Pedal crank
US6820517B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2167
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The pedal crank of the present invention includes a cam having a channel therein, a hub fixed to the shaft of the exercise machine, an arm operable with a cam follower and a pair of rods. The arm includes the pedal or other force applying member of the exercise machine, and the cam follower extends into the channel of the cam. The rods extend from the hub to the arm such that the distance between the hub and the arm may vary according to the length of the rods. The shaft of the exercise machine extends through an eccentric hole in the cam. A pair of channels are machined in either the hub or the arm in which the rods reciprocate. The pedal crank is capable of extension to a maximum length of the rods which corresponds to the range of maximum biomechanical force applied to the leg of the user to the pedal or other force applying member of the exercise machine. The pedal crank then retracts in length on rotation to a point corresponding to the minimum biomechanical force. In this way, the maximum force benefit is achieved while leg/knees stress is reduced over the range of motion when compared to traditional fixed length pedal cranks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.