Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable elliptical path

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a pair of reciprocating slide members each having a pivotal end connected to a rotating mechanism and a sliding end slidable on a support. A foot plate 43 is mounted slidably on a corresponding slide member. A linkage unit is connected to each foot plate and the rotating mechanism, and a control mechanism is associated with the linkage unit and the foot plate for actuating the foot plate to move forward when the slide member moves forward and to move rearward when the slide member moves rearward. An elliptical path of the exercise machine can be enlarged due to the slidable foot plate and the control mechanism.

1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a support extending in a front-to-rear direction and having a rotating mechanism mounted thereon;    a pair of slide members mounted on said support for reciprocating movement and each having a pivotal end connected to said rotating mechanism and a sliding end slidable on said support;    a foot plate mounted movably on one of said slide members;    a linkage unit connecting said foot plate to said rotating mechanism for reciprocating said foot plate on said one of said slide members; and    a control mechanism associated with said linkage unit for actuating said foot plate to move forward when said one of said slide members moves forward and to move rearward when said one of said slide members moves rearward.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said linkage unit includes at least first and second arms which are connected pivotally to each other, said first arm being connected pivotally to said pivotal end of said one of said slide members, said second arm connected pivotally to said foot plate.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said control mechanism is connected to said pivotal end and said first arm for turning said first arm and said pivotal end in opposite directions.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said control mechanism includes a gear assembly.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said gear assembly includes a first gear mounted coaxially with said pivotal end, and a second gear mounted coaxially with said first arm, said first and second gears interlocking each other.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said control mechanism includes a pair of pulleys which are coaxial with said pivotal end of said one of said slide members and said first arm, respectively, and a cross belt extending over said pulleys.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said control mechanism includes a pair of rubber rollers which are in contact with each other and which are respectively coaxial with said pivotal end of said one of said slide members and said first arm.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism associated with said linkage unit for adjusting the distance of the stroke of said foot plate on said one of said slide members.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said first arm has a first end connected pivotally to said pivotal end of one of said slide members, and a second end opposite to said first end, said second arm having a first end connected to said first arm through said adjustment mechanism.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of retaining holes provided in said first arm at intervals between said first and second ends of said first arm and along the length of said first arm, and a pivot unit for connecting said first end of said second arm to a selected one of said retaining holes.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a support extending in a front-to-rear direction and having a rotating mechanism mounted thereon;    a pair of slide members mounted on said support for reciprocal movement and each having a pivotal end connected pivotally to said rotating mechanism;    a foot plate mounted movably on one of said slide members;    a linkage unit connecting to said foot plate to said rotating mechanism for reciprocating said foot plate on said one of said slide members; and    a control mechanism associated with said linkage unit for actuating said foot plate to move forward when said one of said slide members moves forward and to move rearward when said one of said slide members moves rearward.    
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said linkage unit includes at least first and second arms which are connected pivotally to each other, said first arm being connected pivotally to said pivotal end of said one of said slide members, said second arm connected pivotally to said foot plate.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said control mechanism is connected to said pivotal end and said first arm for turning said first arm and said pivotal end in opposite directions.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said pivotal end is turnable about a first axis, and said first arm is turnable about a second axis adjacent said first axis, said control mechanism being connected to said first and second axes.