Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Tracy

Jeffrey A. Tracy 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: 11857827
    Abstract: A sensing base for an adjustable free weight may include a cradle, and a sensing assembly, which includes a plurality of sensors and mechanical components (e.g., pivoting levers), each associated with a respective plate well that accommodates a weight plate of the adjustable free weight such that each mechanical component actuates the state of a respective sensor upon placement or removal of the weight in a plate well. Sensor signals reflecting the states of the sensors are communicated, via a circuit, a processor to determine the weight selection of the adjustable free weight when removed from the base. The sensing assembly may be implemented using individual sensors of a variety of different types such as hall effect sensors, optical interrupt sensors, IR optical sensors, and the like. The base may be configured to automatically communicate the determined weight to an external computing device to facilitate activity tracking and/or fitness coaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd D. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Tracy, Ryan J. Pohl, Hongxiang Ji
  • Publication number: 20230381579
    Abstract: An exercise machine may include a reciprocating linkage that supports one or more pedals configured to move in a closed loop (e.g., elliptical) path as a user exercises with the machine. The exercise machine may be adjustable to vary a characteristic of the exercise provided by the machine, for example by changing an incline of a rail supporting the reciprocating linkage, and thus an angle of the closed loop path. The exercise machine may vary the incline with a lift mechanism operatively associated with the front upright frame of the machine, which may also support a resistance assembly, all in a compact form factor that may be more aesthetically pleasing and practical for relatively smaller exercise spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Venturella, Jeffrey A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11673019
    Abstract: An exercise machine may include a reciprocating linkage that supports one or more pedals configured to move in a closed loop (e.g., elliptical) path as a user exercises with the machine. The exercise machine may be adjustable to vary a characteristic of the exercise provided by the machine, for example by changing an incline of a rail supporting the reciprocating linkage, and thus an angle of the closed loop path. The exercise machine may vary the incline with a lift mechanism operatively associated with the front upright frame of the machine, which may also support a resistance assembly, all in a compact form factor that may be more aesthetically pleasing and practical for relatively smaller exercise spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Venturella, Jeffrey A. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20230158357
    Abstract: A sensing base for an adjustable free weight may include a cradle, and a sensing assembly, which includes a plurality of sensors and mechanical components (e.g., pivoting levers), each associated with a respective plate well that accommodates a weight plate of the adjustable free weight such that each mechanical component actuates the state of a respective sensor upon placement or removal of the weight in a plate well. Sensor signals reflecting the states of the sensors are communicated, via a circuit, a processor to determine the weight selection of the adjustable free weight when removed from the base. The sensing assembly may be implemented using individual sensors of a variety of different types such as hall effect sensors, optical interrupt sensors, IR optical sensors, and the like. The base may be configured to automatically communicate the determined weight to an external computing device to facilitate activity tracking and/or fitness coaching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd D. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Tracy, Ryan J. Pohl, Hongxiang Ji
  • Patent number: 11583726
    Abstract: An exercise machine is provided. The exercise machine may include a frame, an adjustment assembly coupled to the frame and selectively movable relative thereto, a foot linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a closed loop path, and a handle linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a defined path. The adjustment assembly may include a pivot axis. The foot linkage may be pivotably coupled to the adjustment assembly at the pivot axis such that selective movement of the pivot axis relative to the frame alters the closed loop path of the foot linkage in use. Movement of one of the foot linkage and the handle linkage may cause corresponding movement of the other of the foot linkage and the handle linkage Actuation of the adjustment assembly may selectively move the pivot axis in more than one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20230025915
    Abstract: Embodiments of a free-weight exercise system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the free-weight exercise system includes a base that supports the free-weight exercise system a support surface. A platform is disposed above the base. The platform is sufficiently strong to support one or more exercise weights. The platform is disposed above the base a sufficient height to position the one or more exercise weights at an ergonomic height for grasping by a user. In some embodiments, the platform is be positionable between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. The free-weight exercise system includes a mast coupled to and extending above the base. The mast supports a display subsystem. The display subsystem includes a display. The display is disposed at a height above the support surface above the height of the platform. In some embodiments, the display may be rotatable between a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Tracy, Edana French, Ryan J. Pohl
  • Publication number: 20230026251
    Abstract: An exercise system including a tower and a translatable and rotatable display is disclosed. The tower is a free-standing unit and includes a mast that supports the display at a sufficient height or elevation, for example above a front panel of the system's housing. A carriage assembly couples the display to the mast to enable translation of the display between two positions, and the display mount is further configured to enable rotation of the display between a portrait orientation and an landscape orientation when the display is in the second position. In some embodiments, rotation of the display is substantially inhibited by the system's housing, for example the front panel, when the display is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Tracy, Bryce C. Baker, Edana French, Ryan J. Pohl, Kevin M. Hendricks, Todd D. Anderson, Robert F. Michels, III, Marcus L. Marjama, Steven Rodden, James Li, Jeffrey A. Gettle, Edward L. Flick
  • Patent number: 11413497
    Abstract: An exercise machine may be adjustable to vary a characteristic of the exercise provided by the machine, for example by changing the reciprocation path of movable components of the machine. In some examples, adjustment to an incline of the path of a reciprocating linkage may be achieved, for example by a lift assembly, the components of which may be arranged in a manner that provides a relatively compact form factor. In general, a more compact design may be achieved through the examples of the present disclosure, for example by co-axially locating a rotatable resistance element on the driven/input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Venturella, Jeffrey A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11369838
    Abstract: An exercise machine may be adjustable to vary a characteristic of the exercise provided by the machine, for example by changing the reciprocation path of movable components of the machine. In some examples, adjustment to an incline of the path of a reciprocating linkage may be achieved, for example by a lift assembly, the components of which may be arranged in a manner that provides a relatively compact form factor. In general, a more compact design may be achieved through the examples of the present disclosure, for example by co-axially locating a rotatable resistance element on the driven/input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Venturella, Jeffrey A. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20200346069
    Abstract: An exercise machine is provided. The exercise machine may include a frame, an adjustment assembly coupled to the frame and selectively movable relative thereto, a foot linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a closed loop path, and a handle linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a defined path. The adjustment assembly may include a pivot axis. The foot linkage may be pivotably coupled to the adjustment assembly at the pivot axis such that selective movement of the pivot axis relative to the frame alters the closed loop path of the foot linkage in use. Movement of one of the foot linkage and the handle linkage may cause corresponding movement of the other of the foot linkage and the handle linkage Actuation of the adjustment assembly may selectively move the pivot axis in more than one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20050277033
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor layer of a semiconductor device including interposing a reticle between an energy source and a semiconductor wafer, the reticle including at least two duplicate mask patterns each having a different bias, and passing energy through an opening in a shutter and through one of the at least two duplicate mask patterns using the energy source to form an image on the semiconductor wafer. The one of the at least two duplicate mask patterns is chosen based on a required bias. The at least two duplicate mask patterns are disposed in a side by side relationship to one another and extend parallel or transverse to the shutter opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Rockwell, Jeffrey Tracy, Edward Vokoun
  • Publication number: 20050277032
    Abstract: A reticle includes at least two duplicate mask patterns each having a different bias. A reticle according to at least one embodiment of the invention includes a first mask pattern, a second mask pattern and a third mask pattern, each of the first mask pattern, second mask pattern and third mask pattern being duplicates of one another and having a different bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Rockwell, Jeffrey Tracy, Edward Vokoun