Easy access stepper

• US 7,156,776 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2003
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald Clifton Maser
• Original Assignee: Donald Clifton Maser
• Inventors: Maser, Donald Clifton
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow; Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/425,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20040220019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482 57- 65, 482 70- 71, 482111-113, 482/148
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• 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 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for an easy to mount and easy to use exercise machine especially helpful to disabled, convalescing and elderly people. Both foot pedals (148) are at their lowest position to start and are dependent on each other. The lever-arms (146) have a long turning radius that minimizes the angle-change of the pedals. The apparatus (30) has a protective cover (32), two foot pedals (148), two lever arms (146), an energy dissipation means (106) with a neutral positioning means for the pedals, a variable exertion-force adjustment means (105), a pedal dependency mechanism (74,94), a transmission (68), an exertion monitoring device (44), handle bars (166), a frame (142), and is easily modified to include an elevator mechanism (120) that raises and lowers the pedals. The unique design keeps most of the moving parts in constant tension eliminating both noise and wear due to direction changes and the need for tight tolerances. The unique design also keeps most of the forces in a straight line eliminating wear and the need for heavy high strength parts.

Claims

1. A transmission for use with an exercise machine, said exercise machine having two foot pedals and a plurality of substantially equally sized linear hydraulic dampers each of said hydraulic dampers having a piston therein and a return-spring and said transmission comprising:

(a) a pinion-post,

(b) a drive shaft concentrically mounted on and pivotal around said pinion-post,

(c) a drive-wheel fixedly and concentrically located around said drive shaft,

(d) a first means for making said dependent on each other and for transmitting mechanical energy from said foot pedals to said drive-wheel,

(e) a driven-wheel fixedly and concentrically located around said drive shaft,

(f) a second means for transmitting mechanical energy from said driven-wheel to said hydraulic dampers,

(g) a structural means for holding said linear hydraulic dampers, said pinion-post, said drive shaft, said drive-wheel, said first means, said driven wheel, and said second means in a working positional relationship to each other

whereby said first means in combination with said return-springs maintain each of said foot pedals at its neutral position.