Cross training exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device includes a frame, first and second foot links, first and second foot supports, a coupling system and a guide system. Each foot link has a first portion and a second portion. The first and second foot supports are carried by the first and second foot links, respectively. The coupling system is associated with the first portion of each foot link for coupling the first portion to the frame so that the first portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the frame. The guide system supports the second portions along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the first portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel. The guide system is selectably positionable at an angle from horizontal within the range of 45 degrees to 75 degrees.

1 . An aerobic exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions, comprising: 
 a frame having a pivot axis defined thereon, the frame configured to be supported on a floor;    first and second foot links, each foot link including a first portion and a second portion;    first and second foot supporting portions for receiving the feet of the user, the first and second foot support portions supported by the first and second foot links, respectively, each foot support portion having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the rearward portion extending from the foot link a distance greater than the forward portion;    a coupling associated with the first portion of each foot link for coupling the first portion of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the pivot axis; and    a guide associated with the frame and operative to engage and direct the second portions of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use the foot support portion moves along a generally elliptical path of travel.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control system to change the position of the guide relative to the frame to alter the paths traveled by the first and second foot links.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 1 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of 45 degrees to 75 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 1 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of 50 degrees to 75 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 1 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of about 60 degrees to about 75 degrees.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 1 , wherein a guide system further includes gliders pivotally mounted to the second portion portions of the foot links that ride along corresponding tracks and which provide structural support in opposed directions which is necessitated by the generally vertical orientation of the foot links.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 6 , wherein the gliders include a pair of inwardly projecting ridges that cooperatively ride in grooves defined in the corresponding tracks.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 6 , wherein the gliders include a pair of opposite rollers that roll on opposite sides of the track.  
     
     
         9 . An exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions, comprising: 
 a frame having a pivot axis and configured to be supported on a floor;    first and second foot links, each foot link having a first portion and a second portion;    a foot support carried by the first and second foot links for receiving the feet of a user;    a coupling associated with the first portion of each foot link for coupling the first portion of each foot link to the frame so that the first portion of each foot link travels in a closed path about the pivot axis of the frame; and    a guide system for supporting the second portions of the foot links along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the first portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use the foot support portion moves along a generally elliptical path of travel, the guide system further including gliders pivotally mounted to the second portions of the foot links, the gliders configured to ride along corresponding tracks, the guide system providing structural support inhibiting decoupling of the second portions of the foot links from the tracks in a direction that is generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the tracks.    
     
     
         10 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 9 , wherein the gliders include a pair of inwardly projecting ridges that cooperatively ride in grooves defined in the corresponding tracks.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 9 , wherein the gliders include a pair of opposite rollers that roll on opposite sides of the track.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 9 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of about 45 degrees to about 75 degrees.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 9 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of about 55 degrees to about 75 degrees.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 9 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of about 60 degrees to about 75 degrees.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise device to simulate various types of climbing motions according to  claim 9 , further comprising a control system to change the position of the guide relative to the frame to alter the paths traveled by the second portions of the first and second foot links.  
     
     
         16 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a frame configured to be supported on a floor;    first and second foot links, each foot link having a first portion and a second portion;    first and second foot supports carried by the first and second foot links, respectively, for receiving the feet of a user;    a coupling system associated with the first portion of each foot link for coupling the first portion of each foot link to the frame so that the first portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the frame; and    a guide system for supporting the second portions of the foot links along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the first portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel, the guide selectably positionable at an angle from horizontal within the range of 45 degrees to 75 degrees, such that when the exercise device is in use the foot support portion moves along a generally elliptical path of travel.    
     
     
         17 . The exercise device according to  claim 16 , wherein the guide system further including gliders pivotally mounted to the second portions of the foot links that ride along corresponding tracks.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise device according to  claim 17 , wherein the gliders include a pair of inwardly projecting ridges that cooperatively ride in grooves defined in the corresponding tracks.  
     
     
         19 . The exercise device according to  claim 17 , wherein the gliders include a pair of opposite rollers that roll on opposite sides of the track.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise device according to  claim 16 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of 55 degrees to 75 degrees.  
     
     
         21 . The exercise device according to  claim 20 , further wherein the guide is at an angle from horizontal of 60 degrees to 75 degrees.  
     
     
         22 . The exercise device according to  claim 16 , further comprising a control system to change the position of the guide relative to the frame to alter the paths traveled by the second portions of the first and second foot links.  
     
     
         23 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a frame configured to be supported on a floor;    first and second foot links;    a foot support carried by the first and second foot links for receiving the feet of a user;    a system associated with each foot link for coupling the foot link to the frame and guiding the foot support along a preselected, generally ellipse-shaped path relative to the frame, the generally ellipse-shaped path defining a major axis relative to horizontal, the system selectably positioning the foot support such that the major axis of the ellipse-shaped path forms an angle with horizontal that is within the range 35 degrees to 50 degrees.    
     
     
         24 . The exercise device according to  claim 23  further wherein the system comprises a coupling system associated with a first portion of each foot link for coupling the first portion of each foot link to the frame so that the first portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the frame and a guide system for supporting a second portions of the foot links along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the first portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel.  
     
     
         25 . The exercise device according to  claim 24 , wherein the coupling system comprises first and second crank arms with one portion of the crank arms pivotal relative to about a pivot axis and the other portions of the crank arms pivotally pinned to the first portions of the first and second foot links.  
     
     
         26 . The exercise device according to  claim 23 , further wherein the foot support at an angle of the major axis of the ellipse from horizontal of about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees.