Patents Assigned to Fitness Master, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5833584
    Abstract: A striding exercise device with a base having at least one elongated track defining a continuous arc that curves upward along at least one end portion thereof. At least a portion of the continuous arc has a curvature generally corresponding to the swing arc of the operator's leg. Two footskates are slidably engaged with the at least one track. The footskates are operable for receiving feet of an operator. The operator reciprocates the feet back and forth so that the footskates move in reciprocating motion along at least a portion of the continuous arc. The continuous arc may have a constant or variable radius, adjustable by the operator. Pivotable hand levers or sliding hand grips provide upper body resistance for the operator. The pivotable hand levers may be locked in a plurality of position within the range of motion of the operator so as to operate as handlebars. A motor may assist the operator in reciprocating the footskates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon, Adolf H. Friedebach, Paul M. Theisen
  • Patent number: 5709638
    Abstract: A strength training exercise apparatus includes a frame having a generally upright back rest portion, and a generally horizontal seat portion, and further includes opposing arm members pivotally mounted to the back rest portion of the frame. The arm members are movable through an arcuate range of motion, and include locking pins for selectively locking the arm members in desired angular positions. The apparatus still further includes a resistance assembly consisting of a fixed anchor mounted on the frame, a movable anchor which is movable relative to the fixed anchor, and a plurality of elastomeric resistance cords releasably secured between the movable relative to the fixed anchor to provide resistance to movement of the movable anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross A. Mackert, John E. Titus
  • Patent number: 5674167
    Abstract: A strength training exercise apparatus includes a frame having an upright back rest, and a horizontal seat, and further includes opposing arm members pivotally mounted to the back rest. The arm members are movable through an arcuate range of motion, and include locking pins for selectively locking the arm members in desired angular positions. The apparatus still further includes a resistance assembly consisting of a fixed anchor mounted on the frame, a movable anchor which is movable relative to the fixed anchor, and a plurality of elastomeric resistance cords releasably secured between the movable anchor and the fixed anchor to provide resistance to movement of the movable anchor. A pull line is mounted on guide pulleys along the length of the arm members, and is received in association with the movable anchor whereby outward movement of the pull line with respect to the arm members causes movement of the movable anchor with respect to the fixed anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon, Mark R. Nestande, Paul M. Theisen, John E. Titus, Ross A. Mackert
  • Patent number: 5599261
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise device for exercising at least two groups of muscles. The device includes a first subframe supporting body support members including a foot rest and seat. A second subframe is operably coupled to the first subframe by a joint having two axes of rotation and internal stops for controlling the rotation about both axes. A back rest is carried by the second subframe. The back rest is movable in generally opposite directions to exercise the two groups of muscles. Elastomeric resistance elements are selectively and operably coupled across the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, Thomas G. Tupper
  • Patent number: 5295927
    Abstract: An improved stair climbing exercise machine is provided. The machine biomechanically simulates climbing stairs to provide exercise for a user and broadly includes a support frame, right and left foot-receiving pedals, and a drive system. The frame includes a base and a generally tubular, inclined slide mast. The pedals are mounted on respective independently moveable shuttles slidably received in channels at each side of the mast. The electrically released drive system is operably coupled to the pedals and includes a multiple pulley and strap arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, Adolf H. Friedebach, Paul M. Theisen, John E. Titus
  • Patent number: 5277678
    Abstract: An improved cross-country skiing simulating exercise machine for providing interactive aerobic conditioning has a base frame, a pair of foot skates movably mounted on the frame, and a pair of arm poles attached to the frame. The frame has two elongate parallel rails, suitably made of extruded aluminum, each having sidewalls with an elongate groove therein with recesses within the grooves thereby forming sidewall tracks. The skates are securely and movably mounted on the rails and have an inclined top surface sloping downwardly in a forwardly direction and a toe kick at their forward end. The arm poles are at the sides of the front end of the frame, and an electronic sensing, control and display assembly is mounted on the frame between the arm poles. An interactive video skate resistance mechanism for automatically adjusting the difficulty of moving the skates is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Adolf H. Friedebach, Paul M. Theisen
  • Patent number: 5199931
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved exercise machine for simulating stair climbing, particularly adapted for in-home use. The device includes a generally upright frame with a base. Right and left foot pedals are pivotally mounted to the base on either side of the upstanding portion of the frame and a handlebar is provided adjacent the upper end of the frame. The foot pedals are linked to a mechanical resistance element, namely a flywheel. The linkage includes a strap connecting each pedal to a single drive shaft, in turn connected by a belt transmission to the flywheel. A resistance adjustment feature is included in the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, A. Hans Friedebach, Mark R. Nestande, Paul M. Theisen, John E. Titus
  • Patent number: 5145481
    Abstract: A ski exercise machine is provided. The machine includes side-by-side, wheeled foot skate assemblies positioned on three tracks, a center track and two outer tracks. Movable arm poles are operably connected to the center track and extend generally upwardly and outwardly from between the skate assemblies. The foot skates are attached to an adjustable resistance belt system and the arm poles are rotated about an adjustable resistance system. The ski exercise machine is ergonomically designed for aesthetic appearance as well as function and utility in exercising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventor: Adolph H. Friedebach
  • Patent number: 4948121
    Abstract: An improved adjustable exercise machine for safe, smooth and comfortable aerobic conditioning has a frame assembly, a pair of foot skates with rollers attached to each skate permitting the skates to be movably mounted on the frame assembly and a pair of arm pole mechanisms attached to the frame assembly. The improvement comprises the frame assembly having two elongate parallel rails, suitably of extruded aluminum, each having sidewalls each with an elongate groove therein with recesses within the grooves thereby forming sidewall tracks. The rails each have a bottom with an elongate groove therein having elongate recesses within the groove thereby forming a bottom track. The rollers of each skate are adapted to be securely and movably mounted within the respective sidewall tracks of the rails to secure or fasten the skates to the rails. The skates have an inclined top surface sloping downwardly in a forwardly direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Haaheim, Paul M. Theisen, Karl N. Ketter
  • Patent number: D328934
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventor: Adolf H. Friedebach
  • Patent number: D340095
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventor: Adolf H. Friedebach
  • Patent number: D341859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, Adolf H. Friedebach, Louis F. Polk, III
  • Patent number: D343214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, Adolf H. Friedebach, Paul A. Pilosi
  • Patent number: D378387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, Thomas G. Tupper
  • Patent number: D381713
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, Thomas G. Tupper
  • Patent number: D381714
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Easley, Thomas G. Tupper
  • Patent number: D384117
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon, Mark R. Nestande, Paul M. Theisen, John E. Titus, James B. Easley