Adaptive exercise device with independent motion

Abstract

An adaptive exercise device provides a foot motion in which horizontal and vertical components thereof are mechanically decoupled and independent. The device includes a primary guide assembly, and a secondary guide assembly, and a first and a second foot link, each having a foot pad portion for receiving and supporting a user's foot. The primary guide assembly directs the foot pad portions along a first path of travel having a horizontal component of motion. The secondary guide assembly directs the foot pad portions along a second path of travel having a vertical component of motion. Further disclosed is a method of exercising through the use of the adaptive exercise device.

1 . An adaptive exercise device comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on a floor;   a primary guide assembly;   a secondary guide assembly;   a first and second foot link, each foot link having a foot pad portion configured to receive a user's foot, each of said foot links being disposed so as to engage said primary guide assembly, which is configured and operable to direct the foot pad portions of said foot links along a first path of travel having a horizontal component of motion, each of said foot links being further disposed so as to engage said secondary guide assembly, which is configured and operable to direct the foot pad portions of said foot links along a second path of travel having a vertical component of motion, wherein the motion of said foot pads along said first path of travel is mechanically independent of the motion of said foot pads along said second path of travel.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein said primary guide assembly includes at least one primary track which is configured and operative to engage and direct said first and second foot links along said first path of travel. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein said primary guide assembly includes two primary tracks, each primary track being configured to engage a respective one of said foot links. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein when said device is supported on a horizontal surface, said at least one primary track is inclined relative to said horizontal surface. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein said primary guide assembly includes a first and a second swing arm which are pivotally supported by said frame, each swing arm being engaged in mechanical communication with a respective one of said foot links, wherein said swing arms at least partially support their respective foot links as they move along said first path of travel. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein each swing arm is pivotally coupled to its respective foot link at a connection point, whereby when said foot links move along said first path of travel, said connection points define an arc; and wherein said secondary guide assembly includes first and second secondary guide tracks which each engage a respective one of said foot links, and wherein said secondary tracks are curved so that the curvature of said secondary tracks corresponds geometrically to the curvature of the arc defined by said connection points. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein said swing arms are pivotally supported on said frame so that a first end of said pivot arms can travel in a reciprocal path relative to said frame, said first and second pivot arms being mechanically coupled together so that the reciprocal path of travel of said first swing arm is equal and opposite to the reciprocal path of travel of said second swing arm. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein said foot links engage the primary guide assembly and/or the secondary guide assembly via a roller. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further including a flywheel and/or a variable resistance device in mechanical communication with said foot links. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , wherein said flywheel and/or variable resistance device is in mechanical communication with said foot links via said primary guide assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , wherein said flywheel and/or variable resistance device is in mechanical communication with said foot links via said secondary guide assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein said secondary guide assembly includes a first and a second secondary track disposed in a parallel relationship with one another, and a control system operative to move said first and second secondary tracks along respective paths of travel having equal and opposite vertical components of motion while maintaining said secondary tracks in a parallel relationship; wherein said foot links each engage a respective one of said first and second secondary tracks so as to be displaceable along the length thereof wherein when said secondary control system moves said secondary tracks along their respective paths of travel having said vertical component of motion, said vertical component of motion is communicated to a respective foot link so as to move said foot pad portion along said second path of travel having said vertical component of motion. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein said secondary guide assembly includes a first and a second swing arm, said swing arms each being coupled to a respective one of said foot links, said secondary guide assembly further including a control system which is operative to move said first and second swing arms along respective paths of travel having equal and opposite vertical components of motion wherein when said secondary control system moves said swing arms along their respective paths of travel having said vertical component of motion, said vertical component of motion is communicated to a respective foot link so as to move said foot pad portion along said second path of travel. 
     
     
         14 . A method of exercising comprising the use of the exercise device of  claim 1 .