Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Stair climbing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-13
2001-07-03
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Stair climbing
C482S051000, C482S070000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254514
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. Some examples of such equipment may be found in United States patents which are disclosed in an Information Disclosure Statement submitted herewith.
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. Some examples of such equipment may be found in United States patents which are disclosed in an Information Disclosure Statement submitted herewith.
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 forward portion of a foot platform (or other force receiving member) is movably connected to a frame; a rearward portion of the foot platform is rollably connected to a flywheel (or other crank member); and a link is rotatably interconnected between the flywheel and an intermediate portion of the foot platform. As the flywheel rotates, it moves the foot platform up and down, and the link moves the foot platform back and forth, thereby causing the foot platform 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, a suspended link is rotatably connected to a frame member; and a relatively lower portion of the suspended link is rotatably connected to the forward portion of the foot platform (generally opposite the portion connected to the flywheel). As the foot platform moves through its generally elliptical path, the handle member pivots back and forth relative to the frame.
In yet another respect, the present invention may be seen to provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for adjusting the angle of the generally elliptical path of motion relative to a horizontal surface on which the apparatus rests. In particular, the frame member to which the suspended link is connected is movably mounted on the frame; and a pin extends through the frame member and into engagement with one of a plurality of holes in the frame to selectively secure the frame member at a particular elevation above the horizontal surface. A relatively higher pin location results in a relatively more strenuous, “uphill” exercise motion.
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Maresh Joseph D.
Stearns Kenneth W.
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