Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging 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 where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. Crank arms are positioned on the framework forward the operator at a height comparable to the pedals. Easy starting occurs in the default mode.

Full Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/799,909 filed May 5, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,133,159 incorporating all of these by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging 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 where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. Crank arms are positioned forward the operator at pedal height. 
     2. 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. 
     Recently, a new category of exercise equipment has appeared on the commercial market called varying stride elliptical cross trainers. These cross trainers guide the feet along a closed loop shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing with varying stride lengths. The shorter stride lengths have pedals which follow up and down curves that are generally arcuate in shape causing difficult startup. The longer stride lengths have pedals which follow closed loop curves having more of a banana shape than elliptical. There is a need for a variable stride exercise apparatus capable of long, medium and shorter stride lengths where the pedals always follow generally elliptical curve paths with easy startup. 
     Varying stride elliptical cross trainers are shown without cams in Rodgers, Jr. US Patent Applications 2009/0181828 and 2009/0156369 as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,828,698, 7,520,839 and 7,530,926 which show a pendulum striding exercise apparatus having a foot support members hung from a generally horizontal beam pivoted to achieve the varying stride length pedal curves. Rodgers, Jr. in US Patent Application 2009/0156370 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,184 show exercise apparatus with flexible support elements having varying stride lengths. Miller in U.S. Patent Applications 2009/0105049 and 2011/0172062 also shows an exercise apparatus having varying stride lengths. Eschenbach in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,841,968, 7,938,754 and 8,029,416 shows user defined motion elliptical exercise apparatus with a default elongate curve for easy starting. Chuang et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,018 shows a front drive user defined motion elliptical apparatus. Grind in U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,625 shows an adaptive motion exercise device with oscillating track. Ohrt et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,787 shows several adaptive motion rear drive exercise apparatus. 
     It is an objective of this invention to provide an exercise apparatus having varying stride lengths determined by the movement of an operator with a default mode for easy starting. A further objective is an exercise apparatus having varying stride lengths where the pedals follow elliptical curves for short, medium and long stride lengths. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of pedals which simulate walking and jogging during operation. More particularly, apparatus is provided that offers variable intensity exercise through a 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. 
     The pedals are guided through an oblong curve motion while pedal angles are controlled to vary about the horizontal during the pedal cycle. Arm exercise is by handles coordinated with the mechanism guiding the foot pedals. The range of handle movement generally determines the pedal stride length. 
     In the original embodiment, the apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot attached to a foot support member. A pair of crank arms rotate about a pivot axis positioned on the framework. A pair of support links are pivotally connected intermediate the ends to the crank arms and to foot support members. A pair of tracks are supported by the framework where a track actuator can change the incline. A pair of rollers are each rotatably attached to a respective foot support member and maintain rollable contact with a respective track. A pair of handles are attached to handle supports which are pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of connector links are pivotally connected to the handle supports and to one end of the support links. A cross member is pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of crossing links are pivotally connected to the cross member and to each handle support. The crossover member and crossing links form a crossover assembly to cause one handle to move forward while the other handle moves rearward. 
     The stride length of the pedal is generally determined by the range of movement of the handles. The shortest stride length occurs with no movement of the handles while the longest stride length of the pedals occurs with the longest range of movement of the handles. An even shorter stride is possible using only the feet to determine stride length with the hands of the user positioned upon the framework. 
     Load resistance is applied to the crank in this embodiment by a pulley which drives a belt to a smaller pulley attached to a flywheel supported by the framework. A tension belt covers the circumference of the flywheel to provide friction for load resistance on the intensity of exercise. A control system can adjust the tension on the tension belt through a load actuator to vary the intensity of exercise. It should be understood that other forms of load resistance such as magnetic, alternator, air fan or others may be applied to the crank. The control system also can adjust the incline of the tracks with the track actuator during operation to further change the intensity of exercise. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot attached to a foot support member. A pair of crank arms rotate about a pivot axis positioned on the framework forward an operator at generally pedal height. A pair of drive links are attached to the crank arms. Drive support links are pivotally connected to the drive links and the framework. A pair of support links are pivotally connected to the drive links and to the foot support members. A pair of rocker link guides are pivotally connected to the framework and to the foot support members. A pair of control links with handles attached are pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of connector links are pivotally connected to the control links and to the support links. A cross member is pivotally connected to the framework. A pair of crossing links are pivotally connected to the cross member and to each control link. The crossover member and crossing links form a crossover assembly to cause one handle to move forward while the other handle moves rearward. Energy storage devices are connected to the control links and framework to establish a default position for the control links that is generally vertical. 
     The stride length of the pedal is related to the range of movement of the handle. The shortest stride length occurs with no movement of the handles in the default mode for easy starting while the longest stride length of the pedals occurs with the longest range of movement of the handles. 
     Load resistance is applied to the crank in this embodiment by a pulley which drives a belt to a smaller pulley attached to a flywheel supported by the framework. A tension belt covers the circumference of the flywheel to provide friction for load resistance on the intensity of exercise. An adjustment knob can adjust the tension-on the tension belt to vary the intensity of exercise. It should be understood that other forms of load resistance such as magnetic, alternator, air fan or others may be applied to the crank. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the rocker link guides are replaced with roller and track guides wherein the rollers are pivotally connected to the foot support members and the tracks are attached to the frame. The remainder of this embodiment is essentially the same as the alternate embodiment. Operation is the same as the preferred embodiment. Easy starting occurs in the default mode with the handles held stationary as the pedals follow a short elongate curve. The longer handle range followed by the movement of the operator, the longer the stride length becomes. 
     In summary, this invention provides varying elliptical stride lengths as determined by the movement of an operator. The pedals move through elongate curves that simulate walking and jogging with very low joint impact. Arm exercise has a variable range of motion coordinated with the pedal movements. Pedal curves remain generally elliptical in shape throughout the range of variation. Easy starting occurs in the default mode. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a left side elevation view of the original embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is the rear view of the original embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of an exercise machine constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is the front view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of an alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, pedals  46  and  48  are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in forward and rearward positions of the preferred embodiment. Crank arms  4 , 6  rotate about pivot axis  7  on framework  70 . Foot support members  14 , 16  have pedals  46 , 48  attached. Support links  8 , 10  are connected intermediate the ends to crank arms  4 , 6  at pivots  9 , 11  and to foot support members  14 , 16  at pivots  13 , 15 . Tracks  90 , 94  are attached to frame members  74  at pivot  93  and to track actuator  96  which is also attached to framework  74 . Rollers  40 , 44  are connected to foot support members  14 , 16  at pivots  41 , 43  and are in rollable contact with tracks  90 , 94 . 
     Handles  36 , 38  are attached to handle supports  80 , 84  which are connected to framework  70  at pivot  39 . Connector links  30 , 34  are connected to handle supports  80 , 84  at pivots  35 , 37  and to one end of support links  8 , 10  at pivots  31 , 33 . Crossover member  56  is connected to framework  70  at pivot  55 . Crossing links  50 , 54  are connected to crossover member  56  at pivots  53 , 59  and to handle supports  80 , 84  at pivots  51 , 57 . Crossover member  56  and crossing links  50 , 54  form a crossover assembly as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  that cause handle  36  to move forward when handle  38  moves rearward. 
     Load resistance is imposed upon cranks  4 , 6  by pulley  49  which drives flywheel  63  by belt  69  coupled to pulley  71  which is supported by the framework  70  at shaft  61 . Tension belt  64  encompasses flywheel  63  with load actuator  66  connected for adjustment to vary the intensity of exercise on the exercise apparatus. Control system  68  is connected to load actuator  66  and track actuator  96  with wires  67 , 65 , 95  using conventional means not shown. Control system  68  can be programmed to adjust tension belt  64  using load actuator  66  or to change the incline of tracks  90 , 94  using track actuator  96  to vary the intensity of exercise during operation. Framework  70  is attached to longitudinal frame members  74  which are attached to cross members  73 , 75  that are supported by a generally horizontal surface. 
     Operation begins when an operator places the feet upon the pedals  46 , 48  in the default side by side position of pedals  46 , 48 . Moving the handles  36 , 38  and applying body weight to pedals  46 , 48  starts the crank arms  4 , 6  moving with ease. Holding handles  36 , 38  generally still as denoted by handle position  1 ′, pedals  46 , 48  move through a relatively short pedal curve  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . Allowing the handles  36 , 38  to move through handle range  3 ′ causes pedals  46 , 48  to move along pedal curve  3 . Allowing handles  36 , 38  to move through handle range  5 ′ results in pedal curve  5 . Even shorter pedal curves are possible when the user is not grasping the handles whereby only the feet of the user define the motion. 
     In the preferred embodiment, pedals  46  and  48  are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in forward and rearward positions. Crank arms  4 , 6  rotate about pivot axis  7  positioned forward of an operator at generally pedal height on framework  70 . Foot support members  14 , 16  have pedals  46 , 48  attached at the ends. Drive links  20 , 22  are connected to crank arms  4 , 6  at pivots  9 , 11 . Drive link supports  86 , 88  are connected to drive links  20 , 22  at pivots  77 , 79  and to framework  70  at pivot  87 . Support links  8 , 10  are connected to drive links  20 , 22  at pivots  21 , 23  and to foot support members  14 , 16  at pivots  13 , 15 . Guides  26 , 28  are connected to framework  70  at pivot  17  and to foot support members  14 , 16  at pivots  25 , 27 . For this embodiment, guides  26 , 28  are further described as rocker links  26 , 28 . 
     Handles  36 , 38  are attached to control links  80 , 84  which are connected to framework  70  at pivot  39 . Connector links  30 , 34  are connected to control links  80 , 84  at pivots  35 , 37  and to support links  8 , 10  at pivots  31 , 33 . Crossover member  56  is connected to framework  70  at pivot  55 . Crossing links  50 , 54  are connected to crossover member  56  at pivots  53 , 59  and to control links  80 , 84  at pivots  51 , 57 . Crossover member  56  and crossing links  50 , 54  form a crossover assembly as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  that cause control link  80  to move forward when control link  84  moves rearward. 
     Energy storage devices  60 , 62  are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as springs  60 , 62  connected to control links  80 , 84  at pivots  83 , 85  and to framework  70  at pivot  47 . Springs  60 , 62  are intended to cause control links  80 , 84  to have a bias towards the default vertical position where the shortest stride occurs at elongate curve  1 . 
     Load resistance is imposed upon cranks  4 , 6  by pulley  49  which drives flywheel  63  by belt  69  and pulley  71 . Flywheel  63  is supported by framework  70  at pivot  61 . Tension belt  64  encompasses flywheel  63  for adjustable load resistance using adjustment knob  91  to vary the intensity of exercise on the exercise apparatus. Framework  70  is attached to longitudinal frame members  74  and to cross members  73 , 75  that are supported by a generally horizontal surface. 
     Operation begins when an operator places the feet upon the pedals  46 , 48  in the default side by side position of pedals  46 , 48 . In the default mode, control links  80 , 84  are caused to be generally vertical in a side by side position by springs  60 , 62 . Other forms of energy storage devices  60 , 62  may also be used. In the default mode, pedals  46 , 48  will follow the shortest stride length along default elongate curve  1 . Startup is easy along the default elongate curve  1 . Handles  36 , 38  remain generally stationary at position  1 ′ while pedals  46 , 48  follow elongate curve  1 . When handles  36 , 38  move through handle range  3 ′, pedals  46 , 48  move along pedal curve  3 . When handles  36 , 38  move through an even greater handle range  5 ′, pedals  46 , 48  follow pedal curve  5 . The maximum stride occurs when pedals  46 , 48  follow pedal curve  2  while handles  36 , 38  have the handle range  2 ′. 
     An alternate embodiment is shown in  FIG. 5  which is essentially the same as the alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  except that guides  26 , 28  have been replaced with rollers  40 , 44  and tracks  90  serving as guides. Tracks  90  are attached to framework  70  and  74  at a predetermined angle. However, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  tracks  90  can be configured to have adjustable angles. Rollers  40 , 44  are connected to the foot support members  14 , 16  at pivots  41 , 43 . The remainder of this alternate embodiment is essentially the same as the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Operation is the same as the preferred embodiment where only pedal curves  2  and  5  are being shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In summary, the present invention has distinct advantages over prior art because the elliptical stride movement of the pedals  46 , 48  change with the range of movement  1 ′, 3 ′, 5 ′, 2 ′ of the handles  36 , 38  while maintaining a generally elliptical pedal curves  1 , 3 , 5 , 2  even for the longest pedal stride. Easy starting occurs in the default mode. 
     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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0