Abstract:
An exercise apparatus may provide a novel linkage assembly suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. Left and right rocker links may be rotatably mounted on a frame rotatable about a first axis. Left and right rocker linkages may be mounted on the frame rotatable about a second axis. Left and right force receiving members may be movably connected between respective rocker links and rocker linkages in such a manner that the force receiving members move through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/518,811, filed May 12, 2011, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to fitness machines, and in particular fitness machines that constrain a user&#39;s feet and/or arms to travel along variable or fixed paths. 
     Exercise equipment has been designed to facilitate a variety of exercise motions (including treadmills for walking or running in place; stepper machines for climbing in place; bicycle machines for pedaling in place; and other machines for skating and/or striding in place. Yet another type of exercise equipment has been designed to facilitate relatively more complicated exercise motions and/or to better simulate real life activity. Such equipment converts a relatively simple motion, such as circular, into a relatively more complex motion, such as elliptical. Despite various advances in the elliptical exercise category, room for improvement remains. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exercise apparatus may provide a novel linkage assembly suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. Left and right rocker links may be rotatably mounted on a frame rotatable about a first axis. Left and right rocker linkages may be mounted on the frame rotatable about a second axis. Left and right force receiving members may be movably connected between respective rocker links and rocker linkages in such a manner that the force receiving members move through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. 
       It is noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from the opposite side of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the exercise apparatus operating in an active mode at a first instant in time; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the exercise apparatus operating in an active mode at a second instant in time; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the exercise apparatus operating in a passive, fixed path mode; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercise apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  is a screen page from a working model program illustrating a third embodiment of an exercise apparatus; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an exerciser apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Elliptical motion exercise apparatus may link rotation of left and right cranks to generally elliptical motion of respective left and right foot supports. The term “elliptical motion” is intended in a broad sense to describe a closed path of motion having a relatively longer major axis and a relatively shorter minor axis. In general, displacement of the cranks move the foot supports in a direction coincidental with one axis of the elliptical path, and displacement of crank driven members move the foot supports in a direction coincidental with the other axis. A general characteristic of elliptical exercise apparatus may be that the crank diameter determines the length of one axis, but does not determine the length of the other axis. As a result of this feature, a user&#39;s feet may travel through a generally elliptical path having a desirable aspect ratio, and the apparatus that embody this technology may be made relatively more compact, as well. The embodiments shown and/or described herein are generally symmetrical about a vertical plane extending lengthwise through a floor-engaging base (perpendicular to the transverse ends thereof). In general, the “right-hand” components are one hundred and eighty degrees out of phase relative to the “left-hand” components. Like reference numerals are used to designate both the “right-hand” and “left-hand” parts, and when reference is made to one or more parts on only one side of an apparatus, it is to be understood that corresponding part(s) are disposed on the opposite side of the apparatus. Also, to the extent that reference is made to forward or rearward portions of an apparatus, it is to be understood that a user can typically exercise on such apparatus while facing in either direction relative to the linkage assembly. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of an elliptical exercise apparatus is generally denoted by the reference numeral  100 . The apparatus  100  includes a frame  10  that is designed to rest upon a floor surface. The frame  10  may include a generally I-shaped base that may include an elongate base member  11  and transversely oriented base members  12  fixedly secured to the opposite ends of the base member  11 . A forward stanchion  14  extends upward from proximate a forward end of the frame  10  and a rearward stanchion  16  extends upward from proximate an opposite, rearward end of the frame  10 . The apparatus  100  is generally symmetrical about a vertical plane extending lengthwise through the frame  10 , perpendicular to the transverse base members  12  at each end thereof, the only exceptions being a flywheel  18  and the relative orientation of certain parts of the linkage assembly on opposite sides of the plane of symmetry. 
     Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the portions of the frame  10  which are intersected by the plane of symmetry exist individually and thus, do not have any “opposite side” counterparts. Moreover, although reference is made to forward and rearward portions of the apparatus  100 , a user may exercise while facing toward either the front or rear of the frame  10 . A linkage assembly is mounted on each side of the apparatus  100 . The linkage assembly may generally include a forward rocker link  20 , a force receiving link  22 , a crank assembly  24 , and a rear rocker link  26 . The forward rocker link  20  is rotatably mounted to the forward stanchion  14  at handle bar shaft  28 . A friction disk  30  and grip ring  32  may be mounted between the front rocker link  20  and the forward stanchion  14 . Friction resistance may be adjusted by tightening or loosening the grip ring  32 . An upper end of each rocker link  20  may be sized and configured for grasping by a user standing on the force receiving links  22 . 
     A forward proximal end of each force receiving link  22  is rotatably connected to a lower distal end of respective forward rocker links  20  at bearing  36 . A rearward distal end of each force receiving link  22  is rotatably secured to a respective crank assembly  24  at bearing  38 . Foot platforms  40  sized and configured to support a user&#39;s foot are rigidly secured to respective force receiving links  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , each crank assembly  24  mounted on each side of the apparatus  100  may generally include an outer crank  46  and an inner crank  48  rotatably mounted on a lower distal end of a respective rear rocker link  26  via a common shaft  50 . Each crank assembly  24  may further include a disk gear  52  disposed between the outer crank  46  and the inner crank  48  fixedly secured to the shaft  50 . The outer crank  46 , disk gear  52  and inner crank  48  are keyed to the shaft  50  to rotate together. Bearings may be disposed between the rear rocker links  26  and the shaft  50  to allow the crank assemblies  24  to freely rotate relative to the rear rocker links  26 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a rear rocker link  26  is mounted on each side of the apparatus  100 . The rocker links  26  are operatively connected to the rear stanchion  16  via a common shaft  42  rotatably secured to the rear stanchion  16  at bearing  44 . Bearings may be disposed between the rear rocker links  26  and the shaft  42  to allow the rocker links  26  to freely rotate relative to the shaft  42 . Bearings may also be disposed between the shaft  42  and the rear stanchion  16  to allow the shaft  42  to freely rotate relative to the rear stanchion  16 . Sprocket  60  may be keyed to the opposite ends of the shaft  42 . The flywheel  18  may also be keyed to the shaft  42  to rotate together with the shaft  42  and sprockets  60 . A conventional drag strap or other known resistance device may be connected to the flywheel  18  to provide resistance to rotation. 
     Each disk gear  52  includes gear teeth disposed about its circumference and is connected to a respective sprocket  60  by a roller chain  62  (or timing/synchronization belt) thereby maintaining synchronized rotation and nearly constant orientation of the left and right crank assemblies  24 . The disk gears  52  are significantly larger in diameter than the sprockets  60  and cooperate therewith to provide a stepped up flywheel arrangement. The common shaft  42  extending between the sprockets  60  links rotation of the left crank assembly  24  to rotation of the right crank assembly  24 . 
     The rear rocker links  26  are interconnected to move in dependent fashion in opposite directions relative to one another. A cross coupler  70  is rotatably mounted on an upstanding post (not shown in the drawings) on the base frame member  11  and rotatable relative thereto about a vertical axis. The cross coupler  70  may be rigidly mounted on a coupler hub  72 . Friction disks may be disposed between the coupler hub  72  and the base frame member  11  to establish rotational resistance of the cross coupler  70 . The cross coupler  70  includes ball joints  74  secured at the distal ends of the cross coupler  70 . The inner cranks  48  of the crank assemblies  24  include similar ball joints  74  secured at the distal ends thereof. Coupler rods  76  connect the cross coupler  70  to the inner cranks  48 . Right and left coupler rods  76  connect respective right and left paired ball joints  74  such that the distance between right and left paired ball joints  74  remains constant. Cross coupler  70  may have the ball joints  74  bolted thereto, while the ball joints  74  at the inner crank  48  may be secured to a rotatable stud shaft  78 , more clearly shown in  FIG. 2 . The stud shaft  78  may be rotatably connected to the inner crank  48  with a ball bearing connector or the like to accommodate the rotational motion of the crank  48 . Ball bearing connectors may not be utilized at the cross coupler ball joints  74  as the cross connect  70  reciprocally pivots about its rotational vertical axis. 
     The apparatus  100  may operate in active and passive modes. While exercising in the active mode, the range of motion experienced by a user is a function of user applied force, whereby cross coupler  70  reciprocally rotates in one direction or the other, to different degrees, dependent upon the magnitude of the user applied force. The variability of size or length of the foot path is substantial, and the foot path may be characterized as ranging from stepping motion to striding motion. 
     When the exercise apparatus  100  is configured for use in the passive mode, shown in  FIG. 6 , the cross coupler  70  is oriented transverse to the base frame member  12  and locked against reciprocal rotation by inserting a lock pin  80  in a hole  82 , best shown in  FIG. 2 , formed in the cross coupler hub  72 . The pin  80  is supported by a bracket  84  or similar supporting structure mounted on the base frame member  12  in alignment with the hole  82  in the cross coupler hub  72 . The lock pin  80  may be selectively inserted through the hole  82  and the distal end thereof received in a corresponding aligned hole in the post rotationally connecting the cross coupler  70  on the base frame member  12 . In the passive mode, the size of the foot/arm path is constant and does not change as a function of user applied force. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a second embodiment of an elliptical exercise apparatus is generally denoted by the reference numeral  200 . The apparatus  200  is substantially the same as the apparatus  100  described above with the exception that a rack and pinion arrangement is utilized as a cross coupler. Like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts. The rack and pinion arrangement includes a pinion gear  265  rotatably mounted on the base frame member  11  about a pinion post  266 . Slide blocks  280  are slidably mounted on the base frame member  11 . Rack teeth  275  on the slide blocks  280  operatively engage the pinion gear  265 . Coupler rods  255  connect slide blocks  280  to the inner crank  48  of the crank assembly  24 . One end of the coupler rods  255  is connected to a respective slide block  280  at a bearing  282  and the opposite end of the coupler rods  255  is connected to a respective inner crank  48  at a bearing  284 . The slide blocks  280  move in opposite directions to a distance proportional to the amount of user applied force. While in the passive mode, the slide blocks  280  are laterally coincidently aligned and locked to the base frame member  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a third embodiment of an elliptical exercise apparatus is generally denoted by the reference numeral  300 . The apparatus  300  is substantially the same as the apparatus  200  described above with the exception that a looped cable circuit may be employed to cause synchronized opposite reciprocating action of slide blocks. Like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts. In the apparatus  300  shown in  FIG. 8 , slide blocks  380  are constrained to move along upper and lower races  391  formed on the apparatus frame  10 . A cable  390  is looped through pulleys  392  mounted on the frame  10 , while also being secured to slide blocks  380  such that right and left slide blocks  380  are attached to the region of the cable loop which corresponds to opposite and reciprocating motion of the right and left slide blocks  380 . The cable  390  may also optionally be looped through a resistance device such as a damper and/or a spring  385 . 
     The range of motion of rear rocker links  26  will be variable in part due to the instantaneous relative positions of slide blocks  380 , in addition to the orientation of the outer crank rods  46 . The reader will note that lateral rockers, and/or hydraulic/pneumatic and/or electro mechanical components may alternatively be used to effect the forward instantaneous rotational axis location of coupler rods  255 . Furthermore, the slide blocks  280 ,  380 , or cross coupler  70 , may be controlled by a computer program which alters the size of the user motion path. Additionally, an electric motor may be used in substitution of the flywheel  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a fourth embodiment of an elliptical exercise apparatus is generally denoted by the reference numeral  400 . The apparatus  400  is substantially the same as the apparatus  100  described above with the exception that the cross coupler is mounted on the apparatus frame operatively connected to the rear rocker links  26 . Like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 9 , the cross coupler  470  is rigidly secured to a cross coupler hub  472  mounted on the rear stanchion  16  of the apparatus  400  and rotatable relative thereto about a generally vertical axis. The cross coupler  470  includes ball joints  474  secured at the opposed distal ends thereof. Coupler rods  476  connect the cross coupler  470  to the rear rocker links  26  at similar ball joints  474  secured at an intermediate portion of the rear rocker links  26 . The rear rocker links  26  are interconnected to move in dependent fashion in opposite directions relative to one another as a function of user applied force. Friction disks may be disposed between the coupler hub  472  and the stanchion  16  to establish rotational resistance of the cross coupler  470 . Alternatively, the angular orientation of cross coupler  470  relative to the rear stanchion  16  may be electronically controlled in order to effect foot path shape. Foot path shapes may range from near arcuate stepping to long running or gliding paths. Additionally, brakes or other resistance means may be incorporated with the cross coupler  470  to alter the general foot path shape or force characteristics. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.