Flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device

Details Flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device Flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device

1999-04-23

2001-08-21

Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)

Exercise devices

Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof

Stair climbing

C482S051000, C482S070000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06277055

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more specifically to a stationary exercise device that resiliently links upper and lower body movements in flexibly coordinated motion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The benefits of regular aerobic exercise have been well established and accepted. However, due to time constraints, inclement weather, and other reasons, many people are prevented from aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, running, and swimming. In response, a variety of exercise equipment have been developed for aerobic activity. It is generally desirable to exercise a large number of different muscles over a significantly large range of motion so as to provide for balanced physical development, to maximize muscle length and flexibility, and to achieve optimum levels of aerobic exercise. A further advantageous characteristic of exercise equipment, is the ability to provide smooth and natural motion, thus avoiding significant jarring and straining that can damage both muscles and joints.
While various exercise systems are known in the prior art, these systems suffer from a variety of shortcomings that limit their benefits and/or include unnecessary risks and undesirable features. For example, stationary bicycles are a popular exercise system in the prior art, however this machine employs a sitting position which utilizes only a relatively small number of muscles, throughout a fairly limited range of motion. Cross-country skiing devices are also utilized by many people to simulate the gliding motion of cross-country skiing. While this device exercises more muscles than a stationary bicycle, the substantially flat shuffling foot motion provided thereby, limits the range of motion of some of the muscles being exercised. Another type of exercise device simulates stair climbing. These devices also exercise more muscles than do stationary bicycles, however, the rather limited range of up-and-down motion utilized does not exercise the user's leg muscles through a large range of motion. Treadmills are still a further type of exercise device in the prior art, and allow natural walking or jogging motions in a relatively limited area. A drawback of the treadmill, however, is that significant jarring of the hip, knee, ankle and other joints of the body may occur through use of this device.
A further limitation of a majority of exercise systems in the prior art, is that the systems are limited in the types of motions that they can produce, such as not being capable of producing elliptical motion. Exercise systems create elliptical motion, as referred to herein, when the path traveled by a user's feet while using the exercise system follows an arcuate or ellipse-shaped path of travel. Elliptical motion is much more natural and analogous to running, jogging, walking, etc., than the linear-type, back and forth motions produced by some prior art exercise equipment.
Exercise devices are also desirable which provide the additional advantage of being configured to provide arm and shoulder motions, as well as arcuate foot motions. Prior art devices utilizing arm and shoulder motions that are linked to foot motions incorporate forced coordinated motion, where the motions of a user's feet are linked to the motions of a user's arms and shoulders, so that one's feet are forced to move in response to the movement of one's arms and shoulders (in substantially an equal and opposite amount), and vice versa. Still other prior art devices limit the range of motions utilized by their systems, which can result in detrimental effects on a user's muscle flexibility and coordination due to the continued reliance on the small range motion produced by these exercise devices, as opposed to the wide range of natural motions that are experienced in activities such as running, walking, etc.
Despite the large number of exercise devices known in the prior art there is still a need for an exercise device which produces elliptical foot movement, and incorporates substantially related arm, shoulder, and rotational motions that are linked to the foot movements in a flexible and resilient manner. Exercise devices are desired that provides for a smooth stepping-running motion that prevents trauma to joints and muscles, while exercising a user's legs more fully than cycling or skiing devices. There is a continuing need for an exercise device that provides for smooth natural action, exercises a relatively large number of muscles through a large range of elliptical motion, employs arm, shoulder, and rotational movement, and allows for flexibly coordinated motion between the upper and lower body, i.e., motion that is substantially coordinated but still allows for some independent or uncoordinated motion between the movement of the user's feet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards an exercise device that allows flexibly coordinated motion to be produced between a user's hands and feet. The exercise device utilizes a frame to which a transverse axis is mounted. Coupling mechanisms are configured to operatively associate with foot links for associating the foot links to the transverse axis such that the foot support portion of each foot link travels in a reciprocal path as the transverse axis rotates. Each foot link includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a foot support portion therebetween. Swing arm mechanisms, which include a gripping portion, a pivot point, and a coupling region, operatively associate the coupling region of each swing arm mechanism with the respective first end portion of each foot link. Flexibly coordinating members substantially and resiliently link the movement of the foot support portions to the movement of the hand gripping portions of the swing arm mechanisms, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot support portions and the hand gripping portions.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling mechanisms comprise rotational crank arms that pivotally associate the transverse axis with the foot links. Preferably, at least a portion of the coupling mechanisms rotate about the transverse axis. The exercise device may further include a flywheel disposed for rotation in operative connection with the transverse axis. A resistance system, configured in operatively associated with the transverse axis, may also be included in the device to thereby increase the level of exercise required from the user.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swing arm mechanisms themselves act as the flexibly coordinating members. In this embodiment a substantial portion of the swing arm mechanisms are constructed of a material that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to substantially link the movement of the foot links to the movement of the hand gripping portions of the swing arm mechanisms.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swing arm mechanisms include spring link members that act as the flexibly coordinating members. Preferably, the spring link members of the swing arm mechanisms are located substantially adjacent to the pivot points of the swing arm mechanisms. In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swing arm mechanisms include elastomeric torsion members that are located substantially adjacent to the pivot points, and which act as the flexibly coordinating members that flexibility connect the gripping portions to the coupling regions of the swing arm mechanisms.
Further, in yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexibly coordinating members operatively connect the second end portion of the foot links with coupling region of the swing arm mechanisms. In this embodiment the flexibly coordinating members comprise spring members. Elastomeric members may also be employed instead of spring members to operatively associate the second end portion of the foot links with coupling region of the swing arm mechanisms, and thereby act as the flexibly co

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