Semi-recumbent exercise apparatus with elliptical motion
OwnerKenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Mareshinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A semi-recumbent cycling apparatus constrains left and right foot supports to move through substantially elliptical paths of motion relative to a frame, while supporting a person's back in an inclined position relative to an underlying floor surface. The paths of the foot supports have major axes which extend generally perpendicular to the floor surface.
Claims20
A semi-recumbent exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;
- a back support mounted on said frame and inclined relative to the floor surface;
- left and right cranks rotatably mounted on said frame and rotatable about a common crank axis;
- left and right rigid connector links, wherein an intermediate portion of each of said links is rotatably connected to a respective crank, and a first end of each of said links supports a respective foot of a person resting in supine fashion against said back support, and a second, opposite end of each of said links is movably connected to the frame in such a manner that rotation of said cranks is linked to motion of each said opposite end through a generally elliptical path having a major axis which extends generally perpendicular to the floor surface.
A semi-recumbent exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;
- a body support mounted on said frame and providing a back supporting surface;
- left and right cranks rotatably mounted on said frame and rotatable about a common crank axis;
- left and right connector links having first portions connected to respective cranks, and second portions configured to support respective feet of a person occupying a supine position relative to said body support and distal third portions;
- and
- left and right means, interconnected between said frame and said third portions of respective connecting links, for constraining said third portions of said connecting links to move through respective elliptical paths during rotation of said first portions about said crank axis, so that said second portions move through respective elliptical paths during rotation of said first portions about said crank axis.
A method of constraining a person's feet to move through respective elliptical paths of motion while supporting the person's torso at an angle relative to an underlying floor surface, comprising the steps of:
- mounting an inclined back support on a frame;
- rotatably mounting left and right cranks on the frame generally beneath a forward end of the back support;
- connecting intermediate portions of left and right connector links to respective cranks;
- mounting left and right foot supports on forward ends of respective connector links;
- and
- constraining rearward ends of the connector links to move through respective fixed paths relative to a portion of the frame disposed generally rearward of the cranks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.