Patents Assigned to Icon Health and Fitness, Inc.
  • Exercise cycle with vibration capabilities
    Patent number: 9278249
    Abstract: An exercise cycle includes a base support and an upright support structure. Connected to the upright support structure are a seat, a handlebar assembly, a pedal assembly, and a resistance assembly. The upright support structure may be pivotally connected to the base support to allow the upright support structure to move between various tilted positions. One or more vibration assemblies may be connected to the exercise cycle at various locations in order to vibrate desired portions of the exercise cycle, such as the handlebar assembly, the seat, or the pedal assembly. The vibrations are transferred to a user during the performance of exercise to provide various physiological benefits to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Watterson
  • Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods
    Patent number: 9254409
    Abstract: Embodiments of a strength training apparatus and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the strength training apparatus includes a base member and a tower structure coupled with the base member. At least one arm is pivotally coupled with the tower structure. A flywheel and a cable and pulley system are associated with the at least one arm, wherein displacement of at least one cable of the cable and pulley system effects rotation of the flywheel. The strength training apparatus may include a selectively adjustable magnetic braking mechanism associated with a flywheel that is configured to apply a selected resistance to the rotation of the flywheel. A torque sensor may be associated with the flywheel and the measured torque during operation of the apparatus may be used to calculate the work expended in rotating the flywheel. In one embodiment, the calculated work may be expressed in units of watts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dalebout, Michael Olson
  • Touchscreen exercise device controller
    Patent number: 9254416
    Abstract: A touchscreen exercise device controller is connected to an exercise device and is used to adjust one or more operational parameters relative to the exercise device. The touchscreen exercise device controller includes a touchscreen that displays one or more exercise device controls for controlling exercise device operations, and receives touch inputs from an exercise device user that indicate which exercise device operations are to be changed. The touchscreen exercise device controller further includes a processing module that generates operational commands for the exercise device based on the received user inputs, and upon determining that one or more of the touch inputs comprises a predefined touch input, modifies at least a portion of the exercise device controls displayed on the touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Darren C. Ashby
  • System and method for adjusting length of a cord
    Patent number: 9186535
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a length of a cord is disclosed. The device may include a body portion having a channel defined by first and second opposed walls shaped to receive a cord. Each of the first wall and the second wall may include at least one notch shaped to receive the cord in a direction provided at an angle to the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaylen Ercanbrack
  • Systems, methods, and devices for gathering and transmitting exercise related data
    Patent number: 9186549
    Abstract: A data collecting device is selectively attachable to a tread base of a treadmill. The device includes a foot fall sensing mechanism that collects foot fall data from the tread base, an inclination sensing mechanism that collects inclination data regarding the inclination of the tread base, and a communication mechanism that selectively transmits the foot fall data and the inclination data to an external computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, Mark D. Watterson, David Watterson
  • Exercise device control ring
    Patent number: 9149683
    Abstract: A control ring that usable in adjusting one or more operating parameters of an exercise device includes a body, user input mechanisms, and a transmitter. The control ring is wearable on a finger of an exerciser. The body of the control ring has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The user input mechanisms are associated with the body and may be selectively activated by the exerciser. Upon activation of the user input mechanisms, the transmitter communicates a control command to an exercise device in order to adjust the operating parameters of the exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, Darren C. Ashby
  • Weight selector assemblies, exercise machines including such weight selector assemblies, and related methods
    Patent number: 9144703
    Abstract: An exercise machine may comprise a plurality of weights arranged in a stack, a stem, and a plurality of weight selector switches mounted to the stem. Each weight selector switch of the plurality of weight selector switches may be positioned and configured to selectively couple a corresponding weight of the plurality of weights to the stem. A method of manufacturing a weight selecting device may comprise providing a stem, and mounting a plurality of weight selector switches to the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Dalebout, Paul C. Ricks
  • Exercise device with rack and pinion incline adjusting mechanism
    Patent number: 9138615
    Abstract: Incline mechanisms are provided for adjusting an incline of an inclinable portion of an exercise device. The incline mechanism may include one or more racks disposed on a frame, such as a generally upright support structure of a treadmill. One or more pinions may be movably connected to the inclinable portion of the exercise device, such as a treadbase of a treadmill, and may engage the one or more racks. An incline motor may rotate the pinions, which causes the pinions to ride up or down the racks. As the pinions rides up or down the racks or linear gear bars, the incline of the inclinable portion of the exercise device is increased or decreased. The pinions may rotate between various positions on the racks which correspond to various inclines and declines, including fully inclined, fully declined, and neutral positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Olson, William T. Dalebout, Kent Smith, Trenton V. Larsen, Gordon Cutler
  • Stimulating learning through exercise
    Patent number: 9142139
    Abstract: An exercise system stimulates the learning and memory of a user by detecting a stress level of the user with one or more biometric sensor devices, determining that the user's stress level is within a stress zone that is suitable for memory retention by the user, and presenting educational content to the user at one or more output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health& Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, Mark D. Watterson, David Watterson
  • Free weight monitoring system
    Patent number: 9126072
    Abstract: A free weight system for collecting and transmitting exercise related data from a free weight device includes a free weight handle assembly having a gripping portion and a weight receiving portion, one or more weight plates positionable on the weight receiving portions, and a data collecting mechanism at least partially enclosed within an internal cavity of the free weight handle assembly. The data collecting mechanism includes a weight identification mechanism that identifies the weight of the one or more weight plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Watterson
  • Cable end assemblies for exercise machines, exercise machines including such cable end assemblies, and related methods
    Patent number: 9126071
    Abstract: A cable end assembly for an exercise machine may comprise a coupler assembly, a cable end, and an eye hook. The coupler assembly may comprise a first coupler connected to a second coupler. The cable end may have a fitting attached to an end, the fitting having an enlarged portion. The enlarged portion of the fitting may be retained within a recess of the first coupler. Additionally, the eye hook may be rotatably coupled to the second coupler. A method of manufacturing a cable end assembly for an exercise machine may comprise attaching a fitting having an enlarged portion to an end of a cable. The method may further comprise inserting the fitting into a recess of a first coupler, rotatably coupling an eye hook to a second coupler, and connecting the first coupler to the second coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent M. Smith
  • Using music to motivate a user during exercise
    Patent number: 9123317
    Abstract: A method for motivating physical performance through music includes the acts of presenting a musical rendition to a user while concurrently receiving workout information. The workout information includes one or both of a current performance level of the user or a current geographical characteristic being traversed by the user. The method further includes modifying the musical rendition based on one or both of the current performance level of the user or the current geographical characteristic being traversed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, Mark D. Watterson, David Watterson
  • Heart rate based training system
    Patent number: 9119983
    Abstract: Exercise systems and methods are provided that create and run exercise programs that are custom tailored to individual users. An exercise program for a specific user is based upon the user's average work heart rate and recovery heart rate. The exercise programs may include a series of workouts for the user to perform. Each workout requires the user to exercise at various intensity levels so that the user's heart rate moves between different predetermined target heart rate zones. The target heart rate zones are calculated from data relating to the user's average work heart rate and recovery heart rate. As the user's fitness level changes, the user's average work heart rate and recovery heart rate also change. Creation of new exercise programs uses the most current heart rate data to calculate the target heart rate zones, thereby continuously tailoring the exercise programs to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Rhea
  • System and method for measuring running efficiencies on a treadmill
    Patent number: 9072930
    Abstract: A treadmill may comprise a deck, a treadbelt covering at least a portion of the deck, and a drive motor configured for driving the treadbelt. The treadmill may further comprise a sensor, a console, and a computer. The sensor may be configured to detect an amount of power utilized by the drive motor, and the console may be configured to convey information to a user. The computer may comprise a memory and a processor, and be configured for electric communication with the sensor and the consol. The computer may be programmed to analyze data received from the sensor, to provide a communication to a user through the consol that provides information about the user's running form based on the analyzed data received from the sensor, and to provide a communication to the user through the consol that provides information on how the user may change their current running form to improve running efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren C. Ashby, Greg W. Law
  • Selective Angular Positioning of the Crank of an Elliptical
    Publication number: 20150182781
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame pivotally connected to a stationary horizontal base. A first foot pedal and a second foot pedal are attached to the frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths. The exercise machine also includes a resistance mechanism connected to the frame and arranged to resist movement of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal along the reciprocating paths. An angling mechanism is arranged to selectively angle the frame by pivoting the frame with respect to the stationary horizontal base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
    Inventor: Scott R. Watterson
  • DECOUPLED ARM SUPPORTS IN AN ELLIPTICAL MACHINE
    Publication number: 20150182788
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal movably attached to a frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths. A pedal resistance mechanism is integrated into the exercise machine and arranged to resist movement of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal along the reciprocating paths. A first arm support and a second arm support are movably attached to the frame where the first arm support and the second arm support are mechanically independent of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal. Further, a dampening assembly is arranged to resist movement of the first arm support and the second arm support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Dalebout
  • Push Actuated Positional Adjustment of Strength Machines
    Publication number: 20150182780
    Abstract: An exercise machine including an adjustable joint with a first part and a second part that are shaped to rotate with respect to each other such that when an orientation between the first part and the second part changes, a position of the user contact feature also changes. The machine also includes a locking mechanism that is positioned to secure the first part and the second part together. The locking mechanism being positioned to secure the first part and the second part in an axial locking direction and to release the first part from the second part in an axial release direction. When the first part and the second part are secured, at least two first part features are interlocked with at least two second part features simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Micheal L. Olson
  • Exercise Machine
    Publication number: 20150182783
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame and a console connected to the frame. The console has first member in a surface of the console and a second member in an adjustable portion of the console. Also, the machine has an assembly movably connected to the second member to translate the second member toward the first member with a sufficient force to hold an object in compression between the first member and the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
    Inventor: Gordon Cutler
  • Locking Mechanism for a Vertically Storable Exercise Machine
    Publication number: 20150182782
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame, at least one arm rest connected to a first portion of the frame, and an exercise platform connected to a second portion of the frame. The at least one arm rest pivotally connected to the first portion to be oriented between an arm rest storage position and an arm rest operating position. The exercise platform is pivotally connected to the second portion to allow the platform to be oriented between a platform storage position and a platform operating position. A locking mechanism to connect the exercise platform to the frame in the platform storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Cutler
  • Exercise weight
    Patent number: D731011
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Buchanan