Exercise device with elliptical stepping motion

摘要

An exercise device includes a frame, pivotally connected arm links and a crank assembly. A pair of foot links each has a forward end, a rearward end, and a mid-portion. Each foot link has a crank attachment at the forward end that is connected the crank assembly. A foot receiving area is defined at the rearward end of each foot link. Each foot receiving area is longitudinally fixed with respect to the respective foot link and the mid portion of each foot link has a defined support location. The frame supports the support locations of the support links at a generally constant vertical height while allowing horizontal motion relative to the frame. The rearward length of the foot links is at least 1.5 times the forward length such that the foot receiving areas move in a path of travel having more vertical travel than horizontal travel.

主权项

1. An exercise device for providing an elliptical stepping motion with vertical travel greater than horizontal travel, the exercise device comprising:
a frame having a lower portion configured to be supported on a horizontal surface, the frame having an arm pivot axis defined on an upper portion of the frame and a crank pivot axis defined on the lower portion; a pair of arm links pivotally connected to the arm pivot axis; a crank assembly pivotally connected to the crank pivot axis for rotation about the crank pivot axis, the crank assembly having a first and a second attachment point each offset from the crank pivot axis and separated from each other by approximately 180 degrees; a pair of foot links each having a forward end, a rearward end, and a mid-portion therebetween, each foot link having a crank attachment at the forward end, the crank attachment connected to one of the attachment points of the crank assembly such that the forward ends of the foot links move in a circular path as the crank assembly rotates, a foot receiving area defined at the rearward end of each foot link, each foot receiving area being longitudinally fixed with respect to the respective foot link, the mid portion of each foot link having a defined support location; the frame further having a foot link support that vertically supports the support locations of the support links at a generally constant vertical height while allowing horizontal motion of the foot links relative to the frame; each foot link having a forward length defined from the support location to the crank attachment and a rearward length defined from the support location to a central point of the foot receiving area, the rearward length of the foot links being at least 1.5 times the forward length such that as the crank assembly rotates, the foot receiving areas move in a path of travel having more vertical travel than horizontal travel; and a pair of arm drive links each having an upper end connected to one of the arm links and a lower end connected to one of the foot links or the crank assembly such that each arm link moves out of phase with the respective foot receiving area.