U.S. patent application number 11/726147 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for recumbent elliptical exercise device with apparatus for elongated stride.
Invention is credited to Lawrence L. Born, Richard C. Disler.
Application Number | 20080139366 11/726147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39498819 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080139366 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Born; Lawrence L. ; et
al. |
June 12, 2008 |
Recumbent elliptical exercise device with apparatus for elongated
stride
Abstract
An aerobic exerciser with elongated stride comprising a frame, a
seat supported from the frame, a bell crank, a left telescoping
pedal rail rotatably attached to the left side of the bell crank at
one end and pivotally attached to the frame at the other end, and a
right telescoping pedal rail rotatably attached to the right side
of the bell crank at one end and pivotally attached to the frame at
the other end. In operation, under the weight of the user, each
pedal, supported by a pedal rail follows a generally elliptical
path in response to rotation of the bell crank. Vertical movement
of a telescoping pedal rail is accommodated by the pivot and
horizontal movement of the pedal rail results in extension and
retraction of the pedal rail.
Inventors: |
Born; Lawrence L.; (Tulsa,
OK) ; Disler; Richard C.; (Tulsa, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William S. Dorman;830 Beacon Building
406 South Boulder
Tulsa
OK
74103-3825
US
|
Family ID: |
39498819 |
Appl. No.: |
11/726147 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60874279 |
Dec 12, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0204 20130101;
A63B 22/16 20130101; A63B 2022/0676 20130101; A63B 22/0046
20130101; A63B 2208/0238 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. An aerobic exerciser comprising: a frame; a seat supported from
said frame; a bell crank having a left side and a right side, said
bell crank rotatably mounted to said frame; a left pivot mounted to
said frame; a right pivot mounted to said frame; a left telescoping
pedal rail having a front end and a back end, said front end of
said left telescoping pedal rail being rotatably attached to said
left side of said bell crank such that said front end of said left
telescoping pedal rail moves in a circular path in response to
rotational movement of said bell crank, and said back end of said
left pedal rail is pivotally attached to said left pivot; and a
right telescoping pedal rail having a front end and a back end,
said front end of said right telescoping pedal rail being rotatably
attached to said right side of said bell crank such that said front
end of said right telescoping pedal rail moves in a circular path
in response to rotational movement of said bell crank, and said
back end of said right pedal rail is pivotally attached to said
right pivot.
2. The aerobic exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a
left pedal, said left pedal being attached to said back portion of
said left telescoping pedal rail; and a right pedal, said pedal
being attached to said back portion of said right telescoping pedal
rail.
3. The aerobic exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said left
telescoping pedal rail includes a front portion and a back portion,
said back portion in sliding engagement with said front portion,
and said right telescoping pedal rail includes a front portion and
a back portion, said back portion in sliding engagement with said
front portion.
4. The aerobic exercise apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: a
left pedal, said left pedal being attached to said back portion of
said left telescoping pedal rail; and a right pedal, said pedal
being attached to said back portion of said right telescoping pedal
rail.
5. The aerobic exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
telescoping pedal rail further includes: a front portion having a
top and a bottom; a rear portion having a top and a bottom, said
rear portion in sliding engagement with said front portion; at
least one roller, said roller rotatably supported by either said
front portion or said rear portion and in rolling contact with the
other of said front portion or said rear portion.
6. A telescoping pedal rail for an aerobic exercise apparatus
comprising: a front portion having a top and a bottom; a rear
portion having a top and a bottom, said rear portion being in
sliding engagement with said front portion; at least one roller,
said roller rotatably supported by either said front portion or
said rear portion and in rolling contact with the other of said
front portion or said rear portion.
7. The telescoping pedal rail of claim 6 further comprising: a
pedal support; and a pedal attached to said support.
8. The telescoping pedal rail of claim 6 further comprising: at
least a second roller, said second roller rotatably supported by
either said front portion or said rear portion and in rolling
contact with the other of said front portion or said rear portion,
wherein, said first roller is in rolling contact with the top of
said other of said front portion or said rear portion and wherein
said second roller is in rolling contact with the bottom of said
other of said front portion or said rear portion.
9. The aerobic exercise device of claim 1 wherein said bell crank
is rotatably mounted to said frame beneath said seat.
10. The aerobic exercise device of claim 1 wherein said seat is
capable of adjustment.
11. The aerobic exercise device of claim 10 wherein said frame
includes a rail and said seat includes rollers attached thereto
such that said rollers attached to said seat engage said rail.
12. The aerobic exercise device of claim 11 further including means
for securing said seat at a predetermined position along said rail.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application relies upon provisional application Ser.
No. 60/784,279 filed in the United States Patent Office on Mar. 21,
2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to an aerobic exercise
machine. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the
present invention relates to a recumbent elliptical exercise
apparatus with elongated stride.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Although offered by various manufacturers under a variety of
generic names, generally speaking, an elliptical exerciser is an
aerobic exercise machine wherein the user's feet travel in a
generally elongated elliptical path while the user walks, jogs,
runs, or climbs. Many elliptical exercisers include a feature for
simultaneously exercising the upper body.
[0006] There are many advantages to using a mechanical device to
aerobically train rather than simply running or jogging. For
example, such machines typically provide the user with meaningful
feedback in regard to the exercise performed. For example, a
typical aerobic exercise machine may provide the user with a
real-time display of power produced by the user (i.e. Watts), as
well as totalizing displays of information such as calories
expended or equivalent miles run. In addition, properly designed
equipment reduces the risk of injury, and, as part of a
rehabilitation program, allows easy monitoring by a therapist.
[0007] Elliptical exercisers have proven to provide a quantifiable,
low impact workout with meaningful results, and are, therefore, a
viable alternative to treadmills, stationary bicycles, stair
climbers, rowing machines, and the like. In that regard, elliptical
exercisers have thus far been very popular in relation to other
aerobic machines.
[0008] In a typical elliptical exerciser, the user's feet rest on
individual pedals which are mounted on rails. A first end of each
rail is attached to a bell crank such that the first end of each
rail travels in a circular path. The left end of the bell crank is
180 degrees out of phase with the right end of the bell crank such
that as one foot moves forward, the other foot moves backward and
as one foot moves up, the other foot moves down. The second end of
each rail, depending on the particular machine, is constrained to
move in a track, over a fixed roller, or guided by a swing arm,
thereby producing backward and forward motion in response to the
movement of the bell crank. The resulting stride of each foot of
the user follows a generally elliptical path. The exact dimensions
of the ellipse are dependant on a variety of variables such as the
length of the rail, the position of each pedal on its rail, the
diameter of the circle traveled by the bell crank, and the path
traversed by the end of the rail opposite the bell crank. The
perceived level of difficulty in using an elliptical exerciser and
the comfort of the user are also dependant on these variables.
[0009] A limitation of a typical elliptical exerciser is the amount
of floor space occupied by the machine. Whether in a home, a health
club, or a rehabilitation facility, ideally, an exercise machine
will occupy as little floor space as possible, especially where
such floor space is rented by the square foot. The size of an
elliptical exerciser is dictated by, among other things, the length
of the pedal rails and the space required to allow the horizontal
movement of the rails in response to the motion of the bell
crank.
[0010] Another related limitation arises from the hazzard produced
by the movement of the rail end opposite the bell crank. This is
especially true with elliptical exercisers where the rails move
outside the footprint of the frame of the machine. A person walking
near the machine may be struck by a rail or trip over a rail.
Accordingly, many manufacturers provide a cover over the end of the
rails, adding cost and further occupying floor space.
[0011] A further limitation of many elliptical exerciser designs is
that some machines have a roller on the free end of the pedal rail
or a pivot on a swing arm very close to the floor. It has been a
common practice for some health clubs to place exercise machines
near a swimming pool. In addition, some facilities pour excessive
water on the floor during cleaning. Either of these situations will
subject rollers and pivots placed near the floor to potential water
damage.
[0012] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
elliptical exerciser wherein, the back end of the pedal rails pivot
from a fixed position, rather than swinging in an arc, traversing a
fixed roller, or moving in a track, while still allowing the front
end of the rails to traverse a circular path.
[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to locate
rotating or oscillating components of the pedal rails a sufficient
distance above the floor to avoid subjecting such components to
water in a typical commercial or institutional environment.
[0014] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a seat on the exercise apparatus for the user to sit upon
whereby the apparatus becomes a recumbent elliptical exercise
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides an elliptical exerciser which
incorporates a telescoping rail mechanism wherein, the back end of
the rail merely pivots, rather than moving linearly or swinging in
an arc. The horizontal component of the motion created by the bell
crank is accommodated by the telescopic rail. The vertical
component of the motion is accommodated by the pivot.
[0016] In the inventive elliptical stepper, a front portion of each
rail connects to the corresponding end of a bell crank. The back
end of each rail connects to a pivot which is provided on the
frame, preferably several inches above the floor surface. The front
portion of the rail is in sliding engagement with the rear portion
the rail such that the rail is rigid in regards to vertical forces
but will telescopically extend or retract in response to tensile or
compressive forces, respectively.
[0017] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon
examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following
description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts the inventive aerobic exercise apparatus in
its general environment.
[0019] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the inventive aerobic
exercise apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 3 provides a partial side view of the inventive aerobic
exercise apparatus showing the left pedal rail in its maximum
upward position and the right pedal rail in its maximum downward
position.
[0021] FIG. 4 provides a partial side view of the inventive aerobic
exercise apparatus showing the left pedal rail in its fully
extended position and the right pedal rail in its fully retracted
position.
[0022] FIG. 5 provides a cross sectional view of a left pedal rail
as incorporated in the inventive aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0023] FIG. 6 provides a cutaway side view of the right pedal rail
in its fully retracted position as incorporated in the inventive
aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0024] FIG. 7 provides a cutaway side view of the right pedal rail
in its fully extended position as incorporated in the inventive
aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0025] FIG. 8 provides a side view of the distal end of the front
rail portion of a pedal rail as incorporated in the inventive
aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0026] FIG. 9 provides a top view of the distal end of the front
rail portion of a telescopic pedal rail as incorporated in the
inventive aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0027] FIG. 10 provides an end view of the back end of a pedal rail
as incorporated in the inventive aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0028] FIG. 11 provides a partial end view of the back of the
inventive aerobic exercise apparatus showing a pivot, pedal rail,
and pedal.
[0029] FIG. 12 provides a partial top view of the inventive aerobic
exercise apparatus showing the left pedal rail in its fully
extended position and the right pedal rail in its fully retracted
position.
[0030] FIG. 13 provides a top view of the rear portion of a
telescopic pedal rail as incorporated in the inventive aerobic
exercise apparatus.
[0031] FIG. 14 provides a side view of the rear portion of a
telescopic pedal rail as incorporated in the inventive aerobic
exercise apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 15 provides a partial top view of the end of the rear
portion of a telescopic pedal rail as incorporated in the inventive
aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0033] FIG. 16 provides a partial cutaway side view of an alternate
embodiment of a telescopic side rail as incorporated in the
inventive aerobic exercise apparatus.
[0034] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing details of a
preferred recumbent embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] The preferred embodiment of the inventive aerobic exercise
apparatus 20 with elongated stride is shown in its general
environment in FIGS. 1 and 2. Aerobic exercise apparatus 20
comprises: frame 22 supported by front leg 24 and rear leg 26; left
cover 28 enclosing the left side of the upright portion of frame
22; likewise, right cover 30 enclosing the right side of the
upright portion of frame 22; bell crank 32 extending through an
aperture (not shown) provided in left enclosure 28 and aperture 34
provided in right cover 30; handrail 36 secured to frame 22;
electronic console 38; left telescoping pedal rail 40; and right
telescoping pedal rail 42.
[0036] Bell crank 32 is in mechanical communication with a brake
assembly under the control of electronic console 38. Such breaking
systems are known in the art and not a part of the present
invention.
[0037] Preferably, right telescoping pedal rail 42 includes front
portion 44 and rear portion 46. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4,
bushing 48 extends through front portion 44 for rotatably attaching
telescopic pedal rail 42 to bell crank 32. Similarly, as best seen
in FIGS. 13 and 14 in combination with FIG. 1, rear portion 46
includes bushing 50 for pivotally attaching telescopic rail 42 to a
pivot 52 on rear leg 26.
[0038] Likewise, as shown in FIG. 2, left telescoping pedal arm 40
includes front portion 54 and rear portion 56. Front portion 54
rotatably attaches to bell crank 32 and rear portion 56 pivotally
attaches to pivot 58 on rear leg 26.
[0039] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, left
telescoping pedal rail 40 is the mirror image of right telescoping
pedal rail 42 and any discussion with reference to either rail
applies equally to the other rail. For the sake of convenience, the
discussion of the construction and operation of inventive
telescoping pedal rails 40 and 42 will be addressed primarily with
respect to the right telescoping pedal rail 42, and it is to be
understood that such discussion also applies to the left
telescoping pedal rail 40.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, preferably front portion 44
is tubular and includes: pedal support 60 extending upward
therefrom; first roller support 61 rotatably securing rollers 62
and 64 such that roller 64 extends through notch 70 in front
portion 44; and second roller support 72 rotatably supporting
rollers 66 and 68 such that rollers 66 and 68 extend through
aperture 74 provided in front portion 44. When telescoping pedal
rail 42 is assembled, rear portion 46 is slidingly received in
front portion 44 such that rollers 62-68 support rear portion 46
(FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 10) to constrain the vertical movement of rear
portion 46 relative to front portion 44.
[0041] Continuing to refer to FIG. 10, front portion 44 includes
horizontal roller supports 78 which rotatably support rollers 80
such that rollers 80 will rollingly contact the sides 81 of rear
member 46 when such contact occurs. Referring now to FIG. 15 in
conjunction with FIG. 10, rollers 96 are rotatably supported on the
end of rear portion 46 such that rollers 96 will rollingly contact
the inside side wall 82 of front portion 44 to the extent such
contact occurs. Rollers 96 operate in conjunction with rollers 80
to maintain horizontal gap 98 between the side walls 82 of front
portion 44 and the sides 81 of rear portion 46.
[0042] As best seen in FIG. 11, preferably, pedal 84 is pivotally
attached to support 60 and includes: stop 86 to limit mechanical
travel of pedal 84; bottom plate 88; and pad 90 to receive the
users foot.
[0043] Referring again to FIG. 1, in operation, a user prepares for
operation of the inventive aerobic exerciser 20 by first stepping
onto pedals 84. The user begins operation of the machine by
shifting her weight to one foot which provides a downward force on
that pedal which in turn presents a downward force on the bell
crank 32 which causes bell crank 32 to begin rotating. As the front
end of a pedal rail passes the bottom of its circular path, as
shown by the position of the right telescoping pedal rail 42 in
FIG. 1, the user shifts her weight to the other pedal, thereby
continuing to force bell crank 32 to rotate.
[0044] As bell crank 32 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 1
to the position shown in FIG. 2, the front portion of each pedal
rail is simultaneously subjected to vertical movement and
horizontal movement. The vertical component of the movement causes
pivotal movement of telescoping pedal rails 40 and 42 at pivots 58
and 52, respectively. The horizontal component of the movement
results in the extension and retraction of telescoping pedal rails
40 and 42. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, when bell crank 32 is
rotated to the point where the front portion 44 is at its rearmost
position 92, telescoping pedal rail 42 is fully retracted.
Conversely, when bell crank 32 is rotated to the point where the
front portion 44 is at its most forward position 94 (FIG. 7),
telescoping pedal rail 42 is fully extended. The resulting stride
which is presented to the user at each pedal 84 follows a generally
elliptical path.
[0045] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, an aerobic
exerciser which incorporates the inventive telescoping pedal rail
does not require additional space beyond the back of the machine to
accommodate motion of the pedal rail. It will also be apparent that
there is no movement outside of the frame of the exerciser thereby
reducing risk to other people near the machine.
[0046] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, rollers 100
are rotatably supported on rear portion 102 and roll along the
inside walls of front portion 104. Roller 106 maintains a gap to
prevents side-to-side contact between rear portion 102 and front
portion 104. Front portion 104 includes roller support 108 and
roller 110 to provide additional vertical support between front
portion 104 and rear portion 102.
[0047] FIG. 17 represents the preferred embodiments of this
invention. Whereas the frame 20 of the exercise device shown in
FIG. 17 is similar in many respects to the exercise frame shown in
the embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1 through 16, the preferred
embodiments of FIG. 17 differs principally in that it calls for a
recumbent elliptical exercise device whose main recumbent feature
involves a seat 200 having a seat back 202 mounted on a seat frame
204. The seat 200 is mounted on a roller mechanism 206 which
includes a plurality of rollers 208 mounted for rolling movement
within a track 210 on an inclined track support 210'. The exercise
machine 20 of FIG. 17 also includes a lower horizontal frame 22
connecting with a forward leg 212 and a rear leg 214. The lower
frame which is supplied in the area encompassed by the lower frame
22, forward leg 212, rear leg 214 and track frame 210' there are
included a power supply 216, a fly-wheel 218 and a bell crank 220.
Also shown is a dynamic braking system 222.
[0048] The system also includes a left foot bed 224 attached to a
left telescoping rail 226 and a right foot bed 228 attached to a
right telescoping rail (obscured by the left telescoping rail 226).
Mounted at the upper end of the arcuate vertical frame is a control
panel 230 and the device is provided with a right arm crank 282 and
a left arm crank 284 which are connected respectively to the
forward ends of the unseen obscured right telescoping rail and the
left telescoping rail 226 through arms 286. Left arm crank 284 is
pivotally connected intermediate its ends at 288 to a stationary
arm 290 which extends from the curved vertical support 20 as shown.
Similar connection is provided for the right arm crank 282. Rollers
292 are located at the forward end of the horizontal frame 22 and
rear rollers 294 are mounted at the rear end of the horizontal
frame member 22 to permit movement of the entire exercise device
20, if desired. The seat 200 is provided with a handle 296 to
permit release of the seat when desired. Also provided are seat
adjustment knobs 298.
[0049] As will be further understood by those skilled in the art,
although the earlier preferred embodiments of the inventive
apparatus have been discussed in regard to pedals such as pedals
84, which are pivotally attached, a rigid pedal attachment such as
pedals 224 and 228 could be incorporated in the inventive
device.
[0050] The terms "front" and "back` as used herein are merely
temporarily convenient descriptive terms for the purposes of a
given figure or embodiment; that is, when referring to the
apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, the "front" end is generally to
the right on these figures as typified by the location of the
console 38 and/or the bell crank 32. However, in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 17, the "front" of the device is at the left as
typified by the location of the console 230; in FIG. 17, the bell
crank 220 is to the "back" or rear end of the device below the seat
200. Thus, the terms "front" and "back" are in fact reversed for
FIG. 17. Therefore, these terms should not be considered as
limiting; parts which operate on the front in one figure might very
well operate on the back or rear end in another figure.
[0051] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well
as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments
have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous
changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the
spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *