Treadmill-style stairstep exercise machine

Abstract

A stair-step exercise machine includes: a frame; first and second rotary members rotatably mounted on the frame; an endless member engaged with the first and second rotary members; a plurality of steps, each comprising a vertical riser panel and a horizontal treading panel, wherein a rearward edge portion of the treading panel is pivotally attached to an upper edge portion of the riser panel, and wherein each step is mounted to the endless member, with the lower edge portion of the riser panel and the forward edge portion of the treading panel being pivotally mounted to the endless member, thereby forming an endless chain of steps that follows a travel path around the first and second rotary members; and a resistance control unit attached to the frame and operatively associated with one of the first and second rotary members. Each step is between about 4 and 7.5 inches in height.

1 . A stair-step exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame;   first and second rotary members rotatably mounted on the frame, wherein the first rotary member is mounted above and forwardly of the second rotary member;   an endless member engaged with the first and second rotary members;   a plurality of steps, wherein each of the steps comprises a generally vertically-disposed riser panel and a generally-horizontally disposed treading panel, wherein a rearward edge portion of the treading panel is pivotally attached to an upper edge portion of the riser panel, and wherein each step is mounted to the endless member, with the lower edge portion of the riser panel and the forward edge portion of the treading panel being pivotally mounted to the endless member, thereby forming an endless chain of steps that follows a travel path around the first and second rotary members; and   a resistance control unit attached to the frame and operatively associated with one of the first and second rotary members, the resistance control unit being configured to impart a selectable resistance to the rotation of the first or second rotary member, thereby providing resistance to the movement of the endless member;   wherein the riser panel of each step is configured such that each step is between about  4  and 7.5 inches in height.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the treading panel of each step is configured to provide a treading surface of between about 9.5 and 12 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a display mounted to the frame and operatively connected with the resistance control unit. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 3 , wherein the display is configured such that the resistance unit powers the display. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 4 , wherein the resistance unit includes an alternator that generates resistance, and wherein the display is connected with the alternator. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the endless member is a chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 6 , wherein the steps are mounted to the chain via pins inserted into links of the chain. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first rotary member is attached to and rotates with a gear, and wherein the gear is coupled to the resistance control unit. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the travel path defines an angle of between about 35 and 40 degrees to horizontal. 
     
     
         10 . A stair-step exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame;   first and second rotary members rotatably mounted on the frame, wherein the first rotary member is mounted above and forwardly of the second rotary member;   an endless member engaged with the first and second rotary members;   a plurality of steps, wherein each of the steps comprises a riser panel and a treading panel, wherein a rearward edge of the treading panel is pivotally attached to an upper edge of the riser panel, and wherein each step is mounted to the endless member, with the lower edge of the riser panel and the forward edge of the treading panel being pivotally mounted to the endless member, thereby forming an endless chain of steps that follows a travel path around the first and second rotary members;   a resistance control unit attached to the frame and operatively associated with one of the first and second rotary members, the resistance control unit being configured to impart a selectable resistance to the rotation of the first or second rotary member, thereby providing resistance to the movement of the endless member; and   a display mounted to the frame and associated with the resistance unit, the display being configured such that the resistance control unit powers the display.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 10 , wherein the treading panel of each step is configured to provide a treading surface of between about 9.5 and 12 inches, and the riser panel of each step is configured such that each step is between about 4 and 7.5 inches in height. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 10 , wherein the resistance control unit includes an alternator that generates resistance, and wherein the display is connected with the alternator. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 10 , wherein the endless member is a chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 13 , wherein the steps are mounted to the chain via pins inserted into links of the chain. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 10 , wherein the first rotary member is attached to and rotates with a gear, and wherein the gear is coupled to the resistance unit. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the travel path defines an angle of between about 35 and 40 degrees to horizontal.