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Folding elliptical exercise machine

Folding elliptical exercise machine description/claims

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to exercise equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to elliptical machines. Specifically, the invention relates to an elliptical machine that is foldable for storage and which includes a storage box that resembles a coffee table.

2. Background Information

There is a growing trend in the fitness industry for equipment that is suitable for use in the home, especially pieces of equipment such as treadmills and elliptical machines. Elliptical machines are a popular choice as home exercise equipment as they give both the upper body and lower body an effective, low impact workout.

One of the key issues that people face when elliptical machines and similar pieces of equipment are brought into their homes is that of space. A good quality elliptical machine will be around 80 inches in length, have a width of between 32 and 36 inches, a height of around 63 inches and weigh anywhere from 190 lbs upwards. Obviously, there also needs for clearance space surrounding the actual machine so that a person may get safely on to and off from the machine. Basements tend to be one of the more typical places in the home to place exercise equipment because of the space constraints. However, exercising alone in a basement away from the center of activity in the home tends to be tedious. Additionally, because the elliptical machine is out of sight, it is easy for one to forget to exercise on a regular basis.

Bringing this type of space-utilizing device into a living room or family room causes two problems. Firstly, these pieces of equipment are not aesthetically pleasing and would be considered to be an eyesore in such a communal type of room. Secondly, the quantity of space in the room that is occupied by such devices is unacceptable.

Many manufacturers have attempted to address these issues by providing home-use elliptical machines that are foldable so that they will take up less space. One such home-use version of a foldable elliptical machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,551 and 6,190,289, both issued to Pyles et al. Pyles et al teaches that an elliptical machine may be reduced in dimensions by pivoting the pedal arms and/or the rails on which the arms ride upwardly toward a vertically extending mast. The device is therefore moved from an operational position into a vertically folded position. This mechanism for folding the elliptical machine does reduce the amount of floor space that the machine will occupy when not in use, but considering that the height of a mast for an elliptical machine is typically around five to six feet high, the folded machine would remain an eyesore in any room. Pyles et al discloses that the machine may also be provided with a plurality of wheels that will enable the homeowner to wheel the vertically folded device across a surface and into a suitable storage location, such as a closet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,917 issued to Chen discloses an elliptical device in which the mast or handle comprises an upper and a lower portion that are pivotally connected together. The machine includes a pin mechanism that, when released, allows the upper portion of the handle to be folded downwardly over the swing arms. This folding mechanism somewhat addresses the mast height issue, but does not reduce the amount of floor space that the machine occupies. Even when the machine has been moved into a folded position the swing arms project beyond the length of the supporting base and are hazardous to people walking past the machine. Once again, the machine is provided with wheels to allow it to be moved into a storage area because keeping the device in a high traffic area would be unacceptable from both an aesthetic and space point of view.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,554 issued to Eschenbach discloses a collapsible exercise device in which the handle is pivoted downwardly to abut the pedal arms. When this occurs, the frame is actually elongated to ensure that the folded device has the lowest possible height so that it may be stored under a bed, for example. Consequently, the device occupies even more floor space when it is folded than when it is operational.

Furthermore, elliptical machines sold under the trademark PRO FORM SPACE SAVER®, a registered trademark of Icon Health & Fitness of West Logan, Utah, have a base frame that comprises two pivotally connected sections. The mast extends upwardly from the first section and a flywheel is mounted on the second section. When the device is to be folded for storage purposes, the pivot arms are detached from the flywheel and the second section of the base is pivoted over the first section of the base toward the mast. This reduces the length of the base, but does not address the height issue of the mast.

Similarly, elliptical machines sold by Sharper Image Corporation of San Francisco, Calif., also include a pivoting base section that is folded upwardly onto the mast of the device. The device is therefore of a low profile, but of an elongated length and cannot be simply left in the middle of a room.

Though some of the elliptical machines disclosed in the prior art may be folded up, they are still aesthetically displeasing and do not enhance the appearance of a room, such as a living room or family room, that is frequently used. While yet other machines may be folded up and wheeled away for storage purposes, it is problematic for the home exerciser to have to move the machine back and forth between the storage location and the use location. Additionally, it is also more likely that if a person has wheeled their elliptical machine into some sort of storage location, they will be less inclined to retrieve the elliptical machine in order to exercise because of the effort involved in setting the elliptical machine back in an appropriate location.

There is therefore a need in the art for an elliptical machine that is substantial and sturdy in construction that is foldable to reduce the amount of space it occupies when not in use, but which does not need to be placed in a remote storage location in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the room.

The device of the present invention comprises an exercise machine having a frame that is adjustable between an operational position and a folded position. The frame includes a base that remains in constant contact with a floor surface when the frame is in both the operational and folded positions. A first mast section extends upwardly and outwardly away from the base. A second mast section is pivotally connected to an upper end of the first mast section. The second mast section is pivoted into vertical alignment with the first mast section when the frame is adjusted into the operational position and is pivoted downwardly toward the base when the frame is adjusted into the folded position. First and second swing arm assemblies are pivotally mounted between the second mast section and a flywheel that is mounted on the base. Handlebars are pivotally mounted on the first and second swing arms. The handlebars are adjustable in orientation so as to reduce the overall dimensions of the exercise machine when it is to be folded. A decorative cover, which preferably resembles a wooden coffee table, is positioned over the exercise machine when in the folded position. The exercise machine therefore can be stored in plain sight. The cover is removed when the exercise machine is to be adjusted into the operational position.

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding elliptical machine in accordance with the present invention shown in a fully folded position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the elliptical machine of FIG. 1;

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• Utility Patent

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