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The present invention relates to a drive mechanism that converts a force supplied from an operator or other means along a complex curve path into rotary motion. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cyclodial drive mechanism configured for an operator driven or motor driven exercise

The present invention relates to a drive mechanism that converts a force supplied from an operator or other means along a complex curve path into rotary motion. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cyclodial drive mechanism configured for an operator driven or motor driven exercise apparatus such as a stationary bicycle, recumbent stationary bicycle, cross trainer or other devices. The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of pedals which follow more complex curves having two or more lobes and spirals. More particularly, a cyclodial drive mechanism based upon a linkage and gear pair can be incorporated into several exercise apparatus to drive a flywheel.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cyclodial drive configured to generate a cyclodial curve path comprising:a frame, said frame configured to support said cyclodial drive;a sun disc, said sun disc attached to said frame;a planet disc, said planet disc operably associated with said sun disc and configured to orbit said sun disc;a

1. A cyclodial drive configured to generate a cyclodial curve path comprising:a frame, said frame configured to support said cyclodial drive;a sun disc, said sun disc attached to said frame;a planet disc, said planet disc operably associated with said sun disc and configured to orbit said sun disc;a crankshaft, said crankshaft configured to rotate about the center of said sun disc;a linkage, said linkage operably associated with said planet disc and said crankshaft;a drive pivot, said drive pivot positioned upon said linkage for the transfer of force;said transfer of force causing said linkage to rotate relative to said frame whereby said drive pivot follows said cyclodial curve path having more than two lobes;and a pair of limb support members, each said limb support member connected to said corresponding linkage at said drive pivot; each lower or upper limb pairs of an operator engaged with a corresponding limb support member whereby movement of each said limb provides user exercise. 2. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 further comprising a pulley, said pulley connected to said crankshaft to drive a load resistance. 3. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 further comprising a pulley, said pulley connected to said crankshaft and engaged with a motor to drive said linkage. 4. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel operably associated with said crankshaft to rotate when a drive force impinges upon said drive pivot to provide exercise for an operator. 5. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 further comprising a companion cyclodial drive, said companion cyclodial drive connected to said cyclodial drive at said crankshaft;a flywheel, said flywheel engaged with said crankshaft. 6. The exercise machine according to claim 5 further comprising a seat, said seat configured to allow said operator to rotate said flywheel in the form of a stationary exercise bicycle. 7. The exercise machine according to claim 5 further comprising a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said limb support member to form a cross trainer exercise machine. 8. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 further comprising a companion cyclodial drive, said companion cyclodial drive connected to said cyclodial drive at said crankshaft;a flywheel, said flywheel engaged with said crankshaft;a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said frame and operably associated with said corresponding linkage at said drive pivot;each hand of an operator engaged with a corresponding handle whereby movement of said hand causes said flywheel to move as an exercise machine. 9. The exercise machine according to claim 8 wherein said limb supporting members are configured to move with said handles. 10. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 further comprising a handle, said handle pivotally connected to said drive pivot for arm exercise. 11. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 wherein said sun disc is a sun gear and said planet disc is a planet gear, said planet gear and said sun gear being engaged to permit torque transfer. 12. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 wherein said sun disc is a sun sprocket and said planet disc is a planet sprocket, said planet sprocket and said sun sprocket engaged by a chain to permit torque transfer. 13. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 wherein said linkage comprises;a crank, said crank configured to support said planet disc at a pivot and and connected to said crankshaft;a planet link, said planet link attached to said planet disc;a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said crank;a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said planet link and to said rocker link;said drive pivot positioned upon said coupler link to transfer a force acting upon said drive pivot to said crankshaft. 14. The cyclodial drive according to claim 1 wherein said cyclodial curve is composed of a spiral curve, said spiral curve enclosin g said crankshaft. 15. An exercise machine configured to include a cyclodial drive comprising:a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;a sun disc, said sun disc attached to said framework;a planet disc, said planet disc operably associated with said sun disc and configured to orbit said sun disc;a crankshaft, said crankshaft configured to rotate about the center of said sun disc;a linkage, said linkage operably associated with said planet disc and connected to said crankshaft;an operator contact, said operator contact connected to said linkage at a drive pivot;said operator contact causing said linkage to rotate relative to said framework whereby said drive pivot follows said cyclodial curve path as determined by the size ratio of said sun disc relative to said planet disc having a value other than 2.0;and a pair of limb support members, each said limb support member connected to said corresponding linkage at said drive pivot; each lower or upper limb pairs of an operator engaged with a corresponding limb support member whereby movement of each said limb provides user exercise. 16. The cyclodial drive according to claim 15 wherein said cyclodial curve is composed of a spiral curve, said spiral curve enclosing said crankshaft. 17. The cyclodial drive according to claim 15 wherein said cyclodial curve is composed of several lobes, said lobes enclosing said crankshaft. 18. The cyclodial drive according to claim 15 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel operably associated with said crankshaft to rotate when a drive force impinges upon said drive pivot to provide exercise for an operator. 19. The cyclodial drive according to claim 15 further comprising a companion cyclodial drive, said companion cyclodial drive connected to said cyclodial drive at said crankshaft;a flywheel, said flywheel engaged with said crankshaft. 20. The exercise machine according to claim 19 further comprising a seat, said seat configured to allow said operator to rotate said flywheel in the form of a stationary exercise bicycle. 21. The exercise machine according to claim 19 further comprising a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member to form a cross trainer exercise machine. 22. The cyclodial drive according to claim 15 further comprising a companion cyclodial drive, said companion cyclodial drive connected to said cyclodial drive at said crankshaft;a flywheel, said flywheel engaged with said crankshaft;a pair of handles for said operator contact, each said handle operably associated with said corresponding linkage at said drive pivot;each hand of an operator engaged with a corresponding handle whereby movement of said hand causes said flywheel to move. 23. The cyclodial drive according to claim 15 further comprising a pair of handles, each said handle pivotally connected to said framework and operably associated with said drive pivot for arm exercise. 24. The cyclodial drive according to claim 15 wherein said linkage comprises;a crank, said crank configured to support said planet disc at a pivot and connected to said crankshaft;a planet link, said planet link attached to said planet disc;a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said crank;a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said planet link and to said rocker link;said drive pivot positioned upon said coupler link to transfer said operator contact acting upon said drive pivot to said crankshaft. 25. A pair of cyclodial drives each configured to generate a cyclodial curve path comprising:a frame, said frame configured to support said cyclodial drives;a pair of sun discs, each sun disc attached to said frame;a pair of planet discs, each planet disc operably associated with a corresponding said sun disc;a crankshaft, said crankshaft configured to rotate about the center of said sun discs;a pair of cranks, each said crank attached to said crankshaft;a pair of planet links, each planet link pivotally con nected to a corresponding said crank distal said crankshaft and attached to a corresponding said planet disc;a pair of rocker links, each said rocker link pivotally connected to a corresponding said crank;a pair of coupler links, each said coupler link pivotally connected to a corresponding said planet link and said rocker link;a pair of drive pivots, each drive pivot positioned upon a corresponding said coupler link for the transfer of force;said pair of cranks configured to move relative to said frame when said transfer of force acts upon said drive pivot whereby said planet discs orbit said sun discs causing said drive pivot to follow said cyclodial curve path;a pair of foot support members, each said foot support member connected to said drive pivot; each said foot support member engaged with the foot of an operator to supply said transfer force to said drive pivot for exercise of said operator. 26. The cyclodial drives according to claim 25 further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel operably associated with said crankshaft to rotate when a drive force impinges upon said drive pivot to provide exercise for an operator. 27. The cyclodial drives according to claim 25 further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said crankshaft and, a means for adjustment of said load resistance, said means for adjustment configured to allow for variable intensity exercise. 28. The cyclodial drives according to claim 25 further comprising handles, said handles connected to said coupler links at said drive pivots to provide arm exercise for an operator. 29. The cyclodial drives according to claim 25 wherein said cyclodial curve is composed of a spiral curve, said spiral curve enclosing said crankshaft. 30. The exercise machine according to claim 25 further comprising a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member to form a cross trainer exercise machine. 31. The cyclodial drive according to claim 25 further comprising a pulley, said pulley connected to said crankshaft and engaged with a motor to drive said crankshaft.