Exercise device for cross training

Abstract

An exercise device includes one or more foot supports movable along an arcuate path defined around a point of rotation. The arcuate path is divisible into machine defined user selectable arc segments and the movement of the foot support(s) is limited to the machine defined user selected arc segment. The exercise device can include a frame, a linkage movably engaged with the frame, a foot support movably engaged with the linkage, a crank arm movably engaged with the frame, a motor operative to move the crank arm location with respect to the frame, and a drive linkage movably engaging the linkage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a foot support movable along an arcuate path defined around a point of rotation, the arcuate path being divisible into a plurality of machine defined user selectable arc segments, and wherein the movement of the foot support is limited to the machine defined user selected arc segment.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame and a frame linkage movably engaged with the frame, wherein the foot support is movably engaged with the frame linkage.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the frame linkage has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the frame linkage is pivotally engaged with the frame, and wherein the second end of the frame linkage is pivotally engaged with the foot support.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , wherein the frame has a front region and a rear region and wherein the frame linkage is pivotal from the front region to the rear region.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , further comprising a resistance assembly and a drive linkage, wherein the drive linkage is connected at its first end to the frame linkage and at its opposing end to the resistance assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein the resistance assembly comprises a flywheel and a crank arm coupled to the flywheel, and wherein the drive linkage is connected at its first end to the frame linkage and at its opposing end to the crank arm.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein the location of the crank arm is movable with respect to the frame.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , further comprising a motor and a control panel in communication with the motor, wherein the motor is operative to move the location the crank arm in response to control panel input to define the user selected arc segment.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein the crank arm is pivotally secured to the frame.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 2  wherein the frame linkage is comprised of opposing pairs of linkages including a forward frame linkage and a rear frame linkage, the forward frame linkage pivotally coupled to the front of the foot support and the rear frame linkage pivotally coupled to the rear of the foot support.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 2  wherein the foot support is an integral part of the frame linkage.  
     
     
         12 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a frame having a front region and a rear region; and    a reciprocal motion assembly secured to the frame, the reciprocal assembly including: 
 a first and a second pair of frame linkages engaged with the frame, a portion of each said pair of frame linkages being movable back and forth toward the front region and the rear region of the frame;  
 a first and a second foot support, the first foot support engaged with the first pair of frame linkages and the second foot support engaged with the second pair of frame linkages, wherein each said foot support is movable with its corresponding frame linkage toward the front region and rear region of the frame;  
 a first crank arm engaged with the frame;  
 a second crank arm engaged with the frame that is approximately 180 degrees out of phase with the first crank arm; and  
 a first drive linkage engaging one of the first pair of frame linkages and the first crank arm, and a second drive linkage engaging one of the second pair of frame linkages and the second crank arm, wherein the drive linkages are movable in a reciprocal manner toward the front region and rear region of the frame as defined by rotation of the crank arms thus causing the first drive linkage and second drive linkage to move in a bilateral reciprocal manner.  
   
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein the first and the second foot supports are movable in an arcuate path.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the arcuate path is defined around a single point of rotation with respect to the frame.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 14 , wherein the arcuate path is divisible into a plurality of machine defined, user selectable arc segments, and wherein the movement of the first and second foot supports is limited to a user selected arc segment.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 15 , further comprising a flywheel wherein the crank arms are engaged with the flywheel.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a control panel in communication with a motor, and wherein the motor causes the location of the crank arms to move in response to control panel input.  
     
     
         18 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a frame having upper supports;    opposing pairs of frame linkages pivotally engaged with opposing upper supports of the frame;    a pair of foot supports associated with each pair of frame linkages and pivotally engaged therewith;    a crank arm movably engaged with the frame;    a motor operative to move the location of the crank arm with respect to the frame; and    a drive linkage movably engaging the frame linkages and the crank arm.    
     
     
         19 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , wherein the crank arm is engaged with a mounting device that can be pivoted fore and aft via a command by the user with respect to a longitudinal axis of the frame and wherein the motor is engaged with the mounting device to pivot the mounting device and the crank arm with respect to the frame.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , wherein the drive linkage and/or the crank arm may be adjusted to increase or decrease a stride length of the user.