Exercise machine
The instant invention combines an upper and lower body skier, a rowing machine, a stepping, a stair climber, cycling and an elliptical training machine into one unit allowing for its use in a multitude of modes. The machine also features a seat that adjusts both vertically and horizontally. This feature allows for the elliptical mode to be used as a standard cycle or as a recumbent cycle. The magnetic resistance of the flywheel gives the machine smooth silent operation.
This application claims priority from U.S. provisional Application No. 61/069,949 filed Mar. 19, 2008.
The present invention deals with an exercise machine that incorporates multiple exercise machines into one unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONExercise machines are not new to the art. The instant device combines the skiing and rowing action with a stepping simulation combined with a multi-directional adjustable seat allowing for simulation of standard as well as recumbent cycling in one machine. All of these types of exercises are available from standard exercise equipment. The inventor has two patents U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,241 issued Mar. 5, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,423 issued Oct. 5, 1999 demonstrating the combination of skiing/rowing and stepping in one machine. The 423 patent provides details how a stepper, rower, skier, use a shaft-roller-belt shaft combinations allow for the use of one resistance mechanism to provide resistance for multiple exercise machine. The use of one resistance mechanism can be attached to a single shaft to allow the use of the add-on equipment with minimal effort or modifications.
However, the instant invention greatly improves the ability to do more, different exercises with one machine. Those exercises include a stair climbing movement, a stepping movement, elliptical training, cycling, rowing and skiing. This allows the user to have six exercise machines in one.
THE INVENTIONThe instant invention is an exercise machine comprising in combination of a frame, a flywheel that is operatively connected to the frame for rotation about a flywheel axis relative to the frame. The exercise machine has at least one elongated member and at least one arm extension pole.
The first and second stepping members are operatively connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame, between raised and lowered positions, each stepping member has a stepping surface positioned and configured to be stepped upon by the user.
The stair-climbing drive mechanism is operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner that causes the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the stepping members from their raised positions to their lowered positions.
Elongated members are operatively connected to the frame for motion in a circular motion relative to the frame. And an elliptical drive mechanism operatively connects to each of the first cranks and second cranks operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon circular movement of the cranks relative to the frame.
There is also at least one crank pedal positioned above and attached to the elongated members facilitating a cyclic motion. This cyclic motion is a simulation of cycling.
The adjustable seat is mounted between the elongated members and is adjustable in both a vertical and a horizontal plane. The seat adjustment gives the exercise machine the ability to simulate standard and recumbent cycling motion.
There is also a set of arm extension poles operatively connect to a second elongated member that operatively connects to the elongated member. The arm poles are pivotally connected to a front riser. The front riser depends vertically from the flywheel housing. The flywheel housing contains the flywheel. When the arm poles, stepping pedal or foot pedals are engaged the flywheel begins to rotate about the flywheel axis. The flywheel speed and therefore resistance can be regulated by a flywheel regulator increasing or decreasing the amount of pressure necessary for the user to manipulate or rotate the flywheel. The step drive mechanism incorporates a cable pulley return mechanism. The flywheel resistance is magnetically controlled.
The instant invention is an exercise machine capable of operating in a multitude of modes, the first mode simulating an activity such as skiing involving reciprocating linear motion in generally horizontal plane; the second mode for simulating climbing steps in generally a vertical plane; the third mode simulates cycling in a vertical plane, fourth simulates cycling in a horizontal plane, fifth simulates stair climbing motion and the sixth is simulates a rowing motion.
From a sitting position the exercise machine 2 is capable of being used as both a standard elliptical exercise machine and a recumbent elliptical machine. The cycling aspect is facilitates through the use of the cycling pedals 6 that are affixed to the elongated members 10. When the user engages the cycling pedals 6 by placing a forward pressure on the cycling pedals 6 it in turn forces the elongated members 10 to move in a forward movement thus rotating the flywheel 4. The procedure simulates cycling. The ability to differentiate between the two types of cycling is from the adjustability of the seat 16.
The adjustability of the seat 16 is significant to the device and its unique ability to offer a multitude of exercise from a single machine. With the seat 16 set to a position where it is above the highest rotation point of the flywheel 4 the machine provides a standard elliptical exercise device. The flywheel housing 30 encloses the flywheel 4. Extending upward from the flywheel housing 30 is the front riser 20. At approximately the mid point of the front riser 20 are attachment points 56 for the attachment of the arm extension pole 12 to their pivot points 40. Near the top portion of the front riser 20 is an attached set of handles or bicycle handles 38 that support the user in the process of exercising. At the top of the front riser 20 is an exercise monitoring system 58.
Also visible form
Near the mid section of the elongated member 10 is the attachment point 46 of the second elongated member 44. The second elongated member 44 is attached to the bottom of the arm extension 12 and then to the first elongated member 10. This relationship gives the arm extension 12 a forward and reverse motion relative to the rotation of the flywheel 4.
The seat 16 is comprised of an inner vertical seat adjustment 22 and an outer vertical seat adjustment 52. This is attached to the inner horizontal seat adjustment 26; which slides into the outer horizontal seat adjustment 54. The outer vertical seat adjustment 52 has locking mechanism affixed to its outer surface. The outer horizontal seat adjustment 52 also has a horizontal locking mechanism 28 attached to its outer surface. When the inner vertical seat adjustment 22 is inserted into the outer vertical seat adjustment 52 and locked into position by the vertical locking mechanism 24 the seat 16 position becomes stationary vertically.
When the inner horizontal seat adjustment 26 is inserted into the outer horizontal seat adjustment 54 and locked into position by the vertical locking mechanism 28 the seat 16 position becomes stationary horizontally.
The ability to adjust the seat 16 both vertically and horizontally brings greater flexibility to the exercise machine 2.
It should be noted that the stepping can be either performed from a seated position or from a standing position.
The flywheel 4 has a magnetic resistance that is controlled by a cable that rotates. The resistance is adjustable by rotating the control knob on the machine. The resistance can also be controlled electronically. The flywheel 4 is significant in that it is virtually silent. This gives the machine a much smoother rotation. The flywheel 4 is also capable of moving in either direction. The flywheel 4 is also manufactured in a variety of diameters that allow for different stride lengths.
Other embodiments include variation such as foldable pedals, rotating seat handles and a rotating seat. Both the seat handles and the seat are capable of rotating 360°. The machine also is capable of having a variety of informational outputs; distance, time, heart rate, grade and resistance level. Also the drive mechanism for the add-on machines incorporates a cable recoil pulley 100.
The add-on drive mechanism is accomplished by a shaft-roller-belt-shaft system. A cable, belt or chain is attached to the pulley mechanism then proceeding to the flywheel 4 where the resistance is set. Then the cable, belt or chain proceeds to the next shaft located below the handle portion of the front end of the machine or the riser 20. From there the cable, belt or chain is attached to the add-on device and by providing movement on the add-on device the operation is complete.
Claims
1. An exercise machine comprising in combination:
- a frame;
- a flywheel operatively connected to the frame for rotation about a flywheel axis relative to the frame;
- at least one elongated member;
- at least one arm pole;
- first and second stepping members operatively connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame, between raised and lowered positions, each stepping member having a stepping surface positioned and configured to be stepped upon by the user;
- a stair-climbing drive mechanism operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the stepping members from their raised positions to their lowered positions;
- elongated members each operatively connected to the frame for motion in a circular motion relative to the frame; And
- an elliptical drive mechanism operatively connected to each of the first cranks and operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon circular movement of the cranks relative to the frame;
- at least one crank pedal positioned above and attached to the said elongated members facilitating a cyclic motion, said cyclic motion being a simulation of an elliptical motion;
- an adjustable seat mounted between said elongated members and being adjustable in both a vertical and horizontal plane, said seat adjustment giving the exercise machine the ability to simulate standard and recumbent elliptical motion;
- a set of arm extension poles or arm extension poles operatively connect to a second elongated member that operatively connects to the elongated member; said arm extension poles being pivotally connected to a front riser; said front riser depending vertically from a flywheel housing; said flywheel housing containing said flywheel.
2. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said machine is equipped with a system to increase or decrease resistance on said flywheel.
3. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the first elongated members are operatively connected to the frame for motion in a circular manner about the flywheel axis, the first elongated members axis and flywheel axis being the same.
4. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising; a linearly moveable member mounted on the frame for linear reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis between forward and backward positions; and
- an arm extension pole operatively connected to the linear member and to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the linearly moveable member between its forward and rearward directions;
- also mounted to the said linearly moveable member is a crank arm, said elongated member being operatively connected to a pedal, said pedal is engaged by the operator moving the crank pedal causing the moveable member to rotating about the flywheel axis.
5. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the arm extension pole is operatively connected to cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the linearly moveable member from its forward position.
6. An exercise machine comprising;
- a frame;
- a flywheel operatively connected to the frame for rotation relative to the frame about the flywheel axis;
- first and second stepping members operatively connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame between raised and lowered positions, each stepping member having a stepping surface positioned and configured to be stepped upon by the user;
- a stair-climbing drive mechanism operatively connected to the stepping members and operatively connected to the stepping members and operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel to rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the stepping members from their raised positions to their lowered positions,
- a linearly moveable member mounted on the frame for the linear reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis between forward and rearward positions; and
- a sliding mechanism operatively connected to the linearly moveable member and operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the linearly moveable member between its forward and rearward positions in a least one direction;
- a vertical pedal arm mechanism operatively connected to the linearly moveable member operatively connected to the flywheel in a manner to cause the flywheel rotate about the flywheel axis upon movement of the linearly moveable member between its forward and rearward positions in a least one direction;
7. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said exercise machine has the ability to monitor exercise activity such as distance, speed, blood pressure, resistance applied to flywheel.
8. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said vertical adjustment is slidably adjustable along a vertical plane and is lockable.
9. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said horizontal adjustment is slidably adjustable along a horizontal plane and is lockable.
10. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said seat is equipped with handles.
11. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said frame has deployable wheeled base members.
12. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said front riser having handles attached thereto.
13. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said front riser having an exercise monitoring system.
14. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said seat is adjustable both vertically and horizontally.
15. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, bases are vertically adjustable.
16. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a rowing machine is interchangeable with said stair-climbing device and driven on said drive mechanism.
17. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a skiing machine is interchangeable with said stair-climbing device and driven on said drive mechanism.
18. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said drive mechanism incorporates cable recoil.
19. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said add-on drive is a cable, belt or chain.
20. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flywheel resistance is magnetic.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 24, 2009
Inventor: Ty Sellers (Portage, WI)
Application Number: 12/383,043
International Classification: A63B 22/04 (20060101); A63B 22/06 (20060101);