Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Stair climbing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-11
2001-11-06
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Stair climbing
C482S051000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312362
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to exercise methods and apparatus and more particularly, to exercise equipment which facilitates movement of a person's feet through generally elliptical paths.
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 a linkage assembly to convert a relatively simple motion, such as circular, into a relatively more complex motion, such as elliptical. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,622 to Swenson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,529 to Eschenbach; U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829 to Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,637 to Rodgers, Jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,026 to Maresh et al.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the present invention provides a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. On a preferred embodiment, left and right cranks are rotatably mounted on a rearward end of a frame, and left and right floating cranks are rotatably mounted on respective cranks. Left and right foot supporting links are movably interconnected between respective floating cranks and a forward end of the frame, and left and right foot platforms are pivotally mounted on intermediate portions of respective foot supporting links. Left and right drawbar links are movably interconnected between respective cranks and respective foot supporting links, and the foot platforms are movably connected respective drawbar links. The resulting assembly causes the foot platforms to move through generally elliptical paths and to pivot relative to respective foot supporting links.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5921894 (1999-07-01), Eschenbach
patent: 6024676 (2000-02-01), Eschenbach
patent: 6142915 (2000-11-01), Eschenbach
patent: 6168552 (2001-01-01), Eschenbach
patent: 6248045 (2001-06-01), Stearns et al.
Maresh Joseph D.
Stearns Kenneth W.
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