The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 21, 1987
Filed:
Aug. 02, 1984
Richard J DeCloux, Manchester, NH (US);
Other;
Abstract
Apparatus for use with an exercise device in the form of moveable stairs mounted to tracks includes a stair step phasing system that absorbs and dissipates energy and provides adjustment of stroke length and cycle rate for various aerobic and isokinetic exercise activities through the use of a unique bypass system. The phasing system includes two double-acting cylinders with hydraulically-phased pistons having rods connected to respective steps. The hydraulic system is a closed system having fluid both above and below the pistons, with the phasing system including interconnection of the cylinders so that the cylinder portion above the piston of each cylinder is hydraulically connected to the cylinder portion above the piston of the other cylinder, and the cylinder portion below the piston of each cylinder is similarly connected. It is a feature of this invention that a bypass is provided connecting the cylinder portions above the pistons of the system to the cylinder portions below the pistons of the system. A valve is provided in the bypass which when open allows fluid to move from above the pistons to below the pistons allowing adjustment of the position of the pistons relative to the cylinders and each other, and which when closed fixes the piston relationships. A variable orifice in either or both of the intercylinder connections facilitates the adjustment of the rate of piston movement in relation to force applied. The closed system is also provided with one or more accumulators for accommodation of hydraulic fluid thermal expansion.