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US5803871A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Exercise methods and apparatus

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-04-24
•
Granted: 1998-09-08
•
Expires: 2017-04-24
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Abstract

Abstract An exercise apparatus includes a support member that is movable relative to a frame, and a force receiving member that is movable relative to the support member. A first end of the support member is pivotally connected to the frame, and a second, opposite end of the support member is supported on a first crank. A link is interconnected between a second crank and the force receiving member. The cranks, the roller, the support member, and the link cooperate to move the force receiving member in a desired path.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenneth W. Stearns
  • 👤 Joseph D. Maresh

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 17:17
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/0015; A63B22/0023; A63B22/0002; A63B22/001; A63B22/06; A63B22/0664; A63B22/0017; A63B2022/002; A63B2022/067

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim 148 words
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; a crank rotatably mounted on the frame and rotatable about a crank axis; a roller rotatably mounted on the crank at a position radially displaced from the crank axis; a support member having a front end, a rear end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, wherein the front end is movably connected to the frame and pivotal about a pivot axis, and the rear end is supported on the roller; a force receiving member, sized and configured to support a foot of a standing person, wherein the force receiving member is (movably mounted) on the intermediate portion of the support member; and a link having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the force receiving member, and the second end is rotatably connected to the crank at a position radially displaced from the crank axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 148 words
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; a crank rotatably mounted on the frame and rotatable about a crank axis; a roller rotatably mounted on the crank at a position radially displaced from the crank axis; a support member having a front end, a rear end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, wherein the front end is movably connected to the frame and pivotal about a pivot axis, and the rear end is supported on the roller; a force receiving member, sized and configured to support a foot of a standing person, wherein the force receiving member is (movably mounted) on the intermediate portion of the support member; and a link having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the force receiving member, and the second end is rotatably connected to the crank at a position radially displaced from the crank axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 12 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the crank includes a flywheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the crank includes a radially displaced shaft extending in a generally axial direction, and the roller is rotatably mounted on the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein a rigid member is fixed to the shaft and extends generally perpendicular thereto, and the second end of the link is rotatably connected to the rigid member at a position radially displaced from the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 47 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the roller rotates about a first axis at a first radial distance from the crank axis, and the second end of the link rotates about a second, discrete axis at a second, relatively greater radial distance from the crank axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first axis and the second axis are disposed on a common radius of the crank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of the support member is configured to guide the force receiving member in a linear path relative thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force in receiving member is rollably mounted on the intermediate portion of the support member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 43 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle member rigidly connected to the front end of the support member, within reach of a person standing on the force receiving member, and pivotal about the pivot axis together with the support member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the link is rotatably connected to the force receiving member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 139 words
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; a first crank rotatably mounted on the frame and rotatable about a first crank axis; a second crank rotatably mounted on the frame and rotatable about a second crank axis; a support member having a front end, a rear end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, wherein the support member is movably connected to the frame proximate the front end and is pivotal about a pivot axis; a roller rotatably mounted on the first crank, wherein the support member is supported on the roller proximate the rear end thereof; a force receiving member, sized and configured to support a foot of a standing person, wherein the force receiving member is movably mounted on the intermediate portion of the support member; and a link interconnected between the second crank and the force receiving member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 139 words
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; a first crank rotatably mounted on the frame and rotatable about a first crank axis; a second crank rotatably mounted on the frame and rotatable about a second crank axis; a support member having a front end, a rear end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, wherein the support member is movably connected to the frame proximate the front end and is pivotal about a pivot axis; a roller rotatably mounted on the first crank, wherein the support member is supported on the roller proximate the rear end thereof; a force receiving member, sized and configured to support a foot of a standing person, wherein the force receiving member is movably mounted on the intermediate portion of the support member; and a link interconnected between the second crank and the force receiving member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 26 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first crank defines a first crank radius, and the second crank defines a second, relatively greater crank radius.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first crank and the second crank rotate together about a common crank axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 36 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first end of the link is rotatably connected to the force receiving member, and a second, opposite end of the link is rotatably connected to the second crank.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 113 words
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; a crank rotatably mounted on the frame; a support member pivotally connected to the frame; a force receiving member, sized and configured to support a foot of a standing person, wherein the force receiving member is movably mounted on the support member; a first means, interconnected between the support member and the crank, for linking rotation of the crank to pivoting of the support member relative to the frame; and a second means, interconnected between the force receiving member and the crank, for linking rotation of the crank to movement of the force receiving member and the foot of the standing person relative to the support member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 113 words
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; a crank rotatably mounted on the frame; a support member pivotally connected to the frame; a force receiving member, sized and configured to support a foot of a standing person, wherein the force receiving member is movably mounted on the support member; a first means, interconnected between the support member and the crank, for linking rotation of the crank to pivoting of the support member relative to the frame; and a second means, interconnected between the force receiving member and the crank, for linking rotation of the crank to movement of the force receiving member and the foot of the standing person relative to the support member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 29 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a handle member rigidly mounted on the support member and within reach off a person standing on the force receiving member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 24 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a handle member pivotally mounted on the frame and movable independently of the force receiving member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 41 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a handle member pivotally mounted on the frame and linked to the force receiving member to pivot back and forth in response to movement of the force receiving member relative to the frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 43 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first means includes a roller rotatably connected to the crank at a first radial distance from an axis of rotation defined by the crank, and disposed beneath at least a portion of the support member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 42 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second means includes a link rotatably connected to the force receiving member, and rotatably connected to the crank at a second, relatively greater radial distance from the axis of rotation defined by the crank.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 33 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second means includes a link having a first end connected to the force receiving member, and a second, opposite end rotatably connected to the crank.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 28 words
The exercise apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first means includes a roller rotatably mounted on the crank and underlying at least a portion of the support member.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-09-07 2002-03-09 2002-09-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-09-07 2006-03-09 2006-09-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-09-07 2010-03-09 2010-09-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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