GB2369586A

GB2369586A - Elliptical exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2369586A
Application number: GB0029423A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Mark Johnson
Original assignee: ROCK MERCHANTING Ltd
Current assignee: ROCK MERCHANTING Ltd
Priority date: 2000-12-02
Filing date: 2000-12-02
Publication date: 2002-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-02
Also published as: AU2002210745A1; WO2002043816A1; GB2369586B; GB0029423D0

Abstract

An elliptical exercise 10 apparatus comprises a frame 16, a guide member 12 and 14, moveably mounted on the frame 16 and a foot support 18 and 20 mounted on the guide member 12 and 14 by means of a link arrangement which allows the foot support 18 and 20 to swing and translate relative to the guide member 12 and 14. The foot support 18 and 20 may rotate relative to said guide member 12 and 14, and may include a plate that includes an upper surface for receiving a user's foot. Said link arrangement may include a pair of link members (54 and 56, figure 2) arranged to be located on each of a first and a second side of said foot member 18 and 20, and one of said pair may be longer than the other. The guide member 12 and 14 may include a base member and one or more support members 50, wherein said link members may be connected to the support members 50. The elliptical exercise apparatus allows the body to move in a natural way, thereby reduceing the impact on the user's joints.

Description

Exercise Apparatus The invention relates to an exercise apparatus and particularly to an elliptical training apparatus.

Elliptical training apparatus provides a low impact total body exercise by allowing the body to move in a natural way. The principle behind such apparatus is to reduce the impact on joints. For example, a runner's knees are susceptible to damage due to the sudden momentum change as their feet hit the ground/treadmill. In contrast, an elliptical training apparatus guides the user's feet through an elliptical path free from sudden impact forces. Through the machine, the motion of the user's arms is also connected to the elliptical path of the feet. Therefore, the arms are also encouraged to move in a smooth, natural way.

According to the invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus including a frame, a guide member movably mounted on the frame and a foot support mounted on the guide member, wherein the foot support is mounted on the guide member by means of a link arrangement which allows the foot support to swing and to translate relative to the guide member.

Preferably the foot support is able to rotate relative to the guide member.

The foot support may include a plate, including an upper surface for receiving a user's foot. The upper surface may be generally flat. The foot support may include a wall around an edge thereof, the wall extending above the generally flat surface.

The link arrangement may suspend the foot support from the guide member.

The link arrangement may include a plurality of link members. Each link member may be rotatably connected to each of the foot support and the guide member. Each link member may be elongate and may be rotatably connected to the foot support at one of its ends and to the guide member at the other of its ends.

The link arrangement preferably includes a first pair of link members provided on a first side of the foot support and a second pair of link members provided on a second side of the foot support. Preferably the effective length of one of each pair of link members is greater than the effective length of the other link member in the pair. Preferably the longer link members are located nearer to the front of a user's foot than are the shorter link members. The shorter link members may be between 20mm and 200mm, and preferably about 60mm in length. The longer link members may be between 40mm and 250mm, and preferably about 90mm in length. The points at which the longer link member and the shorter link member of each pair are rotatably connected to the guide member are preferably separated by between 50mm and 200mm.

More preferably they are separated by about 80mm. The point at which the longer link member is connected to the guide member may be higher in use than the point at which the shorter member is connected to the link member.

The difference in heights is preferably between 20mm and 70mm and is most preferably about 44mm.

The guide member may include a base member and one or more support members to which the link members may be connected. The points at which the longer link member and the shorter link member of each pair are connected to the support member may be separated by between 50mm and 110mm. More preferably they are separated by about 80mm. The or each support member may be rigidly connected to the base member. The link members may suspend the foot support from the support members. The first pair of link members may be connected to a first support member and the second pair of link members may be connected to a second support member. Each support member may comprise a plate extending above the base member of the guide member in use. The first and second support members may be located on opposite sides of a user's foot.

Preferably the guide member is movably mounted on the frame such that the foot support is constrained to describe a generally elliptical path. The base member of the guide member may comprise an elongate member pivotally attached at one of its ends to an outer part of a wheel mounted on the frame. An opposite end of the elongate member may be suspended from the frame by an elongate suspension member. The guide member may be rotatably connected to the elongate suspension member. The elongate suspension member may be pivotally attached to the frame, at a point remote from the guide member.

The exercise apparatus may include two guide members each movably mounted on the frame. A foot support may be mounted on each guide member. Ends of the respective guide members may be pivotally attached to respectively circumferentially opposite outer parts of the wheel.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described for the purpose of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an elliptical trainer according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic partial sectional view of a foot plate of the elliptical trainer of Fig. 1, shown in a forward position; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic partial sectional view of the foot plate of Fig. 2 shown in a rearward position; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic partial sectional view of the foot plate of Figs. 2 and 3, illustrated in three different positions.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated an exercise apparatus in the form of an elliptical trainer 10. The elliptical trainer 10 includes two guide members 12 and 14 mounted on a frame 16. Foot supports in the form of foot plates 18 and 20 are mounted on the guide members 12 and 14 respectively in a manner which is described in more detail hereinafter.

The guide members 12 and 14 are mounted on the frame in such a way that they constrain the foot plates 18 and 20 to describe generally elliptical paths, as follows. A rear end 22 of the guide member 12 is rotatably attached to an outer part of a guide wheel 24. A front end 26 of the guide member 12 is rotatably connected to a suspension member 28. The suspension member 28 is itself rotatably mounted on the frame 16 at a pivot point 30. The suspension member 28 thus allows the front end 26 of the guide member 12 to undergo a swinging motion. Meanwhile, the rear end 22 of the guide member 12 is constrained to move around a circular path defined by the circumference of the guide wheel 24. The combination of the movements of the front and rear ends of the guide member 12 causes a mid-portion of the guide member to undergo a generally elliptical motion.

The other guide member 14 is constrained to move in the same way as the guide member 12, but 1800 out of phase with the guide member 12. Its front end is connected to a suspension member 57. A rear end 32 of the guide member 14 is attached to the guide wheel 24 in a position which is circumferentially opposite to the position of attachment of the guide member 12. The ends 22 and 32 of the respective guide members 12 and 14 are linked by a cross bar 34 which extends across a diameter of the guide wheel 24.

The mounting of the rear ends 22 and 32 of the respective guide members 12 and 14 at circumferentially opposite points on the guide wheel 24 ensures that the movements of the respective guide members 12 and 14 are 1800 out of phase with one another, thus ensuring that a user's two legs move out of phase with one another.

The suspension members 28 and 57 extend upwardly beyond the pivot point 30 to form respective handles 36 and 58. The handles 36 and 58 are profiled at their upper ends to help a user to grip them comfortably in a natural position. Because the handles are formed as extensions of the suspension members 28 and 57, the handles move in synchronisation with the movement of the guide members 12 and 14. Thus, users are encouraged to move their arms at the same time as they move their legs.

The elliptical motion of the legs and the smooth back and forward motion of the arms minimises impact stresses on the body as the user exercises.

The difficulty of the exercise may be adjusted by altering the resistance to motion provided by the guide wheel 24.

The Applicant has realised that although present elliptical training machines reduce stress on joints compared to, for example, running machines, they still place undue stress on certain key parts of the body. Foot plates on existing machines are generally rigid which means that a user's feet are not allowed to move in a completely natural way. Usually, the foot is urged to rise up onto its ball putting unnecessary strain on the ankle and lower leg muscles.

The elliptical trainer 10 of the present invention includes foot plates 18 and 20 which are mounted on the guide members 12 and 14 respectively.

Figs. 2 to 4 show the foot plate 18 in detail. The foot plate includes a generally flat upper surface 38 upon which the foot is able to rest. Side walls 40 define edges of the foot plate 18 and prevent the foot from slipping off the foot plate 18.

The guide member 12 includes an elongate member 50 (see Fig. 1) and a pair of support plates 52 rigidly attached thereto. The support plates extend upwardly from respective sides of a central part of the elongate member 50.

The support plates 52 mount the foot plate 18.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of link members 54 and 56 suspend a first side of the foot plate 18 from a first support plate 52. Each link member is rotatably connected to the support plate 52 at an upper end and rotatably connected to the foot plate 18 at a lower end.

The link member 54 (which is nearer the front of the foot in use) is longer than the link member 56. The link member 54 is also suspended from a position about 44mm higher than the position of suspension of the link member 56. The link member 54 is about 90mm long and the link member 56 is about 60mm long. When the link members 54,56 are parallel to each other, as seen in Fig. 2, their separation is about 80mm. These dimensions allow a considerable range of movement of the foot plate 18 but keep the movement stable. These dimensions may be varied accordingly for different machines 10 to suit different requirements. By restricting the maximum amount of foot plate 18 swing and stabilising that movement, the risk of injury to a user is reduced.

Because the link member 54 is longer than the link member 56, this urges the back of the foot plate 18 to rise up more sharply than the front when moving from the back extremity of the ellipse. In this way a natural running or walking motion is achieved whilst keeping the user's feet in normal contact with the foot plate 18.

A second side of the foot plate 18 is suspended from a second support plate 52 in a corresponding manner.

The foot plate 18 is thus suspended from the two support plates 52 by two pairs of link members 54 and 56. The foot plate 18 is suspended above the elongate member 50 of the guide member and can swing freely without fouling this member.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the foot plate 18 in two extreme positions. This shows the significant range of movement permitted by the pairs of link members 54 and 56. It may be seen that the four points of relative rotation permitted by the pairs of link members result in swing loci which dictate the movement of the foot plate 18, allowing it to swing and to translate relative to the guide member 12. Fig. 4 shows the foot plate 18 in three different positions.

The support plates 52 are not able to move relative to the remainder of the guide member 12 and therefore follow the same elliptical path in use. The foot plate 18 therefore follows a generally elliptical path but may rotate and translate or swing as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4. The precise movement of the foot plate 18 will vary according to the requirements of each individual user.

Each user will exert different amounts of force in different directions and the foot plate 18 can allow for this.

Because the link members 54 and 56 allow the foot plate 18 to translate relative to the guide member 12, the elliptical trainer 10 can provide a variable stride length to suit each individual user. For example, a person exerting more effort using the machine 10 would produce longer stride lengths than a person exerting less effort.

The other foot plate 20 is mounted on the guide member 14 in an exactly equivalent manner to that described above.

There is thus provided an elliptical training apparatus provided with a novel foot plate arrangement offering significant advantages over conventional apparatus.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of mounting guide members in the track of the guide wheel, the guide members may simply be attached to opposite ends of a diameter of a wheel which is free to rotate about its centre. This would still ensure that the guide members move in a substantially elliptical path. Also, the foot plates may be pivotally mounted directly to the guide members. This would mean there would be no need for the support plate. Another possibility would be to provide stationary handles for users who require only a lower body exercise. These would provide extra stability for the user.

The invention may be applied to various different types of exercise apparatus including sliding link, ramp lift, swing link and crank on crank type machines.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. An exercise apparatus including a frame, a guide member movably mounted on the frame and a foot support mounted on the guide member, wherein the foot support is mounted on the guide member by means of a link arrangement which allows the foot support to swing and to translate relative to the guide member.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foot support is able to rotate relative to the guide member.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foot support includes a plate, including an upper surface for receiving a user's foot.
4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the upper surface is generally flat.
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the foot support includes a wall around an edge thereof, the wall extending above the generally flat surface.
6. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the link arrangement suspends the foot support from the guide member.
7. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the link arrangement includes a plurality of link members.
8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each link member is rotatably connected to each of the foot support and the guide member.
9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each link member is elongate.
10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, wherein each link member is rotatably connected to the foot support at one of its ends and to the guide member at the other of its ends.
11. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the

link arrangement includes a first pair of link members provided on a first side 0 of the foot support and a second pair of link members provided on a second side of the foot support.
12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the effective length of one of each pair of link members is greater than the effective length of the other link member in the pair.
13. An exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the longer link members are located nearer to the front of a user's foot than are the shorter link members.
14. An exercise apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the shorter link members are between 20mm and 200mm in length.
15. An exercise apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the shorter link members are about 60mm in length.
16. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the longer link members are between 40mm and 250mm in length.
17. An exercise apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the longer link members are about 90mm in length.
18. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the points at which the longer link member and the shorter link member of each pair are rotatably connected to the guide member are separated by between 50mm and 200mm.
19. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the points at which the longer link member and the shorter link member are rotatably connected to the guide member are separated by about 80mm.
20. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the point at which the longer link member is connected to the guide member is higher in use than the point at which the shorter member is connected to the link member.
21. An exercise apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the difference in heights is between 20mm and 70mm.
22. An exercise apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the difference in heights is about 44mm.
23. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide member includes a base member and one or more support members.
24. An exercise apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the link members are connected to the support members.
25. An exercise apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the points at which the longer link member and the shorter link member of each pair are connected to the support member are separated by between 50mm and 110mm.
26. An exercise apparatus according to claim 25, wherein they are separated by about 80mm.
27. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 26, wherein the or each support member is rigidly connected to the base member.
28. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the link members suspend the foot support from the support members.
29. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 28, wherein the first pair of link members is connected to a first support member.
30. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 29, wherein the second pair of link members is connected to a second support member.
31. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 30, wherein each support member comprises a plate extending above the base member of the guide member in use.
32. An exercise apparatus according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the first and second support members are located on opposite sides of a user's foot.
33. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide member is movably mounted on the frame such that the foot support is constrained to describe a generally elliptical path.
34. An exercise apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 33, wherein the base member of the guide member comprises an elongate member pivotally attached at one of its ends to an outer part of a wheel mounted on the frame.
35. An exercise apparatus according to claim 34, wherein an opposite end of the elongate member is suspended from the frame by an elongate suspension member.
36. An exercise apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the guide member is rotatably connected to the elongate suspension member.
37. An exercise apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the elongate suspension member is pivotally attached to the frame, at a point remote from the guide member.
38. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exercise apparatus includes two guide members each movably mounted on the frame.
39. An exercise apparatus according to claim 38, wherein a foot support is mounted on each guide member.
40. An exercise apparatus according to claim 38 or 39, wherein ends of the respective guide members are pivotally attached to respectively circumferentially opposite outer parts of the wheel.
41. An exercise apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
42. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.