US 5,000,443 A · Striding exerciser

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for performing striding-type exercises is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of leg members depended from and rotatably associated with a pair of journals connected to a frame. Each of the leg members is fitted with a foot support. The leg members are mechanically associated one with another by a cable and pulley arrangement adapted for providing a reciprocative action of one by member opposite to that of the other upon a movement of either leg member.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims10

Dependent claims

A striding machine comprising:

support structure for positioning on a support surface, said support structure having a left side and a right side spaced apart from each other a distance selected to accommodate a user therebetween;
left journal means secured to said support structure at said left side;
right journal means secured to said support structure at said right side;
left leg means having a journal end rotatably secured to said left journal means to rotate thereabout and a foot end with foot support means secured thereto to support a substantially upright user and spaced from said journal at a distance substantially the same as the distance between the foot and hip of a user;
right leg means having a journal end rotatably secured to said right journal means to rotate thereabout and a foot end with foot support means secured thereto to support a substantially upright user and spaced from said journal at a distance substantially the same as the distance between the foot and hip of a user;
bar structure having a left end secured to said left journal means and a right end secured to said right journal means to stabilize said left side and said right side and inhibit relative movement therebetween with a user selectively operating said left leg means and said right leg means, said bar structure being shaped to extend around a user positioned substantially upright on said foot support means, said bar structure having a channel formed therein;
reciprocating means interconnecting said left leg means with said right leg means to cause one to rotate opposite to the other upon movement of either, said reciprocating means including
left spool means connected to rotate with said left leg means,
right spool means connected to rotate with said right leg means, and
cable means trained about said left and right spool means and along said bar structure in said channel to cause rotation of one spool means upon rotation of the other.

7 more elements

A striding machine comprising:

support structure for positioning on a support surface, said support structure having a left side and a right side spaced apart from each other a distance selected to accommodate a user therebetween;
left journal means secured to said support structure at said left side;
right journal means secured to said support structure at said right side;
left leg means having a journal end rotatably secured to said left journal means to rotate thereabout and a foot end with foot support means secured thereto to support a substantially upright user and spaced from said journal at a distance substantially the same as the distance between the foot and hip of a user;
right leg means having a journal end rotatably secured to said right journal means to rotate thereabout and a foot end with foot support means secured thereto to support a substantially upright user and spaced from said journal at a distance substantially the same as the distance between the foot and hip of a user;
bar structure having a left end secured to said left journal means and a right end secured to said right journal means to stabilize said left side and said right side and inhibit relative movement therebetween with a user selectively operating said left leg means and said right leg means, said bar structure being shaped to extend around a user positioned substantially upright on said foot support means, said bar structure including
a right member secured to said right journal means to extend away therefrom,
a left member secured to said left journal means to extend away therefrom in substantial alignment with said right member,
a cross bar interconnected between said left member and said right member,
said cross bar being hollow and apertures being formed in said left and right members to register with the hollow cross bar;
reciprocating means interconnecting said left leg means with said right leg means to cause one to rotate opposite to the other upon movement of either, said reciprocating means including
left spool means connected to rotate with said left leg means,
right spool means connected to rotate with said right leg means, and
cable means trained about said left and right spool means and through said apertures and said hollow cross bar to cause rotation of one spool means upon rotation of the other;
and
guide means positioned on both said left member and said right member to guide said cable means.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,880 words

Summary627 words

#1. Field

#This invention relates to exercise apparatus and more particularly to machines for performing striding-type exercises.

#2. State of the Art

Brief description of the drawings5 figures

#In the drawings, which illustrate the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the instant invention:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the striding exerciser of the instant invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective arrangement of the spools and cable of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

Detailed description2,159 words

#A striding exerciser 10 has support structure with a left side 12 and a right side 14. The support structure is here illustrated to be comprised of a first U-shaped member 16 and a second U-shaped member 18 as more fully discussed hereinafter.

#The striding exerciser 10 of FIG. 1 includes left journal means 20 and right journal means 22. The journal means 20 and 22 may be a tubular journal as here shown or any other convenient or desired structure to rotatably support an axel or shaft. A left leg means such as leg 24 has a journal end 26 which is adapted to the left journal means 20 rotate thereabout. The leg 24 also has a foot end 28 with foot support means 30 secured thereto to support a substantially upright user. The foot support means 30 is spaced from the journal end 26 a distance 32 substantially the same as the distance between the foot and hip of a user.

#As illustrated in FIG. 1, left leg 24 is secured to a sleeve 34 preferably by welding. The sleeve 34 has a base 36 adapted to a shaft to rotate therewith. The shaft extends through the journal 20 for further interconnection to a left spool 38 which is keyed to the shaft 40. Therefore upon movement of the leg 24 in a forward 42 or rearward 44 direction in an arc about the axis 40, the axle 41 and, in turn, the spool 38 rotates to cause movement of the cable 46 as more fully discussed hereinafter.

Facts

Application

07/303,943Filed 30 Jan 1989 · continuation in part

Priority

8 Sep 1987

Granted

19 Mar 1991

Term ended

19 Mar 2008

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification9 codes

A63B 23/0355
For limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously: a single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support…
A63B 21/154
Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains: using special pulley-assemblies
A63B 21/4047
Characterised by the movements of the interface: pivoting movement
A63B 22/001
Involving an exercising of arms: by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase

Striding exerciser

Life of this patent

Striding exerciser

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims10

Description2,880 words

Drawings

Classification9 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,880 words