US6146313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cross training exercise device
Assignee: Precor Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-10
•
Granted: 2000-11-14
•
Expires: 2017-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (36). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flater inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.
Inventors
- 👤 Janine Whan-Tong
- 👤 Peter Pasero
- 👤 Paul D. Barker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:49
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: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 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 and a second end; a foot support for receiving the user's feet, the foot support supported by the first and second foot links, and the foot support having a heel supporting section and toe supporting section; a coupling system associated with the first end of each foot link for coupling the first end of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first end of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the pivot axis; a guide associated with 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 their paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use and when the second end of one of the foot links travels forwardly from a rearmost position, the heel supporting section of the foot support rising relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support so that 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 supporting section of the foot support lowering relative to the toe supporting, section of the foot support so that the heel portion of the user's foot initially lowers at a faster rate than the toe portion; and an elevation system for selectively and 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 second ends of the first and second links, and to alter the nominal relative orientation of the heel supporting section of the foot support relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 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 and a second end; a foot support for receiving the user's feet, the foot support supported by the first and second foot links, and the foot support having a heel supporting section and toe supporting section; a coupling system associated with the first end of each foot link for coupling the first end of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first end of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the pivot axis; a guide associated with 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 their paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use and when the second end of one of the foot links travels forwardly from a rearmost position, the heel supporting section of the foot support rising relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support so that 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 supporting section of the foot support lowering relative to the toe supporting, section of the foot support so that the heel portion of the user's foot initially lowers at a faster rate than the toe portion; and an elevation system for selectively and 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 second ends of the first and second links, and to alter the nominal relative orientation of the heel supporting section of the foot support relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the guide is disposed at an inclined relationship with the floor, and the elevation system is operable to alter the inclination of the guide relative to the floor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 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 elevation system includes means for varying the orientation of the guide relative to the frame about the guide pivot axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the guide relative to the frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the guide comprises first and second tracks, and the elevation system operably engaging the tracks to alter the orientation of the tracks relative to the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the elevation system operably engages 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 elevation 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 1, 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
27 words
The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the elevation system operably engages the rocker arm to raise and lower the rocker arm relative to the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the elevation system includes means for altering the length of the rocker arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the second ends of the first and second foot links relative to a respective rocker arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising rollers coupled to the second ends of the foot links to engage the guide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein: the guide comprises rollers for supporting the second ends of the foot links; and the elevation system changing the elevation of the rollers relative to the floor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise device according to claim 13, wherein the guide includes at least one pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame, and the rollers being mounted on the pivot arm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The exercise device according to claim 14, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the pivot arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 15, wherein the elevation system for raising and lowering the pivot arms is powered.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The exercise device according to claim 13, further comprising a carriage or which the rollers are mounted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 17, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the carriage relative to the ground.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The exercise device elevation system according to claim 18, wherein the elevation system for raising and lowering the carriage is powered.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The exercise device according to claim 17, wherein: the frame includes a generally upright post; and, the elevation system includes a carriage adapted to travel along the generally upright post, the carriage supporting the rollers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The exercise device according to claim 20, wherein the elevation system is powered to raise and lower the carriage relative to the post.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the guide includes rollers mounted on the frame for supporting the second ends of the foot links.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The exercise device according to claim 22, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the portion of the frame adjacent to rollers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein: the frame includes a forward portion and a post structure extending upwardly from the forward portion of the frame; and the rollers being mounted on the post structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 24, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the post relative to the frame.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers one of the (a) pivot access relative to the ground, and (b) the guide relative to the pivot axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The exercise device according to claim 26, wherein the guide comprises rollers for supporting the second ends of the foot links.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The exercise device according to claim 26, wherein the guide comprising swing arms coupled to the frame for supporting the second ends of the foot links.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
94 words
The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein: a) the guide includes a support arm coupled to the second end of at least one of the foot links and moveable relative to the second end of the foot link; b) a roller assembly associated with the support arm for rollably supporting the second end of foot link for reciprocal travel; and c) the elevation system moving the support arm relative to the second end of the foot link, thereby changing the elevation of the second end of the foot link relative to the floor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The exercise device according to claim 29, wherein the support arm is rotatably coupled to the second end of the foot link, and the elevation system changing the position of the support arm relative to the foot link about the location that the support arms is coupled to the foot link.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The exercise device according to claim 30, wherein the support arm includes an end portion distal from the foot link, and the roller assembly attached to the distal end portion of the support arm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The exercise device according to claim 31, wherein the elevation system further comprises a control arm extending between the support arm and the foot link to change the angular position of the support arm relative to the foot link.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The exercise device according to claim 30, wherein the elevation system further comprises a control arm extending between the support arm and the foot link to change the position of the support arm relative to the foot link.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The exercise device according to claim 29, wherein the support arm extends generally downwardly from the second end portion of the foot link.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The elevation system according to claim 29, further comprising a control link to hold the support arm at a desired position relative to the foot link.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
249 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame configured to be supported on a floor; first and second foot links, each foot link having a first end portion and a second end portion; a foot support carried by the first and second foot links for receiving the feet of a user, the foot support having a heel supporting section and a toe supporting section; a coupling system associated with the first end portion of each foot link for coupling the first end portion of each foot link to the frame so that the first end portion of each foot link travels in closed, arcuate path relative to the frame; a guide system for supporting the second end portions of the foot links along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the first end portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use the foot support moves along a generally elliptical path of travel with the heel supporting section of the foot support rising and lowering relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support; and a powered elevation system for raising and lowering one of the coupling system and the guide system relative to the floor to change the path of travel of the foot support and to change the nominal orientation of the heel supporting section of the foot support relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
249 words
An exercise device to simulate various types of stepping motions, comprising: a frame configured to be supported on a floor; first and second foot links, each foot link having a first end portion and a second end portion; a foot support carried by the first and second foot links for receiving the feet of a user, the foot support having a heel supporting section and a toe supporting section; a coupling system associated with the first end portion of each foot link for coupling the first end portion of each foot link to the frame so that the first end portion of each foot link travels in closed, arcuate path relative to the frame; a guide system for supporting the second end portions of the foot links along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the first end portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use the foot support moves along a generally elliptical path of travel with the heel supporting section of the foot support rising and lowering relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support; and a powered elevation system for raising and lowering one of the coupling system and the guide system relative to the floor to change the path of travel of the foot support and to change the nominal orientation of the heel supporting section of the foot support relative to the toe supporting section of the foot support.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The exercise device according to claim 36, wherein the guide system is disposed at an inclined relationship with the floor, and the elevation system is operable to alter the inclination of the guide system relative to the floor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 37, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the guide relative to the frame.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
The exercise device according to claim 37, wherein the guide system include a guide that is pivotally attached to the frame about a pivot axis, and the elevation system varies the orientation of the guide relative to the frame about the guide pivot axis.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The exercise device according to claim 39, wherein the guide includes at least one track, and the elevation system alters the orientation of the track relative to the frame.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The exercise device according to claim 36, wherein the guide system is pivotally supported by the frame, and the elevation system operably engages the guide system to raise and lower the guide system relative to the frame.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The exercise device according to claim 41, wherein the guide system includes at least one rocker arm pivotally supported by a frame, and pivotally coupled to the second end portions of the first and second links.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exercise device according to claim 42, wherein the elevation system operably engages the rocker arm to raise and lower the rocker arm relative to the frame.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise device according to claim 42, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the second end portions of the first and second links relative to their respective rocker arms.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The exercise device according to claim 42, wherein the elevation system selectively alters the lengths of the rocker arms.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise device according to claim 36, further comprising rollers coupled to the second end portion of the foot links to engage the guide system.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
The exercise device according to claim 36, wherein: the guide system comprising rollers for supporting the second end portion of the foot links; and the elevation system changing the elevation of the rollers relative to the floor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise device according to claim 47, wherein the guide system includes a pivot arm structure coupled to the frame, and the rollers being mounted on the pivot arm structure.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The exercise device according to claim 48, wherein the elevation system raising and lowering the pivot arm structure.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The exercise device according to claim 48, further comprising a carriage on which the rollers are mounted.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 50, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the carriage relative to the ground.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The exercise device according to claim 47, wherein: the frame includes a generally upright post; and the elevation system moves the rollers along the upright post.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The exercise device according to claim 47, wherein: the frame comprises a forward portion and a post structure extending upwardly from the frame forward portion; and the rollers being mounted on the forward post.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The exercise device according to claim 53, wherein the elevation system raises and lowers the post relative to the frame.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
The exercise device according to claim 36, wherein the elevation system raising and lowering the coupling system relative to the ground.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The exercise device according to claim 36, wherein the guide system comprising swing arms couples to the frame for supporting the second end portions of the foot links.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
108 words
The exercise device according to claim 36, wherein: (a) the guide system includes a support arm coupled to the second end portion of at least one of the foot links, said support arm moveable relative to the second end portion of the foot link, and said support arm having a portion distal from the connection to the foot link for supporting the second end portion of the foot link for reciprocal travel; and (b) the elevation system moving the support arm relative to the second end portion of the fool link, thereby changing the elevation of the second end portion of the foot link relative to the floor.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
35 words
The exercise device according to claim 57, wherein the guide system further comprises a roller assembly associated with the support arm for rollably supporting the second end portion of the foot link for reciprocal travel.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
39 words
The exercise device according to claim 58, where the elevation system further comprises a control arm extending between the support arm and the foot link to change the angular position of the support arm relative to the foot link.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
34 words
The elevation system according to claim 55, further comprising a control arm extending between the support arm and the foot link to change the position of the support arm relative to the foot link.
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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) | 2003-11-14 | 2004-05-15 | 2004-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-14 | 2008-05-15 | 2008-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-05-15 | 2012-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |