US6409632B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact elliptical exercise machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-11-28
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Granted: 2002-06-25
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Expires: 2020-11-28
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. Elliptical trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Existing elliptical trainers consume excessive floorspace having shrouds at one or both ends. The present invention is an improved elliptical exercise machine capable of extended exercise with a long stride comparable to existing cross trainers. A shroud which also serves as a step platform is located under the pedals containing the crank, pedal guidance linkage and load resistance. Further, the elliptical trainer is more compact with a smaller footprint to conserve floor space. Handles are connected to the pedals for coordinated arm exercise.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul William Eschenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:15
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; A63B2022/0676; A63B2022/0682
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An exercise machine comprising: a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor; a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal; a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of guides, each guide operably associated with said first portion of said foot support member to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; a pair of linkages, each said linkage positioned below said foot support member and operably associated with said crank to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement; said linkages including a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said crank and, a lifter link, said lifter link pivotally connected to said second portion of said foot support member and pivotally connected to said coupler link; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An exercise machine comprising: a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor; a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal; a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of guides, each guide operably associated with said first portion of said foot support member to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; a pair of linkages, each said linkage positioned below said foot support member and operably associated with said crank to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement; said linkages including a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said crank and, a lifter link, said lifter link pivotally connected to said second portion of said foot support member and pivotally connected to said coupler link; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said elongate curve path is generally elliptical in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein each said linkage includes a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said coupler link and pivotally connected to said framework proximate said floor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said rocker link is pivotally connected to said first portion of said foot support member to guide said first portion of said foot support member with generally back and forth movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said guide comprises a roller, said roller pivotally attached to said first portion of said foot support member and, a track, said track attached to said framework and in rollable contact with said roller to guide said first portion of said foot support member with generally back and forth movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said guide comprises an extension link, said extension link pivotally connected to said first portion of said foot support member and pivotally connected to said framework to guide said first portion of said foot support member with generally back and forth movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said pedal motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The exercise machine according to claim 7 wherein said means for arm exercise comprises a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework and a pair of connector links, each said connector link operably associated with said handle and said foot support member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The exercise machine according to claim 6 further comprising a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework and operably associated with said extension link for arm exercise.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel rotatably connected to said framework and operably associated with said crank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said crank, a means for adjustment of said load resistance and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said load resistance can be varied during operation of said exercise machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said pedal is positioned on said second portion of said foot support member to cause a portion of said pedal to follow an elliptical curve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise machine according to claim 10 wherein said load resistance is an alternator, said alternator attached to said framework below said foot support member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said guide to change said pedal motion and, a control system, said control system associated with said actuator to change said pedal motion during operation of said exercise machine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exercise machine according to claim 3 further comprising a pair of control links, each control link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said lifter link.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
196 words
An exercise machine comprising: a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor; a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal; a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework proximate said floor; a pair of coupler links, each coupler link operably associated with said crank and said rocker link to cause said rocker link to oscillate back and forth; a pair of lifter links, each lifter link operably associated with said coupler link and pivotally connected to said second portion of said foot support member to cause said second portion to have generally up and down movement; a pair of guides, each guide operably associated with said first portion of said foot support member to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve positioned above said crank.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
196 words
An exercise machine comprising: a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor; a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal; a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework proximate said floor; a pair of coupler links, each coupler link operably associated with said crank and said rocker link to cause said rocker link to oscillate back and forth; a pair of lifter links, each lifter link operably associated with said coupler link and pivotally connected to said second portion of said foot support member to cause said second portion to have generally up and down movement; a pair of guides, each guide operably associated with said first portion of said foot support member to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve positioned above said crank.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising a pair of control links, each control link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said lifter link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said exercise machine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said guide to change said pedal motion and, a control system, said control system associated with said actuator to change said pedal motion during operation of said exercise machine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
212 words
An exercise machine comprising: a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor; a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal; a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of guides, each guide operably associated with said first portion of said foot support member to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework proximate said floor; a pair of coupler links, each coupler link operably associated with said crank and said rocker link to cause said rocker link to oscillate back and forth; a pair of lifter links, each lifter link operably associated with said crank and pivotally connected to said second portion of said foot support member to cause said second portion to have generally up and down movement; a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said framework and coordinated with said pedal movement; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
212 words
An exercise machine comprising: a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor; a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal; a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of guides, each guide operably associated with said first portion of said foot support member to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework proximate said floor; a pair of coupler links, each coupler link operably associated with said crank and said rocker link to cause said rocker link to oscillate back and forth; a pair of lifter links, each lifter link operably associated with said crank and pivotally connected to said second portion of said foot support member to cause said second portion to have generally up and down movement; a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said framework and coordinated with said pedal movement; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The exercise machine according to claim 20 wherein said means for arm exercise comprises a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework and operably associated with said foot support member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
The exercise machine according to claim 20 further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said crank, a means for adjustment of said load resistance and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said load resistance can be varied during operation of said exercise machine.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The exercise machine according to claim 20 further comprising an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said guide to change said pedal motion and, a control system, said control system associated with said actuator to change said pedal motion during operation of said exercise machine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising a shroud, said shroud positioned below said foot support members to enclose said crank and said coupler links.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
58 words
The exercise machine according to claim 20 wherein said guide comprises a roller, said roller pivotally attached to said first portion of said foot support member and, a track, said track attached to said framework and in rollable contact with said roller to guide said first portion of said foot support member with generally back and forth movement.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The exercise machine according to claim 20 wherein said guide comprises an extension link, said extension link pivotally connected to said first portion of said foot support member and pivotally connected to said framework to guide said first portion of said foot support member with generally back and forth movement.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exercise machine according to claim 20 further comprising a pair of control links, each control link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said lifter 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) | 2005-06-24 | 2005-12-24 | 2006-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | 2010-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-24 | 2013-12-24 | 2014-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |