Patents by Inventor James R. Bostic

James R. Bostic 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: 5492517
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that facilitates contemporaneous exercise of the upper and lower body. The exercise device includes a treadmill rotatably mounted relative to a frame and a pair of arm poles pivotally mounted relative to the frame. Resistance to operation of the treadmill is provided by a flywheel that rotates subject to frictional resistance provided by a drag strap in contact with the flywheel. A shaft cooperates with the flywheel to maintain tension in the drag strap, and the tension may be adjusted by rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis. Resistance to operation of the arm poles is provided by friction pads disposed between the arm poles and structure associated with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bostic, Alan E. Doop, Michael E. Heutmaker
  • Patent number: 5429563
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that selectively facilitates exercises that approximate the motions involved in walking and cross-country skiing. A base extends from a front end to a rear end, and a treadmill is operatively mounted relative to the base. Each of a pair of foot skates is selectively placed in rolling engagement with an upwardly facing portion of the treadmill or upper treadmill surface. Each of the pair of foot skates includes a one-way clutch roller for rolling forward relative to the upper treadmill surface and preventing rolling rearward relative to the upper treadmill surface. Thus, rearward movement of either skate requires coincidental rearward movement of the upper treadmill surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Engel, Stephen S. Peterson, James R. Bostic
  • Patent number: 5387168
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pelvis stabilizing device for a cross-country skiing exercise apparatus. The device includes a pelvis support and a belt that are effectively secured relative to a cross-country skiing machine. A person using the machine leans forward against the pelvis support and secures the belt around his or her posterior. The belt essentially stabilizes the person's pelvis relative to the pelvis support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Bostic
  • Patent number: 5344376
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise apparatus 100 having a turntable 120 rotatably mounted proximate one end of a base 110, and right and left poles 130 and 140 pivotally mounted proximate an opposite end of the base 110. A person stands on the turntable 120, swivels the hips to rotate the turntable 120, and reciprocally pushes and pulls the poles 130 and 140 against resistance provided by an adjustable resistance mechanism 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bostic, John S. Dreibelbis, Pat J. Novak
  • Patent number: 5226866
    Abstract: An exercise device (1) capable of performing three discrete exercise activities, and including a treadmill (9) suitable for simulating a running or walking exercise, and further including a pair of slidable foot restraints (34, 35) mounted within rails (56, 57) adjacent to the treadmill (9) in order to simulate a cross country skiing exercise. A pair of reciprocating, pivotable foot paddles (58, 59) are cooperatively attached in a first embodiment to pneumatic cylinders (89, 90), while in a second embodiment are cooperatively attached to conical resistance mechanisms (112, 113) so as to simulate a stair climbing activity. A pivotable torso support (11) is provided to assist the balance of a person performing any of the three exercise activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Engel, Stephen S. Peterson, James R. Bostic
  • Patent number: D335905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston L. Cutter, Timothy S. Engel, James R. Bostic
  • Patent number: D337666
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Peterson, Timothy S. Engel, James R. Bostic
  • Patent number: D342106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank W. Campbell, James R. Bostic, Timothy S. Engel
  • Patent number: D349931
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bostic, John S. Dreibelbis
  • Patent number: D353422
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bostic, Lyle R. Hilk, Edward R. Holden, John P. Todd
  • Patent number: D360915
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bostic, Alan E. Doop, Michael E. Heutmaker, Stephen S. Peterson