Abstract:
An improved foot support platform for cardiovascular exercise machines provides various adjustable platform configurations. The different configurations allow the user to target specific muscle groups more easily and prevent the user&#39;s feet from falling asleep while exercising.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and particularly to apparatus for cardiovascular exercise, such as elliptical exercisers, stair climbers, ski and hiker type machines. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Devices for performing cardiovascular exercise are enormously popular. Such devices include, for example, treadmills and machines that simulate stair climbing. One type of cardiovascular exerciser that has recently become popular is referred as an “elliptical” exerciser. A typical elliptical exercise apparatus includes a floor-supported frame, a crank mechanism defining a first axis, and radially-extending crank arms. A pair of elongated pedal assemblies include foot support platforms for supporting a user standing thereon and are coupled to the crank mechanism. A pedal guide defines a second axis that is fixed with respect to the frame, and each pedal is constructed and arranged to be supported on the guide for pivoting movement with respect to the second axis and to accommodate a horizontal extent of movement imparted to the foot support platforms by movement of the elongated pedals around the first axis so that the foot support platforms traverse an elliptical path of motion simulating natural striding foot movements. Other machines in the elliptical category may have an arced reciprocating motion or a striding motion in which the user is supported by foot platforms. 
         [0005]    The typical foot support platforms for elliptical exercisers and other cardiovascular exercise machines are flat and stay straight in line with the motion of the lower leg or stay flat through the motion. Some use linkages or rotate to stay in line with the ankle and support the bottom of the foot during exercise and some have adjustable angles. Flat pedals tend to keep the bottom of the foot static. This causes a problem for many users, wherein their feet fall asleep while exercising. To prevent this, the user must periodically move his or her feet or alter contact emphasis of the foot from heel to toe. This is difficult to remember to do without encouragement or reminders such as voice suggestions. Furthermore, it is annoying. 
         [0006]    It is also important to have heel to toe motion of the foot to exercise and strengthen the muscles of the foot. Many machines are promoted as providing a natural motion to mimic every day life running, walking and hiking, but fail to include the foot and or ankle. 
         [0007]    By way of example of the state of the art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,894 shows an elliptical exerciser with a flat pedal that has adjustable incline and U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,589 shows an elliptical exerciser with a flat pedal that has manual or electronically adjustable incline. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides an improved foot support platform for cardiovascular exercise machines. Various adjustable platform configurations tax muscles differently to allow the user to target specific muscle groups more easily and prevent the user&#39;s feet from falling asleep while exercising. 
         [0009]    Each platform configuration helps to affect different muscle groups by the fixed shape of the surface or by adjusting the surface of the platform. Some platforms have a raised center portion formed by a fixed convex arc, or by the front and back portions of a platform adjustably lowering in relation to the center portion, or by the center portion adjustably raising in relation to the front and back portions. This raised center causes the foot to roll on the pedal from “heel to toe” as would happen in normal walking or running, thus moving the pressure point across the foot and keeping the foot active and awake. A convex arc platform supports the foot at the heel towards the beginning of the stride (leg extended forward), on the center of the foot during the middle of the stride, and on the ball or toe of the foot at the end of the stride (leg extended back). This more closely mimics the natural motion of the foot in everyday activities. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the position of the foot support platform may be changed during a workout so the foot muscles are interacting during motion and creating more circulation in the foot. This also provides a massage effect to help prevent the foot from falling asleep. Altering the configuration of the foot support allows more emphasis to be placed on particular leg and torso muscle groups, depending on which part of the foot is supported. Having the heel up provides emphasis on the glute and hamstring muscles, whereas having the toe up provides emphasis on the calf and foot muscles. Elevating the center of the foot encourages a natural heel to toe gait. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the pedal surface can be adjusted electronically without removing the foot. Electronic programs can automatically control the adjustable platforms and pedal surfaces and provide voice and visual stimuli to encourage a workout. In other embodiments, the pedal may be manually adjusted or rotated for different surface choices or by flipping hinged surface segments onto the top of a fixed pedal structure. In another embodiment, the pedal has a pivot that allows the pedal to swivel sideways or at an angle to the stride. This swivel motion could be locked for standard motion, and unlocked for free swivel, or it could be electronically controlled to place the pedal in different angle positions to lock it in place for particular muscle emphasis. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art elliptical exerciser, which is an example of a cardiovascular exerciser in which the present invention can be advantageously employed. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   e  illustrate an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   f  illustrates an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   d  illustrate an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   b  illustrate an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with further embodiments of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a foot-supporting platform in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a striding exerciser with which the present invention can be employed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical prior art “elliptical” exercise machine  10 . Exerciser  10  includes a frame, designated generally as  12 . Frame member  14  extends upwardly to support a handrail structure  16  and a control console  18 . The control console typically includes one or more display devices to inform the operator of revolutions, speed, distance, and/or time. The control console also includes an operator control for exercise resistance. Exerciser  10  further includes right and left pedal assemblies  20 ,  22  with respective foot support platforms  21 ,  23 . The pedal assemblies are operatively connected at the respective rear ends thereof to a crank assembly  30 . The pedal assemblies  20  and  22  are further operatively connected at the forward ends thereof to a pedal guide mechanism comprising left and right bearing assemblies  40 , only one of which is visible in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus is operated by a user standing on the left and right foot support platforms  21 ,  23 , facing the control console  18 , and moving the pedal assemblies and the crank assembly  30  with a pedaling motion to thereby rotate the rear ends of the pedal assemblies  20 ,  22  about the crank assembly  30 . The bearing assemblies  40  are constructed and arranged to permit the forward ends of the pedal assemblies  20 ,  22  to both translate and pivot with respect to the bearing assembly  40  as the rear ends of the pedal assemblies rotate about the crank assembly  30  so that the user&#39;s feet will travel in a generally elliptical path of motion. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , typical foot support platforms of prior art elliptical exercisers are simply flat platforms that may have raised peripheral walls to help locate the user&#39;s feet.  FIGS. 2   a - 2   e  show an improved foot platform assembly  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In these figures and in each of the subsequently described embodiments, only one platform is illustrated, it being understood that complementarily configured platforms are provided on each side of the exerciser. Foot platform assembly  100  comprises front, center and rear portions designated as  102 ,  104  and  106 , respectively. The platform assembly is articulated at hinges  108  and  110 . The forward portion  102  and the rear portion  106  can each be adjusted up or down relative to center portion  104 .  FIG. 2   a  illustrates the foot platform assembly in a “flat” configuration, wherein all of the portions are substantially coplanar. In this configuration, the foot platform assembly provides a flat supporting surface as is common with conventional elliptical exercisers. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates the adjustable platform assembly  100  in a “heel up” configuration, wherein rear portion  106  is raised relative to portions  102  and  104 , which are substantially coplanar. This configuration provides heel support for exercising with a “glute push”. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2   c  illustrates adjustable platform assembly  100  in a “toe up” configuration, wherein forward portion  102  is inclined relative to substantially coplanar portions  104  and  106 . This configuration has the user exerting greater pressure on the toes, thereby placing greater emphasis on the calf muscles. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2   d  illustrates adjustable platform assembly  100  in a “downward arc” configuration, wherein forward portion  102  and rear portion  106  are both angled slightly downwardly from center portion  104 . This configuration promotes a natural “heel-to-toe” motion of the foot during the exercise stride. 
         [0026]    Platform assembly  100  may be manually adjusted to a desired configuration or may be mechanized for remote or automatic adjustment.  FIG. 2   e  is a side elevation view of the adjustable platform assembly  100  showing one arrangement by which the assembly may be mechanized. A pair of motors  112 ,  114  are mounted under the platform assembly. Motor  112  drives a lead screw  116 , which is coupled to the forward portion  102  of the platform assembly. In similar fashion, motor  114  drives lead screw  118 , which is coupled to rear portion  106 . Motors  112  and  114  may be controlled by the user of the exercise apparatus with buttons on the console of the machine. Buttons may be provided for selecting each of the configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   d . Alternatively, buttons may be provided to actuate each of the motors in either direction so that the user can independently adjust the positions of forward portion  102  and rear portion  106  with respect to center portion  104  for emphasis of desired muscles and/or for the user&#39;s comfort. 
         [0027]    A similar embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 2   f . Here, however, portions  102 ′ and  106 ′ of platform assembly  100 ′ move up and down linearly with respect to center portion  104 ′. 
         [0028]    An electronic program may automatically adjust the platform configuration. The program may provide the user with a visual display and or a voice description of the current platform configuration. The program may also supply visual and or voice training and encouragement related to each platform configuration. 
         [0029]    While the above-described embodiment depicts the individual portions of the foot platform with flat surfaces, each portion of the foot platform assembly could have an arced, angled or shaped surface to fit a particular feel or emphasis. In other embodiments, the center may be adjustable up and down as well. Another embodiment may have the toe portion vertically adjustable to keep it more flat while the heel portion tilts up for an angled push. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   d  illustrate an adjustable platform assembly  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Assembly  200  comprises a main portion  202  having a flat foot-supporting surface and hinged portions  204 ,  206  and  208 . Each of these hinged portions may be individually flipped over onto main portion  202  to provide various exercise configurations. The top surface of each hinged portion may be shaped, such as a convex arc or declined. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3   b  shows adjustable platform assembly  200  with the forward portion  204  flipped over onto the main portion  202 . The user places his or her toes or ball of the foot on portion  204  so that the heel of the foot is suspended. This forces the foot, ankle and lower leg muscles to be more involved while striding on the elliptical exerciser. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3   c  shows adjustable platform assembly  200  with the rear portion  208  flipped over onto the main portion  202 . This configuration raises the heel of the user for a more effective “glute/hamstring push”. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3   d  shows adjustable platform assembly  200  with the center hinged portion  206  flipped over onto the main portion  202 . This provides a configuration similar to that shown in  FIG. 2   d  to provide a more natural “heel to toe” motion during the exercise stride. The surface of folding portion  206  may be longitudinally convex so that there are no sharp corners presented to the user&#39;s instep. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4   a  is a side elevation view of an adjustable platform  300 . This platform has a convex surface  302  and a flat surface  304 . Platform  300  swivels about a transverse axis  306  so that the user can select to use either surface  302  or  304 . A locking pin  310  allows the platform to be secured in the selected position. However, if desired, the platform may be unsecured so that it will rotate with the user&#39;s foot during the exercise stride in the manner of a bicycle pedal. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4   b  illustrates an adjustable platform  350  similar to the one previously discussed. In this case, however, platform  350  swivels about a longitudinal axis  356 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a foot-supporting platform  400 . Platform  400  has a primary portion  402  and a secondary portion  404  offset to the outside of the primary portion. Only the toes and ball of the foot contact secondary portion  404 , leaving the heel suspended. As mentioned previously, this exercises the arch of the foot, the ankle and the lower leg more than when the entire sole of the foot is supported. The primary portion  402  may be flat or convex. The secondary portion  404  may be angled slightly upward to the outside so that the user&#39;s foot is less likely to slip off towards the outside of the platform. This embodiment allows the user to easily move back and forth between the primary and secondary portions during the course of an exercise routine. Alternatively, the toe-supporting secondary portion may be configured to include a heel portion positioned below the level of the toe support so that the user&#39;s foot will be supported if the user tires or slips. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates an adjustable foot-supporting platform in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Platform  500  is pivotally attached to pedal assembly member  510  so that it can swivel about a substantially vertical axis. Swiveling the platform outwards places emphasis on the outer thigh muscles when exercising. Conversely, swiveling the platform inwards places emphasis on the inner thigh muscles. The vertical axis may be placed at the rear or other positions along the pedal. A spring or other means for resisting movement of the pedal away from its straight position may be provided. 
         [0038]    The invention has thus far been described in the context of a typical “elliptical” exerciser. Other variations of exercisers in the elliptical category include striders and hikers where the foot of the user strides front to back or in an arc.  FIG. 7  illustrates a striding exerciser  600  incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. Exerciser  600  includes a pair of movable members  602  that are pivotally suspended from the frame of the machine. A foot-supporting platform  604  is mounted on each of the movable members. The mechanical linkage of the exerciser is arranged so that the platforms  604  move forward and rearward with a reciprocating striding motion while exercising. Each of platforms  604  comprises a primary portion  606  that supports the entire foot of the user and a slightly elevated secondary portion  608  that supports only the toes and ball of the user&#39;s foot. As previously explained, exercising with the toes and balls of the feet on the secondary portions exercises the arch of the foot, the ankle and the lower leg more than when the entire sole of the foot is supported on the primary portion. Arranging the primary and secondary portions as shown allows the user to easily move back and forth between the primary and secondary portions during the course of an exercise routine. It will be recognized that exerciser  600  could also be configured with any of the previously described adjustable foot-supporting platform assemblies in lieu of platforms  604 . 
         [0039]    It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.