Elliptical Exercise Device with Vibration Capabilities

Abstract

An exercise device includes a frame having a base support and an upright support structure. Connected to the frame is a drive assembly. One or more link arm are connected between the drive assembly and the frame. The one or more link arms include first and second reciprocating foot supports and first and second swing arms. One or more vibration assemblies are connected to the exercise device at various locations in order to vibrate desired portions of the exercise device, such as the foot supports or swing arms. The vibrations from the vibration assemblies are transferred to a user during the performance of exercise to provide various physiological benefits to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a frame;   first and second reciprocating foot supports linked to the frame, each of the first and second reciprocating foot supports being movable in a generally predefined path; and   one or more vibration assemblies, at least one vibration assembly of the one or more vibrations assemblies being connected to the first reciprocating foot support or the second reciprocating foot support, wherein the at least one vibration assembly selectively creates vibrations to cause the first reciprocating foot support or the second reciprocating foot supports to vibrate.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first swing arm pivotally connected to the frame and the first reciprocating foot support; and   a second swing arm pivotally connected to the frame and the second reciprocating foot support.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more vibration assemblies comprise at least one vibration assembly connected to the first swing arm or the second swing arm to cause the first swing arm or the second swing arm to vibrate. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more vibration assemblies comprise a vibration assembly connected to each of the first and second swing arms to selectively vibrate each of the first and second swing arms. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more vibration assemblies comprise a vibration assembly connected to the first reciprocating foot support and a vibration assembly connected to the second reciprocating foot support to selectively vibrate each of the first and second reciprocating foot supports. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second reciprocating foot supports comprises a footpad, wherein the vibration assemblies connected to the first and second reciprocating foot supports are connected adjacent to the footpads. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more vibration assemblies comprises a motor, a shaft rotatable by the motor about an axis of rotation, and one or more eccentric weights mounted on the shaft, each of the one or more eccentric weights comprising a center of mass that is offset from the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 7 , wherein rotation of the shaft about the axis of rotation causes the centers of mass of the one or more eccentric weights to revolve around the axis of rotation, thereby creating the vibrations. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , wherein an intensity or frequency of the vibrations may be selectively controlled by adjusting the speed at which the centers of mass of the one or more eccentric weights revolve around the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel mounted on the frame, the control panel having one or more user inputs, the control panel being in electrical communication with the one or more vibration assemblies such that the one or more vibration assemblies are controllable by activating the one or more user inputs. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein an intensity or frequency of the vibrations is related to the speed at which the first and second reciprocating foot supports move. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the generally predefined path in which each of the first and second reciprocating foot supports moves is at least one of a generally elliptically shaped path, a generally arcuately shaped path, and a generally linearly shaped path. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a drive assembly mounted on the frame, the first and second reciprocating foot supports being movably connected to the drive assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a resistance mechanism that regulates the movements of the first and second reciprocating foot supports. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 14 , wherein an intensity or frequency of the vibrations is related to a resistance level of the resistance mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . An elliptical exercise device, comprising:
 a base support;   a generally upright support structure connected to the base support;   a drive assembly connected to the base support;   a first reciprocating foot support and a second reciprocating foot support, the first reciprocating foot support having a first end movably connected to the drive assembly, the second reciprocating foot support having a first end connected to the drive assembly and offset from the first end of the first reciprocating foot support, the first reciprocating foot support and the second reciprocating foot support each being movable in a generally predefined path;   a first swing arm and a second swing arm, the first swing arm being pivotally connected to the frame and the first reciprocating foot support, the second swing arm being pivotally connected to the frame and the second reciprocating foot support; and   one or more vibration assemblies, wherein the one or more vibration assemblies selectively create vibrations to cause at least one of the first reciprocating foot support, the second reciprocating foot support, the first swing arm, and the second swing arm to vibrate, at least one of the one or more vibration assemblies comprising:
 a motor; 
 a shaft rotatable by the motor about an axis of rotation; and 
 one or more eccentric weights fixedly mounted on the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the one or more eccentric weights to rotate about the axis of rotation, each of the one or more eccentric weights having a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation. 
   
     
     
         17 . The exercise cycle of  claim 16 , wherein an intensity or frequency of the vibrations created by the one or more vibration assemblies is related to at least one of a speed of the drive assembly or the first and second reciprocating foot supports. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise cycle of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more vibration assemblies comprise a vibration assembly connected to each of the first reciprocating foot support and the second reciprocating foot support. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise cycle of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second reciprocating foot supports comprises a footpad, and wherein the vibration assemblies connected to the first and second reciprocating foot supports are connected adjacent to the footpads. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise cycle of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more vibration assemblies comprise a vibration assembly connected to the first swing arm and a vibration assembly connected to the second swing arm.