Supplemental resistance assembly for resisting motion of an exercise device

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for a user. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, a crank system coupled to the frame, a pivotal linkage pendulum system, a foot member and first and second directional resistance systems. The crank system includes one or more crank members. The pivotal linkage pendulum system comprises at least a first link member. The first link member is coupled to the crank system through at least a first pivot point. The first pivot point of the first link member is configured to move in a path during use. The foot member is coupled to the at least one first link member. The first and second directional resistance systems are each coupled to the crank system. The first direction is different from the second direction.

1 . An exercise apparatus for a user comprising:
 a frame;   a crank system coupled to the frame, the crank system comprises one or more crank members;   a pivotal linkage pendulum system comprising at least a first link member, the first link member coupled to the crank system through at least a first pivot point, and the first pivot point of the first link member configured to move in a path during use;   a foot member coupled to the at least one first link member;   a first directional resistance system coupled to the crank system; and   a second directional resistance system coupled to the crank system, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first directional resistance system is a generally vertical resistance system, and wherein the second directional resistance system is a generally horizontal resistance system. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second resistance system comprises a system for applying a braking or retarding force to the movement of the pivotal linkage pendulum system. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the system for applying a braking or retarding force comprises an eddy current brake. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the horizontal resistance system provides resistance at the foot member varying from zero force at zero velocity to a maximum force at full velocity. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the horizontal resistance system provides constant resistance. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the horizontal resistance system provides resistance to the foot member in the fore and aft directions from about 0.5 to about 15.0 pounds. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the horizontal resistance system provides resistance to the foot member in the fore and aft directions from about 2.0 to about 10.0 pounds. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a first link member comprises at least the first link member and a second link member, wherein the pivot point of the first link member is an upper pivot point, and wherein the second link member is coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a footpad coupled to the foot member, the footpad provided with a forward securement member. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the forward securement member is a toe clip. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the foot member is configured to move in a user defined motion, and wherein the user defined motion has a vertical component and a horizontal component. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the user defined motion can be altered by the user as desired. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage pendulum system comprises a corresponding pair of four or more bar linkages. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a step-up base, and wherein at least a portion of the base is positioned beneath at least a portion of the foot member. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage pendulum system includes a swing arm for engaging the upper body of the user. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the system for applying a braking or retarding force comprises at least one of a resistance pulley and a rocker link. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the resistance pulley has an available operating motion that is less than a complete revolution. 
     
     
         20 . A resistance system for an exercise apparatus that has both a horizontal and a vertical motion component, comprising:
 a foot member;   a vertical variable resistance system coupled to the foot member; and   a horizontal variable resistance system coupled to the foot member, the horizontal resistance system providing resistance to the foot member varying from 0.5 pounds of force at a generally horizontal velocity of zero to a maximum resistance at a full generally horizontal velocity.   
     
     
         21 . The resistance system of  claim 20 , wherein the horizontal resistance system comprises a system for applying a braking or retarding force to the movement of the pivotal linkage pendulum system. 
     
     
         22 . The resistance system of  claim 21 , wherein the system for applying a braking or retarding force comprises an eddy current brake. 
     
     
         23 . The resistance system of  claim 20 , wherein the horizontal resistance system provides resistance to the foot member in the fore and aft directions from about 0.5 pounds of force to about 15.0 pounds of force. 
     
     
         24 . The resistance system of  claim 20 , wherein the horizontal resistance system provides resistance to the foot member in the fore and aft directions from about 2.0 pounds of force to about 10.0 pounds of force. 
     
     
         25 . The resistance system of  claim 20  further comprising a footpad coupled to the foot member, the footpad provided with a forward securement member. 
     
     
         26 . The resistance system of  claim 25 , wherein the forward securement member is a toe clip. 
     
     
         27 . The resistance system of  claim 20 , wherein the vertical resistance system comprises a system for applying a braking or retarding force. 
     
     
         28 . A resistance system for an exercise apparatus that has both a horizontal and a vertical motion component, comprising:
 a foot member;   a variable vertical resistance system coupled to the foot member; and   a variable horizontal resistance system coupled to the foot member, the horizontal resistance system providing a user selectable resistance within the range of about 0.5 pounds of force to about 15.0 pounds in the fore and aft direction.   
     
     
         29 . The resistance system of  claim 28 , wherein the resistance of the horizontal resistance system is within the range of about 2.0 to about 10.0 pounds. 
     
     
         30 . The resistance system of  claim 28 , wherein the horizontal resistance system comprises a system for applying a braking or retarding force to the movement of the pivotal linkage pendulum system. 
     
     
         31 . The resistance system of  claim 30 , wherein the system for applying a braking or retarding force comprises an eddy current brake. 
     
     
         32 . The resistance system of  claim 28  further comprising a footpad coupled to the foot member, the footpad provided with a forward securement member. 
     
     
         33 . The resistance system of  claim 32 , wherein the forward securement member is a toe clip. 
     
     
         34 . The resistance system of  claim 28 , wherein the vertical resistance system comprises a system for applying a braking or retarding force. 
     
     
         35 . A resistance system for an exercise apparatus that has both a horizontal and a vertical motion component, comprising:
 a foot member;   a vertical variable resistance system coupled to the foot member; and   a horizontal resistance system coupled to the foot member, the horizontal resistance system providing constant resistance within the range of about 0.05 pounds of force to about 15.0 pounds of force.   
     
     
         36 . The resistance system of  claim 35 , wherein the constant resistance of the horizontal resistance system is within the range of about 2.0 to about 10.0 pounds. 
     
     
         37 . The resistance system of  claim 35 , wherein the horizontal resistance system comprises a system for applying a braking or retarding force to the movement of the pivotal linkage pendulum system. 
     
     
         38 . The resistance system of  claim 37 , wherein the system for applying a braking or retarding force comprises an eddy current brake. 
     
     
         39 . The resistance system of  claim 35  further comprising a footpad coupled to the foot member, the footpad provided with a forward securement member. 
     
     
         40 . The resistance system of  claim 39 , wherein the forward securement member is a toe clip. 
     
     
         41 . The resistance system of  claim 35 , wherein the vertical resistance system comprises a system for applying a braking or retarding force.