Variable stride exercise device

• US 7,749,137 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Warner, Patrick A., Watt, Jonathan B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/941,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20080125291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 482/52, 482/57, 482/70
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0038 One foot moving independently from the other, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• 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 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• 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 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances

Abstract

A variable stride device may include right and left foot engagement members operatively coupled to right and left cam-link assemblies, respectively. The cam-link assemblies may each be operatively coupled to a rotating member, such as a crank assembly, and to right and left swing arms, respectively. The cam-link assemblies may each include a cam member and first and second links. A user may engage the foot engagement members to move the foot engagement members in a substantially constant or variable elliptical, pseudo-elliptical or other stride path. The variable stride device may further include a resistance system for resisting movement of the foot engagement members.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

first and second rotatable members;

first and second swing members;

a first cam member operatively associated with the first rotatable member, the first cam member including a first at least partially curved rotatable member engagement surface engaged with the first rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the first rotatable member;

a second cam member operatively associated to the second rotatable member, the second cam member including a second at least partially curved rotatable member engagement surface engaged with the second rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the second rotatable member;

a first foot engagement member operatively associated with the first cam member;

a second foot engagement member operatively associated with the second cam member;

a first link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the first link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a first location between the ends of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a second link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the second link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a second location between the ends of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a third link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the third link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a third location between the ends of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member; and

a fourth link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the fourth link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a fourth location between the ends of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member;

wherein;

a user may move the first foot engagement member in a first variable pathway and may move the second foot engagement member in a second variable pathway; and

the first link member is operatively associated with the first swing member at a fifth location, the second link member is operatively associated with the first swing member at a sixth location, and a minimum distance between the first and second locations is greater than a minimum distance between the fifth and sixth locations.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and second foot engagement members are connected with the first and second cam members, respectively.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and second foot engagement members are connected with the first and third link members, respectively.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first foot engagement member includes a first end, a second end distal the first end, and a portion between the first and second ends configured for engagement with a foot of the user;

and

the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned higher than the second end of the first foot engagement member during a portion of the first variable pathway and the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned lower than the second end of the first foot engagement member during another portion of the first variable pathway.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least two risers joined to the first foot engagement member, the at least two risers positioning the first foot engagement member a predetermined distance above the first cam member.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a connection member joined to the first foot engagement member and the first cam member, the connection member positioning the first foot engagement member a predetermined distance above the first cam member.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the connection member comprises a plate.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first link member, the second link member and the first foot engagement member are configured so that an angle of the first foot engagement member relative to a horizontal plane changes as the first foot engagement member moves through the first variable pathway.

9. An exercise device comprising:

first and second rotatable members;

first and second swing members;

a first cam member operatively associated with the first rotatable member, the first cam member including a first at least partially curved rotatable member curved engagement surface engaged with the first rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the first rotatable member, the first rotatable member engagement surface including first and second ends, the first end of the first rotatable member engagement surface closer to the first swing member than the second end of the first rotatable member engagement surface;

a second cam member operatively associated with the second rotatable member, the second cam member including a second at least partially curved rotatable member engagement surface engaged with the second rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the second rotatable member, the second rotatable member engagement surface including first and second ends, the first end of the second rotatable member engagement surface closer to the second swing member than the second end of the second rotatable member engagement surface;

a first foot engagement member operatively associated with the first cam member;

a second foot engagement member operatively associated with the second cam member;

a first link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the first link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a first location farther from the first swing member than the first end of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a second link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the second link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a second location farther from the first swing member than the first end of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a third link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the third link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a third location farther from the second swing member than the first end of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member; and

a fourth link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the fourth link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a fourth location farther from the second swing member than the first end of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member;

wherein;

a user may move the first foot engagement member in a first variable pathway and may move the second foot engagement member in a second variable pathway; and

the first link member is operatively associated with the first swing member at a fifth location, the second link member is pivotally associated with the first swing member at a sixth location, and a minimum distance between the first and second locations is greater than a minimum distance between the fifth and sixth locations.

10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the first location is between the first and second ends of the first cam member.

11. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the first foot engagement member includes first and second ends, the first end of the first foot engagement member closer to the first swing member than the second end of the first foot engagement member, and the first end of the first rotatable member engagement surface closer to the first swing member than the first end of the first foot engagement member.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the first location is farther from the first swing member than the first end of the first foot engagement member.

13. The exercise device of claims 11, wherein the second location is farther from the first swing member than the first end of the first foot engagement.

14. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the second foot engagement member includes first and second ends, the first end of the second foot engagement member closer to the second swing member than the second end of the second foot engagement member, and the first end of the second rotatable member engagement surface closer to the second swing member than the first end of the second foot engagement member.

15. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the third location is farther from the second swing member than the first end of the second foot engagement member.

16. The exercise device of claims 14, wherein the fourth location is farther from the second swing member than the first end of the second foot engagement.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein the first foot engagement member is connected with the first cam member.

18. The device of claim 9, wherein the first foot engagement member is connected with the first link member.

19. The device of claim 9, wherein the first foot engagement member includes a first end, a second end distal the first end, and a portion between the first and second ends configured for engagement with a foot of the user;

and

the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned higher than the second end of the first foot engagement member during a portion of the first variable pathway and the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned lower than the second end of the first foot engagement member during another portion of the first variable pathway.

20. The device of claim 9, further comprising at least two risers joined to the first foot engagement member, the at least two risers positioning the first foot engagement member a predetermined distance above the first cam member.

21. The device of claim 9, further comprising a connection member joined to the first foot engagement member and the first cam member, the connection member positioning the first foot engagement member a predetermined distance above the first cam member.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the connection member comprises a plate.

23. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the first link member, the second link member and the first foot engagement member are configured so that an angle of the first foot engagement member relative to a horizontal plane changes as the first foot engagement member moves through the first variable pathway.

24. An exercise device comprising:

first and second rotatable members;

first and second swing members;

a first cam member operatively associated with the first rotatable member, the first cam member including a first at least partially curved rotatable member engagement surface engaged with the first rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the first rotatable member;

a second cam member operatively associated to the second rotatable member, the second cam member including a second at least partially curved rotatable member engagement surface engaged with the second rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the second rotatable member;

a first foot engagement member operatively associated with the first cam member;

a second foot engagement member operatively associated with the second cam member;

a first link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the first link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a first location between the ends of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a second link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the second link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a second location between the ends of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a third link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the third link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a third location between the ends of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member;

a fourth link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the fourth link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a fourth location between the ends of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member;

a connection member joined to the first foot engagement member and the first cam member, the connection member positioning the first foot engagement member a predetermined distance above the first cam member; and

the second link member is pivotally associated with the first cam member by pivotally connecting the second link member to the connection member, wherein;

a user may move the first foot engagement member in a first variable pathway and may move the second foot engagement member in a second variable pathway.

25. The exercise device of claim 24, wherein the first link member, the second link member and the first foot engagement member are configured so that an angle of the first foot engagement member relative to a horizontal plane changes as the first foot engagement member moves through the first variable pathway.

26. The exercise device of claim 24, wherein the first foot engagement member includes a first end, a second end distal the first end, and a portion between the first and second ends configured for engagement with a foot of the user;

and

the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned higher than the second end of the first foot engagement member during a portion of the first variable pathway and the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned lower than the second end of the first foot engagement member during another portion of the first variable pathway.

27. An exercise device comprising:

first and second rotatable members;

first and second swing members;

a first cam member operatively associated with the first rotatable member, the first cam member including a first at least partially curved rotatable member curved engagement surface engaged with the first rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the first rotatable member, the first rotatable member engagement surface including first and second ends, the first end of the first rotatable member engagement surface closer to the first swing member than the second end of the first rotatable member engagement surface;

a second cam member operatively associated with the second rotatable member, the second cam member including a second at least partially curved rotatable member engagement surface engaged with the second rotatable member and selectively movable relative to the second rotatable member, the second rotatable member engagement surface including first and second ends, the first end of the second rotatable member engagement surface closer to the second swing member than the second end of the second rotatable member engagement surface;

a first foot engagement member operatively associated with the first cam member;

a second foot engagement member operatively associated with the second cam member;

a first link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the first link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a first location farther from the first swing member than the first end of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a second link member extending from the first swing member to the first cam member, the second link member pivotally associated with the first cam member at a second location farther from the first swing member than the first end of the first rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the first swing member;

a third link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the third link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a third location farther from the second swing member than the first end of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member;

a fourth link member extending from the second swing member to the second cam member, the fourth link member pivotally associated with the second cam member at a fourth location farther from the second swing member than the first end of the second rotatable member engagement surface and operatively associated with the second swing member;

a connection member joined to the first foot engagement member and the first cam member, the connection member positioning the first foot engagement member a predetermined distance above the first cam member; and

the second link member is pivotally associated with the first cam member by pivotally connecting the second link member to the connection member, wherein;

a user may move the first foot engagement member in a first variable pathway and may move the second foot engagement member in a second variable pathway.

28. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the first link member, the second link member and the first foot engagement member are configured so that an angle of the first foot engagement member relative to a horizontal plane changes as the first foot engagement member moves through the first variable pathway.

29. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the first foot engagement member includes a first end, a second end distal the first end, and a portion between the first and second ends configured for engagement with a foot of the user;

and

the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned higher than the second end of the first foot engagement member during a portion of the first variable pathway and the first end of the first foot engagement member is positioned lower than the second end of the first foot engagement member during another portion of the first variable pathway.