WO1991002566A1

WO1991002566A1 - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1991002566A1
Application number: PCT/CA1990/000260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Michael Hall
Original assignee: Altero Technologies Inc.
Priority date: 1989-08-18
Filing date: 1990-08-15
Publication date: 1991-03-07
Also published as: AU6161190A

Abstract

The present invention provides an exercise device which allows the simulation of stair climbing and also a variation on stair climbing motion in which one leg is placed in front of the other leg. This is achieved using two laterally spaced pedals mounted at either end of a bar which pivots about a central axis.

Description

EXERCISE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to exercise apparatus and more particularly to exercise apparatus of the type which simulate stair climbing.

It is known that stair climbing is an effective form of exercise which provides a vigorous workout without the impact problems of jogging, and various devices have been designed to simulate stair climbing to allow an individual to exercise in place without the need for ascending and descending an actual stairway. Such apparatus typically involve the use of a pair of laterally adjacent foot beams which pivot about one end of the beam. For example, United States patent no. 4,838,543, issued June 13, 1989 to Precor Incorporated discloses an exercise apparatus using two such foot beams in which one end of each beam rotates about a fixed pivot with the foot pressure being applied to the other end of the beam. Motion of the feet is thus restricted to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the beams. The two beams are interconnected by a rope running over a pulley so that downward motion of one beam causes upward motion of the other. Variable resistance is provided by two hydraulic cylinders whose location on the beam can be varied to provide a variable mechanical effect. The exposed pulley in this design causes a safety problem.

A similar apparatus is disclosed in United States patent no. 4,708,338 issued November 24, 1987 to Lanny L. Potts. This patent also discloses a stair climbing apparatus. In this case two pedals are mounted on the ends of two bars which reciprocate about one end thereof to drive a sprocket and a transmission with the resistance being controlled by a brake. Again therefore the motion of the feet remains in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pedal bars or beams. A drawback of the prior stair climbing devices is that only the one type of exercise movement is possible which restricts the number of muscles which are exercised and increases the user's boredom. There is therefore a need for a stair climbing device which allows the user to perform different exercise movements besides the basic stair climbing movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention from the right side;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the invention shown in Figure 1 from the rear;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the invention shown in Fig. 1 from the front; Fig. 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through one of the foot pedals and housing of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figures 1 through 5, the exercise apparatus of the invention is designated generally by numeral 1. It comprises generally a frame 3 having a base 5, foot pads 7, handlebars 9 and central frame post 11. Handlebars 9 will typically be covered by a padded grip 10. Extending horizontally from the post 11 is bearing post 13. Foot pedals 15 are mounted on pedal arm 17 and stabili¬ zer arm 19. Hydraulic cylinders or shock absorbers 21 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to axis 23 in housing 25, as shown in Figure 4 in which the front of the housing 25 is removed. The end of the rod 27 of each cylinder 21 is similarly pivotally connected at 29 to clamp 31 which is tightened or released by handle 33 to allow the clamp 31 to be moved along pedal bar 17.

The top surface of housing 25 forms control panel 35 which can provide the user with such information as the elapsed time and the number of cycles completed. To count the number of cycles, a magnet 37 and sensor 39 are provi¬ ded, with sensor 39 providing an electronic signal to the control panel with each cycle. Each pedal 15 is pivotally mounted on the end of pedal arm 17. As shown in Figure 5, the end of arm 17 is notched at 41 to be held in rib 43 of the pedal to prevent the pedal from sliding off the arm. Pedal arm 17 has a central axis 45 which rotates in bearing post 13. Pedals 15 also rotate on stabilizer arm 19 which similarly has a central axis 47 which rotates in extension 49 of bearing post 13. Stabilizer arm 19 serves to always keep the pedals level. A rib 51 in pedal 15 prevents the pedal from sliding too far onto the arms. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, extension 49 extends from central post 11 to carry sensor 39.

To operate the invention for exercising, the user may adopt one of two positions. In the first position the user grasps the handlebars and faces forwards, with one foot on each pedal directed forwardly. The lower ends of the hydraulic cylinders 21 are positioned to provide the desired amount of resistance. The user then alternately forces down each foot thus simulating a stair climbing motion, although the feet move in a circular, rather than strictly up and down motion.

In the second position the user rotates his body and his feet ninety degrees from the first position, grasping one of the side bars of the handlebars with both hands and leaving one foot in front of the other. The two feet are then alternately forced downwards, but now the motion is more of a stepping forwards and back rather than a simple stair climbing motion.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the structure above described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is to be construed in accordance with the accompanying claims. For example, rather than using independent hydraulic cylinders to provide resistance, a brake could be used on axis 45, or the two cylinders could be interlinked.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a) a frame having a base; b) means attached to said frame for gripping by the hands of a user; c) pedal support bar means mounted for pivotal movement about a central axis secured to said frame, said bar means having two ends; d) two laterally spaced foot pedals, each said pedal being pivotally mounted on an end of said bar means, the axis of rotation of said pedals being parallel to the axis of rotation of said bar means; and e) variable resistance means for applying resis¬ tance to the pivtal motion of said bar means.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising stabilizer bar means pivotally secured at each end therreof to each of said pedals and mounted for pivotal motion about a central axis secred to said frame.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising sensor means for sensing the pivotal motion of said bar means.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resis¬ tance means comprises a hydraulic cylinder having upper and lower ends.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted to said frame and the lower end of said hydraulic cylinder is releasably attachable to said bar means.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein said hydraulic cylinder is releasably attachable to said bar means by means of a slidable clamp.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein said sensor comprises magnet means mounted on said frame.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein said sensor comprises magnet means mounted on said stabilizing bar means.