Patents Examined by Steve R. Crow
  • Patent number: 7927258
    Abstract: An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise is provided. The design includes a frame and a first mounting point and a second mounting point configured to maintain the frame. A seat is connected to the frame and configured to support the user. A wheel is positioned in association with said frame and pedals configured to interact with the wheel, and the frame is configured to pivot about the first mounting point and second mounting point in response to leaning by the user. Handlebars may be provided that enable further force application and enhance the leaning or pivoting in the bicycle riding simulation experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Real Ryder, LLC
    Inventors: Colin Irving, John J. Harrington, Brian C. Stewart, Michael S. Lofgren
  • Patent number: 7922627
    Abstract: A rotating exercise device is provided. In various embodiments, the rotating exercise device includes a stationary pedestal and a gearbox rotatably mounted to the pedestal such that the gearbox is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the pedestal. The rotating exercise device additionally includes a user seat mounted to a top of the gearbox and a user operable drive mechanism that is operably connected to the gear box. The user operable drive mechanism is structured and operable to, via control and operation of a user sitting on the seat, impart rotational force on the stationary pedestal to cause the gear box, seat and user to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the pedestal as the user operates the user operable drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Playpower, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Alan Clark, Glenn David Ross
  • Patent number: 7918767
    Abstract: The current invention is an exercise apparatus and method adapted for use with a leg exercising machine, the exercise apparatus including a base, a support beam having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end portion extends from the base. Further included in the exercise apparatus is an omni-directional movable joint element that is disposed adjacent to the distal end portion and a grasping arm, with the grasping arm being received within the omni-directional movable joint element, wherein the grasping arm is operational to have omni-directional movement relative to the support beam. Also included in the exercise apparatus is a dampening element that is disposed between the support beam and the grasping arm, the dampening element is operational to dampen the omnidirectional movement such that an individual using the leg exercising machine can grasp the arm for stability and support for a soft skeletal joint support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Alan Clifford Wilson
  • Patent number: 7901333
    Abstract: One embodiment of an improved self-centering mechanism restoring the handlebar or control of an electronic exercise bicycle or video game bike to the straight ahead position when the rider removes his hands from the handlebars or controls. The self-centering mechanism is configured with a compression spring (52) assisting and pressurizing a mechanical device comprised of two opposing circular ball ramps (32) and (44) with radial tapered depth grooves (42). Round balls (40) of similar diameter to the radius of the depth grooves (42) are situated in the grooves (42) between the opposing ball ramps (32) and (44). The compression spring (52) is located over a connecting bolt (56) which connects the ball ramps (32) and (44) to a shaft (26) that is supported with bearings (22) and (28) in a housing (24). Below the spring assembly is the mount assembly for the potentiometer (66), which sends the data signals communicating the rotation amount of the handlebars to the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Kentopp
  • Patent number: 7901332
    Abstract: A multi-function exercise equipment is revealed. The exercise equipment includes a base and two track grooves connected by left and right links, lower links and cylinders. A pedal is mounted in each track groove and at least one locating hole is arranged at the track groove. The pedal is disposed with a locking rod that is matched to the locating hole. Moreover, at least one stop hole is set on the left link while a latch is disposed on the right link and is mounted in the stop hole. After the locking rod mounted into the locating hole and the latch mounted into the stop hole, the pedals are moved up and down synchronously. After the locking rod and the latch being released, the track grooves are parallel to a horizontal plane or inclined. The pedals slide back automatically so that users can push feet out and return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Shoi-Lien Wen
  • Patent number: 7892148
    Abstract: A treadmill assembly comprising a substantially horizontal tread assembly including oppositely extending front and rear ends, a tread and a controller for controlling movement of the tread, a support structure extending proximate the rear end of the tread assembly to a distal top end substantially above the rear end of the tread assembly, a table top member mounted to the distal top end of the support structure, the top member including a substantially flat work surface and a front edge, the work surface having dimensions suitable to support a computer keyboard and a control assembly including at least one input button for providing command signals for controlling the controller, the control assembly supported by the table top member adjacent the front edge of the table top member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Tamara Lynn Stauffer, Brian Edward Sanders, Scott Lee Doolittle
  • Patent number: 7887466
    Abstract: A treadmill includes a drive roller disposed in a tread base, a treadmill belt engaged with the drive roller, and a wheel attached to the drive roller and rotated in concert with the drive roller, and an electric generating device is attached to the tread base and includes a fan device attached to a spindle, and the spindle is engaged with the wheel for allowing the spindle of the electric generating device to be driven and rotated by the wheel and the drive roller and the treadmill belt in order to generate the electric energy, and the fan device is also to be driven and rotated by the wheel and the drive roller and the treadmill belt without the other electric energy, in order to generate the circulating or ventilating air to cool the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 7887462
    Abstract: A hand exercise device 100 and method for exercising human hands 102 and digits 104 comprising a plurality of separate digit sleeves 110 wherein the diameter and length are such that the separate digit sleeves 110 slide over finger and thumb digits 105, 106 of a human hand 102; a magnetic element 120 is attached with the separate digit sleeve 110 at or near a distal end 116 of the separate digit sleeve 110, wherein the magnetic element 120 will facilitate a desired exercise in multidirectional movements when the magnetic element 120 is approximated near another magnetic 129 or ferrous metal surface 150. The hand exercise device may include a flat or wavy ferrous material 150, 151, 152 or a randomly disposed magnetic field 161 to aid in exercising the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: David Gordon Bearden
  • Patent number: 7878950
    Abstract: A user support apparatus for an exercise machine. The user support apparatus is interconnected to a frame of the exercise machine and includes at least one handhold interconnected to a user support. The user support is generally a fixed length member such as a rope or cable that a user of the exercise machine may grasp for support while exercising. The length of the user support may be adjustable. The position of an anchor point for the user support relative to the user may be adjustable, thus allowing the user support to be anchored generally above the user for overhead support, generally in front of the user for pulling support, or at an intermediate position for a combination of overhead and pulling support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bold Endeavors LLC
    Inventor: James Bastian
  • Patent number: 7878947
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises: a frame; a crank system supported by the frame; a right and left foot members supported by the frame; first and second flexible element coupled to the crank system and foot support members such that downward motion of either foot support member causes rotation of the crank system; and a crank offset assembly configured to prevent the crank system from becoming locked at a top dead center location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Robert E. Rodgers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7878957
    Abstract: A multi-functional exercising machine has a supporting device, a rotating device and a handle device. The supporting device has a base and a pivotal mount. The pivotal mount is formed on the base and has a positioning panel. The rotating device is connected to the supporting device and has a mounting frame, two guiding bars, a limiting rod and a sliding mount. The mounting frame is connected to the pivotal mount and has a pivotal shaft, a connecting panel and a positioning post. The guiding bars are connected to the mounting frame. The sliding mount is mounted on the guiding bars and has a sliding frame and a hassock. The sliding frame is mounted on the guiding bars and has two rollers, two limiting arms and a connecting pin. The hassock is mounted on the sliding frame. The handle device is connected to the supporting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Yi-Fan Chen
  • Patent number: 7874960
    Abstract: A Back Twister comprises: a horizontal supporting platform 1 with attached bearing structure 6, an elliptical stepper with two footholds 3 attached to the horizontal supporting platform 1 a hand rotary member with two hand grips 7 attached to the bearing structure 6, a kinematic transmission 8 connecting the elliptical stepper and hand rotary member such that they are rotatable in synchronisation with a 1:1 gear ratio and the user having steady position may perform an elliptical motion with feet and circular motion with hands while keeping his/her torso suspended freely above the bearing structure whereby the only support for the users body are the footholds and hand grips, which provides good exercising for muscles and joints of the spinal column, The distance between the elliptical stepper and hand rotary member is adjustable, to suit different sized users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Zinnoor Akhmetov
  • Patent number: 7871356
    Abstract: An arm mechanism for an elliptical exerciser comprises a linkage having a first end pivotally mounted to a frame of the elliptical exerciser, and a second end receiving a reciprocating movement from a foot pedal of the elliptical exerciser. An arm member has a handling portion to be handled by a user of the elliptical exerciser, and a coupling portion to be coupled to the first end of the linkage. A coupling mechanism releasably couples the linkage to the arm member such that the linkage and the arm member rotate jointly about the frame upon the linkage receiving the reciprocating movement from the foot pedal in a coupled position of the coupling mechanism, and for decoupling the arm member from the linkage in a decoupled position of the coupling mechanism to prevent rotation of the arm member while the linkage rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Appareils D'Exercice Bodyguard Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Smith
  • Patent number: 7867143
    Abstract: The invention is related to climbing trees. Climbing trees are used for a variety of purposes—cats and other pets and small or slightly older children can derive a lot of pleasure from activities in a climbing tree. Using a specially designed bracket the shape of the climbing tree can be expanded and changed in an almost unlimited range of combinations. The climbing tree can be adapted to the physical aspects of its surroundings. These make the climbing tree exceedingly useful and practical. The new invention consists of different types of brackets to be secured to the columns and where the brackets are the link to new imaginative additions to the climbing tree. The invention can fulfil claims in which the column can have any shape imaginable—e.g. square, triangular—such that the brackets are simply physically shaped to suit that of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Jens Fenger-Eriksen
  • Patent number: 7867145
    Abstract: A hand exercise device 100 and method for exercising human hands 102 and digits 104 comprising a plurality of separate digit sleeves 110 wherein the diameter and length are such that the separate digit sleeves 110 slide over the finger and thumb digits 105, 106 of the human hand 102; a magnetic element 120 is attached with the separate digit sleeve 110 near a distal end 116 of the separate digit sleeve 110, wherein the magnetic element 120 will facilitate a desired exercise in multidirectional movements when the magnetic element 120 is approximated near another magnetic 129 or ferrous metal surface 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: David Gordon Bearden
  • Patent number: 7867141
    Abstract: A physical activity measuring system analyzes analyzing body motions of a user to accurately determine the exercise intensity. The system includes a portable device which is adapted to be carried by the user and is equipped with a body sensor and an indicator for indication of the exercise intensity. The body sensor senses the user's body motions to give corresponding motion strength. The portable device has a processor which constitutes an exercise calculator which has a predetermined relationship between a default standard deviation of the motion strength and an exercise intensity scale. The exercise intensity calculator collects a time series data of the motion strengths within a predetermined first time frame, obtains a standard deviation of thus collected motion strengths, and converting the standard deviation into an instant exercise intensity within the intensity scale in accordance with the predetermined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsumura, Matsuki Yamamoto, Hideki Nakamura, Yasuko Yamamoto, Junji Ikeda, Masayuki Mitsui, Tadaharu Kitadou, Kazunori Kidera
  • Patent number: 7862488
    Abstract: A weightable hoop system comprising: a single bodied molded hoop with a top and a bottom comprising: a first annular volume located at the top; a second annular volume located at the bottom; a pinch seal located between the first annular volume and the second annular volume, and preventing fluid communication between the first annular volume and the second annular volume; a first threaded input member in fluid communication with the first annular volume; and a second threaded input member in fluid communication with the first annular volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Alison Albanese
  • Patent number: 7850577
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism may be positioned in engagement with a slave sprocket of a drive train and a hub of a flywheel to create a frictional engagement between the sprocket and the hub, and to establish a break-free force threshold. When the drive train is actuated in the forward direction, the slave sprocket and the hub may move together, and when the drive train is actuated in the rearward direction under the influence of a force greater than the break-free force threshold, the clutch mechanism may slip between the slave sprocket and the hub, allowing the slave sprocket and the flywheel to move independently of one another. The clutch mechanism may also include a spring tensioner whereby the break-free force may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Warner, Michael H. Harding, Mu-Chuan Wu, Andy Baker
  • Patent number: 7850580
    Abstract: A resistance exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a guide mounted on the frame, a resistance support movable relative to the guide along a path; and a resistance assembly for applying a resistance during an exercise. The resistance assembly includes a first resister having a first resistance, and a second resister having a second resistance. The first resistance and the second resistance are selectively and independently applied by the first resister and the second resister during an exercise. The first resister and the second resister are each arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noel R. Johnson, Tou T. Vang
  • Patent number: 7846074
    Abstract: A recumbent exerciser includes a base, a right link and a left link are pivotably connected to the base and a right cam and a left cam are connected to the right link and the left link respectively. A right pedal and a left pedal are connected to two respective top ends of the right link and the left link, and a right swinging arm and a left swinging arm are connected to the right link and the left link. A resistance unit provides resistance to the right and left pedals and the right left swinging arms when the right and left cams are driven by operation of the user so as to exercise the user's hands and legs. The resistance unit is located remote from the seat so that the seat does not need to remove to maintain the resistance unit and the cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Strength Master Fitness Tech. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen-Yi Wu