Exercise apparatus
A front crank assembly is configured and arranged for use with an exercise apparatus having a support frame positioned proximate a front of the exercise apparatus. A crank wheel is rotatably connected to a front support frame portion of the support frame. A crank link has a first crank link end pivotally connected to the crank wheel. An elongate member has a first elongate member end pivotally connected to a top support frame portion proximate a rear support frame portion. The crank link has a second crank link end pivotally connected to an elongate member intermediate portion. A pedal link has a first pedal link end pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate the front. A pedal has a first pedal end, a pedal intermediate portion pivotally connected to a second pedal link end, and a second pedal end pivotally connected to the second elongate member end.
1 . A front crank assembly for use with an exercise apparatus having a support frame including a top support frame portion, a bottom support frame portion, a front support frame portion, and a rear support frame portion, the support frame being positioned proximate a front of the exercise apparatus, comprising:
a crank wheel configured and arranged to be rotatably connected to the front support frame portion of the support frame;
a crank link having a first crank link end and a second crank link end, the first crank link end being pivotally connected to the crank wheel;
an elongate member having a first elongate member end, an elongate member intermediate portion, and a second elongate member end, the first elongate member end configured and arranged to be pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate the rear support frame portion, the second crank link end being pivotally connected to the elongate member intermediate portion;
a pedal link having a first pedal link end, a pedal link intermediate portion, and a second pedal link end, the first pedal link end configured and arranged to be pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate the front, the first pedal link being positioned between the crank wheel and the elongate member; and
a pedal having a first pedal end, a pedal intermediate portion, and a second pedal end, the second elongate member end being pivotally connected to the second pedal end, and the second pedal link end being pivotally connected to the pedal intermediate portion.
2 . The front crank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pedal link intermediate portion is bent.
3 . The front crank assembly of claim 2 , wherein the pedal link intermediate portion is bent approximately 35 to 45 degrees toward the front support frame portion.
4 . The front crank assembly of claim 1 , further comprising
an extension portion extending outward from the elongate member between the first elongate member end and the elongate member intermediate portion;
an arm link having a first arm link end and a second arm link end, the second arm link end being pivotally connected to the extension portion;
an arm support having a first arm support end and a second arm support end, the first arm support end configured and arranged to be pivotally connected to the top support frame portion, the second arm support end being pivotally connected to the first arm link end; and
an arm operatively connected to the first arm support end.
5 . The front crank assembly of claim 4 , wherein the extension portion is fixedly connected to the elongate member.
6 . A front crank assembly for use with an exercise apparatus, comprising:
a support frame including a top support frame portion, a bottom support frame portion, a front support frame portion, and a rear support frame portion, the support frame being positioned proximate a front of the exercise apparatus;
a crank wheel rotatably connected to the front support frame portion of the support frame;
a crank link having a first crank link end and a second crank link end, the first crank link end being pivotally connected to the crank wheel;
an elongate member having a first elongate member end, an elongate member intermediate portion, and a second elongate member end, the first elongate member end being pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate the rear support frame portion, the second crank link end being pivotally connected to the elongate member intermediate portion;
a pedal link having a first pedal link end, a pedal link intermediate portion, and a second pedal link end, the first pedal link end being pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate the front, the pedal link intermediate portion being bent; and
a pedal having a first pedal end, a pedal intermediate portion, and a second pedal end, the second elongate member end being pivotally connected to the second pedal end, and the second pedal link end being pivotally connected to the pedal intermediate portion.
7 . The front crank assembly of claim 6 , further comprising
an extension portion extending outward from the elongate member between the first elongate member end and the elongate member intermediate portion;
an arm link having a first arm link end and a second arm link end, the second arm link end being pivotally connected to the extension portion;
an arm support having a first arm support end and a second arm support end, the first arm support end being pivotally connected to the top support frame portion, the second arm support end being pivotally connected to the first arm link end; and
an arm operatively connected to the first arm support end.
8 . The front crank assembly of claim 7 , wherein the extension portion is fixedly connected to the elongate member.
9 . The front crank assembly of claim 6 , wherein the pedal link intermediate portion is bent approximately 35 to 45 degrees toward the front support frame portion.
10 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a base frame configured and arranged to occupy a stable operating position on an underlying horizontal support surface, wherein the base frame defines a front end and a rear end;
a seat assembly selectively coupled to the rear end of the base frame and including a seat facing the front end of the base frame, the seat assembly relative to the base frame configured and arranged to define a right side and a left side;
a support frame extending upward from the base frame proximate the front end of the base frame;
a first axis extending through and outward from opposing sides of the support frame;
a second axis extending through and outward from opposing sides of the support frame, superior and rearward of the first axis;
a third axis extending through and outward from opposing sides of the support frame, superior of the first axis, substantially horizontal and forward of the second axis, disposed medially to the first axis and the second axis;
a crank axle rotatably mounted to the support frame and coaxial with the first axis;
a crank wheel operatively connected to the crank axle;
a first linkage assembly disposed to the right side of the base frame comprising:
a right crank link having a first right crank link end and a second right crank link end, the first right crank link end being pivotally connected to the crank wheel;
a right elongate member having a first right elongate member end, a right elongate member intermediate portion, and a second right elongate member end, the first right elongate member end being pivotally connected to a top support frame portion proximate a rear support frame portion of the support frame, the second right crank link end being pivotally connected to the right elongate member intermediate portion;
a right pedal link having a first right pedal link end, a right pedal link intermediate portion, and a second right pedal link end, the first right pedal link end being pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate a front support frame portion of the support frame; and
a right pedal having a first right pedal end, a right pedal intermediate portion, and a second right pedal end, the second right elongate member end being pivotally connected to the second right pedal end, and the second right pedal link end being pivotally connected to the right pedal intermediate portion;
a second linkage assembly disposed to the left side of the base frame comprising:
a left crank link having a first left crank link end and a second left crank link end, the first left crank link end being pivotally connected to the crank wheel;
a left elongate member having a first left elongate member end, a left elongate member intermediate portion, and a second left elongate member end, the first left elongate member end being pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate the rear support frame portion, the second left crank link end being pivotally connected to the left elongate member intermediate portion;
a left pedal link having a first left pedal link end, a left pedal link intermediate portion, and a second left pedal link end, the first left pedal link end being pivotally connected to the top support frame portion proximate the front support frame portion; and
a left pedal having a first left pedal end, a left pedal intermediate portion, and a second left pedal end, the second left elongate member end being pivotally connected to the second left pedal end, and the second left pedal link end being pivotally connected to the left pedal intermediate portion;
wherein the first linkage assembly and the second linkage assembly are disposed within a transverse projection of a first pedal path of the first pedal to a second pedal path of the second pedal.
11 . The exercise apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:
a fifth axis disposed superior to the first axis, forward of the second axis;
a resistance device rotatably mounted on the support frame about the fifth axis and operatively connected to the crank wheel to provide selected resistance on the crank wheel.
12 . The exercise apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first pulley operatively connected to the resistance device;
a second pulley disposed on the first axis, wherein an outer surface of the crank wheel forms the second pulley;
a belt routed about the first pulley and the second pulley and configured and arranged to provide the selected resistance on the crank wheel.
13 . The exercise apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a third pulley operatively connected to the support frame between the first pulley and the second pulley, the third pulley being moveable to place a desired amount of pressure on the belt thereby resulting in the selected resistance.
14 . The exercise apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the right elongate member and the left elongate member are shorter in length from end to end than the right pedal link and the left pedal link, respectively, wherein a distance from the second axis to the third axis is larger than a distance from the first right pedal end and the left pedal end to the right pedal intermediate portion and the left pedal intermediate portion, respectively, creating linear paths of the first pedal path and the second pedal path while forming angle β between top and bottom strokes of the right pedal and the left pedal thereby simulating a user's natural foot movement during use.
15 . The exercise apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a right crank arm and a left crank arm, the right crank arm being disposed to the right side of the base frame and the left crank arm being disposed to the left side of the base frame, each of the right crank arm and the left crank arm having a first crank arm end and a second crank arm end, the first crank arm end operatively connected to a distal end of the crank axle, the right crank arm and the left crank arm being out of phase from one another during use thereby creating a synchronous stepping motion with the right pedal and the left pedal.
16 . The exercise apparatus of claim 10 , wherein a space between the support frame and the seat assembly is configured and arranged to allow the user to step through the space for positioning on and off the exercise apparatus.
17 . The exercise apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:
a fourth axis disposed proximal to the support frame and superior to the first axis;
a right arm support disposed on the right side having a first right arm support end, a second right arm support end, and a right arm support connector operatively connected to the first right arm support end, the right arm support connector being pivotally coupled about the fourth axis, the first right arm support end being operatively connected to a right handle;
a right arm link having a first right arm link end and a second right arm link end, the first right arm link end being pivotally coupled to the right elongate member intermediate portion, the second right arm link end being pivotally coupled to the second right arm support end;
a left arm support disposed on the left side having a first left arm support end, a second left arm support end, and a left arm support connector operatively connected to the first left arm support end, the left arm support connector being pivotally coupled about the fourth axis, the first left arm support end being operatively connected to a left handle; and
a left arm link having a first left arm link end and a second left arm link end, the first left arm link end being pivotally coupled to the left elongate member intermediate portion, the second left arm link end being pivotally coupled to the second left arm support end.
18 . The exercise apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a mast extending upward from the support frame, the mast having an upright position and a storage position.
19 . The exercise apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a wheel operatively connected to at least the front end of the base frame.