Abstract:
The present invention relates to a recumbent exercise apparatus that provides elliptical foot exercise with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. The pedals articulate to provide lower leg exercise with the heel and toe remaining in contact with the pedal while the pedals move along an inclined elliptical pedal curve. Arm exercise is adjustable to accommodate different size operators. A step through region free of linkage is provided for easy ingress and egress.

Description:
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/329,950 filed Jan. 12, 2006 incorporating all of these by reference. 

   FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a sit down exercise apparatus operated in a semi-recumbent position where foot operated pedals follow an oblong pedal path. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with motion of the feet. 
   STATE OF THE ART 
   The benefits of regular exercise to improve overall health, appearance and longevity are well documented in the literature. For exercise enthusiasts, the search continues for safe apparatus that provides full body exercise for maximum benefit in minimum time. Furthermore, the aging population tends to favor semi-recumbent forms of exercise that encourage muscle tone. 
   The sit down exercise cycle is the most commonly used apparatus today to elevate the heart rate and exercise some of the leg muscles. To achieve any significant benefit, however, an extensive amount of time is demanded of the user resulting in boredom. To reduce the time needed to elevate the heart rate and exercise additional muscles, various forms of hand cranks and arm levers have been added to sit-down exercise cycles. 
   In recent years, semi-recumbent or more commonly referred to as recumbent exercise apparatus have appeared that provide for back and forth pedal movement to replace the traditional bike crank. Hawkins in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,053 shows pedals that move back and forth along a linear path. Webb in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,081 shows a leg exercise machine with pedals that move back and forth along an arc path. Hildebrandt et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,356 shows pedals that move back and forth along a circular path with arm exercise. Hildebrandt et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,042,518, 6,666,799 and Ellis et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,162 show back and forth pedal movement for a recumbent exerciser. Ellis in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,745 also shows pedals that provide back and forth movement along a circular arc. 
   Another group of recumbent exercisers are emerging that use elliptical pedal movement for the feet. Rodgers, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,758 shows a recumbent exercise apparatus to generate an elliptical pedal movement using a crank, reciprocating member and roller/track to guide a pedal/foot member pivotally connected to the reciprocating member and a handle member. Eschenbach in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,855, Maresh in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,570 and 6,409,635 show elliptical foot motion for recumbent seated operation. Martin et al. in Pat. Application No. US 2004/0259692 shows pedal movements for a semi-recumbent exerciser. Stearns et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,077,197 and 6,283,895 show inclined pedals with elliptical movement for an operator leaning against a back support. McBride et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,065 shows elliptical pedal movement intended for stand-up operation in a seated position. 
   There is a need for a recumbent cycle that has an inclined elliptical pedal path configured to better utilize the range of leg and foot motion. There is also a need to articulate the pedals to provide dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion foot exercise without raising the heel or toe from the pedal. There is a further need to coordinate arm exercise with the elliptical foot pedal path exercise for total body exercise that can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the operator. There is a further need to facilitate startup when one pedal is in a toggle position. There is a further need to free the region between the pedals and the seated operator of moving links for easy ingress and egress. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of pedals which provide extended leg exercise for semi-recumbent exercise. More particularly, apparatus is provided that offers variable intensity exercise through leg operated cyclic motion in which the pedal supporting each foot is guided through successive positions during the motion cycle while a load resistance acts upon the mechanism. Linkage is provided to coordinate arm exercise. A seat is provided adjustably supported by the framework to locate the operator in a generally semi-recumbent position. The seat can swivel to allow side access as well as a step through feature for easy ingress and egress. The step through region between the pedals and the seat is designed to be free of moving links. 
   The pedals are guided through an oblong or elongate curve motion during operation by a seated operator in a semi-recumbent position. The generally elliptical or elongate pedal curve is inclined towards the operator to maintain the leg force tangent to the curve during operation to improve energy transfer from the leg muscles to the pedal motion control mechanism. The toe and heel of the operator generally remain in contact with the pedal while the pedal articulates for dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion exercise. The pedal surface remains generally perpendicular to the lower leg to maintain toe and heel contact. 
   Arm exercise is by arm levers coordinated with the mechanism guiding the foot pedals. An adjustment mechanism is provided allowing the arm exercise to be closer or further away from the operator while maintaining the range of handle movement. 
   In the first alternate embodiment, the apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot, each pedal being inclined and attached to a foot support which is pivotally connected to a coupler link and a guide link that is pivotally connected to a rocker link. The coupler link is pivotally connected to a rotary crank arm and pivotally connected to a rocker link, which is pivotally connected to the frame. The crank arm completes one full revolution during a pedal cycle and can be phased generally opposite the crank arm for the other pedal through a bearing journal attached to the framework forming a crank pivot axis. The crank arms can also be connected at the pivot axis so as to be non-parallel for easy startup when one pedal is in a lowermost position. The crank arm, coupler link and rocker link form a crank-rocker linkage where the coupler link will generate elliptical paths. 
   Load resistance is provided by friction resistance upon a flywheel which can be adjusted manually or by a control system. A pulley attached to a crank arm engages the flywheel by a belt. Other forms of load resistance such as magnetic, alternator, air fan, etc. may also be used. 
   Handles for arm exercise are adjustably attached to the handle supports. Each handle can slide relative to the handle support to reposition the handle relative to the operator. A locking device secures the handle to the handle support during operation. The handle support is pivotally connected to a first and a second arm link. Both the first and second arm links are pivotally connected to the frame; however, the first arm link extends beyond the frame pivot pivotally connecting to a connector link. The connector link is pivotally connected to the rocker link. 
   The swivel seat is movably attached to the framework and is adjustable by conventional means. The handles are phased relative to the foot support members to allow the operator to relocate the foot support member for a smooth startup without a toggle condition the can occur between the crank arm and coupler link when they align. 
   In the second alternate embodiment, the guide link becomes pivotally connected to the framework and the crank arms are non-parallel for easy startup. The remainder of the second alternate embodiment is similar to the preferred embodiment. 
   In summary, this invention provides the operator with coordinated semi-recumbent exercise of both the hands and feet through extended motions without joint impact. The angle of incline for the elliptical pedal curve is chosen for an operator friendly range of exercise. The handles for arm exercise can be repositioned closer or further away from the operator as desired. Should a toggle condition occur during startup for one of the pedals, force applied to the other pedal will allow the operator to initiate start up. The step through feature allows easy ingress and egress for an operator. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a left side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of an exercise machine with shroud constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is the side view of the forward portion of the preferred embodiment without shroud shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2  without the seat; 
       FIG. 4  is a left side elevation view of the first alternate embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of the first alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  without the seat; 
       FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view of the second alternate embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings in detail, pedals  50 ,  52  are shown in  FIG. 1  in their most forward and rearward positions of the preferred embodiment. During operation of the exercise apparatus, pedals  50 ,  52  follow the inclined elliptical pedal curve  5  for the toe and 3 for the heel. The lower leg  7  and upper leg  9  are shown in the lowermost contact with pedal  50  while lower leg  7 ′ and upper leg  9 ′ are shown in the uppermost contact with pedal  52 . The angles  4 ,  6  as measured from the pedal  50 ,  52  surface to the lower leg  7 ,  7 ′ remain close to 90 degrees during operation for effective force transfer during load but can articulate approximately plus or minus 10 degrees to exercise the ankle and lower leg muscles. Note that elongate heel curve  3  is longer than elongate toe curve  5 . 
   Handles  62 ,  64  follow arcuate path  11  coordinated with the movement of pedals  50 ,  52 . Locking devices  24 ,  26  can be loosened to allow handles  62 ,  64  to slide relative to handle supports  66 ,  68  to bring the arcuate path  11  closer or further away from the operator as desired. Handles  60 ,  62  can also be removed from handle supports  66 ,  68  if desired. Shroud  8  is slotted to allow movement of handle supports  66 ,  68  and foot supports  54 ,  56 . With either handle  62 ,  64  forward, an operator can easily step into the seat or with handles  62 ,  64  positioned side by side, an operator can step through from either side for easy ingress and egress. 
   Referring to the forward portion of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , pedals  50 ,  52  are attached to inclined foot support members  54 ,  56  which are connected to coupler links  58 ,  60  at pivots  31 ,  33  and to first rocker links  28 ,  30  at pivots  95 ,  97 . First rocker links  28 ,  30  are connected to frame member  55  at pivot  35 . Coupler links  58 ,  60  are connected to crank arms  20 ,  22  at pivots  21 ,  23  and to second rocker links  80 ,  82  at pivots  25 ,  27 . Second rocker links  80 ,  82  are attached to frame member  57  at pivot  81 . 
   Crank arms  20 ,  22  are connected generally opposed in crank bearing housing  90  forming a crank pivot axis. Crank bearing housing  90  is attached to frame members  71  and  73 . Crank arms  20 ,  22 , coupler links  58 ,  60 , and second rocker links  80 ,  82  form a crank-rocker mechanism where the pivots  31 ,  33  located upon coupler links  58 ,  60  follow an elliptical path (not shown for clarity). The elliptical motion of coupler link pivots  31 ,  33  impart elliptical motion to foot support members  54 ,  56  along with pedals  50 ,  52 . During operation, pedals  50 ,  52  articulate providing modest dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion foot rotation about the ankle. 
   Crank arms  20 ,  22  and coupler links  58 ,  60  are shown in toggle positions in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . An operator seated in seat  49  with feet positioned on pedals  50 ,  52  could have difficulty overcoming the toggle position during startup. To avoid a difficult start, handles  62 ,  62  are somewhat out of phase with pedals  50 ,  52  to move crank arms  20 ,  22  for better force transmission from the coupler links  58 ,  60  to crank arms  20 ,  22  once the feet are applying force upon pedals  50 ,  52 . 
   Pulley  10  is attached to crank arm  22  to rotate about the pivot axis. Flywheel  17  is connected to frame member  78  at pivot  37  and is engaged with pulley  10  by belt  19 . Once the pedals  50 ,  52  are moving, the momentum of flywheel  17  supplies energy to drive through the toggle positions without notice by the operator. Adjustable load resistance is provided by friction band  69  acting upon flywheel  17  with spring  34  and adjustment knob  18 . 
   Frame members  72 ,  74  are configured to rest on a horizontal surface and are connected by frame member  70 . Frame members  55 ,  57 ,  70 ,  71 ,  73 ,  75 ,  76 , and  79  are interconnected for the framework. Seat  49  as shown in  FIG. 1  is movably attached to frame member  70  by seat support  99  for adjustment of operator leg length. Rotation device  2  allows seat  49  to swivel for side access. 
   Arm exercise is provided by handles  62 ,  64  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . Handles  62 ,  64  are adjustably connected to handle supports  66 ,  68 . First arm links  40 ,  42  are connected to handle supports  66 ,  68  at pivots  61 ,  63  and to frame member  75  at pivots  41 ,  43 . First arm links  40 ,  42  further extend beyond pivots  41 ,  43  to connect to connector links  92 ,  94  at pivots  13 ,  15 . Connector links  92 ,  94  are connected to foot support members  54 ,  56  at pivots  91 ,  93 . Second arm links  44 ,  46  are connected to handle supports  66 ,  68  at pivots  65 ,  67  and to frame member  75  at pivots  45 ,  47 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , pedals  50 ,  52  are shown in their most forward and rearward positions of the first alternate embodiment. During operation of the exercise apparatus, pedals  50 ,  52  follow the inclined elliptical pedal curve  115 . The lower leg  7  and upper leg  9  are shown in the lowermost contact with pedal  50  while lower leg  7 ′ and upper leg  9 ′ are shown in the uppermost contact with pedal  52 . The angles  4 ,  6  as measured from the pedal  50 ,  52  surface to the lower leg  7 ,  7 ′ remain close to 90 degrees during operation for effective force transfer during load but can articulate to exercise the ankle and lower leg muscles. 
   Handles  62 ,  64  follow arcuate path  11  coordinated with the movement of pedals  50 ,  52 . Locking devices  24 ,  26  can be loosened to allow handles  62 ,  64  to slide relative to handle supports  66 ,  68  to bring the arcuate path  11  closer or further away from the operator as desired. Handles  60 ,  62  can also be removed from handle supports  66 ,  68  if desired. With either handle  62 ,  64  forward, an operator can easily step into the seat or with handles  62 ,  64  positioned side by side, an operator can step through from either side for easy ingress and egress. 
   Pedals  50 ,  52  are attached to foot supports  102 ,  104  which are connected to coupler links  58 ,  60  at pivots  31 ,  33  and to guide links  106 ,  108  at pivots  101 ,  103 . Coupler links  58 ,  60  are connected to crank arms  20 ,  22  at pivots  21 ,  23  and to rocker links  80 ,  82  at pivots  25 ,  27 . Rocker links  80 ,  82  are attached to frame member  57  at pivot  81 . Guide links  106 ,  108  are pivotally connected to rocker links  80 ,  80  at pivots  105 ,  107 . 
   Crank arms  20 ,  22  can be connected generally opposed in crank bearing housing  90  forming a crank pivot axis or crank arms  20 ,  22  can be connected so as to be non-parallel for easy start up in a toggle position of a pedal. Crank bearing housing  90  is attached to frame members  71  and  73 . Crank arms  20 ,  22 , coupler links  58 ,  60 , and rocker links  80 ,  82  form a crank-rocker linkage where the pivots  31 ,  33  located upon coupler links  58 ,  60  follow an elliptical path (not shown for clarity). The elliptical motion of coupler link pivots  31 ,  33  impart elliptical motion to foot support members  102 ,  104  along with pedals  50 ,  52 . During operation, pedals  50 ,  52  articulate providing modest dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion foot rotation about the ankle. 
   Crank arms  20 ,  22  and coupler links  58 ,  60  are shown in toggle positions in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . An operator seated in seat  49  with feet positioned on pedals  50 ,  52  could have difficulty overcoming the toggle position during startup except that pedal  52  positions lower leg  7 ′ such that the lower leg  7 ′ is tangent to elongate curve  115  allowing force transfer for startup. 
   The drive system and framework is the same as the preferred embodiment. Arm exercise is the same as the preferred embodiment except that connecting links  110 ,  112  are connected to rocker links  80 ,  82  at pivots  25 ,  27 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6  for the second alternate embodiment, pedal  50  is shown in the lowermost position while pedal  52  is shown off the uppermost position of the elongate curve  117 . This occurs because crank arms  20  and  22  are connected at the pivot axis so as to be non-parallel. Pedal  52  positions the lower leg  7 ′ tangent to elongate curve  117  for easy startup. Handle  64  is shown positioned off the end of arcuate path  11  allowing force transfer from the arms to aid in toggle startup. Guides  106 ,  108  are now connected to frame member  79  at pivot  123  and to foot supports  120 ,  122  at pivots  119 ,  121 . Foot supports  120 ,  122  are connected to coupler links  58 ,  60  at pivots  31 ,  33  and support pedals  50 ,  52 . Connecting links  110 ,  112  are connected to rocker links  80 ,  82  at pivots  25 ,  27  and to arm links  40 ,  42  at pivots  13 ,  15 . 
   The arm exercise linkage system, drive system, and framework is similar to the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . The seat  49  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6  having knobs  135  which can be loosened to move seat support  130  along frame member  70 . 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the claims, rather than by foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.