Adjustable Stride Length in an Exercise Machine

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a frame, and a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal movably attached to the frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths. A pedal resistance mechanism integrated into the exercise machine is in resistive communication with the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal, and a first arm support and a second arm support are pivotally attached to the frame. The first arm support is mechanically linked to the first foot pedal, and the second arm support is mechanically linked to the second foot pedal, and a first stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the first arm support at a first connection assembly, and a second stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the second arm support at a second connection assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame;   a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal movably attached to the frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths;   a pedal resistance mechanism integrated into the exercise machine and in resistive communication with the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal;   a first arm support and a second arm support are pivotally attached to the frame;   the first arm support is mechanically linked to the first foot pedal, and the second arm support is mechanically linked to the second foot pedal; and   a first stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the first arm support at a first connection assembly, and a second stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the second arm support at a second connection assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first stride adjustment link includes a first slideable connector disposed within a first opening of the first connection assembly, and the second stride adjustment link includes a second slideable connector disposed within a second opening of the second connection assembly, wherein slideable movement of the first slideable connector and the second slideable connector modifies a reciprocating length of the reciprocating paths. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the first stride adjustment link comprising a first sliding end attached to the first slideable connector, and the second stride adjustment link comprising a second sliding end attached to the second slideable connector. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the first connection assembly comprises a first actuator to cause the first slideable connector to slide along a first length of the first opening of the first connection assembly, and the second connection assembly comprises a second actuator to cause the second slideable connector to slide along a second length of the second opening of the second connection assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are mechanical actuators. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the first actuator comprises a first rotary dial that causes the first slideable connector to slide within the first connection assembly, and the second actuator comprises a second rotary dial that causes the second slideable connector to slide within the second connection assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the first actuator comprises a first screw mechanism arranged to move the first slideable connector and the second actuator comprises a second screw mechanism arranged to move the second slideable connector. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the first screw mechanism and the second screw mechanism include a push rod connected to a thread form on a first end and connected to the first slideable connector or the second slideable connector on a second end. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the first screw mechanism and the second screw mechanism include a piston head connected to a thread form and configured to compress gas in a chamber as the first actuator or the second actuator is actuated. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first stride adjustment link and the second stride adjustment link comprise a first end attached to their respective arm support and a second end attached to a track that supports their foot pedal. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first stride adjustment link and the second stride adjustment link comprise a joint that connects the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first foot pedal is movable along a first track connected to the first arm support and the second foot pedal is movable along a second track connected to the second arm support. 
     
     
         13 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame;   a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal movably attached to the frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths;   a pedal resistance mechanism integrated into the exercise machine and in resistive communication with the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal;   a first arm support and a second arm support are pivotally attached to the frame;   the first arm support is mechanically linked to the first foot pedal, and the second arm support is mechanically linked to the second foot pedal;   a first stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the first arm support at a first connection assembly, and a second stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the second arm support at a second connection assembly;   the first stride adjustment link includes a first slideable connector disposed within a first opening of the first connection assembly, and the second stride adjustment link includes a second slideable connector disposed within a second opening of the second connection assembly, wherein slideable movement of the first slideable connector and the second slideable connector modifies a reciprocating length of the reciprocating paths;   the first stride adjustment link comprising a first sliding end attached to the first slideable connector, and the second stride adjustment link comprising a second sliding end attached to the second slideable connector; and   the first connection assembly comprises a first actuator to cause the first slideable connector to slide along a first length of the first opening of the first connection assembly, and the second connection assembly comprises a second actuator to cause the second slideable connector to slide along a second length of the second opening of the second connection assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are mechanical actuators. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the first actuator comprises a first rotary dial that causes the first slideable connector to slide within the first connection assembly, and the second actuator comprises a second rotary dial that causes the second slideable connector to slide within the second connection assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the first actuator comprises a first screw mechanism arranged to move the first slideable connector and the second actuator comprises a second screw mechanism arranged to move the second slideable connector. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first stride adjustment link and the second stride adjustment link comprise a first end attached to their respective arm support and a second end attached to a track that supports their foot pedal. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first stride adjustment link and the second stride adjustment link comprise a joint that connects the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the first foot pedal is movable along a first track connected to the first arm support and the second foot pedal is movable along a second track connected to the second arm support. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame;   a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal movably attached to the frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths;   a pedal resistance mechanism integrated into the exercise machine and in resistive communication with the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal;   a first arm support and a second arm support are pivotally attached to the frame;   the first arm support is mechanically linked to the first foot pedal, and the second arm support is mechanically linked to the second foot pedal;   a first stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the first arm support at a first connection assembly, and a second stride adjustment link is slideably connected to the second arm support at a second connection assembly;   the first stride adjustment link includes a first slideable connector disposed within a first opening of the first connection assembly, and the second stride adjustment link includes a second slideable connector disposed within a second opening of the second connection assembly, wherein slideable movement of the first slideable connector and the second slideable connector modifies a reciprocating length of the reciprocating paths;   the first stride adjustment link comprising a first sliding end attached to the first slideable connector, and the second stride adjustment link comprising a second sliding end attached to the second slideable connector;   the first connection assembly comprises a first actuator to cause the first slideable connector to slide along a first length of the first opening of the first connection assembly, and the second connection assembly comprises a second actuator to cause the second slideable connector to slide along a second length of the second opening of the second connection assembly;   the first actuator comprises a first rotary dial that causes the first slideable connector to slide within the first connection assembly, and the second actuator comprises a second rotary dial that causes the second slideable connector to slide within the second connection assembly;   each of the first stride adjustment link and the second stride adjustment link comprise a first end attached to their respective arm support and a second end attached to a track that supports their foot pedal;   each of the first stride adjustment link and the second stride adjustment link comprise a joint that connects the first end to the second end; and   the first foot pedal is movable along a first track connected to the first arm support and the second foot pedal is movable along a second track connected to the second arm support.