Recumbent elliptical exercise device with apparatus for elongated stride

Abstract

An aerobic exerciser with elongated stride comprising a frame, a seat supported from the frame, a bell crank, a left telescoping pedal rail rotatably attached to the left side of the bell crank at one end and pivotally attached to the frame at the other end, and a right telescoping pedal rail rotatably attached to the right side of the bell crank at one end and pivotally attached to the frame at the other end. In operation, under the weight of the user, each pedal, supported by a pedal rail follows a generally elliptical path in response to rotation of the bell crank. Vertical movement of a telescoping pedal rail is accommodated by the pivot and horizontal movement of the pedal rail results in extension and retraction of the pedal rail.

1 . An aerobic exerciser comprising:
 a frame;   a seat supported from said frame;   a bell crank having a left side and a right side, said bell crank rotatably mounted to said frame;   a left pivot mounted to said frame;   a right pivot mounted to said frame;   a left telescoping pedal rail having a front end and a back end, said front end of said left telescoping pedal rail being rotatably attached to said left side of said bell crank such that said front end of said left telescoping pedal rail moves in a circular path in response to rotational movement of said bell crank, and said back end of said left pedal rail is pivotally attached to said left pivot; and   a right telescoping pedal rail having a front end and a back end, said front end of said right telescoping pedal rail being rotatably attached to said right side of said bell crank such that said front end of said right telescoping pedal rail moves in a circular path in response to rotational movement of said bell crank, and said back end of said right pedal rail is pivotally attached to said right pivot.   
     
     
         2 . The aerobic exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a left pedal, said left pedal being attached to said back portion of said left telescoping pedal rail; and   a right pedal, said pedal being attached to said back portion of said right telescoping pedal rail.   
     
     
         3 . The aerobic exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 said left telescoping pedal rail includes a front portion and a back portion, said back portion in sliding engagement with said front portion, and   said right telescoping pedal rail includes a front portion and a back portion, said back portion in sliding engagement with said front portion.   
     
     
         4 . The aerobic exercise apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a left pedal, said left pedal being attached to said back portion of said left telescoping pedal rail; and   a right pedal, said pedal being attached to said back portion of said right telescoping pedal rail.   
     
     
         5 . The aerobic exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said telescoping pedal rail further includes:
 a front portion having a top and a bottom;   a rear portion having a top and a bottom, said rear portion in sliding engagement with said front portion;   at least one roller, said roller rotatably supported by either said front portion or said rear portion and in rolling contact with the other of said front portion or said rear portion.   
     
     
         6 . A telescoping pedal rail for an aerobic exercise apparatus comprising:
 a front portion having a top and a bottom;   a rear portion having a top and a bottom, said rear portion being in sliding engagement with said front portion;   at least one roller, said roller rotatably supported by either said front portion or said rear portion and in rolling contact with the other of said front portion or said rear portion.   
     
     
         7 . The telescoping pedal rail of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a pedal support; and   a pedal attached to said support.   
     
     
         8 . The telescoping pedal rail of  claim 6  further comprising:
 at least a second roller, said second roller rotatably supported by either said front portion or said rear portion and in rolling contact with the other of said front portion or said rear portion,   wherein, said first roller is in rolling contact with the top of said other of said front portion or said rear portion and wherein said second roller is in rolling contact with the bottom of said other of said front portion or said rear portion.   
     
     
         9 . The aerobic exercise device of  claim 1  wherein said bell crank is rotatably mounted to said frame beneath said seat. 
     
     
         10 . The aerobic exercise device of  claim 1  wherein said seat is capable of adjustment. 
     
     
         11 . The aerobic exercise device of  claim 10  wherein said frame includes a rail and said seat includes rollers attached thereto such that said rollers attached to said seat engage said rail. 
     
     
         12 . The aerobic exercise device of  claim 11  further including means for securing said seat at a predetermined position along said rail.