Folding step exerciser

Abstract

A folding step exerciser is provided with a main frame including a brace and two handlebars; a transmission device including two drive shafts on both sides of the brace respectively, a first rotating shaft below the drive shafts, a first wheel, a first belt linking the drive shafts and the first wheel, a second wheel, a connection rotating shaft between the drive shafts, a third wheel adjacent to the connection rotating shaft, a second belt linking the second wheel and the third wheel, and a flywheel connected to the connection rotating shaft; two pivotal length adjustable pedals on both sides of the main frame respectively; a pulley below the transmission device; a main belt linking the pulley, the drive shafts, and the pedals; a magnetic damping device for resistance adjustment; a sensor in close proximity to one pedal; and a numeric display between the handlebars.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding step exerciser comprising:
 a main frame for placement on a surface and comprising a brace interconnecting a front end and a rear end, and a pair of handlebars extending from a top end of the brace;   a transmission device comprising two coaxial drive shafts disposed on both sides of the brace respectively, a first rotating shaft disposed below the drive shafts, a first wheel coaxial with the first rotating shaft, a first belt for linking the drive shafts and the first wheel, a second wheel coaxial with the first rotating shaft, a connection rotating shaft disposed between and driven by the drive shafts, a third wheel disposed between the drive shafts adjacent to the connection rotating shaft, a second belt for linking the second wheel and the third wheel, a roller for guiding the second belt, and a flywheel operatively connected to the connection rotating shaft;   two length adjustable pedals disposed on both sides of the main frame respectively, each length adjustable pedal having one end pivotably secured to a front portion of the main frame;   a pulley disposed below the transmission device;   a main belt for linking the pulley, the drive shafts, and the length adjustable pedals;   a magnetic damping device comprising a knob on the main frame, a damping member spaced from and partially put on the flywheel, the damping member including a magnetic member for attracting the flywheel, and a rope interconnecting the knob and the damping member;   a sensor disposed in close proximity to one of the length adjustable pedals for sensing a pedaling motion of one of the length adjustable pedals; and   a numeric display mounted between the handlebars for displaying a count of the pedaling motion of one of the length adjustable pedals sensed by the sensor;   wherein a turning of the knob either decreases or increases a rotating speed of the flywheel; and   wherein the pedaling motion of the length adjustable pedals rotates the drive shafts via the main belt so as to activate the transmission device which in turn rotate the connection rotating shaft, the first wheel, the first rotating shaft, the second wheel, the third wheel, and the flywheel sequentially.