Free terrain elliptical exercise apparatus

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/799,909 filed May 3, 2010 incorporating all of these by reference.

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. Crank arms are positioned rearward the operator.

[0004] 2. State of the Art

[0005] The benefits of regular exercise to improve overall health, appearance and longevity are well documented in the literature. For exercise enthusiasts the search continues for safe apparatus that provides full body exercise for maximum benefit in minimum time.

[0006] Recently, a new category of exercise equipment has appeared on the commercial market called varying stride elliptical cross trainers. These cross trainers guide the feet along a closed loop shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing with varying stride lengths. The shorter stride lengths have pedals which follow up and down curves that are generally arcuate in shape causing difficult startup. The longer stride lengths have pedals which follow closed loop curves having more of a banana shape than elliptical. There is a need for a variable stride exercise apparatus capable of long, medium and shorter stride lengths where the pedals always follow generally elliptical curve paths with easy startup.

[0007] Varying stride elliptical cross trainers are shown without cams in Rodgers, Jr. US Patent Applications 2009/0181828 and 2009/0156369 as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,828,698, 7,520,839 and 7,530,926 which show a pendulum striding exercise apparatus having a foot support members hung from a generally horizontal beam pivoted to achieve the varying stride length pedal curves. Rodgers, Jr. in US Patent Application 2009/0156370 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,184 show exercise apparatus with flexible support elements having varying stride lengths. Miller in U.S. Patent Applications 2009/0105049 and 2011/0172062 also shows an exercise apparatus having varying stride lengths. Eschenbach in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,841,968 and 7,938,754 shows user defined motion elliptical exercise apparatus with a default elongate curve for easy starting. Chuang et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,018 shows a front drive user defined motion elliptical apparatus. Grind in U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,625 shows an adaptive motion exercise device with oscillating track. Ohrt et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,787 shows several adaptive motion rear drive exercise apparatus.

[0008] It is an objective of this invention to provide an exercise apparatus having varying stride lengths determined by the movement of an operator with a default mode for easy starting. A further objective is an exercise apparatus having varying stride lengths where the pedals follow elliptical curves for short, medium and long stride lengths.

[0009] The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of pedals which simulate walking and jogging during operation. More particularly, apparatus is provided that offers variable intensity exercise through a leg operated cyclic motion in which the pedal supporting each foot is guided through successive positions during the motion cycle while a load resistance acts upon the mechanism.

[0010] The pedals are guided through an oblong curve motion while pedal angles are controlled to vary about the horizontal during the pedal cycle. Arm exercise is by handles coordinated with the mechanism guiding the foot pedals. The range of handle movement generally determines the pedal stride length.

[0011] In the original embodiment, the apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot attached to a foot support member. A pair of crank arms rotate about a pivot axis positioned on the framework. A pair of support links are pivotally connected intermediate the ends to the crank arms and to foot support members. A pair of tracks are supported by the framework where a track actuator can change the incline. A pair of rollers are each rotatably attached to a respective foot support member and maintain rollable contact with a respective track. A pair of handles are attached to handle supports which are pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of connector links are pivotally connected to the handle supports and to one end of the support links. A cross member is pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of crossing links are pivotally connected to the cross member and to each handle support. The crossover member and crossing links form a crossover assembly to cause one handle to move forward while the other handle moves rearward.

[0012] The stride length of the pedal is generally determined by the range of movement of the handles. The shortest stride length occurs with no movement of the handles while the longest stride length of the pedals occurs with the longest range of movement of the handles. An even shorter stride is possible using only the feet to determine stride length with the hands of the user positioned upon the framework.

[0013] Load resistance is applied to the crank in this embodiment by a pulley which drives a belt to a smaller pulley attached to a flywheel supported by the framework. A tension belt covers the circumference of the flywheel to provide friction for load resistance on the intensity of exercise. A control system can adjust the tension on the tension belt through a load actuator to vary the intensity of exercise. It should be understood that other forms of load resistance such as magnetic, alternator, air fan or others may be applied to the crank. The control system also can adjust the incline of the tracks with the track actuator during operation to further change the intensity of exercise.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot attached to a foot support member. A pair of crank arms rotate about a pivot axis positioned on the framework rearward an operator. A pair of support links are pivotally connected to the crank arms and to the foot support members. A pair of rocker link guides are pivotally connected to the framework and to the foot support members. A pair of handles are attached to the guides. A pair of control links are pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of connector links are pivotally connected to the control links and to the support links. A cross member is pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of crossing links are pivotally connected to the cross member and to each control link. The crossover member and crossing links form a crossover assembly to cause one handle to move forward while the other handle moves rearward. Energy storage devices are connected to the control links and framework to establish a default position for the control links that is generally vertical.

[0015] The stride length of the pedal is determined by the range of movement of the handle. The shortest stride length occurs with little movement of the handles in the default mode for easy starting while the longest stride length of the pedals occurs with the longest range of movement of the handles.

[0016] Load resistance is applied to the crank in this embodiment by a pulley which drives a belt to a smaller pulley attached to a flywheel supported by the framework. A tension belt covers the circumference of the flywheel to provide friction for load resistance on the intensity of exercise. An adjustment knob can adjust the tension on the tension belt to vary the intensity of exercise. It should be understood that other forms of load resistance such as magnetic, alternator, air fan or others may be applied to the crank.

[0017] In an alternate embodiment, the handles become pivoted to the framework with handle extensions attached. A pair of bell cranks are pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of handle extension links are pivotally connected to the handle extensions and the bell cranks. A pair of crossing link extensions are pivotally connected to the bell cranks and the cross member. The remainder of this embodiment is essentially the same as the preferred embodiment. Easy starting occurs in the default mode with the handles held stationary as the pedals follow a short elongate curve. The longer handle range allowed by the movement of the operator, the longer the stride length becomes.

[0018] In another alternate embodiment, the rocker link guides are replaced with roller and track guides wherein the rollers are pivotally connected to the foot support members and the tracks are attached to the frame. The remainder of this embodiment is essentially the same as the first alternate embodiment. Operation is the same as the previous alternate embodiment. Easy starting occurs in the default mode with the handles held stationary as the pedals follow a short elongate curve. The longer handle range allowed by the movement of the operator, the longer the stride length becomes.

[0019] In summary, this invention provides varying elliptical stride lengths as determined by the movement of an operator. The pedals move through elongate curves that simulate walking and jogging with very low joint impact. Arm exercise has a variable range of motion coordinated with the pedal movements. Pedal curves remain generally elliptical in shape throughout the range of variation. Easy starting occurs in the default mode.

[0027] Referring to the drawings in detail, pedals 46 and 48 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in forward and rearward positions of the original embodiment. Crank arms 4,6 rotate about pivot axis 7 on framework 70. Foot support members 14,16 have pedals 46,48 attached. Support links 8,10 are connected intermediate the ends to crank arms 4,6 at pivots 9,11 and to foot support members 14,16 at pivots 13,15. Tracks 90,94 are attached to frame members 74 at pivot 93 and to track actuator 96 which is also attached to framework 74. Rollers 40,44 are connected to foot support members 14,16 at pivots 41,43 and are in rollable contact with tracks 90,94.

[0028] Handles 36,38 are attached to handle supports 80,84 which are connected to framework 70 at pivot 39. Connector links 30,34 are connected to handle supports 80,84 at pivots 35,37 and to one end of support links 8,10 at pivots 31,33. Crossover member 56 is connected to framework 70 at pivot 55. Crossing links 50,54 are connected to crossover member 56 at pivots 53,59 and to handle supports 80,84 at pivots 51,57. Crossover member 56 and crossing links 50,54 form a crossover assembly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that cause handle 36 to move forward when handle 38 moves rearward.

[0029] Load resistance is imposed upon cranks 4,6 by pulley 49 which drives flywheel 63 by belt 69 coupled to pulley 71 which is supported by the framework 70 at shaft 61. Tension belt 64 encompasses flywheel 63 with load actuator 66 connected for adjustment to vary the intensity of exercise on the exercise apparatus. Control system 68 is connected to load actuator 66 and track actuator 96 with wires 67,65,95 using conventional means not shown. Control system 68 can be programmed to adjust tension belt 64 using load actuator 66 or to change the incline of tracks 90,94 using track actuator 96 to vary the intensity of exercise during operation. Framework 70 is attached to longitudinal frame members 74 which are attached to cross members 73,75 that are supported by a generally horizontal surface.

[0030] Operation begins when an operator places the feet upon the pedals 46,48 in the default side by side position of pedals 46,48. Moving the handles 36,38 and applying body weight to pedals 46,48 starts the crank arms 4,6 moving with ease. Holding handles 36,38 generally still as denoted by handle position 1′, pedals 46,48 move through a relatively short pedal curve 1 shown in FIG. 1. Allowing the handles 36,38 to move through handle range 3′ causes pedals 46,48 to move along pedal curve 3. Allowing handles 36,38 to move through handle range 5′ results in pedal curve 5. Even shorter pedal curves are possible when the user is not grasping the handles whereby only the feet of the user define the motion.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, pedals 46 and 48 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in forward and rearward positions. Crank arms 4,6 rotate about pivot axis 7 positioned rearward of an operator on framework 70. Foot support members 14,16 have pedals 46,48 attached intermediate the ends. Support links 8,10 are connected to crank arms 4,6 at pivots 9,11 and to foot support members 14,16 at pivots 15,17 which follow elongate curves similar to curve 2. Guides 26,28 are connected to framework 70 at pivot 45 and to foot support members 14,16 at pivots 13,15. For this embodiment, guides 26,28 are further described as rocker links 26,28. Handles 36,38 are attached to rocker links 26,28.

[0032] Control links 22,24 are connected to framework 74 at pivot 61. Connector links 18,20 are connected to control links 22,24 at pivots 23,25 and to support links 8,10 at pivots 19,21. Crossover member 56 is connected to framework 70 at pivot 55. Crossing links 50,54 are connected to crossover member 56 at pivots 53,59 and to control links 22,24 at pivots 51,57. Crossover member 56 and crossing links 50,54 form a crossover assembly as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 that cause control link 22 to move forward when control link 24 moves rearward.

[0033] Energy storage devices 60,62 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as springs 60,62 connected to control links 22,24 at pivots 27,29 and to framework 70 at pivot 47. Springs 60,62 are intended to cause control links 22,24 to have a bias towards the default vertical position where the shortest stride occurs at elongate curve 1.

[0034] Load resistance is imposed upon cranks 4,6 by pulley 49 which drives flywheel 63 by belt 69 and pulley 71. Flywheel 63 is supported by framework 70 at pivot 61. Tension belt 64 encompasses flywheel 63 for adjustable load resistance using adjustment knob 12 to vary the intensity of exercise on the exercise apparatus. Framework 70 is attached to longitudinal frame members 74 and to cross members 73,75 that are supported by a generally horizontal surface.

[0035] Operation begins when an operator places the feet upon the pedals 46,48 in the default side by side position of pedals 46,48. In the default mode, control links 22,24 are caused to be generally vertical in a side by side position by springs 60,62. Other forms of energy storage devices 60,62 may also be used. In the default mode, pedals 46,48 will follow the shortest stride length along default elongate curve 1. Startup is easy along the default elongate curve 1. Handles 36,38 move through a short limited range 1′ while pedals 46,48 follow elongate curve 1. Allowing the handles 36,38 to move through handle range 3′ causes pedals 46,48 to move along pedal curve 3. Allowing handles 36,38 to move through an even greater handle range 5′ results in pedal curve 5. Stride limitation bar 72 is attached to framework 70 as a safety precaution to limit the maximum stride length. Note that all pedal curves 1,3,5 are generally elliptical in shape.

[0036] An alternate embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 which is essentially the same as the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 except that handles 36,38 are no longer attached to rocker links 26,28 but are connected to framework 70 at pivot 45. Handle extensions 76,78 are attached to handles 36,38. Bell cranks 92,94 are connected to framework 70 at pivot 89. Handle link extensions 60,62 are connected to bell cranks 92,94 at pivots 81,83 and to handle extensions 76,78 at pivots 85,87. Crossing link extensions 97,99 are connected to bell cranks 92,94 at pivots 77,79 and to crossover member 56 at pivots 53,59.

[0037] Operation begins in the default mode with an easy start as pedals 46,48 follow the default elongate curve 1 while handles 36,38 are held stationary in position 1′. As handles 36,38 are allowed to move through handle range 3′, pedals 46,48 follow elongate curve 3 with a longer stride length as determined by the movement of the operator. Allowing handles 36,38 to move through and even longer handle range 5′, pedals 46,48 follow elongate curve 5 with a much longer stride length. Note that guides 26,28 can be moving while handles 36,38 are held stationary in the default position 1′.

[0038] Another alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 which is essentially the same as the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 except that guides 26,28 have been replaced with rollers 40,44 and tracks 90 serving as guides. Tracks 90 are attached to framework 70 and 74 at a predetermined angle. However, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 tracks 90 can be configured to have adjustable angles. Rollers 40,44 are connected to one end of foot support members 14,16 at pivots 41,43. The remainder of this alternate embodiment is essentially the same as the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0039] Operation begins in the default mode with an easy start as pedals 46,48 follow the default elongate curve 1 while handles 36,38 are held stationary in position 1′. As handles 36,38 are allowed to move through handle range 3′, pedals 46,48 follow elongate curve 3 with a longer stride length as determined by the movement of the operator. Allowing handles 36,38 to move through and even longer handle range 5′, pedals 46,48 follow elongate curve 5 with a much longer stride length. Note that rollers 40,44 can be moving while handles 36,38 are held stationary in the default position 1′.

[0040] In summary, the present invention has distinct advantages over prior art because the elliptical stride movement of the pedals 46,48 can be changed by the range of movement 1′,3′,5′ of the handles 36,38 while maintaining a generally elliptical pedal curves 1,3,5 even for the longest pedal stride. Easy starting occurs in the default mode.

[0041] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the claims, rather than by foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.