Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (36). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flatter inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported to travel back and forth on rollers 32ac and 32bc. The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flatter inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (36). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the user's feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The position of the rearward ends of the foot link vis-à-vis the pivot axis may be selectively altered to vary the stride length of the stepping motion experienced by the user.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (36). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flater inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links reciprocate back and forth along a guide (36). The combination to these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination and/or elevation of the guide (36) may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At lower inclinations/elevations of the guide, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively higher angles of inclination or elevations of the guide (36), the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing. The connection of the foot links to the pivot axis allow motion in a direction orthogonal to the rotational motion, thus compensating for alignment inconsistencies of the device.

Abstract: A treadmill (10) includes a frame (12) on which are rotatably mounted first and second roller assemblies (14, 16) on axles (40, 48) disposed on spaced apart transverse axes (42, 50). An endless belt (18) is trained about the roller assemblies. A ratcheting bolt assembly (52) is rotatably secured to the frame and is engaged with one end of the second roller assembly (16) to enable adjustment of the tension in the belt. The ratcheting bolt assembly has a threaded end portion (74) that is threadably engaged with one end of the axle on which the second roller assembly is mounted. The ratcheting bolt assembly includes a ratcheting head (80) that is graspable to rotate the adjustment bolt assembly for threadably advancing the axle on the threaded end portion of the adjustment bolt assembly, thereby changing the distance between the first and second roller assemblies and adjusting the tension in the belt.