Stationary exercise machine with four-bar linkage transmission

Abstract

A rowing machine is disclosed. The rowing machine includes a frame including a base for contact with a support surface and a seat rail supported by the base. The rowing machine includes a seat configured to reciprocate back and forth along the seat rail. The rowing machine includes a rowing engine that includes at least one resistance mechanism rotatably coupled to the frame. The rowing machine includes at least one handle operatively connected to the at least one resistance mechanism, and a paddle linkage assembly operatively connecting the at least one handle to the at least one resistance mechanism such that rearward movement of the handle is resisted by the at least one resistance mechanism.

1 . A stationary exercise machine comprising:
 a frame;   a shaft rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to be driven by user force;   a resistance mechanism rotatably coupled to the frame to resist rotation of the shaft;   a first handle coupled to the shaft by a first linkage; and   a second handle coupled to the shaft by a second linkage,   wherein the first and second linkages are configured to drive the shaft independent of each other.   
     
     
         2 . The stationary exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first linkage is disposed on one side of the frame, and wherein the second linkage is disposed on an opposite side of the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The stationary exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first linkage and the second linkage is a four-bar linkage. 
     
     
         4 . The stationary exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein each four-bar linkage comprises:
 a first link pivotally coupled to the frame at a first pivot having a first pivot axis;   a second link pivotally coupled to the frame at a second pivot having a second pivot axis;   a third link coupled to the first link and the second link; and   a virtual link defined between the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis.   
     
     
         5 . The stationary exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first handle and the second handle is coupled to the frame to pivot about the first pivot. 
     
     
         6 . The stationary exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second linkages allow the first and second handles to move in independent and different trajectories. 
     
     
         7 . The stationary exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first handle is coupled to the first linkage by a first coupling allowing a first motion of the first handle toward and away from a midline of the stationary exercise machine; and   the second handle is coupled to the second linkage by a second coupling allowing a second motion of the second handle toward and away from the midline of the stationary exercise machine.   
     
     
         8 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a first handle;   a second handle;   a resistance mechanism;   a first linkage operatively connecting the first handle to the resistance mechanism such that a rearward movement of the first handle is resisted by the resistance mechanism; and   a second linkage operatively connecting the second handle to the resistance mechanism such that a rearward movement of the second handle is resisted by the resistance mechanism,   wherein the first and second linkages are configured to move independent of each other.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , further comprising a shaft configured to be driven by user force, wherein the resistance mechanism is configured to resist rotation of the shaft, wherein the first linkage couples the first handle to the shaft, and wherein the second linkage couples the second handle to the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , further comprising a frame, wherein each of the first linkage and the second linkage is coupled to the frame at first and second pivots. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first handle and the second handle is coupled to the frame to pivot about the first pivot. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first handle is coupled to the first linkage by a first coupling allowing the first handle to pivot toward and away from a midline of the exercise machine; and   the second handle is coupled to the second linkage by a second coupling allowing the second handle to pivot toward and away from the midline of the exercise machine.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein a free end of each of the first handle and the second handle is configured to move along an arcuate trajectory. 
     
     
         14 . A rowing machine comprising:
 a rowing engine comprising an input shaft;   a first handle coupled to the input shaft by a first linkage to transfer a first user force to the input shaft; and   a second handle coupled to the input shaft by a second linkage to transfer a second user force to the input shaft,   wherein the first and second linkages are configured to move independent of each other.   
     
     
         15 . The rowing machine of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a frame comprising a rail and supporting the rowing engine at a forward end of the rowing machine; and   a seat configured to move along the rail.   
     
     
         16 . The rowing machine of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first handle and the second handle is coupled to the frame to pivot about first and second pivot axes. 
     
     
         17 . The rowing machine of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second pivot axes are perpendicular to each other and do not intersect. 
     
     
         18 . The rowing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the first linkage is disposed on one side of the frame, and wherein the second linkage is disposed on an opposite side of the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The rowing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the rowing engine comprises a resistance mechanism configured to resist a pulling action by the user. 
     
     
         20 . The rowing machine of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first linkage and the second linkage is a four-bar linkage.