Elliptical exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise machine may include a reciprocating linkage that supports one or more pedals configured to move in a closed loop (e.g., elliptical) path as a user exercises with the machine. The exercise machine may be adjustable to vary a characteristic of the exercise provided by the machine, for example by changing an incline of a rail supporting the reciprocating linkage, and thus an angle of the closed loop path. The exercise machine may vary the incline with a lift mechanism operatively associated with the front upright frame of the machine, which may also support a resistance assembly, all in a compact form factor that may be more aesthetically pleasing and practical for relatively smaller exercise spaces.

1 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a frame comprising a base configured to support the exercise machine on a support surface and a mast extending upwardly from the base;   a crankshaft rotatably coupled to the frame to rotate about a rotation axis;   a reciprocating member supporting a pedal such that the pedal is constrained to move in a closed loop path, and the reciprocating member operatively coupled to the crankshaft such that movement of the pedal in the closed loop path causes rotation of the crankshaft about the rotation axis;   a rail pivotally coupled to the frame and movably supporting the reciprocating member, wherein the reciprocating member translates along the rail when the pedal moves in the closed loop path;   a lift mechanism suspended from the mast and operatively coupled to the rail for adjusting an incline of the rail;   a console configured to display streamed visual information; and   a processor configured to provide instructions for automatically adjusting a configuration of the exercise machine based on the streamed visual information.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the visual information comprises images or video representing a scenery. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions increase the incline of the rail based on the visual information presenting a path up a hill. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions decrease the incline of the rail based on the visual information presenting a level ground or a downhill terrain. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions adjust a resistance level of the exercise machine. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein a playback rate of the streamed visual information is dynamically changed, by the processor, based on a speed of a component of the exercise machine associated with user movement of the pedal of the exercise machine. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein the component of the exercise machine comprises the crank shaft, and the speed comprises a rotational speed of the crankshaft. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a crank pulley and a flywheel on the crankshaft, wherein the crank pulley and the flywheel rotate at different rates. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more bearings rotatably supporting the flywheel on the crankshaft. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , further comprising a transmission assembly that transmits rotation of the crank pulley to the flywheel while changing the rotational speed thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the transmission assembly comprises a first disk and a second disk on a common transmission shaft, the second disk having a diameter greater than the first disk;   rotation of the crank pulley is transmitted to the first disk to rotate the second disk via the transmission shaft; and   rotation of the second disk is transmitted to the flywheel.   
     
     
         12 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a frame;   a crankshaft rotatably coupled to the frame;   a reciprocating member supporting a pedal such that the pedal is constrained to move in a closed loop path, and the reciprocating member operatively coupled to the crankshaft such that movement of the pedal in the closed loop path causes rotation of the crankshaft;   a rail pivotally coupled to the frame and movably supporting the reciprocating member, wherein the reciprocating member translates along the rail when the pedal moves in the closed loop path;   a lift mechanism operatively coupled to the rail for adjusting an incline of the rail;   a console configured to display streamed images or video representing a scenery; and   a processor configured to provide instructions for adjusting a configuration of the exercise machine based on the scenery.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions:
 increase the incline of the rail based on the scenery presenting a path up a hill; and   decrease the incline of the rail based on the scenery presenting a level ground or a downhill terrain.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions:
 increase a resistance level of the exercise machine based on the scenery presenting a path up a hill; and   decrease the resistance level based on the scenery presenting a level ground or a downhill terrain.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein a playback rate of the streamed images or video on the console is dynamically adapted, by the processor, based on a rotational speed of the crankshaft. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a crank pulley fixed to the crankshaft and a flywheel rotatably supported on the crankshaft by one or more bearings, wherein the crank pulley and the flywheel rotate at different rates. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 16 , wherein the flywheel and the crank pulley are positioned on opposite sides of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 16 , further comprising a first disk and a second disk on a common transmission shaft to transmit rotation of the crank pulley to the flywheel while changing the rotational speed thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the crankshaft rotates about a first rotation axis;   the common transmission shaft rotates about a second rotation axis; and   the second rotation axis is located above the first rotation axis.   
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the frame comprises a base configured to support the exercise machine on a support surface and a mast extending upwardly from the base;   the crankshaft is rotatably coupled to the frame to rotate about a rotation axis; and   the lift mechanism is suspended from the mast from a location above the rotation axis.