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US 7,682,288 B1Granted
Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus
OwnerKenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Mareshinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exercise machine has foot supporting linkages that move a person's feet through respective left and right elliptical paths of motion that include a laterally directed component. Each linkage includes a crank that rotates about a crank axis, and a roller rotatably mounted on the crank for rotation about a roller axis that is skewed relative to the crank axis.
Claims5
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame configured to rest on a floor surface;
- a left crank and a right crank, wherein each said crank is rotatably mounted on the frame;
- a left roller and a right roller, wherein each said roller is rotatably mounted on a respective said crank for rotation relative thereto about a respective roller axis that is skewed relative to a respective said crank axis;
- a left reciprocating member and a right reciprocating member, wherein each said reciprocating member is movably connected to the frame for movement relative thereto along a respective reciprocating path;
- at least one left connector link movably interconnected between the left reciprocating member and the left crank in a manner that links rotation of the left crank to reciprocal movement of the left reciprocating member;
- at least one right connector link movably interconnected between the right reciprocating member and the right crank in a manner that links rotation of the right crank to reciprocal movement of the right reciprocating member;
- a left foot support having a first portion movably connected to the left reciprocating member, and a second portion supported on the left roller;
- and
- a right foot support having a first portion movably connected to the right reciprocating member, and a second portion supported on the right roller.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.