# US 12,005,307 B1 · Climbing exercise apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,307 B1 - Document ID: US12005307B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/300,948 - Filed: 2021-12-17 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-15 - Applicants: Joseph D Maresh; Kenneth W Stearns - Inventors: Joseph D Maresh; Kenneth W Stearns - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005307B1 ## CPC - 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)} - A63B 21/00192: {using resistance provided by magnetic means (A63B21/005 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/0051: {using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets} - A63B 21/012: using frictional force-resisters {(electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056)} - A63B 21/154: {using special pulley-assemblies} - A63B 21/4034: {for operation by feet} - A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand} - A63B 22/0005: {with particular movement of the arms provided by handles moving otherwise than pivoting about a horizontal axis parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane} - A63B 22/001: {by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/03575: {Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously} - A63B 23/0417: {with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by translation} - A63B 2022/0043: {the movements of the limbs of one body half being synchronised, e.g. the left arm moving in the same direction as the left leg} - A63B 2071/065: {Visualisation of specific exercise parameters} - A63B 2220/803: Motion sensors - A63B 2220/805: Optical or opto-electronic sensors - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A climbing exercise apparatus having ipsilateral and contralateral modes of operation may include a frame supporting generally vertically oriented frame members in spaced apart relationship to one another fixedly secured to a base of the frame. The vertically oriented members may support endless belt and pulley systems. Handlebars and foot supports may be connected to upper and lower carriage members engaging the endless belt to establish ipsilateral and contralateral configurations of the climbing exercise apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise apparatus, comprising: a) a frame; b) a first pair of pulleys and a second pair of pulleys are rotatably connected to said frame, said first pair of pulleys and said second pair of pulleys each including an upper pulley vertically spaced from a lower pulley; c) a first endless belt routed about said first pair of pulleys and a second endless belt routed about said second pair of pulleys; d) a first pair of carriage members and a second pair of carriage members coupled to said first endless belt and said second endless belt, respectively; e) a rack pin movably secured to each said first and second pair of carriage members; and f) a pinion gear rotatably supported by each said first and second pair of carriage members, said pinion gear actuable to move said rack pin for selectively coupling said first and second pair of carriage members to respective said first endless belt and said second endless belt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further including a handlebar and a foot support member connected to respective said first and second pair of carriage members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein each carriage member of said first and second pair of carriage members includes a carriage chassis and further including rollers rotatably secured to each said carriage member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further including a transverse cross shaft rotatably coupled to said frame, right and left timing pulleys rigidly secured proximate to opposite distal ends of said transverse cross shaft, said right and left timing pulleys engaging each said first and second endless belt, respectively. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The exercise apparatus of claim 4 further including a resistance unit coupled to said transverse cross shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein said resistance unit includes mechanical friction resistance or magnetic resistance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pinion gear is fixedly secured to a distal end of a pinion shaft, and further including a knob fixedly secured to an opposite distal end of said pinion shaft, wherein rotation of said knob translates to lateral movement of said rack pin. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further including a first clamp and a second clamp fixedly secured to opposite sides of each said first pair of carriage members and said second pair of carriage members, said first clamp configured to connect to a first span of said first endless belt and said second endless belt, respectively, and said second clamp configured to connect to a second span of said first endless belt and said second endless belt, respectively. ### Claim 9 An exercise apparatus, comprising: a) a frame; b) a first endless belt rotatably secured to said frame; c) a second endless belt rotatably secured to said frame; and d) a pair of hand grip carriage members secured to said first endless belt, and a pair of foot support carriage members secured to said second endless belt; e) wherein said first pair of hand grip carriage members include a right hand grip secured to a right span of said first endless belt and a left hand grip secured to a left span of said first endless belt, and said pair of foot support carriage members include right and left foot platforms fixedly secured to respective right and left spans of said second endless belt; and f) wherein said left hand grip includes a swing arm selectively engageable with a respective said right and left spans of said second endless belt. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The exercise apparatus of claim 9 further including a first pair of stop members fixedly secured to said left span of said second endless belt and a second pair of stop members fixedly secured to said right span of said second endless belt, said first pair of stop members and said second pair of stop members spaced apart from one another defining a first gap and a second gap therebetween, respectively. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein said left hand grip includes a swing arm selectively engageable with said first pair of stop members and said second pair of stop members, respectively.