Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion

An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the frame;
• first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, the first end of each foot support being linked to the frame;
• and
• first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket has a first section and a second section, wherein a first end the first section is pivotally connected to a first end of the second section at a first pivot location thereby allowing the first section to move relative to the second section, a second end of the first section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first foot support at a second pivot location and a second end of the second section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first link arm at a third pivot location, wherein the first bracket movably connects the first link arm to the first foot support and provides a first elliptical path of the first foot support when the first pivot location is closer to the first end of the first link arm than the third pivot location, and wherein the first bracket provides a second elliptical path of the first foot support when the first pivot location is further away from the first end of the first link arm than the third pivot location, and wherein the second bracket has a first section and a second section, wherein a first end the first section of the second bracket is pivotally connected to a first end of the second section of the second bracket at a fourth pivot location thereby allowing the first section of the second bracket to move relative to the second section of the second bracket, a second end of the first section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second foot support at a fifth pivot location and a second end of the second section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second link arm at a sixth pivot location, wherein the second bracket movably connects the second link arm to the second foot support and provides a first elliptical path of the second foot support when the fourth pivot location is closer to the first end of the second link arm than the sixth pivot location, and wherein the second bracket provides a second elliptical path of the second foot support when the fourth pivot location is further away from the first end of the second link arm than the sixth pivot location.

An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

• a frame having a base support structure and an upright support structure;
• a drive assembly situated on the frame;
• first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the drive assembly, and the second end of each link arm being movably connected to the base support structure;
• first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end adapted to support a foot of a user thereon during exercise and a second end, each foot support being adapted to move through an elliptical path;
• first and second swing arms, each swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each swing arm being rotatably connected to the frame and the lower end of each swing arm being pivotally connected to the respective second end of each foot support;
• and
• first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket has a first section pivotally connected to a second section, the first section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first foot support between the first and second ends of the first foot support and the second section of the first bracket being pivotally connected to the first link arm, wherein the first bracket movably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket has a first section and a second section, the first section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second foot support between the first and second ends of the second foot support and the second section of the second bracket being pivotally connected to the second link arm, wherein the second bracket movably connects the second link arm to the second foot support,
• wherein the first bracket and second brackets are adapted to selectively alter the elliptical path of each of the foot supports.

An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the frame;
• first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, the first end of each foot support being linked to the frame;
• first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket pivotally connects the first link arm with the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket pivotally connects the second link arm with the second foot support, wherein each bracket is adjustable between a forward position and a rearward position relative to its respective link arm while maintaining pivotal securement to a respective foot support and link arm, wherein each bracket can be selectively moved relative to its respective link arm, and wherein each position yields a different elliptical path for each foot support and thereby a different foot motion for a user;
• and
• wherein, when the exercise machine is positioned on a support surface for use by a user, the connection between the first bracket and the first foot support is above the connection between the first bracket and the first link arm, and the connection between the second bracket and the second foot support is above the connection between the second bracket and the second link arm.

An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

• a frame;
• a drive assembly situated on the frame;
• first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the drive assembly;
• first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, the first end of each foot support being pivotally interconnected to the frame;
• first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket adjustably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket adjustably connects the second link arm to the second foot support;
• wherein a user can selectively alter an elliptical path of the first reciprocating foot support by lifting the first foot support thereby causing the first bracket to pivot relative to the frame between a first configuration and at least a second configuration;
• and
• wherein a user can selectively alter an elliptical path of the second reciprocating foot support by lifting the second foot support thereby causing the second bracket to pivot relative to the frame between a third configuration and at least a fourth configuration.

An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion comprising:

• a frame comprising a base support structure;
• a drive assembly situated on the frame;
• first and second link arms, each link arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected directly to the drive assembly and the second end of each link arm being movably mounted on the base support structure;
• first and second reciprocating foot supports, each foot support having a first end and a second end, wherein each foot support moves through an elliptical path;
• first and second swing arms, each swing arm having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each swing arm being rotatably connected directly to the frame and the lower end of each swing arm being pivotally connected directly to the respective second end of each foot support;
• first and second selectively adjustable brackets, wherein the first bracket adjustably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, wherein pivotal movement of the first bracket relative to the first link arm and the first foot support adjusts the position of the first foot support relative to the first link arm, thereby altering the elliptical path of the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket adjustably connects the second link arm to the second foot support, wherein pivotal movement of the second bracket relative to the second link arm and the second foot support adjusts the position of the second foot support relative to the second link arm, thereby altering the elliptical path of the second foot support, wherein each bracket has a forward position and a rearward position, wherein each position of the first bracket yields a different elliptical path for the first foot support and each position of the second bracket yields a different elliptical path for the second foot support and thereby a different foot motion for a user, wherein the user can move each bracket between the forward position and the rearward position;
• and
• first and second knobs, each knob being connected to a respective bracket and situated such that the user can grasp the knob and move the respective bracket between the forward position and the rearward position to alter the elliptical path of the respective foot support.