# US 2017/0282004 A1 · Stair climbing apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282004 A1 - Document ID: US20170282004A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/623,576 - Filed: 2017-06-15 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-17 - Assignees: Cybex International, Inc. - Applicants: Cybex International, Inc. - Inventors: Gordon Andrade - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282004A1 ## CPC - A63B 22/04: with movable {multiple} steps {, i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders (steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048)} - A63B 21/00: Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices (electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00) - A63B 21/0051: {using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets} - A63B 21/068: using user's body weight - A63B 21/4034: {for operation by feet} - A63B 22/00: Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements (force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; {for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; } electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00) - A63B 22/0046: {Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation (attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20)} - A63B 69/0057: {Means for physically limiting movements of body parts (A63B23/0211 takes precedence)} - F16B 7/10: Telescoping systems ({for vertically adjustable chairs A47C3/20; telescopic steering columns B62D1/18}; for scaffolding E04G25/04; {telescopic masts, poles or the like E04H12/182; telescopic door or window holders E05C17/30}; telescope props for mining E21D15/14 - E21D15/46; stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon {F16M11/26}) - A63B 21/0058: {using motors} - A63B 21/015: including rotating or oscillating elements {rubbing against fixed elements} - A63B 21/157: {Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches} - A63B 22/0023: {the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band} - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63B 2022/0278: {with reversible direction of the running surface} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A stair stepping apparatus comprising: a plurality of stairs forming a treadmill or endless belt on which a user steps, wherein each stair comprises: a first link comprised of a major step portion joined to a minor riser portion by a rigid elbow, and a second link comprised of major riser portion joined to a minor step portion by a rigid elbow. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stair stepping apparatus comprising: a plurality of stairs mounted on a frame and hingedly interconnected to each other in succession to form a treadmill or endless belt, the treadmill being rotatably mounted on the frame for rotation around a path of travel, wherein each stair comprises: a step having a generally planar upper step surface having a front to rear length extending from a front edge to a rear edge, and, a riser having a top to bottom vertical length extending from the rear edge of the upper step surface to a bottom edge of the riser, the riser comprising an upper riser and a lower riser hingedly joined to each other between the rear edge of the step surface and bottom edge of the riser. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stair stepping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper riser is rigidly interconnected to the rear foot support at the rear edge of the upper step surface such that the upper riser is disposed normally below the upper step surface, the lower riser being rigidly interconnected to a front foot support of a successive step at the front edge of the upper step surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The stair stepping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the step comprises a front foot support and a rear foot support hingedly joined to each other between the front and rear edges of the upper step surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the treadmill is mounted for rotation such that the stairs travel in a backwardly downwardly directed path of travel on rotation of the treadmill, the front and rear foot supports of successively interconnected stairs providing a step surface on which a user can step with a user's foot during at least some portion of the backwardly downwardly directed path of travel of the stairs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the treadmill is interconnected to a resistance device that exerts a selected degree of resistance to rotation of the treadmill, the treadmill being rotatably driven against the resistance by force of the user's weight or by the user's exertion of downwardly directed force on a step surface of one or more of the stairs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the path of travel of the treadmill has a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle of between about 30 and about 36 degrees relative to horizontal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method of performing an exercise by a user using the apparatus of claim 1, the method comprising the user's stepping on a stair of the apparatus of claim 1 while the treadmill of the apparatus rotates in a backward and downward direction.