Elliptical step mechanism

Abstract

In an exercise apparatus that includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axle supported by the frame, a pedal lever and a pedal, a mechanism is provided that allows the pedal to be selectively moved by a user relative to the pedal lever in order to produce a variety of elliptical paths. As a result, by varying the pedal position relative to the pedal lever, the corresponding elliptical path of the pedal can be changed, for example, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, to simulate an uphill, horizontal or downhill gait.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a pivot axel rotatably supported by said frame;    a pedal lever having a first and a second end;    a first assembly engaged with said pedal lever to permit said first end of said pedal lever to move in a generally linear direction;    a second assembly including a member secured to said pivot axel engaged with said pedal lever to permit said second end of said pedal lever to move in a generally circular or elliptical motion with respect to said pivot axel; and    a pedal mounting mechanism including a pedal movably secured to said pedal lever such that said pedal is selectively positionable in at least a first position and in a second position along the length of said pedal lever.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said pedal mounting mechanism includes an actuator secured to said pedal lever and said pedal being effective to move said pedal from said first position to said second position.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said pedal travels in a generally elliptical path and when said pedal is in said first position said elliptical path has a different orientation than when said pedal is in said second position.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first position of said pedal results in a generally inclined orientation of said elliptical path.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said second position on said pedal lever results in a generally horizontal orientation of said elliptical path of said pedal.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first assembly includes a rocker arm pivotally attached to said frame and wherein said second end of said pedal lever is pivotally attached to said rocker arm.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein in said second assembly said member is a crank arm secured to said pivot axel.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second assembly includes a roller rotationally secured to said crank arm and supporting said pedal lever.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said actuator is a linear actuator.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2  additionally including a console and a processor operatively connected to said actuator and said console having a data input center wherein said processor is effective to move said pedal from said first position to said second position in response to a user input to said data input center.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said data input center includes a stride incline switch.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said console includes a display for displaying the position of said pedal on said pedal lever.  
     
     
         13 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a pivot axle supported by said frame;    a pedal lever;    a first assembly for connecting a first portion of said pedal lever to said pivot axle;    a second assembly for connecting a second portion of said pedal lever to said frame;    a pedal moveably mounted to said pedal lever; and    a mechanism including an actuator for selectively moving said pedal to a plurality of positions on said pedal lever including a first position and a second position such that said pedal travels along a substantially inclined elliptical path when said pedal is in said first position and along a substantially horizontal elliptical path when said pedal is in said second position.    
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said actuator is a linear actuator fixedly coupled to said pedal lever, said pedal being operably coupled to a portion of said linear actuator to permit said selectable movement of said pedal on said pedal lever.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said substantially inclined elliptical path generally simulates an uphill gait.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said substantially horizontal elliptical path generally simulates a horizontal gait.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 13  additionally including user controls and a processor operatively connected to said actuator and said user controls thereby permitting a user to selectively move said pedal between said first position and said second position.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 17  additionally including a display for displaying the position of said pedal on said pedal lever.  
     
     
         19 . the exercise apparatus according to  claim 17  additionally including a display for displaying the incline of said elliptical path.  
     
     
         20 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 means, including a pedal mounted on a pedal lever, for generating an elliptical motion of said foot pedal; and    means for selectively moving said pedal on said pedal lever to alter said elliptical motion.