The exercise device of the present invention has a base having two side members and front member that extends between the side members. At least one truss member extends from the base. A rotatable shaft is positioned on the truss member and a flywheel is mounted on the shaft. A rotatable drive shaft is mounted on the truss member and a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch are mounted on the drive shaft. A means is provided for operatively connecting the drive shaft to the rotatable shaft whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes the rotatable shaft to rotate. A pair of arms have a first end that is pivotally mounted on the base and a second end that extends from the base. A foot pad is positioned on the second end of each of the arms. The foot pads are disposed to move in an arcuate path towards and away from the side members of the base and the movement of the foot pads is in a direction that is substantially parallel to the front member of the base. A lever is operatively connected to each arm whereby movement of the arms causes a movement of the levers. A means is provided for operatively connecting one of the levers to the first one-way clutch and the other lever to the second one-way clutch whereby movement of the arms towards the base causes the levers to rotate the first and second one-way clutches in a direction that causes the drive shaft to rotate which in turn rotates the shaft upon which the flywheel is mounted. The flywheel provides resistance to movement of the arms and the levers. Movement of the arms away from the base rotates the levers in a direction that does not activate the first and second one-way clutches and does not cause the drive shaft to rotate.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/608,845 filed Jun. 27, 2003 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,596 which in turn is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/577,914 filed May 24, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,813 which in turn is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,306 filed Oct. 16, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,202 which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/062,577 filed Oct. 17, 1997. The entire disclosure of all these documents is herein incorporated by reference.
A stepping exerciser includes a spindle rotatably supported on a base, a pair of foot pedals rotatably supported on the base and arranged to be moved up and down stepped upon by a user, a coupling device for coupling the foot pedals to the spindle, to drive and to rotate the spindle, a pair of handles rotatably supported on the base, and arranged to be rotated by the user, and a connecting device for connecting the handles to the spindle, to selectively drive and rotate the spindle. The spindle may thus be continuously driven by the foot pedals and the handles alternatively. One or more spring members or a wheel may apply a resistive force against the spindle.
