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).

  • Torso exercise methods and machines
    Publication number: 20040220026
    Abstract: A torso exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a seat pivotally mounted on the frame; at least one handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame; and a link pivotally interconnected between the seat and the handlebar. The link constrains the seat and the handlebar to pivot in opposite directions relative to the frame. A resistance device may be interconnected between the handlebar and the frame to resist pivoting of the handlebar and the seat toward one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Exercise method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6783481
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a crank rotatably mounted on a frame, and an axially extending support connected to the crank at a radially displaced location. Both a force receiving member and a discrete support member are linked to the axially extending support in such a manner that rotation of the crank relative to the frame is linked to movement of the force receiving member in a generally elliptical path relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Water booster methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 6769449
    Abstract: Water is first caused to flow through a first passage and rotate a first impeller. Rotation of the first impeller is linked to rotation of a second impeller, which is in fluid communication with a second, discrete passage. Vanes on the second impeller are constrained to move faster than vanes on the first impeller. Water is subsequently caused to flow through the second passage and to be more aggressively advanced by the second impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Torso exercise methods and machines
    Patent number: 6740015
    Abstract: A torso exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a seat pivotally mounted on the frame; at least one handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame; and a link pivotally interconnected between the seat and the handlebar. The link constrains the seat and the handlebar to pivot in opposite directions relative to the frame. A resistance device may be interconnected between the handlebar and the frame to resist pivoting of the handlebar and the seat toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Exercise apparatus with elevating seat
    Patent number: 6692411
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus alters the elevation of a person based on the person's level of exertion. The exercise itself may involve bodily motion and/or isometric exercise performed by the person's arms and/or legs. The elevating process may be directly linked to the exercise motion and/or controlled electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Exercise apparatus with elliptical foot motion
    Patent number: 6689020
    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 foot supports movably supported on respective first cranks and respective second cranks; 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 rocker links and respective cranks. The resulting assembly constrains the foot supports to move up and down together with respective cranks, and constrains the foot supports to move back and forth through a relatively greater range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Apparatus for isolated, closed chain exercise of a person's quadriceps muscles
    Patent number: 6676577
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a back rest mounted on the frame; and a foot platform mounted on the frame. At least one of the foot platform and the back rest is pivotally mounted on the frame in such a manner that a person may rest his back against the back rest and exercise his quadriceps muscles in isolated, closed chain fashion. A resistance device is preferably provided to resist movement of the back rest and/or the foot platform in a manner that opposes the user's efforts to straighten his legs at the knees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Total body exercise methods and apparatus
    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
  • Exercise apparatus with elliptical foot motion
    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
  • Exercise apparatus with elliptical foot motion
    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
  • Methods and apparatus for linking arm exercise motion and leg exercise motion
    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
  • Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus
    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
  • Methods and apparatus for exercising a person's quadriceps muscles
    Patent number: 6605024
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a back rest mounted on the frame; and a foot platform mounted on the frame. At least one of the foot platform and the back rest is movably mounted on the frame in such a manner that a person may rest his back against the back rest and exercise his quadriceps muscles in isolated, closed chain fashion. A resistance device is preferably provided to resist an increase in distance between the user's hips and the user's feet due to straightening of the user's legs at the knees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Exercise methods and apparatus with flexible rocker link
    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
  • Methods and apparatus for linking arm exercise motion to leg exercise motion
    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
  • Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus
    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
  • Exercise methods and apparatus
    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
  • Methods and apparatus for linking arm and leg motions on elliptical and other exercise machines
    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
  • Exercise methods and apparatus with adjustable stroke handlebars
    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
  • Water booster methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20030031553
    Abstract: Water is first caused to flow through a first passage and rotate a first impeller. Rotation of the first impeller is linked to rotation of a second impeller, which is in fluid communication with a second, discrete passage. Vanes on the second impeller are constrained to move faster than vanes on the first impeller. Water is subsequently caused to flow through the second passage and to be more aggressively advanced by the second impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns