Patents Examined by Shila Jalalzadeh Abyane
  • Patent number: 8932183
    Abstract: A training system for training of part of a trainee's body includes a training machine, a control device controlling the training machine, and a display unit displaying a game screen. The training machine imposes a load on the trainee, with an MR-fluid load generating unit using MR fluid, which has viscosity varying with a magnetic field strength. The load is calculated on the basis of a target load and a relationship between the current in the MR-fluid load generating unit and the load generated by the MR-fluid load generating unit. The control device produces the game screen in correspondence with the trainee's training motion detected by a displacement detection sensor, and makes the display unit display the game screen, while controlling the load in the training machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd., Yokohama National University
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Sizuo Takatou, Kenichi Honda, Hajime Watanabe, Kouichi Yamada, Yasuyuki Murayama, Toshihiko Shiraishi, Shin Morishita
  • Patent number: 8926474
    Abstract: An exercise device for exercising a user's arms and upper body includes an endless belt of hingedly connected articulating panels guided in channels of a supporting frame. A pair of hand grip assemblies are slidably attached to the endless belt through a ratcheting mechanism that allows relative movement of the hand grip assemblies in a first direction while preventing said relative movement in a second direction. Movement of the endless belt may be retarded by a tensioning mechanism and completely ceased by a braking mechanism actuated by signals provided from first and second sensors provided on the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Adam Morris Beal
  • Patent number: 8920288
    Abstract: In general, exercise devices of the present invention include one or more fans that can increase the flow of air in particular direction. Exercise devices of the present invention also include a sensing mechanism that can sense a physiological condition of a user performing an exercise on the exercise device. The sensed physiological condition could be pulse, blood pressure, respiration, caloric expenditure, weight, perspiration, temperature, blood oxygen level, metabolic equivalent of task (MET), carbohydrates burned, cadence or another physiological condition. The speed of the air flow created by the fan can depend on the physiological condition sensed by the sensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dalebout, Scott R. Watterson
  • Patent number: 8858406
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a base, a handle, and a connecting device detachably and adjustably connecting the base to the handle to form a weight supporting cavity for supporting a predetermined number of weight plates, wherein a height of the weight supporting cavity is adapted to be adjusted to receive a corresponding number of the weight plates so as to optimally adjust an overall weight of the exercise apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Craig Daryl Klukas
  • Patent number: 8784280
    Abstract: An adjustable weight kettlebell includes a weight lifting member that rests on top of a vertical stack of weights. A weight selector is rotatable into and out of underlying engagement of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the weight lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8740751
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring systems include components for sensing performance data and/or displaying desired information to users. Electronic interface systems facilitate transfer of the data from the performance sensing system to a display device, e.g., to enable the display of athletic performance data on an electronic display device, including conventional electronic display devices that are known and commercially available (e.g., cellular telephones, PDAs, pagers, beepers, MP3 or other audio players, radios, portable televisions, portable DVD players, other video playing devices, watches, etc.). The sensing systems, as well as any data transfer systems associated therewith, may be included as part of an article of footwear, an article of clothing, a piece of athletic equipment, or the like, or even included as part of the interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Shum
  • Patent number: 8727947
    Abstract: An apparatus compares athletic information relating to a user performing an athletic activity. The apparatus has a module (503, 505, 509) that generates a first set of athletic data corresponding to athletic information corresponding to the athletic activity performed by the user. The module has a memory (511) storing a second set of athletic data. The module compares the first set of athletic data to the second set of athletic data and communicates content to the user based on the comparison of the first set of athletic data to the second set of athletic data. The apparatus also has a module (803, 805) that determines the expected time of athletic activity and selects a set of feedback data having a duration proximate the expected time of athletic activity, wherein the module communicates the selected set of feedback data to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Roberto Tagliabue
  • Patent number: 8684892
    Abstract: A jump rope has a flexible rope interconnected between left and right handles. Each handle includes two elongate half-pipe members that are held together by a sleeved collar at one end and a sleeved end cap at the other end. On each handle, a rope holder includes a rotor portion rotatably retained within the handle, and a clamping portion configured to releasably clamp a cross-section of the rope. Tubular elastomeric hand grips are preferably sleeved onto intermediate portions of respective handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8672811
    Abstract: A power generating device includes a power generating unit and a frame, wherein the power generating unit is connected to the frame by two outer casings with two respective arms. The power generating unit has an input shaft and a roller is mounted to the input shaft. The frame is connected to the exerciser and a shock-absorbing member is located beneath the frame. Two resilient members are connected to two ends of the frame and two ends of each resilient member are respectively connected to the frame and the power generating unit so as to urge the roller to contact against the energy transferring end. The shock-absorbing member absorbs vibration from the power generating unit. The users operate the exerciser and generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Huan-Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 8622878
    Abstract: An exercise device is provided, having a frame with a first end opposite to a second end and a top portion opposite to a bottom portion, thereby defining four opposing corners. One or more pins may be coupled to the frame between the first end and the second end, the pins adapted to receive weight plates. A bumper may be coupled to each of the four opposing corners. The bumper may be a substantially longitudinal hollow member which may include a plurality of treads on a side opposite to that coupled to the frame. The device may then be supported by two of the bumpers and flipped over to be supported by the other two bumpers. The lifting and flipping of the device provides an exercise which employs many of the major muscles groups of the body. Weight plates may be added or removed to accommodate different users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Abelbeck Partners, Ltd
    Inventor: Kevin Abelbeck
  • Patent number: 8602946
    Abstract: A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Chapa, Jr., Hamid G. Arjomand, Adam C. Braun, Andrew Bark
  • Patent number: 8602944
    Abstract: A Wing Chun dummy including a plurality of transducers associated with the dummy, wherein a physical impact to the dummy activates at least one of the transducers to generate an output signal. In another example a device includes a body; a plurality of appendages; and a plurality of transducers associated with the appendages wherein the plurality of transducers are located such that a physical impact to any of the appendages activates at least one transducer to generate an output signal further wherein, different output signals are generated based on the direction of the impact to each appendage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Zachary Fleitz
  • Patent number: 8591387
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-grip dumbbell. In one embodiment of the present invention, a multi-grip dumbbell includes a central handle, a first weighted head interconnected to the central handle in proximity to a first end of the central handle, and a second weighted head interconnected to the central handle in proximity to a second end of the central handle. The first weighted head is approximately evenly weighted with the second weighted head. The first weighted head includes a first weighted end handle and two weighted side handles. Similarly, the second weighted head includes a second weighted end handle and two weighted side handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew P. Fife
  • Patent number: 8585554
    Abstract: A system for controlling the tension in an exercise apparatus includes a plurality of connectors that are collectively attached to a holder, the holder being movable relative to a fixed support, each connector further comprising a catch for independent attachment to a tension member from an exercise apparatus. Different combinations of tension members can be attached to the connectors with an electronic control system to create a desired tension arrangement, while the holder including all of the connectors can be moved to further fine tune the tension arrangement of the tension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Flow-Motion Research and Development
    Inventors: Arie Shavit, Zvi Shavit, Efraim Avraham, Alon Shavit, Michael Ganor, Idit Perl Shavit
  • Patent number: 8585561
    Abstract: An exercise bike may include a magnetic braking system to resist rotation of a flywheel. The magnetic braking system may be magnets mounted on brackets selectively pivoted relative to the frame to increase or decrease the resistance opposing rotation of the flywheel. The brackets may be pivoted using a brake adjustment assembly joined to the brackets in such a manner that the magnetic forces resisting rotation of the flywheel increase or decrease in a proportional manner over at least a portion of the adjustment range of the brake adjustment assembly. The exercise bike may further include a console that displays information, such as power. The power may be estimated from a look-up table using the crank or flywheel speed of the exercise bike measured using a speed sensor and the tilt angle of the brackets relative to a reference point measured using a power sensor that includes an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Watt, Kevin C. Andrews, Daniel S. Munson
  • Patent number: 8579770
    Abstract: A gyroscopic exerciser starting dock has a starter dock housing and a starter dock axle mounted within the starter dock housing. A driving wheel is mounted to the starter dock axle. A retractable pull cord grip sleeve device is mounted to the starter dock axle and has a pull handle attached to a pull cord. The pull handle is for pulling the pull cord, and the pull cord is attached to the handle at a pull cord first end. A spool receives around it a pull cord and a pull cord is attached to the spool at a pull cord second end. The spool member receives and stores the pull cord in a coil around the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Tom Smith
  • Patent number: 8562496
    Abstract: A thigh exercise machine has a stationary main frame, a pivotally mounted user support seat, and a pair of exercise arms mounted for rotation between inner and outer positions, each arm having a pad positioned to engage part of a user's leg such as a user's inner or outer thigh. A connecting linkage translates movement of the exercise arms into rocking movement of the user support seat. The connecting linkage is arranged so that user is positioned in an upright or slightly reclined posture when their legs are together and a more reclined posture when their legs are spread apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 8562491
    Abstract: A seated exercise apparatus comprises a frame having a seat attached to the frame. A pair of opposed cranks are rotatably coupled to the frame such that they rotate about a first axis. A medial portion of each of a pair of elongated members is rotatably connected to the frame at a second axis. A first end of each elongated member has a handle and a second end of each elongated member is rotatably connected to a one end of a respective pedal arm. The handles may be adjustable to invert the handles from an upper position to a lower position. The other end of each pedal arm is in turn rotatably connected to a respective crank. Each pedal arm also has a pedal adapted to receive a user's foot. In operation, the apparatus provides the user with coordinated seated exercise of both the arms/hands and legs/feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Flatiron Design, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher R. Merli
  • Patent number: 8562492
    Abstract: An exerciser including a movable body carriage mounted on an exerciser frame for movement along tracks provided by the frame. A resilient foot engaging assembly extends from the exerciser frame. The resilient foot engaging assembly is adapted to be engaged by the user's feet to absorb the energy of movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user may translate into a movement of the movable body carriage in the opposite direction. The resilient foot engaging assembly may be provided as an attachment and retrofitted to existing exercisers. The resilient foot engaging assembly includes a unit mounting frame assembly and an independent usable exercising unit, such as an inflated dome or trampoline unit, removably secured thereon. The exerciser may include a resilient resistance system coupled to the movable body carriage and a set of pull lines with user grips trained over pulleys carried by the exerciser frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Stamina Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Gerschefske, Jack S. Barufka
  • Patent number: 8556777
    Abstract: The Individual Workout System allows an user to perform a complete workout regiment to build muscles without the use of weights, while achieving a cardiovascular workout at the same time. The system could be worn by an individual during aerobics, walking, jogging or doing menial tasks. The Individual Workout System is uniquely design to use resistance to build muscle without restricting an individual to weights or equipment. By placing a thin devise used to create resistance in the place of the bodies joints and flex points, such as the shoulders, elbows, knees and waist, causes resistance for the muscles in that region of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Freeman D. Fields, I