Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Stearns

Kenneth W. Stearns 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: 9144706
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus may provide a novel linkage assembly suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. Left and right rocker links may be rotatably mounted on a frame rotatable about a first axis. Left and right rocker linkages may be mounted on the frame rotatable about a second axis. Left and right force receiving members may be movably connected between respective rocker links and rocker linkages in such a manner that the force receiving members move through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph D Maresh, Kenneth W Stearns
  • Patent number: 9095741
    Abstract: An elliptical motion exercise apparatus may provide a novel linkage assembly suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. Left and right cranks may be rotatably mounted on a frame. A force receiving member may be movably connected between a handle bar rocker and left and right crank assemblies in such a manner that the force receiving member moves through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W Stearns
  • Patent number: 8864631
    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 paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth W Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 8852059
    Abstract: Various exercise machines have foot supporting linkages that move a person's feet through respective left and right paths of motion in respective planes that are skewed relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 8801580
    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 paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph D Maresh, Kenneth W Stearns
  • Patent number: 8574130
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, a footpad for supporting a user's foot, and a sensor that generates a force indicating signal indicative of a force applied to the footpad in a horizontal direction by the user's foot. A mechanism couples the footpad to the frame and guides the footpad in a closed path having at least first and second mutually perpendicular dimensions in response to forces applied to the footpad by the user's foot, the first dimension being parallel to said horizontal direction. The mechanism resists movement of the footpad in the horizontal direction in response to an electrical control signal supplied as input to the mechanism. A control system receives the force indicating signal and generates the control signal such that the mechanism resists movement depending on the force indicated by the force indicating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth W Stearns, Joseph D Maresh
  • Publication number: 20130288858
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame for residing on a horizontal surface, a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms and a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs. A linkage assembly couples the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and moves the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to user forces applied to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members. The linkage assembly includes actuators for adjusting dimensions of the closed paths in response to control signal inputs. Sensors mounted on the linkage assembly generate force-indicating signals representing user force. A user interface receives and processes the force-indicating signals and supplies the control signal inputs to the actuators. A dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph D. MARESH, Kenneth W. STEARNS
  • Publication number: 20130274068
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, a footpad for supporting a user's foot, and a sensor that generates a force indicating signal indicative of a force applied to the footpad in a horizontal direction by the user's foot. A mechanism couples the footpad to the frame and guides the footpad in a closed path having at least first and second mutually perpendicular dimensions in response to forces applied to the footpad by the user's foot, the first dimension being parallel to said horizontal direction. The mechanism resists movement of the footpad in the horizontal direction in response to an electrical control signal supplied as input to the mechanism. A control system receives the force indicating signal and generates the control signal such that the mechanism resists movement depending on the force indicated by the force indicating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 8449437
    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 paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph D Maresh, Kenneth W Stearns
  • Patent number: 8292787
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm supporting member, and a leg supporting member. A sensor is connected to at least one of the arm supporting member and the leg 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: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth W Stearns, Joseph D Maresh
  • Patent number: 8292789
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame for residing on a horizontal surface, a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms and a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs. A linkage assembly couples the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and moves the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to user forces applied to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members. The linkage assembly includes actuators for adjusting dimensions of the closed paths in response to control signal inputs. Sensors mounted on the linkage assembly generate force-indicating signals representing user force. A user interface receives and processes the force-indicating signals and supplies the control signal inputs to the actuators. A dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph D Maresh, Kenneth W Stearns
  • Patent number: 8272995
    Abstract: Various exercise machines have foot supporting linkages that move a person's feet through respective left and right paths of motion in respective planes that are skewed relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 8235873
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame configured to rest on a floor surface; left and right cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right first rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame; left and right drawbar links pivotally interconnected between respective cranks and respective first rocker links; left and right second rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame; and left and right foot links supported by respective cranks and respective rocker links. On one embodiment, the second rocker links are selectively pinned to respective first rocker links to configure the apparatus for elliptical striding exercise, and the second rocker links are alternatively pinned to the frame to configure the apparatus for arcuate stepping exercise. On another embodiment, adjustable length members are interconnected between respective second rocker links and respective first rocker links to accommodate variable elliptical striding motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Publication number: 20120115685
    Abstract: An elliptical exercise apparatus includes a frame, a pair of footpads, and a linkage coupling the footpads to the frame and for guiding the footpads in closed paths when a user's feet apply forces to the footpads. The linkage, which includes a rotatable member having an angular position indicative of the positions of the footpads within their closed paths, responds to input control signals by adjusting length and height dimensions of the closed paths. A control system senses the angular position of the rotatable member, senses the forces the user applies to the footpads, and generates the control signals to increase or decrease the path dimensions when it senses particular combinations of angular position and user forces, thereby permitting the user to control the path dimensions by controlling the forces applied to the footpads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel J. BEDELL, Joseph D. MARESH, Kenneth W. STEARNS
  • Patent number: 8172728
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a force receiving member. The linkage assembly includes a flexible drawbar interconnected between the crank and frame of the exercise apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Patent number: 8147384
    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 paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Publication number: 20120053013
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame for residing on a horizontal surface, a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms and a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs. A linkage assembly couples the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and moves the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to user forces applied to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members. The linkage assembly includes actuators for adjusting dimensions of the closed paths in response to control signal inputs. Sensors mounted on the linkage assembly generate force-indicating signals representing user force. A user interface receives and processes the force-indicating signals and supplies the control signal inputs to the actuators. A dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph D. MARESH, Kenneth W. STEARNS
  • Patent number: 8079937
    Abstract: An elliptical exercise apparatus includes a frame, a pair of footpads, and a linkage coupling the footpads to the frame and for guiding the footpads in closed paths when a user's feet apply forces to the footpads. The linkage, which includes a rotatable member having an angular position indicative of the positions of the footpads within their closed paths, responds to input control signals by adjusting length and height dimensions of the closed paths. A control system senses the angular position of the rotatable member, senses the forces the user applies to the footpads, and generates the control signals to increase or decrease the path dimensions when it senses particular combinations of angular position and user forces, thereby permitting the user to control the path dimensions by controlling the forces applied to the footpads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel J Bedell, Joseph D Maresh, Kenneth W Stearns
  • Publication number: 20110245039
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm supporting member, and a leg supporting member. A sensor is connected to at least one of the arm supporting member and the leg 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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 8025611
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame for residing on a horizontal surface, a pair of arm-supporting members for supporting the user's arms and a pair of leg-supporting members for supporting the user's legs. A linkage assembly couples the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members to the frame and moves the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members in closed paths relative to the frame in response to user forces applied to the arm-supporting members and leg-supporting members. The linkage assembly includes actuators for adjusting dimensions of the closed paths in response to control signal inputs. Sensors mounted on the linkage assembly generate force-indicating signals representing one or more of the user force. A user interface receives and processes the force-indicating signals and supplies the control signal inputs to the actuators, wherein a dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one of the forces applied to the leg and arm-supporting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph D Maresh, Kenneth W Stearns