Devices, systems, and methods for moving a movable step through a transition zone

Abstract

A step path for an exercise device includes a support zone, a return zone, and a transition zone between the support zone and the return zone. In the support zone, a front end of a movable step is supported by a front track guide and a rear end of the movable step is supported by a rear track guide. A transition element supports the rear end of the step between the rear guide track and a base guide track, thereby lowering the step-up height of the exercise device.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A movable step, comprising:
 a platform;   a drive mechanism movable along a step path, the step path having a first zone, a second zone, and a transition zone between the first zone and the second zone, the platform coupled to the drive mechanism and movable along the step path; and   a first wheel connected to a first portion of the platform, the first wheel supported by a first guide track when the platform is in the first zone, and the first wheel supported by a second guide track when the platform is in the transition zone.   
     
     
         3 . The movable step of  claim 2 , wherein the second guide track is separate from the first guide track, and wherein there is no continuous path between the first guide track and the second guide track. 
     
     
         4 . The movable step of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the second guide track is parallel to a supporting surface. 
     
     
         5 . The movable step of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second wheel connected to a second portion of the platform, the second wheel supported by a third guide track while the platform is in the first zone.   
     
     
         6 . The movable step of  claim 5 , wherein the first wheel is a first rear wheel, wherein the second wheel is a first front wheel, and wherein:
 the second portion of the platform comprises the first front wheel and a second front wheel, the first front wheel being separated from the second front wheel by a first distance; and   the first portion of the platform comprises the first rear wheel and a second rear wheel, the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel being separated by a second distance.   
     
     
         7 . The movable step of  claim 2 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises:
 a first drive element coupled to the platform on a first side of the platform; and   a second drive element coupled to the platform on a second side of the platform opposite the first side of the platform.   
     
     
         8 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a plurality of movable steps, each movable step of the plurality of movable steps comprising:
 a platform; and 
 a first set of wheels connected to a first portion of the platform; 
   a first guide track;   a second guide track disconnected from the first guide track; and   a drive mechanism coupled to each movable step of the plurality of movable steps, the drive mechanism configured to move the plurality of movable steps in a step path, wherein the step path comprises a first zone, a second zone, and a transition zone between the first zone and the second zone, wherein:
 when the platform is in the first zone, the first set of wheels are configured to roll along the first guide track, and 
 when the platform is in the transition zone, the first set of wheels are configured to roll along the second guide track. 
   
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second set of wheels connected to a second portion of the platform; and   a third guide track, wherein the second set of wheels are configured to roll along the third guide track when the platform is in the first zone.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , wherein the transition zone is a lower transition zone, and wherein the step path further comprises an upper transition zone between the first zone and the second zone. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein each movable step of the plurality of movable steps further comprises a runner positioned on a bottom of the platform, the exercise device further comprising:
 a positioning wheel located at the upper transition zone, the positioning wheel configured to contact the runner when a movable step of the plurality of movable steps is in the second zone.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first positioning element located in the transition zone.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein the first positioning element is located between the first guide track and the second guide track. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein the first positioning element rotates independently of the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second positioning element opposite the first positioning element across the platform.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 15 , wherein the first positioning element rotates independently of the second positioning element. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , wherein the first set of wheels are not connected to the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , wherein, at a lowest point along the step path, the platform is positioned less than 80 mm above a supporting surface. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 rotating a drive element coupled to a movable step through a step path, the step path comprising a first zone, a second zone, and a transition zone between the first zone and the second zone;   moving the movable step through the first zone, wherein a first set of wheels connected to a first portion of the movable step are supported by a first guide track while the movable step is in the first zone;   guiding, while the movable step is in the transition zone, the first set of wheels from the first guide track to a second guide track; and   moving the movable step through the transition zone to the second zone, wherein the first set of wheels are supported by the second guide track in the transition zone.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a platform of the movable step is maintained in an operating orientation while the movable step is in the first zone and in the transition zone. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the movable step comprises a second set of wheels connected to a second portion of the movable step, the second set of wheels supported by a third guide track while the movable step is in the first zone.