Exercise apparatus with elliptical foot motion
OwnerKenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Mareshinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exercise apparatus includes a frame; left and right cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame; and left and right foot supporting bars having rearward ends rotatably connected to respective cranks and forward ends supported by respective rocker assemblies. The resulting assemblies link rotation of the cranks to generally elliptical motion of a person's feet. Left and right handles are preferably secured to upper ends of respective intermediate links to provide coordinated arm and leg exercise motion.
Claims18
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame having a base that is configured to rest upon a floor surface;
- a left crank and a right crank, wherein each said crank is rotatably mounted on the frame;
- a left rocker link and a right rocker link, wherein each said rocker link is pivotally mounted on the frame;
- a left bar and a right bar, wherein each said bar has a first end rotatably connected to a respective crank;
- first and second left intermediate links, wherein each of said left intermediate links is pivotally interconnected between the left rocker link and an opposite, second end of the left bar;
- first and second right intermediate links, wherein each of said right intermediate links is pivotally interconnected between the right rocker link and an opposite, second end of the right bar;
- and
- a left foot support and a right foot support, wherein each said foot support is supported by an intermediate portion of a respective bar and constrained to move through a generally elliptical path in response to rotation of each said crank.
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame having a base that is configured to rest upon a floor surface;
- a left crank and a right crank, wherein each said crank is rotatably mounted on the frame;
- a left bar and a right bar, wherein each said bar has a first end rotatably connected to a respective crank;
- a left foot support and a right foot support, wherein each said foot support is supported by an intermediate portion of a respective bar;
- a left guiding means for guiding an opposite, second end of the left bar through a closed loop in response to rotation of said left crank;
- and
- a right guiding means for guiding an opposite, second end of the right bar through a closed loop in response to rotation of said right crank, wherein each said guiding means includes a rocker link pivotally mounted on the frame, and at least one intermediate link pivotally interconnected between a respective rocker link and a respective bar.
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame having a base that is configured to rest upon a floor surface;
- a left crank and a right crank, wherein each said crank is rotatably mounted on the frame;
- a left bar and a right bar, wherein each said bar has a first end rotatably connected to a respective crank;
- a left foot support and a right foot support, wherein each said foot support is supported by an intermediate portion of a respective bar;
- and
- a left rocker assembly and a right rocker assembly, wherein each said rocker assembly includes three links, and at least one of the links is pivotally connected to the frame, and at least one of the links is pivotally connected to a respective bar, and each of the links is pivotally connected to at least one other of the links, thereby constraining each said foot support to move through a generally elliptical path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.