Elliptical exercise device

Abstract

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

1 . 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, the guide links each including an upper portion defining the first attachment point and a lower portion defining the second attachment point of the guide link, the lower portion being movable with respect to the upper portion such that a distance between the first and second attachment point changes;   a first and a second ramp each having an upper surface, each ramp being disposed below a respective one of the guide links at a lower end of the frame;   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 forward end of each foot support link engaging the upper surface of a respective one of the ramps   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 vertical control guide, each vertical control guide 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 coupled to the crank system and a second end coupled 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 such that the foot support links move in the path of travel having a substantially horizontal component of motion;   wherein the mechanical couplings and the intermediate links are coupled to the crank system such that the horizontal component of motion and the vertical component of motion are out of phase wherein when the horizontal component of motion of each foot support link is at its forwardmost or rearwardmost limit, the vertical component of motion of the same foot support link is approximately midway between its uppermost and lowermost limit;   whereby a foot receiving area of each foot support link moves in a generally elliptical path when the crank system rotates about the second pivot axis.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each vertical control guide is a pulley rotationally mounted on the frame. 
     
     
         4 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein each mechanical coupling is a flexible element having a first 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 vertical control guides on the frame. 
     
     
         5 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the frame having a forward portion forward of the first pivot axis and a rearward portion rearward of the first pivot axis.   a first and a second forward pulley supported on the forward portion of the frame and forward of the second pivot axis;   the midportion of each of the flexible elements further extending over a respective one of the forward pulleys; and   the first end of each flexible element extending rearwardly from the respective forward pulley to the crank system.   
     
     
         6 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first and a second upper pulley supported on the forward portion of the frame and above the forward pulleys;   the midportion of each of the flexible elements further extending over a respective one of the upper pulleys; and   the intermediate links extend generally vertically upwardly from the crank system.   
     
     
         7 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the frame having a forward portion forward of the first pivot axis and a rearward portion rearward of the first pivot axis.   a first and a second upper pulley supported on the forward portion of the frame and above the second pivot axis;   the midportion of each of the flexible elements further extending over a respective one of the upper pulleys; and   the first end of each flexible element extending downwardly from the respective upper pulley to the crank system.   
     
     
         8 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:
 the crank system includes four attachment points disposed approximately 90 degrees apart; and   the first ends of the mechanical couplings being coupled to two of the attachment points and the intermediate links being coupled to the other two of the attachment points.   
     
     
         9 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the intermediate links extend generally rearwardly from the crank system. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the first end of each of the flexible elements is interconnected to the crank system by being connected to one of the intermediate links. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein:
 the crank system includes a first crank arm and a second crank arm;   the first end of each of the flexible elements is directly connected to one of the crank arms; and   the first end of each intermediate link is connected to the same crank arm as the corresponding flexible element.   
     
     
         12 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 the crank system includes attachment points;   the mechanical couplings each having a first end directly connected to the one of the attachment points; and   the first end of each intermediate links being directly connected to one of the attachment points.   
     
     
         13 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the guide arms has a connecting portion extending forwardly to a third attachment point;   the second end of each of the intermediate links being connected to the third attachment point of a respective one of the guide arms; and   the intermediate links extend generally vertically.   
     
     
         14 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 the foot support portions of the mechanical couplings extend generally vertically when the foot support links are at middle position.   
     
     
         15 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate links are indirectly coupled to the crank system. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , 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 defining the vertical control guide.   
     
     
         17 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein:
 each mechanical coupling further includes a flexible element extending from a respective one of the foot support links to a respective vertical control guide of the respective rocker arm.   
     
     
         18 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein:
 each rocker arm is generally L-shaped and includes a forward portion extending downwardly to a position near the crank system.   
     
     
         19 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lower portion of each guide link telescopes with the upper portion.   
     
     
         28 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 the lower portion of each guide link comprises a short link that pivots with respect to the upper portion.   
     
     
         29 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 each foot support link further comprises a roller that engages the ramp.   
     
     
         30 - 36 . (canceled)