Abstract:
An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable ramp is provided and comprises a frame, first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a foot placement pad, first and second swing arms being pivotally connected to an upright support structure, first and second link arms being connected to a respective swing arm and a second end of each link arm being interconnected to a second end of a respective reciprocating foot support, a drive assembly positioned on the upright support structure, wherein a first end of each reciprocating foot support is movably linked to the drive assembly, and a ramp assembly adjustably linked to the frame by an adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and the ramp assembly, the adjustment mechanism being configured to adjust the position of the ramp assembly and to thereby adjust stride movements of the respective foot placement pads.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. The Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention generally relates to exercise equipment and, more specifically, to elliptical exercise machines. 
         [0003]    2. The Relevant Technology 
         [0004]    Exercise machines having alternating reciprocating foot supports configured to traverse or travel about a closed path to simulate a striding, running, walking, and/or a climbing motion for the individual using the machine are well known, and are commonly referred to as elliptical exercise machines or elliptical cross-trainers. In general, an elliptical or elliptical-type exercise machine comprises a pair of reciprocating foot supports designed to receive and support the feet of a user. Each reciprocating foot support has at least one end supported for rotational motion about a pivot point, with the other end supported in a manner configured to cause the reciprocating foot support to travel or traverse a closed path, such as a reciprocating elliptical or oblong path or other similar geometric outline. Therefore, upon operation of the exercise machine, each reciprocating foot support is caused to travel or traverse the closed path, thereby simulating a striding motion of the user for exercise purposes. The reciprocating foot supports are configured to be out of phase with one another by 180 degrees in order to simulate a proper and natural alternating stride motion. 
         [0005]    Further, in a training environment, those exercising on equipment for strength training and/or muscle toning are in constant need for motivation or encouragement by coaches or trainers. Some, particularly those with sufficient resources, hirer personal coaches or fitness trainers to do just that. A personal trainer will follow a trainee through a workout, showing the trainee which exercises to perform to build or tone certain areas of one&#39;s body, how to perform those exercises or any exercise desired, and provide motivation along the way. 
         [0006]    An individual may utilize an elliptical exercise machine by placing his or her feet onto the reciprocating foot supports. The individual may then actuate the exercise machine for any desired length of time to cause the reciprocating foot supports to repeatedly travel their respective closed paths, which action effectively results in a series of strides achieved by the individual to obtain exercise, with a low-impact advantage. Therefore, there is a long standing need in the general area of exercise devices for a non-impact device, and one with an elliptical motion satisfies this need. 
         [0007]    Although elliptical exercise machines may comprise mechanisms or systems for increasing the resistance of motion, there is no easy and practical way to readily adjust the level of exercise on a given machine. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism to readily vary the level of exercise on an elliptical exercise machine. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable ramp is provided. The exercise machine comprises: a frame having a base support structure and an upright support structure extending from the base support structure; first and second reciprocating foot supports, each reciprocating foot support having a first end and a second end, each foot support having a foot placement pad; first and second swing arms, each swing arm having a first end and a second end, each swing arm being pivotally connected to the upright support structure, each swing arm including a handlebar configured to be grasped by a user while the user exercises on the elliptical exercise machine; first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being connected to a respective swing arm and the second end of each link arm being interconnected to the second end of a respective reciprocating foot support; a drive assembly positioned on the upright support structure, wherein the first end of each reciprocating foot support is movably linked to the drive assembly such that the drive assembly is positioned substantially in front of the user when the user exercises on the elliptical exercise machine with the user&#39;s feet on the foot placement pads and the user&#39;s hands on the handlebars; and a ramp assembly adjustably linked to the frame, the ramp assembly having first and second guide rails for guiding respective first and second reciprocating foot supports, wherein the ramp assembly is adjustably linked to the frame by an adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and the ramp assembly, the adjustment mechanism being configured to adjust the position of the ramp assembly and to thereby adjust stride movements of the respective foot placement pads. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments of the exercise machine, the adjustment mechanism comprises an angled member movably coupled to the frame and movably coupled to the ramp assembly, and an extension motor movably coupled to the frame and movably coupled to a central portion of the angled member. In some of these embodiments, the angled member is movably coupled to the upright support structure and movably coupled to the ramp assembly. In some of these embodiments, the extension motor is movably coupled to the base support structure and movably coupled to the central portion of the angled member. In some embodiments, the ramp assembly has a first end and a second end, the first end being movably coupled to the angled member, the second end having at least one wheel to allow the ramp assembly to move back and forth as the height of the ramp assembly is adjusted. As opposed to the above, in some embodiments, the extension motor may be movably coupled to the base support structure and movably coupled to a central portion of the angled member. 
         [0010]    According to certain embodiments, the adjustment mechanism is configured to be selectively adjustable to adjust the position of the ramp assembly. In some embodiments, the elliptical exercise machine further comprises a console positioned on the upright support structure, wherein the exercise machine is configured such that the ramp assembly may be adjusted by operation of the console by the user. 
         [0011]    According to certain embodiments of the elliptical exercise machine, the second end of each reciprocating foot support comprises a support member, each support member having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the second end of each link arm is connected to the lower end of each support member and each foot placement pad is positioned on the upper end of each support member. In some embodiments, the frame further comprises at least one wheel that provides portability to the elliptical exercise machine so that the machine can be readily moved to any desired location by rolling on the at least one wheel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention. They are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a front mechanical-type elliptical exercise machine according to the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates another side view of the elliptical exercise machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged, cut-away perspective view of the elliptical exercise machine of  FIG. 1 , depicting the area around the lift adjustment mechanism; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the elliptical exercise machine of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates another perspective view of the elliptical exercise machine of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an alternative elliptical exercise machine of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates an enlarged, cut-away perspective view of the elliptical exercise machine of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed. It is presented for purposes of illustration only and to describe the features and characteristics of the present invention, to set forth the best mode of operation of the invention, and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims. The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention are designated by numerals throughout. 
         [0021]    The present invention describes and features an exercise machine, and particularly an elliptical or elliptical-type exercise machine that allows the user to easily and readily adjust the level of exercise. 
         [0022]    With reference to the accompanying drawings, advantages of the present invention will be apparent in light of the detailed description set forth below. These advantages are not meant to be limiting in any way. Indeed, other than those specifically recited herein, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other advantages may be realized, upon practicing the present invention. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a front mechanical-type elliptical exercise machine  100  according to the present invention. The elliptical exercise device  100  comprises a frame  10 , a drive assembly  20 , a ramp assembly  80 , a lift mechanism  70 , a first reciprocating foot support  30 , a second reciprocating foot support  40 , and first and second swing arms  50  and  60  pivotally coupled to the frame  10 . The frame  10  comprises a base support structure  8  and an upright support structure  16 , about which the swing arms  50  and  60  pivot. 
         [0024]    The elliptical exercise device  100  further comprises a ramp support member  75 , first and second link arms  35  and  45 , first and second foot placement pads  38  and  48 , and first and second foot pad support members  37  and  47 . With respect to the first side of the elliptical exercise machine  100 , the first swing arm  50  has a lower end  59  that is connected to the forward end  35 A of the first link arm  35 . The rearward end  35 B of the first link arm  35  is then connected to the lower end  37 A of the first foot pad support member  37 , where it is connected at its proximate mid-point  37 C to the first reciprocating foot support  30 . The upper end  37 B of the first foot pad support member  37  is connected to and supports the first foot placement pad  38 . The forward end  31  of the first reciprocating foot support  30  is connected to a first crank  21  of the drive assembly  20 , while the rearward end  39  of the first reciprocating foot support  30  has a first roller wheel  32 , which rides back and forth on a first guide rail  82  of the ramp assembly  80 . The respective parts of the second side of the elliptical exercise machine  100  are connected in the same manner as the right side, except that the sides are offset by 180 degrees. 
         [0025]    The lift mechanism  70  is mounted on top of the base support structure  8  and connects with the ramp support member  75 . The ramp support member  75 , which is an angled member, is connected to and extends between the upright support structure  16  and the forward end  81  of the ramp assembly  80 . The rearward end  89  of the ramp assembly  80  rests on the support surface  99 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows another side view of the elliptical exercise machine  100  of  FIG. 1 . Specifically,  FIG. 2  shows the exercise machine  100  with the ramp assembly  80  in an elevated position. To elevate the ramp assembly  80 , the lift mechanism  70  raises the ramp support member  75 , which pivots about point  75 A in the direction of arrow A and thereby raises the ramp  80  at point  75 B. The ramp is lowered in the opposite manner. Signals for raising or lowering the ramp, i.e., signals for increasing or decreasing the level of difficulty of exercise, are sent to the lift mechanism  70  from the console  97 . With the exercise machine  100 , signals for adjusting the angle of the ramp assembly  80  are sent by wires, but they may be wireless. Although several types of mechanisms are possible, with the exercise machine  100 , the lift mechanism  70  is a lead screw motor. The lift mechanism  70  also is referred to as an extension motor, although it retracts as well as extends, i.e., lowers and raises the height of the ramp assembly  80 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rearward end  89  of the ramp assembly  80  has wheels  91  and  93  for rolling back and forth on the support surface  99  when the ramp  80  moves up and down according to the wishes of the user, i.e., when the user changes the level of exercise. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged, cut-away perspective view of the elliptical machine of  FIG. 1 , detailing the area around the lift mechanism  70  and the ramp support member  75 . Together, the lift mechanism  70  and the ramp support member  75  comprise an adjustment mechanism of the present invention that allows one to adjust the position of the ramp assembly  80  and thereby readily vary the level of exercise of the elliptical exercise machine  100 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the elliptical machine of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the base support structure  8  further comprises mid stabilizer legs  14  and  15  (only first mid stabilizer leg  14  shown here). The exercise machine  100  further comprises wheels  92  and  94 . The user can tilt the entire machine  100  forward, balancing it on its wheels  92  and  94  and roll the machine  100  to any desired location. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the drive assembly  20  is mounted on the upright support structure  16 . The exercise machine  100  also comprises a resistance assembly  25 , which is mounted on the base support structure  8 . As known, this feature is another way in which the user can change the level of exercise, i.e., by selecting the resistance level experienced during operation. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows another perspective view of the elliptical machine  100  of  FIG. 1 . Specifically,  FIG. 5  shows the elliptical exercise machine  100  as it looks in its “finished” state. That is, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a housing  95  is in place so that much of the inner workings described in the previous figures are not visible or accessible. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an alternative elliptical exercise machine  200  of the present invention. The elliptical exercise machine  200  differs from the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  in that the rearward end  189  of the ramp assembly  180  does not have wheels, but is fixed to the base  192 . Further, the front end  181  of the ramp assembly  180  is not attached to an angled member ( 75  in the above figures), but is generally “free floating.” In addition, the machine  200  does not have mid stabilizer legs  14  and  15 , but has a tube  190  extending from the housing (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) to the base  192 . 
         [0031]    Furthermore, with machine  200 , the ramp assembly  180  is adjusted with the aid of a lift adjustment mechanism  170  that “pulls” instead of “pushes” as with the lift adjustment mechanism  70  of machine  100 . That is, lift adjustment mechanism  170  exerts a pulling force on a ramp support member  175  to raise the ramp assembly  180 . Accordingly, the lift adjustment mechanism  170  is rotatably connected to a bracket  118  extending from the upright support structure  116  and rotatably connected to the ramp support member  175 . The ramp support member  175  is rotatably connected to a bracket  112  extending from the upright support structure  116  and mates with the ramp assembly  180  by means of an end cover bracket  186 , which is welded on the front end  181  of the ramp assembly  180 . As the ramp assembly  180  is elevated, the lift adjustment mechanism  170  pulls on the ramp support member  175 , which rotates in the direction of arrow B, which in turn raises the end cover bracket  186  and ramp assembly  180 . The ramp assembly  180  is lowered in the opposite manner. Note that with either machine  100  or machine  200 , the respective ramp assembly  80  or  180  may be adjusted with the aid of a “pushing” or “pulling” lift adjustment mechanism that is appropriately positioned. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates an enlarged, cut-away perspective view of the elliptical exercise machine of  FIG. 6 , depicting the area around the lift adjustment mechanism  170 .  FIG. 7  shows how the lift adjustment mechanism  170  is rotatably connected to the bracket  118  extending from the upright support structure  116  and how it is rotatably connected to the ramp support member  175 . Also,  FIG. 7  shows how the ramp support member  175  is rotatably connected to the bracket  112  extending from the upright support structure  116  and how it mates with the ramp assembly  180 . Specifically, the end cover bracket  186 , as well as the ramp assembly  180 , are shown partially transparent so that the manner of how the ramp support member  175  mates with the ramp assembly  180  can be better illustrated. That is, the ramp side end  179  of the ramp support member  175  has two wheels  176  held together by a bolt and axle so that the wheels  176  can roll against the inside surface of the end cover bracket  186 . The ramp assembly  180  merely rests upon the wheels  176  of the ramp support member  175  by means of gravity and the wheels  176  allows the ramp assembly  180  to move up and down freely as it is adjusted. The ramp assembly  180  is not fixedly or rotatably mounted to the ramp support member  175 . It is in this manner that the ramp assembly  180  is generally “free floating.” In the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the wheels  176  are made of urethane. 
         [0033]    As set forth above, the present invention provides an elliptical exercise machine that allows the user to adjust the level of exercise with the press of a button. Varying the height of the ramp assembly  80 / 180 , or more particularly the forward end  81 / 181  of the ramp assembly  80 / 180 , changes the elliptical path for the user. That is, a more vertical elliptical path causes the user to undergo a more strenuous level of exercise than when the elliptical path (or the forward end  81 / 181  of the ramp assembly  80 / 180 ) is lower. 
         [0034]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it discloses an adjustment mechanism for easily and readily varying the elliptical path, and thereby the level of exercise, on an elliptical machine  100  or  200  of a relatively simple configuration. That is, the elliptical exercise machine  100  or  200  of the present invention has relatively few components and linkages as compared to other elliptical machine configurations. This benefit results in a more cost efficient elliptical machine to manufacture and one that results in fewer manufacturing defects. 
         [0035]    Although multiple embodiments of the invention are described herein in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.