Patents Examined by Tam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7530933
    Abstract: A resistance generating device includes a friction wheel adapted to frictionally engage a bicycle wheel of a training bicycle to be rotated therewith, a first magnetically attractive member, and a second magnetically attractive member which is rotated with the friction wheel, and which is disposed to be spaced apart from the first magnetically attractive member. The first and second magnetically attractive members are configured to be shiftable towards or away from each other in response to the higher or lower speed of the second magnetically attractive member so as to increase or decrease a magnetically induced resistance force generated therebetween to be imparted to the bicycle wheel. The actuating mechanism is disposed to effect the relative shifting movement in response to the higher speed to force the first and second magnetically attractive members towards each other, thereby increasing the resistance force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 7520842
    Abstract: A bicycle trainer (100) for supporting a bicycle (200) while a rider rides the bicycle. The bicycle trainer includes a stationary frame (106) adapted to rest upon a support surface (202) and a rotating frame assembly (108). The rotating frame assembly is coupled to the stationary frame, the rotating frame assembly adapted to be coupled to the bicycle and rotate relative to the stationary frame to permit a frame (204) of the bicycle to turn through a predetermined angular displacement (180) relative to the stationary frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: DigiPen (USA) Corporation
    Inventors: Claude B. Comair, Joel N. Smith
  • Patent number: 7510512
    Abstract: The present exercise machine includes a frame, a seat, foot pedals, a resistance device and a hand crank assembly. The resistance device includes a rotating element such as a cylindrical fan which would require a power input in order to continue rotating. The hand crank assembly is pivotably mounted to the frame such that the hand crank assembly can quickly pivot between a first position suitable for a seated operator and a second position suitable for an upright operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Blake Taggett
  • Patent number: 7507188
    Abstract: A rehab cycle crank having a pedal assembly, center assembly, anchor assembly, two rods, and pneumatic cylinder; wherein the pedal assembly includes a pedal plate, pedal base, and housing; wherein the center assembly includes a primary member and a secondary member; wherein each rod includes a first end and a second end; wherein the pneumatic cylinder includes a first end and a second end; wherein the housing of the pedal assembly is connected to the first end of each rod; wherein the anchor assembly is connected to the second end of at least one of the rods and the second end of the pneumatic cylinder; wherein the rods extend slidably through the primary member of the center assembly; wherein the primary member is attached to the secondary member by a central hub; wherein the secondary member comprises a crank arm into which the crank spindle of a cycle is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher G. Nurre
  • Patent number: 7497811
    Abstract: An exercising device includes a base frame, two crank shafts rotatably mounted on the base frame and each having two opposite bent end portions, and two pedals each mounted between the two crank shafts and each having two opposite end portions each pivotally mounted on and movable with the respective bent end portion of the respective crank shaft respectively. Thus, the user can step the two pedals to rotate the two crank shafts simultaneously so as to obtain an exercising effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Barua Arun Kumar, Mei-Ting Yang
  • Patent number: 7494449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable drive mechanism that converts a force supplied from an operator or other means along an adjustable curve path into rotary motion. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable drive mechanism configured for an operator driven or motor driven exercise apparatus such as a stationary bicycle, recumbent stationary bicycle, cross trainer or other devices such as a bicycle. The present invention relates to the kinematic motion control of pedals which follow more complex curves that can be changed with the adjustable drive. More particularly, an adjustable drive mechanism based upon a pair of crank linkages and belt assembly can be incorporated into several exercise apparatus to drive a load resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Paul William Eschenbach
  • Patent number: 7494447
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking, jogging and climbing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Elliptical cross trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Existing elliptical cross trainers often use excessive pedal articulation which can overwork the ankle to achieve a longer stride. The present invention is an improved elliptical exercise machine capable of extended exercise with less pedal articulation that is more ankle friendly. One end of a foot support member has a pedal following elliptical motion while the other end is guided by an orbital link to drive an alternator and flywheel. The resulting pedal motion is foot friendly. Stride length can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Paul William Eschenbach
  • Patent number: 7481745
    Abstract: A floating aquatic stair stepper (1) having a frame (2) with support bars (6, 7), two extension legs (4) secured to the frame (2) and two foot placement steps (3) movably secured to each extension leg (4). The support bars (6, 7) permit a user to comfortably rest his or her hands, arms and shoulders, thereby permitting him or her to float. The foot placement steps (3) are each preferably slidably secured to extension legs (4). To use, a person raises and lowers each foot so as to simulate climbing stairs. The extension legs (4) may be fixedly secured to the frame (2) to provide for upward and downward movement only, or pivotally secured to the frame (2) to provide forward and backward movement of the legs as well. To further intensify the up and down movement of the present invention, resistance bands (5) may be used to secure the frame (2) to the foot placement steps (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Dennis M. Malazinsky
  • Patent number: 7465257
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise system including an exercise device and an interactive game environment. An enclosure receives an exercise device and the exercise device receives a theme element. Sensors, transducers, and a man-machine interface are interconnected by a controller which operates sensory stimulators in response to controller instructions and user, sensor, and transducer signals. Game play is influenced by a user's exercise performance and in an embodiment a first exercise system user competes with a remote second exercise system user utilizing a wide area network that interconnects the controllers of the two exercise systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Bowman Morgan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7458918
    Abstract: A support for an exercise device includes a frame having a top, a bottom, and two lateral sides extending between the top and the bottom. The frame has a channel defined about an interior perimeter. The top, the bottom and the two lateral sides define an opening. The frame has a body support integrally formed with the frame. The body support is formed by a lower arcuate portion of each of the two lateral sides. A membrane is operatively connected to a carrier. The carrier is adapted to attach to the frame via the channel, and the membrane having a first side and a second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fitness Quest Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Clark
  • Patent number: 7442152
    Abstract: A cyclist training system having a polymeric pivoting assembly which is adapted to allow a cyclist of a bicycle to nutate about the perpendicular axis when exerting lateral forces on the bicycle. The cyclist training system includes a tubular base support, a tubular bicycle support; and means to securely retain the bicycle within the cyclist training system. The polymeric pivoting assembly couples the tubular bicycle support to the tubular base support and is constructed from a polyurethane elastomer. Various embodiments of the polymeric pivoting assembly are provided having Shore A hardness in the range of 40-90 durameters and Shore D hardness in the range of 45-65 durameters. The polymeric pivoting assembly minimizes the unnatural bounce provided by other cyclist training systems known in the relevant art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventors: Lewis Dale Peterson, Christopher Todd Maglio, Brian Doyle Miller
  • Patent number: 7442151
    Abstract: A device for restraining a swimmer in a variety of settings including a post, tie portion, tether assembly, and restraining belt coupled to the tether assembly and swimmer. An anchor assembly provides an anchoring collar fixed at one end and in sliding engagement with the post at another end. In operation, a swimmer applies a variable tension from the restraining belt across the tether assembly to the tie portion of the post. In sliding engagement with the post, the anchoring collar provides a tensile force to the post to counteract the swimmer's variable tension and to maintain the post both in a longitudinal position within the body of water and in continuous contact with the underwater floor. The device may include a base assembly that is releasably coupled to the post and enables the post to pivot in the direction of the tensile force applied by the tethered swimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Carlos Eduardo Berdegue
  • Patent number: 7438672
    Abstract: A dynamic system for making use of an exercise bicycle supported on front and rear struts, the system permitting the bicycle to sway side to side when ridden vigorously, the system including a first and a second housing for resting on a support surface, a platform retained by each housing, the platform of the first housing serving to receive thereon the bicycle front strut and the platform of the second housing serving to receive thereon the bicycle rear strut, each platform being pivotal end to end and at least one deflectable resilient member engaging each platform and functioning to normally retain the exercise bicycle uprightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen W. Rylander, Nicholas M. Rylander
  • Patent number: 7431827
    Abstract: A process for the production of low sulfur, low olefin gasoline wherein a cracked naphtha, such as a full boiling range cracked naphtha, is first separated by fractional distillation into at least two fractions while simultaneously selectively hydrogenating the polyunsaturated compounds contained therein. The mono olefins in the light fraction are then subjected to etherification with alcohol to produce ethers or hydration with water to produce alcohols. The heavy fraction is subjected to sulfur removal by hydrodesulfurization or chemisorption. The two fractions are then combined to produce a low sulfur, low olefin gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Kerry L. Rock, Yi-Gang Xiong, Arvids Judzis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7425188
    Abstract: An exercise device having a cushioning mechanism assembly configured to absorb energy during exercise is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the cushioning mechanism assembly comprises a first and second biasing apparatus having a spring element configured to absorb energy by undergoing elastic deformation. According to another aspect of the present invention, a lever cushioning apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the lever cushioning apparatus includes a lever arm and a cushioning element that functions as a fulcrum of the lever arm. In another embodiment, the cushioning element is movable along the length of the elongate member to change the amount of cushioning provided by the cushioning element. By being movable, the cushioning element allows the user to select a desired amount of cushioning during exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventors: Gaylen Ercanbrack, Darren Zaugg, Kurt Finlayson, William T. Dalebout
  • Patent number: 7422549
    Abstract: An easily-assembled bicycle for use by bed-ridden persons is provided. In an embodiment, the present invention is capable of being used in conjunction with both adjustable and non-adjustable beds or other person support. The present invention allows for hand or leg exercises or simultaneous hand and leg exercising (pedaling). In an embodiment, the bicycle includes an anchoring base unit, a top-side unit, a foot-pedal unit and a hand-pedal unit. Use of the present invention allows bed-ridden persons to exercise without depending on health-care workers and helps avoid the serious negative health consequences associated with lack of physical exercise (e.g., loss of muscle strength, calcium depletion, pulmonary embolism and bed sores).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: George J. Matthews
  • Patent number: 7419458
    Abstract: A new and unique highly adjustable stationary exercise bicycle is presented incorporating a number of features specifically designed for youthful stationary bicycle users. The improvements over the prior art include infinitely adjustable vertical and horizontal seat heights and handlebar heights which are secured in their positions by a quick release lever rather than the standard pop pins. Also included is a lubrication port that allows the surface between the friction member and the working wheel to be lubricated. An emergency brake for the working wheel as well as a quick way to disengage the working wheel from the pedals is provided. Special pedal cage brackets are placed around each pedal so that the youth's use of such an exercise bicycle is made much more safely. All of the above elements combine to make this stationary exercise bicycle safe for use by children or adolescents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: STS World Concept Ltd.
    Inventor: John Forcillo
  • Patent number: 7419175
    Abstract: An operator-propelled, four-wheel vehicle uses a treadmill to drive two rear wheels through a bicycle type derailleur and sprocket gear shifter which provides gear changing capability. The front wheels, each of which have disk brakes, are steered by an automotive type steering apparatus. A vertical extension from the steering mechanism at the front of the vehicle mounts a horizontal steering bar to provide steering control. The steering bar also mounts control grips and cables for the front disk brakes and clutch assembly, as well as the gear shifter. An automatic breaking system ensures that an unmanned vehicle will remain in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hikecycle, Incorporated
    Inventor: Gregory T. Smith
  • Patent number: 7416519
    Abstract: A resistance training and massage apparatus simultaneously provides resistance training and massage. A vibrating strap is formed into a loop to extend around a body portion of a user. The strap is displaceable as the user exerts a pulling force on the strap. A motor is coupled to the strap and displaceable along with the strap as the user exerts a pulling force on the strap. The motor imparts vibration to the strap. Resistance means is coupled to the motor for elastically resisting displacement of the motor and the strap, and providing a resistance force to the pulling force exerted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Robert W. Heck
  • Patent number: 7413531
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus that can be attached to any wheeled device that is pushed in which the wheel of the wheeled device is subjected to rolling resistance so that the person pushing it had to push harder thereby experiencing exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Gary McLaughlin