Abstract: A treadmill has a fan which is powered by treadmill motor to direct cooling air onto the user. The treadmill has a single post which may be rotated from an upright position to a storage position which is substantially in alignment with the endless belt and the support surface underneath the endless belt.

Abstract: A computerized exercise cycle is disclosed. The exercise cycle presents an exercise structure having a pair of pedals operable by a user against resistance provided by an adjustable resistance means. The resistance means is controlled by a computer which can be programmed by a user in a user-selected program of intensities to thus vary the resistance intensity over a programmed time duration. The exercise cycle is programmed to display an imaginary speed, a relative resistance level, a time counter or a countdown from a set time, a distance traveled, or a countdown from a set distance, and revolutions per minute. The computer also allows the user to select a target pulse value. The computer automatically adjusts the resistance to cause the user's pulse to approach the selected target pulse. The computerized cycle also allows the user to input background information such as weight, age and sex and to provide Caloric use information based on this background information, resistance values, and RPM's pedaled.

Abstract: A control mechanism for adjusting the speed of a treadmill belt is disclosed. The mechanism includes a disk mounted on a drum of the treadmill. A drive head which defines a plurality of dimensionally distinct cross-sectional circumferences is biased against the disk. The drive head is mounted on the drive shaft of a motor, the motor is mounted for displacement vis-a-vis the disk responsive to the displacement of a cable-fitted control lever which is connected thereto. A displacement of the motor adjusts the drive head positioning whereby the length of a path of the disk over the drive head's exterior surface may be modified, thereby causing a change in the angular velocity of the disk.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus with a control mechanism is disclosed. The control mechanism is linked to a bank of horizontally arranged slide potentiometers, which act as user-movable indicators. The user can move these indicators up and down to indicate an ordered set of relative difficulty values. The exercise apparatus, such as a treadmill, is provided with a control mechanism to control the difficulty of the exercise engaged by the user on the exercise apparatus in relative difficulties corresponding to the ordered set of relative values selected. The exercise apparatus is adapted to engage in this ordered set during a chronological set of program steps.

Abstract: A reciprocator for use with a stepper-type exercise machine has a channel as a rocker element. The channel has left and right ends which rotate about a pivot axis below the pedals. Rollers are mounted at each end of the channel. The rollers have a groove to engage with arcuate roller engagement structures attached to the underside of each pedal. The rollers are each mounted on a mount bar which spans the opening of the channel at the left and right ends. A pair of springs are positioned at each end to urge the roller away from the sides of the channel.

Abstract: A stepper exercise machine has a pair of spaced apart levers pivotally secured to the upright portion of a frame. Handles are secured to the frame in a first configuration to form an enclosure for the user. The handles may be moved to a second configuration in which they each are secured to a lever for movement therewith. The stepper also has structure to resist movement of the levers and to cause the levers to reciprocate.

Abstract: An apparatus for elevating an object to a selectable preset height, which comprises the use of a set of feet mounted off-center on an axle. The feet may be rotated to provide a set of unique, selectable preset heights, and is particularly useful for changing the slope of a treadmill type exercise machine.

Abstract: A switch apparatus for an electrical machine comprises a keyway and a removable key. A spring-loaded protrusion on the key prevents direct insertion of the key into an "ON" position, and communicates with a guideway for movement of the key between the "OFF" and "ON" positions. The key is directly removable from both the "ON" and "OFF" positions simply by pulling, to deactivate the machine in an emergency or accident. Unauthorized and accidental operation of the machine may be prevented by control of the key.

Abstract: An incline adjustment mechanism for use with exercise apparatus such as treadmills is disclosed. The mechanism includes a support or foot assembly rotatably mounted to the bottom surface of the treadmill frame. One or more springs are interposed between the treadmill frame and the support assembly for urging them outwardly from each other. A perforated strip mounted on the support assembly extends upwardly into proximity of the frame. A displaceable plunger shaft configured to be received within the apertures of the strip and form a union with that strip is mounted on the frame. The plunger is adapted to engage the strip and form a union therewith, thereby locking the support in an orientation which supports the treadmill at a selected orientation.

Abstract: The speed of operating structure of an exercise machine is sensed and rotates a worm gear interconnected to a reduction gear assembly to rotate a driver at a preselected rate. The driver is interconnected to drive a cam surface upon which a cam follower rides to in turn operate a pivoted lever. The lever is interconnected to transmit the movement of the cam follower to operate the resistance means of the exercise machine to increase or decrease the resistance being applied to the operating structure of the exercise machine.

Abstract: The invention provides an exercise cycle with a stationary frame, a seat, a pedal mechanism, and a rotating wheel. Resistance is offered to the rotating wheel by an adjustable brake assembly. A handle bar assembly is pivotally mounted to the frame to move back and forth toward and away from the user positioned on the seat. A locking mechanism is associated with the handle bar assembly, so that with the locking mechanism in a first position, the handle bar assembly is precluded from pivoting. With the locking mechanism in a second position, the handle bar assembly is allowed to pivot toward and away from the user. A resistance mechanism is also associated with the handle bar assembly.

Abstract: A rowing apparatus having an elongate frame, a seat mounted for slidable displacement along that frame and a handle/cable arrangement fixedly mounted to an axle journaled in the frame. The cable being wrapped about a reel mounted on that axle causes a rotation of that axle in a first direction upon a given displacement. The axle is likewise fitted with a spring which is tensioned upon the axle's rotation in a first direction. Upon the storage of sufficeint energy in that spring, the spring effects a counter rotation of the axle to return the cable and its associated handle to its rest position. The axle is fitted with a flywheel, and a means adapted for applying a frictional drag force thereto. The drag means is adapted for controlling the resistance of the handle to displacement outwardly from the frame and further, for controlling the force by which the handle is urged restoringly back to its rest position.