Exercise apparatus capable of calculating stride length

Abstract

An exercise apparatus including a drive mechanism including a first pedal and a second pedal each operable between a first position and a second position. At least one shaft in communication with the first pedal and the second pedal such that movement of either of the first or second pedal results in rotation of the shaft. At least one brake having a rotational input for receiving the shaft. An encoder capable of generating electrical pulses in response to the rotations of the rotational input of the at least one brake. A first sensor capable of sensing a position of at least the first pedal by providing an electrical signal indicating the first pedal is passing the position of the sensor. A controller in electrical communication with the encoder and the sensor wherein the controller counts the electrical pulses received from the encoder between the electrical signals received from the sensor and calculates a stride length. A user interface may display the stride length. The first pedal and the second pedal may be dependent or independent. A second sensor may be provided such that the first sensor senses a position of the first pedal and the second sensor a position of the second pedal. The controller may calculate a stride length for each of the first pedal and the second pedal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus including a drive mechanism, said drive mechanism comprising:
 a first pedal and a second pedal;   at least one brake; said at least one brake having a rotational input; said first pedal and said second pedal each operable between a first position and a second position;   at least one shaft in communication with said first pedal and said second pedal such that movement of either of said first or second pedal between said first and second position results in rotation of said shaft;   said at least one shaft being in communication with said rotational input of said at least one brake such that said at least one brake is capable of resisting the rotation of said at least one shaft;   an encoder for generating electrical pulses in response to the rotations of said rotational input;   a first sensor for sensing a position of at least said first pedal and providing an electrical signal indicating said at least said first pedal is passing said position;   a controller in electrical communication with said encoder and said sensor wherein said controller counts said electrical pulses received from said encoder between said electrical signals received from said sensor and calculates a stride length.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further including a frame such that the drive mechanism is supported from said frame. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2  further including a seat supported from said frame such that said drive mechanism is operated recumbently by a user seated on said seat. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said seat is spaced from said drive mechanism so as to provide step-through space between said seat and said drive mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said first pedal and said second pedal are dependent. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further including a speed increasing mechanism between said shaft and said brake. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rotational input is a speed increasing mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further including a user interface in electrical communication with said controller such that said stride length is displayed on said user interface. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first pedal and said second pedal are dependent. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first sensor senses a position of said first pedal and further including a second sensor for sensing a position of said second pedal. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said controller calculates a stride length for each of said first pedal and said second pedal. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10  further including a user interface in electrical communication with said controller such that said stride length of each of said first pedal and said second pedal are displayed on said user interface. 
     
     
         13 . A method of calculating stride length on an exercise apparatus including at least one pedal in communication with a shaft, at least one brake capable of receiving a rotational input, an encoder in communication with the at least one brake, a sensor, and a controller in electrical communication with the encoder and the sensor, the method comprising:
 operating the at least one pedal between a first position and a second position so as to rotate the shaft;   the at least one brake receiving and resisting the rotational input from the shaft;   the encoder generating and sending a plurality of electrical pulses to the controller in response to the rotational input from the brake;   the at least one sensor providing an electrical signal to the controller when the pedal passes a set position;   the controller counting the electrical pulses received from the encoder between the electrical signals received for the sensor and calculating stride length.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further including displaying the calculated stride length on a user interface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further including a second pedal and a second sensor such that said controller calculates the stride length of the second pedal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further including displaying the stride length of the second pedal on a user interface.