An exercise device (10) has foot supports (30, 32) on which a user stands for performing a stair stepping exercise alone, or a cross country skiing exercise alone, or simultaneously a stair stepping exercise and a cross country skiing exercise. Linkage support frames (26, 28) each have a first linkage (44) and a second linkage (36) pivotally connected to each other for maintaining foot supports (30, 32) in a horizontal plane. A fluid cylinder (52) provides a mechanism for resisting the vertical movement of the foot supports (30, 32). Manually gripped poles (60) are mounted to move in coordination with generally horizontal movement of foot supports (30, 32). Separate embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 5-13 for performing simultaneously a stair stepping exercise and a cross country skiing or walking exercise. An alternative preferred embodiment of the invention which may be folded downwardly for low vertical profile storage is illustrated in FIG. 14. Another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16-19 is directed to an exercise device in which a foot support assembly (49K) is mounted on guides defined by a four bar parallelogram linkage (44K) and maintains a generally horizontal position during raising and lowering of the linkage (44K) during the exercise.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 07/968,196, filed Oct. 29, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,211, and entitled Exercise Device.
An exercise apparatus has arm driven members and leg driven members which are movably mounted on a frame. In a first mode of operation, the arm driven members are movable relative to the frame and the leg driven members. In a second mode of operation, the arm driven members are linked to the leg driven members and movable together therewith relative to the frame. In a third mode of operation, the arm driven members are locked against movement relative to the frame in a manner which does not interfere with movement of the leg driven members. In a preferred embodiment, the leg driven members are movable in two generally orthogonal directions relative to the frame. The leg driven members may also be interconnected to move in reciprocal fashion in either and/or both of those directions, and/or supported in a manner that provides progressive resistance to downward movement as a function of downward travel.
An exercise apparatus has left and right foot skates which are constrained to move back and forth in reciprocal fashion. Left and right foot platforms are movably mounted on respective foot skates and constrained to move up and down in reciprocal fashion. The apparatus may be operated in different modes of operation, including a first mode, wherein the foot skates are free to move back and forth and the foot platforms are free to move up and down; a second mode, wherein the foot platforms are free to move up and down, but the foot skates are locked (or biased) against movement; and a third mode, wherein the foot skates are free to move back and forth, but the foot platforms are locked (or biased) against movement. Resistance may be provided to back and forth movement of the foot skates and/or up and down movement of the foot platforms.
An exercise apparatus has arm driven members and leg driven members which are movably mounted on a frame. In a first mode of operation, the arm driven members are movable relative to the frame and the leg driven members. In a second mode of operation, the arm driven members are linked to the leg driven members and movable together therewith relative to the frame. In a third mode of operation, the arm driven members are locked against movement relative to the frame in a manner which does not interfere with movement of the leg driven members. In a preferred embodiment, the leg driven members are movable in two generally orthogonal directions relative to the frame. The leg driven members may also be interconnected to move in reciprocal fashion in either and/or both of those directions, and/or supported in a manner that provides progressive resistance to downward movement as a function of downward travel.
This invention pertains to a foldable jogging simulator in which each of the ends of two corresponding C-shape joint-bar pedals set has an action crank which powers a gear plate. Each of these gear plates has a toothed chain which is linked to a small gear. The two small gears on both sides are connected to the same pivoted shaft, providing a coordinated action with the two joint-bar pedals set. Furthermore, since a retarding wheel is installed in the middle of the pivoted shaft, a retarding force of motion is created; and as the other end of the joint-bar pedals set is installed with a coaxial sliding wheel, which adjusts is position (up and down) due to the rotation of a threaded column, the accidental disconnection of two pedals set is prevented. Finally, the base of the slanted support bar at the front portion is pivotally connected to a horizontal bar in the front of the machine, and this allows the machine to be folded, reducing its size and facilitate storage or transportation.
An exercise device absorbs work during both to, as well as fro, motion of an exercise handle. In both cases, the work is imparted to a flywheel which drives a braking mechanism capable of resisting the work at any predetermined selected level over a range of choice. A pair of drive racks each provide a linear gear coupled with a pair of pinion gears integral with rotational clutches on a drive shaft. A first of the clutches is configured to engage with the drive shaft when it is driven to rotate in one direction of rotation, while freewheeling in the opposite direction, while the other of the clutches is configured in reverse to the first. As the racks move in a first linear direction, one of the pinion gears drives the shaft, and the flywheel to which it is attached, while the other of a the pinion gears freewheels. When the racks move in the opposite direction, the roles of the pinion gears are reversed. In this way, the racks are always driving the flywheel in the same direction of rotation and the movement of the exercise handle is always braked as desired. The present invention is an exercise apparatus having an energy absorbing means. Each action incorporates a mechanical movement converting physical output of the user to rotational motion and thereby powering an electrical generator, preferably in the form of a alternator. An exercise controller selects loads to be applied to the alternator. The loads are coupled by the mechanical movements back to the user to provide resistance to the exercise effort.
