Patents by Inventor Joel W. Richards
Joel W. Richards 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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Publication number: 20230158355Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partly supported by the plurality of bearings, where at least a portion of the running belt defines a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element. The safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 11590377Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partly supported by the plurality of bearings, where at least a portion of the running belt defines a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element. The safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 11465005Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a rotatable element coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the rotatable element; and, a first element and a second element, both of which are coupled to the running belt. The running belt includes a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved. Further, one of the first and second elements and the running belt freely rotate in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame. However, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, the one of the first and second elements is substantially prevented from rotation relative to the frame to substantially prevent or resist rotation of the running belt relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20220233904Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partly supported by the plurality of bearings, where at least a portion of the running belt defines a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element. The safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20210077846Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a rotatable element coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the rotatable element; and, a first element and a second element, both of which are coupled to the running belt. The running belt includes a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved. Further, one of the first and second elements and the running belt freely rotate in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame. However, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, the one of the first and second elements is substantially prevented from rotation relative to the frame to substantially prevent or resist rotation of the running belt relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 10850150Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the plurality of bearings and adapted for rotational movement relative to the frame, the running belt having a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a braking system configured to selectively resist rotation of the running belt; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 10799745Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a front running belt pulley; a rear running belt pulley; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by at least one of the front running belt pulley and the rear running belt pulley, the running belt including a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20200254293Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a front running belt pulley; a rear running belt pulley; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by at least one of the front running belt pulley and the rear running belt pulley, the running belt including a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20200179739Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the plurality of bearings and adapted for rotational movement relative to the frame, the running belt having a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a braking system configured to selectively resist rotation of the running belt; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 10561883Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the plurality of bearings and adapted for rotational movement relative to the frame, the running belt having a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a braking system configured to selectively resist the rotational movement of the running belt; and a safety device coupled to the frame, wherein the safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the running belt in a first direction and substantially permit rotation of the running belt in a second direction, opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 10561884Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided that includes a frame having a front end and a rear end positioned opposite the front end; a front shaft rotatably coupled to the frame proximate the front end; a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the frame proximate the rear end; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt supported by the plurality of bearings, wherein the running belt includes a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft, wherein the safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in a first rotational direction while permitting rotation of the at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 10265566Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided that includes a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a front shaft assembly rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end, a rear shaft assembly rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end, and a running belt disposed about the front and rear shaft assemblies, wherein the running belt defines a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run. The treadmill also includes an incline adjustment system movably coupled to the treadmill frame for moving at least one of the front end and the rear end relative to a support surface, wherein increasing a height of the front end relative to the rear end and the support surface increases a running speed that a user can achieve on the running belt.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20180236291Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the plurality of bearings and adapted for rotational movement relative to the frame, the running belt having a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a braking system configured to selectively resist the rotational movement of the running belt; and a safety device coupled to the frame, wherein the safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the running belt in a first direction and substantially permit rotation of the running belt in a second direction, opposite the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20180236292Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided that includes a frame having a front end and a rear end positioned opposite the front end; a front shaft rotatably coupled to the frame proximate the front end; a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the frame proximate the rear end; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt supported by the plurality of bearings, wherein the running belt includes a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft, wherein the safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in a first rotational direction while permitting rotation of the at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20150352400Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided that includes a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a front shaft assembly rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end, a rear shaft assembly rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end, and a running belt disposed about the front and rear shaft assemblies, wherein the running belt defines a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run. The treadmill also includes an incline adjustment system movably coupled to the treadmill frame for moving at least one of the front end and the rear end relative to a support surface, wherein increasing a height of the front end relative to the rear end and the support surface increases a running speed that a user can achieve on the running belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: WOODWAY USA, INC.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 9114276Abstract: A manually operated treadmill and methods of using the same are provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end, and a running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run. The running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft. The treadmill is configured to control the speed of the running belt to facilitate the maintenance of the contour of the curved running surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 9039580Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a running belt including a contoured running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running belt to rotate about the front shaft and the rear shaft without the rotation of the running belt being generated by a motor, and a one-way bearing assembly configured to prevent rotation of the running surface of the running belt in one direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Patent number: 8986169Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a running belt including a contoured running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running belt to rotate about the front shaft and the rear shaft without the rotation of the running belt being generated by a motor, and a one-way bearing assembly configured to prevent rotation of the running surface of the running belt in one direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20140213419Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a running belt including a contoured running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running belt to rotate about the front shaft and the rear shaft without the rotation of the running belt being generated by a motor, and a one-way bearing assembly configured to prevent rotation of the running surface of the running belt in one direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards
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Publication number: 20140080679Abstract: A manually operated treadmill and methods of using the same are provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end, and a running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run. The running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft. The treadmill is configured to control the speed of the running belt to facilitate the maintenance of the contour of the curved running surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Woodway USA, Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein, Vance E. Emons, Nicholas A. Oblamski, Scott D. Hoerig, Matthew J. Zank, Robert L. Zimpel, Joel W. Richards