Exercising apparatus with varying length arms

Abstract

An exercise apparatus, such as a front end or an upright elliptical trainer, includes a drive mechanism connected to a first reciprocating member and a second reciprocating member. Each reciprocating member includes a footpad that travels in an elliptical path. The exercise apparatus also includes a first arm member and a second arm member connected to the drive mechanism. Each arm member includes a first portion having a handle that travels in a back and forth path and a second portion having at least a part of which that travels in a circular or elliptical path. To convert the circular motion of the second portion to the back and forth motion of the handle, the second portion has an effective variable length that permits the distance between a first connection point and a second connection point of the arm members to change as the drive mechanism is actuated.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a drive mechanism;    a first reciprocating member and a second reciprocating member connected to the drive mechanism;    a first footpad connected to the first reciprocating member and a second footpad connected to the second reciprocating member; and    a first arm member and a second arm member connected to the drive mechanism, wherein each arm member comprises a first portion having a fixed length and each arm member further comprises a second portion having an effective variable length.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first arm member comprises telescoping parts.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first arm member comprises a slot, the exercise apparatus further comprising an engagement member slidable within the slot.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise apparatus further comprises a frame and the first arm member comprises a first connection point, wherein the first arm member is pivotally attached to the frame at the first connection point.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein second portion comprises a second connection point, wherein the effective variable length is the distance between the first connection point and the second connection point such that the distance changes as the drive mechanism is actuated.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second connection point travels in a circular or an elliptical path as the drive mechanism is actuated.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first reciprocating member comprises a reciprocating support disposed forward of the footpad.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm member is directly connected to the drive mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first arm member is also directly connected to the first reciprocating member.  
     
     
         10 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a drive mechanism;    a first reciprocating member and a second reciprocating member connected to the drive mechanism;    a first footpad connected to the first reciprocating member and a second footpad connected to the second reciprocating member; and    a first arm member and a second arm member connected to the drive mechanism, wherein each arm member comprises a first portion having a handle that travels in a back and forth path and a second portion having at least a part of which that travels in a circular or elliptical path.    
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second portion of the first arm member comprises telescoping parts.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second portion of the first arm member comprises a slot, the exercise apparatus further comprising an engagement member slidable within the slot.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the handle travels in an arc.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the exercise apparatus further comprises a frame and the first arm member comprises a first connection point, wherein the first arm member is pivotally attached to the frame at the first connection point.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first connection point is disposed intermediate the first portion and the second portion of the first arm member.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first reciprocating member comprises a reciprocating support disposed forward of the footpad.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first arm member is directly connected to the drive mechanism.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first arm member is also directly connected to the first reciprocating member.  
     
     
         19 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a drive mechanism;    a first reciprocating member and a second reciprocating member connected to the drive mechanism;    a first footpad connected to the first reciprocating member and a second footpad connected to the second reciprocating member; and    a first arm member and a second arm member, wherein each arm member comprises a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein the distance between the first connection point and the second connection point changes as the drive mechanism is actuated.    
     
     
         20 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first arm member comprises telescoping parts.  
     
     
         21 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first arm member comprises a slot and the second connection point comprises an engagement member slidable within the slot.  
     
     
         22 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first reciprocating member comprises a reciprocating support disposed forward of the footpad.