Method and system for varying stride in an elliptical exercise machine

An exercise machine comprising:

• a support structure;
• a drive component coupled to said support structure and configured to rotate about a first pivot axis;
• a reciprocating foot support configured to travel about a closed path having a stride length upon rotation of said drive component;
• an engagement member supported within said reciprocating foot support and configured to releasably couple said reciprocating foot support to said drive component at a position radially offset from said first pivot axis, said engagement member configured to adjust between at least two adjustment positions with respect to said first pivot axis to vary said radial offset of said reciprocating foot support with respect to said first pivot axis to vary said stride length.

An exercise machine comprising:

• a support structure;
• a crank having a proximal end pivotally coupled to said support structure and configured to rotate about a first pivot axis;
• a strut pivotally coupled to said crank at a position radially offset from said first pivot axis, said strut configured to define and travel about a radial path upon rotation of said crank;
• a reciprocating foot support having a proximal end coupled to said strut and a supported distal end, said reciprocating foot support configured to rotate about said strut and to traverse a closed path having a stride length upon rotation of said crank;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism configured to selectively position said strut between at least two adjustment positions to vary said radial offset position of said strut and said reciprocating foot support with respect to said first pivot axis to vary said stride length.

An exercise machine comprising:

• means for supporting a drive component about a surface, said drive component configured to rotate about a first pivot axis;
• means for coupling a reciprocating foot support to said drive component at a position radially offset from said first pivot axis, said reciprocating foot support traversing a closed path having a stride length defined by a relative distance between said reciprocating foot support and said first pivot axis;
• and
• means for pivoting said means for coupling between at least two adjustment positions to vary said offset position of said reciprocating foot support with respect to said first pivot axis to vary said stride length.

An elliptical exercise machine comprising:

• a support structure;
• a crank having a proximal end pivotally coupled to said support structure and configured to rotate about a first pivot axis, said crank comprising a plurality of adjustment apertures formed therein, each being radially offset from said first pivot axis and each defining an adjustment position;
• a link having a proximal end pivotally coupled to a distal end of said crank, said link configured to rotate about a second pivot axis positioned offset from said first pivot axis;
• a strut extending from a distal end of said link and configured to provide an axis of rotation radially offset from said first pivot axis, said strut configured to define and travel about a radial path upon rotation of said crank;
• a reciprocating foot support having a proximal end coupled to said strut and a supported distal end, said reciprocating foot support configured to traverse a closed path having a stride length defined by said radial path;
• and
• a pin contained within said strut and configured to selectively engage said adjustment apertures upon rotation of said link to vary said radial offset position of said axis of rotation to vary said stride length of said reciprocating foot support.