Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable elliptical path

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a pair of reciprocating slide members each having a pivotal end connected to a rotating mechanism and a sliding end slidable on a support. A foot plate 43 is mounted slidably on a corresponding slide member. A linkage unit is connected to each foot plate and the rotating mechanism, and a control mechanism is associated with the linkage unit and the foot plate for actuating the foot plate to move forward when the slide member moves forward and to move rearward when the slide member moves rearward. An elliptical path of the exercise machine can be enlarged due to the slidable foot plate and the control mechanism.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to an exercise machine, more particularly to an elliptical exercise machine which permits the user to exercise by moving his / her feet along an elliptical path. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a typical elliptical exercise machine includes a frame 11 which carries a pair of swinging arms 16, a pair of foot members 14 connected to a rotating mechanism 12 through cranks 13, and a pair of reciprocating members 17 each of which is connected to one of the swinging arms 16. The foot members 14 are provided respectively with foot platforms 15. The bottom ends of the foot members 14 are slidable along rails provided on the frame 11. When the user stands on the foot platforms 15 and exercises by moving the foot platforms 15 with his feet, the foot members 14 move forward and rearward, and the cranks 13 rotate about the axis of the rotating mechanism 12 so that each f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an elliptical exercise machine which permits foot plates to move along an elliptical path having a prolonged length along a front-to-rear direction without increasing the height of the elliptical path along a top-to-bottom direction.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, the length of the stroke may be insufficient for a user who is tall and requires a longer stroke, and may be unduly long for a user who is short and needs a smaller stroke to avoid overstressing his feet.

The increase in height of the elliptical path can result in overstressing of the knees of the user as the user must lift his knees too much when making an ascending movement.

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