U.S. patent application number 12/383043 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for exercise machine.
Invention is credited to Ty Sellers.
Application Number | 20090239714 12/383043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41089501 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090239714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sellers; Ty |
September 24, 2009 |
Exercise machine
Abstract
The instant invention combines an upper and lower body skier, a
rowing machine, a stepping, a stair climber, cycling and an
elliptical training machine into one unit allowing for its use in a
multitude of modes. The machine also features a seat that adjusts
both vertically and horizontally. This feature allows for the
elliptical mode to be used as a standard cycle or as a recumbent
cycle. The magnetic resistance of the flywheel gives the machine
smooth silent operation.
Inventors: |
Sellers; Ty; (Portage,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKELLAR IP LAW, PLLC
784 SOUTH POSEYVILLE ROAD
MIDLAND
MI
48640
US
|
Family ID: |
41089501 |
Appl. No.: |
12/383043 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61069949 |
Mar 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 ;
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/225 20130101;
A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 2022/0652
20130101; A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B
2022/0676 20130101; A63B 2225/102 20130101; A63B 2208/0233
20130101; A63B 21/0051 20130101; A63B 22/203 20130101; A63B 22/0605
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 ;
482/57 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04; A63B 22/06 20060101 A63B022/06 |
Claims
1. An exercise machine comprising in combination: a frame; a
flywheel operatively connected to the frame for rotation about a
flywheel axis relative to the frame; at least one elongated member;
at least one arm pole; first and second stepping members
operatively connected to the frame for movement relative to the
frame, between raised and lowered positions, each stepping member
having a stepping surface positioned and configured to be stepped
upon by the user; a stair-climbing drive mechanism operatively
connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel to
rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the stepping
members from their raised positions to their lowered positions;
elongated members each operatively connected to the frame for
motion in a circular motion relative to the frame; And an
elliptical drive mechanism operatively connected to each of the
first cranks and operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner
to cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon
circular movement of the cranks relative to the frame; at least one
crank pedal positioned above and attached to the said elongated
members facilitating a cyclic motion, said cyclic motion being a
simulation of an elliptical motion; an adjustable seat mounted
between said elongated members and being adjustable in both a
vertical and horizontal plane, said seat adjustment giving the
exercise machine the ability to simulate standard and recumbent
elliptical motion; a set of arm extension poles or arm extension
poles operatively connect to a second elongated member that
operatively connects to the elongated member; said arm extension
poles being pivotally connected to a front riser; said front riser
depending vertically from a flywheel housing; said flywheel housing
containing said flywheel.
2. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said machine
is equipped with a system to increase or decrease resistance on
said flywheel.
3. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the first
elongated members are operatively connected to the frame for motion
in a circular manner about the flywheel axis, the first elongated
members axis and flywheel axis being the same.
4. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising; a
linearly moveable member mounted on the frame for linear
reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis between forward
and backward positions; and an arm extension pole operatively
connected to the linear member and to the flywheel in a manner to
cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement
of the linearly moveable member between its forward and rearward
directions; also mounted to the said linearly moveable member is a
crank arm, said elongated member being operatively connected to a
pedal, said pedal is engaged by the operator moving the crank pedal
causing the moveable member to rotating about the flywheel
axis.
5. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the arm
extension pole is operatively connected to cause the flywheel to
rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the linearly
moveable member from its forward position.
6. An exercise machine comprising; a frame; a flywheel operatively
connected to the frame for rotation relative to the frame about the
flywheel axis; first and second stepping members operatively
connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame between
raised and lowered positions, each stepping member having a
stepping surface positioned and configured to be stepped upon by
the user; a stair-climbing drive mechanism operatively connected to
the stepping members and operatively connected to the stepping
members and operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to
cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement
of the stepping members from their raised positions to their
lowered positions, a linearly moveable member mounted on the frame
for the linear reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis
between forward and rearward positions; and a sliding mechanism
operatively connected to the linearly moveable member and
operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the
flywheel rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the
linearly moveable member between its forward and rearward positions
in a least one direction; a vertical pedal arm mechanism
operatively connected to the linearly moveable member operatively
connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel rotate
about the flywheel axis upon movement of the linearly moveable
member between its forward and rearward positions in a least one
direction;
7. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said exercise
machine has the ability to monitor exercise activity such as
distance, speed, blood pressure, resistance applied to
flywheel.
8. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said vertical
adjustment is slidably adjustable along a vertical plane and is
lockable.
9. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said
horizontal adjustment is slidably adjustable along a horizontal
plane and is lockable.
10. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said seat is
equipped with handles.
11. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said frame
has deployable wheeled base members.
12. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said front
riser having handles attached thereto.
13. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said front
riser having an exercise monitoring system.
14. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said seat is
adjustable both vertically and horizontally.
15. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, bases are
vertically adjustable.
16. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a rowing
machine is interchangeable with said stair-climbing device and
driven on said drive mechanism.
17. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a skiing
machine is interchangeable with said stair-climbing device and
driven on said drive mechanism.
18. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said drive
mechanism incorporates cable recoil.
19. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said add-on
drive is a cable, belt or chain.
20. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flywheel
resistance is magnetic.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
Application No. 61/069,949 filed Mar. 19, 2008.
[0002] The present invention deals with an exercise machine that
incorporates multiple exercise machines into one unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Exercise machines are not new to the art. The instant device
combines the skiing and rowing action with a stepping simulation
combined with a multi-directional adjustable seat allowing for
simulation of standard as well as recumbent cycling in one machine.
All of these types of exercises are available from standard
exercise equipment. The inventor has two patents U.S. Pat. No.
5,496,241 issued Mar. 5, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,423 issued
Oct. 5, 1999 demonstrating the combination of skiing/rowing and
stepping in one machine. The 423 patent provides details how a
stepper, rower, skier, use a shaft-roller-belt shaft combinations
allow for the use of one resistance mechanism to provide resistance
for multiple exercise machine. The use of one resistance mechanism
can be attached to a single shaft to allow the use of the add-on
equipment with minimal effort or modifications.
[0004] However, the instant invention greatly improves the ability
to do more, different exercises with one machine. Those exercises
include a stair climbing movement, a stepping movement, elliptical
training, cycling, rowing and skiing. This allows the user to have
six exercise machines in one.
THE INVENTION
[0005] The instant invention is an exercise machine comprising in
combination of a frame, a flywheel that is operatively connected to
the frame for rotation about a flywheel axis relative to the frame.
The exercise machine has at least one elongated member and at least
one arm extension pole.
[0006] The first and second stepping members are operatively
connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame, between
raised and lowered positions, each stepping member has a stepping
surface positioned and configured to be stepped upon by the
user.
[0007] The stair-climbing drive mechanism is operatively connected
to the flywheel in a manner that causes the flywheel to rotate
about the flywheel axis upon movement of the stepping members from
their raised positions to their lowered positions.
[0008] Elongated members are operatively connected to the frame for
motion in a circular motion relative to the frame. And an
elliptical drive mechanism operatively connects to each of the
first cranks and second cranks operatively connected to the
flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel to rotate about the
flywheel axis upon circular movement of the cranks relative to the
frame.
[0009] There is also at least one crank pedal positioned above and
attached to the elongated members facilitating a cyclic motion.
This cyclic motion is a simulation of cycling.
[0010] The adjustable seat is mounted between the elongated members
and is adjustable in both a vertical and a horizontal plane. The
seat adjustment gives the exercise machine the ability to simulate
standard and recumbent cycling motion.
[0011] There is also a set of arm extension poles operatively
connect to a second elongated member that operatively connects to
the elongated member. The arm poles are pivotally connected to a
front riser. The front riser depends vertically from the flywheel
housing. The flywheel housing contains the flywheel. When the arm
poles, stepping pedal or foot pedals are engaged the flywheel
begins to rotate about the flywheel axis. The flywheel speed and
therefore resistance can be regulated by a flywheel regulator
increasing or decreasing the amount of pressure necessary for the
user to manipulate or rotate the flywheel. The step drive mechanism
incorporates a cable pulley return mechanism. The flywheel
resistance is magnetically controlled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is full side view of the exercise machine.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the adjustable seat.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a full side view of the exercise machine with the
stepper add-on and cable pulley mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The instant invention is an exercise machine capable of
operating in a multitude of modes, the first mode simulating an
activity such as skiing involving reciprocating linear motion in
generally horizontal plane; the second mode for simulating climbing
steps in generally a vertical plane; the third mode simulates
cycling in a vertical plane, fourth simulates cycling in a
horizontal plane, fifth simulates stair climbing motion and the
sixth is simulates a rowing motion.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a full side view of the exercise machine 2. The
exercise machine 2 has a flywheel 4 that is the central motion
mechanism for the instant device. From a standing position the
operator can use step pedals 6 in an up and down motion rotating
the flywheel 4 creating a motion that is a simulation of step
climbing. The climbing motion can be enhanced by the further use of
the arm extension poles 12. This will complement the lower body
activity of the climbing action with upper body movement from the
arm extension poles 12. From this position the exercise machine 2
and when combined with the arm extension poles 12 it is also used
as a skiing device. The movement of the arm extension poles 12
simulates a skiing motion. The climbing motion occurs as the step
pedals are slide along the bottom rails 48 it creates a forward and
reverse and up and down motion that activates the flywheel 4 and
the elongated members 10 raise and lower with each revolution of
the flywheel 4. The bottom rails 48 along with the bases form parts
of the frame 14. There is also present a flywheel housing 30 which
incorporates into part of the frame 14. At the bottom of the frame
14 are base members 50. Base members 50 can be adjustable
vertically. They can also be of a base configuration with
deployable wheels for portability or without any deployable wheels.
A standard exercise machine 2 would incorporate one type of base or
a combination of two or more. Meaning that an exercise machine
could have adjustable rear base members 50 and standard base
members (non-wheeled) 50 in the middle region with the front base
members 50 having deployable wheels.
[0017] From a sitting position the exercise machine 2 is capable of
being used as both a standard elliptical exercise machine and a
recumbent elliptical machine. The cycling aspect is facilitates
through the use of the cycling pedals 6 that are affixed to the
elongated members 10. When the user engages the cycling pedals 6 by
placing a forward pressure on the cycling pedals 6 it in turn
forces the elongated members 10 to move in a forward movement thus
rotating the flywheel 4. The procedure simulates cycling. The
ability to differentiate between the two types of cycling is from
the adjustability of the seat 16.
[0018] The adjustability of the seat 16 is significant to the
device and its unique ability to offer a multitude of exercise from
a single machine. With the seat 16 set to a position where it is
above the highest rotation point of the flywheel 4 the machine
provides a standard elliptical exercise device. The flywheel
housing 30 encloses the flywheel 4. Extending upward from the
flywheel housing 30 is the front riser 20. At approximately the mid
point of the front riser 20 are attachment points 56 for the
attachment of the arm extension pole 12 to their pivot points 40.
Near the top portion of the front riser 20 is an attached set of
handles or bicycle handles 38 that support the user in the process
of exercising. At the top of the front riser 20 is an exercise
monitoring system 58.
[0019] Also visible form FIG. 1 are the elongated member 10 rollers
32. These rollers 32 provide the movement of the elongated members
10 along the bottom rails 48 and are house with roller housings 34.
The rollers 32 are attached to the end of the elongated members 10
opposite the flywheel 4. These rollers 32 facilitate the forward
and backward movement along the bottom rails 48. With one end of
the elongated members 10 attached to the flywheel 4 the other end
of the elongated member 10 is operatively attached to the roller 32
and slides along the bottom rail 48 facilitating movement.
[0020] Near the mid section of the elongated member 10 is the
attachment point 46 of the second elongated member 44. The second
elongated member 44 is attached to the bottom of the arm extension
12 and then to the first elongated member 10. This relationship
gives the arm extension 12 a forward and reverse motion relative to
the rotation of the flywheel 4.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the adjustable seat 16. With
the seat 16 set below the highest rotation point of the flywheel 4
the exercise machine 2 provides the recumbent elliptical exercise.
The adjustability of the seat 16 is derived from its ability to
slide along inner and outer members and locking into position. Both
the vertical 22 and horizontal 24 seat adjustments have an inner
and outer member. The seat 16 is connected to the top of the outer
vertical member 52. Attached to the bottom of the seat 16 are a set
of seat handles 18. These seat handles 18 are provided to stabilize
the individual as they perform exercises upon the exercise machine
2.
[0022] The seat 16 is comprised of an inner vertical seat
adjustment 22 and an outer vertical seat adjustment 52. This is
attached to the inner horizontal seat adjustment 26; which slides
into the outer horizontal seat adjustment 54. The outer vertical
seat adjustment 52 has locking mechanism affixed to its outer
surface. The outer horizontal seat adjustment 52 also has a
horizontal locking mechanism 28 attached to its outer surface. When
the inner vertical seat adjustment 22 is inserted into the outer
vertical seat adjustment 52 and locked into position by the
vertical locking mechanism 24 the seat 16 position becomes
stationary vertically.
[0023] When the inner horizontal seat adjustment 26 is inserted
into the outer horizontal seat adjustment 54 and locked into
position by the vertical locking mechanism 28 the seat 16 position
becomes stationary horizontally.
[0024] The ability to adjust the seat 16 both vertically and
horizontally brings greater flexibility to the exercise machine
2.
[0025] It should be noted that the stepping can be either performed
from a seated position or from a standing position.
[0026] The flywheel 4 has a magnetic resistance that is controlled
by a cable that rotates. The resistance is adjustable by rotating
the control knob on the machine. The resistance can also be
controlled electronically. The flywheel 4 is significant in that it
is virtually silent. This gives the machine a much smoother
rotation. The flywheel 4 is also capable of moving in either
direction. The flywheel 4 is also manufactured in a variety of
diameters that allow for different stride lengths.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view of an add-on device for stair climber
60. A drive chain 62 is connected to the flywheel 4 and passes over
a sprocket 64 to a set of stepping devices 70. The add-on stair
climbing equipment 60 attaches of the front of the machine 2. The
chain 62 is connected to a sprocket attached to the base 66. This
base is also connected to the stepper arms 72. The stepper arms 72
are connected to foot platforms 70. When the user steps up and down
of the step platforms 70 it moves the sprocket 68 moving the chain
62 which in turn moves the flywheel 4. There is also a stepper
handle 74 that is attached to the rear of the front riser 20. Other
add-on includes a rower and a skier.
[0028] Other embodiments include variation such as foldable pedals,
rotating seat handles and a rotating seat. Both the seat handles
and the seat are capable of rotating 360.degree.. The machine also
is capable of having a variety of informational outputs; distance,
time, heart rate, grade and resistance level. Also the drive
mechanism for the add-on machines incorporates a cable recoil
pulley 100.
[0029] The add-on drive mechanism is accomplished by a
shaft-roller-belt-shaft system. A cable, belt or chain is attached
to the pulley mechanism then proceeding to the flywheel 4 where the
resistance is set. Then the cable, belt or chain proceeds to the
next shaft located below the handle portion of the front end of the
machine or the riser 20. From there the cable, belt or chain is
attached to the add-on device and by providing movement on the
add-on device the operation is complete.
* * * * *