Self-Propelled Vehicle Propelled by an Elliptical Drive Train With Adjustable Foot Locations

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

a frame;

a drive wheel coupled to the frame;

a first and second foot link operably coupled to drive wheel to transfer power to said drive wheel so as to propel the apparatus, each including a foot receiving portion for receiving an operator's foot, where each foot receiving portion comprises at least two repeatable operator foot positions on each foot link.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , where each foot receiving portion has at least one repeatable operator foot position and is movable along its respective foot link.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , where each foot receiving portion includes a foot locator structured to provide at least two repeatable operator foot positions on each foot receiving portion.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a retention mechanism coupled to each foot receiving portion, where the retention mechanism inhibits an operator's foot from disengaging from its respective foot receiving portion.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , where each foot link has a first and a second end, and the foot receiving portion is located between the first and second ends of its respective foot link.

6 . An apparatus, comprising:

a frame having a drive wheel rotatably supported thereupon, and a first pivot axis defined thereupon;

a first and a second foot link, each having a first end, a second end, and a foot receiving portion defined thereupon which comprises at least two repeatable operator foot positions;

a coupler assembly which is in mechanical communication with said pivot axis and with a first end of each of said first and second foot links, said coupler assembly being operative to direct said first ends of said foot links in an arcuate path of travel;

a foot link guide supported by said frame, said guide being operable to engage a second end of each of said foot links, and to direct said second ends along a reciprocating path of travel;

a power transfer linkage in mechanical communication with said coupler assembly and with said drive wheel; whereby when the first end of one of said foot links travels in said arcuate path and the second end of that foot link travels in said reciprocal path, an operator's foot supported thereupon travels in a generally elliptical path of travel, and said power transfer linkage transfers power from said coupler assembly to said drive wheel, so as to supply propulsive power thereto.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , where each foot receiving portion has at least one repeatable operator foot position and is movable along its respective foot link.

8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , where each foot receiving portion includes a foot locator structured to provide at least two repeatable operator foot positions on each foot receiving portion.

9 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a retention mechanism coupled to each foot receiving portion, where the retention mechanism inhibits an operator's foot from disengaging from its respective foot receiving portion.

10 . The apparatus of claim 6 , where each foot receiving portion is located between the first and second ends of its respective foot link.

11 . An apparatus, comprising:

a frame having a drive wheel rotatably supported thereupon, and a first pivot axis defined thereupon;

a first and a second foot link, each having a first end; a second end, and a foot receiving portion defined thereupon which comprises at least two repeatable operator foot positions;

a coupler assembly which is in mechanical communication with said pivot axis and with a first end of each of said first and second foot links, said coupler assembly being operative to direct said first ends of said foot links in an arcuate path of travel;

a foot link guide track supported by said frame, said foot link guide track being operable to engage a second end of each of said foot links, and to direct said second ends along a reciprocating path of travel;

a power transfer linkage in mechanical communication with said coupler assembly and with said drive wheel; whereby when the first end of one of said foot links travels in said arcuate path and the second end of that foot link travels in said reciprocal path, an operator's foot supported thereupon travels in a generally elliptical path of travel, and said power transfer linkage transfers power from said coupler assembly to said drive wheel, so as to supply propulsive power thereto.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , where each foot receiving portion includes a foot locator structured to provide at least two repeatable operator foot positions on each foot receiving portion.

13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a retention mechanism coupled to each foot receiving portion, where the retention mechanism inhibits an operator's foot from disengaging from its respective foot receiving portion.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , where each foot receiving portion is located between the first and second ends of its respective foot link.