The current application benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial number 62/231,629 filed on July 13, 2015 and U.S. non-provisional patent application serial number 15/204,863 filed on July 7, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an exercise machine. More specifically, the present invention is a multifunctional cardio and toning exercise machine that combines the functionality of a stepping machine and a stationary bicycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stepping machines and stationary bicycles are often favored for exercise due to their safety and effectiveness in improving cardiovascular endurance as well as lower body muscle strength. Stepping machines and stationary bicycles are effective for low impact exercise due to the fact that the feet remain in contact with the steps and the pedals respectively when performing exercise. This results in less stress on the joints, muscles, and tendons. Additionally, the user's movement during exercise on a stepping machine or a stationary bicycle is fluid and continuous rather than sporadic. Stepping machines and stationary bicycles are often utilized for physical therapy and rehabilitation due to the low impact exercise provided. Stepping machines and stationary bicycles typically include a mechanism for adjusting the intensity of a workout by increasing or decreasing the resistance experienced by the user when stepping or cycling.

The present invention is a multifunctional cardio and toning exercise machine that combines the functionality of a stepping machine and a stationary bicycle. As such, the present invention provides the user with multiple low impact exercise options for improving cardiovascular endurance and lower body muscle strength. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a first tension knob, a second tension knob, a first tension adjustment clamp, and a second tension adjustment clamp.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the stepper assembly.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the stationary bicycle assembly.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a dual-sided adjustable seat.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a pulley and a chain.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention with the pulley and the chain.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the further alternative embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the further alternative embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the further alternative embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the stepper assembly from the further alternative embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 9.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a multifunctional cardio and toning exercise machine that provides the functionality of both a stepping machine and a stationary bicycle. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and comprises a stepper assembly 1, a stationary bicycle assembly 10, a stepper resetting mechanism 16, a frame member 21, a stand member 22, and a primary pivot point 23.

The stepper assembly 1 is a stepping machine that is utilized to improve cardiovascular endurance as well as lower body muscle strength. The stepper assembly 1 comprises a first step pedal 2, a second step pedal 4, and a connector arm 6. The first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are placed into contact with the user's feet during use of the stepper assembly 1. For user safety, the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 may be coated with a rubberized coating to minimize slippage. The frame member 21 is a base onto which the stepper assembly 1 is mounted. The stepper assembly 1 is mounted along the frame member 21 and is separated from the stand member 22 and the stationary bicycle assembly 10. The stand member 22 is a base onto which the stationary bicycle assembly 10 is mounted. The primary pivot point 23 serves as a mounting point connecting the frame member 21 and the stand member 22. The stationary bicycle assembly 10 is mounted along the stand member 22 and is thus positioned opposite to the stepper assembly 1. The frame member 21 is pivotally connected about the primary pivot point 23 while the stand member 22 is pivotally connected about the primary pivot point 23. This allows the present invention to be folded into a compact configuration when not in use.

The connector arm 6 is utilized to join the first step pedal 2 to the second step pedal 4 and additionally allows the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 to move relative to each other during use of the present invention. A fulcrum 25 of the connector arm 6 is pivotally connected to the frame member 21. This allows the connector arm 6 to pivot about the frame member 21 as the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are actuated. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector arm 6 is an arch shape and comprises a concave portion 7. The concave portion 7 is oriented toward the primary pivot point 23, placing the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 in convenient and easy-to-reach positions at the opposing ends of the connector arm 6.

The first step pedal 2 is terminally and rotatably connected to the connector arm 6 while the second step pedal 4 is terminally and rotatably connected to the connector arm 6, opposite to the first step pedal 2. The user's feet may thus remain firmly in contact with the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 as the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are able to rotate and adjust relative to the connector arm 6 as the stepper assembly 1 is used. The positioning of the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 on opposite ends of the connector arm 6 allows the connector arm 6 to pivot about the fulcrum 25 during use of the stepper assembly 1.

The stepper resetting mechanism 16 ensures that the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 may be actuated relative to each other and regulates the range of motion of the stepper assembly 1. The stepper resetting mechanism 16 is operatively connected in between the stepper assembly 1 and the frame member 21 and is thus able to regulate the movement of the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4. The stepper resetting mechanism 16 returns the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 from an actuated position to an equilibrium position, ensuring continuous movement and consistent range of motion of the stepper assembly 1 during use of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stepper resetting mechanism 16 comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 27 and a second hydraulic cylinder 28. The first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28 are utilized to control the movement of the connector arm 6 when the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are actuated and allow the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 to move relative to each other. The first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28 each comprise a barrel 29 and a piston 30. The barrel 29 serves as a housing for the piston 30 while the piston 30 is able to move into and out of the barrel 29 based on the actuation of the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4. The piston 30 is slidably engaged into the barrel 29, allowing the piston 30 to move into and out of the barrel 29 as the connector arm 6 pivots about the frame member 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, a rotation axis 26 of the fulcrum 25 is oriented perpendicular to a rotation axis 24 of the primary pivot point 23. This allows the connector arm 6 to pivot at the fulcrum 25 as the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are actuated in the upward and downward directions while the user is seated on the present invention facing toward the stepper assembly 1. A rotation axis 32 of the pivotal connection between the barrel 29 and the frame member 21 is oriented parallel to the rotation axis 26 of the fulcrum 25. Similarly, a rotation 33 axis of the pivotal connection between the piston 30 and the connector arm 6 is oriented parallel to the rotation axis 26 of the fulcrum 25. The fulcrum 25 thus remains in alignment with the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28 during use of the stepper assembly 1, ensuring that the connector arm 6 is able to pivot on the frame member 21 in a stable manner. Additionally, the rotation axis 3 of the first step pedal 2 and the rotation axis 5 of the second step pedal 4 are oriented parallel to the rotation axis 26 of the fulcrum 25, allowing the fulcrum 25 to remain in alignment with the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 as the present invention is utilized. The first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are able to rotate in order to remain in contact with the user's feet as the stepper assembly 1 is utilized.

The fulcrum 25 is positioned in between the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28. As a result, the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28 are able to ensure that the stepper assembly 1 is balanced during use. The barrel 29 is terminally and pivotally connected to the frame member 21, allowing the barrel 29 to pivot and adjust orientation about the frame member 21 based on the movement of the connector arm 6 when the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are actuated. Similarly, the piston 30 is terminally and pivotally connected to the connector arm 6, enabling the piston 30 to pivot and adjust orientation about the connector arm 6 based on the movement of the connector arm 6 when the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are actuated. Additionally, the piston 30 and the barrel 29 serve to connect the frame member 21 to the connector arm 6.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28 each further comprise an annular dial 31. The annular dial 31 is utilized to increase or decrease the difficulty of the stepper assembly 1 by adjusting the hydraulic resistance experienced by the piston 30 when sliding within the barrel 29. The annular dial 31 is rotatably mounted about the barrel 29. This allows the annular dial 31 to be rotated in order to increase or decrease the resistance experienced when utilizing the stepper assembly 1. The annular dial 31 is operatively coupled between the barrel 29 and the piston 30. As a result, rotating the annular dial 31 adjusts the hydraulic resistance as the piston 30 slides within the barrel 29, increasing or decreasing the difficulty of utilizing the stepper assembly 1.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 further comprises a first tension detachable clamp 34 and a second tension detachable clamp 35. The first tension detachable clamp 34 and the second tension detachable clamp 35 are utilized to adjust the positions on the connector arm 6 at which the piston 30 of the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the piston 30 of the second hydraulic cylinder 28 are connected to the connector arm 6. The piston 30 of the first hydraulic cylinder 27 is pivotally connected to the connector arm 6 by the first tension detachable clamp 34 while the piston 30 of the second hydraulic cylinder 28 is pivotally connected to the connector arm 6 by the second tension detachable clamp 35. As a result, the piston 30 of the first hydraulic cylinder 27 is able to pivotally adjust relative to the connector arm 6 and the first tension detachable clamp 34 while the piston 30 of the second hydraulic cylinder 28 is able to pivotally adjust relative to the connector arm 6 and the second tension detachable clamp 35. In this embodiment of the present invention, the piston 30 of the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the piston 30 of the second hydraulic cylinder 28 may be moved closer to the fulcrum 25 and away from the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 in order to decrease the difficulty of the stepper assembly 1. Conversely, the piston 30 of the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the piston 30 of the second hydraulic cylinder 28 may be moved away from the fulcrum 25 and toward the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 in order to increase the difficulty of the stepper assembly 1. The first tension detachable clamp 34 and the second tension detachable clamp 35 are fixed in place on the connector arm 6 when the difficulty has been set.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the stepper resetting mechanism 16 comprises a pulley 17 and a chain 18. The pulley 17 and the chain 18 are utilized to adjust the resistance experienced by the user when actuating the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4. The pulley 17 is rotatably mounted to the frame member 21 while the chain 18 is tensionably engaged about the pulley 17. This allows the movement of the chain 18 to rotate the pulley 17 in the appropriate direction. A first end 19 of the chain 18 is tethered to the connector arm 6, adjacent to the first step pedal 2. Similarly, a second end 20 of the chain 18 is tethered to the connector arm 6, adjacent to the second step pedal 4. As a result, the movement of the connector arm 6 is able to move the chain 18 accordingly, causing the pulley 17 to rotate as the connector arm 6 is moved during use of the stepper assembly 1. The pulley 17 is positioned adjacent to the primary pivot point 23 and as such, is offset from the connector arm 6 on the frame member 21.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the stationary bicycle assembly 10 comprises a flywheel assembly 11, a first cycle pedal 12, and a second cycle pedal 14.

When the user is exercising on the stationary bicycle assembly 10, the first cycle pedal 12 and the second cycle pedal 14 are rotated, causing the flywheel assembly 11 to spin and build momentum. As with the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4, the first cycle pedal 12 and the second cycle pedal 14 may be covered with a rubberized coating to minimize slippage. The flywheel assembly 11 additionally provides constant resistance to the stationary bicycle assembly 10. The resistance of the stationary bicycle assembly 10 may be adjusted in order to increase or decrease the difficulty of exercising utilizing the stationary bicycle assembly 10. The flywheel assembly 11 is mounted along the stand member 22 and is thus positioned away from the stepper assembly 1 positioned on the frame member 21. The first cycle pedal 12 and the second cycle pedal 14 are torsionally connected into the flywheel assembly 11, allowing the first cycle pedal 12 and the second cycle pedal 14 to spin the flywheel assembly 11. As shown in FIG. 5, a rotation axis 13 of the first cycle pedal 12 and a rotation axis 15 of the second cycle pedal 14 are oriented perpendicular to the stand member 22. The stationary bicycle assembly 10 may thus be utilized to exercise in a similar manner to a conventional standalone stationary bicycle.

The present invention further comprises an adjustable seat 36. The adjustable seat 36 is mounted into the primary pivot point 23 and is thus positioned in between the stepper assembly 1 and the stationary bicycle assembly 10. The adjustable seat 36 may be locked in place via a pin lock. The adjustable seat 36 may be positioned within the primary pivot point 23 in a manner such that leg room is increased when utilizing the present invention.

The present invention may further comprise a seat adjustment member 37. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the seat adjustment member 37 is utilized to rotate the adjustable seat 36 to face the stepper assembly 1 or the stationary bicycle assembly 10. In this embodiment of the present invention, the seat adjustment member 37 is rotatably engaged into the primary pivot point 23, enabling the adjustable seat 36 to be rotated to face the stepper assembly 1 or the stationary bicycle assembly 10. The seat adjustment member 37 may then be locked into place. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, the seat adjustment member 37 is utilized to adjust the height of the adjustable seat 36 relative to the primary pivot point 23. In this embodiment of the present invention, the seat adjustment member 37 is adjacently connected to the adjustable seat 36 and as such may be utilized to increase or decrease the height of the adjustable seat 36. The seat adjustment member 37 is slidably engaged into the primary pivot point 23. The seat adjustment member 37 may thus be inserted into or drawn out of the primary pivot point 23 in order to adjust the height of the adjustable seat 36. After the adjustable seat 36 is at the desired height, the seat adjustment member 37 may be locked into place.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the stationary bicycle assembly 10 may be removable from the stand member 22. The present invention further comprises at least one mounting bracket 38 for use in holding the stationary bicycle assembly 10. The at least one mounting bracket 38 is positioned on the stand member 22, enabling the stationary bicycle assembly 10 to be fastened to the stand member 22 utilizing the at least one mounting bracket 38. The stationary bicycle assembly 10 is removably mounted to the stand member 22 by the at least one mounting bracket 38, allowing the user to remove the stationary bicycle assembly 10 from the stand member 22 altogether. The user may wish to separate the stationary bicycle assembly 10 from the stand member 22 in order to ensure that the stationary bicycle assembly 10 does not obstruct the user's movement during use of the stepper assembly 1.

While the present invention may be utilized hands-free, the present invention may further comprise a handlebar assembly 39 to improve user stability while exercising. The handlebar assembly 39 is mounted to the adjustable seat 36 and may be grasped by the user when seated while exercising to stabilize his or her body.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9-13, the stepper assembly 1 further comprises a first connector member 8 and a second connector member 9. The first connector member 8 and the second connector member 9 are utilized to connect the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 to the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28. The first connector member 8 is terminally and pivotally connected to the frame member 21 while the second connector member 9 is terminally and pivotally connected to the frame member 21, opposite to the first connector member 8. This allows the first connector member 8 and the second connector member 9 to pivot on the frame member 21 when the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are actuated. The first step pedal 2 is rotatably connected to the first connector member 8, opposite to the frame member 21 while the second step pedal 4 is rotatably connected to the second connector member 9, opposite to the frame member 21. As a result, the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 may rotate and remain in contact with the user's feet during use of the stepper assembly 1.

A rotation axis 40 of the pivotal connection between the first connector member 8 and the frame member 21 is oriented parallel to the rotation axis 24 of the primary pivot point 23. The first connector member 8 is thus be actuated in an upward or downward direction when the first step pedal 2 is actuated. Similarly, a rotation axis 41 of the pivotal connection between the second connector member 9 and the frame member 21 is oriented parallel to the rotation axis 24 of the primary pivot point 23. The second connector member 9 is actuated in an upward or downward direction when the second step pedal 4 is actuated. Finally, the rotation axis 3 of the first step pedal 2 and the rotation axis 5 of the second step pedal 4 are oriented parallel to the rotation axis 24 of the primary pivot point 23. The first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 are able to remain in contact with the user's feet when the user is seated on the adjustable seat 36 by rotating on the first connector member 8 and the second connector member 9,

respectively.

The barrel 29 of the first hydraulic cylinder 27 is pivotally connected to the frame member 21, offset from the primary pivot point 23. The barrel 29 is able to pivot about the frame member 21 when the first step pedal 2 is actuated. Similarly, the barrel 29 of the second hydraulic cylinder 28 is pivotally connected to the frame member 21, offset from the primary pivot point 23, and is able to pivot about the frame member 21 when the second step pedal 4 is actuated. The piston 30 of the first hydraulic cylinder 27 is pivotally connected to the first connector member 8, adjacent to the first step pedal 2, allowing the piston 30 to pivot about the first connector member 8 when the first step pedal 2 is actuated. Similarly, the piston 30 of the second hydraulic cylinder 28 is pivotally connected to the second connector member 9, adjacent to the second step pedal 4, allowing the piston 30 to pivot about the second connector member 9 when the second step pedal 4 is actuated. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first hydraulic cylinder 27 and the second hydraulic cylinder 28 may be positioned in various other positions.

In the embodiment of the present invention in FIGS. 9-13, the stepper resetting mechanism 16 further comprises a pulley 17 and a chain 18. The pulley 17 and the chain 18 are utilized to regulate the range of motion of the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4. The pulley 17 is rotatably mounted to the frame member 21 while the chain 18 is tensionably engaged about the pulley 17. As a result, movement of the chain 18 is able to generate rotational motion of the pulley 17. The pulley 17 is positioned adjacent to the primary pivot point 23 and as such is offset from the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4. A first end 19 of the chain 18 is tethered to the first connector member 8, adjacent to the first step pedal 2 while a second end 20 of the chain 18 is tethered to the second connector member 9, adjacent to the second step pedal 4. As a result, actuation of the first step pedal 2 and the second step pedal 4 allows the chain 18 to rotate the pulley 17.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.