Device for simulation of climbing

• US 4,659,075 A
• Filed: 12/11/1985
• Issued: 04/21/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William T. Wilkinson
• Original Assignee: William T. Wilkinson
• Inventors: Wilkinson, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAHR, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US06/807,797
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 272/70, 272/70.2, 272/73, 272/131, 272/132, 272/133, 272/109, 272/62, 272/145, 128/25 R, 182/156, 182/165-177
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0035 Upper limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0038 One foot moving independently from the other, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0647 for cycling in a standing position, i.e. without a seat or support for the trunk
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/169 for anchoring on or against a wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/205 in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 : Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0057 : Means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B23/0211 takes precedence

Abstract

A device for the partial simulation of climbing includes a frame having a vertically adjustable step and an upstanding handle to permit the user to simulate climbing by stepping up and down the step. Continuous or full simulation of climbing is achieved by a device which has vertically movable steps so that the user may remain at one location while continuously going through the motions of stepping upward.

Claims

1. A device for the continuous simulation of climbing comprising a pair of upstanding A-shaped frames pivotally connected at their upper ends to a bridging member, right step means mounted to one of said frames for up and down movement in accordance with the user selectively applying weight on the right foot of the user which in turn is placed on said right step means, left step means mounted to the other of said frames juxtaposed said right step means for up and down movement in accordance with the user selectively applying weight on the left foot of the user which in turn is placed on said left step means, each of said A-frames comprising a pair of legs interconnected by adjustable locking means for permitting said legs to be juxtaposed each other during the inactive condition of said device and for varying the angle between said legs during the operative condition of said device to control the angle of climb of the user, a sleeve slidably mounted on one leg of each of said frames, each of said step means being a step mounted in a cantilevered manner to a respective one of said sleeves, resistance means reacting against said right step means and said left step means opposing the force applied by the user selectively stepping on said right step means and said left step means, a cable adjustably secured at one end to each of said sleeves in such a manner that the effective length of said cable may be varied to control the height of its respective step, and said resistance means reacting against said cable to thereby provide a resistance force to said steps.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein hand grip means extend upwardly from each of said upstanding frames and adjustable resistance means secured to said hand grip means for providing exercise to the user'"'"'s arms while performing the climbing exercise.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein a pulley is mounted at the upper end of each of said frames, said resistance means being mounted to said bridging member, and said cable for said steps being a common cable extending from one of said steps over said pulleys and engaging said resistance means and extending to the other of said steps.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said resistance means is a friction brake.