Multiple-person elliptical trainer

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multiple-person elliptical trainer for improving cardiovascular fitness. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple-person elliptical trainer includes two training stations mounted to a support frame. Each training station includes a pair of roughly parallel tracks, each track pivotally attached to a swing arm at a front end and a crank arm at a rear end. The crank arms, in turn, are interconnected via a rotatable axle attached to the support frame. Each track further includes a foot pedal and each swing arm includes a swing-arm handle. In one embodiment of the present invention, a user can place a foot on each of the foot pedals, grasp the swing-arm handles, and rotate the crank arms by rhythmically pushing and pulling the swing-arm handles while using the foot pedals to simulate a walking or running gait.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and, in particular, to a multiple-person elliptical trainer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many people strive to maintain, or even increase, their fitness level by regularly exercising. Regular exercise can improve fitness in a variety of ways, including improving cardiovascular health, strength, and balance and flexibility. Some people buy gym memberships so they can exercise at a gym. Many gyms contain exercise equipment with smooth motions and consistent resistances that can be used to improve fitness in various muscle groups. However, a gym membership can be expensive, and gyms can be crowded during popular workout times, making workouts slow and time-consuming. Blaring music, pushy trainers, and supplement salespeople can also be annoying to some users. Additionally, competitive and intense users can be intimidating to beginners and casual users. Gyms may be inconveniently located, may have...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an indoor / outdoor, multiple-person elliptical trainer for improving cardiovascular fitness. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple-person elliptical trainer includes two training stations mounted to a support frame. Each training station includes a pair of roughly parallel tracks, each track pivotally attached to a swing arm at a front end and a crank arm at a rear end. The crank arms, in turn, are interconnected to each other via a rotatable axle attached to the support frame. Each track further includes a foot pedal and each swing arm includes a swing-arm handle. In one embodiment of the present invention, a user can place a foot on each of the foot pedals, grasp the swing-arm handles, and rotate the crank arms by rhythmically pushing and pulling the swing-arm handles while using the foot pedals to simulate a walking or running gait.

Problems solved by technology

However, a gym membership can be expensive, and gyms can be crowded during popular workout times, making workouts slow and time-consuming.

Blaring music, pushy trainers, and supplement salespeople can also be annoying to some users.

Additionally, competitive and intense users can be intimidating to beginners and casual users.

Gyms may be inconveniently located, may have inadequate parking, or may maintain hours of operation that conflict with a busy work, or school, schedule.

However, low-cost, small-scale home exercise equipment can be difficult and uncomfortable to use and often does not provide a user with the same level of smooth motions and consistent resistances that a user may find with larger-scale commercial exercise equipment found in gyms.

Additionally, low-cost, small-scale home exercise equipment may not efficiently exercise various muscle groups, and may fail to exercise certain muscle groups altogether.

However, many people live, work, or attend classes in areas where certain outdoor cardiovascular exercises are difficult or impossible.

Additionally, due to price and electronic-supply constraints, cardiovascular exercise equipment, such as treadmills, stair climbers, and other electronic-based exercise equipment are often confined to high-priced gyms.

Home cardiovascular exercise equipment, such as exercise bikes, can be bulky, uncomfortable, poorly constructed, and clunky.

Additionally, many of the cardiovascular exercise equipment found in gyms and at home can only accommodate a single user at a time.

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