Exercise device

Abstract

An elliptical machine includes a foot link having a portion resting on an angled member such as a ramp secured to a frame. A wheel may mount to the bottom of the foot link and rest on the ramp. An end of the foot link pivotably connects to a sliding link, the other end of which is connected to an angled guide secured to the frame. The sliding link is coupled to a crank rigidly connected to a flywheel. A swinging arm pivotably connects to the frame and has its lower end pivotably connected to swinging arm link. A handle secures to the swinging arm above the point of pivotal securement to the frame. The swinging arm link secures to the sliding link at the same point as the crank.

1 . An apparatus for exercising comprising: 
 a foot link having first and second ends and a foot platform for receiving a user's foot;    a means for supporting the foot link;    a sliding link having first and second ends, the sliding link securing proximate its first end to the foot link proximate the second end of the foot link;    a frame;    a guide secured to the frame and translationally engaging the sliding link proximate the second end of the sliding link; and    a flywheel rotatably mounted to the frame, the sliding link eccentrically engaging the flywheel between the first and second ends of the sliding link.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a resisting means coupled to the flywheel to resist rotation of the flywheel.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame link fixedly secured to the flywheel, and wherein the sliding link secures to the frame link.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a swing-arm linkage coupled to frame link.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the swing-arm linkage comprises a handle pivotably secured to the frame and a transfer link coupling the handle to the frame link.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the swing-arm linkage comprises upper and lower portions, the upper portion comprising a grip positioned to be held in the hand of the user when the user is standing on the platform.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the upper portion is adjustable with respect to the lower portion.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting means is a ramp and wherein the foot link further comprises a wheel secured proximate the first end thereof, the wheel resting on the ramp.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide is angled with respect to a support surface.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting means slopes upwardly and the guide slopes downwardly.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flywheel is a first flywheel, the apparatus further comprising a second flywheel coupled to the first flywheel to be rotated thereby.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a resistance means engaged to at least one of the first and second flywheels to resist motion thereof  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a belt coupling the first flywheel to the second flywheel.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide adjustably secures to the frame.