Patent ID: 7618350

Claim:
An elliptical exercise machine, comprising: a frame having a base support structure and an upright support structure extending from said base support structure, wherein said frame has a proximal end in front of a user during exercise; first and second reciprocating foot supports, each reciprocating foot support having a first end and a second end, each foot support having a foot placement pad that travels in an elliptical path; first and second swing arms, each swing arm having a first end and a second end, each swing arm being pivotally connected to said upright support structure, each swing arm including a handlebar configured to be grasped by the user while the user exercises on the elliptical exercise machine; first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of each link arm being connected to a respective swing arm and said second end of each link arm being interconnected to said second end of a respective reciprocating foot support; a drive assembly positioned on said upright support structure, wherein said first end of each reciprocating foot support is movably linked to said drive assembly, wherein said drive assembly is positioned substantially in front of the user when the user exercises on the elliptical exercise machine with the user's feet on said foot placement pads and the user's hands on said handlebars; an adjustment mechanism having a first end and a second end; and a ramp assembly adjustably linked to said frame by said adjustment mechanism, said ramp assembly having a forward end, a rearward end positioned on a support surface, and first and second guide rails for guiding respective first and second reciprocating foot supports, wherein said forward end of said ramp assembly is moveably coupled to said first end of said adjustment mechanism and said second end of said adjustment mechanism is pivotally coupled to said frame, said adjustment mechanism being configured to enable a user to adjust the position of said ramp assembly relative to said drive assembly to thereby adjust the orientation of the elliptical path of said respective foot placement pads, wherein said adjustment mechanism is adapted to selectively raise and move toward or lower and move away said forward end of said ramp assembly relative to said drive assembly, wherein at least a portion of the rearward end is positioned on the support surface during exercise and moves toward or away from said drive assembly during adjustment of said adjustment mechanism, and wherein said forward end moves toward or away from said proximal end of said frame during adjustment of said adjustment mechanism.