Patents by Inventor Howell F. Hsiao

Howell F. Hsiao 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).

  • Patent number: 5209715
    Abstract: An automatic force generating and control system including a lever pivotally attached to a monolith and a lower body exerciser pivotally attached to a bench, with both the bench and monolith attached to a platform. The rotation of the lower body exerciser is translated into linear movement by a series of sprockets and timing belts. The electrical output from load cells and potentiometers are processed by the electronic controls to determine the speed, direction and position and the amount and direction of force being exerted on the lever and lower body exerciser. Resistance to movement is provided by a lever hydraulics assembly and a lower body hydraulics assembly. The lever has arms and handles which articulate to the physique of the user and the exercise to be performed. The arms pivot in mirror relationship and the lower body exerciser may be lengthened or shortened. Electric solenoid clutches or hydraulics may engage the handles to the arms and the arms to the head of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Walker Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Walker, Michael M. Szafranski, Sung H. Kim, Howell F. Hsiao, Steven R. Frank
  • Patent number: 5058888
    Abstract: An automatic force generating and control system including a lever pivotally attached to a monolith and a lower body exerciser pivotally attached to a bench, with both the bench and monolith attached to a platform. The rotation of the lower body exerciser is translated into linear movement by a series of sprockets and timing belts. The electrical output from load cells and potentiometers are processed by the electronic controls to determine the speed, direction and position and the amount and direction of force being exerted on the lever and lower body exerciser. Resistance to movement is provided by a lever hydraulics assembly and a lower body hydraulics assembly. The lever has arms and handles which articulate to the physique of the user and the exercise to be performed. The arms pivot in mirror relationship and the lower body exerciser may be lengthened or shortened. Electric solenoid clutches or hydraulics may engage the handles to the arms and the arms to the head of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Walker Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Walker, Michael M. Szafranski, Sung H. Kim, Howell F. Hsiao, Steven R. Frank
  • Patent number: D325610
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Walker Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Walker, Michael M. Szafranski, Howell F. Hsiao, Sung H. Kim