Abstract:
An elliptical exercise apparatus. The exercise apparatus generally includes a frame, a pair of cranks pivotally connected to the frame and configured to rotate about a common axis, first and second reciprocating members, first and second support members, and first and second foot engaging members. The first end portion of each of the first and second reciprocating members may be pivotally coupled to the frame. The first portion of each of the first and second support members may be pivotally coupled to the corresponding crank, and the second portion of each of the first and second support members may be pivotally coupled to the second end portion of the corresponding reciprocating member. Each foot engaging member is coupled to a corresponding support member and may generally move through a closed path. Handle members may be coupled to the support members and may generally move through a closed path.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to exercise apparatuses and, more particularly, to cross-trainer exercise apparatuses. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Indoor exercise is getting more and more popular during recent decades. One popular indoor exercise apparatus is the cross-trainer, which exercises both the upper body and the lower body of the user. One type of cross-trainer is called an “elliptical” exercise trainer, where the movement of either the hands or the feet (or both) is in a circuitous, closed path. An exemplary elliptical exercise trainer is shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,573,480 and 5,924,962, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides an exercise apparatus, such as a cross-trainer apparatus, that can provide dual action arm and leg exercise to give a user a balanced total body workout (e.g., 50% upper body and 50% lower body). The exercise apparatus may generally create a feeling of walking/running and, in some constructions, may also provide an upward action like a climbing or hiking motion. 
         [0004]    In some aspects, the exercise apparatus generally includes a frame, a pair of cranks pivotally connected to the frame and configured to rotate about a common axis, first and second reciprocating members, first and second support members, and first and second foot engaging members. The first end portion of each of the first and second reciprocating members may be pivotally coupled to the frame. The first portion of each of the first and second support members may be pivotally coupled to the corresponding crank, and the second portion of each of the first and second support members may be pivotally coupled to the second end portion of the corresponding reciprocating member. Each foot engaging member is coupled to a corresponding support member and may generally move through a closed path. Handle members may be coupled to the support members and may generally move through a closed path. 
         [0005]    The support members may be substantially rigid such that the distance between the pivot point between the crank and the support member and the pivot point between the reciprocating member and the support member does not substantially change during the exercise. The reciprocating members may be connected to the frame and/or to the support members in different orientations to thereby change the path of the foot engaging members and/or of the handle members. 
         [0006]    Independent features and independent aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an elliptical exercise apparatus. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a second construction of an elliptical exercise apparatus. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a third construction of an elliptical exercise apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of a fourth construction of an elliptical exercise apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a fifth construction of an elliptical exercise apparatus. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 13  with foot supports in the process of being moved to a raised position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 13  with the foot supports in the raised position. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Before at least one independent embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0023]    The use of “including”, “having”, and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The use of “consisting of” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter. The use of letters to identify elements of a method or process is simply for identification and is not meant to indicate that the elements should be performed in a particular order. The use of directional or positional terms (e.g., forward, rearward, front, rear, etc.) are for the purpose of description and should not be regarding as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  is an elliptical exercise apparatus  10 . As described below in more detail, the exercise apparatus  10  can provide dual action arm and leg exercise to give a user a balanced total body workout (e.g., 50% upper body and 50% lower body). The exercise apparatus  10  is designed to create a feeling of walking/running and, in some constructions, may also provide an upward action like a climbing or hiking motion. 
         [0025]    The exercise apparatus  10  includes a frame assembly  14  having a base assembly  18  which is supportable on a supporting surface  22  in an exercise area, such as in a gym or in a user&#39;s home. An upright assembly  26  extends upwardly from the base assembly  18  generally at the front of the exercise apparatus  10 . 
         [0026]    Two support members  30  are movably supported on the frame assembly  14 . During exercise, a user will stand on and move the support members  30  relative to the frame assembly  14  to achieve leg exercise. Each support member  30  has first and second end portions  38 ,  42  and is substantially rigid between the end portions  38 ,  42 . In the illustrated construction, each support member  30  is angled to generally form an L-shape. In some illustrated constructions, each support member  30  is formed as a single, unitary, substantially rigid piece. In other constructions, each support member  30  may be formed of multiple separate pieces that are connected to form a single, substantially rigid support member. 
         [0027]    Each first end portion  38  defines a first pivot point  46  at which a first pivot pin  50  is supported. Each second end portion  42  defines a second pivot point  54  at which a second pivot pin  58  is supported (see  FIG. 2 ). A foot pad  62  is connected to each support member  30  and is positioned generally on the second end portion  42 . During exercise, the user will place a foot on each foot pad  62 . 
         [0028]    A crank assembly  66  is supported by the frame assembly  14 , at an upper portion of the upright assembly  26 . The crank assembly  66  includes a sprocket member  70  rotationally supported by the upright assembly  26  by a bearing assembly (not shown). 
         [0029]    Two crank members  74  are connected, at one end, to the sprocket member  70  to rotate with the sprocket member  70 . The opposite end of each crank member  74  is connected to the first end portion  38  of the associated support member  30 . Each crank member  74  is connected to the associated first pivot pin  50  such that the support members  30  are pivotable relative to the crank members  74 . 
         [0030]    Reciprocating members  82  are connected to the base assembly  18  by respective third pivot pins  90 . The reciprocating members  82  are supported to generally pivot back and forth relative to the base assembly  18 . At the opposite end, each reciprocating member  82  is connected to the second portion  42  of each associated support member  30 . Each reciprocating member  82  is connected to the associated second pivot pin  58  such that the support members  30  are pivotable relative to the reciprocating members  82 . 
         [0031]    In the illustrated construction, each reciprocating member  82  is connected to the associated support member  30  at a position below the foot pad  62 . The connection to the base assembly  18  is located in front of the foot pad  62  in a position such that the reciprocating members  82  generally slant downwardly in the forward direction. 
         [0032]    The exercise apparatus  10  also includes a flywheel assembly  98  that is coupled to the crank assembly  66 . The flywheel assembly  98  includes a flywheel  102  that is rotationally supported by the frame assembly  14 , generally by the upright assembly  26  at a location below the crank assembly  66 . A sprocket member  106  on the flywheel is coupled to the sprocket member  70  by a connecting member  110 , such as a chain, a belt, etc., such that rotation of the sprocket member  70  causes rotation of the flywheel  98 . 
         [0033]    In addition, the exercise apparatus  10  includes a load resistance assembly (not shown) that is operable to apply resistance during exercise. The resistance assembly may include any type of resistance structure to apply resistance during exercise. Such a resistance assembly may include, for example, an adjustable strap assembly (e.g., to apply an adjustable force to the flywheel  102  to resist rotation of the flywheel  102 ), electromagnetic structure, an alternator, an air fan, etc. 
         [0034]    A control panel assembly  118  is supported on the frame assembly  14  generally on the upper portion of the upright assembly  26 . The control panel assembly  118  provides an input interface having a plurality of input selectors (not shown) and at least one display. With the control panel assembly  118 , the user may select operational features of the exercise apparatus  10  (e.g., resistance level, exercise time, etc.) and view the operating status and/or the selected features of the exercise apparatus  10 . 
         [0035]    In the illustrated construction, the exercise apparatus  10  also includes movable handle members  122  to exercise a user&#39;s upper body. A hand grip portion  130  is provided on each handle member  122  to provide a gripping surface for the user&#39;s hands. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , each handle member  122  is rigidly connected to the associated support member  30 , generally at the first end portion  38 . 
         [0036]    In some illustrated constructions, each handle member  122  is formed with the associated support member  30 . In other constructions, each handle member  122  may be formed separately from and then connected to the associated support member  30 . In such constructions, each handle member  122  may be movable relative the associated support member  30 , for example, to adjust the position of user&#39;s hand grip (e.g., forwardly, rearwardly, upwardly, downwardly, inwardly, outwardly) relative to the support member  30 . 
         [0037]    Stationary handle members  132  are also provided on the exercise apparatus  10 , generally fixed to the upper portion of the upright assembly  26 . The user may grip the stationary handle members  132  for example, if the user chooses not to exercise the arms/upper body, for added stability during exercise, or when entering or exiting the exercise apparatus  10 , etc. 
         [0038]    In operation, a user enters the exercise apparatus  10  by stepping onto each foot pad  62 . The resistance to be applied during the exercise may be selected by inputting information into the control panel assembly  118 . If arm exercise is also desired, the user grips the hand grip portions  130 . As the user exercises, the support members  30  and handle members  122  move between a first position (for example, the position of the left support member  30  and the left handle member  122  in  FIG. 1-3 ) and a second position (for example, the position of the right support member  30  and the right handle member  122  in  FIG. 1-3 ). The first portion  38  of each support member  30  moves with the associated crank  74  (the pivot point  46  moves in a generally circular path). At the same time, the second portion  42  of each support member  30  moves with the associated reciprocating member  82  (the pivot point  54  moves in a generally reciprocating arcuate motion, i.e. following the same path when moving in opposite directions along a link path  134 ). Because the support members  30  are substantially rigid, the distance between the pivot point  46  and the pivot point  54  does not substantially change during the exercise. 
         [0039]    During exercise, the foot pads  62  and the user&#39;s feet move along a foot path  138 , and, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pads  62  move along different foot paths  138 . The handle members  122  and the user&#39;s hands and arms, if holding the hand grip portions  130 , move along an arm path  142 . In the illustrated construction, the configuration and arrangement of the support members  30  and the reciprocating members  82  creates a foot path  138  that is a substantially upward arc, and an arm path  142  that is a generally “elliptical” path. The foot path  138  and the arm path  142  are generally circuitous, closed paths in which movement in one direction is along a different path than movement in the other direction. 
         [0040]    In the illustrated construction, movement along the foot path  138  and the arm path  142  generally creates a feeling of walking or running with an upward action like a climbing motion. The movement of the dual action arms (handle members  122 ) and foot pedals (support members  30 ) allow the user to get a balanced total body workout (e.g., 50% upper body and 50% lower body). 
         [0041]    A second construction of an exercise apparatus  10 A is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . The exercise apparatus  10 A is similar to the exercise apparatus  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 , and common elements have the same reference number with an “A”. 
         [0042]    In the illustrated construction, each reciprocating member  82 A is connected to the associated support member  30 A at a position underneath and behind the foot pad  62 A. The illustrated configuration creates a downward closed arm path  142 A for the arms and a flattened, upward closed foot path  138 A for the feet (again, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pad  62 A move along different foot paths  138 A). This creates a feeling of walking/running with an upward action like a hiking motion, and the dual action arm and foot pedal movement provides a balanced total body workout. 
         [0043]    A third construction of an exercise apparatus  10 B is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 . The exercise apparatus  10 B is similar to the exercise apparatus  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 , and common elements have the same reference number “B”. 
         [0044]    In the illustrated construction, the frame assembly  14 B also includes a rear upright assembly  146  and an upper frame assembly  150  generally connected between the front upright assembly  26 B and the rear upright assembly  146 . The user may grip the upper frame assembly  150  instead of the handle members  122 B or the stationary handle members  132 B. 
         [0045]    A link support  154  is connected to the upper frame assembly  150 , and each reciprocating member  82 B is connected to the frame assembly  14 B at the associated link support  154 . In the illustrated construction, the connection of the reciprocating members  82 B to the frame assembly  14 B is generally located above the rear end of the foot pads  62 B. The illustrated configuration creates a downward, closed arm path  142 B for the arms and an upward closed foot path  138 B for the feet (again, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pad  62 B move along different foot paths  138 B), which creates a feeling of walking/running and provides a balanced total body workout. 
         [0046]    As shown in phantom in  FIG. 8 , the structure and movement control provided by the guiders/reciprocating members  82 B could be provided by a track assembly. The track assembly may include a track member  158  (one shown in phantom) for each support member  30 B or a single track for both support members  30 B. In such constructions, a track follower on each support member  30 B(e.g., the end of each support member  30 B or an additional track follower such as a roller, a wheel, etc.) engages and moves along the track assembly to guide movement of the second end portion  42 B during exercise. 
         [0047]    As also shown in phantom in  FIG. 8 , the exercise apparatus  10 B may also include a seat assembly  162  which can be positioned at the top of the rear upright assembly  154 . The seat assembly  162  allows the user to sit down, place their feet on the foot pads  62 B or on auxiliary foot pads (not shown) on the angled intermediate portion of the support members  30 B and ride the exercise apparatus  10 B. In this configuration, the exercise apparatus  10 B creates a feeling of riding a recumbent exercise bike or exercising using a recumbent stepper exerciser, and the dual action arm and foot pedal movement provides a balanced total body workout. 
         [0048]    A fourth construction of an exercise apparatus  10 C is illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12 . The exercise apparatus  10 C is similar to the exercise apparatus  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 , and common elements have the same reference number “C”. 
         [0049]    In the illustrated construction, each reciprocating member  82 C is connected to the associated support member  30 C at a position underneath and behind each foot pad  166 , in a manner similar to that in the exercise apparatus  10 A in  FIGS. 4-6 . In this construction, the foot pads  166  are movable relative to the support members  30 C to provide a different foot path  138 C. 
         [0050]    Structure is provided between each foot pad  166  and the associated support member  30 C to allow limited movement of each foot pad  166  relative to (e.g., along) the associated support member  30 C. In the illustrated construction, the structure includes a track or guide  170  on each support member  30 C and a follower  174  on the associated foot pad  166 . As such, the foot pad  166  is movable forwardly and rearwardly along the support member  30 C. 
         [0051]    Secondary cranks  178  are mounted to the crank assembly  66 C such that each secondary crank  178  is rigidly connected to, and at a fixed angle with respect to, the associated crank  74 . A connecting member  186  is connected between each secondary crank  178  and the associated foot pad  166 . This arrangement is used to drive the foot pad  166  fore and aft on the associated support member  30 C. The illustrated configuration creates a downward, closed arm path  142 C for the arms and a substantially horizontal closed foot path  138 C for the feet (again, in the illustrated construction, the heel portion and the toe portion of the foot pad  166  move along different foot paths  138 C). This creates a feeling of walking/running, and the dual action arm and foot pedal movement provides a balanced total body workout. 
         [0052]    In other constructions (not shown), this movement can also be achieved by placing a secondary pulley (not shown) driven off of the flywheel  102 C at a 1:1 ratio to the crank assembly  66 C. The secondary crank  178  would be mounted to the secondary pulley. 
         [0053]    In still other constructions (not shown), this movement can also be achieved with a series of gears (not shown) attached to the top rear link pivot point and a rack (not shown) attached to the bottom of the foot pad  166 . As the rear link rotates fore and aft, this also drives the foot pad  166  fore and aft. 
         [0054]    As described above, the exercise apparatus  10 ,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C may have a relatively small footprint on the support surface  22 . The construction may allow more complete assembly of the exercise apparatus  10 ,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C in the shipping carton which may provide better quality of the product. 
         [0055]    The exercise apparatus  10 ,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C may have a lower material cost, for example, because of fewer components, such as connectors which would be necessary between relatively-movable portions of a support member in other exercise apparatus. Also, the exercise apparatus  10 ,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C may have fewer pivots and joints than a typical elliptical trainer. 
         [0056]    The exercise apparatus  10 ,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C has a relatively low step-on height and/or a low Q Factor (the lateral distance between pedals). In the illustrated constructions, the exercise apparatus  10 ,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C does not include wheels between the support members  30  and the reciprocating members  82 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate a fifth construction of an exercise apparatus. The illustrated apparatus is similar to the design shown in  FIGS. 7-9  with a seat  200  shown in solid lines. The seat  200  can be sat on by the user to perform a sitting exercise in order to train different muscles than would be exercised when the user is standing. The seat can be permanently mounted, removable, or movably mounted to the frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat can be removed from the apparatus (i.e., a “first” position) so that it does not interfere with the use of the apparatus by a user when performing a standing exercise ( FIG. 13 ). When mounted on the apparatus (i.e., a “second” position), the seat can be sat upon by the user during use of the apparatus to perform the sitting exercise ( FIG. 15 ). 
         [0058]    In addition, in the apparatus of  FIGS. 13-15 , the front end of each foot pad  62 D is hinged to the corresponding support member  30 D. This allows the foot pads  62 D to be moved from a first position ( FIGS. 13 ) to a second position ( FIG. 15 ). Alternatively, the foot pads  62 D can be slid, rotated, or otherwise moved from the first position to the second position. In the first position, the foot pads  62 D are in a position that is suited for use of the apparatus to perform the standing exercise ( FIG. 13 ), and in the second position the foot pads are in a position more suited for performing the sitting exercise ( FIG. 15 ). 
         [0059]    One or more independent features and/or independent advantages may be set forth in the following claims: