Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for an easy to mount and easy to use exercise machine especially helpful to disabled, convalescing and elderly people. Both foot pedals ( 148 ) are at their lowest position to start and are dependent on each other. The lever-arms ( 146 ) have a long turning radius that minimizes the angle-change of the pedals. The apparatus ( 30 ) has a protective cover ( 32 ), two foot pedals ( 148 ), two lever arms ( 146 ), an energy dissipation means ( 106 ) with a neutral positioning means for the pedals, a variable exertion-force adjustment means ( 105 ), a pedal dependency mechanism ( 74,94 ), a transmission ( 68 ), an exertion monitoring device ( 44 ), handle bars ( 166 ), a frame ( 142 ), and is easily modified to include an elevator mechanism ( 120 ) that raises and lowers the pedals. The unique design keeps most of the moving parts in constant tension eliminating both noise and wear due to direction changes and the need for tight tolerances. The unique design also keeps most of the forces in a straight line eliminating wear and the need for heavy high strength parts.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    None  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an exercise machine and more specifically to a hydraulic stepper exercise machine of the dependent pedal type.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Presently there are two groups of stepper exercise machines: a group with “dependent” pedal action (dependent steppers) and a group with “independent” pedal action (independent steppers).  
           [0006]    In order to understand these steppers consider that if one pedal of a dependent stepper is stopped completely the other pedal is stopped at an alternate position. For example, if one pedal is stopped at its lowest position the other pedal is stopped at its highest position. In addition the pedals move at the same velocity and in opposite vertical directions. These features make a dependent stepper easy to use. A simple mechanism, instead of the user, keeps the pedals in correct alternate position and the resting foot is raised to the top of each successive stroke by this mechanism.  
           [0007]    In an independent stepper, if one pedal is stopped completely the other pedal is free to be at any position and move at any velocity in either vertical direction. These features make an independent stepper more difficult to use. The user is required to keep the pedals in proper alternate position with his or her feet and is required to raise the resting foot for each successive stroke. These requirements interfere with user&#39;s concentration, impart an unstable feeling to the user and make an independent stepper a poor choice for a senior citizen.  
           [0008]    Each of these two steppers is difficult to mount, but the dependent stepper is the easier of the two because its lowest pedal can be chosen as the start pedal. Conversely, the independent stepper is more difficult to mount because its pedals are both at their highest position to start.  
           [0009]    The present invention is a dependent stepper and has all the advantages of being a dependent stepper and is easier to use because it has a longer turning-radius for each of its lever-arms. This minimizes the angle-change of the pedals during use. More importantly it is easier to mount because both of its pedals are at their lowest position to start.  
           [0010]    A commercially successful dependent, hydraulic stepper is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,543 (1989) to Armstrong and is the closest stepper found to the present invention. This stepper uses a linear snubber as an energy dissipating mechanism and lever-arms called foot-beams as pedals. This stepper is an example of the step-up mounting problem, not solved by present dependent steppers. Once the lowest pedal is fully depressed to start the other pedal is at its highest position or the maximum stroke of the stepper and must be mounted with the other foot.  
           [0011]    Other negative aspects of the Armstrong stepper are as follows: It requires a separate take-off to a pedal dependency-mechanism shown by a rope and sheave (idler-wheel). Its lever-arms have a short turning-radius that increases the angle-change of the pedals causing the user&#39;s ankles to over rotate. These problems are eliminated by the present invention.  
           [0012]    The U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,302 (1976) to McFee is the most basic and comprehensive in regards to the prior art of stepper exercise machines, but none of the embodiment drawings show both stepper pedals simultaneously in the lowest position for easy mounting.  
           [0013]    In FIGS. 4 and 5 of the McFee patent a non-lever-arm embodiment is shown with a pedal dependency-mechanism that is inherently part of its transmission and like the present invention does not require a separate take-off.  
           [0014]    This stepper is a non-lever-arm stepper and was never commercially produced or successfully reduced to practice because a rotary, reversing, hydraulic pump that can accept a reciprocating input of clockwise and counter-clockwise motion, of about one revolution, and also accept a low torque load does not exist. There is one type of pump for each condition but not a pump for both conditions.  
           [0015]    Even if the pump did exist, this pump used in conjunction with a resistance flow valve as shown, could not form a rotary hydraulic snubber for this machine. A true commercial model would also need a sealed and gas padded reservoir to serve the following three functions: make up for minute losses of working fluid, release air from entrapment, and to allow for the expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes in the working fluid due to the environmental changes and fluid friction.  
           [0016]    This McFee stepper also requires the user to take long flat steps using leg muscles in a way that is closer to a cross-country skiing machine than a more conventional up and down stepper. This mode of stepping gives very little leverage to the leg muscles and is a poor loading match to a hydraulic pump. Even a very small pump can handle hundreds of pounds of torque. The low slip type of pump that could handle the condition of reciprocating-rotary-input has a starting resistance that is much greater than the maximum force produced by the leg muscles in conjunction with this stepper.  
           [0017]    The transmission of the present invention adapts linear snubbers that are successful in the Armstrong type steppers to rotary use. In effect this produces a lever-arm stepper in combination with a rotary-snubber. This combination in the present invention retains an advantage of the McFee stepper in that both the rotary-snubber and the dependency-mechanism use the same take-off points but again the McFee stepper is a non-lever-arm machine and its rotary-snubber (actuator) was never feasibly implemented.  
           [0018]    In apartment complexes that cater to senior citizens, the exercise rooms rely mostly on safe, low setting, easily accessible stationary bicycles. These bikes are also light in weight, inexpensive and are popular for in-home use.  
           [0019]    The human body evolved to do the outdoor activities of walking, running and grade climbing well and therefore is best adapted for indoor exercises that imitate these activities.  
           [0020]    Although stationary bicycles are popular, the sitting exercise position is not comfortable for all people, and the mounting of a stationary bicycle requires some straddling and twisting maneuverability among or on awkwardly placed pedals. This is not easy for all senior citizens.  
           [0021]    Some apartment complexes will risk a motorized treadmill but the senior citizens mostly avoid treadmills for fear of the uncontrolled power that could easily trip them, cause a fall and cause an injury.  
           [0022]    Motorized tread-milling imitates the activities of walking and running, but is dangerous for an indoor activity in either mode. Even with the proper mounting technique mastered and careful use of the speed-dial one must never forget to attach the automatic-shut-off clip to one&#39;s garment and it must be attached securely enough that during a fall it will shut-down the machine.  
           [0023]    In walking, like actual walking, tread-milling gives an easy workout but is time consuming and difficult to get a good aerobic workout. And in running, like actual running, tread-milling gives a faster more vigorous workout, but running gives high impact stresses to the joints and is too vigorous for most senior citizens.  
           [0024]    The stepper imitates the activity of grade climbing and has the same advantages: It gives an aerobic and low impact workout in a short period of time. The stepper is also safe, light in weight, inexpensive, and with the improvements created by the present invention, the dependent stepper will be the easiest of all exercise machines to mount and use. These advantages are important not only for the reasons already stated but also for the following: Many physicians believe that moderate exercise is the number one factor for over all good health and longevity. Experts in physical training believe that ease and convenience is the number one factor to determine whether an individual will stick with an exercise program.  
           [0025]    In conclusion it should be noted that a special linear snubber was patented for use with the Armstrong type machine, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,032 (1986) to Itazu. This snubber has a settable and adjustable resistance dial for changing its resistance internally. This adjustment is easier than changing the resistance by adjusting the connection point of the snubber to the lever-arm as in the Armstrong patent.  
           [0026]    Itazu type snubbers (internal spring type) are incorporated in the present invention as a means of dissipating energy and returning the transmission to a neutral position.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0027]    In accordance to the present invention this apparatus is a dependent type stepper that includes a means for returning both pedals to their neutral position; is modifiable to accept a means for raising and lowering both pedals for easy user access; requires only one take-off on each lever-arm that connects to both an energy dissipation means and a pedal dependency means; further includes two pedals, two lever arms, a transmission, a frame and a means for energy dissipation.  
         OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0028]    Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of Armstrong type dependent stepper described in the above text, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:  
           [0029]    (a) to provide a stepper that has both pedals on the floor for easy mounting;  
           [0030]    (b) to provide a stepper that has lever-arms with a long turning radius that minimizes the angle-change of the pedals;  
           [0031]    (c) to provide an easily covered, safe stepper;  
           [0032]    (d) to provide a lightweight stepper;  
           [0033]    (e) to provide an inexpensive stepper.  
           [0034]    Further objects and advantages will be summarized throughout the following text.  
         DRAWING FIGURES  
         [0035]    The sections are best sections. Only that which will clarify the configuration is given section lines.  
           [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 shows a complete stepper with protective cover as if it were ready for use.  
           [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 shows the complete stepper with all sub-assemblies and miscellaneous electrical and display parts called out.  
           [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 shows the stepper taken apart into its two main sub-assemblies.  
           [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 shows four parts of the transmission enlarged.  
           [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 shows six parts of the transmission enlarged.  
           [0041]    [0041]FIG. 6 shows the transmission as if it were taken apart in logical order.  
           [0042]    [0042]FIG. 7 shows four parts of the transmission enlarged.  
           [0043]    [0043]FIG. 8 shows 2 parts of the frame enlarged.  
           [0044]    [0044]FIG. 9 shows the frame as if it were taken apart in logical order.  
           [0045]    [0045]FIG. 10 is a section on line  10  of FIG. 2.  
           [0046]    [0046]FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic for the controls.  
           [0047]    [0047]FIG. 12 is the rocker-switch diagramed in the passive position.  
           [0048]    [0048]FIG. 13 is the rocker-switch diagramed in an active position.  
           [0049]    [0049]FIG. 14 shows the stepper in start position.  
           [0050]    [0050]FIG. 15 shows the stepper in pedals-up position.  
           [0051]    [0051]FIG. 16 shows the stepper in full-stroke position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0052]    For simplification and clarity some standard parts are not numbered or are not shown or both, but are understood. Bolts and nuts have clearance holes, lock washers and flat washers. Bolts have a tapped hole instead of a nut. All screws are sheet metal screws and have pilot and clearance holes. Pivotal areas and sliding areas have appropriate bearings and lubrication. Common fasteners such as cements, straps, and harnesses are not shown. Some welds are shown for clarity.  
         [0053]    The apparatus is almost symmetrical about its longitudinal axis so the same part numbers are used with the addition of ‘L’ and ‘R’ for the left and right sides of the mounted user. All other repeated occurrences of duplicates will start with the letter ‘A’ and proceed away from the user, from his or hers up to down or from his or hers right to left. A repeated occurrence is only given once and without letters unless letters and additional call-outs make the drawings and description easier to understand.  
         [0054]    Most structural parts (the structural means for holding elements in a working positional relationship) for the frame and transmission are painted, hollow-steel-tubes.  
         [0055]    Holes for running control wires through the frame at suitable locations are not shown.  
         [0056]    A way of connecting parts together is by an interference fit. In the following embodiment the interference connection is indicated by the word pressed.  
         [0057]    An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 with a protective cover (enclosure)  34 . The cover is held in place by attachment screws  36 . The cover has an access door on top for snubber adjustment  38  and also a door  40  on its far end for access to a rechargeable battery  58 .  
         [0058]    In FIG. 2 a complete stepper  30  is shown with the following sub-assemblies: a display  44 , a rocker-switch  62 , a frame  142 , a transmission  68 , an elevator  120 , a control  56 , an enclosure  32  and the section line  10  of FIG. 10.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 2 further shows the location of parts in the display  44  including: a display enclosure  46 , an internal replaceable storage battery  47 , display control buttons  48 , a count-down timer with alarm screen  50 , a step-counter screen  52 , and a proximity sensor  54 .  
         [0060]    The sensor  54  responds to the nearness of a lever-arm  146 R. The self-contained display  44  and its components are common on many exercise machines and have a set of wires from the proximity sensor  54  to the display enclosure  46 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 2 further shows the location of the control  56  including: a control enclosure  57 , the rocker-switch  62 , a normally-closed switch  66 A, a normally-closed switch  66 B, and the rechargeable battery  58 . These parts are also shown on the electrical schematic FIG. 11. The rocker-switch is shown again on the rocker-switch position diagrams FIGS. 12 and 13.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 11 is a common electrical circuit with common electrical components that is shown for simplicity in more understandable terms than is used in standard electrical design practice.  
         [0063]    For simplicity the electrical controls are shown as if the elevator&#39;s power was supplied by the rechargeable battery  58  and a separate charger not shown. It is understood that if standard well-known design modifications are made to the electrical schematic FIG. 11 the elevator motor can be run from a power cord with alternating current from a wall plug.  
         [0064]    In the exploded stepper  30  FIG. 3, the transmission  68  and the frame  142  are separated so that the sliding of transmission carriage  108  inside frame rail  214  can be visualized.  
         [0065]    In the exploded transmission  68  view FIG. 6, crossbars  152 , sheaves (idler-wheels)  180  and rail  214  are frame parts and are cross-referenced from frame  142  FIG. 9. Cable crossbars  152  engage a continuous-flexible-member (cable)  74  by a loop in the cable ends. The loop is made by taking the ends of the cable around thimbles  70  and crimping the cable ends to the cable with crimps  72 . Cable  74  is locked to a pulley (drive-wheel)  94  with a clamp  88  and bolts  90 . The pulley  94  is fixed to the bottom of a hollow shaft  84  and the shaft is fixed to the bottom of a sprocket (driven-wheel)  82 . The previous three parts rotate about a pinion-post  98  and are held in place with a shaft-collar  76  and a setscrew  78  between a thrust washer  80  and a spacer  96 . The pinion post  98  is welded to the top of a carriage  108 . The carriage is held into a frame rail  214  by keepers  110 A and  110 B that allow the carriage to slide back and forth. The keepers are attached to the top of the carriage  108  with screws  112 . An elevator coupling  122  is welded to the top of carriage  108  and loosely contains a special nut  126 . The looseness is to compensate for any misalignment between the carriage  108  and its mechanical link (elevator-screw-shaft)  136  to the elevator. The special nut engages the screw-shaft and has a finger-grip  130  pressed into its top for aligning the nut with the screw-shaft during assembly. The screw-shaft  136  is driven by a speed reducer  138  and an electric motor  140 . The motor (with optional overload protection) is given power from the rechargeable battery (power supply)  58  through the control  56 . This elevator  120  is held to an elevator-mounting-plate  218  with bolts  220 .  
         [0066]    A sprocket  82  FIG. 6 engages a chain  100  and the ends of the chain are fastened to snubber-shafts  104  with master-links  102  that go through a hole in shaft-flats  103 . Snubber-shafts  104  are returned into the snubbers  106  with an internal spring. The snubbers are held in position on an arm  116  by carter-keys  118  and the arm is welded to a support post  114  and the support post is welded to the carriage  108 . During assembly the crossbars and therefore the appendage-interface-areas (pedals) can be aligned in elevation to a neutral position of the snubber springs by adjusting the cable  74  under the clamp  88 .  
         [0067]    In the exploded frame  142  FIG. 9, plastic pedal-end-caps  144  are pressed into the near ends of lever-arms  146  and fiber pedal-pads  148  are cemented to the lever-arms. The cable-cross-bars  152  are attached to the bottom of the lever-arms  146  with screws  154  and are longitudinally centered under cable-slots  150 . Low-friction plastic guide-buttons  156  are attached to the inside of lever-arms  146  with screws  158 . These buttons along with low-friction plastic strut-heads  210  keep the lever-arms straight so there are no cantilevered forces applied to pivots  160 . The transmission cable  74  FIG. 6 runs through slots  150  FIG. 9 to the transmission over sheaves  180  that are attached to sheave-bushings  182  with bolts  184 . The bushings are pressed into a sheave-axle  178 . The axle is attached to a frame-upright  174  with welds and a weld-cleat  176 .  
         [0068]    Handgrips  164  are pressed over the ends of a handlebar  166 . The handlebar is welded to a bar-post  168  and the post is welded into an adaptor  170 . The adaptor is inserted into the top of the frame-upright  174  and attached to the upright with bolts  172 .  
         [0069]    A rear-stabilizer bar  186  is welded to bottom of a rear-adaptor  188  and the adaptor is attached to a frame-base  192  with bolts  190 . The frame-base is welded to the frame upright and through-bolted and nutted  198  to a front-stabilizer  199  with the help of frame-angles  194  and a frame-plate  196 . The front-stabilizer is closed by pressing plastic end-caps  202  into place.  
         [0070]    The front-stabilizer  199  is welded to the bottom of pivot-seats  200  and the seats are attached to pivots  160  with screws  162 . The far ends of lever-arms  146  are attached to pivots  160  with screws  162 .  
         [0071]    A guide-strut  204  is welded at an angle to the near face of the front-stabilizer  199  close to each of its ends. The guide-strut has a slot  206  on its top with an open end communicating with an open end of the strut. A strut-insert  208  is inserted into the end of the strut  204  and held there by screws  212  that engage the slot  206  and allow adjustment of the strut-insert  208 . The strut-insert and the strut-head  210  are monolithic and are molded from low-friction plastic.  
         [0072]    The frame-rail  214  is a channel with its legs pointing upward forming a track for the transmission-carriage  108  FIG. 6. The frame-rail  214  FIG. 9 is welded to the far side of the frame-upright  174  and the top of a rail-post  216 . The rail-post is welded to the top of the frame-base  192 .  
         [0073]    A left and right gusset  219 L and  219 R are welded to the left and right sides of the rail-post  216  and to the bottom of the elevator mounting plate  218 . The elevator  120  FIG. 6 is attached to the plate  218  FIG. 9 with bolts  220 .  
         [0074]    In FIG. 10, a section on line  10  of FIG. 2., line  135  shows that the center of the cable  74  lines up with the center of the elevator screw shaft  136 . This unique feature of the transmission reduces to zero all the top and bottom forces between the transmission-carriage  108  and the frame-rail  214 . In FIG. 6 it is easily seen that the static side forces between these two parts are zero. Here the vertical center of carriage  108  is also the vertical center between the cable  74  ends. The dynamic side forces produced by applying force to one pedal are easily handled by the long lever arm formed by the carriage  108 .  
         [0075]    In FIG. 10 the extreme positions of the carriage  108  are shown in relationship to the fixed elevator  120 . If a distance  224  was 6 inches and a distance  226  was 2 inches, the difference between these two distances equals a movement in the carriage of 4-inches. This carriage movement produces a 4-inch rise in the lever-arms at the cable attachment points and produces an 8-inch maximum stoke in the lever-arms at the same point. See FIGS.  14 , 15 , 16 . The maximum stroke is infinitely variable between the distances of zero-inches and 8-inches and is dependent on where the carriage is stopped.  
         [0076]    In FIG. 10 the profiles of the pulley  94  and the sprocket  82  clearly show the 3 to 1 size ratio between these two parts that produce a 3 to 1 mechanical advantage and a 3 to 1 force increase going into the snubbers  106 . This higher force is needed to operate the snubbers correctly and is equal to the mechanical advantage of the successful Armstrong type stepper.  
         [0077]    The following objects and advantages are emphasized and made apparent by the previous text section and a familiarity with the drawing figures cited therein:  
         [0078]    (a) the stepper can be broken down and shipped in a small box by common carrier;  
         [0079]    (b) looseness, noise and wear are minimized because most of the moving parts are kept in constant tension by the user&#39;s weight and many of the parts are connected by tight clamps;  
         [0080]    (c) most of the forces are kept in a straight line by the unique design of the transmission eliminating wear and eliminating moment-arms and the need for heavy, high-strength parts;  
         [0081]    (d) it is easy to add a protective cover to the stepper;  
         [0082]    (e) the transmission and frame are easily modified to accept an elevator means for raising and lowering the pedals;  
         [0083]    (f) the transmission has about a 3 to 1 mechanical advantage that is helpful in operating hydraulic snubbers.  
         [0084]    (g) the stepper is easily modified to have a handlebar that is adjustable in height by simply putting a set screw in between the existing post-adaptor screws and eliminating the fixed connection between the post-adaptor and the bar-post.  
         [0085]    Operation  
         [0086]    In FIG. 14 after the user has mounted the lever-arms  146 , the top end of the rocker-switch  62  is pushed in. In FIG. 11 the two circuits under switch end “up” are closed. In FIG. 13 the top of the rocker-switch  62  is closed (opposite shown). Contacts  64  allow the current to pass through the normally-closed switch (limit-switch)  66 B FIG. 11 and to the motor  140  and back to the power source  58 . The screw shaft  136  FIG. 14 turns clockwise pulling the carriage  108  FIG. 11 in the direction of arrow  222 A. This action continues until the rocker-switch  62  FIG. 13 is released see FIG. 12 interrupting the current flow. Or the normally-closed switch  66 B FIG. 11 is forced open by carriage-keeper  110 B. The transmission  68  FIG. 15 moves towards the elevator  120  and the cable crossbars  152 , lever-arms  146  and the user move upward until, in this instance, the normally-closed switch  66 B is forced open. Now the right lever-arm  146 R is moved downward by the action of the user&#39;s right foot.  
         [0087]    The cable-crossbar  152 R FIG. 16 is moved downward pulling cable  74  that is locked to pulley  94  by cable-clamp  88 . The pulley  94 , hollow-drive-shaft  84  and sprocket  82  turn clockwise around pinion post  98 . Driven-wheel  82  pulls the right end of chain  100  so that shaft  104 R is pulled out of snubber  106 R against a resistance force that is set by the force-setting-ring  105 R. The left end of chain  100  is taken up by the internal spring of the left snubber  106 L. The cable  74  continues around pulley  94  to the lever-arm  146 L that is raised by the cable-crossbar  152 L to produce, in this instance, a maximum stroke of 8-inches. The user now shifts his or her weight to the left foot and starts a reverse cycle of the above. At any time the user can adjust the stroke height with the rocker-switch  62  to find the most comfortable position. When the user wants to get off of the stepper he simply pushes the bottom end of the rocker-switch  62  and is lowered to the floor for an easy dismount.  
         [0088]    The previous section emphasized the following objects and advantages:  
         [0089]    (a) the special features of the stepper are easy to use;  
         [0090]    (b) the stepper is easily adaptable to electric controls;  
         [0091]    (c) besides lowering the pedals for easy mounting, the stepper&#39;s rocker-switch is also an infinitely-variable-stroke-adjustment that can be used to adjust the stroke to any size user;  
         [0092]    (d) the stepper&#39;s snubbers have adjusting rings that make it easy to set the resistance force.  
         [0093]    The most important objects and advantages of the present invention are that it&#39;s a dependent-pedal-type-stepper that is easy to use and mount with pedals that are on the floor, that it has a means to return the pedals to the neutral position, that the stepper needs only one take-off on each lever-arm that connects to both an energy dissipation means and a pedal dependency means and that the stepper can be broken down into a box and shipped by common carrier.  
         [0094]    Other advantages to consider are that the present invention provides a fast, easy and convenient aerobic workout. This is important because experts in physical training believe that an easy and convenient method of exercise is the number one factor to determine whether an individual will stick with an exercise program. Sticking to an exercise program is important because many physicians believe that daily moderate exercise is the highest factor for over all good health and longevity. A less expensive version of the stepper can be purchased while the user is middle-aged and later when the user can afford it or needs it the user can purchase the elevator to make the stepper the easiest to use and mount exercise apparatus available. A bolt and nut assembly and a through hole (not shown) to lock the frame-slide-rail and the transmission-carriage together is the only additional hardware needed for the less expensive model.  
         [0095]    Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing an illustration of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention. For example, in respect to the chain and cable of the previous description, the chain could be a cable with appropriate wheels, and the cable could be a chain with appropriate wheels. There are many devices that could be used for a lever-arm-pivot besides a door hinge.  
         [0096]    Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it should be understood that many changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.