Patent US954405A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3391669A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US7270626B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7270626B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exercise equipment with automatic adjustment of stride length and/or stride height based upon direction of foot support rotation
Assignee: Octane Fitness LLC
•
Filing: 2004-01-23
•
Granted: 2007-09-18
•
Expires: 2024-01-23
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an exercise device comprising (i) a frame, (ii) first and second foot supports operably associated with the frame for traveling in a forward and backward direction along a closed loop path relative to a transverse axis defined by the frame, (iii) a means effective for sensing the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path as between the forward and the backward directions, and (iv) a means for automatically adjusting the stride length and/or stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed direction of travel of the foot supports.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy J. Porth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:57
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A63B22/00; A63B22/0002; A63B22/001; A63B22/0015; A63B22/0017; A63B22/0023; A63B22/06; A63B22/0664; A63B22/20; A63B22/201; A63B22/208; A63B2022/0676; A63B21/00; A63B21/22; A63B21/225; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/10; A63B2220/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
An exercise device comprising (a) a frame defining a transverse axis, (b) a guide rail, (c) a transversely extending drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame and extending along the transverse axis, (d) first and second extension elements extending away from the transverse axis and fixedly attached to the drive shaft for unitary rotation with the drive shaft, (e) first and second foot links each having (i) first and second ends, (ii) a first end portion pivotally attached to an extension element at a first pivot point spaced from the transverse axis for travel along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis, and (iii) a second end portion supported by the guide rail for permitting longitudinal travel of the second end portion of the foot link along a reciprocating path, (f) first and second foot supports supported on the first and second foot links respectively, for traveling in a forward and backward direction along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis wherein the closed loop path defines a stride height, (g) a means effective for sensing the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path as between the forward and the backward directions, and (h) a means for automatically adjusting the stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed direction of travel of the foot supports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
An exercise device comprising (a) a frame defining a transverse axis, (b) a guide rail, (c) a transversely extending drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame and extending along the transverse axis, (d) first and second extension elements extending away from the transverse axis and fixedly attached to the drive shaft for unitary rotation with the drive shaft, (e) first and second foot links each having (i) first and second ends, (ii) a first end portion pivotally attached to an extension element at a first pivot point spaced from the transverse axis for travel along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis, and (iii) a second end portion supported by the guide rail for permitting longitudinal travel of the second end portion of the foot link along a reciprocating path, (f) first and second foot supports supported on the first and second foot links respectively, for traveling in a forward and backward direction along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis wherein the closed loop path defines a stride height, (g) a means effective for sensing the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path as between the forward and the backward directions, and (h) a means for automatically adjusting the stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed direction of travel of the foot supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the closed loop path is an elliptical path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein (i) the foot links are operably connected to the frame through a connecting system having at least two members pivotally attached to one another at a designated pivot point, and (ii) the means for automatically adjusting the stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports, comprises (A) a means for adjusting the designated pivot point along the length of at least one member of the connecting system, and (B) a control unit in communication with the direction sensor and the stride height adjustment means for receiving a signal from the sensor indicting the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path and automatically adjusting the designated pivot point along the length of at least one member of the connecting system based upon the received signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
The exercise device of claim 3 wherein the connecting system includes (i) first and second connector links each having a first end and a second end, with each connector link pivotally attached proximate the first end to one of the foot links proximate the first end of the foot link at a foot link pivot point, and (ii) first and second rocker arms each having a first end and a second end, with each rocker arm pivotally attached proximate the first end to the frame and pivotally attached proximate the second end to one of the connector links proximate the second end of the connector link at a rocker pivot point, with each extension element pivotally attached to the respective connector link at a crank pivot point which is positioned intermediate the foot support pivot point and the rocker pivot point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the guide rail is configured and arranged to impart a linear reciprocating path of travel to the second end portion of the foot links as the foot supports travel along the closed loop path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the means for automatically adjusting the stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports comprises a means for adjusting the angle of incline of the guide rail.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the extension element is a crank shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first end portion of each foot link is indirectly pivotally attached to the extension element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein (i) the first end of each foot link is longitudinally spaced in a first longitudinal direction from the second end of the foot link, (ii) the second end of each foot link is longitudinally spaced in a second longitudinal direction from the first end of the foot link, and (iii) the foot supports are supported by the foot links at a position longitudinally spaced in the second longitudinal direction from the point at which the foot links are supported by the guide rail.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first end of each foot link travels along a non-circular arcuate path relative to the transverse axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
The exercise device of claim 1 wherein (i) the foot links are operably connected to the frame through a connecting system having at least two members pivotally attached to one another at a designated pivot point, and (ii) the means for automatically adjusting the stride length and stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports, comprises (A) a means for adjusting the designated pivot point along the length of at least one member of the connecting system, and (B) a control unit in communication with the direction sensor and the stride length and stride height adjustment means for receiving a signal from the sensor indicting the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path and automatically adjusting the designated pivot point along the length of at least one member of the connecting system based upon the received signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
The exercise device of claim 3 wherein the connecting system includes (i) first and second connector links each having a first end and a second end, with each connector link pivotally attached proximate the first end to one of the foot links proximate the first end of the foot link at a foot link pivot point, and (ii) first and second rocker arms each having a first end and a second end, with each rocker arm pivotally attached proximate the first end to the frame and pivotally attached proximate the second end to one of the connector links proximate the second end of the connector link at a rocker pivot point, with each extension element pivotally attached to the respective connector link at a crank pivot point which is positioned intermediate the foot support pivot point and the rocker pivot point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
238 words
An exercise device comprising (a) a frame defining a transverse axis, (b) a guide rail, (c) a transversely extending drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame and extending along the transverse axis, (d) first and second extension elements extending away from the transverse axis and fixedly attached to the drive shaft for unitary rotation with the drive shaft, (e) first and second foot links each having (i) first and second ends, (ii) a first end portion pivotally attached to an extension element at a first pivot point spaced from the transverse axis for travel along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis, and (iii) a second end portion supported by the guide rail for permitting longitudinal travel of the second end portion of the foot link along a reciprocating path, (f) first and second foot supports supported on the first and second foot links respectively, for traveling in a forward and backward direction along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis wherein the closed loop path defines a stride length and stride height, (g) a means effective for sensing the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path as between the forward and the backward directions, and (h) a means for automatically adjusting the stride length and stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed direction of travel of the foot supports.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
238 words
An exercise device comprising (a) a frame defining a transverse axis, (b) a guide rail, (c) a transversely extending drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame and extending along the transverse axis, (d) first and second extension elements extending away from the transverse axis and fixedly attached to the drive shaft for unitary rotation with the drive shaft, (e) first and second foot links each having (i) first and second ends, (ii) a first end portion pivotally attached to an extension element at a first pivot point spaced from the transverse axis for travel along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis, and (iii) a second end portion supported by the guide rail for permitting longitudinal travel of the second end portion of the foot link along a reciprocating path, (f) first and second foot supports supported on the first and second foot links respectively, for traveling in a forward and backward direction along a closed loop path relative to the transverse axis wherein the closed loop path defines a stride length and stride height, (g) a means effective for sensing the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path as between the forward and the backward directions, and (h) a means for automatically adjusting the stride length and stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed direction of travel of the foot supports.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The exercise device of claim 13 wherein the closed loop path is an elliptical path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The exercise device of claim 13 wherein the guide rail is configured and arranged to impart a linear reciprocating path of travel to the second end portion of the foot links as the foot supports travel along the closed loop path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The exercise device of claim 13 wherein the means for automatically adjusting the stride length and stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports comprises a means for adjusting the angle of incline of the guide rail.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The exercise device of claim 13 wherein the extension element is a crank shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The exercise device of claim 13 wherein the first end portion of each foot link is indirectly pivotally attached to the extension element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
The exercise device of claim 13 wherein (i) the first end of each foot link is longitudinally spaced in a first longitudinal direction from the second end of the foot link, (ii) the second end of each foot link is longitudinally spaced in a second longitudinal direction from the first end of the foot link, and (iii) the foot supports are supported by the foot links at a position longitudinally spaced in the second longitudinal direction from the point at which the foot links are supported by the guide rail.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The exercise device of claim 13 wherein the first end of each foot link travels along a non-circular arcuate path relative to the transverse axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2603486A
Cited
US3316898A
Cited
US4509742A
Cited
US4842274A
Cited
US4679786A
Cited
US4900013A
Cited
US5383829C1
Cited
US5242343A
Cited
US5383829A
Cited
US5383826A
Cited
US5401226A
Cited
US5290211A
Cited
US6168552B1
Cited
US5352169A
Cited
US5529554A
Cited
US5454770A
Cited
US5423729A
Cited
US5591107A
Cited
US5938567A
Cited
US5549526A
Cited
US5743834A
Cited
US5573480A
Cited
US5738614A
Cited
US5527246A
Cited
US5593371A
Cited
US5593372A
Cited
US5595553A
Cited
US5766113A
Cited
US5540637A
Cited
US5611757A
Cited
US5637058A
Cited
US5924962A
Cited
US5683333A
Cited
US5813949A
Cited
US5690589A
Cited
US5772558A
Cited
US5518473A
Cited
US5755642A
Cited
US5529555A
Cited
US5692994A
Cited
US6565486B2
Cited
US5895339A
Cited
US5938570A
Cited
US5707321A
Cited
US6409635B1
Cited
US5897463A
Cited
US6217485B1
Cited
US6387017B1
Cited
US5735774A
Cited
US5935046A
Cited
US6206804B1
Cited
US6527677B2
Cited
US6083143A
Cited
US5725457A
Cited
US6527680B1
Cited
US6749540B1
Cited
US6146313A
Cited
US6482130B1
Cited
US5685804A
Cited
US20010011053A1
Cited
US5562574A
Cited
US6045487A
Cited
US20020128122A1
Cited
US5911649A
Cited
US5788609A
Cited
US5577985A
Cited
US5611756A
Cited
US5611758A
Cited
US5653662A
Cited
US6176814B1
Cited
US5947872A
Cited
US20030022763A1
Cited
US6099439A
Cited
US5788610A
Cited
US6482132B2
Cited
US6142915A
Cited
US6409632B1
Cited
US6436007B1
Cited
US6422976B1
Cited
US5836855A
Cited
US6080086A
Cited
US5792026A
Cited
US6027430A
Cited
US6248045B1
Cited
US5876307A
Cited
US6063009A
Cited
US5879271A
Cited
US6783481B2
Cited
US6340340B1
Cited
US5857941A
Cited
US6302825B1
Cited
US5848954A
Cited
US6254514B1
Cited
US6629909B1
Cited
US6849033B1
Cited
US5882281A
Cited
US6579210B1
Cited
US6126574A
Cited
US5803871A
Cited
US5893820A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-09-17 | 2011-03-19 | 2011-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-09-17 | 2015-03-19 | 2015-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-09-17 | 2019-03-19 | 2019-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |