover assembly operably associated with said handles to cause one said handle to move in a direction opposed to the other said handle;

said pedals configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of an operator is rotating said crank arms whereby said pedals follow an elongate curve path wherein the stride length of said elongate curve path is determined by the range of movement of said handles.

15. The exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said foot support member is configured with said pedal on one end and said first portion at the other end with said second portion intermediate the ends.

16. The exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said crossover assembly comprises:

a crossover member, said crossover member pivotally connected to said framework intermediate the ends of said crossover member;

a pair of crossing links, each said crossing link pivotally connected to one end of said crossover member and to a respective said handle whereby forward movement of one said handle causes the rearward movement of the other said handle.

17. The exercise apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel operably associated with said crank arms and a load resistance device, said load resistance device operably associated with said flywheel.

18. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said load resistance device is adjustable to vary the intensity of exercise.

19. The exercise apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a load actuator, said load actuator operably associated with said load resistance device and a control system to vary the intensity of exercise during operation of said exercise apparatus.

20. The exercise apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a track actuator, said track actuator operably associated with said tracks and a control system to vary the intensity of exercise during operation of said exercise apparatus.