Patents Assigned to Bioform Engineering, Inc.
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Patent number: 6080088Abstract: The apparatus converts reciprocating motion of a rowing type exercise into single direction rotational motion of a shaft in a predetermined direction. A reciprocable arm of a rowing type exercise is pivotally mounted to a frame. A shaft, set for rotation in the frame has first and second one way clutches. First and second racks are mounted with respect to the reciprocable arm and engage one or the other of the one way clutches for driving the shaft in a predetermined direction of rotation as the arms are reciprocated. One or the other clutches freewheels against its respective rack when one of the racks is moved in to drive the shaft and thereby retains the driving rack in engagement with its respective one way clutch.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Bioform Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Paul S. Petersen, James F. Ster, Jr.
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Patent number: 5992253Abstract: An apparatus for converting reciprocating motion to single direction rotational motion that includes a frame, a shaft supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame, a first one-way clutch mounted on the shaft, a first pinion mounted on the first one-way clutch, a second one-way clutch mounted on the shaft a second pinion mounted on the second one-way clutch, a first bearing mechanism mounted on the shaft between the first pinion and the second pinion, a first rack engaging the first pinion for driving the shaft when the first rack is moved in a primary direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft, a second rack engaging the second pinion for driving the shaft when the second rack is moved in a reciprocal direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft, and an actuator in working relation with the first rack and the second rack.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Bioform Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Paul S. Petersen
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Patent number: 5542893Abstract: The apparatus converts reciprocating motion of a rowing type exercise into single direction rotational motion of a shaft in a predetermined direction. A reciprocable arm of a rowing type exercise is pivotally mounted to a frame. A shaft, set for rotation in the frame has first and second one way clutches. First and second racks are mounted with respect to the reciprocable arm and engage one or the other of the one way clutches for driving the shaft in a predetermined direction of rotation as the arms are reciprocated. One or the other clutches freewheels against its respective rack when one of the racks is moved in to drive the shaft and thereby retains the driving rack in engagement with its respective one way clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Bioform Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Paul S. Petersen, James F. Ster, Jr.
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Patent number: 5114391Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise device providing mechanical actions for independent or simultaneous exercise of the upper and lower body of a human user. Each action incorporates a mechanical movement converting output of the user to rotational motion and thereby powering one of two electrical generators. An exercise controller selects loads to be applied to the generators. The loads are coupled by the mechanical movements back to the user to provide resistance to the exercise effort. The exercise controller drives an electronic display which informs the user of his or her intensity of effort as well as the proportion of that effort being met through exercise of the upper body and the part being met through exercise of the lower body.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1990Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Assignee: Bioform Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Pitzen, Douglas Garfield, Warren G. Beltz, Lawrence O. Arntzen, Joseph C. Bina
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Patent number: 4923193Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise device providing mechanical actions for independent or simultaneous exercise of the upper and lower body of a human user. Each action incorporates a mechanical movement converting output of the user to rotational motion and thereby powering one of two electrical generators. An exercise controller selects loads to be applied to the generators. The loads are coupled by the mechanical movements back to the user to provide resistance to the exercise effort. The exercise controller drives an electronic display which informs the user of his or her intensity of effort as well as the proportion of that effort being met through exercise of the upper body and the part being met through exercise of the lower body.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1988Date of Patent: May 8, 1990Assignee: Bioform Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Pitzen, Douglas Garfield, Warren G. Beltz, Lawrence O. Arntzen, Joseph C. Bina