Striding exerciser with adjustable upwardly curved tracks

A curved track striding exercise device includes a movable track assembly wherein the curved tracks can be rotatably inclined or declined relative to the base, to simulate either an uphill or downhill striding arrangement. The striding exercise device includes an arcuate track assembly including a pair of spaced elongated, parallel tracks which curve upwardly in an arc, a pair of foot skates respectively movably supported on the parallel tracks for receiving the feet of an operator thereon, and a base assembly for supporting the arcuate track assembly. The track assembly is cradled within the base and is slidably rotatable relative to the base about a pivot point which is located above the base. Rotation of the track assembly is guided in a plane which is generally parallel to the tracks, whereby the track assembly is selectively movable between a first angular position wherein the tracks are inclined relative to the supporting surface to simulate uphill striding, and a second angular position wherein the tracks are is declined relative to the supporting surface to simulate downhill striding.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The instant invention relates to exercise apparatus and more particularly 
to a striding exerciser having rotatably adjustable upwardly curved 
tracks. 
Striding exercisers with upwardly curved tracks have heretofore been known 
in the art. In this regard, the U.S. Pat. to Piaget et al No. 5,575,740 
represents the closest prior art to the subject invention of which the 
applicant is aware. The '740 patent discloses an exercise device 
comprising a base having two parallel upwardly curved tracks, and two foot 
skates which are rotatably supported on the tracks. Although the device in 
the '740 patent has been scientifically proven to be highly effective for 
aerobic conditioning and calorie burning, there is one noted disadvantage 
in the specific design of the prior device. This disadvantage relates to 
noise levels created by the hollow blow-molded base. The movement of the 
skate wheels on the hollow base tends to echo during use, and creates 
unwanted noise. Accordingly, there is a perceived need in the industry to 
overcome this drawback. Furthermore, there is always an ongoing need in 
the industry for improved and updated apparatus which offer additional 
features, functionality, and flexibility in exercise regimen. 
The instant invention provides a striding exercise device having upwardly 
curved tracks wherein the curved tracks can be rotatably inclined or 
declined relative to the supporting surface to simulate either uphill or 
downhill striding. More specifically, the striding exercise device 
includes an arcuate track assembly including a pair of spaced elongated, 
parallel tracks which curve upwardly in an arc, a pair of foot skates 
respectively movably supported on the parallel tracks for receiving the 
feet of an operator thereon, and a base assembly for supporting the 
arcuate track assembly above a supporting surface. 
The track assembly includes four spaced, parallel, curved rails, divided 
into two pairs of rails which define the tracks described hereinabove. The 
rails are preferably of tubular steel construction and are maintained in 
spaced relation by two end members which are secured to the terminal ends 
of the rails. Each pair of rails supports a respective foot skate, each of 
which is rotatably supported on the respective pair of rails by two pairs 
of rubber skate wheels rotatably mounted to the foot skate body. The 
rubber skate wheels are virtually silent during movement on the tubular 
steel rails thereby offering a significant noise level improvement over 
the prior art design. 
The track assembly still further includes an electronic console which is 
supported on an upright support member extending upwardly from the forward 
cross member. Even further still, two pivotable hand levers are rotatably 
attached to the upright support member to provide either a hand hold for 
the operator during use, or a means for exercising the upper body. 
The base assembly comprises two spaced, parallel, curved, frame members 
that are maintained in spaced relation by two foot members which are 
secured to the terminal ends of the frame members. The base further 
includes two supporting cross members which extend transversely across a 
central portion of the base. 
The track assembly is received on top of the cross members and is slidably 
support relative to the base assembly on top of the cross members. More 
specifically, the track assembly is slidably and rotatably movable on the 
cross members about a pivot point which is located above the base 
assembly. Rotation of the track assembly is guided in a plane which is 
generally parallel to the tracks by a slotted plate on the track assembly 
and guide rods on the cross-members. The track assembly is thus 
selectively rotatable between various angular positions wherein the tracks 
can be inclined relative to the supporting surface to simulate uphill 
striding, or declined relative to the supporting surface to simulate 
downhill striding. 
In use, the operator stands on the foot skates, and reciprocates the foot 
skates back and forth along the upwardly curved tracks. The user may also 
pump the hand levers forwardly and rearwardly to provide additional upper 
body exercise, or may simply grasp the hand levers to provide stability. 
In an alternate embodiment, the striding exercise device includes a 
motorized actuator assembly which is operative for selectively 
automatically controlling the angular position of the track assembly. In 
this manner, the device can be programmed to automatically change the 
angular position during use to achieve a full range of exercise in a 
single exercise routine. 
Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are: the provision 
of a striding exerciser having upwardly curved tracks, and foot skates 
which are slidably movable along the tracks; the provision of a striding 
exerciser wherein the tracks are rotatably movable relative to the base to 
achieve an uphill or downhill striding arrangement; the provision of such 
a striding exerciser including a motorized actuator for selectively and/or 
automatically rotating the tracks relative to the base; the provision of a 
striding exerciser which is quiet in operation; the provision of a 
striding exerciser which collapses for ease of shipping and storage; and 
the provision of a striding exerciser which is relatively inexpensive to 
manufacture. 
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become 
apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection 
with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, the striding exercise device of the instant 
invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-8. As 
will hereinafter be more fully described, the instant invention provides a 
striding exercise device 10 having upwardly curved tracks wherein the 
curved tracks can be rotatably inclined or declined relative to the 
supporting surface to simulate either uphill or downhill striding. 
The striding exercise device 10 comprises an arcuate track assembly 
generally indicated at 12 including a pair of spaced elongated, parallel 
tracks generally indicated at 14, 16 respectively, a pair of foot skates 
generally indicated at 18 respectively movably supported on the parallel 
tracks 14, 16 for receiving the feet of an operator thereon, and a base 
assembly generally indicated at 20 for supporting the arcuate track 
assembly 12 above a supporting surface. 
The track assembly 12 comprises four, spaced, parallel, curved rails 22, 
24, 26, 28 respectively, which curve upwardly in a generally continuous 
arc. The rails 22, 24, 26, 28 are divided into two pairs of rails, 22, 24 
respectively, and 26, 28 respectively, which define the tracks 14, 16 as 
described above. The 22, 24, 26, 28 rails are secured together and 
maintained in spaced relation by front and rear end members 30, 32 which 
are secured transversely across the terminal ends of the rails 22, 24, 26, 
28. The rails 22, 24, 26, 28 and end members 30, 32 of the track assembly 
12 are preferably fashioned from tubular steel, or other suitable 
structural materials to provide the stability and rigidity necessary to 
withstand the repeated stresses of day to day usage. The rails 22, 24, 26, 
28 and end members 30, 32 are also preferably welded together to provide 
strong stable construction, and a clean appearance. 
Each track 14, 16 supports a respective foot skate 18 which is rotatably 
supported on the respective rails 22, 24, 26, 28 by four rubber skate 
wheels 34 (two pairs) rotatably mounted to the foot skate body 36. The 
skate wheels 34 have a concave engaging surface (not shown) which rests on 
top of the tubular rails 22, 24, 26, 28 and prevents side to side movement 
of the foot skate 18 relative to the rails. The foot skate bodies 36 are 
constructed in accordance with known technology and design, and will not 
be described further herein. 
The track assembly 12 still further includes an electronic console assembly 
38 which is mounted on an upright support member 40 extending upwardly 
from the forward end member 30. The support member 40 is preferably 
rotatably mounted to the forward end member 30 to allow the support member 
40 to be folded upwardly for use and downwardly for shipping and storage. 
The electronic console assembly 38 provides standard exercise information 
such as time or workout, calories burned, etc. etc, in a readable format 
for the user. 
The track assembly 12 still further includes two pivotable hand levers 
42,44 respectively which are rotatably attached to pivot assemblies 46, 48 
mounted on the upright support member 40. These hand levers 42,44 can be 
locked in a stationary position to provide a stable hand hold for the 
operator during use, or can be unlocked and pivoted forwardly and 
rearwardly for exercising the upper body. 
The base assembly 20 comprises two spaced, parallel, curved, frame members 
50, 52 that are maintained in spaced relation by front and rear foot 
members 54, 56 which are secured to the terminal ends of the frame members 
50, 52 at each end thereof. The base assembly 20 further includes front 
and rear supporting cross members 58, 60 which extend transversely across 
a central portion of the base assembly 20. The frame members 50, 52, foot 
members 54, 56, and cross members 58, 60 are all constructed from welded 
tubular steel members to provide a rigid, durable construction. 
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the entire track assembly 12 is received in nested 
relation within the framework of the base assembly 20. More specifically, 
the curved rails 22, 24, 26, 28 of the track assembly 12 rest in nested 
relation on top of the cross members 58, 60 of the base assembly 20 and 
are slidably supported relative to the base assembly 20 on the cross 
members 58, 60. In this regard, the overall exterior width of the track 
assembly 12 is somewhat smaller than the interior width of the frame 
members 50, 52 of the base assembly 20 so that the track assembly 12 fits 
within the interior of the base assembly 20. Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the 
track assembly 12 is slidably and rotatably movable relative to the base 
assembly 20 about a pivot point P which is located above the base assembly 
12. In this regard, the track assembly 12 is rotatable between a first 
angular position (FIG. 5) wherein the tracks 14, 16 are inclined relative 
to the supporting surface to simulate a uphill or inclined striding, and a 
second angular position (FIGS. 4 and 7) wherein the tracks 14, 16 are 
declined relative to the supporting surface to similar downhill or 
declined striding. 
Rotation of the track assembly 12 relative to the base assembly 20 is 
guided in a plane 62 (shown in broken line in FIG. 3) which is parallel to 
the longitudinal extent of the tracks 14, 16 by a curved, slotted plate 
generally indicated 64 on the track assembly 12 and corresponding guide 
rods 66 mounted on the cross-members 58, 60 of the base assembly 20. The 
slotted plate 64 extends along the center of the track assembly 12 between 
the inner rails 24, 26, and in this regard, the guide rods 66 on each of 
the cross members 58, 60 extend upwardly through respective front and rear 
longitudinal slots 68, 70 in the plate 64. The slots 68, 70 and guide rods 
66 effectively guide movement of the track assembly 12 within the 
described plane 62 and further limit the extent of travel of the track 
assembly 12 relative to the base assembly 20. 
The guide arrangement also operates as a means for selectively locking the 
track assembly 12 in a predetermined angular rotational position relative 
to the base assembly 20. In this regard, each of the guide rods 66 is 
threaded along the end portion thereof, and a corresponding threaded 
locking knob 72 is received onto each of the rods 66. The track assembly 
12 can be locked into position by tightening the locking knobs 72 down 
into engagement with the upper surface of the slotted plate 64 wherein the 
slotted plate 64 will be frictionally captured between the locking knobs 
72 and the cross members 58, 60. 
In use of the device 10, the operator stands on the foot skates 18, and 
reciprocates the foot skates 18 back and forth along the upwardly curved 
tracks 14, 16. In accordance with the teaching of the prior art, the 
upward curvature of the tracks 14, 16 generally corresponds with the 
natural swinging arc of the operator's legs, and maintains the operators 
torso in a stationary and balanced position over the base assembly 20. The 
curvature of the tracks 14, 16 is therefore operative for immobilizing 
vertical movement of the operator's center of gravity during reciprocating 
movement of the feet. The curved tracks 14, 16 allow the user's legs to 
naturally pivot about the hip joint without requiring the legs to lift the 
body or torso upwardly with each stride. Because the legs are not required 
to lift the operator's weight, there is virtually no strain placed on the 
leg joints, especially the ankle, knee and hip joints. In addition, the 
curvature of the tracks 14, 16 reduces back strain associated with 
repetitive bending in flat rail striding devices. The combined effect is 
to eliminate physical stresses on the body while providing an effective 
aerobic workout. The user may also pump the hand levers 42, 44 forwardly 
and rearwardly to provide additional upper body exercise, or may lock the 
hand levers 42, 44 and simply grasp the hand levers 42, 44 to provide 
stability. 
Referring to FIG. 8, the provision of separate track and base assemblies 
12, and 20, allows the device 10 to be knocked down to a relatively small 
size for shipping, handling and storage. 
Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment of the exercise device is 
illustrated and generally indicated at 74. The striding exercise device 74 
is generally identical to the first embodiment 10 as described above, with 
the exception of the manual lock knob arrangement, and in this regard, the 
present embodiment 74 will retain the same numbering scheme for the common 
elements the base assembly 20 and track assembly 12. In the present 
embodiment 74, the manual locking arrangement is replaced by a motorized 
actuator assembly generally indicated at 76 which allows automatic control 
of the angular position of the track assembly 12. In this manner, the 
control module assembly 38 can be wired to the motorized actuator assembly 
76 and programmed to automatically change the angular position of the 
track assembly 12 during use to achieve a full range of exercise in a 
single exercise routine. The actuator assembly 76 comprises an electric 
drive motor 78 having a rotatable drive shaft 80, and a worm screw 
transfer assembly generally indicated 82. The drive motor 78 is mounted to 
the under side the base assembly 12 and the drive shaft 80 of the motor is 
provided with a conventional worm drive gear 84 for driving the worm screw 
transfer assembly 82. The worm screw transfer assembly 82 includes a worm 
screw 86 having an unthreaded first end portion 88 which is rotatably 
mounted in a bearing mount 90 also attached to the under side of the base 
assembly 12. The worm screw 86 further includes a second end portion 92 
which is threadedly received through a pivotable threaded coupling 94 
attached to the underside of the track assembly 12. The worm screw 86 is 
positioned so that the central threaded portion thereof engages with the 
worm drive gear 84 of the motor 78 such that rotation of the worm drive 
gear 84 causes corresponding rotation of the worm screw 86 and linear 
forward and rearward translation of the threaded coupling 94 and track 
assembly 12. The motor 78 is reversible to provide both forward and 
rearward translation of the track assembly 12. Accordingly, rotation of 
the worm screw 86 in one direction will cause forward translation of the 
track assembly 12 while rotation in the other direction will cause 
rearward translation. 
The electronic control assembly 38 will provide the ability to selectively 
actuate movement of the track assembly 12 in either direction simply by 
pressing a corresponding button (not shown) on the control panel. 
Furthermore, the control electronics will also provide the ability to 
program different automatic movements of the track assembly 12 during an 
exercise routine. Accordingly, the device 74 will be able to automatically 
adjust to different angular positions during a programmed exercise 
routine. Pre-programmed exercise routines will be included, along with the 
ability for the user to personally customize track movements. 
It can therefore be seen that the instant invention provides unique and 
improved exercise devices which provides added functionality over the 
prior art devices. The ability to adjust the angular position of the 
tracks 14,16 relative to the base assembly 20 provides added flexibility 
to exercise regimen and therefore increases the effective usable life of 
the product. The rubber skate wheels 34 and tubular steel construction of 
the rails 22, 24, 26, 28 is virtually silent during operation thereby 
offering a significant noise level improvement over the prior art design. 
Still further, the motorized actuator 76 for automatically changing the 
angular position of the track assembly 12 provides additional 
functionality to the device which was not available in the prior art 
devices. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent 
a significant advancement in the art which has substantial commercial 
merit. 
While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure 
embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art 
that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive 
concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein 
shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the 
appended claims.