US 6,440,042 B2 · Pathfinder elliptical exercise machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking, jogging and climbing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Elliptical trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Existing elliptical trainers consume excessive floorspace and often lack adjustable pedal motion. The present invention is an improved elliptical exercise machine capable of extended exercise with adjustable pedal motion during operation. Further, the pedal stride length and pedal lift height are independently adjustable. The intermediate portion of a foot support member is guided by a guide member and drives a crank linkage on one end with pedal on the other end. The resulting pedal motion is foot friendly. Handles are connected to the crank linkage for coordinated arm exercise.

Claims36

Dependent claims

An exercise machine comprising:

a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;
a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;
a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;
a pair of path generating mechanisms, each said path generating mechanism including a plurality of links operably associated with said crank and said framework to support said first portion of said foot support member;
a pair of tracks, each said track operably associated with said foot support member and said framework to cause said second portion of said foot member to have a back and forth movement;
a means for stride adjustment, said means for stride adjustment operably associated with said path generating mechanisms to vary the horizontal stride length of said pedal;
said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an oblong curve path.

4 more elements

An exercise machine comprising:

a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;
a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;
a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;
a pair of path generating mechanisms, each said path generating mechanism including a plurality of links operably associated with said crank and said framework to support said first portion of said corresponding foot support member along an elongate curve path;
a pair of tracks, each said track operably associated with said foot support member and said framework to cause said second portion of said foot member to have a back and forth movement;
a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said track;
a first means for adjustment, said first means for adjustment operably associated with said track and said framework to change the pedal lift height;
a second means for adjustment, said second means for adjustment operably associated with said path generating mechanisms to change pedal stride length;
said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby either said means for adjustment can be adjusted to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

6 more elements

An exercise machine comprising:

a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;
a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;
a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;
a pair of path generating mechanisms, each said path generating mechanism including a plurality of links operably associated with said crank and said framework to support said first portion of said corresponding foot support member along an elongate curve path at least one said link having a changeable length for varying the elongate curve path at least one said link having a changeable lenght for varying the elongate curve path;
a pair of tracks, each said track operably associated with said foot support member and said framework to cause said second portion of said foot member to have a back and forth movement;
a pair of rollers, each said roller rollably attached to said second portion of said foot support member and in rollable contact with said track;
a pair of adjustment means, each said adjustment means operably associated with at least one of said links of said path generating mechanism to vary said elongate curve path;
said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said means for adjustment can be adjusted to change the pedal motion of said exercise machine.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pathfinder elliptical exercise machine

Life of this patent

Pathfinder elliptical exercise machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36