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US 7,404,785 B2Granted
Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus with adjustable crank
OwnerKenneth K. Stearns, Joseph D. Mareshinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of an adjustable length crank to generally elliptical movement of a force receiving member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a rearward end which is rotatably connected to the crank, and a forward end which is rotatably connected to a lower end of a suspended link. An upper portion of the suspended link is rotatably connected to the exercise apparatus frame.
Claims16
An elliptical motion exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a base configured to rest on a floor surface;
- at least one rotating member rotatably mounted on the base;
- a left crank arm and a right crank arm, wherein each said crank arm has a first portion that is movably connected to the at least one rotating member;
- a left foot supporting linkage assembly and a right foot supporting linkage assembly, wherein each said foot supporting linkage assembly includes at least a foot supporting link, and each said foot supporting linkage assembly is movably interconnected between the frame and a second portion of a respective said crank arm;
- an adjusting means for selectively adjusting a respective third portion of each said crank arm relative to the at least one rotating member.
2 more elements
An elliptical motion exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a base configured to rest on a floor surface;
- at least one first member rotatably mounted on the base;
- a left second member and a right second member, wherein each said second member has a first portion that is movably connected to the at least one first member;
- a left foot supporting linkage assembly and a right foot supporting linkage assembly, wherein each said foot supporting linkage assembly includes at least a foot supporting link, and each said foot supporting linkage assembly is movably interconnected between the frame and a second portion of a respective said second member;
- a left third member and a right third member, wherein each said third member is adjustably interconnected between the at least one first member and a third portion of a respective said second member.
2 more elements
An elliptical motion exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;
- a left rotating member and a right rotating member, wherein each said rotating member is rotatably mounted on the frame at a common crank axis;
- a left second member and a right second member, wherein each said second member is movably mounted on a respective said rotating member;
- a left third member and a right third member, wherein each said member is interconnected between a respective said second member and a respective said rotating member;
- and
- a left foot support and a right foot support, wherein each said foot support has a first end rotatably connected to a respective said second member, a second end constrained to move in reciprocating fashion relative to the frame, and an intermediate portion sized and configured to guide a person's foot through an elliptical path of motion.
3 more elements
A method of facilitating elliptical motion exercise, comprising the steps of:
- providing a frame configured to rest on a floor surface;
- rotatably mounting at least one rotating member on the frame;
- movably mounting a left crank adjustment assembly on the at least one rotating member;
- movably mounting a right crank adjustment assembly on the at least one rotating member;
- movably mounting a left rocker link on the frame;
- movably mounting a right rocker link on the frame;
- operatively interconnecting a left foot support between the left rocker link and the left crank adjustment assembly in a manner that links rotation of the at least one rotating member to movement of the left foot support through an elliptical path;
- operatively interconnecting a right foot support between the right rocker link and the right crank adjustment assembly in a manner that links rotation of the at least one rotating member to movement of the right foot support through an elliptical path;
- accommodating selective rotation of a member in the left crank adjustment assembly relative to the at least one rotating member to adjust the elliptical path traversed by the left foot support;
- and
- accommodating selective rotation of a member in the right crank adjustment assembly relative to the at least one rotating member to adjust the elliptical path traversed by the right foot support.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.