Flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device

• Main Authors: MORAN, THOMAS, POTTS, WILLIAM W, BIRRELL, JAMES S
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 13.03.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AMUSEMENTS; APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING,CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; GAMES; HUMAN NECESSITIES; SPORTS; TRAINING EQUIPMENT

The flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device (10) includes a frame (12) which has a forward upright member (20). The axle mounts (30) and (32) are attached to the rear region of the frame (12) and support a transverse axle (36) which is preferably operatively connected to a flywheel (38). The ends of the transverse axle (36) rotatably engage left and right crank arm assemblies (50) and (52) that are coupled to the left and right foot links (60) and (70) so that the foot links travel in an arcuate reciprocal path as the transverse axle rotates. The foot links are operatively connected to swing arm mechanisms (80) and (90), which in turn are rotatably connected to the forward upright member (20) at pivot points (84) and (94). The swing arm mechanisms further contain hand-gripping portions (82) and (92), and the foot links further contain foot support portions (66) and (76). Flexibly coordinating members (100) are incorporated in the linkage between each respective hand-gripping portion and foot support portion to substantially and resiliently link the movement of the foot support portions to the movement of the hand-gripping portions, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot support portions and the hand-gripping portions.