Pathfinder elliptical exercise machine

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 tracks, each said 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; a means for stride adjustment, said means for stride adjustment operably associated with said path generating mechanisms to vary the horizontal stride length of said pedal; 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.

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 3 wherein said means for stride adjustment is operably associated with said coupler link and said rocker link to change the position of said rocker link relative to said coupler link causing a change in pedal motion.

Claim 6

The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a roller, said roller rotatably connected to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said track.

Claim 7

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 8

The exercise machine according to claim 6 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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

The exercise machine according to claim 5 wherein said track is curved to support said roller.

Claim 13

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 14

The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means for pedal lift adjustment, said means for pedal lift adjustment operably associated with said track and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator and operably associated with said means for pedal lift adjustment whereby the position of said track can be varied during operation of said exercise machine.

Claim 15

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said track is curved and movable horizontally back and forth relative to said frame to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

Claim 16

The exercise machine according to claim 13 wherein said means for pedal lift adjustment can change the angular orientation of said track to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

Claim 17

The exercise machine according to claim 13 wherein said means for stride adjustment and said means for pedal lift adjustment are independently operative to adjust either the stride or lift height of said pedal motion.

Claim 18

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 tracks, each said 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; a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said track; a first means for adjustment, said first means for adjustment operably associated with said track and said framework to change the pedal lift height; a second means for adjustment, said second means for adjustment operably associated with said path generating mechanisms to change pedal stride length; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby either said means for adjustment can be adjusted to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

Claim 19

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 tracks, each said 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; a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said track; a first means for adjustment, said first means for adjustment operably associated with said track and said framework to change the pedal lift height; a second means for adjustment, said second means for adjustment operably associated with said path generating mechanisms to change pedal stride length; said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby either said means for adjustment can be adjusted to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

Claim 20

The exercise machine according to claim 17 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 21

The exercise machine according to claim 17 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said path generating mechanism.

Claim 22

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 path generating mechanism.

Claim 23

The exercise machine according to claim 17 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel rotatably connected to said framework and operably associated with said crank.

Claim 24

The exercise machine according to claim 17 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 25

The exercise machine according to claim 18 wherein said second means for adjustment is operably associated with said coupler link and said rocker link to change the position of said rocker link relative to said coupler link causing a change in pedal motion.

Claim 26

The exercise machine according to claim 18 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 27

The exercise machine according to claim 17 further comprising a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby either said means for adjustment can be varied during operation of said exercise machine to change the pedal motion.

Claim 28

The exercise machine according to claim 17 wherein said track is curved to support said roller.

Claim 29

The exercise machine according to claim 17 wherein said track is curved and movable horizontally back and forth relative to said frame by said first means for adjustment to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

Claim 30

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 at least one said link having a changeable length for varying the elongate curve path at least one said link having a changeable lenght for varying the elongate curve path; a pair of tracks, each said 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; a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said track; a pair of adjustment means, each said adjustment means operably associated with at least one of said links of said path generating mechanism to vary said elongate curve path; 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 31

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 at least one said link having a changeable length for varying the elongate curve path at least one said link having a changeable lenght for varying the elongate curve path; a pair of tracks, each said 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; a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said track; a pair of adjustment means, each said adjustment means operably associated with at least one of said links of said path generating mechanism to vary said elongate curve path; 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 32

The exercise machine according to claim 28 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 33

The exercise machine according to claim 28 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said path generating mechanism.

Claim 34

The exercise machine according to claim 30 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 35

The exercise machine according to claim 28 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel rotatably connected to said framework and operably associated with said crank.

Claim 36

The exercise machine according to claim 28 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 37

The exercise machine according to claim 28 further comprising a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said adjustment means can be varied during operation of said exercise machine to change the pedal motion.

Claim 38

The exercise machine according to claim 28 further comprising a second means for adjustment, said second means for adjustment operably associated with said track and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator and operably associated with said second means for adjustment whereby the position of said track can be varied during operation of said exercise machine.

Claim 39

The exercise machine according to claim 28 wherein said track is curved and movable horizontally back and forth relative to said frame to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.