Abstract: An elliptical exercise device including a frame having a pivot axis, a foot link, a coupling, a swing arm, an engagement mechanism, and a guide system. The foot link has rearward, forward and foot support portions. The foot support portion has a central location. The coupling couples the rearward portion to the pivot axis so that the rearward portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the pivot axis. The engagement mechanism has a first portion coupled to the swing arm and a second portion coupled to the foot link at a location rearward of the central location. The guide system supports the forward portion of the foot link along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the rearward portion of the foot link travels along its path of travel. The guide system is selectably positionable in a plurality of different positions.

Abstract: A display system for exercise equipment in accordance with the present invention includes a processor, a memory, a metric sensor and a metric display. The memory in communication with the processor. The metric sensor operably coupled to the processor. The metric sensor senses an extent of a metric of a user of the exercise equipment. The metric display is operably coupled to the metric sensor and displays the user metric in a generally oscillating manner.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame defining a longitudinal axis. A foot link includes a rearward portion that is constrained to move in an orbital path approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis and a forward portion that reciprocally engages the guide track. A swing arm is a pivotally connected to the frame, the swing arm having an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection and a lower portion disposed below the pivotal connection. An engagement mechanism having a first portion coupled to the lower portion and a second portion coupled to the forward portion of the foot link, such that a rearward force applied to the upper portion will produce a force on the forward portion having a downward component. An arm enabling/disabling mechanism is positioned on the elongate swing arm below the pivotal connection. The arm enabling/disabling mechanism can be effectuated by a user without the user interrupting exercise.

Abstract: A display system for exercise equipment in accordance with the present invention includes a processor, a memory, a metric sensor and a metric display. The memory in communication with the processor. The metric sensor operably coupled to the processor. The metric sensor senses an extent of a metric of a user of the exercise equipment. The metric display is operably coupled to the metric sensor and displays the user metric in a generally oscillating manner.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame defining a longitudinal axis. A foot link includes a rearward portion that is constrained to move in an orbital path approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis and a forward portion that reciprocally engages the guide track. A swing arm is a pivotally connected to the frame, the swing arm having an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection and a lower portion disposed below the pivotal connection. An engagement mechanism having a first portion coupled to the lower portion and a second portion coupled to the forward portion of the foot link, such that a rearward force applied to the upper portion will produce a force on the forward portion having a downward component. An arm enabling/disabling mechanism is positioned on the elongate swing arm below the pivotal connection. The arm enabling/disabling mechanism can be effectuated by a user without the user interrupting exercise.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise device including a frame having a pivot axis, a foot link, a coupling, a swing arm, an engagement mechanism, and a guide system. The foot link has rearward, forward and foot support portions. The foot support portion has a central location. The coupling couples the rearward portion to the pivot axis so that the rearward portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the pivot axis. The engagement mechanism has a first portion coupled to the swing arm and a second portion coupled to the foot link at a location rearward of the central location. The guide system supports the forward portion of the foot link along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the rearward portion of the foot link travels along its path of travel. The guide system is selectably positionable in a plurality of different positions.

Abstract: A non-conductive insulating ring (210) is inserted between a motor bell (130) and a motor bearing (135) that supports a motor shaft (110). Stray currents that normally discharge thorough the motor shaft and the motor bearing to the motor bell are prevented due to the non-conductive nature of the insulating ring. Additionally, the motor shaft is grounded to provide a low-impedance alternative path to stray shaft currents. When a fast-switching frequency converter is used to drive the motor shaft, additional arrangements such as a common mode choke, reduction of the switching frequency of the converter, and reduction of the turn-of/off rate of a semiconductor device used in the converter, may be provided to further reduce the stray currents flowing thorough the motor bearings.

Abstract: An exercise device in accordance with the present invention includes a frame defining a longitudinal axis, with the frame having a rearward portion and a forward portion. A guide track and a foot link are provided. The foot link includes a rearward portion that is constrained to move in an orbital path approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis and a forward portion that reciprocally engages the guide track. A swing arm is provided having a pivotal connection to the frame. The swing arm includes an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection and a lower portion disposed below the pivotal connection. An engagement mechanism includes a first portion coupled to the lower portion of the swing arm and a second portion coupled to the forward portion of the foot link. A rearward force applied to the upper portion of the swing arm produces a force on the forward portion of the foot link having a downward component. A load monitoring mechanism is positioned to monitor the load applied to the swing arm.

Abstract: A non-conductive insulating ring (210) is inserted between a motor bell (130) and a motor bearing (135) that supports a motor shaft (110). Stray currents that normally discharge thorough the motor shaft and the motor bearing to the motor bell are prevented due to the non-conductive nature of the insulating ring. Additionally, the motor shaft is grounded to provide a low-impedance alternative path to stray shaft currents. When a fast-switching frequency converter is used to drive the motor shaft, additional arrangements such as a common mode choke, reduction of the switching frequency of the converter, and reduction of the turn-of/off rate of a semiconductor device used in the converter, may be provided to further reduce the stray currents flowing thorough the motor bearings.