Climber appliance
An exercise apparatus to simulate climbing is described that includes such features as arm handles that move in synchronism with the motion of foot pedals to provide a total body workout; side handrails; a mounting step; linear foot movement at a simulated climbing angle; a three point support structure using a vertical support column; pedal track covers; a mechanism to provide constant resistance to pedal motion; and pedal impact absorption.
1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
a frame adapted for placement on a horizontal surface;
a first substantially linear track secured to said frame;
a second substantially linear track secured to said frame in parallel with said first track wherein said first and second tracks are secured to said frame at an incline of at least 30 degrees from said horizontal surface;
a first and a second foot pedal assembly, each including a foot pedal, wherein said foot pedal assemblies are engaged with said first and second tracks respectively for movement along said tracks such that said foot pedals move substantially linearly along and in parallel with said tracks;
a first arm handle assembly including a first arm handle operatively connected to said frame and said first foot pedal assembly such that said first arm handle will move in unison with said first foot pedal assembly; and
a second arm handle assembly including a second arm handle operatively connected to said frame and said second foot pedal assembly such that said second arm handle will move in unison with said second foot pedal assembly;
a first flexible member connected to said first pedal assembly and said second pedal assembly and to a transmission which is in turn operatively connected with a resistance device effective to provide a resistance to the downward movement of said first and second pedals and wherein said first flexible member is effective to cause said first pedal assembly to move upwardly along said first track when said second pedal assembly is moved downwardly along said second track; and
a second flexible member connecting said first pedal assembly to said second pedal assembly with said second flexible member engaged with said frame effective to cause said first pedal assembly to move downwardly along said first track when said second pedal assembly is moved upwardly along said second track.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transmission includes a first and a second oneway clutch each rotatably secured to said frame and engaged with said first flexible member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 including a first idler pulley secured for rotation on said frame and said first flexible member is engaged with said first idler pulley intermediate its engagement with said first oneway clutch and said second oneway clutch.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second flexible member is engaged with a second idler pulley secured for rotation on said frame.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 including a first idler pulley secured for rotation on said frame and said first flexible member is engaged with said idler pulley.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a second idler pulley secured for rotation on said frame and said second flexible member is engaged with said second idler pulley.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second idler pulley is secured for rotation to a lower reward portion of said frame beneath a lower portion of said first and second tracks.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second arm handle assemblies include a first and a second rocker pivotally connected to said frame and to said first and second arm handles respectively and a first link member pivotally connected to said first rocker and said first foot pedal assembly effective to implement said movement of said first arm handle with said first pedal assembly and a second link member pivotally connected to said second rocker and said second foot pedal assembly effective to implement said movement of said second arm handle with said second pedal assembly.