Stepper with tread interconnect

Abstract

A treadmill device includes dual reciprocating treads mounted in side-by-side relation. First ends of the treadmills are pivotably mounted on a base and second ends of the treadmills are pivotably movable upwardly and downwardly through a range of motion. The second ends of the treadmills are independently supported by an interconnection system that creates dependent movement of the treadmills, i.e. downward movement of one treadmill causes corresponding upward movement of the other treadmill.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A treadmill apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   first and second treadmills each having a supporting platform, a continuous tread rotatably mounted on said platform, and respective first and second ends, said second ends of said first and second treadmills being pivotably supported on said frame assembly in side-by-side adjacent relation, said first ends of said first and second treadmills being pivotably movable through a range of motion between an upper position and a lower position;   an interconnection assembly interconnected between said first ends of said first and second treadmills, said interconnection assembly being operative for creating dependent pivoting movement between said first and second treadmills.   
     
     
         2 . The treadmill apparatus of  claim 1 , the interconnection assembly connected between the frame assembly and the first ends of said first and second treadmills, said interconnection assembly returning one of said first and second treadmill assemblies from said lower position to said upper position when said user's weight is applied on the other of said first and second treadmills, said first and second treadmills alternately pivoting up and down about said second ends as a user treads thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The treadmills apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a resistance member selectively engageable with said interconnection assembly to adjust the force required to displace the treadmills. 
     
     
         4 . The treadmill apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said interconnection assembly includes means for adjusting the starting angular position of said first and second treadmills. 
     
     
         5 . The treadmill apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said interconnection assembly includes a cable or belt pivotally attached to the first ends of each treadmill and extending over at least one pulley mounted pivotally to said frame. 
     
     
         6 . The treadmill apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said interconnection assembly can be moved upwardly or downwardly to adjust the length of the cable or belt. 
     
     
         7 . The treadmill apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said interconnection assembly includes at least two pulleys that can be adjusted relative to one another to adjust the length of the cable or belt. 
     
     
         8 . The treadmill apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one pulley can be adjusted to vary resistance applied to of the cable or belt.