# US 2017/0282007 A1 · Exercise device with elliptical stepping motion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282007 A1 - Document ID: US20170282007A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/295,405 - Filed: 2016-10-17 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Assignees: Larry D. Miller Trust - Inventors: Larry D. Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282007A1 ## CPC - A63B 22/0664: {performing an elliptic movement} - A63B 21/225: {with flywheels} - A63B 22/001: {by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 22/0023: {the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band} - A63B 22/0025: {Particular aspects relating to the orientation of movement paths of the limbs relative to the body; Relative relationship between the movements of the limbs} - A63B 22/0046: {Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation (attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20)} - A63B 23/03575: {Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously} - A63B 22/0015: {with an adjustable movement path of the support elements} - A63B 2022/0043: {the movements of the limbs of one body half being synchronised, e.g. the left arm moving in the same direction as the left leg} - A63B 2022/0682: {with support elements being cantilevered, i.e. the elements being supported only on one side without bearing on tracks on the floor below the user} - A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An exercise device includes a frame and a crank assembly. A pair of foot links each has a forward end, a rearward end, and a mid-portion. Each foot link has a crank attachment at the forward end that is connected the crank assembly. A foot receiving area is defined at the rearward end of each foot link. Each foot receiving area is longitudinally fixed with respect to the respective foot link and the mid portion of each foot link has a defined support location. The frame supports the support locations of the support links at a generally constant vertical height while allowing horizontal motion relative to the frame. The rearward length of the foot links is at least 1.5 times the forward length such that the foot receiving areas move in a path of travel having more vertical travel than horizontal travel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise device for providing an elliptical stepping motion with vertical travel greater than horizontal travel, the exercise device comprising: a frame having a lower portion configured to be supported on a horizontal surface, the frame having a crank pivot axis defined on the lower portion; a crank assembly pivotally connected to the crank pivot axis for rotation about the crank pivot axis, the crank assembly having a first and a second attachment point each offset from the crank pivot axis and separated from each other by approximately 180 degrees; a pair of foot links each having a forward end, a rearward end, and a mid-portion therebetween, each foot link having a crank attachment at the forward end, the crank attachment connected to one of the attachment points of the crank assembly such that the forward ends of the foot links move in a circular path as the crank assembly rotates, a foot receiving area defined at the rearward end of each foot link, each foot receiving area being longitudinally fixed with respect to the respective foot link, the mid portion of each foot link having a defined support location; the frame further having a foot link support that vertically supports the support locations of the foot links at a generally constant vertical height while allowing horizontal motion of the foot links relative to the frame; each foot link having a forward length defined from the support location to the crank attachment and a rearward length defined from the support location to a central point of the foot receiving area, the rearward length of the foot links being at least 1.5 times the forward length such that as the crank assembly rotates, the foot receiving areas move in a path of travel having more vertical travel than horizontal travel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein each foot link has a roller at the support location and the foot link support of the frame comprises a foot support surface disposed such that the rollers are disposed on the foot support surface, thereby vertically supporting the foot links. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the foot support surface is generally horizontal and is selected from the group consisting of flat, concave and convex. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the foot support surface comprises two surfaces each supporting one of the rollers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the foot links are supported only by the foot support surface and the crank assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) An exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the foot support surface is adjustable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the foot link support of the frame comprises a pair of foot support links each having an upper end pivotally connected to the frame and a lower end pivotally connected to the support location of one of the foot links, thereby vertically supporting the foot links. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the foot support links each extend generally vertically when the respective foot receiving area is at a highest or lowest position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the upper end of each foot support link is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) An exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the upper end of each foot support link is pivotally connected to a mid portion of the frame that is generally between the upper and lower portions of the frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) An exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the support location of each of the foot links is adjustable such that the range of vertical travel is adjustable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) An exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the foot links are supported only by the foot support links and the crank assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) An exercise device according to claim 7, wherein each of the foot receiving areas move in a generally elliptical path having a major axis, the major axis being inclined with respect to horizontal by 40 degrees or more. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein each of the foot receiving areas move in a curved closed path having a major axis, the major axis being inclined with respect to horizontal by 40 degrees or more. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the forward and/or rearward length of each of the foot links is adjustable so as to adjust the range of vertical travel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the foot links are each elongated generally straight members. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the foot links are each generally horizontal when the respective foot receiving area is at a mid point of vertical travel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the crank assembly further comprises a flywheel and/or resistance mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of foot platforms each defining one of the foot receiving areas, the foot platforms being pivotally interconnected with the rearward end the foot links. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the rearward length of each foot link is at least twice the forward length. ### Claim 21 An exercise device for providing an elliptical stepping motion with vertical travel greater than horizontal travel, the exercise device comprising: a frame having a lower portion configured to be supported on a horizontal surface, the frame having a crank pivot axis defined on the lower portion; a crank assembly pivotally connected to the crank pivot axis for rotation about the crank pivot axis, the crank assembly having a first and a second attachment point each offset from the crank pivot axis and separated from each other by approximately 180 degrees; a pair of foot links each having a forward end, a rearward end, and a mid-portion therebetween, each foot link having a crank attachment at the forward end, the crank attachment connected to one of the attachment points of the crank assembly such that the forward ends of the foot links move in a circular path as the crank assembly rotates, a foot receiving area defined at the rearward end of each foot link, each foot receiving area being longitudinally fixed with respect to the respective foot link, the mid portion of each foot link having a defined support location; the frame further having a pair of foot support links that each vertically supports the respective foot link at the support location, the foot support link having an upper end pivotally connected to the support location of the respective foot link and a lower end pivotally connected to the lower portion of the frame; each foot link having a forward length defined from the support location to the crank attachment and a rearward length defined from the support location to a central point of the foot receiving area, the rearward length of the foot links being at least 1.5 times the forward length such that as the crank assembly rotates, the foot receiving areas move in a path of travel having more vertical travel than horizontal travel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, wherein the foot links are supported only by the foot support link and the crank assembly. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, wherein the foot support links each extend generally vertically when the respective foot receiving area is at a highest or lowest position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, wherein the support location of each of the foot links is adjustable such that the range of vertical travel is adjustable. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, wherein each of the foot receiving areas move in a generally elliptical path having a major axis, the major axis being inclined with respect to horizontal by 40 degrees or more. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, wherein the forward and/or rearward length of each of the foot links is adjustable so as to adjust the range of vertical travel. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, wherein the foot links are each elongated members with the forward end and the mid-portion of the foot link being higher than the rearward end of the foot link. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, wherein the foot links are each generally horizontal when the respective foot receiving area is at a mid point of vertical travel. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, further comprising a pair of foot platforms each defining one of the foot receiving areas, the foot platforms being pivotally interconnected with the rearward end the foot links. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) An exercise device according to claim 21, further comprising a pair of arm links pivotally connected to an arm pivot axis defined on an upper portion of the frame, and a pair of atm drive links each having an upper end connected to one of the arm links and a lower end connected to one of the foot links or the crank assembly such that each aim link moves out of phase with the respective foot receiving area.