1. An elliptical exercise device comprising:
a frame configured to be supported on a horizontal surface, the frame having a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis defined thereon;
a first and a second guide link each having a first and a second attachment point defined thereon, each guide link being pivotally attached, through its first attachment point, to the frame at the first pivot axis thereof, the guide links each including an upper portion defining the first attachment point and a lower portion defining the second attachment point of the guide link, the lower portion being movable with respect to the upper portion such that a distance between the first and second attachment point changes;
a first and a second ramp each having an upper surface, each ramp being disposed below a respective one of the guide links at a lower end of the frame;
a first and a second foot support link each configured to support a user’s foot thereupon, each foot support link being pivotally connected to the second attachment point of a respective one of the guide links so that when the guide links reciprocate relative to the frame, they each cause their respective foot support link to move in a path of travel having a substantially horizontal component of motion, a forward end of each foot support link engaging the upper surface of a respective one of the ramps
a crank system pivotally attached to the frame at the second pivot axis thereof, the crank system being rotatable about the second pivot axis;
a first and a second mechanical coupling each coupling a respective one of the foot support links to the crank system such that rotation of the crank system about the second pivot axis moves the foot support links in a path of travel having a substantially vertical component of motion, each mechanical coupling including a foot support portion extending upwardly from a respective one of the foot support links to a vertical control guide, each vertical control guide being disposed rearwardly of the first and second pivot axes and above the second pivot axis;
a first and a second intermediate link each having a first end coupled to the crank system and a second end coupled to a respective one of the guide links such that rotation of the crank system about the second pivot axis causes the respective first and second guide links to pivot about the first pivot axis such that the foot support links move in the path of travel having a substantially horizontal component of motion;
wherein the mechanical couplings and the intermediate links are coupled to the crank system such that the horizontal component of motion and the vertical component of motion are out of phase wherein when the horizontal component of motion of each foot support link is at its forwardmost or rearwardmost limit, the vertical component of motion of the same foot support link is approximately midway between its uppermost and lowermost limit;
whereby a foot receiving area of each foot support link moves in a generally elliptical path when the crank system rotates about the second pivot axis.
2. (canceled)
3. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each vertical control guide is a pulley rotationally mounted on the frame.
4. An exercise device in accordance with claim 3, wherein each mechanical coupling is a flexible element having a first end interconnected to the crank system, a second end interconnected to a respective one of the foot support links, and a midportion extending over one of the vertical control guides on the frame.
5. An exercise device in accordance with claim 4, further comprising:
the frame having a forward portion forward of the first pivot axis and a rearward portion rearward of the first pivot axis.
a first and a second forward pulley supported on the forward portion of the frame and forward of the second pivot axis;
the midportion of each of the flexible elements further extending over a respective one of the forward pulleys; and
the first end of each flexible element extending rearwardly from the respective forward pulley to the crank system.
6. An exercise device in accordance with claim 5, further comprising:
a first and a second upper pulley supported on the forward portion of the frame and above the forward pulleys;
the midportion of each of the flexible elements further extending over a respective one of the upper pulleys; and
the intermediate links extend generally vertically upwardly from the crank system.
7. An exercise device in accordance with claim 4, further comprising:
the frame having a forward portion forward of the first pivot axis and a rearward portion rearward of the first pivot axis.
a first and a second upper pulley supported on the forward portion of the frame and above the second pivot axis;
the midportion of each of the flexible elements further extending over a respective one of the upper pulleys; and
the first end of each flexible element extending downwardly from the respective upper pulley to the crank system.
8. An exercise device in accordance with claim 7, wherein:
the crank system includes four attachment points disposed approximately 90 degrees apart; and
the first ends of the mechanical couplings being coupled to two of the attachment points and the intermediate links being coupled to the other two of the attachment points.
9. An exercise device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the intermediate links extend generally rearwardly from the crank system.
10. An exercise device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first end of each of the flexible elements is interconnected to the crank system by being connected to one of the intermediate links.
11. An exercise device in accordance with claim 4, wherein:
the crank system includes a first crank arm and a second crank arm;
the first end of each of the flexible elements is directly connected to one of the crank arms; and
the first end of each intermediate link is connected to the same crank arm as the corresponding flexible element.
12. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the crank system includes attachment points;
the mechanical couplings each having a first end directly connected to the one of the attachment points; and
the first end of each intermediate links being directly connected to one of the attachment points.
13. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
each of the guide arms has a connecting portion extending forwardly to a third attachment point;
the second end of each of the intermediate links being connected to the third attachment point of a respective one of the guide arms; and
the intermediate links extend generally vertically.
14. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the foot support portions of the mechanical couplings extend generally vertically when the foot support links are at middle position.
15. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the intermediate links are indirectly coupled to the crank system.
16. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
each mechanical coupling includes a rocker arm pivotally interconnected with the frame, the rocker arm having a first end coupled to the crank system and a second end defining the vertical control guide.
17. An exercise device in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
each mechanical coupling further includes a flexible element extending from a respective one of the foot support links to a respective vertical control guide of the respective rocker arm.
18. An exercise device in accordance with claim 17, wherein:
each rocker arm is generally L-shaped and includes a forward portion extending downwardly to a position near the crank system.
19-26. (canceled)
27. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the lower portion of each guide link telescopes with the upper portion.
28. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1,
the lower portion of each guide link comprises a short link that pivots with respect to the upper portion.
29. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1,
each foot support link further comprises a roller that engages the ramp.
30-36. (canceled)
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A shift device adapted for a transmission comprising:
a shaft for transmitting drive power;
a hub having a boss portion splined with the shaft, a ring portion located outwardly away from the boss portion and formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof with splines, and a flange portion connecting the boss portion and the ring portion, the ring portion and the flange portion being formed with a plurality of cut-off portions whose one-side two edge portions have first slanted surfaces for changing rotational force to thrust;
a sleeve provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof with splines and a plurality of depressed portions having a pressing surface and a slanted surface, the sleeve being supported by and slidable along the splines of the hub;
a pair of speed gears arranged to sandwich the hub and each having splines engageable with the splines of the sleeve and a friction surface at hub sides of the speed gears;
a first synchronizer ring having a friction surface on an inner surface and first grooves on an outer surface, the friction surface of the first synchronizer ring being pressable on the friction surface of one of the speed gears, the first grooves having a baulked slanted-surface on the outer surface and extending in an axial direction of the shift device, and the first synchronizer ring being arranged between the hub and the one of the speed gears;
a second synchronizer ring having a friction surface on an inner surface, splines and a second grooves on an outer surface, the friction surface of the second synchronizer ring being pressable on the friction surface of the other of the speed gears, the splines having chamfers, the second grooves extending in the axial direction, and the second synchronizer ring being disposed between the hub and the other of the speed gears;
a plurality of thrust pieces having a pressed surface and a slanted surface which are contactable with the pressing surface and the slanted surface of the sleeve on an outer surface to be pressed in the axial direction, respectively, the thrust pieces being formed with baulked surface contactable with the baulked slanted-surface of the first synchronizer ring and formed with a first servo slanted surface contactable with one of the first slanted surfaces of the hub, the thrust pieces being insertable into the depressed portions of the sleeve, the first grooves of the first synchronizer ring and the second grooves of the second synchronizer ring, the thrust pieces being disposed in the cut-off portions of the hub to be slidable in the cut-off portions in the axial direction, respectively;
a pair of springs pushing the thrust pieces outwardly in a radial direction of the shift device, wherein
the thrust pieces moves together with the sleeve when the sleeve is moved toward the one of the speed gears, and wherein
the thrust pieces moves inwardly in the radial direction against the first and second springs when the sleeve is moved halfway toward the other of the speed gears.
2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the thrust pieces have a second servo slanted surface, wherein
the cut-off portions of the hub having the other-side two edge portions at a side opposite to the one-side two edge portions in the axial direction, wherein
the other-side edge portions have second slanted surfaces engageable with the second servo slanted surfaces of the thrust pieces to change a rotational-directional force into thrust.
3. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein the thrust pieces are formed like a letter I, seen from an out side in the radial direction, the thrust pieces having one-side end portions and the other-side end portions, wherein
the one-side end portions being contactable with the cut-off portions of the hub to function as fulcrums, and the other-side end portions being swingable.
4. The shift device according to claim 3, wherein a part of the splines of the sleeve are formed on the inner surface with a stepped portion for restricting the thrust pieces from moving toward one side in the axial direction when the sleeve is moved toward the other side.
5. The shift device according to claim 4, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.
6. The shift device according to claim 3, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.
7. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein a part of the splines of the sleeve are formed on the inner surface with a stepped portion for restricting the thrust pieces from moving toward one side in the axial direction when the sleeve is moved toward the other side.
8. The shift device according to claim 7, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.
9. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.
10. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the thrust pieces are formed like a letter I, seen from an out side in the radial direction, the thrust pieces having one-side end portions and the other-side end portions, wherein
the one-side end portions being contactable with the cut-off portions of the hub to function as fulcrums, and the other-side end portions being swingable.
11. The shift device according to claim 10, wherein a part of the splines of the sleeve are formed on the inner surface with a stepped portion for restricting the thrust pieces from moving toward one side in the axial direction when the sleeve is moved toward the other side.
12. The shift device according to claim 11, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.
13. The shift device according to claim 10, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.
14. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the splines of the sleeve are formed on the inner surface with a stepped portion for restricting the thrust pieces from moving toward one side in the axial direction when the sleeve is moved toward the other side.
15. The shift device according to claim 14, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.
16. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein thrust pieces having a hollow portion on an inner surface, wherein
plates are disposed between the thrust pieces and the first and second springs, respectively, wherein
the plates have slanted surfaces receiving the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and a projecting portion engageable with one of the hollow portions of the thrust pieces.