Pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer

Abstract

A pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer includes a base frame , a support mechanism including a rail holder pivoted to the base frame, a support member and two sliding rails, a rotating mechanism set mounted at the left and right sides of the base frame and movable along a respective closed-loop motion path with a respective support link thereof respectively slidably coupled to one respective sliding rail, a linkage mechanism set mounted at the left and right sides of the base frame, and a sliding mechanism mounted at the rail holder and including a transmission member, two follower members respectively mounted on two opposite ends of the transmission member and movable relative to each other. Thus, the elliptical trainer allows the user to change forward-backward pedal motion paths or left-right pedal motion paths, achieving training of different groups of the muscles of the legs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer, comprising:
 a base frame mounted on a support surface;   a support mechanism comprising a rail holder, a support member and two sliding rails, said rail holder being pivotally mounted at said base frame, each said sliding rail comprising a pivot portion and a sliding portion, said pivot portion being axially connected to said support member;   a rotating mechanism set comprising two cranks and two support links, said cranks being coaxially and pivotally coupled to said base frame, each said support link comprising opposing first end portion and second end portion, said first end portion being pivoted to one said crank, said second end portion being slidably coupled to one said sliding rail for moving along a closed-loop motion path;   a linkage mechanism set comprising two handlebars respectively pivotally mounted at opposing left side and right side of said base frame and two links respectively pivotally coupled between said handlebars and the second end portions of said support links;   a sliding mechanism mounted at said rail holder, said sliding mechanism comprising a transmission member, two follower member and a first drive source for rotating said transmission member, said transmission member comprising two first stop blocks and two second stop blocks, said follower members being respectively mounted around two opposite ends of said transmission member and movable relative to each other between one respective said first stop block and one respective said second stop block.   
     
     
         2 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first drive source of said sliding mechanism is a reversible motor. 
     
     
         3 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first drive source of said sliding mechanism is a grip operable to rotate said transmission member on the axis thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said transmission member of said sliding mechanism is a screw rod having a left handed thread on one end thereof and a right handed thread on an opposite end thereof; said follower members are screw nuts respectively threaded onto the left handed thread and right handed thread of the screw rod of said transmission member. 
     
     
         5 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said support mechanism further comprises a bracket, a second drive source and a drive rod movable forward and backward relative to said second drive source, said second drive source being affixed to said support member, said bracket being axially connected to said support member, said bracket having a front side thereof stopped against said support surface and a rear side thereof pivotally connected to a front end of said drive rod. 
     
     
         6 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said drive rod of said support mechanism comprises a screw rod and a screw nut, the screw rod of said drive rod having one end thereof connected to said second drive source and rotatable on the axis thereof by said second drive source, the screw nut of said drive rod being threaded onto the screw rod of said drive rod and pivotally coupled with a top side of said bracket and drivable by the screw rod of said drive rod to move axially along the screw rod of said drive rod. 
     
     
         7 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said bracket comprises a main rod member, a wheel axle and two rollers, said main rod member being axially connected to said support member of said support mechanism, said wheel axle being connected to a bottom end of said main rod member, said two rollers being respectively rotatably mounted at two opposite ends of said wheel axle and adapted for stopping against said support surface. 
     
     
         8 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each said support link comprises a pedal mounted at a top side of the second end portion thereof, said pedal being turnable back and forth on the longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The pedal motion path adjustable elliptical trainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second end portion of each said support link comprises a pulley block supported on one said sliding rail.