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Adjustable elliptical exercise machineRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Stair ClimbingAdjustable elliptical exercise machine description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060199702, Adjustable elliptical exercise machine. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field [0002] 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. The elliptical path provided by the pedals is adjustable in length and orientation. [0003] 2. State of the Art [0004] The benefits of regular exercise to improve overall health, appearance and longevity are well documented in the literature. For exercise enthusiasts the search continues for safe apparatus that provides full body exercise for maximum benefit in minimum time. [0005] Recently, a new category of exercise equipment has appeared on the commercial market called elliptical cross trainers. These cross trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Generally they are large exercise machines using long cranks to generate a long foot stride. There is a need for an elliptical exercise machine capable of a similar long stride using a linkage to modify a shorter crank. [0006] Standup pedal exercise combined with arm levers attached to the pedals is shown in Kummerlin et al. German Pat. No. 2,919,494 and in Geschwender U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,050. Standup pedal exercise coupled with oscillating swing arms is shown in Miller U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,343 and 5,383,829 and in Eschenbach U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,729. All of these exercise machines use pedals having two pedal pivots which are guided by a first circular guide path curve generated by a crank which rotates through one full revolution during a pedal cycle and a second arc guide path curve generated by a rocker link or track. [0007] Eschenbach in U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,814 shows the use of an orbital link in a front drive elliptical design. Maresh et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,445 shows elliptical exercise with an adjustable track supporting a roller positioned midway along the foot support member. Eschenbach in U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,552 also shows elliptical exercise with an adjustable track with a roller positioned intermediate the ends of a foot support member with arm exercise added. Eschenbach in U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,042 offers elliptical exercise having adjustable stride and adjustable ellipse orientation. [0008] There is a need for a pedal operated exercise machine that can be safely operated in the standup position whereby the arms and legs can be exercised with the feet moving through a generally elliptical movement without excessive pedal articulation as well as adjustable stride and adjustable ellipse orientation. [0009] It is one objective of this invention to provide an elliptical pedal movement with a path generating linkage that provides a long stride with less pedal articulation. Excessive pedal articulation causes ankle stress. Another object of this invention is to provide arm exercise that is coordinated with the pedal movement. Another objective of this invention is to provide a simple means of stride and ellipse orientation adjustment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of pedals which simulate running, climbing and cycling during several modes of operation. More particularly, apparatus is provided that offers variable intensity exercise through a leg operated cyclic motion in which the pedal supporting each foot is guided through successive positions during the motion cycle while a load resistance acts upon the mechanism. [0011] The pedals are guided through an elongate curve motion while pedal angles vary during the pedal cycle to maintain the heel of the foot in contact with the pedal with less pedal articulation. As the foot is raised, the heel of the foot remains generally in contact with the inclining pedal for safer operation. Arm exercise is by arm levers coordinated with the mechanism guiding the foot pedals. [0012] In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot, each pedal being positioned at one end of a foot support member and partially supported by an elongate guide path at the first portion of the foot support member. The elongate guide path generating linkage has a rotary crank arm which completes one full revolution during a pedal cycle and is phased generally opposite the crank arm for the other pedal through a crankshaft pivot axis attached to the framework. A rocker link is connected at a rocker pivot to a stride adjustment link which is connected to the framework. A coupler link is connected to the crank at a crank arm pivot and the rocker link is connected to the coupler link at a pivot to form a crank-rocker mechanism where the rocker link oscillates about the rocker pivot when the crank rotates. A drive link is also connected to the crank arm pivot with the addition of a connector link pivotally connected to the drive link and to the rocker link. The combination of crank arm, coupling link, rocker link, connecting link and drive link form a path generating linkage with each end of the drive link following elongate curves. [0013] A second portion of the foot support member is supported with a pivot by a roller positioned intermediate the foot support member and in rollable contact with a guide. As the crank arms are driven by foot motion, the pedals follows an elongate curve approximating an ellipse having less pedal articulation than other elliptical cross trainers having long crank arms. [0014] Arm exercise is provided with handles pivotally connected to the framework and coordinated with the rocker links. When the foot is forward, the handle corresponding to that foot is generally rearward. [0015] Load resistance is imposed upon the crank arms through pulleys and belts from a flywheel and alternator. A control system regulates the load on the alternator to vary the resistance to exercise. The resistance can be varied during operation through a control system within easy reach of the operator. Other forms of load resistance such as friction, magnetic, air, belt, etc. may also be used. [0016] A first actuator is provided to move the stride adjustment link which causes the rocker pivot of the rocker link to move along one end of the rocker link. This is accomplished with a gear centered about the rocker pivot on a gear shaft and a gear rack attached to the rocker link. A toothed belt and a pair of toothed belt gears cause the gear shaft to rotate when the stride adjustment link is moved such that the gear rotates along the rack. The relocation of the rocker pivot changes the stride length of the pedals. The stride length can be changed during operation or when the apparatus is stationary. [0017] A second actuator causes one end of the guide track to move which changes the orientation of the pedal ellipse. The first and second actuators may be operated independently by manual control or through programming of the control system. [0018] In summary, this invention provides the operator with stable foot pedal support having motions that simulate running, climbing and cycling with very low joint impact and upper body exercise. The pedal motion exhibits a long stride with less pedal articulation common to other elliptical trainers for less ankle stress. Simple adjustment of stride length and pedal ellipse orientation are provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of an exercise machine constructed in accordance with the present invention; [0020] FIG. 2 is the rear view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1; [0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of the stride adjustment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Adjustable elliptical exercise machine... Full patent description for Adjustable elliptical exercise machine Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable elliptical exercise machine patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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