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Elliptical exerciserRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Stair ClimbingElliptical exerciser description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070015633, Elliptical exerciser. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/697,989, filed Jul. 12, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Like most elliptical exercisers, the elliptical exerciser of U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,008 ("the '08 patent"), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, includes a frame arranged to be mounted in stable relation on a horizontal surface, a crank assembly rotatably mounted on a rearward portion of the frame including left and right cranks providing rotational connections with the rearward ends of the left and right pedal members, respectively. [0003] The '008 patent elliptical exerciser also provides left and right rollers rotatably mounted on a forward portion of the frame. The left and right pedal members include downwardly facing surfaces which are rollingly supported on the left and right rollers, respectively. As a result of this construction, the forward ends of the left and right pedal members travel along one path during forward movement and a different path during rearward movement. This path configuration has been referred to in the prior art as a closed curved path. This closed curved path is distinguished from the reciprocating path most elliptical exercisers have. [0004] A reciprocating path is known in the prior art as one in which the forward movement is along the same path as the rearward movement. Examples of elliptical exercisers having reciprocating paths are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,343 ("the '343 patent"), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIG. 4 of the '343 patent illustrates a typical elliptical exerciser having forward pedal member ends movable along arcuate reciprocating paths by means of pivotal connections with the lower ends of handle levers pivotally mounted on the frame. FIG. 5 of the '343 patent illustrates a typical elliptical exerciser having forward pedal member ends movable along straight reciprocating paths by means of rollers rotatably mounted on the forward ends of the pedal members which roll along straight tracks mounted on the frame. [0005] Applicants have marketed and commercialized three versions of elliptical exercisers hat were similar in some respects to that disclosed in the '008 patent. The first version was designated Model 1700, the second version was designated Model 1720, and the third version was designated Model 1760. The three versions differed somewhat in the dimensions and relationship of the basic components provided. [0006] For example, the Model 1700 provided a rear crank assembly with a crank radius of about 6.54'', and a crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, of about 9.33''above the floor. The crank radius is the distance between the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, and each rearward rotational axis defined by the pivots for the respective left or right pedal members. The roller assemblies provide a rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1, spaced about 28.03'' from the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, in a horizontal forward direction and about 1.64'' in a vertical downward direction, and a roller radius of about 0.90''. The forward distance between each of the parallel rotational axes of the crank assembly to the preferred position of the ball of the foot on the respective upper surface is about 18.50''. The comparable dimensions for Model 1720 are a crank radius of about 7.125'', a crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, of about 15.25'' above horizontal, a rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1, of about 29.5'' horizontally forward and about 9.00'' vertically downward from the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, a roller radius of about 0.75'' and forward distance of about 10''. The comparable dimensions for Model 1760 are a crank radius of about 6.53'', a crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, of about 9.06'' above horizontal, a rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1, of about 28.92'' horizontally forward and about 2.43'' vertically downward from the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, a roller radius of about 0.90'' and a forward distance of about 18.25''. [0007] While the marketing of the Model 1700, Model 1720 and Model 1760 achieved a modicum of success, the difference in the forward roller mount as compared with the reciprocating path type units provided a difference in operation and feel of the exerciser in use. The present invention stems, in part, from the inventors' recognition that the operating characteristics and feel of exercisers of the '008 patent type can be improved. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention provides several distinct and independently novel innovations over the known prior art. [0009] For example, in accordance with the principles of one aspect of the present invention, an '008 patent type exerciser is provided with (1) a crank radius within an operative range of between 6'' and 14'', a preferred range of between 8'' and 12'', with a preferred example being approximately 10 inches, and (2) a crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, spaced vertically above the floor within an operative range of between 15'' and 23'', a preferred range of between 17'' and 21'', with a preferred example being approximately 19.7''. The rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1, is (1) spaced horizontally forwardly from the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, within an operative range of between 52.25'' and 68.25'', a preferred range of between 56.25'' and 64.25'', with a preferred example being approximately 60.25'', and (2) spaced vertically downwardly from the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, within an operative range of between 8.375'' and 16.375'', a preferred range of between 10.375'' and 14.375'', with a preferred example being approximately 12.375''. The roller radius is within an operative range of between 0.125'' and 3.0'', a preferred range of between 0.31'' and 1.30'', with a preferred example being approximately 0.81''. The forward distance from each rearward rotational axis to the fixed position on the upwardly facing surface of the respective pedal member where the ball of the foot is supported is (1) greater than one-half the length of the respective pedal member and (2) within an operative range of between 36.25'' and 44.25'', a preferred range of between 38.25'' and 42.25'', with a preferred example being approximately 40.25''. [0010] The improvement described above results in the each cyclical movement imparted to each pedal member to include: (1) a downward moving stroke wherein the ball of the user's foot moves forwardly along a first curved path merging into a relatively small generally arcuate end path and from the generally arcuate forward end path rearwardly along a second curved path symmetrical to first path with respect to an axis of symmetry and (2) an upward return stroke wherein the ball of the user's foot moves rearwardly from second path rearwardly along a third curved path different from second path merging into a relatively large generally arcuate rearward end path and from the generally arcuate rearward end path forwardly along a fourth curved path symmetrical to the third path with respect to the aforesaid axis of symmetry. The axis of symmetry extends downwardly and forwardly and has an length between end paths which is generally equal to the distance between the parallel rotational axis provided by the cranks and at least three times greater than the width from a juncture between fourth and first curved paths to a juncture between third and second paths. The distance between the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, and the rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1, is at least three times greater than the distance between the parallel rotational axes provided by the cranks. [0011] Another aspect of the present invention stems from the one dimension and range, indicated above as embodying the principles of the present invention, which differ the most from the prior art commercial '008 type elliptical exercisers; namely, the horizontal length dimension between the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, and the rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1. This increased dimension results in the other aspect of the present invention which is to position the foot supporting structures laterally close together an optimum distance of about 60 mm between the inner walls of the foot supporting structures. This increased length dimension also makes it possible to provide a generous fore and aft foot area between the fore and aft walls of the foot structures. The result as that when each foot supporting structure is at its rearmost position it is still forward of the casing housing the variable resistance assembly. Consequently, the foot supporting structures are not limited in lateral spacing by the width of the casing. A preferred arrangement leaves the entire space between the foot supporting structures free of interfering structure throughout their travel. [0012] Another aspect of the present invention resides in providing a frame including a forward frame portion defining a rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1, thereon and a separate rearward frame portion defining a crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, thereon. The frame portions are mounted with respect to another for selective movement into one of a series of fixed operative positions wherein the horizontal distance between the crank axis, indicated at CA in FIG. 1, and the rolling axis, indicated at RA in FIG. 1, is disposed at a selected distance with a range of different distances. In one embodiment, the forward and rearward frame portions are telescopically interrelated. [0013] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide various specific roller configurations and cooperating pedal member roller engaging surfaces. [0014] Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of left and right handle levers pivoted to the frame intermediate ends thereof. The left and right handle levers have upper portions defining left and right handles to be manually gripped by the user and lower portions interconnected to the left and right pedal members by left and right links, respectively, pivotally connected at forward ends thereof to corresponding lower end portions of the left and right handle levers, respectively, and at rearward ends thereof to the left and right pedal members. [0015] Still another aspect of the present invention is the provision of an '008 patent type elliptical exerciser in which each of the foot supporting structures include forward upstanding barrier structure disposed in a position to prevent the users foot from moving forwardly with respect to the respective upwardly facing surface. Each forward upstanding barrier structure is mounted on the respective pedal member for selective movement with respect to the foot engaging upwardly facing surface thereof into a selected forward fixed toe engaging operative position within a range of forward fixed toe engaging operative positions spaced different distances from the respective rearward rotational axis and/or a rearward 180.degree. turned fixed heel engaging position within a range of rearward 180.degree. turned fixed heel engaging positions with respect to the foot engaging upwardly turned surfaces of the respective pedal member spaced different distances from the respective rearward rotational axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an elliptical exerciser of the type represented by the '008 patent improved in accordance with the principles of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 1A is a fragmentary enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 1 which illustrates the path of the users foot movement with a typical users foot shown in dotted lines. [0018] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exerciser shown in FIG. 1; [0019] FIGS. 3 through 14 are similar cross-sectional views of different cooperating components relating to the rolling support of the forward end of the pedal members; [0020] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a foot supporting assembly improvement constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; [0021] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. 16; Continue reading about Elliptical exerciser... Full patent description for Elliptical exerciser Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Elliptical exerciser 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Elliptical exerciser or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Elliptical exercise apparatus with articulating track Next Patent Application: Amphibious foldable treadmill Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Elliptical exerciser patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.18752 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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