Linkage based exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise machine has a frame and an operating linkage. The operating linkage includes any of a number of mechanisms that can adjust a foot trace generated by the linkage. In one configuration, the foot trace can be adjusted between at least a generally vertical trace and a generally horizontal trace.

1 . An exercise machine comprising a generally stationary frame assembly, an operating linkage supported by said frame assembly, said operating linkage comprising a left subassembly and a right subassembly, said left subassembly supporting a left foot pad and said right subassembly supporting a right foot pad, said left subassembly comprising a first geared five bar mechanism and said right subassembly comprising a second geared five bar mechanism, said first geared five bar mechanism comprising a first crank and a first pulley coupled for rotation with said first crank, a second crank and a second pulley coupled for rotation with said second crank and a belt interconnecting said first pulley and said second pulley. 
   
   
       2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein said first geared five bar mechanism further comprises said first crank rotatable about a first pin joint, a first coupler link connected to said first crank at a second pin joint, a second coupler link connected to said first coupler link at a third pin joint, said second crank connected to said second coupler link at a fourth pin joint and said second crank being rotatable about a fifth pin joint. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second pulleys have generally the same effective diameters such that said first crank and said second crank rotate at generally the same speed. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3  further comprising a first handle, said first handle tied to said first geared five bar mechanism, said first handle being pivotal about a first axis, and said first axis being moveable relative to said frame. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein said first crank is positioned generally vertically higher than said second crank and said first crank is positioned generally rearward of said second crank. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise machine of  claim 4  further comprising a motion resisting element connected to at least one of said first crank and said second crank. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said left foot pad is supported by said first coupler link at a position generally rearward of said third pin joint. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein said left foot pad is pivotally mounted to said first coupler link. 
   
   
       9 . An exercise machine comprising a generally stationary frame assembly, an operating linkage supported by said frame assembly, said operating linkage comprising a left subassembly and a right subassembly, said left subassembly supporting a left foot support and said right subassembly supporting a right foot support, said left subassembly comprising a five bar mechanism and means for controlling a path of movement of said left foot support and said right subassembly comprising a five bar mechanism and means for controlling a path of movement of said right foot support. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said means for controlling comprises a clocking configuration. 
   
   
       11 . The exercise machine of  claim 10 , wherein said clocking configuration comprises a belt and pulleys that connect two links of said five bar mechanism for timed movement. 
   
   
       12 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said means for controlling comprises a guide plate configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said means for controlling comprises an adjustment mechanism. 
   
   
       14 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said five bar mechanism of said left subassembly comprises a first left crank and a second left crank and said means for controlling comprising varying a relative phase angle between said first left crank and said second left crank. 
   
   
       15 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said five bar mechanism of said left subassembly comprises a first left crank, a first connecting beam connected at a first end to said first left crank, a second left crank being connected to a first end of a second connecting beam, and a foot beam connected to a second end of said first connecting beam and said foot beam also connected to a second end of said second connecting beam. 
   
   
       16 . The exercise machine of  claim 15 , wherein said means for controlling comprises a control crank rotatable with said first left crank, a connecting rod connected to said control crank at a first end, a first end of an oscillating lever arm connected to a second end of said connecting rod, a second end of said oscillating lever arm connected to a first end of a drag link, a second end of said drag link connected to said first connecting beam and said oscillating lever arm comprising an adjustable pivot location. 
   
   
       17 . The exercise machine of  claim 15 , wherein said means for controlling comprises a control crank rotatable with said first left crank, a connecting rod connected to said control crank at a first end, a first end of an oscillating lever arm connected to a second end of said connecting rod, a second end of said oscillating lever arm connected to a first end of a drag link, a second end of said drag link connected to said first connecting beam and said oscillating lever arm comprising an adjustable length between said connection to said connecting rod and said connection to said drag link. 
   
   
       18 . The exercise machine of  claim 15 , wherein said means for controlling comprises a control crank rotatable with said first left crank, a connecting rod connected to said control crank at a first end, a first end of an oscillating lever arm connected to a second end of said connecting rod, a second end of said oscillating lever arm connected to a first end of a drag link, a second end of said drag link connected to said first connecting beam, said oscillating lever arm comprising a pivot axis with a first length and a second length of said oscillating lever arm being separated by said pivot axis and a location of said pivot axis along said oscillating lever arm being adjustable.