Treadmill-style stairstep exercise machine

Abstract

A stair-step exercise machine includes: a frame; first and second rotary members rotatably mounted on the frame; an endless member engaged with the first and second rotary members; a plurality of steps, each comprising a vertical riser panel and a horizontal treading panel, wherein a rearward edge portion of the treading panel is pivotally attached to an upper edge portion of the riser panel, and wherein each step is mounted to the endless member, with the lower edge portion of the riser panel and the forward edge portion of the treading panel being pivotally mounted to the endless member, thereby forming an endless chain of steps that follows a travel path around the first and second rotary members; and a resistance control unit attached to the frame and operatively associated with one of the first and second rotary members. Each step is between about 4 and 7.5 inches in height.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of and priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 453,224, filed Mar. 16, 2011 and entitled Treadmill-Style Stairstep Exercise Machine, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Treadmill exercisers are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,399,915 to Drake discloses a treadmill exerciser wherein the treadmill portion is oriented in a substantially horizontal disposition. U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,215 to Harrison et al. shows a treadmill exerciser which is forwardly and upwardly sloping and which, broadly, involves a plurality of movable steps which are moved downwardly and forwardly by the weight of the exerciser in an attempt to climb up the steps. U.S. Pat. No. 3,592,466 to Parsons is similar to the aforementioned Harrison et al patent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,195 to Potts also discloses a treadmill exerciser involving an upwardly and forwardly sloping tr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]As a first aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a stair-step exercise machine The exercise machine comprises: a frame; first and second rotary members rotatably mounted on the frame, wherein the first rotary member is mounted above and forwardly of the second rotary member; an endless member engaged with the first and second rotary members; a plurality of steps, wherein each of the steps comprises a generally vertically-disposed riser panel and a generally-horizontally disposed treading panel, wherein a rearward edge portion of the treading panel is pivotally attached to an upper edge portion of the riser panel, and wherein each step is mounted to the endless member, with the lower edge portion of the riser panel and the forward edge portion of the treading panel being pivotally mounted to the endless member, thereby forming an endless chain of steps that follows a travel path around the first and second rotary members; and a resistance control unit attached to the frame and operatively associated with one of the first and second rotary members, the resistance control unit being configured to impart a selectable resistance to the rotation of the first or second rotary member, thereby providing resistance to the movement of the endless member. The riser panel of each step is configured such that each step is between about 4 and 7.5 inches in height. In this configuration, the exercise machine may be more comfortable for use by a shorter exerciser.

Problems solved by technology

This spacing is suitable for tall exercisers, but can render the machine too strenuous or difficult for shorter exercisers, particularly women.

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