Adjustable stride length exercise method and apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame for residing on a horizontal surface, a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms and a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs. A linkage assembly couples the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and moves the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to user forces applied to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members. The linkage assembly includes actuators for adjusting dimensions of the closed paths in response to control signal inputs. Sensors mounted on the linkage assembly generate force-indicating signals representing user force. A user interface receives and processes the force-indicating signals and supplies the control signal inputs to the actuators. A dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.

1 . An exercise apparatus for exercising a user's arms and legs comprising:
 a frame for residing on a horizontal surface;   a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms;   a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs;   a linkage assembly for coupling the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and for moving the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to forces the user applies to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members, wherein the linkage assembly comprises at least one actuator, each actuator for adjusting a dimension of at least one of the closed paths in response to a control signal input;   a sensor coupled to the linkage assembly for generating a force-indicating signal representing a user force applied to at least one of the arm-supporting and leg-supporting members; and   a user interface for receiving the force-indicating signal and for supplying the control signal input to each actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1   wherein the closed paths of the leg-supporting members have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes and the at least one actuator adjusts dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along at least one of the two perpendicular axes.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1   wherein the closed paths of each leg-supporting member have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes, and   wherein the at least one actuator adjusts dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along each of the two perpendicular axes.   
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein a dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the at least one actuator adjusts a dimension of the leg-supporting members. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses the user force applied to at least one of the arm-supporting members. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the sensor comprises a strain gauge. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the linkage assembly interconnects the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members such that movement of the arm-supporting members is synchronized to movement of the leg-supporting until the user applies a threshold amount of force to the arm-supporting member, in which case, movement of the arm-supporting members deviate from their otherwise synchronized movement relative to the leg-supporting members. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising;
 a resistance device coupled to the frame and to the linkage assembly for providing an adjustable resistance to movement of the leg and arm-supporting members in the closed paths. 
 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the user interface adjusts the adjustable resistance provided by the resistance device in response to the force-indicating signal. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the resistance devices provides separate resistance to movement of the leg and arm-supporting members along their respective paths. 
     
     
         12 . A method for exercising a user's arms and legs comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms;   b. providing a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs;   c. linking the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members a frame so that they move in closed paths relative to the frame in response to forces the user applies to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members;   d. adjusting a dimension of at least one of the closed paths in response to a control signal;   e. generating a force-indicating signal representing a user force applied to at least one of arm-supporting and leg-supporting members; and   f. providing a user interface for receiving the force-indicating signal and for generating the control signal.   
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 12   wherein the closed paths of the leg-supporting members have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes and the at least one actuator adjusts dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along at least one of the two perpendicular axes.   
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 12   wherein the closed paths of the leg-supporting members have non-zero dimensions along two perpendicular axes and   wherein the at least one actuator adjusts dimensions of the closed paths of the leg-supporting members along each of the two perpendicular axes.   
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 12  wherein a dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members. 
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 12  wherein a dimension of the leg-supporting members is adjusted in response to the control signal at step d. 
     
     
         17 . The method in accordance with  claim 12  wherein step e comprises sensing user forces applied to at least one of the arm-supporting members and generating the force-indicating signal in response to the sensed user forces. 
     
     
         18 . The method in accordance with  claim 12  wherein step c comprising linking the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members such that movement of the arm-supporting members is synchronized to movement of the leg-supporting until the user applies a threshold amount of force to the arm-supporting member, in which case, the arm-supporting members deviates from their synchronized movement relative to the leg-supporting members. 
     
     
         19 . The method in accordance with  claim 12  further comprising the step of
 g. providing an adjustable resistance to movement of the leg and arm-supporting members in the closed paths. 
 
     
     
         20 . The exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 19  further comprising the step of:
 g. adjusting the adjustable resistance provided by the resistance device in response to the force-indicating signal.