Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing a user athlete's prowess at certain athletic skills, the apparatus being treadmill sled having a frame, a rotatable continuous belt mounted on the frame, the belt presenting an upward directed support surface for supporting a user athlete, a blocking dummy supported proximate the continuous belt and being operably coupled to the frame by a dummy support, and a performance measuring system.

Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle along with using treadmill operating criteria for scheduling and operating the lubrication system. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs.

Abstract: Described is a motivational fitness device, which controls volume and power on a television or stereo component in response to the heart rate. The user must exercise in their specific heart rate target training range to keep their entertainment device turned on at an enjoyable volume. A heart rate sensing device relays heart rate to a remote control unit. The control unit receives and compares the users heart rate to the specified target range and sends infrared remote control signals (or not) to the entertainment device. If the user's heart rate drops below the target range, the volume of their entertainment device will gradually decrease and ultimately switch off until the user reacquires their target. Conversely, if the user is exercising too vigorously the volume will increase, motivating the user to reacquire their target heart rate range. This device requires no exercise equipment yet any type may be used with it.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving jumping skill including an adjustable height platform and a pad with a clock enabling an athlete to stand on the platform and jump onto the timing pad then immediately jump off the board. The contact time of the athlete on the board is recorded by the timing device.

Abstract: A supporting frame of a running exerciser made of a plasticizing material comprises two lateral frames, and a plurality of transversal frames. The two lateral frames is installed at the left and right sides and being made of plasticized material. The inner side of each lateral frame is integrally formed with a plurality of buckling seats and supporting seats. The supporting seats are located below the buckling seat The plurality of transversal frames are spaced and installed between the two lateral frames. The two ends of each transversal frame are buckled to the buckling seat, so that the two ends of each transversal frame being supported by the supporting seat. Therefore, a supporting frame of a running exerciser made of a plasticizing material is assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for scheduling and controlling access to physical fitness devices. A prospective user makes an entry into a reservation system reserving the timeframe to use a particular fitness device. Each physical fitness device is provided with a biometric sensor that allows a prospective user to enter biometric data into a database. The database contains records of each prospective user's biometric data. The reservation system and the biometric characteristics database are associated with a central controller. A prospective user is identified by providing biometric data to the database via the sensor associated with a particular fitness device. The central controller determines whether or not to allow the user access by determining if the user is scheduled in the reservation system.

Abstract: An exercise bicycle includes a bottom frame, a fork and front support coupled to the bottom frame and extending upward, handlebars moveably coupled to a top of the fork, a flywheel rotationally coupled to the fork, a rear support coupled to the bottom frame extending upward and supporting a seat. The seat and flywheel define a longitudinal axis, the bottom frame is oriented substantially parallel thereto, a support bar being coupled to the bottom frame and the rear support, a stack of resistance plates coupled to the top of the front support, additional stacks of plates coupled near the bottom of the front support, near the second end of the bottom support and coupled to the support bar, wherein each stack of plates consists of individual resistance plates oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An automated spotting device for use with free-weight barbells that is comprised of a mechanical device operated by a computerized drive controller. The mechanical device is comprised of a frame having a vertically movable center section that supports two horizontal spotter arms, which spot the barbells. The movable center section is mechanically engaged to an electric motor by a lead screw. The computerized drive controller regulates the operation of the electric motor, thereby moving the spotter arms between upper and lower spot positions, to increase the safety and effectiveness of free-weight training.

Abstract: A treadmill comprising a frame for supporting the treadmill on a supporting surface, a deck, secured to the frame to be supported thereby, the deck having a front, a rear, a right and left side, and a tread surface extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear for supporting the weight of a user thereabove. A first roller, may be connected proximate the front of the deck to rotate with respect to the deck, a second roller, may be connected proximate the rear of the deck to rotate with respect to the deck. A belt may be connected to pass continuously over the tread surface and around the first and second rollers, to provide a fully exposed top surface, for unobstructed walking thereon by a user. A motor may be configured to drive the belt, the motor being positioned laterally between the right and left sides of the deck, and below the deck at a location longitudinally between the first and second rollers.

Abstract: The exercise apparatus using magnetism to augment the gravitational field of the earth has a platform made of ferromagnetic material which is magnetized by an electromagnet. The exerciser wears a full-body chain mail suit and stands on the platform while performing exercise activity so that the magnetic field created by the electromagnet pulls on the chain mail suit, The electromagnet is connected to a variable current power source, and the circuitry may include either a trimmer potentiometer for continuously varying the strength of the magnetic field, or a computer with software for entering and controlling the strength of the magnetic field as a multiple of the strength of the gravitational field. The apparatus is installed in a permanent structure, or movably mounted for portable use in the home. Spacecraft utilization is also anticipated in shielded room.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for adjusting the position of a member on an exercise machine has an inner tube with a series of spaced pinning holes and an outer tube telescopically engaged over the inner tube and having a locator hole for alignment with a selected pinning hole. A lever has a pinning section pivotally mounted on the outer tube to extend across the locator hole, and a hand engaging section extending at an angle to the pinning section. The pinning section is pivotable between an operative position in which a pinning button projects through the locator hole and an aligned pinning hole in the inner tube to secure the tubes together, and a retracted position in which the pinning button is spaced from the locator hole. A handle is mounted on the outer tube to extend in the same general direction as the hand-engaging section such that a user gripping the handle can engage the hand-engaging section and urge it towards the handle to pivot the pinning section into the retracted position.

Abstract: A neuro-fuzzy exerciser instrument panel installed in an exerciser, including a housing, a main control circuit, a set of control buttons, a massager unit, the massager unit having energy generating means adapted to generate an energy for stimulating the muscles of the user and at least one massaging device adapted to transmit the energy from the energy generating means to a part of the body of the user, switch means adapted to switch on/off the massager unit; and power source means adapted to provide the necessary working voltage to the main control circuit and the massager unit.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus that exercises at least three groups of muscles is disclosed. The apparatus exercises the hamstring muscle, the quadriceps muscle and the maximus gluteus muscle. The apparatus utilizes a seated position for the person exercising and incorporates a padded portable seat sitting on a surface. The exercise apparatus also contains rectangular backrest. Two arms are also provided on each side of the exercise equipment. When a person pushes against the backrest, and pushes the arms forward, the exercise apparatus rotates lifting the person exercising off the surface such that the above three groups of muscles are exercised.

Abstract: An exercise wheel comprises a housing, two grip rods respectively secured to two sides of the housing, a chassis housed by the housing, a main shaft supported by the chassis, a main gear mounted around the main shaft, two wheel assemblies, and two torsion springs. Each wheel assembly is rotatably mounted to the chassis and includes a shaft with a toothed portion for meshing with the main gear. The torsion springs are mounted around the main shaft and respectively located on both sides of the main gear. Each torsion spring includes a first end securely attached to the housing and a second end securely attached to the main gear. The main gear comprises a peripheral stop surrounding at least one of the torsion springs to thereby avoid radial outward expansion of the torsion springs resulting from movements of the wheel assemblies in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A water rehabilitation device for rehabilitating injuries and facilitating physical exercise. The water rehabilitation device includes a platform, a foot restraint attached to the platform, a first side wing pivotally attached to the platform, a second side wing pivotally attached to the platform opposite of the first side wing, a first end wing pivotally attached to the platform between the first side wing and the second side wing, and a second end wing opposite of the first end wing. During downward movement within water the wings are extended outwardly thereby creating an increased surface area effectively increasing the resistance to the downward movement. During upward movement within water the wings are folded downwardly providing an aerodynamic structure for providing reduced resistance to the upward movement.

Abstract: A system of monitoring impact stress, or acceleration forces on a user while exercising is disclosed. An exercise machine is equipped with sensing apparatus that measures the downward force exerted on the supporting surface by the lower extremities of the user. In this way, the corresponding impact forces are determined as a function of the user's body weight and communicated via a display monitor as “G-forces” or “Earth Gravity Units.” This allows the user to keep exercise impact within limits desired by the user, a physical therapist, or other qualified professional.

Abstract: An apparatus enables a conventional bicycle to be interfaced to a computer to serve as a controller for electronic games and the like. The apparatus includes a rear wheel support that removably holds the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel. A rear wheel sensor detects rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle as the rider pedals and generates an electrical signal indicating the rotational speed of the rear wheel. The apparatus also includes a front wheel sensor that detects the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle for the computer through the computer interface. For example, the front wheel of the bicycle can be removably supported by a front support member that rotates about a vertical axis as the front wheel is turned by the handle bars. A potentiometer is used to measure rotation of the front support member, and therefore the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding unit of a motorized treadmill which includes a main body, a deck, a deck transmission assembly and a folding mechanism. Mainly, an auxiliary folding assembly is pivotably connected to the slide shaft, and a movable support fixed at the rear end of the auxiliary folding assembly 50 is able to make a to-and-fro sliding movement on the main body with the slide shaft so that the movable support of the auxiliary folding assembly is permanently situated behind the center of gravity of the deck 20 when the deck folds up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a home trainer designed to accommodate a bicycle, comprising a brakable drive roll incorporated in a frame, which can be mounted in a friction coupling with a driven wheel of the bicycle. The frame is provided with a sub-frame that is rotatable about a first pivoting point, the drive roll being mounted in the sub-frame. The frame is further provided with a handle rotatable about a second pivoting point, which is adjustable between an operational position wherein the handle pushes the sub-frame towards the wheel such that the drive roll and the wheel maintain the friction coupling, and a neutral position wherein the handle releases the sub-frame such that the drive roll and the wheel do not engage.

Abstract: In a fitness machine with a carriage (2) which is mounted in a movable manner on a carrier element (1) and is intended for at least one person, the carriage (2) can be made to move in a reciprocating manner on the carrier element (1) by means of at least one actuating element (7.1, 7.2).