Exercise machine
View Patent ↗Described herein are embodiments of stationary exercise machines having reciprocating foot and/or hand members, such as foot pedals that move in a closed loop path. Some embodiments can include reciprocating foot pedals that cause a user's feet to move along a closed loop path that is substantially inclined, such that the foot motion simulates a climbing motion more than a flat walking or running motion. Some embodiments can further include reciprocating handles that are configured to move in coordination with the foot via a linkage to a crank wheel also coupled to the foot pedals. Variable resistance can be provided via a rotating air-resistance based mechanism, via a magnetism based mechanism, and/or via other mechanisms, one or more of which can be rapidly adjustable while the user is using the machine.
1. A stationary exercise machine, comprising:
a frame including an upper support structure;
a crank shaft rotatably coupled with the upper support structure and rotatable about a crank axis;
first and second connection members that each rotate about a rotation axis that substantially coincides with the crank axis;
first and second crank arms coupled to the first and second connection members, respectively, to rotate about the rotation axis of its respective connection member;
first and second reciprocating foot members operatively associated with the first and second crank arms, respectively, in such a manner that at least a portion of each of the first and second reciprocating foot members orbits the crank shaft as the crank shaft rotates;
first and second foot pedals coupled to the first and second reciprocating foot members, respectively;
first and second handles supported by the upper support structure to rotate about a handle axis;
a first reciprocating member rotatably coupled to an end of the first handle, and a second reciprocating member rotatably coupled to an end of the second handle;
third and fourth connection members operatively associated with the crank shaft and with the first and second connection members, respectively;
the third and fourth connection members each define a rotation axis that is parallel to and offset from the crank axis; and
the first and second reciprocating members rotatably coupled to the third and fourth connection members, respectively, to rotate about the rotation axis defined by its respective connection member.
2. A stationary exercise machine comprising:
a frame including an upper support structure;
a crank shaft rotatably coupled with the upper support structure and rotatable about a crank axis;
first and second connection members that each rotate about a rotation axis that substantially coincides with the crank axis;
first and second crank arms coupled to the first and second connection members, respectively, to rotate about the rotation axis of its respective connection member;
first and second reciprocating foot members operatively associated with the first and second crank arms, respectively, in such a manner that at least a portion of each of the first and second reciprocating foot members orbits the crank shaft as the crank shaft rotates;
first and second foot pedals coupled to the first and second reciprocating foot members, respectively;
first and second handles supported by the upper support structure to rotate about a handle axis;
first and second reciprocating members rotatably coupled to the first and second handles, respectively;
third and fourth connection members operatively associated with the crank shaft and with the first and second connection members, respectively;
the third and fourth connection members each define a rotation axis that is parallel to and offset from the crank axis;
the first and second reciprocating members rotatably coupled to the third and fourth connection members, respectively, to rotate about the rotation axis defined by its respective connection member;
a first foot member pivot axis defined by the operable association between the first crank arm and the first reciprocating foot member and a second foot member pivot axis defined by the operable association between the second crank arm and the second reciprocating foot member;
a first angle formed between a line defined by the crank axis and the first foot member pivot axis and a line defined by the crank axis and the rotation axis formed by the third connection member is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees; and
a second angle formed between a line defined by the crank axis and the second foot member pivot axis and a line defined by the crank axis and the rotation axis formed by the fourth connection member is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
3. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 2 , wherein the first and second angles are between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.
4. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 3 , wherein the first and second angles are approximately 75 degrees.
5. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least two spaced-apart plates extending away from the crank axis and each of the plates defining a free end portion; and
the third connection member positioned between the respective free end portions of each of the plates.
6. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 1 , wherein each rotation axis of the third and fourth connection members orbits the crank axis as the crank shaft rotates.
7. A stationary exercise machine, comprising:
a frame including an upper support structure;
a drive mechanism rotatably coupled with the upper support structure and rotatable about a crank axis;
first and second crank arms each engaging the drive mechanism and rotatable about the crank axis;
first and second reciprocating foot members operatively associated with the first and second crank arms, defining a foot member pivot axis, respectively, wherein the first and second reciprocating foot members are coupled to first and second foot pedals, respectively;
first and second handles operatively associated with first and second reciprocating members, wherein:
the first and second handles rotate about a handle axis supported by the upper support structure;
the first and second handles are rotatably coupled to the first and second reciprocating members, respectively, defining a reciprocating axis;
the first and second reciprocating members are each rotatably coupled at a lower end to the drive mechanism and rotatable about an offset axis;
each of the respective offset axes is parallel to and offset from the crank axis; and wherein
the first and second crank arms are fixed to the drive mechanism at respective positions spaced radially inwardly from the offset axes.
8. A stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 7 , wherein each offset axis orbits the crank axis as the drive mechanism rotates.
9. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 7 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a central portion, opposing outer end portions, and opposing offset portions positioned between the central portion and each opposing end portion, respectively.
10. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 9 , wherein the offset portions extend diametrically from the crank axis.
11. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 9 , wherein the offset portions extend away from the crank axis an equal distance.
12. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 9 , wherein the offset portions extend away from the crank axis different distances.
13. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 9 , wherein each outer end portion is aligned with the crank axis.
14. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 9 , wherein:
each offset portion includes a pair of spaced-apart plates extending away from the crank axis and each defining free end portions; and
a shaft extends between the respective free end portions of the pair of plates.
15. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism is an integral one-piece structure.
16. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 7 , wherein:
the drive mechanism includes a central portion and opposing offset portions; and
each of the offset portions includes a shaft extending parallel to the crank axis.
17. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 16 , wherein the lower end of each reciprocating member rotatably couples to the shaft of one offset portion.
18. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 17 , wherein the first and second crank arms each engage an opposing end of the drive mechanism.
19. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 18 , wherein:
each opposing end of the drive mechanism defines an outer end portion; and
the first and second crank arms each engage one of the outer end portions.
20. The stationary exercise machine as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second foot pedals are coupled to first and second ends of the first and second reciprocating foot members, respectively.