Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Bicycling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-09
2001-01-09
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Bicycling
C482S052000, C482S070000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171217
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to exercise equipment and, more specifically, convertible exercise apparatus that produce elliptical foot displacement.
2. The Relevant Technology
A variety of indoor exercising equipment has been develop to exercise leg muscles commonly used in running, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Such machines include treadmills, stepping machines, and various types of sliding machines. Although effective to some extent, each of these machines has select disadvantages. For example, most treadmills wear quickly under the jarring of heavy jogging or running. Furthermore, treadmills have the drawback of producing high impact on the user's legs and knees. One approach that minimizes jarring is to use a stair stepper. Stair steppers, however, do not develop all of the muscles commonly used in running. Furthermore, such machines are difficult to use in sprint type exercises. Finally, sliding machines require the user to slide their feet back and forth along a horizontal plane. Such movement does not mimic running and thus exercises only a limited range of muscles.
Recent designs in exercise equipment have attempted to resolve some of the above problems by having a pair of spaced apart foot rails wherein each front end rotates in an elliptical path while each rear end moves along a horizontal plane. The center of each foot rail, on which the user's feet are positioned, also rotates in an elliptical path. This elliptical path is substantially similar to that commonly encountered during running. Likewise, since the user's feet never leave the foot rails, minimal impact is produced.
Several problems, however, have been encountered with such designs. For example, such apparatus commonly include a complexity of interrelated moving parts. This complexity increases the cost and time of manufacturing. An additional problem with such machines is that it is often difficult or impossible to adjust the path or movement of the foot pad to correspond with the stride of the user.
An additional problem with conventional elliptical displacement apparatus is that they are designed only for operation in one set standing position. As a result, the apparatus is limited to exercising one set group of muscles. If other muscles are to be exercised, a different apparats must be purchased.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved exercise apparatus that produce elliptical foot movement similar to that of running.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the above exercise apparatus that have a simpler mechanical design than corresponding prior art designs.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the above exercise apparatus which can be easily adjusted for users having different strides.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide the above exercise apparatus which can be selectively converted for operation in different modes so as to exercise different muscles.
To achieve the foregoing objectives, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an exercise apparatus is provided. The exercise apparatus includes a frame comprising an elongated base having a brace upstanding therefrom. Mounted to the brace is a back rest and a support member. The support member includes a rail having a first end rotatably mounted to the brace and an opposing second end having a seat positioned thereat.
Positioned on each side of the base is a moveable foot rail. The front end of each foot rail has a wheel which is disposed in a linear track. The second end of each foot rail is rotatably attached to a crank assembly. The crank assembly is mounted on the base and includes crank arms that project in opposing directions. The end of each crank arm is connected to a corresponding foot rail such that linear displacement of the front end of the foot rail results in circular displacement of the second end of the foot rail.
Positioned towards the front end of each foot rail is a first foot pad. Positioned towards the second end of each foot rail is a second foot pad. Each foot pad is mounted by a bracket which permit the foot pad to be selectively moved along the length of each foot rail.
By either standing on the first foot pads or sitting on the seat and pushing against the second foot pads, each of the foot rails can be moved in an elliptical path for exercising the leg muscles of a user.
The exercise apparatus can be selectively adjusted for operation by the user in either a standing or sitting position. The different positions exercise different sets of muscles. To exercise in the standing position, the support member is moved into a raised first position and the user stands on the first foot pads. If desired, the user can rest his or her arms on the rail. In this position, the user uses his or her leg muscles to move the foot rails in inverse reciprocating movement. As a result of the first end the foot rails moving in linear reciprocating movement and second end of the foot rails moving in circular movement, the first foot pads disposed between the opposing ends move in a substantially elliptical path.
To exercise in the sitting position, the support member is lowered into a second position. The user then sits on the seat with his or her back against the back rest and feet against the second foot pads. By pushing against the second foot pads, the second foot pads are also moved in a substantially elliptical path.
The inventive exercise apparatus has a variety of unique benefits over conventional stepping type apparatus. For example, as a result of producing an elliptical displacement of the foot pads, the exercise is preformed using a more natural stride with minimal jarring or impact. Furthermore, the ability to use the exercise apparatus in both a sitting and standing position allows the user to exercise different groups of muscles in different way. Finally, easy movement of the foot pads enables different users to set the apparatus to their individual stride length.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3316898 (1967-05-01), Brown
patent: 5242343 (1993-09-01), Miller
patent: 5383829 (1995-01-01), Miller
patent: 5518473 (1996-05-01), Miller
patent: 5527246 (1996-06-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5529555 (1996-06-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5540637 (1996-07-01), Rodgers, Jr
patent: 5549526 (1996-08-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5562574 (1996-10-01), Miller
patent: 5573480 (1996-11-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5577985 (1996-11-01), Miller
patent: 5591107 (1997-01-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5593371 (1997-01-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5593372 (1997-01-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5595553 (1997-01-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5611756 (1997-03-01), Miller
patent: 5611757 (1997-03-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5611758 (1997-03-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5637058 (1997-06-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5653662 (1997-08-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5683333 (1997-11-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5685804 (1997-11-01), Whan-Tong et al.
patent: 5690589 (1997-11-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5738614 (1998-04-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5743834 (1998-04-01), Rodgers, Jr.
patent: 5788610 (1998-08-01), Eschenbach
patent: 5916065 (1999-06-01), McBride et al.
patent: 5928114 (1999-07-01), Chen
patent: 6071215 (2000-06-01), Raffo et al.
patent: 29 19 494 A1 (1980-11-01), None
Crow Stephen R.
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
LandOfFree
Convertible elliptical and recumbent cycle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Convertible elliptical and recumbent cycle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Convertible elliptical and recumbent cycle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2517319