# US 2021/0275866 A1 · Exercise machines for facilitating 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 2021/0275866 A1 - Document ID: US20210275866A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/191,923 - Filed: 2021-03-04 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-09 - Assignees: Life Fitness, LLC - Applicants: Life Fitness, LLC - Inventors: John M. Rogus; William J. Kreuger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210275866A1 ## 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 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: 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 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 movable along an elliptical path during said striding exercise motion; and first and second rocker arms each having a first end that is pivotable with respect to the frame about a rocker arm pivot axis and further having a second end that is pivotable with respect to one of the first and second pedal members about a pedal lever hub axis. The frame has first and second frame portions. The first frame portion supports the first and second rocker arms and is pivotable about a frame pivot axis relative to the second frame portion. Pivoting the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion adjusts a position of the rocker arm pivot axis, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical path. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 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, each of the first and second foot pads being movable along an elliptical path during said striding exercise motion; and first and second rocker arms each having a first end that is pivotable with respect to the frame about a rocker arm pivot axis and further having a second end that is pivotable with respect to one of the first and second pedal members about a pedal lever hub axis; wherein the frame comprises first and second frame portions, wherein the first frame portion supports the first and second rocker arms and is pivotable about a frame pivot axis relative to the second frame portion, and wherein pivoting the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion adjusts a position of the rocker arm pivot axis, which thereby changes a shape of said elliptical path. ### Claim at position 2 (depends on 1) 2: The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein said elliptical path has a horizontal length that remains substantially constant when the position of the rocker arm pivot axis is changed. ### Claim at position 3 (depends on 1) 3: The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the position of the rocker arm pivot axis changes a for-aft range of motion through which the first and second rocker arms pivot during the striding exercise motion but does not substantially change a horizontal length of said elliptical path. ### Claim at position 4 (depends on 3) 4: The exercise machine according to claim 3, further comprising a frame pivot joint that facilitates pivoting of the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion about the pivot axis. ### Claim at position 5 (depends on 3) 5: The exercise machine according to claim 3, wherein the frame extends from front to rear and wherein the frame pivot axis is located forwardly of the first and second pedal members. ### Claim at position 6 (depends on 3) 6: The exercise machine according to claim 3, wherein the frame extends from front to rear and wherein the frame pivot axis is located rearwardly of the first and second foot pads. ### Claim at position 7 (depends on 6) 7: The exercise machine according to claim 6, wherein the frame pivot axis is located rearwardly of the first and second foot pedal members. ### Claim at position 8 (depends on 3) 8: The exercise machine according to claim 3, wherein the frame comprises a base member that extends from front to rear below the first and second pedal members and further comprises a support column located forwardly of the base member and extending upwardly from the base member and supports the first and second rocker arms along the rocker arm pivot axis. ### Claim at position 9 (depends on 8) 9: The exercise machine according to claim 8, wherein the support column is coupled to the base member at a pivot joint such that the support column is pivotable relative to the base member about the frame pivot axis to thereby adjust said position of said rocker arm pivot axis. ### Claim at position 10 (depends on 8) 10: The exercise machine according to claim 8, wherein said support column is fixed to the base member at a fixed joint located forwardly of said frame pivot axis. ### Claim at position 11 (depends on 10) 11: The exercise machine according to claim 10, wherein the frame pivot axis is located rearwardly of the support column. ### Claim at position 12 (depends on 11) 12: The exercise machine according to claim 11, wherein the frame pivot axis is located rearwardly of the first and second foot pads. ### Claim at position 13 (depends on 3) 13: The exercise machine according to claim 3, further comprising an adjustment mechanism that facilitates pivoting of the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion about the frame pivot axis. ### Claim at position 14 (depends on 13) 14: The exercise machine according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment mechanism is manually actuatable. ### Claim at position 15 (depends on 13) 15: The exercise machine according to claim 13, further comprising a controller configured to automatically actuate the adjustment mechanism based on a user input to a user input device. ### Claim at position 16 (depends on 13) 16: The exercise machine according to claim 13, further comprising a controller configured to automatically actuate the adjustment mechanism based on a stored program.