Patents by Inventor Clifford F. Mueller
Clifford F. Mueller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7022049Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axis supported by the frame, a pedal bar which has first and second ends, a pedal that is secured to the pedal bar, an ellipse generator, and a track. The ellipse generator is secured to both the pivot axis and to the first end of the pedal bar such that the first end of said pedal bar moves in an elliptical path around the pivot axis. The track is secured to the frame and engages the second end of said pedal bar such that the second end moves in a linear reciprocating path as the first end of the pedal bar moves in the elliptical path around said pivot axis. Consequently, the pedal also moves in a generally elliptical path. As the pedal moves in its elliptical path, the angular orientation of the pedal, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, varies in a manner that simulates a natural heel to toe flexure. The apparatus can also include a resistance member, a data input member, and a control member.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Allen L. Ryan, Paul W. Eschenbach, Steven M. Lenz, Clifford F. Mueller, Gary E. Oglesby, Charles J. Rosenow, Mark C. Termion, Byron T. Deknock
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Publication number: 20030022763Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axis supported by the frame, a pedal bar which has first and second ends, a pedal that is secured to the pedal bar, an ellipse generator, and a track. The ellipse generator is secured to both the pivot axis and to the first end of the pedal bar such that the first end of said pedal bar moves in an elliptical path around the pivot axis. The track is secured to the frame and engages the second end of said pedal bar such that the second end moves in a linear reciprocating path as the first end of the pedal bar moves in the elliptical path around said pivot axis. Consequently, the pedal also moves in a generally elliptical path. As the pedal moves in its elliptical path, the angular orientation of the pedal, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, varies in a manner that simulates a natural heel to toe flexure. The apparatus can also include a resistance member, a data input member, and a control member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: BRUNSWICK CORPORATIONInventors: Allen L. Ryan, Paul W. Eschenbach, Steven M. Lenz, Clifford F. Mueller, Gary E. Oglesby, Charles J. Rosenow, Mark C. Termion, Byron T. Deknock
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Publication number: 20020032104Abstract: In an exercise apparatus having a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axle supported by the frame, a pair of pedal levers, pedals secured to the pedal levers, arm handles connected for motion with the pedal levers and which can utilize a variety of pedal actuation assemblies for generating elliptical motion of the pedal, the stride length portion of the elliptical motion can be increased automatically as a function of exercise parameters such as speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Charles J. Rosenow, Clifford F. Mueller, Bradley H. Grossmann, John J. Hsing, John M. Rogus
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Patent number: 6176814Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axis supported by the frame, a pedal bar which has first and second ends, a pedal that is secured to the pedal bar, an ellipse generator, and a track. The ellipse generator is secured to both the pivot axis and to the first end of the pedal bar such that the first end of said pedal bar moves in an elliptical path around the pivot axis. The track is secured to the frame and engages the second end of said pedal bar such that the second end moves in a linear reciprocating path as the first end of the pedal bar moves in the elliptical path around said pivot axis. Consequently, the pedal also moves in a generally elliptical path. As the pedal moves in its elliptical path, the angular orientation of the pedal, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, varies in a manner that simulates a natural heel to toe flexure. The apparatus can also include a resistance member, a data input member, and a control member.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1997Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Allen L. Ryan, Paul W. Eschenbach, Steven M. Lenz, Clifford F. Mueller, Gary E. Oglesby, Charles J. Rosenow, Mark C. Termion
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Patent number: 6099439Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axis supported by the frame, a pedal bar which has first and second ends, a pedal that is secured to the pedal bar, an ellipse generator, and a track. The ellipse generator is secured to both the pivot axis and to the first end of the pedal bar such that the first end of said pedal bar moves in an elliptical path around the pivot axis. The track is secured to the frame and engages the second end of said pedal bar such that the second end moves in a linear reciprocating path as the first end of the pedal bar moves in the elliptical path around said pivot axis. Consequently, the pedal also moves in a generally elliptical path. As the pedal moves in its elliptical path, the angular orientation of the pedal, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, varies in a manner that simulates a natural heel to toe flexure. The apparatus can also include a resistance member, a data input member, and a control member.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Allen L. Ryan, Paul W. Eschenbach, Steven M. Lenz, Clifford F. Mueller, Gary E. Oglesby, Charles J. Rosenow, Mark C. Termion, Byron T. Deknock
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Patent number: 5947872Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axle or axis supported by the frame, a pedal bar which has first and second ends, a pedal that is secured to the pedal bar, an ellipse generator, and a track. The ellipse generator is secured to both the pivot axis and to the first end of the pedal bar such that the first end of the pedal bar moves in an elliptical path around the pivot axis. The track is secured to the frame and engages the second end of said pedal bar such that the second end moves in a linear reciprocating path as the first end of the pedal bar moves in the elliptical path around the pivot axis. Consequently, the pedal also moves in a generally elliptical path. As the pedal moves in its elliptical path, the angular orientation of the pedal, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, varies in a manner that simulates a natural heel to toe flexure.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Allen L. Ryan, Paul W. Eschenbach, Steven M. Lenz, Clifford F. Mueller, Gary E. Oglesby, Charles J. Rosenow, Mark C. Termion
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Patent number: 5899833Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, a pivot axis supported by the frame, a pedal lever, a coupler for pivotally coupling a first end of the pedal lever to the pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis such that the first end moves in an arcuate pathway around the pivot axis, a guide member supported by the frame and engaging a second end of the pedal lever such that the second end of the pedal lever moves in a reciprocating pathway as the first end of the pedal lever moves in the arcuate pathway, and a pedal having a toe portion and a heel portion, the pedal being pivotally coupled with the second end of the pedal lever such that the toe portion is intermediate the heel portion and the pivot axis and the heel portion is raised above the toe portion when the second end moves in the reciprocating pathway in a direction away from the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1996Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Allen L. Ryan, Steven M. Lenz, Clifford F. Mueller, Gary E. Oglesby, Charles J. Rosenow
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Patent number: 4813591Abstract: A method for fabricating a rear fork assembly for a bycycle includes the steps of: (1) making seat stay tubes and chain stay tubes and drop outs as separate components with universally pivotable, abuttable joints between the stay tubes and mating portions of the drop outs; (b) clamping these components at a predetermined angular relationship; and (c) welding the joints to fix them in that predetermined angular relationship. In one embodiment, the joints are ball and socket type and the seat stay tubes are connected to the seat tube through an inverted U-shaped yoke and a straight yoke tube with modified ball and socket type joints at the top and bottom of the yoke. In another embodiment, the seat stay tubes are connected directly between the drop outs and the yoke tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1988Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle CompanyInventors: Clifford F. Mueller, George Herzovi
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Patent number: 4733881Abstract: A bicycle frame with asymmetric chain stays. The rear caliper brake is mounted across the underside of the chain stay tubes. The chain stay tubes are asymmetric. The front portion of the chain stay tube on the left side, opposite the chain, is curved farther outwardly from the centerline of the frame than the corresponding front portion of the other chain stay tube to provide a first step completely covering the end of the brake actuating arm to provide a support for a performer's foot while protecting the brake actuating arm from foot pressure. Second, third, fourth, and fifth foot-supporting steps or standing platforms are provided respectively by an upwardly-arched tube secured across the seat stay tubes, outwardly-curved rear portions of the chain stay tubes extending past the rear axle, and a diagonal tube secured between the down and seat tubes.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1987Date of Patent: March 29, 1988Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle CompanyInventor: Clifford F. Mueller
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Patent number: 4666175Abstract: A bicycle frame with asymmetric chain stays. The rear caliper brake is mounted across the underside of the chain stay tubes. The chain stay tubes are asymmetric. The front portion of the chain stay tube on the left side, opposite the chain, is curved farther outwardly from the centerline of the frame than the corresponding front portion of the other chain stay tube to provide a first step completely covering the end of the brake actuating arm to provide a support for a performer's foot while protecting the brake actuating arm from foot pressure. Second, third, fourth, and fifth foot-supporting steps or standing platforms are provided respectively by an upwardly-arched tube secured across the seat stay tubes, outwardly-curved rear portions of the chain stay tubes extending past the rear axle, and a diagonal tube secured between the down and seat tubes.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1986Date of Patent: May 19, 1987Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle CompanyInventor: Clifford F. Mueller
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Patent number: D292221Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1986Date of Patent: October 6, 1987Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle CompanyInventor: Clifford F. Mueller