Treadmill Cross Training Conversion

Abstract

This device comprises two upward extending arms and mounting brackets which attach to the handrails of any treadmill and afford the user an opportunity to exercise the upper body in an action similar to cross country skiing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60 / 971,919, filed Sep. 13, 2007 by the present inventor.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND[0004]1. Field of Invention[0005]This invention relates to sports and exercise equipment, specifically to treadmills.[0006]2. Prior Art[0007]Treadmills used for workouts and fitness are generally equipped with side handrails or horizontal bars which the users can hold on to for support if desired. Recently some treadmills have been marketed that are also equipped with moveable arms which simulate ski poles. These arms permanently attached to the frame of the treadmill afford the user a cross training type of exercise in which the arms are used in an action similar to cross country skiing at the same time that the user is walking or running on the treadmill. Thus, both the upper body and the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]This invention consists of two upward extending arms and mounting brackets which fasten to the two handrails of a treadmill. Each bracket is attached to a handrail near its upper end toward the front of the treadmill. The bracket secures the arm to the handrail and serves as a pivot point about which the arm can be rotated. The upper ends of the arms may be equipped with handle grips that the user can take hold of to push and pull the arms in a motion similar to that used in cross country skiing. Each bracket has means for adjusting the frictional resistance of the arm to rotation thus requiring different levels of exertion and exercise by the user

[0011]There are a number of ways that the mounting brackets can be attached to the handrails with universal application including: different bolting arrangements, strap and ratchet type buckles, spring loaded clamps, and screw tightening clamps. The brackets for two handrails may be mounted with an interconnecting strut to provide greater stability or they may be mounted alone without any interconnection.

[0012]A rotatable horizontal handle with a grip may be attached at a 90 degree angle to the upper end of each arm. This handle consists of a bolt within a moveable sleeve. The advantage of this embodiment is that it may provide additional comfort for the user. The sleeve will rotate as the arm is moved back and forth thus preventing minor strain on the user's hand and wrist that might otherwise result from holding on to the vertical arm as it is moved backward and forward in an arc.

Problems solved by technology

Handrails on treadmills would interfere with the operation of this device.

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