U.S. patent application number 11/292307 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for training apparatus, in particular an elliptical trainer or cross trainer.
Invention is credited to Joachim Kettler, Karin Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl.
Application Number | 20060142123 11/292307 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35929785 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060142123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kettler; Joachim ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Training apparatus, in particular an elliptical trainer or cross
trainer
Abstract
A training apparatus, in particular an elliptical trainer or
cross trainer with two pedals which are fitted on a respective
pedal bar, rear ends of the pedal bars being connected in an
articulated manner to a respective pedal crank, the pedal cranks
being arranged rotatably about an axis (A), the pedals being
mounted displaceably on the pedal bars.
Inventors: |
Kettler; Joachim; (Ense,
DE) ; Kettler; Karin; (Ense, DE) ; Rocholl;
Reinhard; (Soest, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stewart L. Gitler;HOFFMAN, WASSON & GITLER, P.C.
Suite 522
2461 South Clark Street
Arlington
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
35929785 |
Appl. No.: |
11/292307 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 ;
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0023 20130101;
A63B 22/203 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 22/001 20130101;
A63B 2022/067 20130101; A63B 21/0051 20130101; A63B 22/0664
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/052 ;
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04; A63B 22/06 20060101 A63B022/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 3, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 058 568.7 |
Feb 2, 2005 |
DE |
20 2005 001 692.6 |
Claims
1. A training apparatus, an elliptical trainer or cross trainer,
comprising two pedals which are fitted on a respective pedal bar,
rear ends of the pedal bars being connected in an articulated
manner to a respective pedal crank, the pedal cranks being arranged
rotatably about an axis (A), wherein the pedals are mounted
displaceably on the pedal bars.
2. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pedals
are connected in an articulated manner to a respective push
bar.
3. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
respective push bar is connected in an articulated manner to a
respective push bar crank.
4. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
respective push bar crank is arranged rotatably about the axis
(A).
5. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein distances
between the points of engagement of the respective push bar on the
push bar crank and the axis (A) are adjustable.
6. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pedal
cranks and/or push bar cranks are completely or partially formed by
circular disks.
7. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the points
of engagement of the pedal bars on the pedal cranks and the points
of engagement of the push bars on the push bar cranks lie in a
plane (E) which includes the axis (A).
8. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein front ends
of the pedal bars are connected in an articulated manner to
respective pedal levers.
9. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
respective pedal lever is fitted pivotably to a respective front
bearing.
10. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
respective front bearing is fitted with height adjustment to a
front part of the frame.
11. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
training apparatus has adjustment means for adjusting the height of
the respective front bearing.
12. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
adjustment means comprise a drive.
13. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
drive is an electric motor.
14. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
adjustment means comprise elements for converting a rotational
movement into a linear movement.
15. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
conversion elements comprise a spindle.
16. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein handles
are fitted or integrally formed on the pedal levers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a training apparatus, in particular
an elliptical trainer or cross trainer, with two pedals which are
fitted on a respective pedal bar, rear ends of the pedal bars being
connected in an articulated manner to a respective pedal crank. In
this case, the pedal cranks are arranged rotatably about an
axis.
[0002] Training apparatus of this type are disclosed, for example,
in the utility model with the publication number DE 201 00 276 U1.
Furthermore, training apparatus' of this type are produced and sold
by various suppliers, including the applicant.
[0003] The training apparatus disclosed in the publication with the
publication number DE 201 00 267 U1 has two pedals which are
connected fixedly to the associated pedal bars. A user of the
training apparatus, who stands on the pedals of the training
apparatus, therefore executes every movement which the pedal bars
execute. The movement is essentially elliptical, for which reason
the term elliptical trainer is also used. The training apparatus
disclosed in the publication has the possibility of setting
different strides, i.e. elliptical movements of different size,
depending in each case on the users height. For smaller individuals
with a smaller stride, an ellipse having smaller radii can be set,
and for larger individuals having a larger stride, an ellipse
having a larger radius can be set.
[0004] Although the elliptical movement of the feet that is
transmitted with the movement apparatus to the trunk of the body
very closely approximates a natural running movement, it does not
correspond 100% to the natural sequence of movement. The movement
on a training apparatus of this type is therefore unfamiliar in
particular to first time users.
[0005] The invention is based on an object of permitting a more
natural sequence of movement, in particular a more natural movement
of the legs and the hips, for the user than in the case of the
previously known cross trainers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the
pedals being mounted displaceably on the pedal bars. The pedals are
mounted displaceably on the pedal bars in such a manner that they
are displaced forward and rearward during use of the training
apparatus. The pedals are therefore displaceable on the pedal bars
during operation and do not execute the movement of the pedal bars
one to one. As a result, a more natural movement is permitted for
the user.
[0007] The pedals are preferably connected in an articulated manner
to a respective push bar, it being possible for these push bars to
be connected in an articulated manner to a respective push bar
crank. These push bar cranks are preferably arranged rotatably
about the same axis about which the pedal cranks are already
rotatably arranged. Via the push bar cranks and the push bars, each
pedal is pushed to and fro on the pedal bar during operation of the
training apparatus. The pedals therefore execute a defined movement
on the pedal bars. By means of these movements of the pedals, the
ellipse is overall shallower, which corresponds to a more natural
sequence of movement.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the training apparatus, the
distances between the points of engagement of the push bars on the
push bar cranks and the axis are adjustable. Adaptation to
individuals having different strides is therefore possible.
[0009] The pedal cranks and/or the push bar cranks may be
completely or partially formed by circular disks. The points of
engagements of the pedal bars on the pedal cranks and if
appropriate the points of engagement of the push bars on the push
bar cranks lie preferably in a plane which also includes the axis
about which the pedal cranks and the push bar cranks rotate.
[0010] The front ends of pedal bars of a training apparatus
according to the invention can be connected in an articulated
manner to a respective pedal lever. The pedal levers for their part
can be fitted pivotably in a respective front bearing. This front
bearing is preferably fitted with height adjustment to a front part
of the frame of the training apparatus. The ellipse, which is
normally aligned essentially horizontally, can be inclined upward
or downward by the height-adjustability of the front bearing. By
means of an inclination of this type, the sensation of going uphill
or downhill can be imparted to a user.
[0011] The training apparatus with a height-adjustable front
bearing can have particular adjustment means for adjusting the
height of the front bearing. These adjustment means may comprise a
drive, in particular an electric motor, so that the adjustment of
the front bearing does not have to take place manually.
[0012] The adjustment means advantageously have elements for
converting a rotational movement into a linear movement. Elements
of this type may comprise a spindle on which a nut can be rotatably
fitted.
[0013] Handles on which the user can place his hands during the
exercises are preferably fitted or integrally formed on the pedal
levers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] An exemplary embodiment of a cross trainer according to the
invention is illustrated in more detail in the drawings, in
which
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the cross trainer;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the cross trainer;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a view from the rear;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a view from the front; and
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The cross trainer illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a frame
with a lower part 1a and a front part 1b. The frame is produced
essentially by two hollow profiles arranged at a distance from each
other. The hollow profiles are largely guided parallel to each
other, in particular in the region of the front part 1b of the
frame. In a rear region of the lower part 1a of the frame, the
hollow profiles are angled, so that they lie directly adjacent to
each other in this region.
[0021] The upwardly protruding ends of the hollow profiles forming
the front part 1b of the frame are connected to each other via
first webs 1c. These first webs 1c are produced from pieces of flat
steel. In addition, the two hollow profiles are connected to each
other in the region of the front part 1b of the frame via a second
web 1d composed of a hollow profile. An electric motor 5 is
fastened to this web 1d, which is fitted below the two first webs
1c. This electric motor 5 drives a spindle element 4, the length of
which can be changed by the electric motor 5. At its lower end, the
spindle element is fitted to a fitting 2 which is connected fixedly
to the web 1d. The upper end of the spindle element 4 is connected
to a fitting 3 which is fastened to a cross piece 7. This cross
piece 7 is mounted displaceably between the first webs 1c on
sliding tubes 6.
[0022] By rotation of a spindle of the spindle element, the height
of the cross piece 7 can be changed. Projecting struts 7a which are
height-adjustable together with the cross piece 7 are fitted
fixedly to the cross piece 7. Two front bearings 8 are provided at
the free ends of the struts 7a. A respective pedal lever 9 is
mounted pivotably on these front bearings 8. The pedal levers 9
extend both below the front bearings 8 and above the bearings 8,
with the upper ends of the pedal levers 9 forming handles 10.
[0023] The lower ends of the pedal levers 9 are connected in an
articulated manner to front ends of pedal bars 12 via a bearing 11.
The rear ends of the pedal bars 12 are connected to pedal cranks
21a, 21b via bearings formed from bearing bushings 12a and journals
20, with the pedal crank 21a being formed by a circular disk 21a.
The two pedal cranks 21a, 21b are rotatable about a common axis A.
The points of engagement of the pedal bars 12 on the pedal cranks
21a, 21b are provided at the same distance from the axis A. The
points of engagement are situated diametrically opposite each other
relative to the axis A.
[0024] A centrifugal mass 24 designed as a flywheel is driven by
the pedal crank designed as a circular disk 21a. For this purpose,
a toothed belt or V-belt 23 is laid over the circular disk 21a.
This belt drives the centrifugal mass 24 with the interconnection
of a gear. A housing 25 is provided in the region of the
centrifugal mass 24, in which housing various electrical
components, for example an eddy current brake, various sensors and
so on are accommodated.
[0025] Guide elements 14 are provided on the pedal bars 12. Pedals
13 can be displaced on these guide elements 14 in the direction of
extent of the pedal bars 12. The person using the cross trainer
stands on these pedals. The pedals 13 are connected to a first end
of a push bar 16 via bearings 15. The push bars 16 are connected at
their second end via a respective bearing 17 to push bar cranks 19.
The push bar cranks 19 are connected fixedly to the bearing journal
20 on which the push bar cranks 20 engage by means of their bearing
bushings 12a. These push bar cranks 19, which are likewise designed
as circular disks, are rotatable about the axis A in the same
manner as the pedal cranks 21a, 21b.
[0026] The points of engagement of the push bars 16 on the push bar
cranks 19 are situated diametrically opposite each other and in a
plane E which contains the points of engagement of the push bars 16
on the push bar cranks 19, the points of engagement of the pedal
bars and the pedal cranks 21a, 21b and the axis A. The push bar
cranks 19, the bearing journal 20, the pedal cranks 21a, 21b and a
shaft (not illustrated) connecting the pedal cranks 21a and 21b to
each other are connected rigidly to one another and form a multiply
stepped crankshaft.
[0027] The inclination of the pedals 13 can be changed by the
height-adjustability of the front bearing 8 and therefore of the
point of engagement of the pedal lever 9 on the front part 1b of
the frame. If the front bearing 8 is raised, the sensation of
having to move uphill is imparted to the user. A lowering of the
front bearing 8 enables the opposite to be achieved; the sensation
of moving downhill is namely imparted to the user.
[0028] The displacability of the pedals. 13 on the pedal bars 12
and the coupling of the pedals 13 to the push bar cranks 19 via the
push bars, which displacability and coupling are additionally
provided in comparison to a conventional cross trainer, bring about
an additional movement of the user on the pedal bars 12. As a
result, an overall more natural movement is achieved than is the
case with conventional cross trainers.
[0029] The connection at the second ends of the push bars 16 and
the push bar cranks 19 is releasable. The point of engagement of
the second ends of the push bars 16, i.e. the bearings 17, can be
displaced radially or offset on a line E. For this purpose, holes
18 in which a coupling element of the bearing 17 can engage are
provided on each of the push bar cranks 19. By means of a
displacement of the point of engagement of the second end of the
push bar 16, the travel which the pedal 13 experiences on the pedal
bars 12 during a revolution of the push bar cranks 19 can be
varied. A matching to the individual stride of the user is
therefore possible.
* * * * *