Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Stair climbing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-22
2001-06-19
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Stair climbing
C482S057000, C482S051000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06248045
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to exercise methods and apparatus and more particularly, to exercise equipment which facilitates exercise through a curved path of motion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Exercise equipment has been designed to facilitate a variety of exercise motions. For example, treadmills allow a person to walk or run in place; stepper machines allow a person to climb in place; bicycle machines allow a person to pedal in place; and other machines allow a person to skate and/or stride in place. Yet another type of exercise equipment has been designed to facilitate relatively more complicated exercise motions and/or to better simulate real life activity. Such equipment typically uses some sort of linkage assembly to convert a relatively simple motion, such as circular, into a relatively more complex motion, such as elliptical.
Exercise equipment has also been designed to facilitate full body exercise. For example, reciprocating cables or pivoting arm poles have been used on many of the equipment types discussed in the preceding paragraph to facilitate contemporaneous upper body and lower body exercise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one respect, the present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. In particular, a first link is rotatably interconnected between a frame and a foot support (or other force receiving member); a crank is rotatably mounted on the frame; a second link is rotatably interconnected between the crank and the foot support; and an intermediate link is rotatably interconnected between the first link and the second link. As the crank rotates, the linkage assembly constrains the foot support to travel through a generally elliptical path.
In another respect, the present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for linking reciprocal motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. In particular, as the foot support moves through its generally elliptical path, the linkage assembly constrains the first link to pivot back and forth. A portion of the first link may be sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the foot support.
In yet another respect, the present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for incremental adjustments to the size and/or shape of the path of motion. In particular, the intermediate link may be selectively connected to the second link at any of a plurality of positions to alter the path of exercise motion.
In still another respect, the present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for adjusting the configuration of the elliptical path of motion during exercise. In one embodiment, for example, a post is pivotally mounted on the base of the frame, and the first link is rotatably connected to the post. By applying more than a threshold quantity of force against the post, a person may reposition the pivot axis of the first link while the foot support is moving. Many advantages and improvements of the present invention may become apparent from the more detailed description that follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4185622 (1980-01-01), Swenson
patent: 4786050 (1988-11-01), Geschwender
patent: 5242343 (1993-09-01), Miller
patent: 5518473 (1996-05-01), Miller
patent: 5540637 (1996-07-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5562574 (1996-10-01), Miller
patent: 5577985 (1996-11-01), Miller
patent: 5593372 (1997-01-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5692994 (1997-12-01), Eschenbach
patent: 5707321 (1998-01-01), Maresh
patent: 5792026 (1998-08-01), Maresh et al.
patent: 6027430 (2000-06-01), Stearns et al.
patent: 6080086 (2000-06-01), Maresh et al.
Maresh Joseph D.
Stearns Kenneth W.
LandOfFree
Exercise method and apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Exercise method and apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exercise method and apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2516376