Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Maresh

Joseph D. Maresh 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: 6672994
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm supporting member, and a leg supporting member. A sensor is connected to the arm supporting member, and/or a resilient member is interconnected between the arm supporting member and either the leg supporting member or the frame. The sensor communicates with a user display and/or a resistance device to indicate the amounts of work performed by the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, and/or to adjust resistance to movement of the leg supporting member as a function of user force applied against the arm supporting member. The resilient member encourages synchronization of the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, while allowing some relative movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6648801
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame; left and right cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame; and left and right foot supporting bars having rearward ends rotatably connected to respective cranks and forward ends supported by respective rocker assemblies. The resulting assemblies link rotation of the cranks to generally elliptical motion of a person's feet. Left and right handles are preferably secured to upper ends of respective intermediate links to provide coordinated arm and leg exercise motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6648800
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame; left and right first cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right second cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right rails rotatably interconnected between respective first cranks and respective second cranks; left and right foot supports movably mounted on respective rails; left and right rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively connected to respective foot supports; and left and right drawbar links movably interconnected between respective cranks and respective rocker links. The resulting assembly constrains the rails to move through respective circular paths relative to the frame, and constrains the foot supports to move back and forth relative to the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6645125
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm driven member, a leg driven member, and a transmission interconnected between the arm driven member and the leg driven member. At least one of the arm driven member and the leg driven member is pivotally connected to the frame. The arm driven member and the leg driven member are operatively connected in such a manner that the two members are subject to independent influences but nonetheless synchronized with respect to direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6629909
    Abstract: Various exercise apparatus have respective linkage assemblies which are movably mounted on a frame and link rotation of left and right cranks to elliptical movement of left and right foot supporting members. The linkage assemblies include separate linkage arrangements for horizontal and vertical displacement of the foot supporting members, and the linkage assemblies accommodate travel of the foot supporting members to positions laterally adjacent the cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6579210
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of left and right cranks to generally elliptical movement of respective left and right force receiving members. The linkage assembly includes left and right flexible rocker links interconnected between the frame and respective force receiving members. Lateral supports may be provided in conjunction with the flexible rocker links to resist side loading on the force receiving members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6569061
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, left and right leg members pivotally mounted on the frame, and left and right handlebars pivotally mounted on the frame. Various arrangements are provided to facilitate switching, during leg exercise motion, between a first mode of operation involving commensurate arm exercise motion and leg exercise motion, and a second mode of operation involving leg exercise motion without commensurate arm exercise motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6565486
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a foot supporting member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a first end rotatably connected to a first rocker link, an intermediate portion rotatably connected to the crank, and a second end rotatably connected to a rearward end of the foot supporting member. An opposite, forward end of the foot supporting member is rotatably connected to a second rocker link. An upper distal portion of the second rocker link is sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the foot supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6554750
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical motion of a foot supporting member. A foot supporting linkage is movably connected between a rocker and a crank in such a manner that the foot supporting member moves through a range of motion greater in length than the distance between the points of connection to the crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6544146
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm driven member, a leg driven member, and a transmission assembly interconnected between the arm driven member and the leg driven member. At least one of the arm driven member and the leg driven member is pivotally connected to the frame. The transmission assembly is interconnected between the arm driven member and the leg driven member in such a manner that the two members are synchronized with respect to direction of movement and subject to independent influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6540646
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, a leg driven member pivotally mounted on the frame, and a handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame and movably connected to the leg driven member. The point of interconnection between the handlebar and the leg driven member is adjustable relative to the pivot axis of the leg driven member. Adjustment toward the pivot axis causes the handlebar stroke to decrease, and conversely, adjustment away from the pivot axis causes the handlebar stroke to increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6527677
    Abstract: A multiple rigid bar mechanism serving as an exercise machine which may be characterized as providing a motion path along a closed curve. In the simplest embodiment, the mechanism comprises a motion bar rotatably connected to a flywheel and a trunnion element. The flywheel is rotatably secured to the machine frame about a flywheel base joint, and is eccentrically connected to the motion bar at a flywheel motion bar first joint. Upon input force from the machine operator at a motion bar force input region, the motion bar will be caused to pivot about a motion bar trunnion region thus effecting the motion bar first joint to translate at an eccentric radius about the flywheel or crank rotational axis. The mechanism may be used to exercise the operators upper and/or lower body, and may be described as having a reciprocating type of resistive motion with inertial characteristics of a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6527680
    Abstract: A multiple rigid bar mechanism serving as an exercise machine which may be characterized as providing a motion path along a closed curve. In the simplest embodiment, the mechanism comprises a motion bar rotatably connected to a flywheel and a trunnion element The flywheel is rotatably secured to the machine frame about a flywheel base joint, and is eccentrically connected to the motion bar at a flywheel motion bar first joint Upon input force from the machine operator at a motion bar force input region, the motion bar will be caused to pivot about a motion bar trunnion region thus effecting the motion bar first joint to translate at an eccentric radius about the flywheel or crank rotational axis. The mechanism may be used to exercise the operators upper and/or lower body, and may be described as having a reciprocating type of resistive motion with inertial characteristics of a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph D. Maresh
  • Publication number: 20030040404
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface, at least one crank rotatably mounted on the frame, and a discrete connector link having a first portion rotatably connected to each crank. A second portion of each connector link is constrained to move in reciprocal fashion relative to the frame, and a third portion of each connector link supports a foot platform. As a result, each foot platform is constrained to move through a generally elliptical path in response to rotation of each associated crank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph D. Maresh
  • Publication number: 20020198084
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of an adjustable length crank to generally elliptical movement of a force receiving member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a rearward end which is rotatably connected to the crank, and a forward end which is rotatably connected to a lower end of a suspended link. An upper portion of the suspended link is rotatably connected to the exercise apparatus frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6485395
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes left and right arm driven members pivotally mounted on a frame. In a first mode of operation, the arm driven members are free to move in opposite directions relative to one another. In a second mode of operation, the arm driven members are constrained to move in a common direction relative to the frame. Leg driven members may be movably mounted on the frame and linked to the arm driven members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Publication number: 20020151411
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame; left and right first cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right second cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right rails rotatably interconnected between respective first cranks and respective second cranks; left and right foot supports movably mounted on respective rails; left and right rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively connected to respective foot supports; and left and right drawbar links movably interconnected between respective cranks and respective rocker links. The resulting assembly constrains the rails to move through respective circular paths relative to the frame, and constrains the foot supports to move back and forth relative to the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6461277
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes left and right connector links having first portions rotatably connected to respective cranks, second portions constrained to move in reciprocating fashion, and third, lower end portions rotatably connected to respective foot supporting links. Rocker links are rotatably interconnected between the frame and discrete portions of respective foot supporting links, and rearward ends of the foot supporting links are configured to support a person's feet in cantilevered fashion. The resulting assembly links rotation of the cranks to movement of the cantilevered ends of the foot supports through generally elliptical paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20020123411
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, a leg driven member pivotally mounted on the frame, and a handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame and movably connected to the leg driven member. The point of interconnection between the handlebar and the leg driven member is adjustable relative to the pivot axis of the leg driven member. Adjustment toward the pivot axis causes the handlebar stroke to decrease, and conversely, adjustment away from the pivot axis causes the handlebar stroke to increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Publication number: 20020119867
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, left and right leg members pivotally mounted on the frame, and left and right handlebars pivotally mounted on the frame. Various arrangements are provided to facilitate switching, during leg exercise motion, between a first mode of operation involving commensurate arm exercise motion and leg exercise motion, and a second mode of operation involving leg exercise motion without commensurate arm exercise motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh