US7214168B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable path exercise apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2003-11-26
•
Granted: 2007-05-08
•
Expires: 2023-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A variable stride exercise apparatus is described. A variable stride exercise apparatus may include a frame. A crank system may be coupled to the frame. A foot member may be coupled to the crank system. The foot member may include a footpad. A variable stride system may be coupled to the foot member. The variable stride system and the foot member may be coupled such that at least a portion of the variable stride system is under at least a portion of the footpad. The variable stride system may allow a user of the apparatus to vary the length of the user's stride during use of the apparatus. The foot of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path during use of the apparatus. At least a portion of the apparatus may remain substantially stationary during use.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Rodgers, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:13
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/0002; A63B22/001; A63B22/0015; A63B22/0017; A63B22/06; A63B22/0664; A63B22/20; A63B22/201; A63B22/208; A63B2022/002; A63B2022/067; A63B2022/0676; A63B22/0048; A63B22/0056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left movable member coupled to the crank system; a right movable member coupled to the crank system; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad; a left cam system having a left cam surface and a left cam follower contacting the left cam surface wherein the left cam system couples the left movable member to the left foot member; and a right cam system having a right cam surface and a right cam follower contacting the right cam surface wherein the right cam system couples the right movable member to the right foot member, wherein the feet of the user imparting forces on the left and right foot members in cooperation with the right cam system and the left cam system may vary the stride substantially instantaneously, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left movable member coupled to the crank system; a right movable member coupled to the crank system; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad; a left cam system having a left cam surface and a left cam follower contacting the left cam surface wherein the left cam system couples the left movable member to the left foot member; and a right cam system having a right cam surface and a right cam follower contacting the right cam surface wherein the right cam system couples the right movable member to the right foot member, wherein the feet of the user imparting forces on the left and right foot members in cooperation with the right cam system and the left cam system may vary the stride substantially instantaneously, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the feet of the user may travel in a substantially closed elliptical path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the left foot member and the right foot member are cross-coupled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a brake/inertia device coupled to the crank system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the brake/inertia device is coupled to a portion of the frame in front of the user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the brake/inertia device is coupled to a portion of the frame behind the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a housing, wherein the housing encloses at least a portion of the brake/inertia device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the left and right cam surfaces are nonsymmetrical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the left and right cam surfaces are symmetrical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus has a maximum stride length that is at least about 40% of the overall length of the apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the crank system comprises a pulley.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the crank system comprises a left crank and a right crank coupled to the pulley.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the length of each left and right cam surface is at least two times the length of either left or right crank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
251 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left arm link coupled to the frame; a right arm link coupled to the frame; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad, said left foot pad having a forward end and a rearward end; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad, said right foot pad having a forward end and a rearward end; a left cam coupled to the crank system so that at least a portion of the left cam is ahead of the rearward end of the left foot pad and behind the forward end of the left foot pad at some time during use; and a right cam coupled to the crank system so that at least a portion of the right cam is ahead of the rearward end of the right foot pad and behind the forward end of the right foot pad at some time during use, wherein the feet of the user imparting forces on the left and right foot members in cooperation with the left cam and the right cam may vary the stride substantially instantaneously, and wherein the left foot member is coupled through the left cam to the crank system and the right foot member is coupled through the right cam to the crank system, the apparatus being configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
251 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left arm link coupled to the frame; a right arm link coupled to the frame; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad, said left foot pad having a forward end and a rearward end; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad, said right foot pad having a forward end and a rearward end; a left cam coupled to the crank system so that at least a portion of the left cam is ahead of the rearward end of the left foot pad and behind the forward end of the left foot pad at some time during use; and a right cam coupled to the crank system so that at least a portion of the right cam is ahead of the rearward end of the right foot pad and behind the forward end of the right foot pad at some time during use, wherein the feet of the user imparting forces on the left and right foot members in cooperation with the left cam and the right cam may vary the stride substantially instantaneously, and wherein the left foot member is coupled through the left cam to the crank system and the right foot member is coupled through the right cam to the crank system, the apparatus being configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the crank system comprises a pulley.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the crank system comprises a left crank and a right crank coupled to the pulley.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the feet of the user may travel in a substantially closed elliptical path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the left foot member and the right foot member are cross-coupled.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a brake/inertia device coupled to the crank system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a housing, wherein the housing encloses at least a portion of the brake/inertia device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the left and right cams are nonsymmetrical.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the left and right cams are symmetrical.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the left and right foot members and the left and right cam systems are configured to provide a force that restores the users feet to a substantially neutral position during use of the apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
334 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left movable member connected, and generally vertically adjustable, at one end of the left movable member to the frame and coupled to the crank system at another portion of the left movable member, so that the user may move the connection of the left movable member at the frame during operation of the apparatus; a right movable member connected, and generally vertically adjustable, at one end of the right movable member to the frame and coupled to the crank system at another portion of the right movable member, so that the user may move the connection of the right movable member at the frame during operation of the apparatus; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad; a left cam system having a left cam surface and a left cam follower contacting the left cam surface, the left cam system operatively associated with the left movable member and the left foot member so that during use of the apparatus the left cam follower may move across the left cam surface allowing the left foot of the user imparting a force on the left foot member in cooperation with the left cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously; and a right cam system having a right cam surface and a right cam follower contacting the right cam surface, the right cam system operatively associated with the right movable member and the right foot member so that during use of the apparatus the right cam follower may move across the right cam surface allowing the right foot of the user imparting a force on the right foot member in cooperation with the right cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
334 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left movable member connected, and generally vertically adjustable, at one end of the left movable member to the frame and coupled to the crank system at another portion of the left movable member, so that the user may move the connection of the left movable member at the frame during operation of the apparatus; a right movable member connected, and generally vertically adjustable, at one end of the right movable member to the frame and coupled to the crank system at another portion of the right movable member, so that the user may move the connection of the right movable member at the frame during operation of the apparatus; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad; a left cam system having a left cam surface and a left cam follower contacting the left cam surface, the left cam system operatively associated with the left movable member and the left foot member so that during use of the apparatus the left cam follower may move across the left cam surface allowing the left foot of the user imparting a force on the left foot member in cooperation with the left cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously; and a right cam system having a right cam surface and a right cam follower contacting the right cam surface, the right cam system operatively associated with the right movable member and the right foot member so that during use of the apparatus the right cam follower may move across the right cam surface allowing the right foot of the user imparting a force on the right foot member in cooperation with the right cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the feet of the user may travel in a substantially closed elliptical path.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the feet of the user may travel in a closed orbital path.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a brake/inertia device coupled to the crank system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the brake/inertia device is coupled to a portion of the frame in front of the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the brake/inertia device is coupled to a portion of the frame behind the user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a housing, wherein the housing encloses at least a portion of the brake/inertia device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the left and right cam surfaces are nonsymmetrical.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the left and right cam surfaces are symmetrical.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the apparatus has a maximum stride length that is at least about 40% of the overall length of the apparatus.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the crank system comprises a pulley.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the crank system comprises a left crank and a right crank coupled to the pulley.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the length of each left and right cam surface is at least two times the length of either left or right crank.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
244 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left movable member pivotally coupled to the crank system; a right movable member pivotally coupled to the crank system; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad; a left cam system having a left cam surface and a left cam follower contacting the left cam surface, the left cam system operatively associated with the left movable member and the left foot member so that during use of the apparatus the left cam follower may move across the left cam surface allowing the left foot of the user imparting a force on the left foot member in cooperation with the left cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously; and a right cam system having a right cam surface and a right cam follower contacting the right cam surface, the right cam system operatively associated with the right movable member and the right foot member so that during use of the apparatus the right cam follower may move across the right cam surface allowing the right foot of the user imparting a force on the right foot member in cooperation with the right cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
244 words
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left movable member pivotally coupled to the crank system; a right movable member pivotally coupled to the crank system; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad; a left cam system having a left cam surface and a left cam follower contacting the left cam surface, the left cam system operatively associated with the left movable member and the left foot member so that during use of the apparatus the left cam follower may move across the left cam surface allowing the left foot of the user imparting a force on the left foot member in cooperation with the left cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously; and a right cam system having a right cam surface and a right cam follower contacting the right cam surface, the right cam system operatively associated with the right movable member and the right foot member so that during use of the apparatus the right cam follower may move across the right cam surface allowing the right foot of the user imparting a force on the right foot member in cooperation with the right cam system to vary the stride substantially instantaneously, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially curvilinear path while the apparatus is in use.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the feet of the user may travel in a substantially closed elliptical path.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the feet of the user may travel in a closed orbital path.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a brake/inertia device coupled to the crank system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the brake/inertia device is coupled to a portion of the frame in front of the user.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the brake/inertia device is coupled to a portion of the frame behind the user.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a housing, wherein the housing encloses at least a portion of the brake/inertia device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the left and right cam surfaces are nonsymmetrical.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the left and right cam surfaces are symmetrical.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the apparatus has a maximum stride length that is at least about 40% of the overall length of the apparatus.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the crank system comprises a pulley.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the crank system comprises a left crank and a right crank coupled to the pulley.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the length of each left and right cam surface is at least two times the length of either left or right crank.
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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) | 2010-05-07 | 2010-11-06 | 2011-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-05-07 | 2014-11-06 | 2015-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-05-07 | 2018-11-06 | 2019-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |