Compact elliptical exercise machine with adjustment

Claim 2

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 path generating mechanisms, each said path generating mechanism including a plurality of links operably associated with said crank and said framework to support said first portion of said foot support member; a pair of curved tracks, each said curved track operably associated with said foot support member and said framework to cause said second portion of said foot member to have a back and forth movement; said curved tracks movable horizontally back and forth relative to said frame to change the pedal motion ; a pair of rollers each rotatably connected to said second porion of a respective said foot support member and in rollable contact with a respective curved track; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an oblong curve path with non-parallel angular pedal movement.

Claim 3

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said oblong curve path is generally elliptical in shape.

Claim 4

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein each said path generating mechanism comprises a linkage, said linkage including a rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and, a coupler link operably associated with said crank and said rocker link, said linkage configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member.

Claim 5

The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said path generating mechanism.

Claim 6

The exercise machine according to claim 4 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 path generating mechanism.

Claim 7

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 8

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 9

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said foot support member is configured with said pedal on one end and said first portion at the other end with said second portion positioned intermediate the ends.

Claim 10

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said curved track is inclined relative to said floor.

Claim 11

The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said crank is pivotally connected to one end of said coupler link and said first portion of said foot support member is pivotally connected to the other end of said coupler link.

Claim 12

The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said crank is connected to said coupler link at a crank pivot, said foot support member is connected to said coupler link at a foot support pivot and, said rocker link is connected to said coupler at a rocker pivot positioned offset relative to a line connecting said crank pivot and said foot support pivot.

Claim 13

The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means to adjust said curved track, said means to adjust said curved track operably associated with said curved track and said framework, and a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said means to adjust said curved track can be varied during operation of said exercise machine to change the pedal motion.

Claim 14

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said curved track is pivoted on the forward end to allow the rearward end of said curved track to be raised or lowered to change the pedal motion.

Claim 15

The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said rocker link is pivotally connected to one end of said coupler link and said first portion of said foot support member is pivotally connected to the other end of said coupler link.

Claim 16

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 path generating mechanisms, each said path generating mechanism including a plurality of links operably associated with said crank and said framework to support said first portion of said corresponding foot support member along an elongate curve path; a pair of curved tracks, each said curved track movable back and forth in a horizontal direction relative to said framework and, said curved track operably associated with said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot member to have a back and forth movement; a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said curved track; a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment operably associated with said curved track and said framework; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said means for adjustment can be adjusted to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

Claim 17

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 path generating mechanisms, each said path generating mechanism including a plurality of links operably associated with said crank and said framework to support said first portion of said corresponding foot support member along an elongate curve path; a pair of curved tracks, each said curved track movable back and forth in a horizontal direction relative to said framework and, said curved track operably associated with said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot member to have a back and forth movement; a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said curved track; a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment operably associated with said curved track and said framework; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said means for adjustment can be adjusted to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

Claim 18

The exercise machine according to claim 15 wherein each said path generating mechanism comprises a linkage, said linkage including a rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and, a coupler link operably associated with said crank and said rocker link, said linkage configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member.

Claim 19

The exercise machine according to claim 15 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said path generating mechanism.

Claim 20

The exercise machine according to claim 17 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 corresponding path generating mechanism.

Claim 21

The exercise machine according to claim 15 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel rotatably connected to said framework and operably associated with said crank.

Claim 22

The exercise machine according to claim 15 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 23

The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said rocker link is pivotally connected to one end of said coupler link and said first portion of said foot support member is pivotally connected to the other end of said coupler link.

Claim 24

The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said crank is connected to said coupler link at a crank pivot, said foot support member is connected to said coupler link at a foot support pivot and, said rocker link is connected to said coupler at a rocker pivot positioned offset relative to a line connecting said crank pivot and said foot support pivot.

Claim 25

The exercise machine according to claim 15 further comprising a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said means for adjustment can be varied during operation of said exercise machine to change the pedal motion.

Claim 26

The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said crank is connected to one end of said coupler link at said crank pivot and said first portion of said foot support member is connected to the other end of said coupler link at said foot support pivot.