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Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoringRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Stair ClimbingTotal body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060116247, Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to exercise equipment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The benefits of regular aerobic exercise are well established. However, due to time constraints, inclement weather, and other reasons, many people are prevented from aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, running, and swimming. In response, a variety of exercise equipment has been developed for aerobic activity. It is generally desirable to exercise a large number of different muscles over a significantly large range of motion so as to provide for balanced physical development, to maximize muscle length and flexibility, and to achieve optimum levels of aerobic exercise. It is further advantageous for exercise equipment to provide smooth and natural motion, thus avoiding significant jarring and straining that can damage both muscles and joints. [0003] While various exercise systems are known in the prior art, these systems suffer from a variety of shortcomings that limit their benefits and/or include unnecessary risks and undesirable features. For example, stationary bicycles are a popular exercise system in the prior art; however, these machines employ a sitting position that utilizes only a relatively small number of muscles, through a fairly limited range of motion. Cross-country skiing devices are also utilized to simulate the gliding motion of cross-country skiing. While cross-country skiing devices exercise more muscles than stationary bicycles, the substantially flat shuffling foot motion provided by the ski devices limits the range of motion of some of the muscles being exercised. Another type of exercise device simulates stair climbing. These devices exercise more muscles than stationary bicycles; however, the rather limited range of up-and-down motion utilized does not exercise the user's leg muscles through a large range of motion. Treadmills are still a further type of exercise device in the prior art. Treadmills allow natural walking or jogging motions in a relatively limited area. A drawback of the treadmill, however, is that significant jarring of the hip, knee, ankle and other joints of the body may occur through use of this device. [0004] A further limitation of a majority of exercise systems in the prior art lies in the limits in the types of motions that they can produce. Relatively new classes of exercise devices are capable of producing elliptical motion. Exercise systems create elliptical motion, as referred to herein, when the path traveled by a user's feet while using the exercise system follows an arcuate or ellipse-shaped path of travel. Elliptical motion is much more natural and analogous to running, jogging, walking, etc., than the linear-type, back and forth motions produced by some prior art exercise equipment. [0005] Exercise devices that can provide arm and shoulder motions as well as arcuate foot motions are also desirable. Prior art devices utilize arm and shoulder motions that are linked to foot motions. These linked devices incorporate forced coordinated motion, where the motions of a user's feet are linked to the motions of a user's arms and shoulders. Thus, the user's feet are forced to move in response to the movement of the user's arms and shoulders (in substantially an equal and opposite amount), and vice versa. One drawback to these linked devices lies in the ability of the user during operation to unintentionally exert little or no force on the arm apparatuses. The arm apparatus travel through a given path regardless of whether the user is exerting any force on the arm due to the force being exerted on the foot links. The opposite drawback can also occur where too much force is exerted on the arm apparatus, thereby diminishing the amount of force exerted on the foot apparatuses. [0006] What would thus be desirable is an exercise device that provides for smooth natural action, exercises a relatively large number of muscles through a large range of elliptical motion, employs arm, shoulder, and rotational movement, and provides for safety and stability. Such an exercise device would further inform the user whether a proper or desired amount of arm and shoulder force is being exerted. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] An exercise device in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides for smooth natural action, exercises a relatively large number of muscles through a large range of elliptical motion, employs arm, shoulder and rotational movement, and provides for safety and stability. An exercise device in accordance with the principles of the present invention informs the user whether a proper amount of arm and shoulder force is being exerted. [0008] An exercise device in accordance with the present invention includes a frame defining a longitudinal axis, with the frame having a rearward portion and a forward portion. A guide track and a foot link are provided. The foot link includes a rearward portion that is constrained to move in an orbital path approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis and a forward portion that reciprocally engages the guide track. A swing arm is provided having a pivotal connection to the frame. The swing arm includes an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection and a lower portion disposed below the pivotal connection. An engagement mechanism includes a first portion coupled to the lower portion of the swing arm and a second portion coupled to the forward portion of the foot link. A rearward force applied to the upper portion of the swing arm produces a force on the forward portion of the foot link having a downward component. A load monitoring mechanism is positioned to monitor the load applied to the swing arm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevated front perspective view of an exercise device in accordance with the principles of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an elevated rear perspective view of the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a portion of the exercise device of FIG. 1, which includes the abutment arm and curved attachment link of the engagement assembly. [0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up side view of the exercise device of FIG. 1, which includes the abutment arm and curved attachment link of the engagement assembly. [0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed side view of the connection between an upper body linkage and a lower body linkage of the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed front view of the connection between an upper body linkage and a lower body linkage of the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed, cut-away side view of one embodiment of the sensing means of the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0018] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a further detailed, cut-away side view of the embodiment of the sensing means of FIG. 8 depicting the applied forces. [0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic of a system for controlling and coordinating a desired workout level in accordance with the principles of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 12 illustrates an elevated front perspective view of an alternative exercise device in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Continue reading about Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring... Full patent description for Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring 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 Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Exerciser Next Patent Application: Upper-body exercise cycle Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.35331 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
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