Self-Propelled Vehicle Propelled by an Elliptical Drive Train Including Foot Retention

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 and a retention mechanism for retaining the operator's foot on the foot receiving portion of the foot link.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , where the retention mechanism includes a structure operable to engage a top surface of an operator's foot situated on the foot receiving portion of the foot link.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , where the retention mechanism is fixed in one location on the foot link.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , where the retention mechanism is adjustable to allow for at least two repeatable positions of an operator's foot on the 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, a foot receiving portion defined thereupon, and a foot retention mechanism operable to inhibit an operator's foot from disengaging from the foot receiving portion of the foot link;

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 the retention mechanism includes a structure operable to engage a top surface of an operator's foot situated on the foot receiving portion of the foot link.

8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , where the retention mechanism is fixed in one location on the foot link.

9 . The apparatus of claim 6 , where the retention mechanism is adjustable to allow for at least two repeatable positions of an operator's foot on the 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, a foot receiving portion defined thereupon and a foot retention mechanism operable to inhibit an operator's foot from disengaging from the foot receiving portion of the foot link;

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, a user'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 the retention mechanism includes a structure operable to engage a top surface of an operator's foot situated on the foot receiving portion of the foot link.

13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , where the retention mechanism is fixed in one location on the foot link.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , where the retention mechanism is adjustable to allow for at least two repeatable positions of an operator's foot on the foot receiving portion.

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