Handlebar mechanism

Abstract

An operator selectable mechanism for adjusting a moveable handle for use with an exercise apparatus is described. The handle can be selectively lowered or the upper portion of the handle can be moved laterally with respect to the apparatus in order to vary the motion of the upper portion of the handle.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a body structure including a mounting portion;   a foot pedal assembly including a foot pedal;   a rocker rotatably coupled to said foot pedal assembly and said mounting portion; and   a handle assembly coupled to said rocker for movement therewith, said handle assembly including a handle selectively movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said mounting portion.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , including a guide bracket secured to said rocker wherein said handle is slidably coupled to said guide bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said handle assembly includes an actuator operatively coupled to said handle and adapted to selectively translate said handle between said extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said rocker includes first and second guide brackets securing said actuator therebetween and wherein said handle is slidably coupled to said guide brackets. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said handle assembly additionally includes a mechanism for selectively moving an upper portion of said handle laterally away from said body structure. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said handle assembly includes a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of said handle and wherein said receptacle is pivotally connected to said rocker so as to permit said movement of said upper portion of said handle laterally away from said body structure. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said handle assembly includes an actuator operatively connected between said rocker and said receptacle effective to selectively move a lower portion of said receptacle toward said body portion resulting in said movement of said upper portion of said handle laterally away from said body structure. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said handle extends a first distance relative to a center of rotation of said rocker when in said extended position and extends a second distance relative to the center of rotation of said rocker when in said retracted position, said first distance being greater than said second distance. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said foot pedal moves in an elliptical path. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a body structure including a pivot coupling;   a foot pedal assembly including a foot pedal;   a rocker rotatably coupled to said pivot coupling and said foot pedal assembly; and   a handle assembly coupled to and for rotation with said rocker, said handle assembly including a handle and a mechanism for selectively moving an upper portion of said handle laterally from a first position to a second position with respect to said body structure.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said foot pedal moves longitudinally with respect to said body structure in an elliptical path. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said handle assembly includes an actuator effective to selectively translate said upper portion of said handle between said first and second positions. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said handle assembly includes a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of said handle rotatably coupled to said pivot coupling at a first end, an actuation mechanism coupled to a second end of said receptacle and said rocker and configured to rotate said receptacle relative to said rocker about said pivot coupling thereby being effective to selectively translate said upper portion of said handle between said first and second positions. 
     
     
         14 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a body structure including a mounting portion;   a rocker member rotatably coupled to said mounting portion; and   a handle assembly coupled to said rocker member for movement therewith said handle assembly including a handle, and an adjustment mechanism adapted to permit said handle to be selectively raised to an extended position or lowered to a retracted position with respect to said mounting portion.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said adjustment mechanism includes an actuator operatively connected to said handle. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said handle assembly includes at least one guide bracket secured to said rocker member wherein said handle is slidably coupled to said guide bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a mechanical locking mechanism operatively connected to said handle. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said mechanical locking mechanism includes a collar member secured to said body structure and encompassing said handle and a set screw effective to retain said handle in said extended or retracted positions. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said rocker member is rotatable about a pivot point on said mounting portion, said handle being rotatable relative to said rocker member about said pivot point. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 19  including a foot pedal assembly having a foot pedal operatively connected to said rocker member wherein said foot pedal moves in an elliptical path.