Patents by Inventor Michael E. Heutmaker

Michael E. Heutmaker 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: 5492517
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that facilitates contemporaneous exercise of the upper and lower body. The exercise device includes a treadmill rotatably mounted relative to a frame and a pair of arm poles pivotally mounted relative to the frame. Resistance to operation of the treadmill is provided by a flywheel that rotates subject to frictional resistance provided by a drag strap in contact with the flywheel. A shaft cooperates with the flywheel to maintain tension in the drag strap, and the tension may be adjusted by rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis. Resistance to operation of the arm poles is provided by friction pads disposed between the arm poles and structure associated with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bostic, Alan E. Doop, Michael E. Heutmaker
  • Patent number: 5147265
    Abstract: A straight back side chair has a seat cushion and a back member, and includes a low resistance loading device that is operated through a system of cords and pulleys from handgrips. The pulleys are supported on arms that are mounted to the back of the chair and which can be selectively positioned for different types of exercise. The arms can be positioned laterally out from the sides of the chair for doing butterfly type exercise; pushed downwardly at an angle for curls; or positioned overhead above the back of the chair for permitting a person seated in the chair to do pull downs. When the chair is not in use as an excerciser, the arms are folded out of the way so it functions as a side chair and does not visually intrude on the usable space in a room or tend to give the room the look of a gymnasium. The force resistance device is very compact so that it takes little space beneath the seat, permitting a cushioned or padded seat to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Pauls, Timothy S. Engel, Michael E. Heutmaker, Robert A. Iverson, Jeffrey E. Sandahl
  • Patent number: 5122105
    Abstract: A seat (12) for an exercise apparatus is disclosed. The seat (12) includes a seat member (40), a back member (60), and a pair of wing members (67) that form an integral part of the back member (60). The pair of wing members (67) define a substantially vertical gap (68) therebetween. The back member (60) supports a rower's back when the rower is sitting on the seat member (40). The back member (60), including an pair of wing members (67), is designed to deflect backward during the drive portion of the rowing motion. The pair of wing members (67) are designed to additionally deflect in such a manner that they cup the rower's back during the drive portion of the rowing motion. A supportive insert (80), which extends into the seat member (40) and the back member (60), affects the flexibility of the back member (60) and the pair of wing members (67). The seat (12), including its foam exterior (90), is configured to maximize the comfort of the rower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Nordictrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Engel, Harold C. Blawd, Michael E. Heutmaker
  • Patent number: 5090694
    Abstract: A straight back side chair has a seat cushion and a back member, and includes a low resistance loading device that is operated through a system of cords and pulleys from handgrips. The pulleys are supported on arms that are mounted to the back of the chair and which can be selectively positioned for different types of exercise. The arms can be positioned laterally out from the sides of the chair for doing butterfly type exercise; pushed downwardly at an angle for curls; or positioned overhead above the back of the chair for permitting a person seated in the chair to do pull downs. When the chair is not in use as an exerciser, the arms are folded out of the way so it functions as a side chair and does not visually intrude on the usable space in a room or tend to give the room the look of a gymnasium. The force resistance device is very compact so that it takes litter space beneath the seat, permitting a cushioned or padded seat to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Pauls, Timothy S. Engel, Michael E. Heutmaker, Robert A. Iverson, Jeffrey E. Sandahl
  • Patent number: 5072929
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rowing machine (10) having two resistance mechanisms or flywheels (44, 49). The dual resistance is applied through the movable handle (19) and movable seat (12). The handle (19) is interconnected by means of a cord (28) to the first flywheel (44), and the seat (12) is interconnected by means of a cord (29) to the second flywheel (49). The seat (12) is mounted upon an inclined track (11) and is anatomically contoured. The resistance mechanisms (44, 49) are adjusted by means of drag straps (53, 54) and an adjuster (55). The inclination of the track (11) and the position of the foot plates (23) is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Nordictrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Peterson, Harold C. Blawd, Michael E. Heutmaker, Timothy S. Engel, Robert A. Iverson
  • Patent number: D360915
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bostic, Alan E. Doop, Michael E. Heutmaker, Stephen S. Peterson