Conveyor chain for a stepmill

Abstract

A conveyor chain which is designed to be used on a stepmill to form into steps on the side interacting with a user, and a stair climbing exercise device or “stairmill,” having a belt formed thereon. The belt being formed from a plurality of interconnected L-shaped elements each of the L-shaped elements having unequal arm and leg dimensions.

1 . A conveyor chain for a stepmill, the chain comprising:
 a plurality of links, each of said links comprising:
 a first member and a second member arranged together at a joint forming a generally 90 degree angle, said first member having an edge spaced from said joint a first distance and said second member having an edge spaced from said joint a second distance different form said first; 
 a first plurality of eyelets extending from said edge of said first member, said first plurality of eyelets alternating with a first plurality of gaps, each of said eyelets in said first plurality of eyelets having a hole therethrough; 
 a second plurality of eyelets extending from said edge of said second member, said second plurality of eyelets alternating with a second plurality of gaps, each of said eyelets in said second plurality of eyelets having a hole therethrough; and 
   a plurality of rods;   wherein said plurality of links are positioned so that:
 said first plurality of eyelets on a first link are interleaved into said second plurality of gaps on a second link and a rod from said plurality of rods is placed through said holes in said first plurality of eyelets on said first link and said holes in said second plurality of eyelets on said second link; and 
 said second plurality of eyelets on said first link are interleaved into said first plurality of gaps on a third link and a rod from said plurality of rods is placed through said holes in said second plurality of eyelets on said first link and said holes in said first plurality of eyelets on said third link. 
   
     
     
         2 . The conveyor chain of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of links includes at least four links. 
     
     
         3 . The conveyor chain of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of links includes at least eight links. 
     
     
         4 . The conveyor chain of  claim 1  wherein each of said rods extends from said eyelets on both sides of said links. 
     
     
         5 . The conveyor chain of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of links comprises an even number of links. 
     
     
         6 . A stairmill comprising:
 a support structure;   two tracks attached to said support structure at opposing sides of said support structure; and   a conveyor chain comprising:
 a plurality of links, each of said links comprising:
 a first member and a second member arranged together at a joint forming a generally 90 degree angle, said first member having an edge spaced from said joint a first distance and said second member having an edge spaced from said joint a second distance different form said first; 
 a first plurality of eyelets extending from said edge of said first member, said first plurality of eyelets alternating with a first plurality of gaps, each of said eyelets in said first plurality of eyelets having a hole therethrough; 
 a second plurality of eyelets extending from said edge of said second member, said second plurality of eyelets alternating with a second plurality of gaps, each of said eyelets in said second plurality of eyelets having a hole therethrough; and 
 
 a plurality of rods; 
 wherein said plurality of links are positioned so that:
 said first plurality of eyelets on a first link are interleaved into said second plurality of gaps on a second link and a rod from said plurality of rods is placed through said holes in said first plurality of eyelets on said first link and said holes in said second plurality of eyelets on said second link; 
 said second plurality of eyelets on said first link are interleaved into said first plurality of gaps on a third link and a rod from said plurality of rods is placed through said holes in said second plurality of eyelets on said first link and said holes in said first plurality of eyelets on said third link; and 
 each of said rods in said plurality of rods includes a portion extending from said eyelets on each side of said links; 
 
   wherein said rods include a roller bearing on each of said portions, one of said roller bearings on each rod rolling in each one of said two independent tracks.   
     
     
         7 . The stepmill of  claim 6  wherein said plurality of links includes at least four links. 
     
     
         8 . The stepmill of  claim 7  wherein said plurality of links includes at least eight links. 
     
     
         9 . The stepmill of  claim 6  wherein said plurality of links comprises an even number of links.