Patent ID: 9061175
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. An exercise device comprising: a frame configured to be supported on a horizontal surface, the frame having a first pivot axis defined thereon; a first and a second guide link each having a first and a second attachment point defined thereon, each guide link being pivotally attached, through its first attachment point, to the frame at the first pivot axis thereof; a first and a second foot support link each having a foot receiving area configured to support a user's foot thereupon, each foot support link being pivotally connected to the second attachment point of a respective one of the guide links so that when the guide links pivot relative to the frame, they each cause the respective foot receiving area to move in a path of travel having a horizontal component of motion; a cam system having a vertical control cam portion supported for rotation about a cam axis, the vertical control cam portion having a first and a second offset vertical drive portion; a vertical follower support disposed on the frame, the vertical follower support having a vertical follower pivot axis defined thereon; a first and a second vertical control follower each pivotally connected to the vertical follower support at the vertical follower pivot axis, each vertical control follower further having a control portion and a cam engagement portion, the cam engagement portion having a cam engagement surface engaging a respective one of the offset vertical drive portions of the vertical cam portion such that as the vertical cam portion rotates about the cam axis, the offset vertical drive portions cause the vertical control followers to pivot back and forth about the vertical follower pivot axis thereby causing the control portions to oscillate back and forth; and a first and a second mechanical vertical control coupling each coupling a respective one of the foot support links to the control portion of a respective one of the vertical control followers such that as the vertical cam portion rotates about the cam axis, the mechanical vertical control couplings move the foot receiving areas of the foot support links in a path of travel having a vertical component of motion; wherein the pivotal motion of the guide links about the first attachment points is decoupled from the motion of the foot receiving areas along the path of travel having a vertical component of motion so that the user can achieve a foot path that is generally vertical or a blend of vertical and horizontal motion.