Exercise Methods and Apparatus

The present invention relates to exercise methods and apparatus and more particularly, to exercise equipment which facilitates exercise through a curved path of motion.

Exercise equipment has been designed to facilitate a variety of exercise motions. For example, treadmills allow a person to walk or run in place; stepper machines allow a person to climb in place; bicycle machines allow a person to pedal in place; and other machines allow a person to skate and/or stride in place. Yet another type of exercise equipment has been designed to facilitate relatively more complicated exercise motions and/or to better simulate real life activity. Such equipment typically uses some sort of linkage assembly to convert a relatively simple motion, such as circular, into a relatively more complex motion, such as elliptical. Some examples of such equipment may be found in United States patents which are disclosed in an Information Disclosure Statement submitted herewith.

Exercise equipment has also been designed to facilitate full body exercise. For example, reciprocating cables or pivoting arm poles have been used on many of the equipment types discussed in the preceding paragraph to facilitate contemporaneous upper body and lower body exercise. Some examples of such equipment may be found in United States patents which are disclosed in an Information Disclosure Statement submitted herewith.

The present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. In particular, a support member is pivotally mounted to a frame, and a force receiving member is movably mounted on the support member. A roller is rotatably mounted on a crank to support an opposite end of the support member and move the support member up and down in response to rotation of the flywheel. A link is interconnected between the flywheel and the force receiving member to move the force receiving member back and forth along the support member in response to rotation of the flywheel. Thus, as the flywheel rotates, the linkage assembly constrains the force receiving member to travel through a generally elliptical path, having a relatively longer major axis and a relatively shorter minor axis.

In another respect, the present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for linking reciprocal motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. In particular, a handle member may be pivotally connected to a frame member; and a second link may be rotatably interconnected between the force receiving member and a discrete, relatively lower portion of the handle member. As the force receiving member moves through its generally elliptical path, the handle member pivots back and forth relative to the frame member.

In yet another respect, the present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for adjusting the angle of the generally elliptical path of motion relative to a horizontal surface on which the apparatus rests. In particular, the support member may be pivotally mounted to a first frame member which is selectively locked in any of a plurality of positions relative to a second frame member. An increase in the elevation of the first frame member and thus, the height of the pivot axis, results in a relatively more strenuous, "uphill" exercise motion.

With reference to the Figures of the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a top view of part of the linkage assembly on the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a second, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6C is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a third, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6D is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a fourth, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6E is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a fifth, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6F is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a sixth, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6G is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a seventh, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6H is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing an eighth, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6I is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a ninth, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 6J is a top view of a linkage assembly similar to that of FIG. 6A, showing a tenth, discrete arrangement of the linkage assembly components;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment exercise apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another alternative embodiment exercise apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment exercise apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of an elevation adjustment mechanism suitable for use on exercise apparatus constructed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic side view of another elevation adjustment mechanism suitable for use on exercise apparatus constructed according to the present invention.

A preferred embodiment exercise apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention is designated as 100 in FIGS. 1-5. The apparatus 100 generally includes a frame 120 and a linkage assembly 150 movably mounted on the frame 120. Generally speaking, the linkage assembly 150 moves relative to the frame 120 in a manner that links rotation of a flywheel 160 to generally elliptical motion of a force receiving member 180. The term "elliptical motion" is intended in a broad sense to describe a closed path of motion having a relatively longer first axis and a relatively shorter second axis (which extends perpendicular to the first axis).

The frame 120 includes a base 122, a forward stanchion 130, and a rearward stanchion 140. The base 122 may be described as generally I-shaped and is designed to rest upon a generally horizontal floor surface 99 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The apparatus 100 is generally symmetrical about a vertical plane extending lengthwise through the base 122 (perpendicular to the transverse ends thereof), the only exception being the relative orientation of certain parts of the linkage assembly 150 on opposite sides of the plane of symmetry. In the preferred embodiment 100, the "right-hand" components are one hundred and eighty degrees out of phase relative to the "left-hand" components. However, like reference numerals are used to designate both the "right-hand" and "left-hand" parts on the apparatus 100, and when reference is made to one or more parts on only one side of the apparatus, it is to be understood that corresponding part(s) are disposed on the opposite side of the apparatus 100. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the portions of the frame 120 which are intersected by the plane of symmetry exist individually and thus, do not have any "opposite side" counterparts. Furthermore, to the extent that reference is made to forward or rearward portions of the apparatus 100, it is to be understood that a person could exercise on the apparatus 100 while facing in either direction relative to the linkage assembly 150.

The forward stanchion 130 extends perpendicularly upward from the base 122 and supports a telescoping tube 131. A plurality of holes 138 are formed in the tube 131, and a single hole is formed in the upper end of the stanchion 130 to selectively align with any one of the holes 138. A pin 128, having a ball detent, may be inserted through an aligned set of holes to secure the tube 131 in a raised position relative to the stanchion 130. A laterally extending hole 132 is formed through the tube 131.

The rearward stanchion 140 extends perpendicularly upward from the base 122 and supports a bearing assembly. An axle 164 is inserted through a laterally extending hole 144 in the bearing assembly to support a pair of flywheels 160 in a manner known in the art. For example, the axle 164 may be inserted through the hole 144, and then a flywheel 160 may be keyed to each of the protruding ends of the axle 164, on opposite sides of the stanchion 140. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the flywheels 160 could be replaced by some other rotating member(s) which may or may not, in turn, be connected to one or more flywheels. These rotating members 160 rotate about an axis designated as A.

A radially displaced shaft 166 is rigidly secured to each flywheel 160 by means known in the art. For example, the shaft 166 may be inserted into a hole 168 in the flywheel 160 and welded in place. The shaft 166 is secured to the flywheel 160 at a point radially displaced from the axis A, and thus, the shaft 166 rotates at a fixed radius about the axis A. In other words, the shaft 166 and the flywheel 160 cooperate to define a first crank having a first crank radius.

A roller 170 is rotatably mounted on each shaft 166. The roller 170 on the right side of the apparatus 100 rotates about an axis B, and the roller 170 on the left side of the apparatus 100 rotates about an axis C. A rigid member or crank arm 161 is fixedly secured to each shaft 166 by means known in the art. For example, the shaft 166 may be inserted into a hole in the rigid member 161 and then keyed in place. The roller 170 is retained on the shaft 164 between the flywheel 160 and the rigid member 161.

Each rigid member 161 extends from the shaft 166 to a distal end 162 which occupies a position radially displaced from the axis A and rotates at a fixed radius about the axis A. In other words, the distal end 162 and the flywheel 160, together with the parts interconnected therebetween, cooperate to define a second crank having a second, relatively greater crank radius. In the preferred embodiment 100, the second crank and the first crank are portions of a single unitary member and share a common rotational axis A.

A link 190 has a rearward end 192 rotatably connected to the distal end 162 of the member 161 by means known in the art. For example, holes may be formed through distal end 162 and the rearward end 192, and a rivet-like fastener 163 may inserted through the holes and secured therebetween. As a result of this arrangement, the link 190 on one side of the apparatus 100 rotates about an axis D relative to a respective distal end 162 and flywheel 160; and the link 190 on the other side of the apparatus 100 rotates about an axis E relative to a respective distal end 162 and flywheel 160. In the preferred embodiment 100, the axes A, B, and D may be said to be radially aligned, and the axes A, C, and E may be said to be radially aligned. Also, the axes B and D may be said to be diametrically opposed from the axes C and E.

Each link 190 has a forward end 194 rotatably connected to a respective force receiving member 180 by means known in the art. For example, a pin 184 may be secured to the force receiving member 180, and a hole may be formed through the forward end 194 of the link 190 to receive the pin 184. A nut 198 may then be threaded onto the distal end of the pin 184. As a result of this arrangement, the link 190 may be said to be rotatably interconnected between the flywheel 160 and the force receiving member 180, and/or to provide a discrete means for interconnecting the flywheel 160 and the force receiving member 180.

Each force receiving member 180 is rollably mounted on a respective rail or track 200 and thus, may be described as a skate or truck. Each force receiving member 180 provides an upwardly facing support surface 188 sized and configured to support a person's foot.

Each rail 200 has a forward end 203, a rearward end 206, and an intermediate portion 208. The forward end 203 of each rail 200 is movably connected to the frame 120, forward of the flywheels 160. In particular, each forward end 203 is rotatably connected to the forward stanchion 130 by means known in the art. For example, a shaft 133 may be inserted into the hole 132 through the tube 131 and into holes through the forward ends 203 of the rails 200. The shaft 133 may be keyed in place relative to the stanchion 130, and nuts 135 may be secured to opposite ends of the shaft 133 to retain the forward ends 203 on the shaft 133. As a result of this arrangement, the rail 200 may be said to provide a discrete means for movably interconnecting the force receiving member 180 and the frame 120.

The rearward end 206 of the rail 200 is supported or carried by the roller 170. In particular, the rearward end 206 may be generally described as having an inverted U-shaped profile into which an upper portion of the roller 170 protrudes. The "base" of the inverted U-shaped profile is defined by a flat bearing surface 207 which bears against or rides on the cylindrical surface of the roller 170. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other structures (e.g. studs) could be substituted for the rollers 170. In any case, the rail 200 may be said to provide a discrete means for movably interconnecting the flywheel 160 and the force receiving member 180.

The intermediate portion 208 of the rail 200 may be defined as that portion of the rail 200 along which the skate 180 may travel and/or as that portion of the rail 200 between the rearward end 206 (which rolls over the roller 170) and the forward end 203 (which is rotatably mounted to the frame 120). The intermediate portion 208 may be generally described as having an I-shaped profile or as having a pair of C-shaped channels which open away from one another. Each channel 209 functions as a race or guide for one or more rollers 189 rotatably mounted on each side of the foot skate 180. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other structures (e.g. bearings) could be substituted for the rollers 189.

In the preferred embodiment 100, both the end portion 206 and the intermediate portion 208 of the support member 200 are linear. However, either or both may be configured as a curve without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, although the end portion 206 is fixed relative to the intermediate portion 208, an orientation adjustment could be provided on an alternative embodiment, as well.

Those skilled in the art will also recognize that each of the components of the linkage assembly 150 is necessarily long enough to facilitate the depicted interconnections. For example, the members 161 and the links 190 must be long enough to interconnect the flywheel 160 and the force receiving member 180 and accommodate a particular crank radius. Furthermore, for ease of reference in both this detailed description and the claims set forth below, the components are sometimes described with reference to "ends" being connected to other parts. For example, the link 190 may be said to have a first end rotatably connected to the member 161 and a second end rotatably connected to the force receiving member 180. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to links which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. In other words, the term "end" should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that could include "rearward portion", for example; and in a manner wherein "rear end" could simply mean "behind an intermediate portion", for example.

Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the above-described components of the linkage assembly 150 may be arranged in a variety of ways. For example, in each of FIGS. 6A-6J, flywheels 160', support rollers 170', members 161', and links 190' are shown in several alternative configurations relative to one another and the frame 120' (in some embodiments, there is no need for a discrete part 161' because both the links 190' and the rollers 170' are connected directly to the flywheels 160').

In operation, rotation of the flywheel 160 causes the shaft 166 to revolve about the axis A, thereby pivoting the rail 200 up and down relative to the frame 120, through a range of motion equal to twice the radial distance between the axis A and either axis B or C. Rotation of the flywheel 160 also causes the distal end 162 of the member 161 to revolve about the axis A, thereby moving the force receiving member 180 back and forth along the rail 200, through a range of motion equal to twice the radial distance between the axis A and either axis D or E. In other words, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for moving a force receiving member through a path having a horizontal component which is not necessarily related to or limited by the vertical component. As a result, it is a relatively simple matter to design an apparatus with a desired "aspect ratio" for the elliptical path to be traveled by the foot platform. For example, movement of the axes D and E farther from the axis A and/or movement of the axes B and C closer to the axis A will result in a relatively flatter path of motion. Ultimately, the exact size, configuration, and arrangement of the components of the linkage assembly 150 are a matter of design choice.

Recognizing that the spatial relationships, including the radii and angular displacement of the crank axes, may vary for different sizes, configurations, and arrangements of the linkage assembly components, another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7 and designated as 300. The exercise apparatus 300 includes a linkage assembly 350 movably mounted on a frame 320, and a handle member 430 movably mounted on the frame 320, as well.

Like on the preferred embodiment 100, a flywheel 360 is rotatably connected to a rearward stanchion 340 on the frame 320 and rotates about an axis A'; and a roller 370 is rotatably connected to the flywheel 360 and rotates about an axis B', which is radially offset from the axis A'. A rigid member 361 extends from a first end connected to the flywheel 360, proximate axis B', to a second end which is radially offset and circumferentially displaced from the axis B'. A link 390 has a rearward end rotatably connected to the distal end of the member 361. The link 390 rotates about an axis D' relative to the member 361. Simply by varying the size, configuration, and/or orientation of the member 361 and/or the link 390, any of various rotational link axes (D1-D3, for example) may be provided in place of the axis D.

An opposite, forward end of the link 390 is rotatably connected to a force receiving member 380 that rolls along an intermediate portion 408 of a rail 400. A rearward end 406 of the rail 400 is supported on the roller 370. On this embodiment 300, a discrete segment 407 separates or offsets the rearward end 406 and the intermediate portion 408.

A forward end of the rail 400 is pivotally connected to a forward stanchion 330 on the frame 320 by means of a shaft 333. The handle member 430 is also pivotally connected to the forward stanchion 330 by means of the same shaft 333. As a result, the handle member 430 and the rail 400 independently pivot about a common pivot axis. The handle member 430 includes an upper, distal portion 434 which is sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the force receiving member 380. In operation, the alternative embodiment 300 allows a person to selectively perform arm exercise, by pivoting the handle 430 back and forth, while also performing leg exercise, by driving the force receiving member 380 through the path of motion P (as traced with reference to the approximate center of the foot supporting surface).

Yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is designated as 500 in FIG. 8. The exercise apparatus 500 includes a linkage assembly 350 (identical to that of the alternative embodiment 300) movably mounted on a frame 520 and linked to a handle member 630, which is also movably mounted on the frame 520.

A forward end of the rail 400 is pivotally connected to a first trunnion 531 on a forward stanchion 530, at a first elevation above a floor surface 99. A handle member 630 has an intermediate portion 635 which is pivotally connected to a second trunnion 535 on the forward stanchion 530, at a second, relatively greater elevation above the floor surface 99. An upper, distal portion 634 of the handle member 630 is sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the force receiving member 380. A lower, distal portion 636 of the handle member 630 is rotatably connected to one end of a handle link 620. An opposite end of the handle link 620 is rotatably connected to the force receiving member 380. In operation, the handle link 620 links back and forth pivoting of the handle 430 to movement of the force receiving member 380 through the path of motion P.

An alternative embodiment linkage assembly, constructed according to the principles of the present invention, is designated as 700 in FIG. 9. The assembly 700 is movably connected to a frame (not shown) by means of a forward shaft 733 and a rearward shaft 744. Flywheels 760 are rotatably mounted on the shaft 744 and rotate relative to the frame. A rigid shaft 766 extends axially outward from a radially displaced point on each flywheel 760. Each shaft 766 extends through a hole in a link 790, and a roller 770 is rotatably mounted on the distal end of each shaft 766. Each roller 770 is disposed within a race or slot 807 formed in the rearward end of a support member or rail 800. The forward end of each rail 800 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 733. In response to rotation of the flywheel 760, the rail 800 rolls back and forth across the roller 770 as the latter causes the former to pivot up and down about the shaft 733. The lower wall of the slot 807 limits upward travel of the rail 800 away from the roller 770.

A handle member 830 is rigidly mounted to the forward end of each rail 800 to pivot together therewith. Alternatively, handle members could be pivotally mounted on the shaft 733, between the rails 800, for example, to pivot independently of the rails 800.

Each link 790 extends forward and integrally joins a respective force receiving member 780 which is rollably mounted on a respective rail 800. In response to rotation of the flywheel 760, the shaft 766 drives the link 790 and the force receiving member 780 back and forth along the rail 800.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and applications, those skilled in the art will recognize additional embodiments, modifications, and/or applications which fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, an alternative height adjustment mechanism (in lieu of ball detent pins and selectively aligned holes) is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 10. As with the foregoing embodiments, a frame 920 includes a support 935 movable along an upwardly extending stanchion 930, and a pivoting member 930 is rotatably interconnected between the support 935 and a force receiving member 980. A knob 902 is rigidly secured to a lead screw which extends through the support 935 and threads into the stanchion 930. The knob 902 and the support 935 are interconnected in such a manner that the knob 902 rotates relative to the support 935, but they travel up and down together relative to the stanchion 930 (as indicated by the arrows) when the knob 902 is rotated relative to the stanchion 930.

Yet another suitable height adjustment mechanism is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 11, wherein a frame 920' includes a support 935 movable along an upwardly extending stanchion 930', and a pivoting member 930 is rotatably interconnected between the support 935 and a force receiving member 980. A powered actuator 904, such as a motor or a hydraulic drive, is rigidly secured to the support 935 and connected to a movable shaft which extends through the support 935 and into the stanchion 930'. The actuator 904 selectively moves the shaft relative to the support 935, causing the actuator 904 and the support 935 to travel up and down together relative to the stanchion 930' (as indicated by the arrows). The actuator 904 may operate in response to signals from a person and/or a computer controller.

One skilled in the art might also be inclined to modify any of the foregoing embodiments by adding any of various known inertia altering devices, including, for example, a motor, a "stepped up" flywheel, or an adjustable brake of some sort. Furthermore, although the rotationally interconnected components are shown to be simply cantilevered relative to one another on the preferred embodiment 100, the components could be modified so that an end of a first component, such as the link 190, nested between opposing prongs on the end of a second component, such as the member 161. Recognizing that, for reasons of practicality, the foregoing description sets forth only some of the numerous possible modifications and variations, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the extent of the claims which follow.