Coordinated weight selection

• US 10,293,211 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2017
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Watterson, Scott R., Dalebout, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US15/461,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20170266503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/075 with variable weights , e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0048 with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 : Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 : Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/68 : with article holders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 : with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 : User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0057 : Means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B23/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0036 : Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment A63B47/00, A63B55/00, A63B60/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A free weight assembly includes a cradle, an aerobic exercise element that is movable with respect to the cradle during the performance of an exercise, at least one free weight removable from the cradle, an input in communication with a processor that determines a time to instruct a user to remove the free weight, and an indicator that activates when the time to remove the free weight arrives.

Claims

1. A free weight assembly comprising:

a cradle;

an aerobic exercise element that is movable with respect to the cradle during a performance of a programmed workout;

a free weight removable from the cradle;

a processor configured to determine a time to instruct a user to remove the free weight and perform a set of repetitions of a type of lift with the free weight according to the programmed workout; and

a display screen configured to indicate when the time arrives, according to the programmed workout, by presenting written words, and an image, related to the set on the display screen.

2. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the free weight includes an adjustable dumbbell.

3. The free weight assembly of claim 2, wherein:

the processor is further configured to determine a weight amount for the user to manually select on the adjustable dumbbell for the set before the time arrives; and

the display screen is further configured to indicate the weight amount when the time arrives.

4. The free weight assembly of claim 1, further comprising a speaker configured to broadcast audio commands to remove the free weight and perform the set when the time arrives according to the programmed workout.

5. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the free weight assembly is incorporated into a treadmill; and

the aerobic exercise element is a tread belt.

6. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the programmed workout includes an anaerobic portion and an aerobic portion.

7. The free weight assembly of claim 6, wherein the display screen is further configured to present information relating to both the anaerobic portion and the aerobic portion of the programmed workout.

8. The free weight assembly of claim 7, wherein the information relating to both the anaerobic portion and the aerobic portion of the programmed workout includes calories burned during the programmed workout and a user heart rate during the programmed workout.

9. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the free weight assembly is incorporated into an elliptical trainer; and

the aerobic exercise element is a pedal.

10. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the display screen is further configured to indicate a next type of lift to perform with the free weight after the set.

11. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the display screen is further configured to indicate a number of repetitions to perform with the free weight during the set.

12. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the display screen is further configured to indicate safety precautions to observe with the free weight during the set.

13. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the display screen is further configured to indicate how to perform the set with the free weight.

14. The free weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the display screen is further configured to indicate pacing for performance of the set with the free weight.

15. The free weight assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electronic repetition counter configured to automatically determine how many lifts of the free weight the user has performed in order to determine when the user has finished with the set.

16. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a stationary bicycle including pedals;

a free weight assembly incorporated into the stationary bicycle, the free weight assembly including;

a cradle;

a free weight removable from the cradle;

a processor configured to determine a time to instruct a user to remove the free weight and perform a set of repetitions of a type of lift with the free weight according to a programmed workout;

a display screen configured to indicate when the time arrives, according to the programmed workout; and

a speaker configured to broadcast audio commands to remove the free weight and perform the set when the time arrives according to the programmed workout.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

the programmed workout includes an anaerobic portion performed by lifting the free weight and an aerobic portion performed by pedaling the pedals; and

performance of the anaerobic portion and the aerobic portion at least partially overlap during performance of the programmed workout on the exercise apparatus.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

the cradle includes a first portion incorporated into a first side of the stationary bicycle; and

the cradle includes a second side incorporated into a second side of the stationary bicycle.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the display screen is incorporated into a console of the stationary bicycle.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to download the programmed workout from a remote server over a network.