Striding simulators

Abstract

An exercise apparatus may include a frame that remains substantially stationary during use. The apparatus may include movable members that move relative to a portion of the frame. Foot members may be coupled to the movable members. Arm links may be coupled to the movable members. A drive system may be coupled to the frame. An apparatus may include a linkage assembly directly attached to the drive system and to the arm links.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 499,199 entitled “Variable Striding Simulator” to Robert E. Rodgers, Jr., filed on Aug. 29, 2003.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to an exercise apparatus. Certain embodiments relate to exercise apparatus that may allow exercise such as simulated climbing, walking, striding, and / or jogging. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Exercise devices have been in use for years. Some typical exercise devices that simulate walking or jogging include cross country ski machines, stair climbing machines, elliptical motion machines, and pendulum motion machines. [0006] In many exercise apparatus, the user's foot is constrained during exercise to patterns that may not accurately represent the typical path and / or position of a foot during walking and / or jogging. For example, cross country ski machines may not allow a user to lift t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The linkage assembly may include a device that allows variation in a length of the linkage assembly between the first left end and the second left end, or between the first right end and the second right end, of the linkage assembly during use of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the device may allow instantaneous variation in the length of the linkage assembly. Variation in the length of the linkage assembly may allow variation in a user's stride length during use of the apparatus. In some embodiments, a linkage assembly may provide a varying resistive force to allow a user of the apparatus to vary stride length during use of the apparatus.

Problems solved by technology

For example, cross country ski machines may not allow a user to lift the front of his / her foot above a flat plane defined by the top of the pedal or footpad.

An ellipse, however, may not completely replicate a striding motion, particularly near a front of the elliptical path.

Pendulum motion machines may cause a user's foot to move through a small radius of curvature that may not satisfactorily simulate a striding motion.

In addition, many exercise apparatus require a user to exert some force other than force required in the normal exercise activity to operate the system.

Application of such force during simulated activity may be unnatural and not representative of actual walking, striding, or jogging.

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