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Adjustable foot support platform for an exercise apparatusAdjustable foot support platform for an exercise apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080020905, Adjustable foot support platform for an exercise apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]This invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and particularly to apparatus for cardiovascular exercise, such as elliptical exercisers, stair climbers, ski and hiker type machines. [0003]2. Background [0004]Devices for performing cardiovascular exercise are enormously popular. Such devices include, for example, treadmills and machines that simulate stair climbing. One type of cardiovascular exerciser that has recently become popular is referred as an "elliptical" exerciser. A typical elliptical exercise apparatus includes a floor-supported frame, a crank mechanism defining a first axis, and radially-extending crank arms. A pair of elongated pedal assemblies include foot support platforms for supporting a user standing thereon and are coupled to the crank mechanism. A pedal guide defines a second axis that is fixed with respect to the frame, and each pedal is constructed and arranged to be supported on the guide for pivoting movement with respect to the second axis and to accommodate a horizontal extent of movement imparted to the foot support platforms by movement of the elongated pedals around the first axis so that the foot support platforms traverse an elliptical path of motion simulating natural striding foot movements. Other machines in the elliptical category may have an arced reciprocating motion or a striding motion in which the user is supported by foot platforms. [0005]The typical foot support platforms for elliptical exercisers and other cardiovascular exercise machines are flat and stay straight in line with the motion of the lower leg or stay flat through the motion. Some use linkages or rotate to stay in line with the ankle and support the bottom of the foot during exercise and some have adjustable angles. Flat pedals tend to keep the bottom of the foot static. This causes a problem for many users, wherein their feet fall asleep while exercising. To prevent this, the user must periodically move his or her feet or alter contact emphasis of the foot from heel to toe. This is difficult to remember to do without encouragement or reminders such as voice suggestions. Furthermore, it is annoying. [0006]It is also important to have heel to toe motion of the foot to exercise and strengthen the muscles of the foot. Many machines are promoted as providing a natural motion to mimic every day life running, walking and hiking, but fail to include the foot and or ankle. [0007]By way of example of the state of the art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,894 shows an elliptical exerciser with a flat pedal that has adjustable incline and U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,589 shows an elliptical exerciser with a flat pedal that has manual or electronically adjustable incline. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008]The present invention provides an improved foot support platform for cardiovascular exercise machines. Various adjustable platform configurations tax muscles differently to allow the user to target specific muscle groups more easily and prevent the user's feet from falling asleep while exercising. [0009]Each platform configuration helps to affect different muscle groups by the fixed shape of the surface or by adjusting the surface of the platform. Some platforms have a raised center portion formed by a fixed convex arc, or by the front and back portions of a platform adjustably lowering in relation to the center portion, or by the center portion adjustably raising in relation to the front and back portions. This raised center causes the foot to roll on the pedal from "heel to toe" as would happen in normal walking or running, thus moving the pressure point across the foot and keeping the foot active and awake. A convex arc platform supports the foot at the heel towards the beginning of the stride (leg extended forward), on the center of the foot during the middle of the stride, and on the ball or toe of the foot at the end of the stride (leg extended back). This more closely mimics the natural motion of the foot in everyday activities. [0010]In some embodiments, the position of the foot support platform may be changed during a workout so the foot muscles are interacting during motion and creating more circulation in the foot. This also provides a massage effect to help prevent the foot from falling asleep. Altering the configuration of the foot support allows more emphasis to be placed on particular leg and torso muscle groups, depending on which part of the foot is supported. Having the heel up provides emphasis on the glute and hamstring muscles, whereas having the toe up provides emphasis on the calf and foot muscles. Elevating the center of the foot encourages a natural heel to toe gait. [0011]In some embodiments, the pedal surface can be adjusted electronically without removing the foot. Electronic programs can automatically control the adjustable platforms and pedal surfaces and provide voice and visual stimuli to encourage a workout. In other embodiments, the pedal may be manually adjusted or rotated for different surface choices or by flipping hinged surface segments onto the top of a fixed pedal structure. In another embodiment, the pedal has a pivot that allows the pedal to swivel sideways or at an angle to the stride. This swivel motion could be locked for standard motion, and unlocked for free swivel, or it could be electronically controlled to place the pedal in different angle positions to lock it in place for particular muscle emphasis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art elliptical exerciser, which is an example of a cardiovascular exerciser in which the present invention can be advantageously employed. [0013]FIGS. 2a-2e illustrate an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0014]FIG. 2f illustrates an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. [0015]FIGS. 3a-3d illustrate an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. [0016]FIGS. 4a-4b illustrate an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with further embodiments of the invention. [0017]FIG. 5 illustrates a foot-supporting platform in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. [0018]FIG. 6 illustrates an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. [0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a striding exerciser with which the present invention can be employed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020]In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. Continue reading about Adjustable foot support platform for an exercise apparatus... Full patent description for Adjustable foot support platform for an exercise apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable foot support platform for an exercise apparatus patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090291810 - Pedal exercise machine having arc trajectory - A pedal exercise machine with pedals and arm levers operated in conjunction with each other. A base, a front frame and a center frame are coupled to each other and a pair of pedals move upwards and downwards in alternating directions. Pedal links connect the pedals to the base, arm ... 20090291807 - Step exercise and physical therapy device - Certain muscle conditions such as Piriformis Syndrome can be treated in physical therapy by means of this invention, and certain training goals can be reached as well. 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