Stationary exercise apparatus with pivoting foot platforms

Abstract

In certain embodiments, an apparatus for exercising may include a frame and a first movable member and/or a second movable member. The first movable member may translatably move along a first roller coupled to the frame. The second movable member may translatably move along a second roller coupled to the frame. The exercise apparatus may include a crank system having a crankshaft axis. Ends of the movable members may be pivotally coupled to the crank system such that the movable members move in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use of the apparatus. First and second pivotal linkage assemblies may be used to orient the feet of a user of the apparatus during operation of the apparatus such that each foot of the user follows a closed path.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first movable member and a second movable member, each comprising a first end and a second end;    a first roller coupled to the frame, wherein the first movable member is configured to translatably move along the first roller during use, and a second roller coupled to the frame, wherein the second movable member is configured to translatably move along the second roller during use;    a crank system comprising a crankshaft axis, wherein the first ends of the movable members are pivotally coupled to the crank system, and wherein the first ends of the movable members are configured to move in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use; and    first and second pivotal linkage assemblies for orienting the feet of the user of the apparatus so that each foot of the user follows a closed path during operation of the apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the closed path of each foot of the user is substantially elliptical.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the closed path of each foot of the user is relatively pointed at one end.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first pivotal linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to the first movable member and the second pivotal linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to the second movable member.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage assemblies are configured to be grasped or held by the hands of the user.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first pivotal linkage assembly comprises a first foot member and a first pivotal member and the second pivotal linkage assembly comprises a second foot member and a second pivotal member.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each foot member is pivotally coupled to each movable member at a selected point on the movable member.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the selected point on each movable member is adjusted to control the shape of the closed path of each foot of the user.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the foot members are coupled to the movable members at the selected point on the movable members such that the shape of the closed path of the foot members simulates walking, striding, and/or jogging foot motion during use.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the foot members proximate one end of the foot members, and wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the frame at a selected point on the pivotal members.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the pivotal members comprise arm members.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the pivotal linkage assemblies are configured so that the points of coupling of the pivotal members to the foot members move in an arcuate path.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the point of coupling of the pivotal members to the frame coincides with the center of the arcuate path.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the foot members are substantially flat along their length.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crank system comprises a first crank member and a second crank member, and wherein the crank members are configured to rotate about the crankshaft axis during use.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crank system comprises a first crank member and a second crank member, and wherein the first crank member is pivotally coupled to the first end of the first movable member and the second crank member is pivotally coupled to the first end of the second movable member.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crank system is supported by the frame.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crank system comprises a pulley.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the pulley is coupled to a brake/inertia device.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the pulley is coupled to a brake/inertia device, wherein the crank system comprises a first crank member and a second crank member, and wherein the brake/inertia device rotates as the first crank member and the second crank member move during use.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the pulley is coupled to a brake/inertia device, wherein the crank system comprises a first crank member and a second crank member, and wherein the brake/inertia device intermittently causes the first crank member and the second crank member to move during use.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage assembly is configured to provide a selected articulation to the user's feet during motion of the user's feet in the closed path.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage assembly is configured to provide a selected articulation to the user's feet during rearward motion of the user's feet in the closed path.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage assembly is configured to cause the user's heel to rise relative to the user's toe during rearward motion of the user's feet in the closed path.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage assembly is configured to cause the user's heel to fall relative to the user's toe during rearward motion of the user's feet in the closed path.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage assembly is configured to cause the user's heel to remain at substantially the same height as the user's toe during rearward motion of the user's feet in the closed path.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a height of at least one roller is adjusted to control an orientation of the closed path of the foot members relative to the ground.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one roller supports a majority of the weight of the user of the apparatus during use.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the movable members is adjusted to control an orientation of the closed path of the foot members relative to the ground.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the movable members comprise a shape with at least one bend.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first movable member and a second movable member, each comprising a first end and a second end;    a crank system comprising a crankshaft axis, wherein the first ends of the movable members are pivotally coupled to the crank system, and wherein the first ends of the movable members are configured to rotate in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use;    a first foot member pivotally coupled to the first movable member and a second foot member pivotally coupled to the second movable member, wherein the foot members are pivotally coupled to the movable members at a selected point on the movable members, wherein the foot members are configured to move in a closed path to simulate walking, jogging, and/or running foot motion during use;    first and second pivotal members, wherein an end of the first pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the first foot member and an end of the second pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the second foot member, wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the frame at a selected point on the pivotal members; and    wherein a distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and a position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members are configured such that the heel of the user's foot rises relative to the toe of the user's foot during rearward motion of the foot members.    
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and the position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members are configured such that the heel of the user's foot rises relative to the toe of the user's foot during an approximately forward lower quarter of the closed path of the foot members.  
     
     
         33 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first movable member and a second movable member, each comprising a first end and a second end;    a crank system comprising a crankshaft axis, wherein the first ends of the movable members are pivotally coupled to the crank system, and wherein the first ends of the movable members are configured to rotate in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use;    a first foot member pivotally coupled to the first movable member and a second foot member pivotally coupled to the second movable member, wherein the foot members are pivotally coupled to the movable members at a selected point on the movable members, wherein the foot members are configured to move in a closed path to simulate walking, jogging, and/or running foot motion during use;    first and second pivotal members, wherein an end of the first pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the first foot member and an end of the second pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the second foot member, wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the frame at a selected point on the pivotal members; and    wherein a distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and a position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members are configured such that the heel of the user's foot falls relative to the toe of the user's foot during rearward motion of the foot members.    
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and the position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members have been selected so that the heel of the user's foot falls relative to the toe of the user's foot during an approximately forward lower quarter of the closed path of the foot members.  
     
     
         35 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first movable member and a second movable member, each comprising a first end and a second end;    a crank system comprising a crankshaft axis, wherein the first ends of the movable members are pivotally coupled to the crank system, and wherein the first ends of the movable members are configured to rotate in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use;    a first foot member pivotally coupled to the first movable member and a second foot member pivotally coupled to the second movable member, wherein the foot members are pivotally coupled to the movable members at a selected point on the movable members, wherein the foot members are configured to move in a closed path to simulate walking, jogging, and/or running foot motion during use;    first and second pivotal members, wherein an end of the first pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the first foot member and an end of the second pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the second foot member, wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the frame at a selected point on the pivotal members; and    wherein a distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and a position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members are configured such that the heel of the user's foot remains at a substantially similar height as the toe of the user's foot during rearward motion of the foot members.    
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and the position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members have been selected so that the heel of the user's foot remains at a substantially similar height as the toe of the user's foot during an approximately forward lower quarter of the closed path of the foot members.  
     
     
         37 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first movable member and a second movable member, each comprising a first end and a second end;    a crank system comprising a crankshaft axis, wherein the first ends of the movable members are pivotally coupled to the crank system, and wherein the first ends of the movable members are configured to rotate in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use;    a first foot member pivotally coupled to the first movable member and a second foot member pivotally coupled to the second movable member, wherein the foot members are pivotally coupled to the movable members at a selected point on the movable members, and wherein the foot members are configured to move in a closed path during use;    first and second pivotal members, wherein an end of the first pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the first foot member and an end of the second pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the second foot member, wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the frame at a selected point on the pivotal members; and    wherein a distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and a position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members are configured such that the selected points on the movable members fall at a substantially identical rate as the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the foot members in a rearward direction.    
     
     
         38 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first movable member and a second movable member, each comprising a first end and a second end;    a crank system comprising a crankshaft axis, wherein the first ends of the movable members are pivotally coupled to the crank system, and wherein the first ends of the movable members are configured to rotate in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use;    a first foot member pivotally coupled to the first movable member and a second foot member pivotally coupled to the second movable member, wherein the foot members are pivotally coupled to the movable members at a selected point on the movable members, and wherein the foot members are configured to move in a closed path during use;    first and second pivotal members, wherein an end of the first pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the first foot member and an end of the second pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the second foot member, wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the frame at a selected point on the pivotal members; and    wherein a distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and a position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members are configured such that the selected points on the movable members fall at a faster rate than the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the foot members in a rearward direction.    
     
     
         39 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first movable member and a second movable member, each comprising a first end and a second end;    a crank system comprising a crankshaft axis, wherein the first ends of the movable members are pivotally coupled to the crank system, and wherein the first ends of the movable members are configured to rotate in a substantially orbital path about the crankshaft axis during use;    a first foot member pivotally coupled to the first movable member and a second foot member pivotally coupled to the second movable member, wherein the foot members are pivotally coupled to the movable members at a selected point on the movable members, and wherein the foot members are configured to move in a closed path during use;    first and second pivotal members, wherein an end of the first pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the first foot member and an end of the second pivotal member is pivotally coupled to an end of the second foot member, wherein the pivotal members are pivotally coupled to the frame at a selected point on the pivotal members; and    wherein a distance between the selected point on the pivotal members and the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the ends of the foot members and a position in space of the selected point on the pivotal members are configured such that the selected points on the movable members fall at a slower rate than the ends of the pivotal members coupled to the foot members in a rearward direction.