Polestrider exercise apparatus with dual treads

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of a pair of treadles each having a continuous tread belt to simulate walking, jogging and climbing during operation.
More particularly, apparatus is provided that offers variable intensity exercise through a leg and arm operated cyclic motion in which the treadle supporting each foot is guided through successive positions during the up and down motion cycle while a load resistance acts upon the mechanism.
The treadles are guided through up and down inclined movement with tread belts for walking foot movement and handles coordinated with treadle movement for elliptical hand movement to simulate PoleStriding.
In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a pair of treadles each having a tread belt with each treadle pivoted rearward the user.
The front end of each treadle is supported by a connecting link for up and down movement.
A pair of cranks control the up and down movement of the connecting links.
Handles with hand grips are removably attached to the upper ends of the connecting links.
As the cranks rotate, the treadles move up and down while the hand grips follow an elliptical ski pole motion.
The tread belts are motor driven to encourage walking or jogging uphill.
Different arm exercise occurs such as rowing or ski pole movement depending upon the direction of crank rotation.
A flywheel and alternator are used with adjustable load resistance to ensure smooth motion.
Of course, other forms of adjustable load resistance such as friction belt, magnetic, air fan, etc.
can be used in lieu of the alternator.
A motor is used to drive the tread belts for walking and jogging.
Of course, the tread belts can be manually driven by the rearward movement of the feet acting against load resistance.
Also the cranks can be motor driven to control the speed of the treadle motion.
A control system is provided to adjustably coordinate the motor speed of the tread belts with the crank speed.
An alternate embodiment would replace the crank and connecting links as a treadle movement means with a linkage or flexible linking such as a belt and pulley to raise one treadle as the other lowers