Elliptical exercise device

Abstract

An elliptical exercise device includes a frame supporting guide links which provide for horizontal motion of associated foot support links. A mechanical coupling couples the foot support links to the crank system and intermediate links connect the crank system to the guide links such that a foot receiving area of each foot support link moves in an elliptical path when the crank system rotates.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An elliptical exercise device comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on a horizontal surface, the frame having a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis defined thereon;   a first and a second guide link each having a first and a second attachment point defined thereon, each guide link being pivotally attached, through its first attachment point, to the frame at the first pivot axis thereof;   a first and a second foot support link each configured to support a user's foot thereupon, each foot support link being pivotally connected to the second attachment point of a respective one of the guide links so that when the guide links reciprocate relative to the frame, they each cause their respective foot support link to move in a path of travel having a substantially horizontal component of motion;   a crank system pivotally attached to the frame at the second pivot axis thereof, the crank system being rotatable about the second pivot axis;   a first and a second mechanical coupling each coupling a respective one of the foot support links to the crank system such that rotation of the crank system about the second pivot axis moves the foot support links in a path of travel having a substantially vertical component of motion, each mechanical coupling including a foot support portion extending upwardly from a respective one of the foot support links to a fulcrum, each fulcrum being disposed rearwardly of the first and second pivot axes and above the second pivot axis;   a first and a second intermediate link each having a first end connected to the crank system and a second end connected to a respective one of the guide links such that rotation of the crank system about the second pivot axis causes the respective first and second guide links to pivot about the first pivot axis;   whereby a foot receiving area of each foot support link moves in an elliptical path when the crank system rotates about the second pivot axis.   
     
     
         12 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 each fulcrum is disposed on the frame.   
     
     
         13 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein:
 each fulcrum is defined by a pulley rotationally mounted on the frame.   
     
     
         14 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein:
 each mechanical coupling is a flexible element having one end interconnected to the crank system, a second end interconnected to a respective one of the foot support links, and a midportion extending over one of the fulcrums on the frame.   
     
     
         15 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising a first and a second forward pulley supported on the frame forwardly of the second pivot axis, the midportion of each of the flexible elements further extending over a respective one of the forward pulleys. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the intermediate links extend generally vertically.   
     
     
         17 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 16 , further comprising:
 each of the guide arms having a connecting portion extending forwardly to a third attachment point;   the first end of each of the intermediate links being connected to the third attachment point of a respective one of the guide arms.   
     
     
         18 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the foot support portions of the mechanical couplings extend generally vertically when the foot support links are at middle position.   
     
     
         19 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 each mechanical coupling includes a rocker arm pivotally interconnected with the frame, the rocker arm having a first end coupled to the crank system and a second end coupled to a respective one of the foot support portions.   
     
     
         20 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the foot support links are generally horizontal, the connection between each foot support link and a respective one of the guide links being at a forward end of the foot support link, the foot receiving area being defined at a rearward end of each foot support link, and the foot support potion of each mechanical coupling being connected to a mid portion of a respective one of the foot support links.   
     
     
         21 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the guide links have a working length defined between the first attachment point and the second attachment point; and   the intermediate links have a length that is at least 80% of the guide link working length.   
     
     
         22 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein:
 the intermediate links extend generally vertically.   
     
     
         23 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the substantially horizontal component of motion of each foot support link has a higher acceleration when the foot support link is moving through its forward end of travel than when the foot support link is moving through its rearward end of travel.   
     
     
         24 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 each of the guide arms has a third attachment point defined thereon;   the first end of each of the intermediate links being connected to the third attachment point of a respective one of the guide arms; and   the third attachment points being adjustable so as to change a horizontal length of the elliptical path.   
     
     
         25 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the connection between each mechanical coupling and the crank system is adjustable with respect to the second pivot axis so as to change a vertical height of the elliptical path.   
     
     
         26 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the guide links each include hand portions extending upwardly from the first attachment point.   
     
     
         27 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the crank system has a first and a second crank arm;   the first end of each intermediate link being connected to a respective one of the crank arms; and   each of the mechanical couplings being coupled to a respective one of the crank arms.   
     
     
         28 . An exercise device comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on a horizontal surface, the frame having a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a first and second fulcrum defined thereon, each fulcrum being disposed rearwardly of the first and second pivot axes;   a first and a second guide link each having a first and a second attachment point defined thereon, each guide link being pivotally attached, through its first attachment point, to the frame at the first pivot axis thereof;   a first and a second foot support link each configured to support a user's foot thereupon, each foot support link being pivotally connected to the second attachment point of a respective one of the guide links so that when the guide links reciprocate relative to the frame, they each cause their respective foot support link to move in a path of travel having a substantially horizontal component of motion;   a crank system pivotally attached to the frame at the second pivot axis thereof, the crank system being rotatable about the second pivot axis;   a first and a second flexible coupling each coupling a respective one of the foot support links to the crank system such that rotation of the crank system about the second pivot axis moves the foot support links in a path of travel having a substantially vertical component of motion, each flexible coupling including a foot support portion extending upwardly from a respective one of the foot support links to a respective one of the fulcrums;   a first and a second intermediate link each having a first end connected to the crank system and a second end connected to a respective one of the guide links such that rotation of the crank system about the second pivot axis causes the respective first and second guide links to pivot about the first pivot axis;   whereby a foot support portion of each foot support link moves in an elliptical path when the crank system rotates about the second pivot axis.