# US 10,946,238 B1 · Exercise machines having adjustable elliptical striding motion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,946,238 B1 - Document ID: US10946238B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/042,002 - Filed: 2018-07-23 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-23 - Assignees: Life Fitness, LLC - Applicants: Brunswick Corporation - Inventors: John M. Rogus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946238B1 ## CPC - A63B 22/0664: {performing an elliptic movement} - A63B 22/001: {by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 22/0015: {with an adjustable movement path of the support elements} - A63B 21/0051: {using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets} - A63B 21/0053: {using alternators or dynamos} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63B 2022/067: {with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user} - A63B 2071/009: {Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus} - A63B 2071/0675: {Input for modifying training controls during workout} - A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions - A63B 2225/10: Multi-station exercising machines - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An exercise machine is for performing a striding exercise motion. The exercise machine has 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; and 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 first and second front link arms that are 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 the first and second adjustment devices are coupled to the respective one of the first and second pedal members and to a respective one of the first and second link arms intermediate the first pivot axis and second pivot axis, and wherein the first and second adjustment devices are configured to actively adjust and set a relative position of the first and second pivot axes on the first and second link arms, respectively, which thereby changes the shapes of the elliptical paths. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the first and second adjustment devices each comprises a linear actuator that is extendable and retractable to adjust the relative position of the first and second pivot axes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The exercise machine according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second front link arms extends between the first and second pivot axes at an angle, and wherein extension and retraction of the linear actuator changes the angle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The exercise machine according to claim 3, wherein changing the angle changes a fore-aft range of motion through which a respective one of the first and second rocker arm pivots with respect to the frame during the striding exercise motion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, 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. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein each adjustment device extends along an adjustment device axis that intersects the front link arm between the first and second pivot axes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein each adjustment device is coupled to a respective one of the first and second pedal members above and rearwardly of the second pivot axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein each adjustment device is coupled to a respective one of the first and second pedal members via a supporting bracket that extends upwardly from the forward portion of the respective one of the first and second pedal members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a front frame portion and a rear frame portion; wherein the first and second pedal members each having a front pedal portion, a rear pedal portion, and the foot pad is located between the front and rear pedal portions; wherein the first and second rocker arms are pivotally coupled to the front frame portion; wherein the first and second adjustment devices are 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; further comprising first and second crank arms pivotally coupled to the rear frame portion; and further comprising 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The exercise machine according to claim 9, wherein the first and second crank arms have a first end portion pivotally coupled to the rear frame portion at a common crank axis and a second end portion pivotally coupled to the first and second rear link arms, respectively, at a crank-link arm pivot axis, and wherein the first and second crank arms both pivot about the common crank axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The exercise machine according to claim 10, wherein the first and second link arms have a first end portion pivotally coupled to the rear portion of the first and second pedal members, respectively, at a pedal-link arm pivot axis, and a second end portion pivotally coupled at the crank-link arm pivot axis to the first and second crank arms, respectively. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The exercise machine according to claim 11, wherein the pedal-link arm pivot axis is located vertically below the common crank axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The exercise machine according to claim 11, wherein the pedal-link arm pivot axis is located vertically above the common crank axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising first and second handle members for manual engagement during the striding exercise motion, wherein the first and second handle members are pivotally coupled to the frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The exercise machine according to claim 14, wherein the first and second handle members have lower end portions coupled to the first and second foot pedal members, respectively. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a controller that controls the first and second adjustment devices so as to actively adjust the shape of the elliptical path. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The exercise machine according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to automatically control the first and second adjustment devices so as to actively adjust the shape of the elliptical path without input from a user. ### Claim 18 The exercise machine according to 16, wherein the controller is configured to control the first and second adjustment devices before, during and after performance of the striding exercise motion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The exercise machine according to claim 16, further comprising a user input device electronically coupled to the controller, wherein a user can actively adjust the shape of the elliptical path via the user input device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the elliptical path has a horizontal length that remains constant. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second adjustment devices comprises a linear actuator. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second adjustment devices comprises a linear actuator having a motor that rotates a positioning screw with respect to an engagement nut, wherein rotation of the positioning screw in a first direction lengthens the linear actuator and wherein opposite rotation of the positioning screw in a second direction shortens the linear actuator. ### Claim 23 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. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The exercise machine according to claim 23, wherein the first and second adjustment device pivot axes are located vertically between the first and second pivot axes. ### Claim 25 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. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The exercise machine according to claim 25, wherein the first end of the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the respective one of the first and second rocker arms and wherein the second end of the linear actuator is fixedly coupled to the respective one of the first and second pedal members. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The exercise machine according to claim 25, wherein the linear actuator comprises a motor that rotates a positioning screw to thereby cause linear movement of a carriage. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The exercise machine according to claim 27, wherein the carriage is coupled to the one of the first and second rocker arms such that rotation of the positioning screw moves the carriage and adjusts the position of the one of the first and second pedal members relative to the one of the first and second rocker arms. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The exercise machine according to claim 28, wherein the carriage further comprises a bushing that rides along a support bar positioned parallel to the positioning screw. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The exercise machine according to claim 29, wherein the linear actuator is contained within a housing. ### Claim 31 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. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The exercise machine according to claim 31, further comprising first and second guide members each having a first guide end portion pivotally coupled to the first and second pedal members, respectively, and a second guide end portion pivotally coupled to the first and second crank extensions, respectively. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The exercise machine according to claim 32, further comprising first and second pedal extension members extending from the rear pedal portions of the first and second pedal members, respectively, wherein the second guide end portions are pivotally coupled to the first and second crank extension members, respectively. ### Claim 34 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.