ELLIPTICAL MOTION EXERCISER

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment and, more specifically, to embodiments of an elliptical motion exerciser.

[0002] Elliptical exercisers have been marketed since the 1990s. Although a variety of such devices have been introduced, they all share many common characteristics. An elliptical exerciser is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate stair climbing, skiing, walking or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries. It offers a non-impact, weight-bearing cardiovascular workout that can vary from light to high intensity based on the speed of the exercise and the resistance preference set by the user.

[0003] The present invention provides an improved apparatus for cardiovascular exercise. Pedals for supporting the user are suspended from the frame of the apparatus. A flywheel and crank arms provide a striding motion with a fixed, dependant horizontal motion range. This striding motion may also be adjustable by having variable adjustments for the length of the cranks. A flexible link connecting the pedals provides variable, dependant vertical motion range controlled and defined by the user or by resistance. The user can do a vertical stepping motion, a back and forth ski motion, or variable elliptical motions by simply changing the user's stride. The pedals follow the user's foot motion. By adjusting certain components, the linkage encourages several types of elliptical motions and an inclined arc motion. As the user strides horizontally, the flywheel and crank arms control the range of the horizontal motion, but vertical motion is controlled by the force of the user within a limited range. This provides a better cardiovascular workout than just following a fixed path because the user has to control the motion and can vary the motion to exercise different muscles or exercise the same muscles differently.

[0004] In one embodiment, an exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention comprising a frame, a crank rotatably coupled to the frame, the crank having left and right crank arms, and left and right exercise assemblies. Each of the exercise assemblies comprises a pedal link having forward and rearward portions, a foot pedal coupled to the rearward portion of the pedal link, a rocker link having upper and lower portions, the lower portion pivotally coupled to the forward end of the pedal link and the upper portion pivotally coupled to the frame, and a driver link having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion of the driver link pivotally coupled to a respective crank arm and the rearward portion of the driver link pivotally coupled to the pedal link. The apparatus further comprises at least one flexible connecting member coupled to the left and right pedal links and a pivoting assembly mounted on the frame receiving said at least one flexible connecting member. The left and right foot pedals reciprocate forwardly and rearwardly in coordination with rotation of the crank and the left and right foot pedals reciprocate upwardly and downwardly in coordination with rotation of the pivoting assembly.

[0005] In another embodiment, an exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a frame, a crank rotatably coupled to the frame, the crank having left and right crank arms, and left and right exercise assemblies. Each exercise assembly comprises a pedal link having forward and rearward portions, a foot pedal coupled to the rearward portion of the pedal link, a rocker link having upper and lower portions, the lower portion pivotally coupled to the forward end of the pedal link and the upper portion pivotally coupled to the frame, and a driver link having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion of the driver link pivotally coupled to a respective crank arm and the rearward portion of the driver link pivotally coupled to the pedal link. The apparatus further comprises at least one flexible connecting member coupled to the left and right driver links and a pivoting assembly mounted on the frame receiving said at least one flexible connecting member. The left and right foot pedals reciprocate forwardly and rearwardly in coordination with rotation of the crank and the left and right foot pedals reciprocate upwardly and downwardly in coordination with rotation of the pivoting assembly.

[0034] In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

[0035] A first embodiment of the present invention will be generally described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Exercise apparatus 10 has a frame 12 for supporting the apparatus on a floor surface. The apparatus has a pair of foot platforms or pedals 14L, 14R on which a user stands to perform exercises with the apparatus. The pedals are attached to respective pedal links 16L, 16R. These pedal links are pivotally attached at their forward ends to respective rocker links 17L, 17R. The rocker links are pivotally attached at their upper ends to the frame 12. Pedal Links 16L, 16R have upwardly projecting ears 18L, 18R, respectively. Driver links 20L, 20R are pivotally coupled to the pedal ears 18L, 18R, respectively. Forward ends of driver links 20L, 20R are pivotally coupled to crank arms 22L, 22R, respectively. The crank arms are coupled to flywheel 24, which is rotatably mounted on frame 12.

[0036] Flexible members 26L, 26R are connected to the rear of pedal Links 16L, 16R, respectively. The flexible members are guided over pulleys 28L, 28R and pass through hollow frame members 30L, 30R. The flexible members exit the forward ends of the hollow frame members and pass around pulleys 32L, 32R. Flexible members 26L, 26R are attached to pivoting assembly 52, which will be more fully explained below.

[0037] Exercise arms 36L, 36R are attached to respective rocker links 17L, 17R to provide optional upper body exercise while using apparatus 10. A fixed handgrip 38 is provided if the user of the apparatus wishes to exercise only the lower body. Handgrip 38 and, optionally, forearm rests (not shown) help the user to work the glutes and hamstrings when pushing back on the pedals. Panel 40 is placed in a position to be easily viewed by the user of the apparatus and may be made adjustable in height to give the user an unobstructed view forward for watching TV or enjoying the surroundings. Controls and displays for operation of the apparatus are mounted on panel 40. A support for reading material may be attached to frame 12 in the vicinity of panel 40 and may be made foldable for storage when not in use.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, flexible members 26L, 26R are attached to pivoting assembly 52 as mentioned above. Alternatively, a single continuous flexible member may be attached to pivoting assembly 52 with each end of the flexible member connected to a respective pedal. Carriage 34 is slidably coupled to rails 50L, 50R, which are mounted on pivoting assembly 52. Pivoting assembly 52 is mounted on the apparatus frame 12 to pivot about axis 54. Lever 56 is attached to the pivoting assembly 52 and is disposed between elastomeric springs 58L, 58R, which are mounted on the apparatus frame. Pivotal displacement of the pivoting assembly 52 is resisted by the elastomeric springs, which, in the absence of forces applied through flexible members 26L, 26R, maintain the pivoting assembly 52 in a centered position. During use of the exercise apparatus in the manner described below, forces are transmitted through flexible links 26L, 26R to pull the carriage 34, and hence the entire pivoting assembly 52, alternately from side to side. Member 56 alternately compresses the springs 58L, 58R.

[0039] As mentioned above, carriage 34 is mounted on rails 50L, 50R and is movable thereon toward and away from axis 54. Pivoting assembly 52 includes a mechanism, such as a screw and follower, so that the position of carriage 34 may be controlled by the user of the apparatus.

[0040] In order to exercise on apparatus 10, the user stands on pedals 14L, 14R and grasps either arms 36L, 36R or handle bar 38. As the user exerts forward and/or backward pressure on the pedals, the movement of the pedals is coordinated by rotation of crank arms 22L, 22R, which results in a natural striding motion. Adjustable mechanical or electromechanical resistance may be provided to impose a braking effect on the rotation of flywheel 24 to increase the exercise workout.

[0041] The user can exercise with just a simple forward and backward striding motion or can add a vertical component to the motion by pushing downwardly on the pedals. Adding such a vertical component of motion results in the pedals moving in an elliptical path. Vertical motion of the pedals is coordinated by flexible members 26L, 26R and the pivotal motion of pivoting assembly 52. Downward force applied by the foot of the user is transmitted through the corresponding flexible member and is applied to carriage 34. This results in a torque about axis 54 that is linearly related to the distance between carriage 34 and axis 54. This torque results in rotational displacement of the pivoting assembly, which lifts the opposite pedal. Displacement of the pivoting assembly is opposed by compression of elastomeric spring 58L or 58R. As the user releases downward force on the pedal, the compressed elastomeric spring urges the pivoting assembly toward a centered position and the flexible member returns the pedal to its neutral vertical position.

[0042] If the carriage 34 is moved closer to axis 54, the torque applied to the pivoting assembly 52 about axis 54 is reduced for any given force applied to the carriage by one of the flexible members. However, the opposing torque resulting from compression of the elastomeric spring remains constant. This results in a reduced rotational displacement of the pivoting assembly and, therefore, a reduced displacement of the pedal. As the carriage is moved closer to axis 54, the torque applied to the pivoting assembly is reduced. If the carriage is positioned so that the ends of the flexible members align with axis 54, the torque is reduced to zero, thereby resulting in no pivotal displacement of the pivoting assembly and no vertical displacement of the pedals. This effect on the path of motion of the pedals is illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0043] An alternative arrangement of the pivoting assembly using coil extension springs in lieu of elastomeric springs is illustrated in FIG. 8. The pivoting assembly includes a crossmember 60 to which first ends of springs 62L, 62R, 63L and 63R are attached. The opposite ends of the springs are attached to stationary frame member 64. As with the elastomeric springs in the previously described embodiment, springs 62L, 62R, 63L and 63R oppose pivotal movement of the pivoting assembly and hold it centered when no external forces are applied through the flexible members.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment employing extension springs, the flexible members 26L, 26R may be secured to a fixed structure rather than to a carriage. In this case, the distance from the flexible members to the pivot axis remains constant. The attachment points of the springs to the pivoting assembly may be adjusted toward or away from the pivot axis. By moving the attachment points closer to the pivot axis, the torque exerted by the springs in opposition to pivotal movement of the pivoting assembly is reduced, whereas moving the attachment points away from the pivot axis increases the opposing torque. Movement of the spring attachment points thus adjusts the resistance to downward motion of the pedals. Lower resistance allows the pedals to follow a more elliptical path of motion, whereas higher resistance reduces the vertical displacement of the pedals.

[0045] Adjustable range limiters may be provided to set the vertical travel limits of the pedals. Such limits do not define the path of motion of the pedals since that is controlled by the amount of downward force exerted by the user; however, as a safety precaution, the range limiters define the maximum vertical displacement of the pedals.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the pivoting assembly. Flexible members 26L, 26R are attached to pulley 310, which rotates about pivot axis 312. If pulley 310 is circular, the distance between the flexible members and the pivot axis remains constant. A secondary flywheel 314 is coupled to pulley 310 by belt 316. A brake 318 resists rotation of the secondary flywheel, which thereby controls deflection of the pivoting assembly and hence provides resistance to vertical movement of the pedals. The braking effort applied by brake 318 may be adjusted by the user to furnish a desired level of exercise resistance and also to compensate for the weight of the user.

[0047] Another alternative embodiment of the pivoting assembly is illustrated in FIG. 10. Here, pivoting assembly 320 is coupled to secondary flywheel 322 by belt 324. Again, rotation of the secondary flywheel is resisted by brake 326, which in this case is a magnetic brake.

[0048] A further alternative arrangement of the pivoting assembly is illustrated in FIG. 11A. Pivoting assembly 66 is coupled to pulley 68. Pivoting assembly 66 includes a shaped cam 67, to which the ends of flexible members 26L, 26R are attached. As in the previously described embodiments that employ a secondary flywheel, the flexible members 26L, 26R are not attached to a carriage. The distance from the flexible members to the pivot axis 54 is dictated by the shape of cam 67. Belt 70 wraps around pulley 68 and drives secondary flywheel 72. The inertia of flywheel 72 resists pivotal movement of the pivoting assembly and hence provides resistance to vertical motion of the pedals.

[0049] Yet a further alternative arrangement of the pivoting assembly is illustrated in FIG. 11B. In this configuration, flexible members 26L, 26R are wrapped around a shaped cam 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the effective diameter of the cam 300 is significantly smaller than in the previously described pivoting assemblies. Therefore, the distance from the shaped cam axis 301 to the flexible members 26L, 26R is much smaller. Consequently, to achieve a range of vertical pedal motion comparable to the previously described embodiments, the shaped cam 300 will need to rotate through a much greater angle than in the previously described versions. In this configuration, the force of the user on the pedals 114R, 114L will apply a much smaller torque about the shaped cam axis 301. This allows a flywheel 302 and brake mechanism 303 to be mounted directly to the shaped cam axis without the need for any pulley arrangement or additional gearing.

[0050] Angular displacement of the shaped cam 300 is opposed by a spring plate assembly 304, which is mounted to rotate about a spring plate assembly pivot axis 305. The spring plate assembly 304 is operationally associated with the shaped cam 300 such that it may move through a much smaller angular displacement. This can be achieved via a chain-and-sprocket arrangement or gearbox. Displacement of the spring plate assembly 304 is opposed by compression of elastomeric spring 58L or 58R such that the spring plate 304, and by association the shaped cam 300, remain in a centered position.

[0051] Flexible members 26L, 26R may be flat, narrow straps of steel or Kevlar reinforced urethane or other suitable material. Alternatively, the flexible members may be round cross-section cables of high tensile strength material, such as steel, nylon or other polymers or natural fibers. In other embodiments of the invention, the flexible members may be replaced with a system of pivotal levers connecting the pedals to the frame of the apparatus. Linkages between the left and right pivotal levers are provided to coordinate the vertical movement of the pedals. The pivotal levers may be coupled to one or more devices for providing fixed or adjustable resistance to movement of the pedals, such as springs, elastomeric members, weights or a flywheel. Adjustable resistance allows the vertical decent of the pedals to be controlled in relation to the individual user's weight. Here again, adjustable range limiters may be provided to set the vertical travel limits of the pedals.

[0052] The starting height of the pedals may be made adjustable by lengthening or shortening the flexible members 26L, 26R. Shortening the flexible members shortens the radius of swing about pulleys 28L, 28R, which results in more rise at the front of the elliptical path of motion, i.e., the elliptical path is more inclined. This provides the user with the sensation of running uphill. This effect can be seen by comparing FIG. 12 with FIG. 13. The lengthened flexible members in FIG. 12 result in a more horizontally aligned elliptical path of motion as shown by the dashed line. The shortened flexible members in FIG. 13 result in a more inclined elliptical path of motion as again shown by the dashed line.

[0053] A stepper motor or similar device may be used to adjust the length of the flexible members. FIG. 14 illustrates a pivoting assembly 80 with a movable carriage 82. Flexible members 26L, 26R are guided around pulleys 84L, 84R, respectively and attached to carriage 82. Moving the carriage rearwardly draws in the flexible members, raises the pedal height and provides a more inclined path of motion. Carriage 82 may be controlled to move forward and lower the pedals to a default position for ease of entry and exit at the end of each exercise routine.

[0054] Another way to provide an inclined path of motion is to make the driver links between the pedals and crank arms adjustable in length. Referring to FIG. 15, the rear portion of driver link 86R, which connects to the respective pedal, telescopes in and out of the forward portion and is secured at a desired position with pin 88. Shortening the driver links brings the pedals forward and consequently raises the pedal as the flexible members 26L, 26R pivot about respective pulleys 28L, 28R. This inclines the elliptical path of motion as shown in FIG. 16.

[0055] Yet another way to incline the pedal paths of motion is to simply raise the front of the entire apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 17, much as conventional treadmills may be inclined.

[0056] Still another way to incline the pedal paths of motion is to move the flywheel and crank arms longitudinally forward. As with shortening the driver links, this brings the pedals forward with respect to the flexible member pulleys, thereby inclining the path of motion as shown in FIG. 18. The flywheel may be attached to the frame of the apparatus on a pivot arm that can tilt forward or on a carriage that slides back and forth.

[0057] FIGS. 19-21 show another embodiment of the invention. Whereas the flexible members connect to the pedals in the embodiment previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-3, the flexible members 126L, 126R of apparatus 100 are attached to respective driver links 120L, 120R. Exercise apparatus 100 has a frame 112 for supporting the apparatus on a floor surface. The apparatus has a pair of foot platforms or pedals 114L, 114R on which a user stands to perform exercises with the apparatus. The pedals are attached to respective pedal links 116L, 116R. These pedal links are pivotally attached at their forward ends to respective rocker links 117L, 117R. The rocker links are pivotally attached at their upper ends to the frame 112. Driver links 120L, 120R have pivot pins 119L, 119R extending transversely through the ends of the pedal links. The forward ends of driver links 120L, 120R are pivotally coupled to crank arms 122L, 122R, respectively. The crank arms are coupled to flywheel 124, which is rotatably mounted on frame 112.

[0058] As mentioned above, flexible members 126L, 126R are connected to the driver links at the outboard ends of pivot pins 119L, 119R, respectively. The rotational movement of the driver link about pivot pins 119L, 119R causes take up and let out of the flexible members on their attachment cam. This causes the pedal movement to form an ellipse with forward and backward movement of the pedals even when the flexible members are not traveling through the system, thus not causing rotation of pivoting assembly 152. The flexible members are guided over pulleys 128L, 128R and pass through hollow frame members 130L, 130R. The flexible members exit the forward ends of the hollow frame members and pass around pulleys 132L, 132R. The flexible members are attached to pivoting assembly 152, which may be configured in accordance with any of the previously described embodiments, including with or without a carriage and with or without a flywheel.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 22, the point where flexible members 126L, 126R are attached to the driver links may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the driver link pivot pins 119L, 119R. Trays 121L, 121R are attached to the respective pivot pins. The ends of the flexible members are attached to adjustment members 123L, 123R, which slide within the respective trays and may be adjusted to fit within one of a plurality of notches in the sides of the trays. If the connection points are adjusted rearward from the driver link pivots, the pedals will tend to follow a generally open elliptical path of motion as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 23. If the connection points are adjusted more forwardly, but still rearward of the driver link pivots, the pedals will tend to follow a flatter inclined elliptical path as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 24. If the connection points are adjusted to forward of the driver link pivots, each pedal will tend to follow the forward and upward arc of the attached end of the flexible member pivoting about the respective pulley 128L or 128R. The user has a tendency to push down through the inclining motion and follow the path of motion to which the pedal is mechanically constrained, with the result that the pedals will generally follow an inclined arc as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 25.

[0060] A more compact version of the above-described apparatus 100 is shown in FIGS. 26-27. Apparatus 200 is functionally the same as apparatus 100, but has a simplified frame 212 and reconfigured flexible members 226L, 226R. The flexible members are connected to the driver link pivot pins and are guided up over pulleys 201L, 201R, then down around pulleys 203L, 203R below the pedals. The flexible members are then connected to pivoting assembly 252, which is also below the pedals.

[0061] It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.