Patent ID: 7169088

Claim:
A stationary exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left arm link member coupled to the frame; a right arm link member coupled to the frame; a left foot member having a left foot pad and coupled to the left arm link member; a right foot member having a right foot pad and coupled to the right arm link member; a left articulating cam system comprising a left pivotal cam member having a left cam surface, said left articulating cam system operatively associated with the left foot member and the crank system so that said left cam surface is proximal to said left foot pad during operation of the apparatus allowing the left foot of the user to impart a force on the left foot member in cooperation with the left cam surface to vary the stride substantially instantaneously; and a right articulating cam system comprising a right pivotal cam member having a right cam surface, said right articulating cam system operatively associated with the right foot member and the crank system so that said right cam surface is proximal to said right foot pad during operation of the apparatus allowing the right foot of the user to impart a force on the right foot member in cooperation with the right cam surface to vary the stride substantially instantaneously, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially closed path and the angular relationships between the left foot pad and the left cam member and between the right foot pad and the right cam member may vary during operation of the apparatus.