Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Porth

Timothy J. Porth 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: 7846070
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7448986
    Abstract: The invention is an exercise device comprising (i) a frame, (ii) first and second foot supports operably associated with the frame for traveling along a closed loop path relative to a transverse axis defined by the frame, (iii) a heart rate monitor, and (iv) a means for automatically adjusting the stride length and/or stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed heart rate of person exercising on the exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Octane Fitness, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Porth
  • Patent number: 7361122
    Abstract: The invention is an exercise device comprising (i) a frame, (ii) first and second foot supports operably associated with the frame for traveling along a closed loop path relative to a transverse axis defined by the frame, (iii) a means effective for sensing the speed of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path, and (iv) a means for automatically adjusting the stride length and/or stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed speed of travel of the foot supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Octane Fitness, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Porth
  • Patent number: 7270626
    Abstract: The invention is an exercise device comprising (i) a frame, (ii) first and second foot supports operably associated with the frame for traveling in a forward and backward direction along a closed loop path relative to a transverse axis defined by the frame, (iii) a means effective for sensing the direction of travel of the foot supports along the closed loop path as between the forward and the backward directions, and (iv) a means for automatically adjusting the stride length and/or stride height of the closed loop path traveled by the foot supports based upon the sensed direction of travel of the foot supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Octane Fitness, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Porth
  • Patent number: 7179204
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle along with using treadmill operating criteria for scheduling and operating the lubrication system. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy T. Anderson, Michael A. Brennan, Christopher E. Clawson, Thomas B. Cray, Juliette Cherly Daly, Peter Haugen, Edward Honda, John Jung Hsing, Edward Minnich, Steven M. Lenz, Paul D. Osenkarski, Jeffrey J. Partynski, Timothy J. Porth, Thomas F. Smith, Jr., Daniel R. Wille, Chungkin Yee, Gary E. Oglesby, John Danile, Kenneth R. Davis
  • Patent number: 7115076
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 6899659
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle along with using treadmill operating criteria for scheduling and operating the lubrication system. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy T. Anderson, Michael A. Brennan, Christopher E. Clawson, Thomas B. Cray, Juliette Cherly Daly, Peter Haugen, Edward Honda, John Jung Hsing, Edward Minnich, Steven M. Lenz, Paul D. Osenkarski, Jeffrey J. Partynski, Timothy J. Porth, Thomas F. Smith, Jr., Daniel R. Wille, Chungkin Yee, Gary E. Oglesby, John Danile, Kenneth R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6783482
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 6776740
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs. Another feature includes pre-glazing the treadmill belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy T. Anderson, Shawn Barrett, Christopher E. Clawson, Thomas B. Cray, Juliette Cherly Daly, Peter Haugen, Edward Honda, John Jung Hsing, Edward Minnich, Angela Martin, Paul D. Osenkarski, Jeffrey J. Partynski, Timothy J. Porth, Thomas F. Smith, Jr., Daniel R. Wille, Chungkin Yee, Gary E. Oglesby
  • Publication number: 20030199366
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle along with using treadmill operating criteria for scheduling and operating the lubrication system. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy T. Anderson, Michael A. Brennan, Christopher E. Clawson, Thomas B. Cray, Juliette Cherly Daly, Peter Haugen, Edward Honda, John Jung Hsing, Edward Minnich, Steven M. Lenz, Paul D. Osenkarski, Jeffrey J. Partynski, Timothy J. Porth, Thomas F. Smith, Daniel R. Wille, Chungkin Yeen, Gary E. Oglesby, John Danile, Kenneth R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6626803
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 6572512
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle along with using treadmill operating criteria for scheduling and operating the lubrication system. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy T. Anderson, Michael A. Brennan, Christopher E. Clawson, Thomas B. Cray, Juliette Cherly Daly, Peter Haugen, Edward Honda, John Jung Hsing, Edward Minnich, Steven M. Lenz, Paul D. Osenkarski, Jeffrey J. Partynski, Timothy J. Porth, Thomas F. Smith, Jr., Daniel R. Wille, Chungkin Yee, Gary E. Oglesby, John Danile, Kenneth R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020049121
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle along with using treadmill operating criteria for scheduling and operating the lubrication system. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy T. Anderson, Michael A. Brennan, Christopher E. Clawson, Thomas B. Cray, Juliette Cherly Daly, Peter Haugen, Edward Honda, John Jung Hsing, Edward Minnich, Steven M. Lenz, Paul D. Osenkarski, Jeffrey J. Partynski, Timothy J. Porth, Thomas F. Smith, Daniel R. Wille, Chungkin Yee, Gary E. Oglesby, John Danile, Kenneth R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020045517
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 5830114
    Abstract: A cross country ski exerciser has an adjustable forward support that provides for changing the inclination of the frame. The adjustable support permits automatic adjustment of the frame inclination in a series of steps. The adjustment mechanism will reset so that it can be collapsed to a frame lowered position, returned to an operative position and automatically be operative to support the frame. The ski exerciser has folding frame components for compact storage utilizing a single bolt latching arrangement. An arm exerciser supported on the frame has a flywheel for insuring smooth arm movement during the exercise sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Nordictrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Halfen, Peter H. Haugen, Lyle R. Hilk, Michael R. Johnston, Tianhong Ouyang, Timothy J. Porth, Alan Wetterlin
  • Patent number: D518701
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Octane Fitness, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Porth, James B. Easly, Joseph A. Halfen, Thomas M. Grimm
  • Patent number: D547159
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Octane Fitness, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Porth, Nathan R. Luger, Joseph A. Halfen
  • Patent number: D425940
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventors: Joseph A. Halfen, Peter H. Haugen, Lyle R. Hilk, Michael R. Johnston, Tianhong Ouyang, Timothy J. Porth, Alan Wetterlin
  • Patent number: D742977
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Octane Fitness, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Porth, Thomas C. Coy, Nathan R. Luger