US5433680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elliptical path pedaling system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-07-05
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Granted: 1995-07-18
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Expires: 2014-07-05
Abstract
Abstract An elliptical path pedaling system uses two mutually perpendicular intersecting guideways with a circular drive member pivotally attached at its center to a follower, mounted for reciprocal movement within the first guideway. A second follower is pivotally attached to the circular drive member at a predetermined radial distance from the center of said drive member for reciprocal movement in the second guideway. A pedal crank is attached to the drive member to rotate it about the center. As the drive member rotates, the reciprocating movements of the two followers in the perpendicular guideways cause the drive member to move back and forth in the path of the first guideway. A pedal crank attached to the reciprocating drive member follows an elliptical path. A chain or other suitable drive transfer device is coupled between the drive member and a circular driven member, which is rotated about its center and is mounted in a fixed position relative to the guideways. Consequently, the elliptical path of the pedaling system is transferred to a circular driven output for utilization as a bicycle drive or exercise device.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul D. Knudsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:26
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/06; A63B22/0605; A63B2022/0611; A63B2022/0617; A63B2208/00; A63B2208/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/1836
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An elliptical path pedaling system including in combination: at least a first drive member having a center; a first crank attached to said first drive member for rotating said first drive member about the center thereof; a first linear guideway; a second linear guideway intersecting said first linear guideway at right angles thereto; a first follower member pivotally attached to the center of said first drive member and mounted for reciprocal movement in said first guideway; a second follower member pivotally attached to said first drive member at a point a predetermined radial distance from the center of said first drive member and mounted for reciprocal movement in said second guideway; a circular driven member; and a first drive transfer member interconnecting said first drive member with said driven member to rotate said driven member as said drive member is rotated about the center thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An elliptical path pedaling system including in combination: at least a first drive member having a center; a first crank attached to said first drive member for rotating said first drive member about the center thereof; a first linear guideway; a second linear guideway intersecting said first linear guideway at right angles thereto; a first follower member pivotally attached to the center of said first drive member and mounted for reciprocal movement in said first guideway; a second follower member pivotally attached to said first drive member at a point a predetermined radial distance from the center of said first drive member and mounted for reciprocal movement in said second guideway; a circular driven member; and a first drive transfer member interconnecting said first drive member with said driven member to rotate said driven member as said drive member is rotated about the center thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first and second linear guideways intersect at the centers thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said first crank has first and second ends, the first end of which is connected to said first drive member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination according to claim 3 further including a first foot pedal attached to the second end of said first crank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said first drive member is a circular drive member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first crank has first and second ends, the first end of which is connected to said first drive member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination according to claim 6 further including a first foot pedal attached to the second end of said first crank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first drive member is a circular drive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first drive transfer member is a chain, said first drive member is a sprocket gear, and said driven member is a sprocket gear with said chain interconnecting said drive member and said driven member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
The combination according to claim 1 further including a second drive member having a center; a second crank attached to said second drive member for rotating said second drive member about the center thereof; a third linear guideway coupled parallel to said first linear guideway; a fourth linear guideway coupled parallel to said second guideway and intersecting said third linear guideway at right angles thereto; a third follower member pivotally attached to the center of said second drive member and mounted for reciprocal movement in said third guideway; a fourth follower member pivotally attached to said second drive member at a point said predetermined radial distance from the center of said second drive member and mounted for reciprocal movement in said fourth guideway; a second drive transfer member interconnecting said second drive member with said driven member to rotate said driven member as said first and second drive members are rotated about the centers thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 10 wherein said first and second cranks are attached to said first and second circular drive members, respectively, at positions 180° out of phase with one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein said first and second linear guideways intersect one another at the centers thereof, and said third and fourth linear guideways intersect one another at the centers thereof, with said first and third linear guideways being mounted in back-to-back relationship, said second and fourth linear guideways being mounted in back-to-back relationship and said first and second drive members being located on opposite sides, respectively, of said back-to-back mounted guideways.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein said first and second cranks each have first and second ends, with the first ends thereof connected to said first and second drive members, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 13 further including first and second foot pedals attached, respectively, to the second ends of said first and second cranks.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein said first and second cranks each have the same predetermined length.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination according to claim 15 wherein said first and second drive transfer members comprise first and second chains, respectively, and said circular driven member includes first and second driven sprocket gears on a common shaft, with said first and second drive members comprising first and second sprocket gears interconnected with said first and second driven sprocket gears by said first and second chains, respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 10 wherein said first and second cranks each have first and second ends, with the first ends thereof connected to said first and second drive members, respectively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 17 further including first and second foot pedals attached, respectively, to the second ends of said first and second cranks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 18 wherein said first and second cranks each have the same predetermined length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination according to claim 10 wherein said first and second drive transfer members comprise first and second chains, respectively, and said circular driven member includes first and second driven sprocket gears on a common shaft, with said first and second drive members comprising first and second sprocket gears interconnected with said first and second driven sprocket gears by said first and second chains, respectively.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination according to claim 10 wherein said first and second drive members are circular drive members having the same diameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said first and second cranks each have the same predetermined length.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 22 wherein said first and second cranks each have first and second ends, with the first ends thereof connected to said first and second drive members, respectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 23 further including first and second foot pedals attached, respectively, to the second ends of said first and second cranks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |