Elliptical exercise device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention have left and right guide links that are pivotally attached to the frame, typically to an upper part of the frame, and left and right foot support links each having a mid-portion pivotally interconnected with a lower end of the respective guide link. Reciprocal motion of the guide links causes the foot support links to move along a path having a horizontal component of motion (i.e. fore and aft). Left and right vertical control links are coupled to a vertical cam drive such that the vertical cam drive reciprocates the vertical control links. The vertical control links are each coupled to a forward portion of the respective foot support link such that the reciprocating control links cause foot receiving areas at the rear of the respective foot support links to reciprocate along a path having a vertical component of motion (i.e. upwardly and downwardly). In free stride versions, the motion of the guide links may be coordinated by a horizontal coordination linkage, such that the left and right guide links move equally in opposite directions, and the guide links are not coupled to the drive system. In fixed path versions, the guide links may be coupled to a drive or crank system, which may be part of the vertical cam drive. The coupling of the control links and/or guide links to the drive system or systems may be adjustable so as to adjust the amount of vertical and/or horizontal motion, and this adjustment may be manual or powered, and may be coordinated such that as horizontal motion is increased or decreased, vertical motion is increased or decreased, or vice versa. As will be clear to those of skill in the art, any of the embodiments described herein may be converted between free stride and fixed path by adding or removing the appropriate links or couplings.