Elliptical trainer

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a static disk that is fixed in place and a dynamic disk that both rotates about its axis and revolves about the static disk. The static disk and the dynamic disk are mechanically coupled in a manner that provides a constant angular relationship between the rotation of the dynamic disk about its axis and the revolution of that axis about the axis of the static disk. The machine further includes a rotating member supported by a static pivot axis and a crank axle to which the dynamic disk is fixed. The crank axle is rotated by a crank and the rotating member imposes a fixed distance between the crank axle and the static pivot axis. The foot pedal member is pivotally supported at a distal end of the crank so that rotation of the crank causes the foot pedal to follow a generally elliptical path.

1 . An exercise machine for facilitating a foot movement of a user to follow a generally elliptical path, comprising: 
 a static disk and a static pivot axis, the static pivot axis supporting a rotating member attached to the static pivot axis;    a crank axle having a crank fixed thereto, the crank axle being substantially parallel to the static pivot axis and distally mounted to the rotating member so that the rotating member imposes a fixed distance between the crank axle and the static pivot axis, wherein rotation of the crank causes the crank axle to rotate;    a dynamic disk fixed to the crank axle and mechanically coupled to the static disk to impose a constant angular relationship between rotation of the crank about the crank axle and revolution of the crank axle about the static pivot axis; and    a foot pedal member pivotally supported at a distal end of the crank so that rotation of the crank causes the foot pedal to follow a generally elliptical path.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein a frame indirectly supports the static disk, the static pivot axis or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the static disk is disposed between the frame and the rotating member.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a diameter of the static disk to a diameter of the dynamic disk is 2:1.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the crank rotates about the crank axle once in one direction for each revolution of the crank axle around the static pivot axis in an opposite direction.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the crank has a crank length that is less than a distance between the crank axle and the static pivot axis.  
   
   
       7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein the crank length is between about 2 inches and about 10 inches.  
   
   
       8 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the static pivot axis is substantially aligned with a center of the static disk.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the static pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the static disk.  
   
   
       10 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic disk and the static disk are selected from a pulley, a sprocket, a gear, a roller or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein the dynamic disk is mechanically coupled to the static disk by one or more belts, chains, gears, rollers or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating disk and the static disk are substantially parallel to each other.  
   
   
       13 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein the rotating disk and the static disk are in substantially coplanar alignment.  
   
   
       14 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is selected from a disk, a bar, a rod, a sheet, a plate or combinations thereof.