Patent ID: 6063008
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A manually powered elliptical motion exercise apparatus comprising:a frame constructed and arranged to be supported on a generally horizontal support surface;a crank mechanism carried by said frame and including a crank axle rotatably mounted on said frame for rotation about a generally horizontal first axis and a pair of crank arms coupled to said crank axle and extending in opposite radial directions from said crank axle;a pair of foot-engageable elongated rigid pedals, each having a first end, a second end, and a foot-receiving platform disposed therebetween for supporting a user standing thereon with a generally upright posture, each of said elongated pedals including a crank coupling structure proximate said first end thereof and constructed and arranged to pivotally couple said first end of each elongated pedal to a different one of said crank arms to permit said elongated pedal to pivot about an axis that is generally parallel to, but radially offset from, said first axis, so that said crank coupling structure of said elongated pedal traverses a circular path about said first axis as said elongated pedals are manually operated by a standing user to rotate said crank axle, the circular path of the crank coupling structures of the elongated pedals imparting a predetermined horizontal extent of movement to said foot-receiving platforms of said pair of elongated pedals;a pedal guide defining a second axis that is fixed with respect to said frame in parallel relation to said first axis, each elongated pedal being constructed and arranged to be supported on said pedal guide for pivoting movement with respect to said second axis as said crank coupling structure traverses the circular path about said first axis and to accommodate the horizontal extent of movement of said foot-receiving platform of each elongated pedal, thereby causing a portion of the foot-receiving platform of each elongated pedal to traverse a generally elliptical path of motion as the elongated pedals are manually operated by a standing user to simulate the striding foot movements of a person while running or walking, said pedal guide comprising a pair of guide bearings carried on said frame and constructed and arranged to be rotatable about said second axis, each guide bearing being associated with a one of said pair of elongated pedals and guide bearing retaining structures connected to a lower portion of each of said elongated pedals generally adjacent to said second end of said elongated pedal, wherein said guide bearing retaining structure of each elongated pedal is constructed and arranged to receive said associated guide bearing and to maintain said elongated pedal in pedal-supporting proximity to said guide bearing, and wherein said guide bearing and said guide bearing retaining structure are constructed and arranged to permit each pedal to translate and pivot with respect to said fixed second axis as said crank coupling structure traverses the circular path about said first axis to accommodate the horizontal extent of movement of said foot-receiving platform of each elongated pedal, thereby causing said foot-receiving platform of each elongated pedal to traverse the generally elliptical path of motion as the elongated pedals are manually operated by a standing user to simulate the striding foot movements of a person while running or walking;hand grasping structure connected to said frame and constructed and arranged to be grasped by the hands of a user standing with a generally upright posture on said foot-receiving platforms of said pair of elongated pedals;a pedal movement resisting mechanism operatively connected with said crank axle and including a continuously movable member constructed and arranged to move in conjunction with rotation of the crank axle and to be resisted in the movement thereof to establish the effort required by the user to effect the user-generated movement of the elongated pedals; anda rotating mass constructed and arranged to rotate in conjunction with rotation of the crank axle as said elongated pedals are manually operated by a user standing thereon with a generally upright posture and to generate a rotational inertia to facilitate continuous, user-generated movement of said elongated pedals.