Patents Examined by Steve R. Crow
  • Patent number: 7645214
    Abstract: An exercise device including a first monoarm treadle assembly supporting a first tread belt and a second monoarm treadle assembly supporting a second belt. The tread belt is supported on a tread deck between a front roller on each treadle assembly, and a rear roller, which may be a distinct rear roller on each treadle assembly or a single rear roller for both treadle assemblies. The monoarm structure of each treadle assembly supports a plurality of deck supports in a cantilever fashion. The treadmill deck and the belt are supported on the deck supports. Further, the treadles are coupled with one or more hydraulic resistance structures, which may also function as an interconnect structure to coordinate pivotal movement of the treadle assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew P. Lull
  • Patent number: 7641597
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for the simultaneous lower body and upper body exercise of the user. The lower body exercise may include a treadmill, ski machine, stepper or the like, while the upper body exercise includes an Isokinetic grip mechanism. This grip enables the user to exercise at any variable resistance while maintaining a constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: David Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7637850
    Abstract: A treadmill includes a support device disposed on a tread base, a handle device having two arms pivotally attached to the support device with an axle and rotatable between a working position and a storing position, and a control device disposed between the arms. The control device may include a frame pivotally attached to the arms with a pivot shaft for allowing the frame to be pivoted relative to the arms of the handle device. The control device includes a groove formed in a flap, and the support device includes a guide rod slidably engaged into the groove of the flap for guiding the frame to pivot relative to the support device and for limiting the frame to rotate relative to the support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Ming Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 7637848
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for simulating stepping or skiing motions includes a support frame, a wheel set, two link rod devices, two slide boards and two pedals. The wheel set is mounted onto the support frame. The two link rods are installed on corresponding sides of the support frame, such that the link rods can be driven by the wheel set. The two slide boards are installed on corresponding sides of the support frame. A hanging hook of each slide board is latched onto the erect stand. At least one roller is installed at bottom of the slide board to slide the slide board on the bottom frame. A pin is provided for securing the two slide boards onto the two second link rods. Users can switch the orbit of the pedals by changing the fixing position of the slide boards to select a stepping or skiing exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Solid Focus Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Tsu Chang
  • Patent number: 7632219
    Abstract: An exercise device providing a fore and aft horizontal component of striding motion that is dynamically user-defined, while providing a vertical component of the motion that is maintained on a predetermined vertically reciprocating path in some embodiments. The exercise device guides the user's foot in a pseudo-elliptical stride path, while providing a dynamically variable stride length that allows the user to move with a natural stride length. The exercise device allows tall and short users to extend or curtail the stride length to match their natural stride lengths. The length of the reciprocating path is dynamically adjusted during the exercise operation without equipment adjustments by changes in the length of the stride input by the user at a pair of foot engagement pads disposed on laterally spaced apart foot support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: John Arthur Ohrt, James A. Duncan
  • Patent number: 7621851
    Abstract: An aquatic exercise device (100) includes a cuff strap (102) for fastening a plurality of fins (106) to a user's leg. The cuff strap (102) is configured to position the plurality of fins (102) to extend outwardly form an interior of the cuff strap (102) when the cuff strap (102) is fastened to an ankle area of the user's leg. The plurality of fins (106) provide resistance in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of the user's foot when the aquatic exercise device (100) is moved through water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Aqualogix, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadlington A. Stout, James P. Cleary
  • Patent number: 7621848
    Abstract: Various exercise apparatus have respective linkage assemblies which are movably mounted on a frame and link rotation of left and right cranks to elliptical movement of left and right foot supporting members. The linkage assemblies include separate linkage arrangements for horizontal and vertical displacement of the foot supporting members, and the linkage assemblies accommodate travel of the foot supporting members to positions laterally adjacent the cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 7621850
    Abstract: An exercise device employing side-by-side pivotally supported moving surfaces. In one particular example, an exercise device employs a first belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller and an adjacent second belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller. The rear of the belts in the area of the rear rollers are pivotally secured and the front of the belts in the area of the front roller are adapted to reciprocate in an up and down motion during use. In some implementations, the moving surfaces include an interconnection structure such that a generally downward movement of one surface is coordinated with a generally upward movement of the other surface. In other implementations, the moving surfaces are operably associated with one or more resistance elements that effect the amount of force required to pivot or actuate the moving surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Piaget, Brent Christopher, Brian R. Cook, Douglas A. Crawford, Edward L. Flick, Eric D. Golesh, Ben Monette, Randal Potter, Todd Singh, Matt Rauwerdink, Patrick A. Warner, Bradley J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7618354
    Abstract: A stepping exercise apparatus includes a body, a crank pedal mechanism and a foot support device. The crank pedal mechanism is mounted in the body and includes a crank shaft and two pedals mounted respectively on two ends of the crank shaft. The foot support device is connected to the body to support and includes two feet, two positioning locks and two stabilizer bars. The feet are respectively and pivotally connected to body between a folded position and an unfolded position. The positioning locks are respectively mounted between the body and the feet to respectively lock the feet with the body when the feet are respectively kept in the unfolded position. The stabilizer bars are respectively and transversely connected to the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Shiou-Jhen Wu
  • Patent number: 7608019
    Abstract: An exercise machine has foot supporting linkages that link rotation of left and right cranks to movement of a person's feet through respective left and right elliptical paths of motion that include a component extending parallel to the crank axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 7604574
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a rigid connector link having a first portion rotatably connected to a crank, a second portion constrained to move in reciprocating fashion, and a third portion connected to a foot support. The resulting assembly links rotation of the crank to movement of the foot support through a generally elliptical path. The connection points may be moved relative to one another and/or a supporting frame to adjust the size, shape, and/or orientation of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 7591761
    Abstract: A walking/jogging exercise machine includes a machine frame supported upon a generally horizontally extending floor. A shaft is mounted for rotation on the machine frame, and a pair of cams is mounted for rotation on the shaft. A pair of movable track assemblies has rear portions with rear ends pivotally connected to the machine frame, and front portions with movable front ends. A pair of articulated cam follower assemblies extend between the machine frame and the front ends of the track assembly front portions. The cam follower assemblies include cam rollers operably engaged upon peripheries of the cams, and the cam follower assemblies move in response to rotation of the cams. A pair of foot assemblies is mounted for sliding movement on the track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Northland Industries
    Inventor: Patrick D. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7591765
    Abstract: An exercise bicycle including a frame having a seat and handlebars, a high-inertia flywheel having a hub at a center of rotation, the flywheel being rotatably supported on the frame at the hub, and a drive train including a drive sprocket, a crank arm attached to and extending from the drive sprocket, and a pedal attached to the crank arm, the drive train being rotatably supported by the frame. The drive train also includes a slave sprocket fixed to the flywheel at the hub, with the drive and slave sprockets connected in a direct-drive relationship, the drive train driveable in a forward and rearward directions to cause the flywheel to rotate. A clutch mechanism is positioned in engagement with the slave sprocket and the hub to create a frictional engagement between the sprocket and the hub, and to establish a break-free force threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Warner, Michael H. Harding, Mu-Chuan Wu, William A. Baker
  • Patent number: 7588517
    Abstract: A physical fitness system incorporating aspects of scuba diving and hyperbaric pressure therapy is described. An enclosure, such as a cage or elevator, is selectively placed in a body of water, such as an ocean, lake, river, or pool, wherein one or more individuals can remain or exercise (e.g., scuba dive) there, for a sufficient period of time and for a sufficient number of times in order to realize a health benefit, such as reduced weight, reduced blood pressure, increased metabolic rate, increased energy levels, and/or the like. Additionally, hyperbaric pressure therapy can also be employed in conjunction with the use of the enclosure. For example, the enclosure, such as a swimming pool, can be situated in a selectively sealable structure. The structure is first sealed and then the pressure inside the structure is raised to a sufficient level to produce a hyperbaric pressure state therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Dale Richardson
  • Patent number: 7585251
    Abstract: An exercise machine that varies a resistive load based on sensed changes in intensity of exercise. In one example, an electronic control system of a stationary bicycle adjusts a flywheel resistive load based on changes in the user's pedal cadence. During the exercise routine, subsequent increases or decreases in the pedal cadence cause, respectively, increases or decreases in the flywheel resistive load. In addition, the control system may execute the exercise routine after actuation of a single input key. In another embodiment, the user may simply start to exercise. The electronic control system may calculate a default flywheel resistive load based on initialization parameters, such as demographic data and/or exercise preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Unisen Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Doody, Jr., Kevin P. Corbalis, Gregory Allen Wallace
  • Patent number: 7582043
    Abstract: A stationary exercise apparatus with adjustable members for varying the stride path and the exercise intensity of a user. The stationary exercise apparatus has a frame. The frame has side portions positioned at left and right sides. The rearward of the frame and the side portions define a space for a user to get on the stationary exercise apparatus via the space. The stationary exercise apparatus further comprises top members which are movably coupled to the side portions of the frame for the user to grip thereon to safely get on the stationary exercise apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Mao Liao, Yung-Fa Wang
  • Patent number: 7563204
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly including an electric motor and a flywheel assembly. The electric motor includes a rotatable shaft, at least a portion of the shaft being tapered as the shaft extends from the electric motor to an outer end of the shaft, the outer end of the shaft being threaded to receive a securing member. The flywheel assembly, which optionally includes a pulley and/or fan, includes a bore extending through a center of the flywheel assembly, at least a portion of the bore being tapered as the bore extends from an inner periphery facing the electric motor to the outer periphery of the flywheel assembly. The shaft of the electric motor extends through the bore of the flywheel assembly such that the taper of the shaft and the bore center the flywheel-pulley assembly on the shaft and create a self-holding taper arrangement. A securing member can be secured onto the outer end of the shaft to fix the flywheel assembly axially. Methods of forming and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain L. Wasson, Vincent Hall
  • Patent number: 7559879
    Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy T. Anderson, Rachel Lara Abigal Buckley, Juliette C. Daly, John J. Hsing, Gregory A. Joseph, Gary E. Oglesby, John M. Rogus, Robert C. Seaman, Mark C. Termion
  • Patent number: 7556591
    Abstract: An exercise device includes two cranks rotatably coupled to a rear portion of a upright support and each having a pivot rod, two handles having a middle portion pivoted to a front portion of the upright support with a spindle, two foot supports pivotally coupled to the handles and each having a middle portion pivotally coupled to the pivot rod of the cranks with a link, and two levers pivotally coupled to the pivot rod and the handle and spaced away from the spindle for forming a polygonal coupling structure and for allowing the foot supports to be controlled by both the cranks and the link and the handles, and for allowing the foot supports to be moved elliptically relative to the upright support of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventors: Jin Chen Chuang, Lung Fei Chuang
  • Patent number: 7553260
    Abstract: An exercise device employing side-by-side pivotally supported moving surfaces. In one particular example, an exercise device employs a first belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller and an adjacent second belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller. The rear of the belts in the area of the rear rollers are pivotally secured and the front of the belts in the area of the front roller are adapted to reciprocate in an up and down motion during use. In some implementations, the moving surfaces include an interconnection structure such that a generally downward movement of one surface is coordinated with a generally upward movement of the other surface. In other implementations, the moving surfaces are operably associated with one or more resistance elements that effect the amount of force required to pivot or actuate the moving surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Piaget, Douglas A. Crawford, Edward L. Flick, Bradley J. Smith, Matt Rauwerdink, Patrick A. Warner