Stepping exerciser having actuatable handle

Abstract

A stepping exerciser includes a spindle rotatably supported on a base, a pair of foot supports rotatably supported on the base and arranged to be moved up and down and stepped by a user and pivotally coupled to the spindle in order to drive and rotate the spindle, a pair of handles rotatably supported on the base and arranged to be rotated or swung by the user and connected to the spindle to selectively drive and rotate the spindle. The spindle may thus be continuously driven by the foot supports and the handles alternatively. A follower may be secured on the spindle to increase a moment of inertia of the spindle, and a wheel may be coupled to the follower to apply a retarding force to the follower and the spindle.

1 . A stepping exerciser comprising:
 a base,   a spindle rotatably supported on said base,   a pair of foot supports pivotally supported on said base, and arranged to be moved up and down and stepped by a user, and pivotally coupled to said spindle to drive and to rotate said spindle respectively, and   a pair of handles rotatably supported on said base, and arranged to be rotated and swung by the user, and pivotally coupled to said spindle to drive and to rotate said spindle respectively, and arranged to allow said spindle to be rotated and driven by said handles and said foot supports.   
     
     
         2 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising means for connecting said handles to said spindle, to drive and to rotate said spindle. 
     
     
         3 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said connecting means includes two rotary members attached onto said spindle, and two actuating members engaged onto said rotary members respectively for rotating said rotary members and said spindle when said actuating members are unwound from said rotary members. 
     
     
         4 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said base includes two levers pivotally supported on said base, and coupled to said actuating members respectively for unwinding said actuating members from said rotary members respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said handles are coupled to said levers with links respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said base includes two bars each having a first end portion pivotally secured to an upright support of said base with a pivot rod, and each having a second end portion pivotally coupled to said links, and said handles are extended upwardly from said bars respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said base includes an arm having a middle portion pivotally secured to said base with a pivot pole, and having two end portions pivotally coupled to said levers with two links respectively for allowing said levers to be pivotally coupled together with said arm and said links. 
     
     
         8 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said foot supports each include an extension extended therefrom and pivotally coupled to said levers with linking members respectively for coupling said foot supports to said levers respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said spindle includes a follower secured thereon and rotated in concert with said spindle to increase a moment of inertia of said spindle. 
     
     
         10 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said base includes a wheel rotatably disposed thereon and coupled to said follower, to apply a resistive force against said follower and said spindle. 
     
     
         11 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said base includes a retarding device provided thereon and disposed for applying a resistive force against said wheel. 
     
     
         12 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said foot supports each include an upper portion having a tube laterally extended therefrom, for rotatably securing a foot pedal thereto with pivot rods. 
     
     
         13 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said foot supports each include a frame attached to bottom thereof, for rotatably securing to said tubes with said pivot rods respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The stepping exerciser as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said base includes two studs extended upwardly therefrom, said foot supports are rotatably secured to said base and said studs with pivot axles, said pivot axles are parallel to a longitudinal axis of said base, to allow said stems to be moved sidewise and outwardly relative to said base.