Patents by Inventor Eugene B. Szymczak

Eugene B. Szymczak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6923746
    Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Jose A. Leon, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke, Tomas F. Leon
  • Patent number: 6436008
    Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
  • Patent number: 6095951
    Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
  • Patent number: 5752897
    Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
  • Patent number: 5599259
    Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Life Fitness
    Inventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald J. Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward V. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
  • Patent number: 5484362
    Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Life Fitness
    Inventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald J. Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward V. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
  • Patent number: 5433679
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes means for lubricating the endless belt treadmill components. In each embodiment, a lubricant is applied to either the inner surface of the treadmill belt or to the treadmill support deck, thereby reducing the treadmill belt to support deck friction. The applied lubricants can be either solid aerosol or liquid in form, and can be dispersed as a function of treadmill operating time, treadmill belt distance traversed or in response to a measured parameter indicative of belt to deck friction. Additionally, methods are disclosed for lubricating treadmills to reduce belt to deck friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Life Fitness
    Inventors: Eugene B. Szymczak, Vincent C. Adams, Teng-Ywe E. Hong, Kenneth E. Lantz
  • Patent number: 5382207
    Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Life Fitness
    Inventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, Donald J. Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak