US6994657B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elliptical exercise machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2005-03-17
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Granted: 2006-02-07
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Expires: 2025-03-17
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 cross trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Existing elliptical cross trainers often use excessive pedal articulation which can overwork the ankle to achieve a longer stride. The present invention is an improved elliptical exercise machine capable of extended exercise with less pedal articulation that is more ankle friendly. One end of a foot support member has a pedal which follows elliptical motion while the other end is guided by a non-aligned drive link to drive an alternator and flywheel. The resulting pedal motion is foot friendly. Handles are coordinated with the foot support members for arm exercise. Adjustment is provided for the elliptical path.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul William Eschenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:42
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/0002; A63B22/001; A63B22/0015; A63B22/06; A63B22/0664; A63B2022/0676; A63B22/20; A63B22/201; A63B2022/206; A63B21/00; A63B21/005; A63B21/0051; A63B21/0053; A63B21/008; A63B21/0085; A63B21/012; A63B21/22; A63B21/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 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 having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot; a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link; a pair of drive links, each drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link; a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said drive link; a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path; a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends; a pair of guides, each said guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a 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 2
Dependent Claim
255 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 having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot; a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link; a pair of drive links, each drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link; a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said drive link; a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path; a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends; a pair of guides, each said guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a 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
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
21 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising arm exercise structure, said arm exercise structure operably associated with said linkage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise machine according to claim 3 wherein said arm exercise further comprises a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework.
Claim 6
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 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The exercise machine according to claim 5 further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said flywheel, 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 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 further comprising an adjustment, said adjustment operably associated with said guide and said framework to adjust said elongate curve pedal path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise machine according to claim 7 wherein said adjustment is comprised of movable guide tracks, said movable guide tracks capable of being repositioned to change said elongate curve path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said drive link contains at least three pivots, said three pivots configured such that a line connecting the two most distal said pivots does not contain the third pivot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said guide is composed of a curved track, said curve track operably associated with said roller and said framework.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise machine according to claim 1 wherein said drive link is nonaligned, said nonaligned drive link being a portion of said path generating linkage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
274 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 having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot; a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link; a pair of nonaligned drive links, each nonaligned drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link and configured such that each end of said nonaligned drive link follows an elongate path; a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said nonaligned drive link; a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said nonaligned drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path; a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends; a pair of guides, each said guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a 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 14
Dependent Claim
274 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 having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot; a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link; a pair of nonaligned drive links, each nonaligned drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link and configured such that each end of said nonaligned drive link follows an elongate path; a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said nonaligned drive link; a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said nonaligned drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path; a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends; a pair of guides, each said guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a 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 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The exercise machine according to claim 12 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
Dependent Claim
23 words
The exercise machine according to claim 12 further comprising arm exercise structure, said arm exercise structure operably associated with said path generating linkages.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The exercise machine according to claim 12 further comprising an adjustment structure, said adjustment structure operably associated with said guide and said framework to adjust said elongate curve pedal path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
286 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 having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot; a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link; a pair of drive links, each drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link and configured such that each end of said drive link follows an elongate path; a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said drive link; a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path; a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends; a pair of curved guides, each said curved guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a back and forth movement; a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework for arm exercise; 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 19
Dependent Claim
286 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 having a pair of crank arms rotatably attached to said framework and projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof; a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link configured to oscillate about a rocker pivot; a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank arm and a corresponding said rocker link; a pair of drive links, each drive link pivotally connected to a corresponding said coupler link and configured such that each end of said drive link follows an elongate path; a pair of connector links, each said connector link pivotally connected to a corresponding said rocker link and a corresponding said drive link; a pair of path generating linkages, each said linkage including said drive link, said crank, said rocker link, said coupler link and said connecting link configured to guide said first portion of said foot support member along an elongate path; a pair of rollers, each said roller positioned in said second portion of said foot support member intermediate the ends; a pair of curved guides, each said curved guide connected to said frame and in rollable contact with said roller to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have a back and forth movement; a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework for arm exercise; 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
Dependent Claim
18 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said handles are operably associated with said path generating linkages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 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 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 further comprising an adjustment structure, said adjustment structure operably associated with said curved guide and said framework to adjust said elongate curve pedal path.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The exercise machine according to claim 16 wherein said drive link contains at least three pivots, said three pivots configured such that a line connecting the two most distal said pivots does not contain the third pivot.
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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) | 2009-02-06 | 2009-08-08 | 2010-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-02-06 | 2013-08-08 | 2014-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-02-06 | 2017-08-08 | 2018-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |