Spontaneous symmetrical weight shifting trainer device

Abstract

A stationary exercise device, comprising a frame member having a transverse pivot axis. A first and a second foot tread member are operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the front end of each foot tread member to the pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, so that each foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path about the pivot axis. Each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member. Each foot tread member rear end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the rear end of each foot tread member to a support surface. The glide members direct each foot tread member rear end along a reciprocating path of travel, as each foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A stationary exercise device comprising; 
 (a) a frame member having a transverse pivot axis defined relative to the frame member;    (b) a first foot tread member and a second foot tread member, each first foot tread member and second foot tread member having a front end, a rear end, and two sides, each first and second foot tread member front end operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the front end of each first and second foot tread member to the transverse pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the transverse pivot axis, so that each first and second foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path about the transverse pivot axis, each first and second foot tread member moving independently of the other of the first and second foot tread member, each first and second foot tread member moving along a line between the tread member front end and rear end, each first and second foot tread member rear end moving in a reciprocating path of travel as each first and second foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path;    (c) whereby when the exercise device is in use, and when the rear end of each first and second foot tread member travels along the reciprocating path of travel in a direction away from the pivot axis, the toe portion of the user's foot associated therewith initially lowers at a rate faster than the heel portion of the user's foot, and when the rear end of each first and second foot tread member travels along the reciprocating path of travel in a direction toward the pivot axis, the toe portion of the user's foot associated therewith initially rises at a rate faster than the heel portion of the user's foot.    
     
     
         2 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein each first and second foot tread member rear end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the rear end of each first and second foot tread member to a support surface, to direct each first and second foot tread member rear end along a reciprocating path of travel as each first and second foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path.  
     
     
         3 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member comprises a first bell crank and a second bell crank, each bell crank having a bell crank first end operative to pivotally engage the front end of a respective one of the foot tread members and a bell crank second end pivotally affixed to the transverse pivot axis.  
     
     
         4 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 1 , further including a pair of wheel members independently disposed for rotation about the transverse pivot axis.  
     
     
         5 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 4 , wherein each wheel member comprising a coupling member, with the front end of each first and second foot tread member pivotally affixed to at least one wheel member.  
     
     
         6 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said coupling members comprises a bell crank, each bell crank disposed so as to rotate with one wheel member, a first end of each bell crank pivotally connected to the front end of a respective one of the first and second foot tread members.  
     
     
         7 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 1  further including a braking mechanism operative to impose a drag upon the first and second foot tread members as the front ends thereof travel in the arcuate path.  
     
     
         8 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the support surface coupled to the glide members includes the frame member.  
     
     
         9 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the frame member includes a linear track for each glide member.  
     
     
         10 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 1  further including a support member secured to the frame member.  
     
     
         11 . A stationary exercise device comprising; 
 (a) a frame member having a transverse pivot axis defined relative to the frame member;    (b) a first foot tread member and a second foot tread member, each first and second foot tread member having a front end, a rear end, and two sides, each first and second foot tread member front end operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the front end of each first and second foot tread member to the transverse pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the transverse pivot axis, so that each first and second foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path about the transverse pivot axis, each first and second foot tread member moving independently of the other of said first and second foot tread member, each first and second foot tread member moving along a line between the tread member front end and rear end, each first and second foot tread member rear end operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the rear end of each first and second foot tread member to a support surface, to direct each first and second foot tread member rear end along a reciprocating path of travel as each first and second foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path; and    (c) whereby when the exercise device is in use, and when the rear end of each first and second foot tread member travels along the reciprocating path of travel in a direction away from the pivot axis, the toe portion of the user's foot associated therewith initially lowers at a rate faster than the heel portion of the user's foot, and when the rear end of each first and second foot tread member travels along the reciprocating path of travel in a direction toward the pivot axis, the toe portion of the user's foot associated therewith initially rises at a rate faster than the heel portion of the user's foot.    
     
     
         12 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling member comprises a first bell crank and a second bell crank, each bell crank having a bell crank first end operative to pivotally engage the front end of a respective one of the first and second foot tread members and a bell crank second end pivotally affixed to the transverse pivot axis.  
     
     
         13 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 11  further including a pair of wheels independently disposed for rotation about the transverse pivot axis.  
     
     
         14 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein each wheel of the pair of wheels comprises a coupling member and the front end of each first and second foot tread member is pivotally affixed to at least one wheel.  
     
     
         15 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein each coupling member comprises a bell crank, each disposed so as to rotate with one wheel member, a first end of each bell crank being pivotally connected to the front end of a respective one of the first foot tread member and second foot tread member.  
     
     
         16 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 11  further including a braking mechanism operative to impose a drag upon at least one of the first and second foot tread members as the front ends thereof travel in the arcuate path.  
     
     
         17 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 11 , wherein the support surface coupled to the glide members includes the frame member.  
     
     
         18 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 11 , wherein the frame member includes a linear track for each glide member, and the glide member comprises a wheeled member.  
     
     
         19 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 11  further including a support member secured to the frame member.  
     
     
         20 . A stationary exercise device comprising; 
 (a) a frame member having a transverse pivot axis defined relative to the frame member;    (b) a first foot tread member and a second foot tread member, each first and second fot tread member having a front end, a rear end, and two sides, each first and second foot tread member front end operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the front end of each first and second foot tread member to the transverse pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the transverse pivot axis, so that each first and second foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path about the transverse pivot axis, a pair of wheel members disposed for rotation about the transverse pivot axis, each coupling member comprising a bell crank, each bell crank disposed so as to rotate with at least one wheel of said pair of wheels, a first end of each bell crank pivotally connected to the front end of a respective one of the first and second foot tread members, each first and second foot tread member moving independently of the other of said first and second foot tread member, each first and second foot tread member moving along a line between the tread member front end and rear end, each first and second foot tread member rear end operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the rear end of each first and second foot tread member to the frame member, to direct each first and second foot tread member rear end along a reciprocating path of travel as each first and second foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path; and    (c) whereby when the exercise device is in use, and when the rear end of each first and second foot tread member travels along the reciprocating path of travel in a direction away from the pivot axis, the toe portion of the user's foot associated therewith initially lowers at a rate faster than the heel portion of the user's foot, and when the rear end of each first foot tread member and second foot tread member travels along the reciprocating path of travel in a direction toward the pivot axis, the toe portion of the user's foot associated therewith initially rises at a rate faster than the heel portion of the user's foot.    
     
     
         21 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 20 , wherein the frame member includes a linear track for each glide member.  
     
     
         22 . The stationary exercise device of  claim 20  wherein at least one of the first foot tread member and the second foot tread member comprises a frame with a pad removeably inserted and secured into the pad, the pad having a surface providing friction to a foot of a user of the exercise device, the pad being replaceable within the frame without destruction of the pad or the frame.  
     
     
         23 . A foot tread member for an exercise device comprising a frame with a pad removeably inserted and secured into the pad, the pad having a surface providing friction to a foot of a user of the exercise device, the pad being replaceable within the frame without destruction of the pad or the frame.