Climbing exercise machine
An exercise machine creates a simulated continuous resisted climbing motion. The machine includes a floor- or ground-contacting base frame and two or more substantially vertically oriented uprights, wherein at least one upright is rigidly connected to the base frame. The machine further includes two handles and two foot pedals, each handle and each foot pedal being movably engaged with an upright for linear reciprocating motion along the upright. The handles and foot pedals are interconnected so that they move concurrently. An adjustable resistance mechanism may be operatively connected to the interconnection of the handles and foot pedals to provide adjustable resistance for the simulated continuous climbing motion.
1 . A climbing exercise machine, comprising:
first and second handles;
first and second foot pedals;
a linkage assembly, comprising:
a first toothed belt, interconnecting the first handle and the first foot pedal;
a second toothed belt, interconnecting the second handle and the second foot pedal;
an axle, interconnecting the first and second toothed belts; and
a sprocket, interfacing with the first and second toothed belts and the axle to convert linear motion of the first and second toothed belts into rotational motion of the axle or vice versa;
wherein the linkage assembly enables reciprocating concurrent movement of the first handle, the first foot pedal, the second handle, and the second foot pedal to simulate a continuous climbing motion for a user.
2 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising a user input device and at least one belt tensioner, wherein a user may adjust or control the at least one belt tensioner via the user input device to increase or decrease tension on the first and second toothed belts and thereby increase or decrease resistance encountered by the user during use of the climbing exercise machine.
3 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising a user input device and a resistance pump or motor, wherein the resistance pump or motor is operatively interconnected to the axle, wherein a user may adjust or control the resistance pump or motor via the user input device to modify resistance encountered by the user during use of the climbing exercise machine.
4 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising an electronic device or system enabling the user to perceive digital content while using the climbing exercise machine.
5 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the electronic device or system comprises a tablet computer mounted on an adjustable arm.
6 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 5 , wherein the adjustable arm enables a user to adjust at least one of an angle of the adjustable arm relative to a horizontal axis and a height of the tablet computer above the floor or ground surface.
7 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device or system further comprises at least one sensor, disposed within or on a surface of the climbing exercise machine and configured to transmit data pertaining to a function of the climbing exercise machine to the tablet computer.
8 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least two sensors.
9 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the at least two sensors measure a parameter of interest to a user according to an algorithm, and wherein the parameter of interest is presented to the user in a graphical user interface of the tablet computer.
10 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 5 , wherein the tablet computer is configured to allow the user to input data corresponding to the workout preferences of the user and display to the user data corresponding to exercise performance and experience of the user.
11 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein a horizontal distance between the first and second toothed belts is adjustable.
12 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising a base support frame configured to contact a ground or floor surface.
13 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein an elongate upright housing at least a portion of one of the first and second toothed belts is rigidly connected to the base support frame at a first obtuse angle relative to the floor or ground surface, wherein the first obtuse angle is adjustable.
14 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly further comprises:
a first self-lubricating slide, to which the first handle is mounted;
a second self-lubricating slide, to which the first foot pedal is mounted;
a third self-lubricating slide, to which the second handle is mounted; and
a fourth self-lubricating slide, to which the second foot pedal is mounted.
15 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 14 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth self-lubricating slides are operatively mounted on rails.
16 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein movement of one of the first and second handles or one of the first and second foot pedals causes concurrent motion of all other of the first and second handles and the first and second foot pedals.
17 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein the concurrent motion of the first and second handles and the first and second foot pedals simulates a contralateral climbing motion.
18 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein the concurrent motion of the first and second handles and the first and second foot pedals simulates an ipsilateral climbing motion.
19 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein locations of the first handle and the first foot pedal relative to each other are adjustable prior to operation of the climbing exercise machine and locations of the second handle and the second foot pedal relative to each other are adjustable prior to operation of the climbing exercise machine.
20 . The climbing exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising wheels or casters that enable repositioning of the climbing exercise machine on a floor or ground surface.