Rowing machine with elliptical seat motion

• US 7,141,008 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Krull
• Original Assignee: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns, Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A., Maresh, Joseph D., Stearns, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/786,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20050187073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482/57, 482/70, 482 79- 80, 482 72- 73
• US Class Current: 482/70
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/062 by pulling on a cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/066 with handlebars rotating about a horizontal axis
• 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 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/06 for rowing or sculling

Abstract

An elliptical motion rowing machine includes a frame, a linkage assembly movably mounted on the frame in such a manner that a portion of the linkage assembly moves through an elliptical path, and a seat mounted on that portion. A foot platform is preferably provided to support a person'"'"'s feet, and handlebars are preferably provided to support a person'"'"'s hands. The handlebars may be movably mounted on the frame, and may also be connected to the linkage assembly for synchronized movement with the seat.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;

a crank rotatably mounted on the frame;

a seat; and

a seat supporting linkage assembly connected to the seat and movably interconnected between the crank and the frame in a manner that links rotation of the crank to movement of the seat through an elliptical path.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one foot support mounted on the frame in a manner that provides a foot receiving surface facing toward the seat.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one handlebar movably mounted on the frame, and having a hand grip portion disposed within reach of a person sitting on the seat.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the handlebar is pivotally mounted on the frame and connected to the linkage assembly in a, manner that, links rotation of the crank to pivoting of the handlebar.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linkage assembly includes a rocker link pivotally mounted on the frame, and a seat supporting link movably interconnected between the rocker link and the crank.

6. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;

a crank rotatably mounted on the frame;

a seat; and

an interconnecting means for movably interconnecting the seat between the crank and the frame in a manner that links rotation of the crank to elliptical movement of the seat.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one foot support mounted on the frame in a manner that provides a foot receiving surface facing toward the seat.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one handlebar movably mounted on the frame, and having a hand grip portion disposed within reach of a person sitting on the seat.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the handlebar is pivotally mounted on the frame and connected to the interconnecting means in a manner that links rotation of the crank to pivoting of the handlebar.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein the interconnecting means includes a rocker link pivotally mounted on the frame, and a seat supporting link movably interconnected between the rocker link and the crank.

11. An elliptical motion rowing machine, comprising:

a frame;

a linkage assembly movably mounted on the frame in such a manner that a portion of the linkage assently moves through an elliptical path; and

a seat mounted on the portion, thereby defining at least one point of overlap that moves through an elliptical path.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one foot support mounted on the frame in a manner that provides a foot receiving surface facing toward the seat.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one handlebar movably mounted on the frame, and having a hand grip portion disposed within reach of a person sitting on the seat.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the handlebar is pivotally mounted on the frame and connected to the linkage assembly in a manner that links rotation of the crank to pivoting of the handlebar.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the linkage assembly includes a rocker link pivotally mounted on the frame, a crank rotatably mounted on the frame, and a seat supporting link movably interconnected between the rocker link and the crank.

16. On an exercise rowing machine of a type having a seat movably mounted on a frame, the improvement comprising an elliptical motion linkage assembly interconnected between the seat and the frame in a manner that guides at least a portion of the seat through an elliptical path of motion.

17. An elliptical motion rowing machine, consisting essentially of:

a frame;

a crank rotatably mounted on the frame;

a rocker link pivotally mounted on the frame;

a connecting link movably interconnected between the rocker link and the crank in such a manner that a portion of the connecting link moves through an elliptical path;

a seat mounted on said portion thereby defining at least one point of interconnection that moves through an elliptical path; and

a foot platform mounted on the frame forward of the seat.

18. The elliptical motion rowing machine of claim 17, further comprising a handle movably connected to the frame.

19. The elliptical motion rowing machine of claim 18, wherein the handle is linked to the crank.

20. The elliptical motion rowing machine of claim 19, wherein the handle is part of a rigid bar that is pivotally mounted on the frame and connected to the connecting link.

21. The elliptical motion rowing machine of claim 17, wherein the foot platform is movably connected to the frame.

22. The elliptical motion rowing machine of claim 21, wherein the foot platform movably connected to the crank.

23. The elliptical motion rowing machine of claim 17, further comprising force receiving means for receiving user supplied force to facilitate over center movement of the seat.