Patent ID: 6032969
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: B62M

Abstract:
An exercise apparatus with a transmission which may be selectively adjusted to provide either arm exercises, leg pedaling exercises or stepping exercises, said apparatus comprising:a frame;a seat on said frame;a pair of rear drive wheels rotatably mounted on a rear shaft at the rear of said frame;a first transmission stage mounted on said frame coupled to transmit power to said rear drive wheels, said first transmission stage comprising:a driven sprocket on said rear shaft;a freewheel on a freewheel supporting shaft rotatably journaled on said frame spaced from said rear shaft;a drive sprocket on said freewheel supporting shaft; andan endless sprocket chain trained over said driven sprocket on said rear shaft and said drive sprocket on said freewheel supporting shaft;a second transmission stage pivotally mounted on the freewheel supporting shaft of said first transmission stage, said second transmission stage comprising:a bracket formed of two spaced arms straddling said drive sprocket and freewheel on the freewheel supporting shaft and selectively pivotal with respect thereto;a crankshaft rotatably supported by said bracket at a spaced distance from the freewheel supporting shaft;a crankshaft sprocket affixed to said crankshaft for rotation therewith; andan endless crankshaft sprocket chain trained over said crankshaft sprocket and said drive sprocket on the freewheel supporting shaft;a pair of crank arms on said crank shaft;pedal-handles on the free ends of said crank arms;a pair of swinging foot levers pivotally mounted on said frame;a third transmission stage selectively coupleable to said second transmission stage, said third transmission stage comprising:a pair of springs, one for each of said foot levers connected to said foot levers; anda pair of sprocket chains one for each spring, one end of which is connected to one of said springs and the other end of which is connected to one of said foot levers, said chain trained over said crankshaft sprocket,whereby when said second transmission stage is extended upwardly from said freewheel supporting shaft, said rear wheel may be driven by manually rotating said crankshaft, and when said second transmission stage is turned to extend downwardly from said freewheel supporting shaft, said crankshaft may be pedaled, and when said foot levers are stepped on the force applied to said levers may be transmitted to the rear wheel.