Abstract:
A multimode exercise device, including: a chassis with two opposing elongated sides; an exercise mechanism mounted onto the chassis comprising on each side of the chassis: a slidable assembly that is configured to move backward and forward along one elongated side of the chassis; a rotatable wheel configured to rotate about an axis at its center and mounted onto the slidable assembly; a pedal coupled to the rotatable wheel configured to rotate the rotatable wheel; a restraining rod that is rotatably coupled to a side of the chassis on a first end and rotatably coupled to the rotatable wheel at one of a plurality of user selectable attachment positions on the second end; a synchronizing mechanism to synchronize between the rotations of the rotatable wheels on both sides of the chassis.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/326,235 filed on Apr. 21, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an exercise machine and more specifically to a multimode exercise machine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various types of exercise equipment are used for performing indoor aerobic exercise. Different devices emulate different types of activities and stimulate different muscles, for example one device emulates cross country skiing by simulating the gliding motion of cross country skiing. Another device enables stationary bicycling, and other devices emulate elliptical motion. 
         [0004]    Each device stimulates different sets of muscles therefore it is desirable for a person to use different exercise devices for selected time intervals to strengthen different muscles, for example to use a stationary bicycle device for 20 minutes and then use a treadmill for 30 minutes. Generally, each device is expensive; therefore putting together a diverse athletic facility in ones home can be costly. 
         [0005]    It is common in a public gym to have many devices so that the users can workout on the various devices and stimulate different groups of muscles. However in a public gym devices might be occupied so that a person might be forced to wait when changing from one device to another. Additionally, more devices require more space even if one device is popular and another is hardly used. 
         [0006]    Accordingly it would be desirable if a user could perform various motion patterns with the same device thus generally saving space, time and cost. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An aspect of an embodiment of the invention, relates to a system and method for designing a multimode exercise device that allows various motion contours to be performed by a user&#39;s feet. The user can select between two, three or more different motion contours, wherein the contours are circular or elliptical with varying radii. The motions of both of the user&#39;s feet are synchronized so that they both move together and finish a cycle together. Optionally the exercise device is set so that both feet are at opposite positions in the cycle, for example one side is down when the other is up or one side moves the user&#39;s foot forward when the other foot is moving backward. Alternatively, both feet may be in the same position in the cycle or with a constant variance between both feet. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments of the invention, the exercise device causes both feet to perform the same motion, for example both feet perform circular motion or elliptical motion with the same radii. Alternatively, each side may be performing different motion in synchronism, for example one performs circular cycles while the other performs elliptical cycles or one performs a large elliptical cycle and the other performs a small elliptical cycle. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments of the invention, synchronization between both sides of the exercise device is performed using a timing belt. Alternatively, synchronization between both sides is performed by gears and a telescopic drive shaft that transfers motion from one rotating gear to another whereas the distance between the two gears may vary. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments of the invention, the motion is performed by pushing standard bicycle pedals. Alternatively, the pedals are covered with a foot rest that accommodates the entire foot of the user. In some embodiments of the invention, the foot rest is configured to remain parallel to the ground throughout the entire motion cycle. 
         [0011]    There is thus provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a multimode exercise device, including:
       a chassis with two opposing elongated sides;   an exercise mechanism mounted onto the chassis including on each side of the chassis:
           a slidable assembly that is configured to move backward and forward along one elongated side of the chassis;   a rotatable wheel configured to rotate about an axis at its center and mounted on the slidable assembly;   a pedal coupled to the rotatable wheel configured to rotate the rotatable wheel;   a restraining rod that is rotatably coupled to a side of the chassis on a first end and rotatably coupled to the rotatable wheel at one of a plurality of user selectable attachment positions on the second end;   a synchronizing mechanism to synchronize between the rotations of the rotatable wheels on both sides of the chassis.   
               
 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multimode exercise device includes a crankshaft attached to the axis at the center of the rotatable wheel on one side and attached to the pedal on the other side. 
         [0020]    Optionally, the multimode exercise device includes a positioning adapter to couple the pedal to the rotatable wheel; wherein the positioning adapter includes: 
         [0021]    a first gear with an axis coinciding with the axis of the rotatable wheel and configured to rotate with the rotatable wheel; 
         [0022]    a second gear; 
         [0023]    a third gear with the pedal configured to rotate with the third gear; 
         [0024]    wherein the second gear is configured to transmit the rotation of the first gear to the third gear and vice versa. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multimode exercise device includes a selection bar attached to the rotatable wheel; wherein the attachment positions are located on the bar. 
         [0026]    Optionally, one of the attachment positions coincides with the center of the rotatable wheel and causes the pedal to perform circular motion when selected. 
         [0027]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one of the attachment positions is offset relative to the center of the rotatable wheel and causes the pedal to perform elliptical motion when selected. 
         [0028]    Optionally, different attachment positions that are offset relative to the center of the rotatable wheel cause the pedal to perform elliptical motion of varying size. 
         [0029]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, both sides are configurable to perform the same motion contour simultaneously. 
         [0030]    Optionally, both sides are configurable to perform a different motion contour simultaneously. 
         [0031]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multimode exercise device includes a timing belt to synchronize between both sides of the device. 
         [0032]    Optionally, the multimode exercise device includes on each side of the chassis: 
         [0033]    a drive gear coupled to the rotatable wheel and configured to rotate with the rotatable wheel; 
         [0034]    a telescopic drive shaft coupled to the drive gear for passing on the motion of the rotatable wheel; 
         [0035]    a synchronization gear that receives the motion of the rotatable wheel via the telescopic drive shaft and is intermeshed with the synchronization gear of the other side to synchronize between the motion of the rotatable wheels on both sides of the chassis. 
         [0036]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the drive gear is positioned with an angle of 90° relative to the rotatable wheel. 
         [0037]    There is further provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of preparing a multimode exercise device, including: 
         [0038]    mounting an exercise mechanism onto a chassis with two opposing elongated sides; 
         [0039]    wherein the exercise mechanism on each side of the chassis comprises:
       a slidable assembly that is configured to move backward and forward along one elongated side of the chassis;   a rotatable wheel configured to rotate about an axis at its center and mounted onto the slidable assembly;   a pedal coupled to the rotatable wheel configured to rotate the rotatable wheel;   a restraining rod that is rotatably coupled to a side of the chassis on a first end and rotatably coupled to the rotatable wheel at one of a plurality of user selectable attachment positions on the second end; and   a synchronizing mechanism to synchronize between the rotations of the rotatable wheels on both sides of the chassis.       
 
         [0045]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the synchronizing mechanism includes: 
         [0046]    a drive gear coupled to the rotatable wheel and configured to rotate with the rotatable wheel; 
         [0047]    a telescopic drive shaft coupled to the drive gear for passing on the motion of the rotatable wheel; and 
         [0048]    a synchronization gear that receives the motion of the rotatable wheel via the telescopic drive shaft and is intermeshed with the synchronization gear of the other side to synchronize between the motion of the rotatable wheels on both sides of the chassis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0049]    The present invention will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein: 
           [0050]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the chassis of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a top view of the chassis of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a side view of the chassis of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of an exercise mechanism of a multimode exercise device in a first position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of an exercise mechanism of a multimode exercise device in a second position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0056]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of an alternative pedal mechanism for use with a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 8A  is a schematic illustration exemplifying circular pedal motion using an exercise mechanism of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 8B  is a schematic illustration exemplifying small elliptical pedal motion using an exercise mechanism of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0059]      FIG. 8C  is a schematic illustration exemplifying large elliptical pedal motion using an exercise mechanism of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 8D  is a schematic illustration exemplifying a comparison between multiple pedal contours using an exercise mechanism of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0061]    and 
           [0062]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of an alternative synchronizing mechanism between two sides of an exercise mechanism of a multimode exercise device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0063]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a multimode exercise device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, multimode exercise device  100  is designed as a stationary bicycle with a seat  110 , handlebars  120 , pedals  130 , and a chassis  160  mounted on legs  170 . Optionally, chassis  160  encases an exercise mechanism  180  that is selectively configured to enable a user to pedal, with the motion of the user&#39;s feet on the pedals  130  forming various shaped contours. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in one setting the pedals  130  move in a circular contour and in a different setting the pedals  130  move in various sized elliptical shaped contours, depending on the settings of multimode exercise device  100 . 
         [0064]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pedals  130  on both sides of multimode exercise device  100  are coupled together by exercise mechanism  180  so that they move together synchronously while moving in the selected shaped contour. 
         [0065]    In some embodiments of the invention, pedals  130  are connected to exercise mechanism  180  with a standard crank shaft ( 190  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, pedals  130  are connected to exercise mechanism  180  with a positioning adapter  150  that replaces crank shaft  190  and controls the angular position of the pedals  130  so that they will be held parallel to the floor while the pedals move around a central axis. Optionally a foldable foot rest  140  is attached to positioning adapter  150  so that it covers pedal  130  and supports the user&#39;s foot with an area larger than the size of the pedals  130 . Alternatively, it can be folded up so that the user&#39;s foot will rest on pedal  130 . 
         [0066]      FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  are schematic illustrations of various views of the chassis  160  of multimode exercise device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, exercise mechanism  180  is situated inside chassis  160  and includes a right side and a left side with mirror copies of the same elements to function in the same manner. Both sides are coupled together by a synchronizing mechanism to synchronize between them. 
         [0067]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each side includes a slidable assembly  210  that is adapted to slide back and forth along the length of the elongated side of chassis  160 . Additionally, a wheel  220  is mounted onto slidable assembly  210 . Wheel  220  is connected to crank shaft  190  so that when a user turns the pedals  130  of multimode exercise device  100  the crank shaft  190  turns wheel  220 . 
         [0068]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner sides of wheels  220  are coupled to a selection bar  230  that include a few attachment positions  240  for attaching a restraining rod  250 . The restraining rod  250  is fastened on one side to a beam  255  that affixes the motion of restraining rod  250 . On the other side restraining rod  250  is connected to one of the attachment positions  240  on selection bar  230  according to the selection of the user. In some embodiments of the invention, the attachment positions may be selected automatically by an automated selection mechanism so that the user does not need to access exercise mechanism  180  directly, and the selection may be performed by a computer or other means. 
         [0069]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one of the attachment positions  240  is at the center of wheel  220  to cause pedals  130  to move forming circular motion. Additionally selection bar  230  includes one or more additional attachment positions  240  that are situated off-center so that pedals  130  will move forming elliptical motion. 
         [0070]    Optionally, the attachment positions  240  on one side of exercise mechanism  180  are situated from the rotation axis of wheel  220  toward the opposite direction as on the other side of exercise mechanism  180 , so that when one pedal is up the other is down and vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, selection bar  230  may have attachment positions  240  toward both sides of wheel  220  so that the pedals  130  may be situated freely according to the user&#39;s selection, for example both pedals  130  in the same direction (e.g. both pedals upward or downward). In some embodiments of the invention, attachment positions  240  are positioned directly on wheel  220  instead of on selection bar  230 . 
         [0071]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, slidable assembly  210  includes a back panel  260  that supports a gear  270  that is positioned at 90° relative to wheel  220  and is configured to move with wheel  220 . Optionally, gear  270  is connected with a telescopic drive shaft  280  to synchronizing gears  290 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when wheel  220  on one side of exercise mechanism  180  is rotated it transfer the rotational motion to gear  270 . Gear  270  transfers the motion via telescopic drive shaft  280  to synchronizing gear  290 . synchronizing gear  290  transfers the motion to the synchronizing gear  290  of the other side that transfer the motion to gear  270  of the other side via the telescopic drive shaft  280  of the other side. Gear  270  on the other side transfers the motion to wheel  220  on the other side so that both wheels  220  move together synchronously. 
         [0072]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when both wheels  220  are selected to perform circular motion slidable assembly  210  remains stationary and telescopic drive shaft  280  does not need to expand or contract. However if one side or both sides are set to form elliptical motion telescopic drive shaft  280  expands and/or contracts to compensate for the positions of slidable assemblies  210 , so that gears  270  and synchronizing gears  290  will transfer the rotational motion from one to the other. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are schematic illustrations of a perspective view of the exercise mechanism  180  of multimode exercise device  100  in two different positions, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when any side of exercise mechanism  180  is set to perform elliptical motion slidable assembly  210  will move along chassis  160  under the constraint of restraining rod  250 . Optionally, each side can move freely forward or backward without dependence on the other side. The synchronization system including gears  270 , telescopic drive shaft  280  and synchronizing gears  290  deal with synchronizing the motion between both sides of the exercise mechanism. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the synchronization assures that the pedals  130  will move together, for example to assure that pedal  130  on one side will be up while the other is down or one pedal  130  will be at the far right when the other pedal  130  is at the far left. Optionally, the user can select other attachment positions  240  on selection bar  230  with restraining rod  250 , so that both pedals  130  will be down or both pedal  130  will be up at the same time if so desired. In some embodiments of the invention the user needs to move his body with the strength of his hands since the pedals  130  might be set in a position that makes it hard to control them only with the strength of one&#39;s feet. 
         [0074]    Optionally, both sides of exercise mechanism  180  are set so that the pedals perform the same contour of motion. However in some embodiments of the invention each side of exercise mechanism  180  may perform a different motion pattern by attaching restraining rod  250  to non symmetric attachment positions  240  on selection bar  230 , for example by attaching restraining rod  250  on the right side of exercise mechanism  180  to the center of wheel  220  and the left side of exercise mechanism  180  to the attachment position furthest away from the center. As a result the right side will perform circular motion while the left side will perform a large elliptical motion. Optionally, the synchronization system will keep the pedals  130  synchronized. 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of an alternative pedal mechanism for use with multimode exercise device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments of the invention crank shaft  190  is replaced with positioning adapter  150 . Optionally, positioning adapter  150  includes three gears: a first gear  710  rotates around the axis which wheel  220  rotates. The third gear  730  is coupled to positioning adapter  150  and pedal  130  is attached to its axis. The second gear  720  is coupled to positioning adapter  150  and positioned between the first gear  710  and the third gear  730  to synchronize between them and cause pedal  130  to always be positioned parallel to the ground regardless of where it is positioned in its cycle around the axis of wheel  220 . 
         [0076]    In some embodiments of the invention, foldable foot rest  140  is coupled to positioning adapter  150  and can be folded down above pedal  130  so that the user&#39;s foot will be completely supported, in contrast to pedal  130  which only supports the center of the user&#39;s foot. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 8A-8C  are schematic illustrations exemplifying various pedal motion contours using exercise mechanism  180  of multimode exercise device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in  FIG. 8A  restraining rod  250  is attached to selection bar  230  at an attachment position  240  that coincides with the center axis of wheel  220 . As a result the axis of gear  730  (where pedal  130  and foot rest  140  are attached) will form a circular motion contour. 
         [0078]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in  FIG. 8B  restraining rod  250  is attached to selection bar  230  at an attachment position  240  that is further out from the center of wheel  220 . As a result the axis of gear  730  (where pedal  130  and foot rest  140  are attached) will form a small elliptical motion contour. 
         [0079]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in  FIG. 8C  restraining rod  250  is attached to selection bar  230  at an attachment position  240  that is further away from the center of wheel  220  than in  FIG. 8B . As a result the axis of gear  730  (where pedal  130  and foot rest  140  are attached) will form a large elliptical motion contour. 
         [0080]      FIG. 8D  is a schematic illustration exemplifying a comparison between the motion contours formed by attaching restraining rod  250  to various attachment positions  240  on selection bar  230 . Accordingly, the user of multimode exercise device  100  can select the mode of motion of the pedals  130  by selecting an attachment position  240 . 
         [0081]    In some embodiments of the invention, selection bar  230  may have only two attachment positions  240 , to select circular or elliptical motion. Alternatively, selection bar  230  may have three attachment positions  240  or more to select circular motion and elliptical motion of varying radii. 
         [0082]    In some embodiments of the invention, selection bar  230  has attachment positions  240  only on one side of selection bar  230  relative to the central axis to limit the position of pedals  130  on both sides of exercise mechanism  180  to be in opposite direction from one another (e.g. so that when one is up the other is down and vice versa). Alternatively, selection bar  230  may have attachment positions  240  along its entire length, so that the user can select any combination of attachment positions  240  on either side of exercise mechanism  180 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of an alternative synchronizing mechanism between the two sides of exercise mechanism  180  of multimode exercise device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, instead of coupling wheel  220  to gears  270  as described above a timing belt  910  is wrapped around wheels  220  and a stationary set of pulley wheels  920  and a moveable set of pulley wheels  930 . Optionally, the timing belt  910  with the help of pulley wheels  920  and pulley wheels  930  transfers the motion of wheel  220  on one side of exercise mechanism  180  to wheel  220  on the other side of exercise mechanism  180 . Optionally, the movable set of pulley wheels  930  are held in place with springs (not shown) relative to chassis  160  so that they can move forward and backward responsive to the motion of slideable assembly  210  on either side of exercise mechanism  180 . 
         [0084]    It should be appreciated that the above described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the invention. Further combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments of the invention. 
         [0085]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims, which follow.