Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion

• US 7,674,205 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Butler, Jaremy T., Dalebout, William T., Chatterton, N. Jeffrey, Ercanbrack, Gaylen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GINSBERG, OREN ISAAC
• Application Number:
  US11/745,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20080280731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482/57, 482/62, 482/70, 482/71, 482/908
• 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 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• 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 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

Abstract

An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion is provided. The elliptical exercise machine, which is adjustable to yield different elliptical paths selectable by a user, comprises a frame, a drive assembly situated on the frame, first and second link arms, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the drive assembly, first and second reciprocating foot supports, the first end of each foot support being pivotally interconnected to the frame, and first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket adjustably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket adjustably connects the second link arm to the second foot support.

Claims

1. An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

a frame comprising a base support structure;

a drive assembly situated on the frame;

first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected directly to the drive assembly and the second end of each link arm being movably mounted on the base support structure;

first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, wherein each foot support moves through an elliptical path;

first and second swing arms, each swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each swing arm being rotatably connected directly to the frame and the lower end of each swing arm being pivotally connected directly to the respective second end of each foot support; and

first and second selectively adjustable brackets, wherein the first bracket adjustably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, wherein pivotal movement of the first bracket relative to the first link arm and the first foot support adjusts the position of the first foot support relative to the first link arm, thereby altering the elliptical path of the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket adjustably connects the second link arm to the second foot support, wherein pivotal movement of the second bracket relative to the second link arm and the second foot support adjusts the position of the second foot support relative to the second link arm, thereby altering the elliptical path of the second foot support, wherein the first bracket has a first member and a second member pivotally connected at a first bracket joint rod, wherein the first member of the first bracket is pivotally connected to the first foot support and the second member of the first bracket is pivotally connected to the first link arm, and wherein the second bracket has a first member and a second member pivotally connected at a second bracket joint rod, wherein the first member of the second bracket is pivotally connected to the second foot support and the second member of the second bracket is pivotally connected to the second link arm.

2. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the frame has an upright support structure.

3. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the base support structure has two sides and has a guide rail on each side, and the second end of each link arm has a roller rotatably attached to it such that the second end of each link arm can engage the respective guide rail of the base support structure.

4. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly has first and second crank arms and the first end of the first link arm is pivotally connected to the first crank arm and the first end of the second link arm is pivotally connected to the second crank arm.

5. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first and second brackets are configured to yield different elliptical paths selectable by a user.

6. An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

a frame;

first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the frame;

first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, the first end of each foot support being linked to the frame; and

first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket has a first section and a second section, wherein a first end the first section is pivotally connected to a first end of the second section at a first pivot location thereby allowing the first section to move relative to the second section, a second end of the first section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first foot support at a second pivot location and a second end of the second section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first link arm at a third pivot location, wherein the first bracket movably connects the first link arm to the first foot support and provides a first elliptical path of the first foot support when the first pivot location is closer to the first end of the first link arm than the third pivot location, and wherein the first bracket provides a second elliptical path of the first foot support when the first pivot location is further away from the first end of the first link arm than the third pivot location, and wherein the second bracket has a first section and a second section, wherein a first end the first section of the second bracket is pivotally connected to a first end of the second section of the second bracket at a fourth pivot location thereby allowing the first section of the second bracket to move relative to the second section of the second bracket, a second end of the first section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second foot support at a fifth pivot location and a second end of the second section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second link arm at a sixth pivot location, wherein the second bracket movably connects the second link arm to the second foot support and provides a first elliptical path of the second foot support when the fourth pivot location is closer to the first end of the second link arm than the sixth pivot location, and wherein the second bracket provides a second elliptical path of the second foot support when the fourth pivot location is further away from the first end of the second link arm than the sixth pivot location.

7. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 6, wherein each bracket has a forward position and a rearward position, wherein each position yields a different elliptical path for each foot support and thereby a different foot motion for a user.

8. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 7, wherein the user can move each bracket between the forward position and the rearward position.

9. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 8 further comprising:

first and second knobs, each knob being connected to a respective bracket and situated such that the user can grasp the knob and move the bracket between the forward position and the rearward position.

10. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 6 further comprising:

first and second swing arms, each swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each swing arm being rotatably connected to the frame and the lower end of each swing arm being pivotally connected to the respective first end of each foot support.

11. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the frame has a base support structure and an upright support structure.

12. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the base support structure has two sides and has a guide rail on each side, and the second end of each link arm has a roller rotatably attached to it such that the second end of each link arm can engage the respective guide rail of the base support structure.

13. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 6 further comprising a drive assembly situated on the frame, wherein the drive assembly has first and second crank arms and the first end of the first link arm is pivotally connected to the first crank arm and the first end of the second link arm is pivotally connected to the second crank arm.

14. An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

a frame having a base support structure and an upright support structure;

a drive assembly situated on the frame;

first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the drive assembly, and the second end of each link arm being movably connected to the base support structure;

first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end adapted to support a foot of a user thereon during exercise and a second end, each foot support being adapted to move through an elliptical path;

first and second swing arms, each swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each swing arm being rotatably connected to the frame and the lower end of each swing arm being pivotally connected to the respective second end of each foot support; and

first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket has a first section pivotally connected to a second section, the first section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first foot support between the first and second ends of the first foot support and the second section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first link arm, wherein the first bracket movably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket has a first section and a second section, the first section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second foot support between the first and second ends of the second foot support and the second section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second link arm, wherein the second bracket movably connects the second link arm to the second foot support,

wherein the first bracket and second brackets are adapted to selectively alter the elliptical path of each of the foot supports.

15. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 14, wherein each bracket has a forward position and a rearward position, wherein each position yields a different elliptical path for each foot support and thereby a different foot motion for a user, and wherein the first bracket is in (i) the first configuration when in the forward position and (ii) the second configuration when in the rearward position, and wherein the second bracket is in (i) the third configuration when in the forward position and (ii) the fourth configuration when in the rearward position.

16. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 15, wherein the user can move each bracket between the forward position and the rearward position.

17. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 16 further comprising:

first and second knobs, each knob being connected to a respective bracket and situated such that the user can grasp the knob and move the bracket between the forward position and the rearward position.

18. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the first bracket is adapted to selectively adjust the position of the first foot support relative to the first link arm to alter the elliptical path of the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket is adapted to selectively adjust the position of the second foot support relative to the second link arm to alter the elliptical path of the second foot support.

19. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the base support structure has two sides and has a guide rail on each side, and the second end of each link arm has a roller rotatably attached to it such that the second end of each link arm can engage the respective guide rail of the base support structure.

20. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the drive assembly has first and second crank arms and the first end of the first link arm is pivotally connected to the first crank arm and the first end of the second link arm is pivotally connected to the second crank arm.

21. An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

a frame;

first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the frame;

first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, the first end of each foot support being linked to the frame;

first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket pivotally connects the first link arm with the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket pivotally connects the second link arm with the second foot support, wherein each bracket is adjustable between a forward position and a rearward position relative to its respective link arm while maintaining pivotal securement to a respective foot support and link arm, wherein each bracket can be selectively moved relative to its respective link arm, and wherein each position yields a different elliptical path for each foot support and thereby a different foot motion for a user; and

wherein, when the exercise machine is positioned on a support surface for use by a user, the connection between the first bracket and the first foot support is above the connection between the first bracket and the first link arm, and the connection between the second bracket and the second foot support is above the connection between the second bracket and the second link arm.

22. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 21, wherein the user can move each bracket between the forward position and the rearward position.

23. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 22 further comprising:

first and second knobs, each knob being connected to a respective bracket and situated such that the user can grasp the knob and move the bracket between the forward position and the rearward position.

24. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 21 further comprising:

first and second swing arms, each swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each swing arm being rotatably connected to the frame and the lower end of each swing arm being pivotally connected to the respective first end of each foot support.

25. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 21, wherein the frame has a base support structure and an upright support structure.

26. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 25, wherein the base support structure has two sides and has a guide rail on each side, and the second end of each link arm has a roller rotatably attached to it such that the second end of each link arm can engage the respective guide rail of the base support structure.

27. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 21 further comprising a drive assembly situated on the frame, wherein the drive assembly has first and second crank arms and the first end of the first link arm is pivotally connected to the first crank arm and the first end of the second link arm is pivotally connected to the second crank arm.

28. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 21, wherein the first bracket has a first member and a second member pivotally connected at a first bracket joint rod, wherein the first member of the first bracket is pivotally connected to the first foot support and the second member of the first bracket is pivotally connected to the first link arm, and wherein the second bracket has a first member and a second member pivotally connected at a second bracket joint rod, wherein the first member of the second bracket is pivotally connected to the second foot support and the second member of the second bracket is pivotally connected to the second link arm.

29. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 22 further comprising:

first and second springs, each spring being connected to a respective bracket and situated such that the springs will facilitate movement of each bracket between the forward position and the rearward position.

30. The elliptical exercise machine of claim 21, wherein:

the first bracket comprises a first movable section and a first clamp pivotally linked together by a first bracket plate; and

the second bracket comprises a second movable section and a second clamp pivotally linked together by a second bracket plate.

31. An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

a frame;

a drive assembly situated on the frame;

first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the drive assembly;

first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, the first end of each foot support being pivotally interconnected to the frame;

first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket adjustably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket adjustably connects the second link arm to the second foot support;

wherein a user can selectively alter an elliptical path of the first reciprocating foot support by lifting the first foot support thereby causing the first bracket to pivot relative to the frame between a first configuration and at least a second configuration; and

wherein a user can selectively alter an elliptical path of the second reciprocating foot support by lifting the second foot support thereby causing the second bracket to pivot relative to the frame between a third configuration and at least a fourth configuration.

32. An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

a frame comprising a base support structure;

a drive assembly situated on the frame;

first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected directly to the drive assembly and the second end of each link arm being movably mounted on the base support structure;

first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, wherein each foot support moves through an elliptical path;

first and second swing arms, each swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each swing arm being rotatably connected directly to the frame and the lower end of each swing arm being pivotally connected directly to the respective second end of each foot support;

first and second selectively adjustable brackets, wherein the first bracket adjustably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, wherein pivotal movement of the first bracket relative to the first link arm and the first foot support adjusts the position of the first foot support relative to the first link arm, thereby altering the elliptical path of the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket adjustably connects the second link arm to the second foot support, wherein pivotal movement of the second bracket relative to the second link arm and the second foot support adjusts the position of the second foot support relative to the second link arm, thereby altering the elliptical path of the second foot support, wherein each bracket has a forward position and a rearward position, wherein each position of the first bracket yields a different elliptical path for the first foot support and each position of the second bracket yields a different elliptical path for the second foot support and thereby a different foot motion for a user, wherein the user can move each bracket between the forward position and the rearward position; and

first and second knobs, each knob being connected to a respective bracket and situated such that the user can grasp the knob and move the respective bracket between the forward position and the rearward position to alter the elliptical path of the respective foot support.