Variable stride elliptical exercise apparatus

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 crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank; a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement; a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework; a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly operably associated with said crank assembly and said guide 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 path.

Claim 3

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

Claim 4

The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment configured to cause the geometry of said elongate curve to change.

Claim 5

The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said means for adjustment includes an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said control assembly to change the back and forth movement of said guide.

Claim 6

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said control assembly comprises a guide extension, said guide extension attached to said guide, a rocker link extension, said rocker link extension attached to said rocker link, and a control link, said control link operably associated with said rocker link extension and said guide extension.

Claim 7

The exercise machine according to claim 5 wherein said control link is connected to said guide link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said guide link extension.

Claim 8

The exercise machine according to claim 5 wherein said control link is connected to said rocker link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said rocker link extension.

Claim 9

The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said means for adjustment is positioned proximate the upper body of the operator for easy adjustment while standing on the exercise machine.

Claim 10

The exercise machine according to claim 4 further comprising a control system, said control system allowing said actuator to be changed during operation of said exercise machine.

Claim 11

The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said pedal movement.

Claim 12

The exercise machine according to claim 10 wherein said means for arm exercise comprises a pair of handles, each said handle attached to said corresponding guide.

Claim 13

The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising a shroud, said shroud positioned below said foot support members to enclose said crank and at least a portion of said coupler links.

Claim 14

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 15

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 16

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said pedal is positioned intermediate said first and said second portion of said foot support member to cause said pedal to follow an elliptical curve.

Claim 17

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said roller is rotatably connected to said crank whereby said roller is in rollable contact with said foot support member.

Claim 18

The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said roller is rotatably connected to said coupler link whereby said roller is in rollable contact with said foot support member.

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 crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank; a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement; a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework; a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly comprising a rocker link extension, said rocker link extension attached to said rocker link, a guide extension, said guide extension attached to said guide and a control link, said control link operably associated with said rocker link extension and said guide extension 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 path.

Claim 20

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 crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank; a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement; a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework; a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly comprising a rocker link extension, said rocker link extension attached to said rocker link, a guide extension, said guide extension attached to said guide and a control link, said control link operably associated with said rocker link extension and said guide extension 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 path.

Claim 21

The exercise machine according to claim 18 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said guide.

Claim 22

The exercise machine according to claim 18 further comprising a coupler extension, said coupler extension attached to said coupler link whereby said roller is positioned on said coupler extension offset relative to a line connecting the crank pivot and rocker pivot of said coupler link.

Claim 23

The exercise machine according to claim 18 further comprising a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment configured to cause the geometry of said elongate curve to change.

Claim 24

The exercise machine according to claim 21 wherein said means for adjustment includes a control system, said control system positioned within easy reach of the operator and, an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said control system and said control assembly to change the back and forth movement of said guide during operation of said exercise machine.

Claim 25

The exercise machine according to claim 18 wherein said means for adjustment is manual, said manual means for adjustment positioned for easy access by said user.

Claim 26

The exercise machine according to claim 18 wherein said control link is connected to said rocker link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said rocker link extension.

Claim 27

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 crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank; a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement; a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework; a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly operably associated with said crank assembly and said guide to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment operably associated with said control assembly and said guide; 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 that can be changed by said means for adjustment.

Claim 28

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 crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank; a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement; a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework; a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly operably associated with said crank assembly and said guide to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement; a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment operably associated with said control assembly and said guide; 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 that can be changed by said means for adjustment.

Claim 29

The exercise machine according to claim 25 further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said exercise machine.

Claim 30

The exercise machine according to claim 25 wherein said means for adjustment includes a control system, said control system positioned within easy reach of the operator and, an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said control system and said control assembly to change the back and forth movement of said guide during operation of said exercise machine.

Claim 31

The exercise machine according to claim 25 wherein said means for adjustment is manual, said manual means for adjustment positioned for easy access by said user.

Claim 32

The exercise machine according to claim 25 wherein said control assembly comprises a guide extension, said guide extension attached to said guide, a rocker link extension, said rocker link extension attached to said rocker link, and a control link, said control link operably associated with said rocker link extension and said guide extension.

Claim 33

The exercise machine according to claim 29 wherein said control link is connected to said rocker link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said rocker link extension.

Claim 34

The exercise machine according to claim 29 wherein said control link is connected to said guide link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said guide link extension.