Abstract:
A step exercise apparatus with a self-centering pedal system. The system comprising a frame and a seat supported from the frame. A first pedal assembly and a second pedal assembly are pivotally supported from the frame positioned so as to be manipulable by a user seated in the seat. A linkage is positioned in communication with the first pedal assembly and the second pedal assembly such that movement of either pedal in a first direction causes movement of the other pedal in a second direction opposite of the first direction. A brake is preferably employed for resisting motion of the first pedal assembly and the second pedal assembly in at least the first direction. A centering system positions the first and second pedal assemblies in a substantially central position when not being manipulated by a user.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/871,272 filed Aug. 28, 2013, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of stair climbing, or stepper, exercise machines. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A step exercise apparatus with a self-centering pedal system. The system comprising a frame and a seat supported from the frame. A first pedal assembly is pivotally supported from the frame positioned so as to be manipulable by a user seated in the seat and a second pedal assembly pivotally supported from the frame positioned so as to be manipulable by a user seated in the seat. A linkage is positioned in communication with the first pedal assembly and the second pedal assembly such that movement of either pedal in a first direction causes movement of the other pedal in a second direction opposite of the first direction. A brake is preferably employed for resisting motion of the first pedal assembly and the second pedal assembly in at least the first direction. A centering system positions the first and second pedal assemblies in a substantially central position when not being manipulated by a user. 
         [0004]    The step exercise apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a seat adjustment mechanism such that said seat may be selectively moved forward or rearward to accommodate users of varying leg length. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the seat may be positioned relative to the first and second pedal assemblies so as to provide step-through space to facilitate access by the user. 
         [0005]    In the step exercise apparatus of the present disclosure the brake may also act as a generator. 
         [0006]    The centering system of the present disclosure includes a first spring in communication with the first pedal assembly and a second spring in communication with the second pedal assembly. Forces applied by the first and second springs are equal when the first and second pedal assemblies are substantially centered. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Many different designs of equipment exist for the purpose of physical exercise and physical therapy. One such type, stair climbing machines, or steppers, simulate climbing stairs or steps. With such machine designs know in the industry, the user typically places his or her feet on a pair of pedals and begins to alternately raise his or her legs as if he or she were climbing a flight of stairs. The pedals respond by raising and applying a load resistance which the user must overcome to lower the pedal. The amount of resistance is determined by the weight and/or fitness level of the user. Steppers are known to provide a superior low impact workout for therapy, rehabilitation or cardiovascular conditioning for the amount of time spent by the user on the machine. 
         [0008]    One problem with stair climbing machines known in the art is that such steppers require the user to be standing in order to operate the machines. This limitation restricts usage to those who are physically capable of standing during exercise and are thus less than optimal for physical therapy and rehabilitation use. A need, therefore exists for a stepper type exercise device which can be operated in a seated position by those who are unable to stand. 
         [0009]    Alternatively, people who are less fit have been known to find stair climbing machines to be too difficult to operate for extended periods of time. In such cases, workouts tend to be shortened, thereby also reducing the aerobic benefit of the workout. A need, therefore, also exists for a stepper type exercise device which allows users who are less physically fit to achieve a sustained cardiovascular workout. 
         [0010]    A related limitation is that since the user is in a standing position, the user can effectively use less than his or her body weight alone to overcome the resistance required to raise the pedal. In this manner, the aerobic benefit of the workout is reduced. In addition, it has been known in the art that persons of low body weight sometimes cannot drive known stepper exercise devices because they can exert no more down force than their body weight. As a result, a need exists for a stepper type exercise device which is not responsive to the weight of the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processes and manufacturing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts the inventive step exerciser in its general environment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  provides a left side view of one preferred embodiment of the step exerciser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  provides a left side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  with exterior panels removed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  provides an isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  with exterior panels removed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  provides one preferred embodiment for an electronic console as used on the step exerciser of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Before describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. 
         [0018]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicated the same parts throughout the several views, the step exercise apparatus  10  of the present disclosure is shown in its general environment in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In one preferred embodiment, exerciser  10  is a recumbent step exerciser comprising: a pair of pedal assemblies  12  and  14  which are alternatingly pushed down and away from the user  16 ; a pair of arm mechanisms  18  and  20  which are pulled toward the user  16 ; a seat  22  to support the user  16  during a workout; a frame  24  which generally supports exerciser  10 ; and display unit or console  26  which allows the user  16  to select a particular workout and to provide various information to the user, such as watts METS, heart rate, steps per minute, calories, steps taken, and, as will be described more fully below, stride length. Cover  28  protects internal components of exerciser  10  from dust, sweat, and other contaminants, as well as protecting people from internal moving parts and providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Many features described above are present in existing step exercisers such as the recumbent step exerciser described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,176, which is incorporated by reference as if full set forth herein. 
         [0019]    It should be noted that as described herein, terms of position, such as forward, rearward, left, right, etc., indicate position from the perspective of a user of the machine. These descriptions are for the purpose of clarity, explanation and exemplification and it is understood that they are in no way limiting. 
         [0020]    In one preferred embodiment seat  22  may be adjusted forward or rearward by seat adjustment assembly  19  or vertically by mechanism  17 . 
         [0021]    While specific details of the operation of many of the features of exerciser  10  are not necessary to understand the present invention, for the sake of clarity and for the benefit of those not familiar with step exercisers, in general, and by way of example and not limitation, a brief description of the overall operation of exerciser  10  is provided. Pedal assemblies  12  and  14  are connected to frame  24  through a four-bar linkage assembly which controls articulation of the associated pedal. As best seen in  FIG. 3 , four-bar linkage assembly  30  comprises: crank  32 ; lower link  34 ; pedal support  36  connected to crank  32  and link  34  at pivots  42  and  44 , respectively; and crank  32  and lower link  34  connect to frame  24  at pivots  38  and  40 , respectively. Articulation of pedal  36  is achieved by the difference between the radius of arc followed by pivot  42  and the radius of arc followed by pivot  44 . If the upper bar  46  is the same length as lower link  34 , and the distance between pivots  38  and  40  is equal to the distance between pivots  42  and  44 , pedal support  36  will remain parallel to frame support  50  throughout the pedal&#39;s range of motion. 
         [0022]    With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the movement of arm mechanisms  18  and  20  is coordinated with the movement of pedal assemblies  12  and  14 , respectively. Arm mechanisms  18  and  20  include: outer bar  52 ; inner bar  54  telescopically received in outer bar  52 ; latch  56  to lock bar  54  relative to bar  52 ; grip assembly  58  located at the distal end of bar  54 ; bell crank  60  attached to frame  24  at pivot  64 , having a first arm  62  attached proximate the forward end of bar  18  or  20  and a second arm pivotally attached to link  68 . Thus, as best seen in  FIG. 3 , when the user pushes pedal assembly  30 , crank  32  will rotate about pivot  38 , lifting link  68 , which in turn will lift arm  66  of bell crank  60 , causing arm  62  to push bar  20  rearward towards the user. As pedal assembly  30  moves towards the user, the motion of bar  20  is reversed, away from the user. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , once a pedal  12  or  14  is pushed forward by the user, it is returned to its rearward position by movement of the opposite pedal. This is commonly referred to as a dependent system. The dependent system of exerciser  10  includes: pivot bar  70  pivotally attached to frame  24  at pivot  72 ; linkage  74   a  pivotally attached between left crank  60   a  and the left end of pivot bar  70 ; and linkage  74   b  pivotally attached between right crank  60   b  and the right end of pivot bar  70 . Thus, upward movement of arm  66   a,  in response to pushing pedal assembly  14 , will cause downward movement of arm  66   b  resulting in returning pedal  12  to its upward and rearward position, closer to the user. Pressing pedal  12  will similarly cause pedal  14  to return to its upward and rearward position. 
         [0024]    In contrast, an independent system typically uses a spring associated with each pedal to return the pedal to its rearward position. As will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the present invention works equally well with either a dependent or an independent pedal system. 
         [0025]    To provide resistance to movement of the pedals, step exerciser  10  includes a braking system driven by movement of the pedals and/or arms. Explanation will be made with regard to the left side of exerciser  10  with the understanding that the right side works in an identical manner. To harness energy from pedal movement, a belt  80  is attached to pedal assembly  30  at end  82  ( FIG. 3 ). As best seen in  FIG. 3 , belt  80  then passes over driven sprocket  84  which is rotationally coupled to shaft  86  via overrun clutch  88  such that clutch  88  engages shaft  86  as the pedal is pushed to turn shaft  86  in a clockwise direction as viewed in  FIG. 4 . Belt  80  then passes over idler pulley  90  and attaches to end  94  of spring  92 . The opposite end  96  of spring  92  attaches to frame  24 . As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as a user pushes pedal  14 , shaft  86  will be driven in a clockwise direction, as pedal  14  is pushed back to its upward position by the opposite pedal, spring  92  will pull the take up the slack in belt  80  and overrun clutch  86  will disengage shaft  84  allowing driven pulley  82  to rotate freely in a counterclockwise direction. When pedal  12  is pushed, its associated driven pulley will likewise couple torque into shaft  86  in the same direction thus producing continuous rotation in shaft  84  as the user manipulates the pedals. 
         [0026]    One feature of the present invention is a centering system preferably spring  92 , and its counterpart on the right (or opposite) side, will tend to move the pedals  12  and  14  to a point where both springs are equally extended when the machine  10  is idle, centering the pedals. This serves a number of purposes, for example, with the arms and pedals in a centered position, access to the seat is not blocked when a user approaches the machine. Additionally, it is easier to properly adjust the position of seat  22  ( FIG. 2 ) when the pedals and arms are centered so that the user doesn&#39;t inadvertently adjust the seat where she or he is bumping into the limits of the movement at the top or bottom. Finally, the user will generally have his or her range of motion centered about the middle of the pedal range of motion. 
         [0027]    Shaft  84  then drives speed increasing pulley  98 , which in turn drives belt  100 , which further drives the input  102  brake  104 . In one preferred embodiment, brake  104  offers two braking modes, an eddy current mode for lower speeds and a generator mode for higher speeds. However, brake  104  is not so limited and a variety of options are available. By way of example and not limitation, brake  104  (or means for breaking) could be an alternator, a generator, an eddy current brake, a magnetic particle brake, a friction brake, or the like. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the energy expended by the user will ultimately be dissipated into the environment as heat, a brake, of any style, simply provides a method for doing so. If a brake is chosen which produces electricity, a load resistor is wired across the output of the generator to produce heat. 
         [0028]    Turning next to  FIG. 5 , console  26  provides the user interface for recumbent step exerciser  10 . Console  26  provides a plurality of buttons  200 - 208  to allow the user to adjust the resistance, enter data, and the like. Console  26  further includes LCD screen  212  to prompt the user for data, as well as provide work out details, such as the speed the user is climbing, steps climbed, calories burned, watts being produced, METs (metabolic rate), elapsed time, etc. In one preferred embodiment, screen  212  is a touch screen so that the user may be provided with various ways to input various information before, during, and after the workout, without cluttering console  26  with buttons which might only be active a few seconds during a workout session. Of particular interest, is the ability of console  26  to display stride length  214 . 
         [0029]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , to count steps taken, step exerciser  10  includes a sensor  110  on frame  24 . Preferably, sensor  110  is a Hall effect sensor, reed switch, or other suitable sensor sensitive to magnetic fields. A magnet is then placed proximate position  112  on arm  34  such that as pedal  14  is pressed forward, the magnet on arm  34  will pass the sensor. The sensor is in communication with console  26  allowing it to count steps taken on the machine. It should be noted that, since the pedals are biased towards their mid-position when the machine is idle, sensor  110  can be placed where only slight movement from the idles position will count a step. Thus, regardless of how small of movements a user makes, steps will still be counted. It should also be noted that there are many locations on frame  24  where the sensor could be placed and where a corresponding magnet could be placed. For example, wherever arms  34  or  46  intersect a portion of frame  24 , where arm  38  intersects frame  24 , where pedal assembly  30  intersects frame  24 , where are  68  passes near frame  24 , along arm  66 , etc. The only consideration being that either the sensor or magnet moves in response to pedal movement and passes near the corresponding element. Finally, while the preferred embodiment uses a magnetic sensor, the invention is not so limited, optical sensors could be used, mechanical switches, or any other known proximity sensor would be suitable. 
         [0030]    Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.