US20080280735A1

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Info

Publication number: US20080280735A1
Application number: US11/801,228
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert G. Dickie; Steve A. Copeland
Original assignee: Spark Innovations Inc
Current assignee: Spark Innovations Inc
Priority date: 2007-05-09
Filing date: 2007-05-09
Publication date: 2008-11-13

Abstract

An elliptical exercise machine having a frame that is adjustable between an operational position and a folded position. The frame includes a base that remains in constant contact with a floor surface when the frame is in both the operational and folded positions. A first mast section extends upwardly and outwardly away from the base. A second mast section is pivotally connected to an upper end of the first mast section. The second mast section is pivoted into vertical alignment with the first mast section when the frame is adjusted into the operational position and is pivoted downwardly toward the base when the frame is adjusted into the folded position. First and second swing arm assemblies are pivotally mounted between the second mast section and a flywheel that is mounted on the base. Handlebars are pivotally mounted on the first and second swing arms. The handlebars are adjustable in orientation so as to reduce the overall dimensions of the elliptical exercise machine when it is to be folded. A decorative cover, which preferably resembles a wooden coffee table, is positioned over the exercise machine when in the folded position. The exercise machine therefore can be stored in plain sight. The cover is removed when the exercise machine is to be adjusted into the operational position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to exercise equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to elliptical machines. Specifically, the invention relates to an elliptical machine that is foldable for storage and which includes a storage box that resembles a coffee table.

2. Background Information

There is a growing trend in the fitness industry for equipment that is suitable for use in the home, especially pieces of equipment such as treadmills and elliptical machines. Elliptical machines are a popular choice as home exercise equipment as they give both the upper body and lower body an effective, low impact workout.

One of the key issues that people face when elliptical machines and similar pieces of equipment are brought into their homes is that of space. A good quality elliptical machine will be around 80 inches in length, have a width of between 32 and 36 inches, a height of around 63 inches and weigh anywhere from 190 lbs upwards. Obviously, there also needs for clearance space surrounding the actual machine so that a person may get safely on to and off from the machine. Basements tend to be one of the more typical places in the home to place exercise equipment because of the space constraints. However, exercising alone in a basement away from the center of activity in the home tends to be tedious. Additionally, because the elliptical machine is out of sight, it is easy for one to forget to exercise on a regular basis.

Bringing this type of space-utilizing device into a living room or family room causes two problems. Firstly, these pieces of equipment are not aesthetically pleasing and would be considered to be an eyesore in such a communal type of room. Secondly, the quantity of space in the room that is occupied by such devices is unacceptable.

Many manufacturers have attempted to address these issues by providing home-use elliptical machines that are foldable so that they will take up less space. One such home-use version of a foldable elliptical machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,551 and 6,190,289, both issued to Pyles et al. Pyles et al teaches that an elliptical machine may be reduced in dimensions by pivoting the pedal arms and/or the rails on which the arms ride upwardly toward a vertically extending mast. The device is therefore moved from an operational position into a vertically folded position. This mechanism for folding the elliptical machine does reduce the amount of floor space that the machine will occupy when not in use, but considering that the height of a mast for an elliptical machine is typically around five to six feet high, the folded machine would remain an eyesore in any room. Pyles et al discloses that the machine may also be provided with a plurality of wheels that will enable the homeowner to wheel the vertically folded device across a surface and into a suitable storage location, such as a closet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,917 issued to Chen discloses an elliptical device in which the mast or handle comprises an upper and a lower portion that are pivotally connected together. The machine includes a pin mechanism that, when released, allows the upper portion of the handle to be folded downwardly over the swing arms. This folding mechanism somewhat addresses the mast height issue, but does not reduce the amount of floor space that the machine occupies. Even when the machine has been moved into a folded position the swing arms project beyond the length of the supporting base and are hazardous to people walking past the machine. Once again, the machine is provided with wheels to allow it to be moved into a storage area because keeping the device in a high traffic area would be unacceptable from both an aesthetic and space point of view.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,554 issued to Eschenbach discloses a collapsible exercise device in which the handle is pivoted downwardly to abut the pedal arms. When this occurs, the frame is actually elongated to ensure that the folded device has the lowest possible height so that it may be stored under a bed, for example. Consequently, the device occupies even more floor space when it is folded than when it is operational.

Furthermore, elliptical machines sold under the trademark PRO FORM SPACE SAVER®, a registered trademark of Icon Health & Fitness of West Logan, Utah, have a base frame that comprises two pivotally connected sections. The mast extends upwardly from the first section and a flywheel is mounted on the second section. When the device is to be folded for storage purposes, the pivot arms are detached from the flywheel and the second section of the base is pivoted over the first section of the base toward the mast. This reduces the length of the base, but does not address the height issue of the mast.

Similarly, elliptical machines sold by Sharper Image Corporation of San Francisco, Calif., also include a pivoting base section that is folded upwardly onto the mast of the device. The device is therefore of a low profile, but of an elongated length and cannot be simply left in the middle of a room.

Though some of the elliptical machines disclosed in the prior art may be folded up, they are still aesthetically displeasing and do not enhance the appearance of a room, such as a living room or family room, that is frequently used. While yet other machines may be folded up and wheeled away for storage purposes, it is problematic for the home exerciser to have to move the machine back and forth between the storage location and the use location. Additionally, it is also more likely that if a person has wheeled their elliptical machine into some sort of storage location, they will be less inclined to retrieve the elliptical machine in order to exercise because of the effort involved in setting the elliptical machine back in an appropriate location.

There is therefore a need in the art for an elliptical machine that is substantial and sturdy in construction that is foldable to reduce the amount of space it occupies when not in use, but which does not need to be placed in a remote storage location in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention comprises an exercise machine having a frame that is adjustable between an operational position and a folded position. The frame includes a base that remains in constant contact with a floor surface when the frame is in both the operational and folded positions. A first mast section extends upwardly and outwardly away from the base. A second mast section is pivotally connected to an upper end of the first mast section. The second mast section is pivoted into vertical alignment with the first mast section when the frame is adjusted into the operational position and is pivoted downwardly toward the base when the frame is adjusted into the folded position. First and second swing arm assemblies are pivotally mounted between the second mast section and a flywheel that is mounted on the base. Handlebars are pivotally mounted on the first and second swing arms. The handlebars are adjustable in orientation so as to reduce the overall dimensions of the exercise machine when it is to be folded. A decorative cover, which preferably resembles a wooden coffee table, is positioned over the exercise machine when in the folded position. The exercise machine therefore can be stored in plain sight. The cover is removed when the exercise machine is to be adjusted into the operational position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding elliptical machine in accordance with the present invention shown in a fully folded position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the elliptical machine ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elliptical machine in the fully folded position, and having a portion of the outer shell removed for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the elliptical machine shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the elliptical machine in the fully folded position and with the entire cover removed therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the elliptical machine in the fully folded position with the cover entirely removed;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the elliptical machine in the fully folded position with the cover entirely removed;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the elliptical machine in the fully folded position with the cover entirely removed;

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the elliptical machine in the fully folded position with the cover entirely removed;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the elliptical machine in the operational position;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the elliptical machine in the operational position;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the elliptical machine in the operational position;

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the elliptical machine in the operational position; and

FIG. 14 is a right side view of the elliptical machine in the operational position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 14, there is shown an exercise machine in accordance with the present invention. The exercise machine is shown in a folded or storage position inFIGS. 1-9 and is generally indicated at10. The exercise machine is shown in an operational position inFIGS. 10-14.

Exercise machine

10 includes anouter shell12 that is configured to have the appearance of a piece of furniture and, most specifically, the appearance of a coffee table.Shell12 has a top14, fourside walls16 extending outwardly therefrom and defining an interior cavity18 (FIG. 3) thereinbetween. Anelliptical machine20, in accordance with the present invention, is stored withincavity18 ofshell12 whenmachine20 is in a folded position. At least one of the side walls ofshell12, such asside wall16a, may include trim pieces that are configured to create the illusion of adrawer22.Handles23 are applied toside wall16ato complete the illusion. Any other decorative features may be provided onshell12 to create an aesthetically appealing piece of furniture.Shell12 may be formed from any suitable material including wood, plywood with a wood veneer and melamine-laminated particle board. Preferably,shell12 is around 20″ high×36″ long×20″ wide and ways around 15 lbs so that it is easily lifted off and placed overelliptical machine20.Shell12 is designed to not only hideelliptical machine20 in plain view, but is also designed to serve as a useful and decorative piece of furniture.

Elliptical machine

20 is adjustable between the folded position (FIGS. 3-9) and an operational position (FIGS. 10-14).FIGS. 3 and 4 showelliptical machine20 withouter shell12 in place andFIGS. 5-9 showelliptical machine20 withouter shell12 completely removed therefrom.

Elliptical machine

20 comprises aframe member24, amast26, a pair ofhandlebars28, a pair ofswing arms30, a pair offootrests32 and aflywheel34.

Frame member

24 comprises a base36 that is elongated and terminates in afront floor support38 at a first end and arear floor support40 at a second end.FIGS. 3-5 show that base36 is an elongated bar of steel or some other suitably strong material.Base36 is not planar, but is instead formed with one or more angled portions to reinforce and strengthen the same. Front and rear floor supports38,40 are disposed at right angles to base36 so that whenframe member24 is viewed from above, it is generally I-shaped. Aplate42 is welded or otherwise secured tofront floor support38.Plate42 is secured along substantially the entire length offront floor support38 and extends upwardly away therefrom for a distance.Plate42 is provided onfront floor support38 to prevent the lower ends ofswing arms30 from moving forwardly ofmast26 whenelliptical machine20 is in the folded position as will be hereinafter described. This maintainsflywheel34 in the folded or storage position.Base36 offrame member24 has a length “L” (FIG. 4) and front and rear floor supports38,40 have a width “W” (FIGS. 7 and 12).

Mast

26 extends upwardly away frombase36 offrame member24 just rearwardly offront floor support38.Mast26 comprises alower mast portion44 and anupper mast portion46 that are pivotally secured to each other atpivot48.Lower mast portion44 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured tobase36 and preferably includes a bracedregion50 to provide strength and stability tomast26. Anend52 oflower mast portion44 extends upwardly for a short distance beyondpivot48. This is most easily seen whenelliptical machine20 is in the folded position andmast26 is therefore in the folded position (FIG. 4).Upper mast portion46 includes a recessed region54 (FIG. 7) into which end52 is received whenelliptical machine20 is adjusted into the operational position. A spring-loadedslam latch56 is provided onupper mast portion46. Whenupper mast portion46 is rotated from a folded position (FIG. 4) to an operational position (FIG. 10), latch56 automatically is engaged and securely locks lower and

upper mast portions

44,46 together. Knob58 (FIG. 4) has to be vertically lifted in order to disengagelatch56 so thatupper mast portion46 may be disengaged fromlower mast portion44 and adjusted from the operational position to the folded position.

Eachhandlebar28 comprises asleeve60 and abar62.Sleeve60 is fixedly secured to an upper end of one of theswing arms30 by being welded thereto, for example.Bar62 is adjustably engageable in a bore (not shown) insleeve60.Bar62 is able to telescope further into or further out ofsleeve60 and may be completely disconnected fromsleeve60 by sliding the same completely out of the bore therein.Bar62 is also able to rotate within the bore ofsleeve60 and to thereby assume a different orientation relative thereto. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, eachbar62 is comprised of at least afirst portion62a, asecond portion62band athird portion62c. First, second andthird portions62a-62care offset at angles relative to each other. Whenelliptical machine20 is adjusted from the operational position to the folded position,bar62 is rotated between a first orientation where the terminal ends66 ofhandlebars28 extend upwardly away fromframe member24, and a second orientation (shown inFIGS. 4 and 6) where the terminal ends66 extend downwardly toward theframe member24. Whenhandlebars28 are in this second orientation, terminal ends66 are disposed proximaterear floor support40 and the distance between terminal ends66 is substantially equal to the length “W” of rear floor support40 (FIGS. 6 and 7). A spring-loadedlatch64 securesbar62 withinsleeve60.Latch64 is pulled outwardly to allowbar62 to move relative tosleeve60.Latch64 is released to lockbar62 in position within the bore ofsleeve60.

Whenelliptical machine20 is adjusted from the folded position to an operational position (FIGS. 10-14),latch64 is pulled outwardly to allowbars62 to rotate within the bores ofsleeves60.Bars62 are rotated from the second orientation (FIG. 6) to the first orientation wherehandlebars28 angle upwardly away fromframe member24 andrear floor support40. The rotational motion inhandlebars28 is continued untillatch64 engages and thereby locks bars62 in this first orientation relative tosleeve60.Mast26 is then rotated into an operational position (as described hereinafter). Whenelliptical machine20 is in the operational position (FIG. 10),handlebars28 extend upwardly away from the vertically oriented mast26 (FIG. 11). In this position, the distance between ends66 ofbars62 is greater than the length “W” of front and rear floor supports38,40 (FIG. 12).

Swing arms

30 comprise anupper arm68 and alower arm70 that are pivotally connected to each other by anelbow72.Footrests32 are secured to or integrally formed withlower arm70. Eachupper arm68 is mounted by way of apivot pin74 to an upper end of theupper mast46. Pivot pins74 extend outwardly at right angles to the upper end ofupper mast46 and, consequently, swingarms30 are disposed substantially parallel to mast26 (FIG. 6). Referring toFIGS. 7,13 and14,lower arm70ais connected by apivot pin76 to afirst surface34aofflywheel34. (Flywheel34 is mounted for rotation on apost35 that extends outwardly away from an upper surface ofbase36 offrame member24.)Lower arm70bis connected by apivot pin78 to asecond surface34bofflywheel34. Pivot pins76,78 extend outwardly at right angles from the opposing

outer surfaces

34a,34band are positioned 180° away from each other around the circumference offlywheel34. Afoot rest32 is secured to the upper surfaces of each of the

lower arms

70a,70b.

In the folded position,frame member24 with itsbase36,front floor support38,plate42 andrear floor support40 remains in a stationary position on a floor surface. None of these components is foldable.Frame member24 is of a rugged construction and preferably is manufactured from members that are welded or otherwise fixedly secured to each other. In order to fold or collapseelliptical machine20 ontoframe24,latch64 is disengaged andhandlebars28 are rotated inwardly to a position where ends66 are as close as possible to each other.Latch56 is disengaged by pulling upwardly onknob58. As soon asupper mast46 becomes movable relative tolower mast44,upper mast46 is rotated aboutpivot48 and is folded overbase36 offrame member24.

Whenelliptical machine20 is in this folded position it should be noted that ends66 ofhandlebars28 do not extend rearwardly of rear floor support24 (FIG. 7). Secondly, it should be noted whenupper mast46 pivots downwardly,elbows72 drop but still have enough clearance fromfront floor support38 and are almost in abutting contact therewith.Elbows72 also are positioned inwardly and rearwardly ofplate42. Neitherswing arm30 extends beyondplate42. The overall length ofelliptical machine20 is further reduced by correctly positioningflywheel34. This is accomplished by ensuring that one of pivot pins76,78 is positioned at or near the top offlywheel34 and the other of the pivot pins76,78 is positioned at or near the bottom offlywheel34. This is illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. The position offlywheel34 is in part maintained byplate42 onfront floor support38 becauseplate42 substantially prevents bothswing arms30 from moving past it. At this point, ends66 ofhandlebars28 are proximaterear floor support40 and are spaced a distance apart from each other that is substantially the same as the length “W” ofrear floor support40.Outer shell12 is then slid over the foldedelliptical machine20.Outer shell12 is made from 3/16″ plywood with wood trim and is stained to have the appearance of real wood. The outer dimensions of theshell12 are around 20 inches wide, 20 inches tall and 36 inches long.Shell12 weighs around 15 lbs. The foldedtreadmill20 in combination withshell12 therefore becomes a useful and decorative piece of furniture and theelliptical machine20 is stored in full view.

When a person wishes to exercise, they liftouter shell12 from over the foldedelliptical machine20.Elliptical machine20 is then adjusted from the folded position (FIGS. 3-9) into the operational position by graspingupper mast46 and rotating the same through900 upper and

lower masts

46,44 are aligned andslam latch56 locks.Slam latch56 secures the upper and

lower masts

46,44 together and provides a singlestable mast26 forelliptical machine20. At this point, bars62 ofhandlebars28 are grasped and rotated outwardly away from each other to a position where spring-loadedlatches64 engage.Latches64 lock bars62 in position insleeves60. The exerciser can now place their feet infootrests32, hold onto a portion of thebars62 and being to work out. When their workout is complete, they step offfootrests32 andelliptical machine20 is then adjustable into the folded position by reversing the above two steps.Shell12 is then repositioned over the folded machine.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. An elliptical exercise machine comprising:

a frame adjustable between an operational position and a folded position, said frame comprising:

a base;

a first mast section extending upwardly from the base;

a second mast section pivotally connected to the first mast section; said second mast section being pivotable relative to the first mast section when the frame is adjusted into the operational position, and being pivotable toward the base when the frame is adjusted into the folded position;

a rotatable flywheel; and

a first and a second swing arm assembly; wherein a first end of each of the first and second swing arm assemblies is pivotally mounted to the second mast section and a second end of each of the first and second assemblies is operatively connected to the flywheel.

2. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 1, wherein the base further comprises:

a first support adapted to contact the floor surface; wherein said first mast section is fixedly mounted on the base proximate the first support;

a second support adapted to contact the floor surface; wherein the flywheel is mounted on the base spaced from the first support; and

a frame member rigidly extending between the first and second supports.

3. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 1, further comprising a pair of handlebars, each handlebar being mounted on one of the first and second swing arms; and wherein said handlebars are adjustable relative to the first and second swing arms between a first orientation when the frame is in the operational position; and a second orientation when the frame is in the folded position.

4. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 3, wherein each handlebar comprises:

a sleeve fixedly connected to one of the first and second swing arm assemblies; and

a bar adjustably engaged with the sleeve; and wherein the orientation of the handlebars is changed between the first and second orientations thereof by moving the bar of each handlebar relative to the sleeve.

5. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 4, wherein the bar of each handlebar is rotatable within a bore in the sleeve to move the handlebars between the first and second orientations; and wherein the machine further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the bar in one of the first and second orientations relative to the sleeve.

6. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 5, wherein each bar includes at least a first portion and a second portion that are disposed at an angle relative to each other.

7. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 1, wherein the base remains in constant contact with a floor surface when the frame is in both the operational and folded positions.

8. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 3, wherein each handlebar includes a terminal end; and wherein the terminal ends are a first distance apart when the handlebars are in the first orientation, and are a second distance apart when the handlebars are in the second orientation; and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

9. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 8, wherein the base further comprises:

a first support adapted to contact a floor surface;

a second support having a length and being adapted to contact the floor surface at a position remote from the first support;

a frame member rigidly extending between the first and second supports; and when the handlebars are in the second orientation, the terminal ends thereof are disposed proximate the second support and the second distance is substantially equal to the length of the second support.

10. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 9, wherein the terminal ends of the handlebars are disposed on either side of the flywheel when the frame is in the folded position.

11. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 9, wherein the first distance between the terminal ends of the handlebars is greater than the length of the second support.

12. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 10, wherein the terminal ends of the handlebars do not extend beyond the second support when the frame is in the folded position.

13. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 1, further comprising a latch for securing the first and second mast sections together when the frame is in an operational position.

14. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 2, further comprising a stop plate fixedly secured to the first support of the base and extending upwardly away therefrom; and, when the frame is in a folded position, the stop plate engages a portion of each of the first and second swing arms to substantially prevent the same from extending beyond the first support.

15. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 14, wherein each of the first and second swing arm assemblies comprises:

a first leg that is pivotally secured to the second mast section;

a second leg that is operative connected to the flywheel; and

an elbow pivotally securing the first and second legs together.

16. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 15, wherein the first leg is foldable over the second leg when the frame is adjusted from the operational position to the folded position.

17. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 16, wherein the stop plate engages the elbows of the first and second swing arm assemblies when the frame is in the folded position; thereby preventing movement of the first and second swing arm assemblies relative to the base; and the stop plate does not engage the elbows of the first and second swing arm assemblies when the frame is in the operational position, thereby permitting movement of the first and second swing arms relative to the base.

18. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 1, further comprising an outer shell, said outer shell having a top wall and a plurality of side walls extending outwardly away from said top wall to define and surround an interior cavity; and wherein said frame is receivable within the interior cavity when the frame is in the folded position; whereby the folded frame is hidden from view.

19. The elliptical exercise machine as defined inclaim 18, wherein the outer shell has a decorative appearance of a piece of furniture.

20. In combination;

a cover comprising a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downwardly therefrom to define a substantially rectangular cavity thereinbetween; wherein said top and peripheral walls have a decorative outer appearance;

an elliptical exercise machine that is collapsible from an operational position where the device is used for exercise purposes to a foldable position where the device is reduced in overall outer dimensions and is received within the cavity in the cover; whereby said cover and folded elliptical exercise machine become a decorative cover and the elliptical exercise machine is stored away from view.