U.S. patent application number 13/135337 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for lateral elliptical exercise machine.
Invention is credited to Yong S. Chu.
Application Number | 20120004077 13/135337 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45400127 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120004077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chu; Yong S. |
January 5, 2012 |
Lateral elliptical exercise machine
Abstract
The present invention is an exercise machine providing
elliptical strides in substantially lateral directions. The
elliptical motion of the pedals is basically a combination of a
looped motion of a loop motion means and a reciprocating motion set
by a motion guide means following a predefined path. The loop
motion means connects the motion of a left pedal to the motion of a
right pedal so that the movement of both pedals is dependent.
Substantially lateral motions of the left pedal and the right pedal
follow lateral predefined paths set by a left motion guide means
and a right motion guide means. The motion guide means can be a
simple reciprocating arm that rotates about a pivot point on a base
frame and its distal end guiding the motion of the pedal; a track
that is either fixed on or moving in reference to the base frame; a
linkage system, such as a four bar linkage system, pivotally fixed
at two or more points on the base frame providing a point, on the
linkage system, that moves in reference to the base frame and
provides a specific predefined path; or a combination of any two or
all of above creating a mechanism that produces a desired path for
a point in the motion guide means.
Inventors: |
Chu; Yong S.; (Whittier,
CA) |
Family ID: |
45400127 |
Appl. No.: |
13/135337 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61398748 |
Jun 30, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/001 20130101;
A63B 2022/0676 20130101; A63B 2022/0028 20130101; A63B 2022/206
20130101; A63B 2022/0051 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B
22/0005 20151001; A63B 22/203 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B
22/0061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. A lateral elliptical exercise machine comprising: a. a base
frame for supporting the lateral elliptical exercise machine on a
floor, b. a loop motion means comprising a crank with its pivot
rotatably fixed at a location on the base frame and providing a
closed looped motion at a left connecting joint and at a right
connecting joint, and c. a left motion guide means providing a
substantially lateral motion with its motion path angled between 45
and 135 degree angle from the mid-plane of the machine, a right
motion guide means providing a substantially lateral motion with
its motion path angled between 45 and 135 degree angle from the
mid-plane of the machine, wherein the left motion guide means and
the right motion guide are structurally supported by the base
frame, and d. a left arm pivotally joined to the loop motion means
and to the left motion guide means and supporting a left pedal such
that the left pedal moves in an elliptical motion substantially in
lateral direction, a right arm pivotally joined to the loop motion
means and to the right motion guide means and supporting a right
pedal such that the right pedal moves in an elliptical motion
substantially in lateral direction, wherein the left pedal and the
right pedal are synchronized such that when the left pedal is urged
to move, the right pedal also moves and left pedal and, the left
and right motion guide means are positioned such that the left and
right pedals generally move upward as they move toward the
mid-plane of the machine.
2. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the
left motion guide means and the right motion guide means
structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of
reciprocating arms mechanically connecting the base frame and the
left and right arms.
3. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the
left motion guide means and the right motion guide means
structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of tracks on
which the left and right arms slides.
4. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the
loop motion means is a simple crank arm with a left crank arm
pivotally connected to the left arm and a right crank arm pivotally
connected to the right arm.
5. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the
loop motion means is an elliptical system comprising a crank and
links to provide elliptical looped motion at the joining points for
the left arm and the right arm.
6. A lateral elliptical exercise machine comprising: a. a base
frame for supporting the lateral elliptical exercise machine on a
floor, b. a loop motion means comprising a crank, having a left
crank arm and a right crank arm, with its pivot rotatably fixed at
a location on the base frame and providing a closed looped motion
at a joint on the left crank arm and at a joint on the right crank
arm, and c. a left motion guide means providing a substantially
lateral motion with its motion path substantially orthogonal to the
mid-plane of the machine, a right motion guide means providing a
substantially lateral motion with its motion path substantially
orthogonal to the mid-plane of the machine, wherein the left motion
guide means and the right motion guide are structurally supported
by the base frame, and d. a left arm pivotally joined to the loop
motion means and to the left motion guide means and supporting a
left pedal such that the left pedal moves in an elliptical motion
substantially in lateral direction, a right arm pivotally joined to
the loop motion means and to the right motion guide means and
supporting a right pedal such that the right pedal moves in an
elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, wherein the
left pedal and the right pedal are synchronized such that when the
left pedal is urged to move, the right pedal also moves and left
pedal, and the left and right motion guide means are positioned
such that the left and right pedals generally move upward as they
move toward the mid-plane of the machine.
7. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 6 wherein the
left motion guide means and the right motion guide means
structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of
reciprocating arms mechanically connecting the base frame and the
left and right arms.
8. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 6 wherein the
left motion guide means and the right motion guide means
structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of tracks on
which the left and right arms slides.
9. A lateral elliptical exercise machine comprising: a. a base
frame for supporting the lateral elliptical exercise machine on a
floor, b. a crank, having a left crank arm and a right crank arm,
with its pivot rotatably fixed at a location on the base frame and
providing a closed looped motion at a left joint on the left crank
arm and at a right joint on the right crank arm, and c. a left
reciprocating arm providing a substantially lateral motion with its
motion path substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the
machine, a right reciprocating arm providing a substantially
lateral motion with its motion path substantially orthogonal to the
mid-plane of the machine, wherein the left reciprocating arm and
the right reciprocating arm are structurally supported by the base
frame, and d. a left arm pivotally joined to the crank and to the
left reciprocating arm at a left arm joint and supporting a left
pedal such that the left pedal moves in an elliptical motion
substantially in lateral direction, a right arm pivotally joined to
the crank and to the right reciprocating arm at a right arm joint
and supporting a right pedal such that the right pedal moves in an
elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, wherein the
left pedal and the right pedal are synchronized such that when the
left pedal is urged to move, the right pedal also moves, and the
joints of left and right reciprocating arms to the base frame are
positioned away from the mid-plane of the machine such that the
left and right pedals generally move upward as they move toward the
mid-plane.
10. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 9 wherein at
least one of the left joint and the left arm joint is a pivot with
two degree of freedom and at least one of the right joint and the
right arm joint is a pivot with two degree of freedom.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/398,748, filed on Jun. 30, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment to
simulate a lateral motion exercise for development of a user's
muscle groups involving legs, glut, mid-portion, and even arms.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0005] Many elliptical exercise machines and lateral motion
exercise machines have been introduced in the field of the art in
the past. Some of prior arts display simple mechanisms to achieve
the continuous elliptical strides for the exercise for the users.
Among them is Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,343, which teaches an
simple forward and backward elliptical motion exercise and includes
a pair of foot engaging link. The first end of each link is
supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis and a second end
of each foot link is guided in a reciprocal path of travel. The
combination of these foot link motions permits the users foot to
travel in an inclined, oval path of travel. Miller, U.S. Pat. No.
5,611,756, also teaches a compact elliptical motion exercise in a
simple front and back motion in a device that includes a frame
having a set of guide links pivotally supported thereupon. Each
guide link supports a foot engaging link at one end thereof. The
guide links are reciprocated back and forth by a set of
intermediate links which engage a set of cranks which rotate about
a second pivot point. A control link joins the foot link to the
intermediate link and operates to vary the angle between the guide
links and the foot links, as the guide links reciprocate. Chu, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,234,935 teaches a lateral elliptical training apparatus
that includes rotating gears positioned in a generally horizontal
plane. Linear supporting struts are pivotally attached to the gears
for movement therewith and a motion restricting device is engaging
with the liner supporting struts and adapted for restricting the
linear supporting struts to a combination of pivotal and linear
translational motion. Pivots engage the linear supporting struts
and restrict it to pivotal motion as one end. Foot rests are
mounted on the linear supporting struts at an end opposite to the
pivots. The rotating gears, linear supporting struts, motion
restricting device and pivots are mutually interconnected for
moving the foot rests in a lateral elliptical motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0007] The present invention is an exercise machine with elliptical
strides in substantially lateral directions. The strides of pedals
are cyclic by employing a loop motion means in the mechanism. The
elliptical motion of the pedals is basically a combination of a
looped motion of a loop motion means and a reciprocating motion set
by a motion guide means following a predefined path. The loop
motion means provide a closed loop motion that can be a circular
shape provided by a simple crank commonly found in a bicycle with
two crank arms sticking out with their angular positions about 180
degree apart or an elliptical shape provided by a moving point on a
linkage system comprising a crank arm and a reciprocating mechanism
commonly found in elliptical exercise machines. The loop motion
means connects the motion of a left pedal to the motion of a right
pedal so that the movement of both pedals is dependent: A motion on
the left pedal causes a counter-motion on the right pedal.
Substantially lateral motions of the left pedal and the right pedal
follow lateral predefined paths set by a left motion guide means
and a right motion guide means. The motion guide means can be a
simple reciprocating arm that rotates about a pivot point on a base
frame and its distal end guiding the motion of the pedal; a track
that is either fixed on or moving in reference to the base frame; a
linkage system, such as a four bar linkage system, pivotally fixed
at two or more points on the base frame providing a point, on the
linkage system, that moves in reference to the base frame and
provides a specific predefined path; or a combination of any two or
all of above creating a mechanism that produces a desired path for
a point in the motion guide means.
[0008] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a
system having advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0009] Another objective is to provide such a device that simulates
a lateral motion exercise with each pedal moving in an elliptical
path.
[0010] Another objective is to provide such a device that is simple
in structure that is relatively easy to manufacture and keep the
cost low.
[0011] Another objective is to provide such a system that provides
an easy dependent movement for a user to minimize the time for the
learning curve.
[0012] Another objective is to provide such a system that provides
the user cyclic motion with a mechanism comprising a crank system
creating a loop path for an accommodation of a flywheel that turns
generally in one direction once the exercise starts for easy
braking control.
[0013] Another objective is to provide a system that eliminates
stick points in the exercise movement for an easy start at any
pedal position or at any angular position of the crank system.
[0014] Another objective is to provide a three dimensional motion
for the exercise that involves more muscle groups of the user.
[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment, that has a
set of swing arms guiding the movement of the pedals, showing one
side of the crank system.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment viewed from
another angle to show the other side of the crank system.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the crank system or a loop motion
means with looped arrows showing the movement of one part of the
loop motion means and a double head arrow showing the movement of
another part of the loop motion means.
[0020] FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d show different ways to install a
pedal near an arm joint and keep the pedal movement substantially
the same.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a mid-plane of the machine in top plan view and
angles of the pedal movement with respect to the mid-plane.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment with a set of rails guiding
the movement of the pedals.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows an example of one way to construct joint points
or joint parts for linking moving parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The elliptical pedal motion shown in the invention is a
combined motion of a looped movement and a reciprocating movement
in a line or an arc. The two different movements can be combined by
connecting the two movements with a link in between and a properly
selected point, where the pedal is attached or linked, on the link
is observed to follow an elliptical path. The lateral elliptical
exercise machine here demonstrates a lateral motion of the pedals
when the looped movement and the reciprocating movement are
arranged in certain angular positions in the three dimensional
space. The above described drawing FIG. 1 illustrates one of the
embodiments for the invention, a lateral elliptical exercise
machine 10, comprising a base frame 20 providing a support
structure for a loop motion means 40, a left motion guide means
100, and a right motion guide means 102. A left arm assembly 60 and
a right arm assembly 70 are linked to loop motion means 40, making
their motions dependent to each other, and also mechanically linked
or engaged to left motion guide means 100 and right motion guide
means 102 respectively.
[0025] In FIG. 1, Base Frame 20 stands on the floor surface and
provides a support structure for other components. Base Frame 20
comprises a base bottom structure 22 that provides at least three
contact points with the floor for stability of the lateral
elliptical exercise machine, a base upright structure 26 that is a
fixed part of base bottom structure 22 to support a crank pivot 24
that is placed at a set distance above the floor surface on base
frame 20. A base handle 200 may be provided fixedly on base frame
20 in front of and for the user to hold onto while he or she is on
the lateral exercise machine. The user may stand on the pedals
facing toward the loop motion means and use the machine or facing
away to the opposite direction from the loop motion means to use
the machine. In either case, base frame 20 can provide a structure
to station at least one handle either on the sides or in front of
the user.
[0026] Loop motion means 40 is a mechanical system that creates a
closed loop motion path and can be, in the simplest form, a crank
with two crank arms fixed to each other at about 180 degree angular
offset as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The simple crank provides a
circular loop motion path at a point on the distal end of the crank
arm. In this case, loop motion means is simple crank system
comprising a crank pulley 42 to transfer inertial and resistance
force to and from a flywheel 50 using a belt 48. Belt 48 can be
easily replaced with a chain or a gear system to mechanically
relate the crank system to the flywheel. Usually a brake force is
applied on the flywheel to produce a smooth and even resistance
force for the exercise, however the brake can be directly applied
to the crank pulley or even on the crank axle to create the
resistance force. A left crank arm 44 is fixedly attached to one
side of crank pulley 42 providing a support structure for left
joint 46. There may be a right crank arm fixed on the other side of
the pulley or the pulley itself can also be an arm structure to
support a right joint 54 as shown in FIG. 2. The order of the
parts' position is not critical as long as there are two joints 46,
54 supported by a structure in between: The two joints 46, 54 may
be right next to each other with the crank pulley fixedly connected
to one side of them as long as joints 46, 54 are about 180 degree
apart in angular position when rotating about their center
position. Loop Motion Means 40 as a simple crank system in this
embodiment is pivotally fixed at crank pivot 24 of base frame
20.
[0027] Loop motion means 40 can also be an elliptical system, now
well known in the field of the art, that provides a moving support
structure for joints 46, 54 to follow a pair of closed loop paths
as shown in FIG. 3. Left joint 46 is mounted on a left elliptical
link 56 that is pivotally connected to left crank arm 44 that is
also pivotally fixed at crank pivot 24 of base frame 20. On left
elliptical link 56, a left guided point 57 at a set distance away
from a left crank joint 45 is guided in a reciprocating motion that
follows a predefined line path or a curved path. Left crank joint
45 pivotally joints left elliptical link 56 to left crank arm 44.
Likewise, right joint 54 is mounted on a right elliptical link 58
that is pivotally connected to the right crank arm that is fixedly
connected to the left crank arm and pivotally fixed at crank pivot
24 of base frame 20. On right elliptical link 58, a right guided
point 59 at a set distance away from a right crank joint 53 is
guided in a reciprocating motion, shown in FIG. 3 as a double head
arrow for its movement, that follows a predefined line path or a
curved path. Guided points 57, 59 can be guided with a pair of
reciprocating arms as shown in FIG. 3; a pair of tracks connected
to the base frame for points 57, 59 to follow; or any linkage
system that provides a reciprocating motion in a predefined line
path similar to the double head arrow. Left joint 46 can be fixed
at any point along link 56 other than guided point 57 to produce an
enclosed loop path. Right joint 54 can also be fixed at any point
along link 58 other than guided point 59 to produce an enclosed
loop path.
[0028] Motion guide means 100, 102 provide a reciprocating motion
to a left arm joint 64 and a right arm joint 74. FIGS. 1 and 2 show
a pair of simple reciprocating arms to provide guide arm joints 64,
74 in curved motion paths. Left motion guide means 100 as a simple
pivoting arm is pivotally fixed at and rotates about a left guide
pivot 104 on base frame 20. In the case of left motion guide means
100 being a simple reciprocating arm, a good position for left
guide pivot 104 on base frame 20 is on the left side of the user
with the radial direction or a radial plane of the axle, left guide
pivot 104, substantially orthogonal, between 45 and 135 degree
angle shown as angles A and B in FIG. 5, to the mid-plane of the
lateral exercise machine. The radial direction of the axle, left
guide pivot 104, is shown in FIG. 5 as a line P; so line P
indicates a general direction of the motion of right guide arm
joint 64. The mid-plane of the lateral machine, shown in FIG. 5 as
a line M in the middle of the top view of the machine, divides the
left side and the right side of the machine when the user stands on
the pedals facing toward the loop motion means. The machine may
also be used with the user facing the opposite direction of the
loop motion means. Likewise, in the case of right motion guide
means 102 being a simple reciprocating arm, a good position for
right guide pivot 106 on base frame 20 is on the right side of the
user, if the user is facing toward the loop motion means, with the
radial direction or a radial plane of the axle, right guide pivot
106, substantially orthogonal, between 45 and 135 degree angle, to
the mid-plane of the machine. Left arm joint 64 is located at or
near the distal end of left motion guide means 100 to pivotally
linked with left arm assembly 60, and right arm joint 74 is located
at or near the distal end of right motion guide means 102 to
pivotally linked with right arm assembly 70. Therefore the general
directions of the guided reciprocating motions on arm joints 64, 74
are also substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane, substantially
lateral directions.
[0029] Motion guide means 100, 102 can be other types of mechanical
guide to direct the movement of arm joints 64, 74 in generally
lateral directions such as a pair of rails that arm joints 64, 74
can ride and follow in a reciprocating motion as shown in FIG. 6.
Left motion guide means 100' as a rail is mounted on base frame 20.
And right motion guide means 102' as a rail is also mounted on base
frame 20. The rails may be straight or curved to provide predefined
paths for the reciprocating motion of arm joints 64, 74, and
fixedly mounted or pivotally mounted on based frame 20 to provide a
desired character to the path. The rails here are also oriented in
a way that the reciprocating motions of arm joints 64, 74 are
directed substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the machine,
between 45 and 135 degree angle, substantially lateral directions.
Whether the rails are curved in two dimensions or three dimensions,
the general overall direction of each rail is to be oriented
substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane to create substantially
lateral motions. There are other ways to create a complex curved
path for each of motion guide means 100, 102 such as a typical
four-bar linkage system with its two pivots pivotally mounted on
base frame 20 and three linked bars are moving in respect to the
base frame providing a point on the four-bar linkage system for the
arm joint. The rails that the arm joints ride on can be pivotally
mounted on the base frame and linked to other moving parts such as
a crank or a reciprocating arm to create a unique curved path for
the arm joints to follow in a substantially lateral directions.
Left arm joint 64 is fixed on left arm 62 at a set distance away
from left joint 46, and right arm joint 74 is fixed on right arm 72
at a set distance away from right joint 54.
[0030] A first point on a left arm 62 of left arm assembly 60 is
pivotally attached to loop motion means 40 at left joint 46 which
provides an enclosed loop motion to the left arm assembly and a
second point on left arm 62 is pivotally joined to left motion
guide means 100 at left arm joint 64. Left pedal 120 is mounted on
left arm 62 near and either side of left arm joint 64 to move in a
lateral elliptical motion. A first point on a right arm 72 of right
arm assembly 70 is pivotally attached to loop motion means 40 at
right joint 54 which provides an enclosed loop motion to the right
arm assembly and a second point on right arm 72 is pivotally joined
to right motion guide means 102 at right arm joint 74. Right pedal
122 is mounted on right arm 72 near and either side of right arm
joint 74 to move in a lateral elliptical motion. FIGS. 4a through
4d show a number of ways to mount a pedal near arm joints 64, 74.
FIGS. 4a and 4b show pedal 120 pivotally joined to motion guide
means 100 at a point near above arm joint 64 and its vertical
motion mechanically related or affected by the movement of arm 62.
FIGS. 1 and 4c show pedal 120 directly mounted on arm 62 near arm
joint 64. FIG. 4d shows pedal 120 movably mounted on arm 62 near
arm joint 64 and its movement on arm 62 is mechanically related to
another part of the machine such as crank arm 44 directly with a
link in between or indirectly with multiple links. There are many
other ways to mount the pedal near the arm joint and make the pedal
move laterally in an elliptical path by utilizing the movement of
arm 62.
[0031] For a good lateral exercise motion, it is preferable to set
the motion path of each pedal such that when the pedal is near the
mid-plane of the machine its vertical position is generally higher
than that of the same pedal when it is further away from the
mid-plane. This can be achieved by making motion guide means 100,
102 direct the motions of arm joints 64, 74 upward as they move
toward the mid-plane. When the motion guide means are a pair of
reciprocating arms as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, guide pivots 104, 106
can be placed at about a stride distance away from the mid-plane to
make the arm joints and the pedals move generally upward as they
move toward the mid-plane. When the motion guide means are a pair
of tracks as shown in FIG. 6 the tracks may sit at an angle such
that the height of the portions of the tracks near the mid-plane
are generally higher than that of the portions further away from
the mid-plane. However this feature that the pedals move generally
upward as they move toward the mid-plane is not absolutely
essential in this lateral elliptical exercise machine since the
pedals also move in elliptical motion that inherently offers a
similar effect in exercise in which the user may bring the pedal
inward, or toward the mid-plane, by riding the upper part of the
elliptical profile of the path and he or she can push the pedal
outward, or away from the mid-plane, by riding the lower part of
the elliptical profile even if the angle of the stride stays
generally even height-wise, without tilting the overall stride in
vertical direction.
[0032] Crank Pivot 24 is a simple single axle pivot. Left joint 46
and right joint 54 can be ball joints or combinations of two or
three axles substantially orthogonal to each other, such as a
universal joint. When the substantially orthogonal axles are
combined to create a ball joint like movement or a universal joint
movement, all the axles do not need to be at one point: The axes of
the combined axles do not need to cross. As long as a correct
number of axles are placed somewhere between two connecting parts,
whether they are closely placed together or not, to create the
necessary freedom of the movement, the parts are allowed to move
and rotate in a designed fashion. FIG. 7 shows such joint with
multiple orthogonal axles. A cross joint 220 is basically two
pivots, pivot axles 222, attached substantially orthogonal to each
other to give two degrees of freedom. Each pivot axle can be a ball
bearing in a simple sleeve housing, and a cross joint can be two
sleeve housings welded or joined together. When a flanged axle 230
is mounted on cross joint 220, the parts provide three degrees of
freedom. Flanged axle 230 is pivot axle 222 with a pivot flange 224
fixed mounted on axle 222. One group of axles can be linked to
another group of axles by a rod 226. Left arm joint 64 and right
arm joint 74 can also be ball joints or a combination of two or
three substantially orthogonal axles for each. One possible
arrangement for the joints is that joints 46, 54 can be ball
joints, and joints 64, 74 are combination of two substantially
orthogonal axles for each. Another arrangement can be that joints
46, 54 can be combination of three substantially orthogonal axles
for each, and joints 54, 74 can be combination of two substantially
orthogonal axles for each as shown in FIG. 7.
[0033] To operate the lateral elliptical exercise machine, the user
simply steps onto the pedals and moves them laterally while using
the lower portion of the elliptical path for moving away from the
mid-plane of the machine and using the upper portion of the path
for moving toward the mid-plane. Once the exercise starts, the loop
motion means rotates in one direction throughout the exercise
period as long as the exercise motion is continuous. The user may
adjust and change the resistance force applied on the flywheel to
make the exercise movement easy or hard.
[0034] Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with
reference only to the embodiments shown and described above, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments
can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth
below.
CALL OUT LIST OF THE ELEMENT
[0035] 10 Lateral elliptical Exercise Machine [0036] 20 Base Frame
[0037] 22 Base Bottom Structure [0038] 24 Crank Pivot [0039] 26
Base Upright Structure [0040] 40 Loop Motion Means [0041] 42 Crank
Pulley [0042] 44 Left Crank Arm [0043] 45 Left Crank Joint [0044]
46 Left Joint [0045] 48 Belt [0046] 50 Flywheel [0047] 52 Right
Crank Arm [0048] 53 Right Crank Joint [0049] 54 Right Joint [0050]
56 Left Elliptical Link [0051] 57 Left Guided Point [0052] 58 Right
Elliptical Link [0053] 59 Right Guided Point [0054] 60 Left Aim
Assembly [0055] 62 Left Arm [0056] 64 Left Arm Joint [0057] 70
Right Arm Assembly [0058] 72 Right Arm [0059] 74 Right Arm Joint
[0060] 100 Left Motion Guide Means [0061] 102 Right Motion Guide
Means [0062] 104 Left Guide Pivot [0063] 106 Right Guide Pivot
[0064] 120 Left Pedal [0065] 122 Right Pedal [0066] 200 Base Handle
[0067] 202 Left Handle [0068] 204 Right Handle [0069] 220 Cross
Joint [0070] 222 Pivot Axle [0071] 224 Pivot Flange [0072] 226 Rod
[0073] 230 Flanged Axle
* * * * *