Patents by Inventor Rodney L. Hammer

Rodney L. Hammer 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: 9623281
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Hendrickson, Greg W. Law, Rodney L. Hammer, Paul C. Ricks, Darren C. Ashby
  • Publication number: 20150119202
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Icon Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Hendrickson, Greg W. Law, Rodney L. Hammer, Paul C. Ricks, Darren C. Ashby
  • Patent number: 8876668
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ICON IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Hendrickson, Greg W. Law, Rodney L. Hammer, Paul C. Ricks, Darren C. Ashby
  • Publication number: 20110152039
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ICON IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Hendrickson, Greg W. Law, Rodney L. Hammer, Paul C. Ricks, Darren C. Ashby
  • Patent number: 7862483
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: ICON IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Hendrickson, Greg W. Law, Rodney L. Hammer, Paul C. Ricks, Darren C. Ashby
  • Patent number: 7618357
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus which may be moveable between a storage mode and an exercise mode. The exercise apparatus may used on a base surface by a user. The exercise apparatus may include a frame for supporting a seat above the base surface. The frame may include a front leg. The frame may include an engaging member that may be pivotally connected to the front leg comprising an engaging portion. The frame may include a rear leg comprising a receiving portion disposed to receive the engaging portion. The exercise apparatus may include a moveable backrest. The moveable backrest may include a resilient spine member. The moveable backrest may include a first end connected to the frame. The moveable backrest may include a second end that is freely moveable. The backrest may be disposed to provide support to the user's back during movement of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Icon IP, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Dalebout, Rodney L. Hammer, Jared Robert Willardson
  • Patent number: 7563203
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame with a deck cooperating with the frame. The deck and frame cooperate with an endless belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section upon which an exercising user may rest or exercise. An impact absorbing mechanism cooperates with the frame and the deck and is configured to adjustably cushion the impact of a user upon the exercise section of the endless belt. The impact absorbing mechanism includes at least cushioning member and at least one spring at least partially surrounding a portion of the at least one cushioning member, wherein adjustment of the impact absorbing mechanism is achieved by replacing at least one of the at least one cushioning member and the at least one spring with at least one of another cushioning member and another spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Icon IP, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Dalebout, Gordon L. Cutler, Rodney L. Hammer, Justin Quinn Ferre
  • Publication number: 20090137367
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: ICON IP, INC.
    Inventors: Rick W. Hendrickson, Greg W. Law, Rodney L. Hammer, Paul C. Ricks, Darren C. Ashby
  • Patent number: 7537549
    Abstract: An improved lift apparatus for use in a treadmill having a support base and a treadbase is disclosed. The lift apparatus includes a lift motor assembly linked to the support base and to a cam. The first cam can be attached to a torsion bar linked to the support base. An incline link bar is linked to the first cam and to the treadbase. The force generated by the motor assembly is efficiently translated from the cam to the treadbase, thereby inclining the treadbase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Icon IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Nelson, Rodney L. Hammer, Gordon L. Cutler, Kurt Finlayson, William T. Dalebout
  • Publication number: 20040171464
    Abstract: An exercise system with a body fat monitor. The exercise system includes biometric sensors including a body fat sensor. Some of the electrodes used by the biometric sensors are used by more than one sensor. A body fat monitor is linked with the exercise device and includes a processing assembly that uses an impedance sensed by the body fat sensor in combination with user data to determine a body fat percentage of the user. The body fat percentage is then displayed to a user. Historical values of the body fat percentage are stored and can also be displayed to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Darren Ashby, Rodney L. Hammer
  • Patent number: 6761667
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes: (i) a support base; and (ii) a treadbase having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner portion therebetween, the treadbase selectively inclining with respect to the support base. The treadbase is pivotally coupled at the inner portion thereof to the treadbase. A handrail assembly of the hiking apparatus adjusts automatically throughout the range of motion of the treadbase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Icon IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon L. Cutler, Scott R. Watterson, William T. Dalebout, Rodney L. Hammer, Kurt Finlayson
  • Publication number: 20030153434
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame with a deck cooperating with the frame. The deck and frame cooperate with an endless belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section upon which an exercising user may rest or exercise. An impact absorbing mechanism cooperates with the frame and the deck and is configured to adjustably cushion the impact of a user upon the exercise section of the endless belt. The impact absorbing mechanism includes at least cushioning member and at least one spring at least partially surrounding a portion of the at least one cushioning member, wherein adjustment of the impact absorbing mechanism is achieved by replacing at least one of the at least one cushioning member and the at least one spring with at least one of another cushioning member and another spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: William T. Dalebout, Gordon L. Cutler, Rodney L. Hammer, Justin Quinn Ferre
  • Patent number: 6471622
    Abstract: A treadmill having a motorized treadbase and a folding handrail fold is with respect to the treadbase such that the treadmill achieves a low profile when the handrail is in a folded position. The treadmill includes: (i) a treadbase, the treadbase comprising first and second rollers and an endless belt movably trained about the first and second rollers; (ii) a motor coupled to the treadbase, the motor also being movably coupled to the first roller such that the motor selectively turns the first roller, thereby causing the belt to move; and (iii) a handrail pivotally coupled to the treadbase, the handrail selectively folding with respect to the treadbase. In a preferred embodiment, the treadmill is less than about 8 inches in height when the handrail is in a folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Icon IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Hammer, Richard Eldon Fry, William T. Dalebout, Scott Watterson, Jeremy Butler
  • Patent number: 5676624
    Abstract: The treadmill has a tread base that is rotatably attached to and between a left upright and a right upright. The tread base is rotatable between a first position for performing exercises and an upright or storage position. A latching structure is provided to latch the tread base to the support structure. The treadmill also includes inclination structure for inclining the tread relative to the support surface when in the first position. The treadmill also includes rigid handles and in one configuration movable handles. The tread base also has a rigid undersurface or pan to fully enclose the underside of the tread base. A lift assist gas cylinder is also interconnected between the tread base and the feet attached to the uprights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, William T. Dalebout, Rodney L. Hammer
  • Patent number: 5672140
    Abstract: The treadmill has a tread base that is rotatably attached to and between a left upright and a right upright. The tread base is rotatable between a first position for performing exercises and an upright or storage position. A latching structure is provided to latch the tread base to the support structure. The treadmill also includes inclination structure for inclining the tread relative to the support surface when in the first position. The treadmill also includes rigid handles and one configuration movable handles. The tread base also has a rigid undersurface or pan to fully enclose the underside of the tread base. A lift assist gas cylinder is also interconnected between the tread base and the feet attached to the uprights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Icon Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, William T. Dalebout, Rodney L. Hammer
  • Patent number: 5669857
    Abstract: A cabinet has a tread base rotatably connected to be oriented in an exercise position extending outwardly and in a stored position extending inwardly secured within the enclosure of the cabinet. The underside of the tread base may be configured to provide a suitable aesthetic exterior surface. A latching arrangement is provided to secure the tread base within the enclosure in the second or stored position. Elevation structure and motor structure are provided to elevate the tread base when in the first position and to power the endless belt of the tread base when in the first position. The elevation structure may be operated to vary the inclination of the tread base when in the first position. The underside of the tread base has a decorative panel and functions as a door for the cabinet. The elevation structure may include an electrically driven rack and pinion as well as a gas cylinder system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, William T. Dalebout, Frank Troy Miller, Rodney L. Hammer, Jason Lee Wooden
  • Patent number: D340434
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Rodney L. Hammer, John K. Story, Karen S. Watson