Exercise machine

• US 7,942,787 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Ohrt, John Arthur, Duncan, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/636,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20100093499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482/57, 482/70, 482 79- 80
• 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 2022/0043 the movements of the limbs of one body half being synchronised, e.g. the left arm moving in the same direction as the left leg
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0623 Cranks of adjustable length
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/067 with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• 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 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4049 Rotational movement
• 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 22/0023 : the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0025 : Particular aspects relating to the orientation of movement paths of the limbs relative to the body; Relative relationship between the movements of the limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 : with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 : performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/36 : Speed measurement by electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03591 : Upper and lower limb moving in phase, i.e. right foot moving in the same direction as the right hand

Abstract

An exercise device providing a fore and aft horizontal component of striding motion that is dynamically user-defined, while providing a vertical component of the motion that is maintained on a predetermined vertically reciprocating path in some embodiments. The exercise device guides the user'"'"'s foot in a pseudo-elliptical stride path, while providing a dynamically variable stride length that allows the user to move with a natural stride length. The exercise device allows tall and short users to extend or curtail the stride length to match their natural stride lengths. The length of the reciprocating path is dynamically adjusted during the exercise operation without equipment adjustments by changes in the length of the stride input by the user at a pair of foot engagement pads disposed on laterally spaced apart foot support members.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a frame;

a first member and a second member operatively associated with the frame;

a first crank arm and a second crank arm operatively associated with the frame and configured to rotate about a crank axis;

a first variable stride member operatively associated with the first crank arm and the first member, the first variable stride member comprises a first link including a first cam, and the first variable stride member is operatively associated with the first crank arm by engagement of the first cam with the first crank arm;

a second variable stride member operatively associated with the second crank arm and the second member, the second variable stride member comprises a second link including a second cam, and the second variable stride member is operatively associated with the second crank arm by engagement of the second cam with the second crank arm;

a first foot engagement portion operatively associated with the first variable stride member;

a second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member;

the first member, the first crank arm, and the first variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary a travel path of the first foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride; and

the second member, the second crank arm, and the second variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary a travel path of the second foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a first swing arm and the second member comprises a second swing arm.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein:

the first link comprises a first foot link;

the second link comprises a second foot link;

the first foot engagement portion is operatively associated with the first variable stride member by supporting the first engagement portion using the first foot link; and

the second foot engagement portion is operatively associated with the second variable stride member by supporting the second engagement portion using the second foot link.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first roller supported by the first crank arm;

a second roller supported by the second crank arm;

the first cam engaged with the first crank arm via the first roller; and

the second cam engaged with the second crank arm via the second roller.

5. An exercise device, comprising:

a frame;

a first member and a second member operatively associated with the frame;

a first crank arm and a second crank arm operatively associated with the frame and configured to rotate about a crank axis;

a first variable stride member operatively associated with the first crank arm and the first member, the first variable stride member comprises a first cam member;

a second variable stride member operatively associated with the second crank arm and the second member, the second variable stride member comprises a second cam member;

the first variable stride member is operatively associated with the first crank arm by engagement of the first cam member with the first crank arm;

the second variable stride member is operatively associated with the second crank arm by engagement of the second cam member with the second crank arm;

a first foot engagement portion operatively associated with the first variable stride member;

a second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member;

the first member, the first crank arm, and the first variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary a travel path of the first foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride; and

the second member, the second crank arm, and the second variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary a travel path of the second foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride.

6. The exercise device of claim 5, further comprising:

a first roller supported by the first crank arm;

a second roller supported by the second crank arm;

the first cam member engaged with the first crank arm via the first roller; and

the second cam member engaged with the second crank arm via the second roller.

7. An exercise device, comprising:

a frame;

a first member and a second member operatively associated with the frame, the first member operatively associated with the frame by pivotally connecting the first member to the frame, and the second member operatively associated with the frame by pivotally connecting the second member to the frame;

a first crank arm and a second crank arm operatively associated with the frame and configured to rotate about a crank axis;

a first variable stride member operatively associated with the first crank arm and the first member, the first variable stride member is operatively associated with the first member by pivotally connecting the first variable stride member to the first member, first variable stride member includes a first curved surface, and the first variable stride member operatively associated with the first crank arm by engagement of the first curved surface with the first crank arm;

a second variable stride member operatively associated with the second crank arm and the second member, the second variable stride member is operatively associated with the second member by pivotally connecting the second variable stride member to the second member, the second variable stride member includes a second curved surface, and the second variable stride member is operatively associated with the second crank arm by engagement of the second curved surface with the second crank arm;

a first foot engagement portion operatively associated with the first variable stride member, the first foot engagement portion is operatively associated with the first variable stride member by supporting the first foot engagement portion using the first variable stride member;

a second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member, the second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member by supporting the second foot engagement portion using the second variable stride member;

the first member, the first crank arm, and the first variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary a travel path of the first foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride; and

the second member, the second crank arm, and the second variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary a travel path of the second foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride.

8. An exercise device, comprising:

a frame;

a first member and a second member operatively associated with the frame;

a first variable stride member operatively associated with the first member, the first variable stride member comprises a first link including a first cam;

a second variable stride member operatively associated with the second member, the second variable stride member comprises a second link including a second cam;

a first foot engagement portion operatively associated with the first variable stride member;

a second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member;

a system operatively associated with the frame, the first variable member and the second variable member;

a first roller supported by the system;

a second roller supported by the system;

the first variable stride member is operatively associated with the system by engagement of the first cam with the first roller;

the second variable stride member is operatively associated with the system by engagement of the second cam with the second roller;

the first variable stride member and the system configured to raise and lower the first foot engagement portion during movement of the first foot engagement portion through a travel path;

the second variable stride member and the system configured to raise and lower the second foot engagement portion during movement of the second foot engagement portion through a travel path;

the first member, the system, and the first variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary the travel path of the first foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride; and

the second member, the system, and the second variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary the travel path of the second foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride.

9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the first member comprises a first swing arm and the second member comprises a second swing arm.

10. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the system comprises:

a first crank arm configured to rotate about a crank axis and operatively associated with the first variable stride member;

a second crank arm configured to rotate about the crank axis and operatively associated with the second variable stride member.

11. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein:

the first link comprises a first foot link;

the second link comprises a second foot link;

the first foot engagement portion is operatively associated with the first variable stride member by supporting the first engagement portion using the first foot link; and

the second foot engagement portion is operatively associated with the second variable stride member by supporting the second engagement portion using the second foot link.

12. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a first member and a second member operatively associated with the frame;

a first variable stride member operatively associated with the first member, the first variable stride member comprises a first cam member;

a second variable stride member operatively associated with the second member, the second variable stride member comprises a second cam member;

a first foot engagement portion operatively associated with the first variable stride member;

a second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member;

a system operatively associated with the frame, the first variable member and the second variable member;

the first variable stride member operatively associated with the system by engagement of the first cam with the system;

the second variable stride member operatively associated with the system by engagement of the second cam with the system

the first variable stride member and the system configured to raise and lower the first foot engagement portion during movement of the first foot engagement portion through a travel path;

the second variable stride member and the system configured to raise and lower the second foot engagement portion during movement of the second foot engagement portion through a travel path;

the first member, the system, and the first variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary the travel path of the first foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride; and

the second member, the system, and the second variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary the travel path of the second foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride.

13. The exercise device of claim 12, further comprising:

a first roller supported by the system;

a second roller supported by the system;

the first cam engaged with the system via the first roller; and

the second cam engaged with the system via the second roller.

14. An exercise device, comprising:

a frame;

a first member and a second member operatively associated with the frame, the first member operatively associated with the frame by pivotally connecting the first member to the frame, and the second member operatively associated with the frame by pivotally connecting the second member to the frame;

a first variable stride member operatively associated with the first member;

a second variable stride member operatively associated with the second member;

a first foot engagement portion operatively associated with the first variable stride member;

a second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member;

a system operatively associated with the frame, the first variable member and the second variable member;

the first variable stride member operatively associated with the first member by pivotally connecting the first variable stride member to the first member;

the first variable stride member includes a first curved surface and the first curved stride member operatively associated with the system by engagement of the first curved surface with the system;

the second variable stride member operatively associated with the second member by pivotally connecting the second variable stride member to the second member;

the second variable stride member includes a second curved surface and the second variable stride member is operatively associated with the second crank arm by engagement of the second curved surface with the system;

the first foot engagement portion operatively associated with the first variable stride member by supporting the first foot engagement portion using the first variable stride member;

the second foot engagement portion operatively associated with the second variable stride member by supporting the second foot engagement portion using the second variable stride member;

the first variable stride member and the system configured to raise and lower the first foot engagement portion during movement of the first foot engagement portion through a travel path;

the second variable stride member and the system configured to raise and lower the second foot engagement portion during movement of the second foot engagement portion through a travel path;

the first member, the system, and the first variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary the travel path of the first foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride; and

the second member, the system, and the second variable stride member configured such that a user may dynamically vary the travel path of the second foot engagement portion by varying the user'"'"'s stride.