Exercise Machine with Upright and Recumbent Cycling Modes

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a frame member and a seat connected to the frame member at a first end where the frame member includes a base at a second end. The exercise machine further includes a crank assembly connected to the frame member between the first end and the second end. A leg member is pivotally attached to a mid-region of the frame member and selectively movable between a first angular position that orients the frame member in an upright orientation and a second angular position that orients the frame member in a recumbent orientation. The leg member includes a foot that is spaced closer to the base of the frame member when the leg member is in the upright orientation than when the leg member is in the recumbent orientation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame member having a first end and a second end;   a base at a first end of the frame member;   a seat connected to the second end of the frame member;   a crank assembly connected to the frame member between the first end and the second end; and   a leg member pivotally attached to the frame member, wherein the leg member is selectively movable between a first angular position that orients the frame member in an upright orientation and a second angular position that orients the frame member in a recumbent orientation; and   a foot on the leg member opposite the pivotal attachment, wherein the foot is spaced closer to the base of the frame member when the leg member is in the upright orientation than when the leg member is in the recumbent orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises:
 an upright base surface; and   a recumbent base surface adjacent to the upright base surface;   wherein the exercise machine pivots about the base during a transition between the upright orientation and the recumbent orientation such that the exercise machine rests on the upright base surface when the frame member is in the upright orientation and the exercise machine rests on the recumbent base surface when the frame member is in the recumbent orientation.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the foot is adjacent the base when the leg member is pivoted into a storage position. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the foot is slidably connected to a track. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the foot is a free end. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is pivotally connected to the frame member. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a console member pivotally attached to the frame member. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the console member further comprises a handle. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the console member. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the console member is rotated to be adjacent the seat when the frame member is in a storage position. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the console member is integrally formed with the leg member. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein the console member abuts the against a positioning surface of the base when the frame member is in the recumbent orientation. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the crank assembly is connected to a rotary resistance mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the rotary resistance mechanism comprises:
 a flywheel; and   a magnetic unit positioned proximate the flywheel to impose a magnetic force that resists movement of the flywheel.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is extended a greater distance from the base when the frame member is in the recumbent orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism positioned to lock the exercise machine in either of the upright orientation or the recumbent orientation. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a linkage that passively orients the seat in either of the upright orientation or the recumbent orientation. 
     
     
         18 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame member having a first end and a second end, wherein a base is disposed on the first end of the frame member;   the base further including an upright base surface and a recumbent base surface adjacent to the upright base surface;   a seat pivotally connected to the second end of the frame member;   a crank assembly connected to the frame member between the first end and the second end;   a leg member pivotally attached to the frame member, wherein the leg member is selectively movable between a first angular position that orients the frame member in an upright orientation and a second angular position that orients the frame member in a recumbent orientation; and   a foot on the leg member opposite the pivotal attachment, wherein the foot is spaced closer to the base of the frame member when the leg member is in the upright orientation than when the leg member is in the recumbent orientation;   wherein the seat is extended a greater distance from the base when the frame member is in the recumbent orientation; and   wherein the exercise machine pivots about the base during a transition between the upright orientation and the recumbent orientation such that the exercise machine rests on the upright base surface when the frame member is in the upright orientation and the exercise machine rests on the recumbent base surface when the frame member is in the recumbent orientation.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 18 , further comprising a console member pivotally attached to the frame member and a handle pivotally attached to the console member. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame member having a first end and a second end, wherein a base is disposed on the first end of the frame member;   the base further including an upright base surface and a recumbent base surface adjacent to the upright base surface;   a seat pivotally connected to the second end of the frame member;   a crank assembly connected to the frame member between the first end and the second end;   a leg member pivotally attached to the frame member, wherein the leg member is selectively movable between a first angular position that orients the frame member in an upright orientation and a second angular position that orients the frame member in a recumbent orientation;   a flywheel connected to the frame member; and   a magnetic unit positioned proximate the flywheel to impose a magnetic force that resists movement of the flywheel;   wherein the leg member includes a foot that is spaced closer to the base of the frame member when the leg member is in the upright orientation than when the leg member is in the recumbent orientation;   wherein the seat is extended a greater distance from the base when the frame member is in the recumbent orientation;   wherein the exercise machine pivots about the base during a transition between the upright orientation and the recumbent orientation such that the exercise machine rests on the upright base surface when the frame member is in the upright orientation and the exercise machine rests on the recumbent base surface when the frame member is in the recumbent orientation.