Patent US6168552B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6168552B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective lift elliptical exercise apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1999-10-12
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Granted: 2001-01-02
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Expires: 2019-10-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking, jogging and climbing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Cross trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Existing machines often produce user problems such as excessive foot articulation. The present invention is an improved elliptical exercise machine capable of extended exercise with fewer user problems. Further, the cross trainer is adjustable to vary the motion of the elliptical stride from walking to climbing. The intermediate portion of a foot support member is guided by a guide member and drives a crank linkage on one end with pedal on the other end. The resulting pedal motion has less severe pedal angles than a simple crank cross trainer. Handles are coupled to the foot support member for coordinated arm exercise.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul William Eschenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:27
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/0015; A63B22/0023; A63B22/0002; A63B22/001; A63B22/06; A63B22/0664; A63B2022/0676; A63B22/20; A63B22/201; A63B22/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
An exercise machine comprising; a framework configured to be supported by the floor; a crank means rotatably connected to said framework forward the operator, said crank means projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operably associated with said crank means, such that said second end of said foot support member follows a generally closed loop curve when said crank means is rotated; a roller means, said roller means rotatably connected to a respective said foot support member intermediate said ends; a pair of guide members each having a first and a second end, each said guide member in rollable contact with said roller means and operably associated with said framework; a pivot means positioned intermediate said first and second ends of said guide member being operatively associated with said framework whereby said guide member may be rotated about said pivot means to change said elongate pedal curve; a pair of pedal means to support each foot, said pedal means attached to said second end of a respective said foot support member; means to reposition said guide member, said means to reposition said guide member operably associated with said framework; said pedal means configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank means whereby said pedal means follows an elongate curve which can be adjusted by said means to reposition said guide member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
An exercise machine comprising; a framework configured to be supported by the floor; a crank means rotatably connected to said framework forward the operator, said crank means projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operably associated with said crank means, such that said second end of said foot support member follows a generally closed loop curve when said crank means is rotated; a roller means, said roller means rotatably connected to a respective said foot support member intermediate said ends; a pair of guide members each having a first and a second end, each said guide member in rollable contact with said roller means and operably associated with said framework; a pivot means positioned intermediate said first and second ends of said guide member being operatively associated with said framework whereby said guide member may be rotated about said pivot means to change said elongate pedal curve; a pair of pedal means to support each foot, said pedal means attached to said second end of a respective said foot support member; means to reposition said guide member, said means to reposition said guide member operably associated with said framework; said pedal means configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank means whereby said pedal means follows an elongate curve which can be adjusted by said means to reposition said guide member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said means to reposition said guide member comprises an actuator means, said actuator means having a control system operable during operation of said exercise machine to reposition said guide member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said means to reposition said guide member comprises a manual selective means, said manual selective means operably associated with said guide member and said framework.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a load resistance means operably associated with said crank means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said second end of said foot support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The exercise machine according to claim 5 further comprising a pair of handle means, each said handle means attached to a rocker link pivotally connected to said framework, a pair of connecting links, each said connecting link pivotally connected to said rocker link and operably associated with said foot support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of coupling links for each said foot support member, said coupling links pivotally connected to said foot support member and to said crank means whereby said first end of said foot support member follows an oval path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said first end of said foot support member follows an arcuate path when said crank means is rotated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
229 words
An exercise machine comprising; a framework configured to be supported by the floor; a crank means rotatably connected to said framework forward the operator, said crank means projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operably associated with said crank means, such that said second end of said foot support member follows a generally elliptical movement when said crank means is rotated; a roller means, said roller means rotatably connected to a respective said foot support member intermediate said ends; a pair of guide means, each said guide means in rollable contact with said roller means and operably associated with said framework; means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said foot support members; a pair of coupling links for each said foot support member, said coupling links pivotally connected to said foot support member and to said crank means whereby said first end of said foot support member follows an oval path; a pair of pedal means to support each foot, said pedal means attached to said second end of said foot support member; said pedal means configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank means whereby said pedal means follows an elongate curve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
229 words
An exercise machine comprising; a framework configured to be supported by the floor; a crank means rotatably connected to said framework forward the operator, said crank means projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operably associated with said crank means, such that said second end of said foot support member follows a generally elliptical movement when said crank means is rotated; a roller means, said roller means rotatably connected to a respective said foot support member intermediate said ends; a pair of guide means, each said guide means in rollable contact with said roller means and operably associated with said framework; means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said foot support members; a pair of coupling links for each said foot support member, said coupling links pivotally connected to said foot support member and to said crank means whereby said first end of said foot support member follows an oval path; a pair of pedal means to support each foot, said pedal means attached to said second end of said foot support member; said pedal means configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank means whereby said pedal means follows an elongate curve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The exercise machine according to claim 9 further comprising an actuator means, said actuator means having a control system and being operably associated with said guide means and said framework whereby said control system allows the orientation of said elongate curve relative to the floor to be changed during operation of said exercise machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise machine according to claim 10 wherein said actuator means is a linear actuator pivotally connected to said guide means and to said framework.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The exercise machine according to claim 9 wherein said guide means has a first and a second end; a pivot means, said pivot means positioned intermediate said first and second ends of said guide means being operably associated with said framework whereby said guide means may be rotated about said pivot means to change said elongate pedal curve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The exercise machine according to claim 9 further comprising a load resistance means operably associated with said crank means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The exercise machine according to claim 9 wherein said means for arm exercise comprises a pair of handle means, each said handle means attached to a rocker link pivotally connected to said framework, a pair of connecting links, each said connecting link pivotally connected to said rocker link and operably associated with said foot support member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The exercise machine according to claim 9 wherein said first end of said foot support member follows an arcuate path when said crank means is rotated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
219 words
An exercise machine comprising; a framework configured to be supported by the floor; a crank linkage rotatably connected to said framework forward the operator, said crank linkage including a plurality of links projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operably associated with said crank linkage to follow an oval path, such that said second end of said foot support member follows a generally elliptical movement when said crank linkage is rotated; a roller means, said roller means rotatably connected to said foot support member intermediate said ends; a pair of guide members, each said guide member in rollable contact with said roller means and operably associated with said framework; a pivot means positioned intermediate said first and second ends of said guide member being operatively associated with said framework whereby said guide member may be rotated about said pivot means to change said elongate pedal curve; a pair of pedal means to support each foot, said pedal means attached to said second end of said foot support member; said pedal means configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank linkage whereby said pedal means follows an elongate curve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
219 words
An exercise machine comprising; a framework configured to be supported by the floor; a crank linkage rotatably connected to said framework forward the operator, said crank linkage including a plurality of links projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operably associated with said crank linkage to follow an oval path, such that said second end of said foot support member follows a generally elliptical movement when said crank linkage is rotated; a roller means, said roller means rotatably connected to said foot support member intermediate said ends; a pair of guide members, each said guide member in rollable contact with said roller means and operably associated with said framework; a pivot means positioned intermediate said first and second ends of said guide member being operatively associated with said framework whereby said guide member may be rotated about said pivot means to change said elongate pedal curve; a pair of pedal means to support each foot, said pedal means attached to said second end of said foot support member; said pedal means configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank linkage whereby said pedal means follows an elongate curve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising an actuator means, said actuator means having a control system and being operably associated with said guide member and said framework whereby said control system allows the orientation of said elongate curve relative to the floor to be changed during operation of said exercise machine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said second end of said foot support member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The exercise machine according to claim 18 wherein said means for arm exercise comprises a pair of handle means, each said handle means attached to a rocker link pivotally connected to said framework, a pair of connecting links, each said connecting link pivotally connected to said rocker link and operably associated with said foot support member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said crank linkage comprises a pair of crank arms and; a pair of coupling links for each crank arm, said coupling links pivotally connected to each said foot support member and to each said crank arm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-02 | 2004-07-03 | 2005-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-02 | 2008-07-03 | 2009-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-02 | 2012-07-03 | 2013-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |