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:
May. 07, 1991
Filed:
Sep. 17, 1990
John W Bull, Olympia, WA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An exercise apparatus which simulates stair climbing, is adjustable to achieve various levels of difficulty and adjustable to accommodate individuals of all heights. The exercise apparatus has a support structure, left and right foot levers pivotally connected to the support structure, a rotatable shaft rotatably attached to the support structure, and left and right clutches drivingly connected to the rotatable shaft. The left and right clutches independently drive the rotatable shaft in a drive-rotational direction when either of the clutches is rotated in the drive-rotational direction. Each clutch overrides the rotatable shaft when rotated in the counter drive-rotational direction. Pulleys or sprockets are mounted on each of the clutches. A rope or chain drivingly engages the pulleys or sprockets and causes their rotation when the foot levers are moved. A worm gear, which is driven by the rotatable shaft, is part of a resistance assembly mounted on the support structure. The resistance assembly contains a worm driven by the worm gear, a flywheel mounted on the worm, and braking device for braking the flywheel. The worm gear assembly and flywheel imparts a smooth, dynamic fluid-like operation to the movement of the foot levers. In one embodiment the foot levers operate independently of each other. In another embodiment the foot levers are synchronized. In still another embodiment the foot lever operation can be easily converted back and forth between independent and synchronized motion thereby allowing for variation in exercising routines.