Trimodal exercise apparatus

An exercise apparatus capable of simulating running, walking, stair climbing and cross country skiing activities, comprising:

• (a) a vertical support frame, the vertical support frame having an upper end and a lower end;
• (b) an inclined base frame, the inclined base frame having a rearward end and a forward end, the forward end of the inclined base frame being rigidly affixed to the bottom portion of the vertical frame;
• (c) a first axle, the first axle being mounted near the forward end;
• (d) a second axle, the second axle being mounted near the rearward end of the base frame;
• (e) an endless belt, the endless belt passing over and around the first axle and the second axle, thereby forming a treadmill, the treadmill being suitable for simulating a walking and running exercise activity;
• (f) a pair of removable foot restraints, the removable foot restraints being slidably mounted on the base frame, thereby permitting simulation of a cross country skiing activity;
• and
• (g) a pair of reciprocating pivotable foot paddles, the reciprocating food paddles being pivotably mounted near the intersection of the base frame and the vertical frame, the foot paddles reciprocating so as to simulate a stair climbing activity.

An exercise device including components to perform three discrete exercise activities, comprising:

• (a) a treadmill, the treadmill being formed as a substantially planar endless conveyor, the treadmill being inclined so as to form an angle between 3.degree. and 15.degree. to a horizontal surface;
• (b) a first and second foot paddle, the first foot paddle having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably mounted near a forward region of the treadmill, the second end having a foot engaging surface, the second foot paddle having a first end pivotably mounted near a forward region of the treadmill, and having a second end formed so as to have a foot engaging surface, the pivotable foot paddles being interconnected by a belt, the belt being restrained by a pulley so as to cause a reciprocating motion of the foot paddles;
• (c) a pair of conical resistance mechanisms, one of each conical resistance mechanism being cooperatively connected to one of the reciprocating foot paddles, the conical resistance mechanism resisting rotation of the first end of the foot paddle in a downward direction and thereby providing resistance to downward movement of the second end of a foot paddle, thereby providing simulation of a stair climbing exercise;
• and
• (d) a pair of foot restraints, the foot restraints being slidably mounted adjacent to the treadmill, the foot restraints being constrained to move along an axis parallel to the direction and movement of the treadmill, the foot restraints being capable of a reciprocating motion along the plane defined by the treadmill, the foot restraints rolling in a forward direction, the foot restraints frictionally sliding in a rearward direction, thereby simulating a cross country skiing exercise.