US6019710A — Exercising device with elliptical movement

Claim 1

Independent Claim 141 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame configured for resting on a ground surface; (b) a pair of spaced apart foot rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, each foot rail being configured to receive a corresponding foot of a user; (c) a pair of stroke rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of each stroke rail being hingedly attached to the first end of a corresponding foot rail; (d) means for connecting each stroke rail to the frame such that linear reciprocating displacement of the first end of each stroke rail results in displacement of the second end of each stroke rail in a substantially elliptical path; and (e) means for selectively varying the size of the substantially elliptical path that the second end of each stroke rail travels.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 141 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame configured for resting on a ground surface; (b) a pair of spaced apart foot rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, each foot rail being configured to receive a corresponding foot of a user; (c) a pair of stroke rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of each stroke rail being hingedly attached to the first end of a corresponding foot rail; (d) means for connecting each stroke rail to the frame such that linear reciprocating displacement of the first end of each stroke rail results in displacement of the second end of each stroke rail in a substantially elliptical path; and (e) means for selectively varying the size of the substantially elliptical path that the second end of each stroke rail travels.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 63 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for connecting comprises: (i) an axle having opposing ends, the axil being rotatably mounted to the frame; (ii) a crank arm rigidly mounted on each opposing end of the axil; and (iii) means for coupling each crank arm to a corresponding stroke rail so as to enable free rotation of the axle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 43 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the means for coupling comprises: (i) a pin projecting from each crank arm; and (ii) a tubular sleeve rotatably disposed over each pin, each tubular sleeve being rigidly secured to a corresponding stroke rail.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising means for conserving momentum generated by rotation of the axil.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 43 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the means for conserving momentum comprises: (a) a flywheel mounted to the axis; (b) a weighted wheel rotatably mounted to the frame; and (c) a belt extending from the flywheel to the weighted wheel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively varying comprises a pair of adjustment arms each having a first end slidably mounted to the frame and an opposing second end adjustably mounted to the first end of a corresponding stroke rail.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks and a support stand upstanding therebetween.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end of each stroke rail is slidably attached to the frame.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each stroke rail is curved.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each foot rail is curved.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a wheel mounted on each foot rail and disposed on the frame.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 142 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame configured for resting on a ground surface and having an support stand; (b) a pair of spaced apart foot rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, each foot rail being configured to receive a corresponding foot of a user; (c) a pair of stroke rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each stroke rail being slidably attached to the support stand of the frame, the second end of each stroke rail being hingedly attached to the first end of a corresponding foot rail; and (d) means for connecting each stroke rail to the frame such that linear reciprocating displacement of the first end of each stroke rail results in displacement of the second end of each stroke rail in a substantially elliptical path.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 142 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame configured for resting on a ground surface and having an support stand; (b) a pair of spaced apart foot rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, each foot rail being configured to receive a corresponding foot of a user; (c) a pair of stroke rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each stroke rail being slidably attached to the support stand of the frame, the second end of each stroke rail being hingedly attached to the first end of a corresponding foot rail; and (d) means for connecting each stroke rail to the frame such that linear reciprocating displacement of the first end of each stroke rail results in displacement of the second end of each stroke rail in a substantially elliptical path.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 65 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the means for connecting comprises: (i) an axle having opposing ends, the axil being rotatably mounted to the frame; (ii) a crank arm rigidly mounted on each opposing end of the axle; and (iii) means for coupling each crank arm to a corresponding stroke rail so as to enable the axil to continue to freely rotate.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 43 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the means for coupling comprises: (i) a pin projecting from each crank arm; and (ii) a tubular sleeve rotatably disposed over each pin, each tubular sleeve being rigidly secured to a corresponding stroke rail.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for conserving momentum generated by rotation of the axle.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 14 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein each stroke rail is curved.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein each foot rail is curved.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a wheel mounted on each foot rail and disposed on the frame.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the second end of each foot rail is freely suspended above a portion of the frame.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a foot pad mounted on each foot rail.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 21 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a hand rail attached to the support stand of the frame.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 41 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a pair of adjustment arms each having a first end slidably mounted to the frame and an opposing second end adjustably mounted to the first end of a corresponding stroke rail.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 110 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame configured for resting on a ground surface and having a support stand; (b) first and second crank arms rotatably mounted to the support stand of the frame, the crank arm rotating about a fixed axis; (c) first and second foot rails having a first end and an opposing second end, a portion of the first foot rail movably resting on the frame; (d) stroke means extending between the crank arms and the hingedly attached to said four rails & for rotating the end of the first foot rails in a substantially elliptical path when the crank arms are rotated in a circular path.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 110 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame configured for resting on a ground surface and having a support stand; (b) first and second crank arms rotatably mounted to the support stand of the frame, the crank arm rotating about a fixed axis; (c) first and second foot rails having a first end and an opposing second end, a portion of the first foot rail movably resting on the frame; (d) stroke means extending between the crank arms and the hingedly attached to said four rails & for rotating the end of the first foot rails in a substantially elliptical path when the crank arms are rotated in a circular path.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 79 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein the stroke means comprises a first stroke rail having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the first stroke rail being hingedly attached to the first end of the first foot rail, the crank arm being attached to the first stroke rail between the first end and the second end thereof, the crank arm being attached so as to enable rotation of the crank arm.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 34 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 24, further comprising an adjustment arm having a first end slidably mounted to the frame and an opposing second end adjustably mounted to the first stroke rail.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 21 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 23, further comprising means for conserving momentum generated by rotation of the crank arm.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the first stroke rail is linear and the first foot rail is curved.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the first stroke rail is curved and the first foot rail is linear.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 98 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 23, further comprising: (a) a second crank arm rotatably mounted to the support stand of the frame, the second crank arm rotating about a fixed axis; (b) a second foot rail having a first end and an opposing second end; and (c) a second stroke rail having a first end slidably attached to the support stand of the frame and a second end hingedly attached to the first end of the second foot rail, the second crank being attached to the second stroke rail between the first and second ends thereof.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 127 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame comprising a base configured for resting on a ground surface and an support stand; (b) a pair of spaced apart foot rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, a portion of each foot rail resting on the base of the frame; (c) a pair of adjustment arms each having a first end slidably attached to the support stand and an opposing second end; (d) a pair of stroke rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of each stroke rail being hingedly attached to the first end of a corresponding foot rail; and (e) means for adjustably attaching the second end of the adjustment arm to a corresponding stroke rail.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 127 words

An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame comprising a base configured for resting on a ground surface and an support stand; (b) a pair of spaced apart foot rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, a portion of each foot rail resting on the base of the frame; (c) a pair of adjustment arms each having a first end slidably attached to the support stand and an opposing second end; (d) a pair of stroke rails each having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of each stroke rail being hingedly attached to the first end of a corresponding foot rail; and (e) means for adjustably attaching the second end of the adjustment arm to a corresponding stroke rail.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 36 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein the means for adjustable attaching comprises the second end of each adjustment arm being configured to be received within the first end of a corresponding stroke rail.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 102 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 30, further comprising a rotatable crank including: (i) an axil having opposing ends, the axle being rotatably mounted to the support stand of the frame; (ii) a pair of crank arms each orthogonally projecting from a corresponding end of the axle in opposing directions; and (iii) means for coupling each crank arm to a corresponding stroke rail between the first and second end of the corresponding stroke rail such that as the second end of each foot rail reciprocates in a lateral movement, the first end of each foot rail moves in an elliptical path.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 16 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein each of the stroke rails are curved.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 16 words

An exercise apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein each of the foot rails are curved.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-01-31	2003-08-02	2004-02-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-01-31	2007-08-02	2008-02-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-01-31	2011-08-02	2012-02-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exercising device with elliptical movement

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