Patents by Inventor Trace O. Gordon

Trace O. Gordon 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).

  • Publication number: 20010012811
    Abstract: Left and right rails are supported on a frame and movable up and down with respect thereto. Left and right skates are supported on respective rails and movable back and forth with respect thereto. As a result, each skate is movable through a variety of paths within a respective vertical plane. Each rail is a leaf spring and provides its own, inherent reactionary force in response to upward and downward movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6231484
    Abstract: An exercise machine which simulates snow skiing so as to especially develop the muscles of a person particular to snow skiing. A tubular support frame pivotally supports a pair of elongate foot support arms the front end of which are pivotally connected to the frame for multiple axes rotation. The rear end of the foot support arms each have a foot pedal which support the user in an elevated position. A pair of generally vertical pivot arms are pivotally connected at an upper end of each to the support frame with the lower end of each connected to a respective foot support arm. The pivot arms are interconnected by a tie bar for coordinated movement thereof. The movement of the foot support arms is simultaneously about multiple axes comprising lateral horizontal and upward vertical components wherein the foot support arms trace a conical path and the foot pedals trace generally upwardly directed arcuate paths with the foot support arms tilting inwardly to simulate edging of skis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5833584
    Abstract: A striding exercise device with a base having at least one elongated track defining a continuous arc that curves upward along at least one end portion thereof. At least a portion of the continuous arc has a curvature generally corresponding to the swing arc of the operator's leg. Two footskates are slidably engaged with the at least one track. The footskates are operable for receiving feet of an operator. The operator reciprocates the feet back and forth so that the footskates move in reciprocating motion along at least a portion of the continuous arc. The continuous arc may have a constant or variable radius, adjustable by the operator. Pivotable hand levers or sliding hand grips provide upper body resistance for the operator. The pivotable hand levers may be locked in a plurality of position within the range of motion of the operator so as to operate as handlebars. A motor may assist the operator in reciprocating the footskates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon, Adolf H. Friedebach, Paul M. Theisen
  • Patent number: 5674167
    Abstract: A strength training exercise apparatus includes a frame having an upright back rest, and a horizontal seat, and further includes opposing arm members pivotally mounted to the back rest. The arm members are movable through an arcuate range of motion, and include locking pins for selectively locking the arm members in desired angular positions. The apparatus still further includes a resistance assembly consisting of a fixed anchor mounted on the frame, a movable anchor which is movable relative to the fixed anchor, and a plurality of elastomeric resistance cords releasably secured between the movable anchor and the fixed anchor to provide resistance to movement of the movable anchor. A pull line is mounted on guide pulleys along the length of the arm members, and is received in association with the movable anchor whereby outward movement of the pull line with respect to the arm members causes movement of the movable anchor with respect to the fixed anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon, Mark R. Nestande, Paul M. Theisen, John E. Titus, Ross A. Mackert
  • Patent number: 5669865
    Abstract: A fold/extension exercise apparatus is disclosed including a support frame with a seating device pivotably attached thereto. Attached to the support frame and to the seating device may be one or more elongate pull-up/press bars with a handle formed therein or some other mechanism for exercising the arms. A leg curl/extension mechanism may also be provided and disposed so that extension of the leg curl mechanism causes extension of the seating device. Each of the respective portions of the exercise apparatus have extended positions and folded positions as to enable the user to simultaneously work the arms, legs and abdomen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5626539
    Abstract: A treadmill device includes a frame, and two independent side-by-side treadmills each having a continuous tread and first and second ends. The device further includes link members for supporting the first and second end of the treadmills above the frame. Each of the link members has a first end pivotably connected to the frame and a second end pivotably connected to the respective treadmill adjacent the respective end thereof. The device still further includes first and second spring-return hydraulic cylinder assemblies for independently supporting the respective treadmills in a first elevated position above the frame, and for independently resisting downward movement of the treadmills from the first position to a second position. The treads may be driven by a mechanical drive mechanism actuated by downward movement of the treadmills, or may be motor driven in a conventional manner by a common electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5575740
    Abstract: A striding exercise device includes a base having two elongated parallel tracks which curve upwardly in a constant radial arc, and two footskates which are rotatably supported on the tracks for reciprocating movement thereon. The radial arc generally corresponds to the natural swinging arc of a human leg as the leg pivots about the hip. When the operator stands on the footskates and reciprocates the footskates back and forth along the upwardly curved tracks, the operator's torso is maintained in a stationary and balanced position over the base. The reduction in torso movement substantially eliminates strain on the leg joints, particularly the knee and hip joints, caused by up and down movement of the torso and further substantially eliminates back strain caused by reaching and bending at the waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5575739
    Abstract: An exercise device consists of a frame having an upright support member, upper and lower pivot levers pivotably mounted on the support member, first and second foot platforms pivotably mounted on the first and second end portions of the lower pivot lever, hand grips mounted on the first and second end portions of the upper pivot lever, and a resistance cylinder connected between the corresponding first end portions of the upper and lower pivot levers. The upright support is vertically adjustable to adjust the vertical height of the upper pivot lever. In use, the operator stands on the foot platforms, grasps the hand grips of the upper pivot lever, and reciprocates the feet and hands in a rocking, or see-saw type motion similar bicycling, rock climbing or stair climbing. The resistance cylinder comprises a hydraulic-type cylinder which provides resistance during reciprocating movement of the upper and lower pivot levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5518470
    Abstract: An exercise device consists of a frame having an upright support member, upper and lower pivot levers pivotably mounted on the support member, first and second foot platforms pivotably mounted on the first and second end portions of the lower pivot lever, hand grips mounted on the first and second end portions of the upper pivot lever, and a resistance cylinder connected between the corresponding first end portions of the upper and lower pivot levers. The upright support is vertically adjustable to adjust the vertical height of the upper pivot lever. In use, the operator stands on the foot platforms, grasps the hand grips of the upper pivot lever, and reciprocates the feet and hands in a rocking, or see-saw type motion similar bicycling, rock climbing or stair climbing. The resistance cylinder comprises a hydraulic-type cylinder which provides resistance during reciprocating movement of the upper and lower pivot levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5441466
    Abstract: An exercise step includes a generally rectangular stepping platform having first and second ends and further includes first and second pairs of leg bellows respectively mounted to the first and second ends of the platform thereby forming four legs for supporting the stepping platform above a supporting surface. Each pair of leg bellows is controlled by a single valve for selectively simultaneously inflating or deflating the pair of leg bellows to selectively adjust the height of the platform above a supporting surface. A channel extends between the paired leg bellows at each end of the platform. Each leg bellows includes a flexible air tube extending therefrom, and the air tubes are received in the channels in the bottom of the platform. The valves comprise slotted valve stems which extend into the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventors: Gary Piaget, Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5419747
    Abstract: Exercise apparatus is provided for exercising all four limbs of the body. The exercise apparatus effectively simulates the anatomical movements of the body during walking and provides positive and negative resistance to all four limbs of the body during use. The exercise apparatus includes a frame having upright support members, two leg member and two arm members which are pivotably mounted to the support members at vertically spaced positions so that the leg members are generally pivotable at the hips of the user and the arm members are generally pivotable at the shoulders of the user. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the arm and leg members to provide resistance when the arm and leg members are reciprocated in opposite directions during use of the apparatus. The distances between the hip and shoulder pivots, the hip pivot and foot platforms and the shoulder pivot and handgrips are adjustable to accommodate the anatomical differences of different size users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5336146
    Abstract: A treadmill device includes a frame, and two side-by-side treadmills each having a continuous tread and first and second ends. The first ends of the two treadmills are pivotably supported on a base portion of the frame by a roller shaft which extends through the treadmill rollers. The second ends of the treadmills are independently supported by spring return hydraulic cylinders which are connected between the treadmills and spaced support members of the frame. The continuous treads are driven by a motor which is coupled to the roller shaft. The treadmills alternately pivot up and down as a user walks thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: D358436
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon, James B. Easley, Adolf H. Friedebach, Thomas G. Tupper
  • Patent number: D384117
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon, Mark R. Nestande, Paul M. Theisen, John E. Titus, James B. Easley
  • Patent number: RE36031
    Abstract: Exercise apparatus is provided for exercising all four limbs of the body. The exercise apparatus effectively simulates the anatomical movements of the body during walking and provides positive and negative resistance to all four limbs of the body during use. The exercise apparatus includes a frame having upright support members, two leg member and two arm members which are pivotably mounted to the support members at vertically spaced positions so that the leg members are generally pivotable at the hips of the user and the arm members are generally pivotable at the shoulders of the user. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the arm and leg members to provide resistance when the arm and leg members are reciprocated in opposite directions during use of the apparatus. The distances between the hip and shoulder pivots, the hip pivot and foot platforms and the shoulder pivot and handgrips are adjustable to accommodate the anatomical differences of different size users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Trace O. Gordon