US5685804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stationary exercise device
Assignee: Precor Inc
•
Filing: 1996-06-27
•
Granted: 1997-11-11
•
Expires: 2016-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links reciprocate back and forth along a guide (36). The combination to these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination and/or elevation of the guide (36) may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At lower inclinations/elevations of the guide, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively higher angles of inclination or elevations of the guide (36), the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing. The connection of the foot links to the pivot axis allow motion in a direction orthogonal to the rotational motion, thus compensating for alignment inconsistencies of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Janine Whan-Tong
- 👤 Peter Pasero
- 👤 Paul D. Barker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:24
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/02; A63B22/0002; A63B22/001; A63B22/0015; A63B22/0023; A63B22/06; A63B22/0664; A63B24/00; A63B22/0017; A63B2022/002; A63B2022/067; A63B21/00; A63B21/005; A63B21/0051; A63B21/0052; A63B21/012; A63B21/015; A63B21/22; A63B21/225; A63B22/20; A63B22/201; A63B22/203; A63B22/205; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/30; A63B2220/34; A63B2230/00; A63B2230/04; A63B2230/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame having a pivot axis defined thereon, the frame configured to be supported on a floor; a first and second foot link, each foot link including a first end, a second end and a foot supporting portion therebetween; a coupling system associated with the first end of each foot link for pivotally connecting the first end of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first end travels in an arcuate path relative to the pivot axis; a guide supported by the frame and operative to engage and direct the second ends of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first ends of the respective foot links travel along arcuate paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use and when the second end of one of the foot link travels forwardly from a rearmost position the heel portion of the user's foot initially rises at a faster rate than a toe portion thereof, and when the second end of the foot link travels rearwardly, from a foremost position, the heel portion of the user's foot initially lowers at a,faster rate than the toe portion; and, a control system for selectively automatically changing at least one of the elevation and angular orientation of the guide relative to the frame so as to alter the path traveled by the foot supporting portion of the first and second links.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame having a pivot axis defined thereon, the frame configured to be supported on a floor; a first and second foot link, each foot link including a first end, a second end and a foot supporting portion therebetween; a coupling system associated with the first end of each foot link for pivotally connecting the first end of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first end travels in an arcuate path relative to the pivot axis; a guide supported by the frame and operative to engage and direct the second ends of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first ends of the respective foot links travel along arcuate paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use and when the second end of one of the foot link travels forwardly from a rearmost position the heel portion of the user's foot initially rises at a faster rate than a toe portion thereof, and when the second end of the foot link travels rearwardly, from a foremost position, the heel portion of the user's foot initially lowers at a,faster rate than the toe portion; and, a control system for selectively automatically changing at least one of the elevation and angular orientation of the guide relative to the frame so as to alter the path traveled by the foot supporting portion of the first and second links.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the guide is disposed at an inclined relationship with the floor, and the guide changing system is operable to alter the inclination of the guide relative to the floor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the guide extends longitudinally relative to the frame and in general alignment with the first and second foot links, and wherein the guide includes means for pivotally attaching the guide to the frame about a pivot axis, and the guide changing system includes means for varying the orientation of the guide relative to the frame about the guide pivot axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the guide changing system includes means for raising and lowering the guide relative to the frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the guide comprises first and second tracks, and the guide changing system operably engaging the tracks to alter the orientation of the tracks relative to the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the guide changing system operably engaging the tracks to vary the angular orientation of the tracks relative to the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the guide is pivotally supported by the frame, and the guide changing system operably engages the guide to raise and lower the guide relative to the frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the guide includes at least one rocker arm pivotally supported by the frame and pivotally connected to a second end of the first and second links.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the guide changing system operably engages the rocker arm to raise and lower the rocker arm relative to the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the guide changing system includes means for altering the length of the rocker arm thereby to adjust the elevation of the guide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system includes first and second wheels rotatably mounted on the frame about the frame pivot axis and means for pivotally connecting the first ends of the first and second foot links to the first and second wheels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The exercise device according to claim 11, wherein the first ends of the first and second foot links are pivotally connectable to the first and second wheels at selective locations relative to the frame pivot axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising members associated with the first ends of each foot link pivotally for connecting the first ends of the foot links at selective distances from the frame pivot axis to alter the arcuate paths of travel of the first ends of the foot links travel relative to the frame pivot axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise device according to claim 11, further comprising adjustable resistance means to selectively impart resistance to the rotation of the first and second wheels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The exercise device according to claim 11, wherein said means for pivotally connecting the first ends of the first and second foot links to the pivot axis includes means for angularly displacing the foot links at the connection between the first ends of the foot links and the frame pivot axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system includes first and second crank arms, with one end of the crank arms pivotable about the pivot axis and the other ends of the crank arms pivotally pinned to the first end of the first and second foot links.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The exercise device according to claim 16, wherein the crank arms are adjustable in length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising adjustable resistance means to selectively impart resistance to the travel of the first ends of the foot links about the pivot axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising means for connecting the first ends of the foot links at selective distances from the pivot axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
161 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame configured to be supported on a floor; flywheel means mounted on the frame to rotate about a pivot axis; first and second foot links, each foot link having a first end and a second end and a foot support portion therebetween; means for pivotally coupling the first ends of the foot links to the flywheel means so that the first ends travel in an arcuate path about the pivot axis; a guide supported by the frame to operably engage and direct the second ends of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first ends of the respective foot links travel about the pivot axis; and, a control system for selectively automatically altering one of the elevation and angular orientation of the guide relative to the frame so as to alter the path traveled by the foot supporting means of the first and second links.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
161 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame configured to be supported on a floor; flywheel means mounted on the frame to rotate about a pivot axis; first and second foot links, each foot link having a first end and a second end and a foot support portion therebetween; means for pivotally coupling the first ends of the foot links to the flywheel means so that the first ends travel in an arcuate path about the pivot axis; a guide supported by the frame to operably engage and direct the second ends of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first ends of the respective foot links travel about the pivot axis; and, a control system for selectively automatically altering one of the elevation and angular orientation of the guide relative to the frame so as to alter the path traveled by the foot supporting means of the first and second links.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, wherein the flywheel means includes a pair of flywheels, and the coupling means coupling the first ends of the foot links to a respective flywheel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise device according to claim 21, wherein the coupling means connecting the first ends of the foot links to selective locations on the flywheels relative to the pivot axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, wherein the coupling means includes first and second crank arms, with one end of the crank arms pivotable about the pivot axis and the other ends of the crank arms pivotally pinned to the first end of the first and second foot links.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The exercise device according to claim 23, wherein the crank arms are adjustable in length.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
138 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, wherein the guide is configured to direct the second ends of the foot links along a reciprocating path of travel as the first ends of the foot links travel about the pivot axis so that when the exercise device is in use and when the second ends of the foot links travel from a point at a rearward end of the reciprocating path forwardly along the path, the heel portion of the user's foot associated with the foot link initially rises at a faster rate than the toe portion and when the second end of the foot link travels rearward along the reciprocating path of travel from a forward end of the reciprocating path, the heel portion of the user's foot initially lowers at a faster rate than the toe portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
111 words
The exercise apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the guide is configured to direct the second ends of the foot links about a fore and aft path of travel so that when the exercise device is in use and when a foot of a user which is disposed upon the foot support portion of a foot link travels forward, from a rearmost position, the heel portion of the foot initially rises at a faster rate than the toe portion of the foot, and when the foot travels rearward, from a foremost position, the heel portion of the foot initially lowers at a faster rate than the toe portion of the foot.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, wherein the guide altering system includes means for raising and lowering the guide relative to the frame.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The exercise device according to claim 27, wherein the guide is disposed at an inclined relationship to the floor, and the guide altering system is operable to alter the inclination of the guide relative to the floor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, wherein the guide is pivotally supported by the frame, and the guide altering system engages the guide to rotate the guide relative to the frame.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, wherein the guide is pivotally supported by the frame, and the guide altering system operably engages the guide to raise and lower the guide relative to the frame.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The exercise device according to claim 30, wherein the guide includes at least one pivot arm pivotally supported by the frame and pivotally connected to the second ends of the first and second links.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The exercise device according to claim 31, wherein the guide changing system operably engages the pivot arm to raise and lower the pivot arm relative to the frame.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise device according to claim 31, wherein the guide changing system includes means for altering the length of the pivot arm thereby to adjust the elevation of the guide.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, further comprising a resistance system to selectively impart resistance to the flywheel means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The exercise device according to claim 34, wherein the resistance system includes a brake imparting resistance to the rotation of the flywheel means selected from the group consisting of an eddy current brake, a band brake and a caliper brake.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, further comprising a resistance system to provide resistance to the travel of the foot links.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
177 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame having a pivot axis defined thereon, the frame configured to be supported on a floor; a first and second foot link, each foot link including a first end, a second end and a foot supporting portion therebetween; a coupling system associated with the first end of each foot link for pivotally connecting the first end of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first end travels in an arcuate path relative to the pivot axis, wherein said coupling system includes pivot means for pivotally connecting the first ends of the first and second foot links to the pivot axis, said pivot means allowing laterally angular displacement of foot links at the connection between the first ends and the pivot axis; and a guide supported by the frame and operative to engage and direct the second ends of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first ends of the respective foot links travel along arcuate paths of travel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
177 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame having a pivot axis defined thereon, the frame configured to be supported on a floor; a first and second foot link, each foot link including a first end, a second end and a foot supporting portion therebetween; a coupling system associated with the first end of each foot link for pivotally connecting the first end of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first end travels in an arcuate path relative to the pivot axis, wherein said coupling system includes pivot means for pivotally connecting the first ends of the first and second foot links to the pivot axis, said pivot means allowing laterally angular displacement of foot links at the connection between the first ends and the pivot axis; and a guide supported by the frame and operative to engage and direct the second ends of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first ends of the respective foot links travel along arcuate paths of travel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The exercise device of claim 37, wherein the pivot means has two orthogonal axes of rotation.
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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) | 2000-11-10 | 2001-05-12 | 2001-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-10 | 2005-05-12 | 2005-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-10 | 2009-05-12 | 2009-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |