Patents by Inventor James S. Birrell

James S. Birrell 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).

  • Publication number: 20090298649
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a member that moves through a selected one of a plurality of differently available paths. A display provides a visual representation of the movement of the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, Sean Horita, James S. Birrell, Rodney P. West, Jonathan M. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20080161164
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for a user. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, a crank system coupled to the frame, a pivotal linkage pendulum system, a foot member and a foot member end of travel apparatus. The crank system includes one or more crank members. The pivotal linkage pendulum system comprises at least a first link member. The first link member is coupled to the crank system through at least a first pivot point. The first pivot point of the first link member is configured to move in a path during use. The foot member is coupled to the at least one first link member. The foot member end of travel apparatus provides a two-stage stiffness profile to the foot member indicating the end of travel to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Stewart, Rodney P. West, David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Sean Horita
  • Publication number: 20080161163
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for a user. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, a crank system coupled to the frame, a pivotal linkage pendulum system, a foot member and first and second directional resistance systems. The crank system includes one or more crank members. The pivotal linkage pendulum system comprises at least a first link member. The first link member is coupled to the crank system through at least a first pivot point. The first pivot point of the first link member is configured to move in a path during use. The foot member is coupled to the at least one first link member. The first and second directional resistance systems are each coupled to the crank system. The first direction is different from the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Stewart, David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Rodney P. West, Sean Horita
  • Patent number: 6277055
    Abstract: The flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device (10) includes a frame (12) which has a forward upright member (20). The axle mounts (30) and (32) are attached to the rear region of the frame (12) and support a transverse axle (36) which is preferably operatively connected to a flywheel (38). The ends of the transverse axle (36) rotatably engage left and right crank arm assemblies (50) and (52) that are coupled to the left and right foot links (60) and (70) so that the foot links travel in an arcuate reciprocal path as the transverse axle rotates. The foot links are operatively connected to swing arm mechanisms (80) and (90), which in turn are rotatably connected to the forward upright member (20) at pivot points (84) and (94). The swing arm mechanisms further contain hand-gripping portions (82) and (92), and the foot links further contain foot support portions (66) and (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, William W. Potts, Thomas Moran
  • Patent number: 6165107
    Abstract: An exerciser (10) includes a floor engaging frame (14), towards the rear of which are attached left and right axle mount supports (22) and (24), that house a transverse axle (26). The axle (26) connects the left and right drive wheels (30) and (32). Rear portions of left and right foot link members (36) and (38) rollably engage the drive wheels. Front portions of the foot link members rollably engage left and right inclinable guide ramps (60) and (62). The inclinable guide ramps are biased rotationally upwardly, by a ramp return assembly (70) that causes one ramp to pivot downwardly as the other ramp pivots upwardly. Forward and rearward pulley and belt systems (72) and (76) are connected to the foot links and provide flexibly coordinated motion which substantially relates the movement of the first and second foot links to each other, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 6123650
    Abstract: An exerciser (10) includes a floor engaging frame (14) and a forward upright post structure (18). Towards the rear of the frame (14) are attached left and right axle mount supports (22) and (24) which house a transverse axle (26). The axle (26) is bifurcated allowing the two halves to rotate independently of one another and connect to left and right drive wheels (30) and (32) respectively. Left and right foot link members (36) and (38) rollably engage the drive wheels at the link member's rear end portions (48) and (50). The forward end portions (42) and (44) of the foot link members rollably engage left and right inclinable guide ramps (60) and (62). The inclinable guide ramps (60) and (62) are biased rotationally upwardly, to resist downward forces, by biasing members, such as springs (74). Left and right foot support portions (54) and (56) are mounted on the foot link members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventor: James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 5910070
    Abstract: A hand-held transceiver (48) remotely controls a device (24) that is electrically coupled to a receiver (44) capable of receiving an electromagnetic transmission (46) and generating a first electrical signal (52) in response thereto. The device is controlled by the first electrical signal received from the receiver. The transceiver includes a body (56) configured to be hand-held by the person and a housing (43) to house a switch (50) that generates a second electrical signal in response to actuation of the switch. A transmitter (49) is also contained in the housing and is electrically connected to the switch for receiving the second electrical signal. In response thereto, the transmitter generates an electromagnetic transmission for receipt by the receiver (44) to in turn control the device. A weight (62) is couplable to the body for weighting the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: George F. Henry, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 5769755
    Abstract: An exercise display system for aiding a user in maintaining a desired exercise intensity level includes input means for inputting relevant physiological information about the user, calculation means for calculating a spectrum of exercise intensity levels, sensor for detecting the physiological condition of the user during exercise, and display means (32) for displaying the user's exercise intensity within a first scale (20) of at least two levels (22) of possible exercise intensities. The scale (20) includes a Below Training Zone (23), a Weight Loss Training Zone (24), a Cardiovascular Training Zone (25), and an Above Training Zone (26). The display means (32) also includes a second scale (28) of subdivisions (30) of intensity levels, e.g., maximum heart rate percentages or range of heart beat rates. The subdivisions (30) may preferably flash or may be caused to turn a specific color when the exerciser's physiological condition is represented by that subdivision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: George F. Henry, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 5704877
    Abstract: An exercise display system for aiding a user in maintaining a desired exercise intensity level includes input means for inputting relevant physiological information about the user, calculation means for calculating a spectrum of exercise intensity levels, sensor for detecting the physiological condition of the user during exercise, and display means (32) for displaying the user's exercise intensity within a first scale (20) of at least two levels (22) of possible exercise intensities. The scale (20) includes a Below Training Zone (23), a Weight Loss Training Zone (24), a Cardiovascular Training Zone (25), and an Above Training Zone (26). The display means (32) also includes a second scale (28) of subdivisions (30) of intensity levels, e.g., maximum heart rate percentages or range of heart beat rates. The subdivisions (30) may preferably flash or may be caused to turn a specific color when the exerciser's physiological condition is represented by that subdivision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: George F. Henry, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: D307782
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Timothy O. Armstrong, Cole J. Dalton
  • Patent number: D313826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Timothy O. Armstrong, Kenneth G. Real, Gary M. Bang
  • Patent number: D328625
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian A. Arthur, David J. Littrell, Lawrence J. Graf, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: D328770
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: William C. Henderson, Paul T. Dunham, James S. Birrell, Timothy O. Armstrong
  • Patent number: D342299
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, David T. Littrell, Timothy O. Armstrong
  • Patent number: D394282
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventor: James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: D410978
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: David T. Littrell, Paul D. Barker, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: D412192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Michael C. Kemery
  • Patent number: D421077
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Brian P. Kennedy