Patents Examined by Tam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7618353
    Abstract: A treadmill assembly that includes a frame and a treadmill belt. In addition, a sensor produces a signal representative of an aspect of the user's position relative to at least one point on the frame. A belt rotation assembly turns the belt with a speed related to the signal. In one preferred embodiment the speed of the belt is inversely proportional to the distance between the user and the front of the treadmill. In another preferred embodiment the treadmill is sized to support a cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: BCI Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Papadopoulos, Jennifer D. Hole
  • Patent number: 7614987
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to simulate balance and motion activities of a user in response to the user's movements. The device has a curved sloping base with a top central area, a user support portion with a top and a bottom, a plurality of rolling elements coupled to the bottom of the user support portion, and a resilient element biasing the user support portion towards the top central area of the curved sloping base. The orientation of the user support portion relative to the top central area of the curved sloping base is responsive to movements of the user. The device provides a simple easy to use way to simulate balance and motion activities and thus condition and train a user conveniently and efficiently. The device conditions muscles in the legs and trunk as well as the balance mechanism while increasing endurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Vincenzo Guadagno
  • Patent number: 7604575
    Abstract: A bicycle exercise assembly adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface includes a bicycle trainer device, adapted to operatively support an exercising person. Also, a relative motion-permitting assembly is adapted to be supported by the surface and to support the bicycle trainer device and to permit relative motion between the bicycle trainer device and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Larry C. Papadopoulos
  • Patent number: 7601103
    Abstract: This invention relates to a “swimming exercise device”, which includes a device body, a pendulous device, two arm stroke gears and two elastic devices. The body includes a front portion and a rear portion; one end of the front portion is coupled to one end of the rear portion; a space is formed between the front portion and the rear portion. The pendulous device is disposed in the space, one end thereof is pivoted on the front portion and the other end thereof is pivoted on the rear portion. The arm stroke gears are respectively on the top of both sides of the front portion of the body and the elastic devices are respectively pivoted on the upper edge of the rear portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventors: Her-Chun Chen, Her-Fa Chen
  • Patent number: 7601101
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has an exercise platform and an exercise device support structure. The exercise platform has a base and a lid, the platform defining an interior space accessible by moving the lid from a closed to an open position with respect to the base. The exercise device support structure is a tower having a plurality of exercise device attachment points. The platform is configured to store the tower when not in use, and support the tower in a vertical position when in use. Exercise devices, such as resistive elements, may be connected to the tower and/or the platform at various points of connection for performing a variety of exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Powerbox Fitness, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jackson, Robert Braden
  • Patent number: 7594878
    Abstract: This invention relates to a whole body vibrator platform which is attachable to a treadmill. The treadmill belt provides the power to move the platform, translating the horizontal, linear, belt movement into vertical oscillations through one or more eccentrically mounted rollers which support the platform. A person standing on the vibrator platform experiences a vertical vibration at frequencies established by the linear velocity of the treadmill belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Constantinos Joannou
  • Patent number: 7594879
    Abstract: A rotary rehabilitation apparatus is presented for rehabilitation of a person's extremity, including the joints and assorted muscles, tendons, ligaments, that can be tailored to the person's needs based upon their physical size, type of injury, and plan for recovery. The apparatus facilitates the adjustment of the range of motion of the user's extremity in a cycling action by offsetting a moveable lever from a fixed lever at a plurality of angles. As the user's extremity moves in a circular path, the extremity engages in extension and flexion to cause movements in the articulations formed at the user's joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Brainchild LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7591764
    Abstract: An apparatus for replicating swimming, rowing, cycling or other exercise modalities. An apparatus includes a base, a frame extending up from the base, and a support member coupled to a top portion of the frame. The apparatus further includes a forward-ascending bench. The bench includes a torso support section to support a user's torso, pivotally coupled to the support member, and configured for limited angular rotation about an axis parallel to at least a portion of the support member. The bench further includes left and right leg support sections, pivotally coupled to the torso support section, to support at least the user's thighs. The apparatus also includes a coupling member extending forward from the base, and configured to interchangeably couple with an exercise module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Swimworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Zuckerman
  • Patent number: 7588518
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing locomotor muscle size and strength at low training intensities using eccentric ergometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventors: Paul LaStayo, Stan Lindstedt, Hans Hoppeler
  • Patent number: 7588678
    Abstract: The invention concerns an improved hydrocracking process having a step for eliminating polyaromatic compounds from at least a portion of a recycled fraction by adsorption on a particular adsorbent based on alumina-silica with a limited macropore content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Karin Barthelet, Patrick Euzen, Hugues Dulot, Patrick Bourges
  • Patent number: 7585257
    Abstract: A bicycle simulation apparatus includes: a steering angle sensor which detects a steering angle of handlebars; a visual display which displays scenes based on a simulated travel speed and the steering angle of the handlebars; and a crank position detector which detects rotational positions of cranks. The crank position detector includes two detected protrusions on a crankshaft and left and right approach sensors. A warning section of a main controller issues warnings if it is determined that the steering angle exceeds a predetermined angle to the left or right during simulated traveling, and if it is also determined by the crank position detector that the crank is directed downward during a sharp turning operation of the handlebars. The bicycle simulation apparatus enables a more realistic driving simulation in consideration of rotational positions of simulator pedals and cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Miyamaru, Atsushi Yonehana
  • Patent number: 7585256
    Abstract: A swimming simulation system is provided, aspects of which include a dynamic bench, an arm cable pulley system coupled with hand grips, a foot cable pulley system coupled with a foot hold, and a resistance mechanism with attached gearing systems. All of the assemblies are operatively connected to a support frame. A user may lay face forward on the dynamic bench, or on their back on the dynamic bench, and pull the hand grips and/or foot holds to simulate swimming. The dynamic bench comprises a fixed center portion and independently rotatable sides that are interconnected at an interior edge to the fixed center portion and to biasing members at a point away from the interior edge. The side portions move independently of each other and provide a simulation of the yaw a swimmer experiences while swimming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventors: David Day Harbaugh, IV, Carly Ann Greer, Michael Ryan Wallden, Charles Scott Whipple
  • Patent number: 7582044
    Abstract: A training bench for cyclists includes a framework. The framework has rollers on which the wheels of a bicycle rest. The framework also has a central support including a platform which is connected to the framework with transverse bars, on which it can move. The platform has an elastically deformable anchoring system serving as a holding base for holding a column. At its free end, the column supports the frame of the bicycle. The anchoring system acts as an absorption member for controlling the movement of the bicycle with regard to the platform and the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventors: Jacobo Múgica Miguel, Luis Saracho Rotaeche
  • Patent number: 7569000
    Abstract: An integrated folding mechanism of a treadmill having a slide pusher supported by a pneumatic cylinder at the bottom of a platform frame thereof. In this way, the rear support may be pushed upward to bring the platform frame in a vertical stable folding position or in a flat ground-touching position when the platform frame is moved upward and downward. Meanwhile, a connecting rod is interposed between the rear support and the handrail assembly such that the handrail assembly can synchronously move with the platform frame in an extracted or an folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Leao Wang
  • Patent number: 7568999
    Abstract: An exercise device includes one or more foot supports movable along an arcuate path defined around a point of rotation. The arcuate path is divisible into machine defined user selectable arc segments and the movement of the foot support(s) is limited to the machine defined user selected arc segment. The exercise device can include a frame, a linkage movably engaged with the frame, a foot support movably engaged with the linkage, a crank arm movably engaged with the frame, a motor operative to move the crank arm location with respect to the frame, and a drive linkage movably engaging the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Cybex International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Giannelli, Scott Lee
  • Patent number: 7566291
    Abstract: The present invention includes a balance training board for simulating the sport of surfing and related activities. The board comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and the lower surface comprises a concave region adapted to communicate with a substantially spherical balancing insert. Also provided with the present invention is a surfboard accessory that is adapted for placement on a surfboard. The accessory comprises a concave surface adapted to receive a substantially spherical balancing insert. The accessory may be removable. Additionally, a method for exercising using a surf simulator board is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Brett Lickle
  • Patent number: 7563206
    Abstract: Individual swimmers may routinely and easily perform exercise regiments to maintain or enhance their general health and fitness utilizing the present invention. Segmented poles may be readily shipped, or otherwise transported, in a disassembled state and assembled easily and quickly to full length for use with the overall swimming exercise device. Numerous pole mounting arrangements provide for deployment of the swimming exercise device with nearly any configuration of swimming pool without regard for whether the pool is of the in ground style or of the above ground style and without regard for size from the smallest available to Olympic size. A small but durable hand rail mount provides for the swimmer to perform their respective workout when traveling or otherwise visiting another pool without requiring any structural modification to the pool to be used and without any concern for damage occurring to the pool to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Bellerive
  • Patent number: 7544154
    Abstract: A guard assembly for exercise bikes has a master sprocket guard and a slave sprocket guard that are separate from each other and that are positioned between a master sprocket and a slave sprocket. A flexible transmitter such as a belt or chain extends through a portion of the master sprocket guard and the slave sprocket guard but does not make more than incidental contact with the guards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Unisen, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Corbalis, Raymond Lim, Victor Torres Cornejo
  • Patent number: 7537549
    Abstract: An improved lift apparatus for use in a treadmill having a support base and a treadbase is disclosed. The lift apparatus includes a lift motor assembly linked to the support base and to a cam. The first cam can be attached to a torsion bar linked to the support base. An incline link bar is linked to the first cam and to the treadbase. The force generated by the motor assembly is efficiently translated from the cam to the treadbase, thereby inclining the treadbase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Icon IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Nelson, Rodney L. Hammer, Gordon L. Cutler, Kurt Finlayson, William T. Dalebout
  • Patent number: 7530932
    Abstract: An apparatus permitting a user to perform an upper body spinning exercise is provided. The design includes a frame and a drive unit. A seat is connected to the frame and configured to support the user. A wheel is positioned in association with the frame and pedals are configured to interact with the drive unit and the drive unit is operatively connected to the wheel. Hand pedals, wide and narrow crank arms, and crank arms configured to rotate independently of each other, may be provided that enable further variation in muscle groups used and enhance the upper body exercise provided by the upper body spinning experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: A.A.R.M.-1 LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shane Lofgren, Brian Charles Stewart, Sean J Harrington