Patents by Inventor Neil M. Cole

Neil M. Cole 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: 11923916
    Abstract: A system for transmitting power and data between two circuit boards may include a fixed circuit board having a primary coil and a rotatable circuit board having a secondary coil. The system may further include a sensor in communication with the secondary coil of the rotatable circuit board. The fixed circuit board's primary coil may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil and may provide power and receive data from the sensor when inductively coupled to the secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NUSTEP, LLC
    Inventors: Richard T. Smith, Daniel C. Shnidman, Kevin G. Obrigkeit, Neil M. Cole, Nathan V. Goslee
  • Publication number: 20220239336
    Abstract: A system for transmitting power and data between two circuit boards may include a fixed circuit board having a primary coil and a rotatable circuit board having a secondary coil. The system may further include a sensor in communication with the secondary coil of the rotatable circuit board. The fixed circuit board's primary coil may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil and may provide power and receive data from the sensor when inductively coupled to the secondary coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Richard T. Smith, Daniel C. Shnidman, Kevin G. Obrigkeit, Neil M. Cole, Nathan V. Goslee
  • Patent number: 11097151
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NuStep, LLC.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Publication number: 20190126094
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Patent number: 10258823
    Abstract: A physical exercise device providing a stepper like motion for a user may include a pair of foot pedals and a pair of arms for engagement by the user while seated on the seat of the physical exercise device. The pair of foot pedals and the pair of arms may be connected to a drive train which provides contralateral motion between the pair of arms and the pair of foot pedals. A pedal and arm lock mechanism may also be provided which prevents the pedals and arms to be moved in a lock state, while allowing movement of the pedals and the arms when in the unlock state. The physical exercise device may also include computational and data acquisition units for receiving a position signal and pedal force signals and recording the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NUSTEP, INC.
    Inventors: Neil M. Cole, Douglas R. Hennigar, Richard N. Sarns, Steven W. Sarns, Matthew P. Weber, Carol J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10150000
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. The device may also include an electrical actuating device having an actuator for selectively engaging the locking device and moving the locking device between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NUSTEP, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Publication number: 20180028859
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. The device may also include an electrical actuating device having an actuator for selectively engaging the locking device and moving the locking device between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Patent number: 9757612
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include at least one moveable assembly that is in communication with a resistance mechanism. The locking device has an actuating device for selectively engaging the locking device, a locking member having a contact portion, wherein the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a first position, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly, and wherein the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a second position, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NUSTEP, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Publication number: 20160361597
    Abstract: A physical exercise device providing a stepper like motion for a user may include a pair of foot pedals and a pair of arms for engagement by the user while seated on the seat of the physical exercise device. The pair of foot pedals and the pair of arms may be connected to a drive train which provides contralateral motion between the pair of arms and the pair of foot pedals. A pedal and arm lock mechanism may also be provided which prevents the pedals and arms to be moved in a lock state, while allowing movement of the pedals and the arms when in the unlock state. The physical exercise device may also include computational and data acquisition units for receiving a position signal and pedal force signals and recording the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Neil M. Cole, Douglas R. Hennigar, Richard N. Sarns, Steven W. Sarns, Matthew P. Weber, Carol J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150217159
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include at least one moveable assembly that is in communication with a resistance mechanism. The locking device has an actuating device for selectively engaging the locking device, a locking member having a contact portion, wherein the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a first position, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly, and wherein the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a second position, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Patent number: 7854685
    Abstract: A training system and method include providing a frame, a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user, and a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by the body part. A force sensor is provided for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion, and a position sensor is operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween. A motor is coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity, and a controller is provided in communication with the motor, the force sensor, and the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Neil M. Cole, Charles L. Cole, Walter N. Cole
  • Publication number: 20100279821
    Abstract: A training system and method include providing a frame, a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user, and a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by the body part. A force sensor is provided for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion, and a position sensor is operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween. A motor is coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity, and a controller is provided in communication with the motor, the force sensor, and the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Neil M. Cole, Charles L. Cole, Walter N. Cole
  • Patent number: 7785232
    Abstract: A training system and method include providing a frame, a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user, and a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by the body part. A force sensor is provided for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion, and a position sensor is operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween. A motor is coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity, and a controller is provided in communication with the motor, the force sensor, and the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Neil M. Cole, Charles L. Cole, Walter N. Cole
  • Publication number: 20080248926
    Abstract: A training system and method include providing a frame, a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user, and a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by the body part. A force sensor is provided for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion, and a position sensor is operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween. A motor is coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity, and a controller is provided in communication with the motor, the force sensor, and the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Neil M. Cole, Charles L. Cole, Walter N. Cole
  • Patent number: 5555470
    Abstract: A Michelson interferometer is used to determine the displacement of a force loaded member, the loaded member having a reflective surface applied thereto to reflect light back to a beam splitter in the interferometer apparatus. Light is also reflected back from a reflective surface attached to a stationary member. The interaction of the reflected light from the movable and stationary member interacts to form an interference fringe pattern which may be used to determine the amount of displacement and, therefor, the force applied to the loaded member. The apparatus is comprised of a material which is substantially resistive to thermal deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Neil M. Cole, Robert G. Dennis