Patents by Inventor Kenneth F. Lantz
Kenneth F. Lantz 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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Patent number: 7846070Abstract: A microprocessor based exercise treadmill control system is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation. These features include programs operative to: permit a set of user controls to cause the treadmill to initially operate at predetermined speeds; permit the user to design custom workouts; permit the user to switch between workout programs while the treadmill is in operation; and perform an automatic cooldown program where the duration of the cooldown is a function of the duration of the workout or the user's heart rate. The features also include a stop program responsive to a detector for automatically stopping the treadmill when a user is no longer on the treadmill and a frame tag module attached to the treadmill frame having a non-volatile memory for storing treadmill configuration, and operational and maintenance data. Another included feature is the ability to display the amount of time a user spends in a heart rate zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Gary E. Oglesby, Emil S. Golen, Jr., James B. Fox, John Danile, Robert D. Kohan, Christopher E. Clawson, Kenneth F. Lantz, Daniel R. Wille, Timothy J. Porth
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Patent number: 7115076Abstract: A microprocessor based exercise treadmill control system is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation. These features include programs operative to: permit a set of user controls to cause the treadmill to initially operate at predetermined speeds; permit the user to design custom workouts; permit the user to switch between workout programs while the treadmill is in operation; and perform an automatic cooldown program where the duration of the cooldown is a function of the duration of the workout or the user's heart rate. The features also include a stop program responsive to a detector for automatically stopping the treadmill when a user is no longer on the treadmill and a frame tag module attached to the treadmill frame having a non-volatile memory for storing treadmill configuration, and operational and maintenance data. Another included feature is the ability to display the amount of time a user spends in a heart rate zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Gary E. Oglesby, Emil S. Golen, Jr., James B. Fox, John Danile, Robert D. Kohan, Christopher E. Clawson, Kenneth F. Lantz, Daniel R. Willie, Timothy J. Porth
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Patent number: 6923746Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Jose A. Leon, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke, Tomas F. Leon
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Patent number: 6783482Abstract: A microprocessor based exercise treadmill control system is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation. These features include programs operative to: permit a set of user controls to cause the treadmill to initially operate at predetermined speeds; permit the user to design custom workouts; permit the user to switch between workout programs while the treadmill is in operation; and perform an automatic cooldown program where the duration of the cooldown is a function of the duration of the workout or the user's heart rate. The features also include a stop program responsive to a detector for automatically stopping the treadmill when a user is no longer on the treadmill and a frame tag module attached to the treadmill frame having a non-volatile memory for storing treadmill configuration, and operational and maintenance data. Another included feature is the ability to display the amount of time a user spends in a heart rate zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Gary E. Oglesby, Emil S. Golen, Jr., James B. Fox, John Danile, Robert D. Kohan, Christopher E. Clawson, Kenneth F. Lantz, Daniel R. Wille, Timothy J. Porth
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Patent number: 6626803Abstract: A microprocessor based exercise treadmill control system is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation. These features include programs operative to: permit a set of user controls to cause the treadmill to initially operate at predetermined speeds; permit the user to design custom workouts; permit the user to switch between workout programs while the treadmill is in operation; and perform an automatic cooldown program where the duration of the cooldown is a function of the duration of the workout or the user's heart rate. The features also include a stop program responsive to a detector for automatically stopping the treadmill when a user is no longer on the treadmill and a frame tag module attached to the treadmill frame having a non-volatile memory for storing treadmill configuration, and operational and maintenance data.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Gary E. Oglesby, Emil S. Golen, Jr., James B. Fox, John Danile, Robert D. Kohan, Christopher E. Clawson, Kenneth F. Lantz, Daniel R. Wille, Timothy J. Porth
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Patent number: 6443875Abstract: A motor control for exercise treadmill having an AC motor is disclosed which includes various features to enhance operation of the treadmill. These features include a motor control that can vary by shifting or staggering the phases of drive signals applied to the motor in order to reduce treadmill frame vibration. The features also include having the motor controller increase the slip of the motor to improve low speed operation of the motor and to increase the amperage of the drive signals when the motor is operating at a given speed in order to maintain that speed. In addition, a power factor control circuit can be used to increase the efficiency of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Brunswich CorporationInventors: Emil S. Golen, Jr., Young-Chul Kim, Kenneth F. Lantz, Robert J. Sutkowski
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Patent number: 6436008Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
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Publication number: 20020045517Abstract: A microprocessor based exercise treadmill control system is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation. These features include programs operative to: permit a set of user controls to cause the treadmill to initially operate at predetermined speeds; permit the user to design custom workouts; permit the user to switch between workout programs while the treadmill is in operation; and perform an automatic cooldown program where the duration of the cooldown is a function of the duration of the workout or the user's heart rate. The features also include a stop program responsive to a detector for automatically stopping the treadmill when a user is no longer on the treadmill and a frame tag module attached to the treadmill frame having a non-volatile memory for storing treadmill configuration, and operational and maintenance data. Another included feature is the ability to display the amount of time a user spends in a heart rate zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventors: Gary E. Oglesby, Emil S. Golen, James B. Fox, John Danile, Robert D. Kohan, Christopher E. Clawson, Kenneth F. Lantz, Daniel R. Wille, Timothy J. Porth
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Patent number: 6095951Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
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Patent number: 5752897Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1995Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald James Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward W. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
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Patent number: 5599259Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Life FitnessInventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald J. Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward V. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
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Patent number: 5484362Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1994Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: Life FitnessInventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, deceased, Donald J. Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak, Edward V. Minnich, Wade K. Totzke
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Patent number: 5382207Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1991Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Life FitnessInventors: Richard E. Skowronski, Kenneth F. Lantz, Tomas F. Leon, Donald J. Alexander, George Kolomayets, Vincent C. Adams, Eugene B. Szymczak
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Patent number: 4890833Abstract: A video game or the like including a real-time interactive video disk game-play background generation system. The disk player incorporates track skipping capability which is under the direct control of the game processor, on a frame-by-frame basis, whereby substantially instantaneous jumps to alternative video scenes can be effected in response to changing game play. Video scene data is stored on the disk in horizontally compressed format. A video expander/scroller effectively stretches the compressed video from the disk by a factor of two and selects, under game processor control, one frame width, or one-half the expanded background scene, for display. A color programmable read-only-memory (PROM) having at least two pre-programmed color pallets is provided to redefine color relationships of game symbols stored in read-only-memory (ROM) thereby reducing the storage of redundant game symbol data in this ROM.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1988Date of Patent: January 2, 1990Assignee: Williams Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. Lantz, Scott C. Herschler, Charles R. Bleich, Walter E. Smolucha, Gregory W. Wepner
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Patent number: 4856785Abstract: A joystick actuator for controlling the positioning of objects, for instance, displays on CRTs, having a pivotally mounted control stick operatively engaging and driving a pair of optical-mask members. The optical-mask members are retained for rectilinear sliding motion relative to fixed mounted opto-switches and include spaced fins positioned to interrupt light communication within respective opto-switches. Positioning of the opto-switches and spacing of the mask fins are selected to provide successive unblocking of the interrupted light communication as the control column is displaced from neutral thereby encoding both the direction and magnitude of stick deflection.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1983Date of Patent: August 15, 1989Assignee: Williams Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. Lantz, Walter E. Smolucha, Leslie G. Struck
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Patent number: 4766541Abstract: A video game or the like including a real-time interactive video disk game-play background generation system. The disk player incorporates track skipping capability which is under the direct control of the game processor, on a frame-by-frame basis, whereby substantially instantaneous jumps to alternative video scenes can be effected in response to changing game play. Video scene data is stored on the disk in horizontally compressed format. A video expander/scroller effectively stretches the compressed video from the disk by a factor of two and selects, under game processor control, one frame width, or one-half the expanded background scene, for display. A color programmable read-only-memory (PROM) having at least two pre-programmed color pallets is provided to redefine color relationships of game symbols stored in read-only-memory (ROM) thereby reducing the storage of redundant game symbol data in this ROM.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1987Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Walter E. Smolucha, Gregory W. Wepner, Kenneth F. Lantz, Scott C. Herschler