Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring

a technology of exercise equipment and upper body, applied in the field of exercise equipment, can solve the problems of limiting the range of motion of some muscles being exercised, limiting the benefits of aerobic activities, and preventing people from exercising aerobic activities, etc., and achieve the effect of safety and stability

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-06-01
PRECOR
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] An exercise device in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides for smooth natural action, exercises a relatively large number of muscles through a large range of elliptical motion, employs arm, shoulder and rotational movement, and provides for safety and stability. An exercise device in accordance with the principles of the present invention informs the user whether a proper amount of arm and shoulder force is being exerted.

Problems solved by technology

However, due to time constraints, inclement weather, and other reasons, many people are prevented from aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, running, and swimming.
While various exercise systems are known in the prior art, these systems suffer from a variety of shortcomings that limit their benefits and / or include unnecessary risks and undesirable features.
For example, stationary bicycles are a popular exercise system in the prior art; however, these machines employ a sitting position that utilizes only a relatively small number of muscles, through a fairly limited range of motion.
While cross-country skiing devices exercise more muscles than stationary bicycles, the substantially flat shuffling foot motion provided by the ski devices limits the range of motion of some of the muscles being exercised.
These devices exercise more muscles than stationary bicycles; however, the rather limited range of up-and-down motion utilized does not exercise the user's leg muscles through a large range of motion.
A drawback of the treadmill, however, is that significant jarring of the hip, knee, ankle and other joints of the body may occur through use of this device.
A further limitation of a majority of exercise systems in the prior art lies in the limits in the types of motions that they can produce.
One drawback to these linked devices lies in the ability of the user during operation to unintentionally exert little or no force on the arm apparatuses.
The opposite drawback can also occur where too much force is exerted on the arm apparatus, thereby diminishing the amount of force exerted on the foot apparatuses.

Method used

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  • Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring
  • Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring
  • Total body elliptical exercise equipment with upper body monitoring

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0021] While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0022]FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of an exercise device 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention that exercises both the upper and lower body in associated motion. Briefly described, the exerciser 10 includes a frame 12 that has a forward upright member 20. The forward upright member 20 extends upwardly and curves slightly rearward from a substantially horizontal, longitudinal central member 14 of the frame 12. Left and right axle mounts 30, 32 extend upwardly towards the rear region of the frame 12. The axle mounts 30, 32 support a transverse axle 34 that is preferably operatively connected to a flywheel 36. The left and right ends of the transverse axle 34 rotatably engage left and right crank arm assemblies 40, 50. Left and righ...

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PUM

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Abstract

An exercise device in accordance with the present invention includes a frame defining a longitudinal axis, with the frame having a rearward portion and a forward portion. A guide track and a foot link are provided. The foot link includes a rearward portion that is constrained to move in an orbital path approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis and a forward portion that reciprocally engages the guide track. A swing arm is provided having a pivotal connection to the frame. The swing arm includes an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection and a lower portion disposed below the pivotal connection. An engagement mechanism includes a first portion coupled to the lower portion of the swing arm and a second portion coupled to the forward portion of the foot link. A rearward force applied to the upper portion of the swing arm produces a force on the forward portion of the foot link having a downward component. A load monitoring mechanism is positioned to monitor the load applied to the swing arm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to exercise equipment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The benefits of regular aerobic exercise are well established. However, due to time constraints, inclement weather, and other reasons, many people are prevented from aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, running, and swimming. In response, a variety of exercise equipment has been developed for aerobic activity. It is generally desirable to exercise a large number of different muscles over a significantly large range of motion so as to provide for balanced physical development, to maximize muscle length and flexibility, and to achieve optimum levels of aerobic exercise. It is further advantageous for exercise equipment to provide smooth and natural motion, thus avoiding significant jarring and straining that can damage both muscles and joints. [0003] While various exercise systems are known in the prior art, these systems suffer from a variety of shortcomings t...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A63B22/04
CPCA63B2220/13A63B2220/16A63B2220/18A63B2220/51A63B2225/50A63B2230/01A63B2230/06A63B2230/42A63B2230/75A63B21/225A63B22/001A63B22/0023A63B22/0664A63B22/205A63B23/12A63B24/0062A63B2022/002A63B2022/067
InventorDYER, DAVID E.STEWART, JONATHAN M.SILBERNAGEL, ROBERT
OwnerPRECOR