Patent ID: 7731636

Claim:
An exercise device comprising: a frame; a first treadle assembly pivotally connected with the frame to pivot about a lateral pivot axis and including a first endless belt providing a first moving surface, the first endless belt being longitudinally movably supported about at least two rollers and driven by at least one of the at least two rollers, the at least one of the at least two rollers including a lateral axis of rotation; a second treadle assembly pivotally connected with the frame to pivot about the lateral pivot axis and including a second endless belt providing a second moving surface; a drive shaft rotatably supported by the frame; at least one driving member operably connecting at least one of the first and second treadle assemblies with the drive shaft; and a resistance source operably connected with the drive shaft and configured to resist rotation of the drive shaft; wherein the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly are operably connected with the drive shaft such that pivotal movement of the first treadle assembly about the lateral pivot axis and pivotal movement of the second treadle assembly about the lateral pivot axis cause the drive shaft to rotate, and wherein the at least one driving member comprises: an elongate member including a first end and a second end, the elongate member connected with the frame at the first end and configured to translate longitudinally relative to the frame; and a treadle member connected with at least one of the first and second treadle assemblies to move therewith and to extend downward from the at least one of the first and second treadle assemblies, and configured to engage the elongate member such that the elongate member translates longitudinally and causes the drive shaft to rotate as the first and second treadle assemblies pivot about the lateral pivot axis.