An exercise apparatus includes a base having a brace upstanding therefrom. A support member including a rail having a seat mounted thereon is rotatably connected to the brace. Mounted to the front end of the base are a pair tracks. Positioned on opposing sides of the support stand are a pair of linear foot rails. The front end of each foot rail has a wheel rotatably mounted thereon and disposed on a corresponding track. The second end of each foot rail is rotatably mounted to the base by a crank...

The present invention relates to an inclining treadmill having a hood assembly pivotally coupled between the frame and the inclining tread base of the treadmill. The configuration of the pivoting hood assembly allows the inclining tread base to incline to a grade of at least 20 percent. The pivot point of the pivoting hood assembly is positioned distally from the distal end of the tread base. The pivoting hood assembly is positioned at an angle to greater than 40 degrees when the tread base is a...

A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes: (i) a support base; and (ii) a treadbase having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner portion therebetween, the treadbase selectively inclining with respect to the support base. The treadbase is pivotally coupled at the inner portion thereof to the treadbase. A handrail assembly of the hiking apparatus adjusts automatically throughout the range ...

A method is disclosed for preparing a dense, B"-alumina-containing ceramic body exhibiting an electrical resistivity for sodium ion conduction at 300.degree. C. between about 3 and about 20 ohm-cm, by sintering a green ceramic body formed from a composition comprising at least about 90 weight percent of aluminum oxide, about 8.7 to 9.4 weight percent of sodium oxide, about 0.7-0.9 weight percent of lithium oxide, and from 0.0 to about 4.0 weight percent of magnesium oxide at a temperature betwee...

Methods of preparing a dense and strong polycrystalline .beta."-alumina-containing ceramic body exhibiting an electrical resistivity for sodium ion conduction at 300.degree. C of 9 ohm-cm or lower obtained directly after sintering and having a controlled fine microstructure exhibiting a uniform grain size under 50 micrometers. The invention more particularly relates to methods of uniformly distributing selected metal ions having a valence not greater than 2, e.g. lithium or magnesium, uniformly ...

An improved lift apparatus for use in a treadmill having a support base and a treadbase is disclosed. The lift apparatus includes a lift motor assembly linked to the support base and to a cam. The first cam can be attached to a torsion bar linked to the support base. An incline link bar is linked to the first cam and to the treadbase. The force generated by the motor assembly is efficiently translated from the cam to the treadbase, thereby inclining the treadbase.

An exercise device includes a frame with a deck cooperating with the frame. The deck and frame cooperate with an endless belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section upon which an exercising user may rest or exercise. An impact absorbing mechanism cooperates with the frame and the deck and is configured to adjustably cushion the impact of a user upon the exercise section of the endless belt. The impact absorbing mechanism includes at least cushioning member and at least one spring at least p...

A method for preparing a dense and strong polycrystalline .beta."-alumina-containing ceramic body exhibiting an elecrical resistivity at 300.degree. C of 5 ohm-cm or lower, and a controlled and uniform grain size under 50 micrometers, comprising: A. preparing fully converted .beta."-alumina seeds; B. mechanically mixing in the above-mentioned .beta."-alumina seeds with a matrix powder of a composition consistent with the formation of .beta."-alumina upon sintering; and C. sintering at about 1600...