| Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Stair ClimbingStep through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070161463, Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] 1. FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a sit down exercise apparatus operated in a semi-recumbent position where foot operated pedals follow an oblong pedal path. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with motion of the feet. [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. Furthermore, the aging population tends to favor semi-recumbent forms of exercise that encourage muscle tone. [0005] The sit down exercise cycle is the most commonly used apparatus today to elevate the heart rate and exercise some of the leg muscles. To achieve any significant benefit, however, an extensive amount of time is demanded of the user resulting in boredom. To reduce the time needed to elevate the heart rate and exercise additional muscles, various forms of hand cranks and arm levers have been added to sit-down exercise cycles. [0006] In recent years, semi-recumbent or more commonly referred to as recumbent exercise apparatus have appeared that provide for back and forth pedal movement to replace the traditional bike crank. Hawkins in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,053 shows pedals that move back and forth along a linear path. Webb in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,081 shows a leg exercise machine with pedals that move back and forth along an arc path. Hildebrandt et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,356 shows pedals that move back and forth along a circular path with arm exercise. Hildebrandt et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,042,518, 6,666,799 and Ellis et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,162 show back and forth pedal movement for a recumbent exerciser. Ellis in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,745 also shows pedals that provide back and forth movement along a circular arc. [0007] Another group of recumbent exercisers are emerging that use elliptical pedal movement for the feet. Rodgers, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,758 shows a recumbent exercise apparatus to generate an elliptical pedal movement using a crank, reciprocating member and roller/track to guide a pedal/foot member pivotally connected to the reciprocating member and a handle member. Eschenbach in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,855, Maresh in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,570 and 6,409,635 show elliptical foot motion for recumbent seated operation. Martin et al. in Pat. Application No. US 2004/0259692 shows pedal movements for a semi-recumbent exerciser. Stearns et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,077,197 and 6,283,895 show inclined pedals with elliptical movement for an operator leaning against a back support. McBride et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,065 shows elliptical pedal movement intended for stand-up operation in a seated position. [0008] There is a need for a recumbent cycle that has an inclined elliptical pedal path configured to better utilize the range of leg and foot motion. There is also a need to articulate the pedals to provide dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion foot exercise without raising the heel or toe from the pedal. There is a further need to coordinate arm exercise with the elliptical foot pedal path exercise for total body exercise that can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the operator. There is a further need to free the region between the pedals and the seated operator of moving links for easy ingress and egress. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of pedals which provide extended leg exercise for semi-recumbent exercise. More particularly, apparatus is provided that offers variable intensity exercise through 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. Linkage is provided to coordinate arm exercise. A seat is provided adjustably supported by the framework to locate the operator in a generally semi-recumbent position. The seat can swivel to allow side access as well as a step through feature for easy ingress and egress. The step through region between the pedals and the seat is designed to be free of moving links. [0010] The pedals are guided through an oblong or elongate curve motion during operation by a seated operator in a semi-recumbent position. The generally elliptical or elongate pedal curve is inclined towards the operator to maintain the leg force tangent to the curve during operation to improve energy transfer from the leg muscles to the pedal motion control mechanism. The toe and heel of the operator remain in contact with the pedal while the pedal articulates for dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion exercise. The pedal surface remains generally perpendicular to the lower leg within approximately plus or minus ten degrees to maintain toe and heel contact. The elongate pedal path for the heel is longer than the elongate pedal path for the toe. [0011] Arm exercise is by arm levers coordinated with the mechanism guiding the foot pedals. An adjustment mechanism is provided allowing the arm exercise to be closer or further away from the operator while maintaining the range of handle movement. in the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot, each pedal being inclined and attached to a foot support member which is pivotally connected to a coupler link and a first rocker link that is pivotally connected to the frame. The coupler link is pivotally connected to a rotary crank arm and pivotally connected to a second rocker link that is pivotally connected to the frame. The crank arm completes one full revolution during a pedal cycle and is phased generally opposite the crank arm for the other pedal through a bearing journal attached to the framework forming a crank pivot axis. The crank arm, coupler link and second rocker link form a crank-rocker mechanism where the coupler link will generate elliptical paths. [0012] Load resistance is provided by friction resistance upon a flywheel which can be adjusted manually or by a control system. A pulley attached to a crank arm engages the flywheel by a belt. Other forms of load resistance such as magnetic, alternator, air fan, etc. may also be used. [0013] Handles for arm exercise are adjustably attached to handle supports. Each handle can slide relative to the handle support to reposition the handle relative to the operator. A locking device secures the handle to the handle support during operation. The handle support is pivotally connected to a first and a second arm link. Both the first and second arm links are pivotally connected to the frame; however, the first arm link extends beyond the frame pivot pivotally connecting to a connector link. The connector link is pivotally connected to the foot support member. [0014] The swivel seat is movably attached to the framework and is adjustable by conventional means. The handles are phased relative to the foot support members to allow the operator to relocate the foot support member for a smooth startup without a toggle condition the can occur between the crank arm and coupler link when they align. [0015] In summary, this invention provides the operator with coordinated semi-recumbent exercise of both the hands and feet through extended motions without joint impact. The angle of incline for the elliptical pedal curve is chosen for an operator friendly range of exercise. The handles for arm exercise can be repositioned closer or further away from the operator as desired. Should a toggle condition occur during startup, force applied to the handles allows the operator to move the foot support for a non-toggle startup. The step through feature allows easy ingress and egress for an operator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of an exercise machine with shroud constructed in accordance with the present invention; [0017] FIG. 2 is the side view of the forward portion of the preferred embodiment without shroud shown in FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0019] Referring to the drawings in detail, pedals 50,52 are shown in FIG. 1 in their most forward and rearward positions of the preferred embodiment. During operation of the exercise apparatus, pedals 50,52 follow the inclined elliptical pedal curve 5 for the toe and 3 for the heel. The lower leg 7 and upper leg 9 are shown in the lowermost contact with pedal 50 while lower leg 7' and upper leg 9' are shown in the uppermost contact with pedal 52. The angles 4,6 as measured from the pedal 50,52 surface to the lower leg 7,7' remain close to 90 degrees during operation for effective force transfer during load but can articulate approximately plus or minus 10 degrees to exercise the ankle and lower leg muscles. Note that elongate heel curve 3 is longer than elongate toe curve 5. [0020] Handles 62,64 follow arcuate path 11 coordinated with the movement of pedals 50,52. Locking devices 24,26 can be loosened to allow handles 62,64 to slide relative to handle supports 66,68 to bring the arcuate path 11 closer or further away from the operator as desired. Handles 60,62 can also be removed from handle supports 66,68 if desired. Shroud 8 is slotted to allow movement of handle supports 66,68 and foot supports 54,56. With either handle 62,64 forward, an operator can easily step into the seat or with handles 62,64 positioned side by side, an operator can step through from either side for easy ingress and egress. [0021] Referring to the forward portion of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, pedals 50,52 are attached to inclined foot support members 54,56 which are connected to coupler links 58,60 at pivots 31,33 and to first rocker links 28,30 at pivots 95,97. First rocker links 28,30 are connected to frame member 55 at pivot 35. Coupler links 58,60 are connected to crank arms 20,22 at pivots 21,23 and to second rocker links 80,82 at pivots 25,27. Second rocker links 80,82 are attached to frame member 57 at pivot 81. Continue reading about Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus... Full patent description for Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus 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 Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Elliptical exercise machine Next Patent Application: Treadmill control system Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Step through recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.24668 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
