Exercise machines having adjustable elliptical striding motion

An exercise machine for performing a striding exercise motion, the exercise machine comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second pedal members;
• first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, each of the first and second foot pads being configured to move in an elliptical path during the striding exercise motion;
• first and second rocker arms pivotally coupled to the frame;
• first and second adjustment devices configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical path;
• and
• first and second front link arms that are each pivotally coupled at a first pivot axis to a lower portion of a respective one of the first and second rocker arms, and pivotally coupled at a second pivot axis to a forward portion of a respective one of the first and second pedal members;
• wherein each of the first and second adjustment devices comprises a linear actuator having a first end coupled to a respective one of the first and second front link arms and a second end coupled to a respective one of the first and second pedal members;
• and
• wherein the first end of each of the first and second adjustment devices is coupled to the respective one of the first and second front link arms at a first adjustment device pivot axis and wherein the second end of each of the first and second adjustment devices is coupled to the respective one of the first and second pedal members at a second adjustment device pivot axis.

An exercise machine for performing a striding exercise motion, the exercise machine comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second pedal members;
• first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, wherein the first and second foot pads are configured to move in respective elliptical paths during the striding exercise motion;
• first and second rocker arms pivotally coupled to the frame, wherein the first and second pedal members depend from and pivot along with the first and second rocker arms relative to the frame;
• first and second adjustment devices configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical paths, respectively, wherein each of the first and second adjustment devices comprises a linear actuator having a first end that is coupled to a respective one of the first and second rocker arms and a second end that is coupled to a respective one of the first and second pedal members.

An exercise machine for performing a striding exercise motion, the exercise machine comprising:

• a frame having a front frame portion and a rear frame portion;
• first and second pedal members each having a front pedal portion, a rear pedal portion, and a foot pad located between the front and rear pedal portions and being configured to move in an elliptical path during the striding exercise motion;
• first and second rocker arms pivotally coupled to the front frame portion;
• first and second adjustment devices coupled to the front pedal portions of the first and second pedal members, respectively, and configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical path;
• first and second crank arms pivotally coupled to the rear frame portion;
• first and second rear link arms that pivotally couple the rear pedal portions to the first and second crank arms, respectively, and thereby facilitate adjustment of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second crank arms when the position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms is adjusted, and to facilitate movement of rear pedal portions relative to the first and second crank arms during the striding exercise motion;
• and
• first and second crank extensions that axially extend from the second end portions of the first and second crank arms, respectively, wherein the first and second crank extensions remain parallel to the first and second crank arms as the first and second crank arms pivot with respect to the common crank axis.

An exercise machine for performing a striding exercise motion, the exercise machine comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second pedal members;
• first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, wherein the first and second foot pads are configured to move in respective elliptical paths during the striding exercise motion;
• first and second rocker arms pivotally coupled to the frame, wherein the first and second pedal members depend from and pivot along with the first and second rocker arms relative to the frame;
• first and second adjustment devices configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical paths, respectively;
• and
• a controller configured to actively adjust and set the position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, based upon an input from an operator of the exercise machine wherein each of the first and second adjustment devices comprises a linear actuator having a first end that is coupled to a respective one of the first and second rocker arms and a second end that is coupled to a respective one of the first and second pedal members.