Drop-in pivot configuration for stationary bike

• US 10,561,877 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2017
• Issued: 02/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Workman, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Megan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vermillera, Kathleen
• Application Number:
  US15/787,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20180117383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0611 Particular details or arrangement of cranks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0641 enabling a lateral movement of the exercising apparatus, e.g. for simulating movement on a bicycle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/009 Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00192 using resistance provided by magnetic means A63B21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/0046 Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/682 for beverages
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An exercise machine may include a frame. The frame may include a base portion, an upright portion coupled to the base portion, and a pivot joint connecting the upright portion to the base portion. The pivot joint may include a drop-in axle connected to the upright portion and a drop-in receptacle connected to the base portion. The drop-in axle may be removably received in the drop-in receptacle.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame, the frame including;

a base portion;

an upright portion coupled to the base portion at a single pivot point;

a pivot joint connecting the upright portion to the base portion at the single pivot point;

the pivot joint, including;

a drop-in axle connected to the upright portion, wherein the drop-in axle includes a stationary portion and a rotatable portion; and

a drop-in receptacle connected to the base portion;

wherein the drop-in axle is removably received in the drop-in receptacle, wherein the stationary portion is secured to the drop-in receptacle with a fastener transverse to a pivot axis of the drop-in axle.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a movable element attached to the frame, wherein the movable element moves with respect to the frame during a performance of an exercise.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the movable element includes a crank assembly connected to the upright portion, the crank assembly comprising:

a crank axle;

a first crank arm attached to a first side of the crank axle; and

a second crank arm attached to a second side of the crank axle.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3, further comprising:

a housing that covers at least a portion of the crank axle;

wherein the drop-in axle is located outside of the housing.

5. The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the crank axle is separate from the drop-in axle.

6. The exercise machine of claim 2, further comprising a flywheel that resists movement of the movable element during the performance of the exercise.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6, further comprising a tilt actuator that connects the base portion of the frame to the upright portion of the frame and determines an angle that the upright portion forms with respect to the base portion.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7, wherein the flywheel is located on a far side of the exercise machine away from the tilt actuator and is a counter weight to the tilt actuator.

9. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the upright portion of the frame is pivotable about the drop-in axle;

wherein the upright portion has a pivot range that is within negative 20 degrees and positive 20 degrees.

10. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine comprises a stationary bicycle.

11. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the drop-in receptacle comprises a slide bracket.

12. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a horizontal frame member and the drop-in receptacle is mounted directly to the horizontal frame member.

13. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the upright portion comprises:

a seat frame member; and

a console frame member connected to the seat frame member;

wherein the seat frame member and the console frame member form a V shape.

14. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the drop-in receptacle is open.

15. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame including a base portion, an upright portion coupled to the base portion, and a pivot joint connecting the upright portion to the base portion;

wherein the pivot joint includes a drop-in axle connected to the upright portion;

a first drop-in receptacle and a second drop-in receptacle connected to the base portion, wherein both the first drop-in receptacle and the second drop-in receptacle include a plurality of side walls, wherein the drop-in axle is removably received in both the first drop-in receptacle and the second drop-in receptacle between the plurality of side walls, wherein a top portion of the first drop-in receptacle, the second drop-in receptacle, or both the first drop-in receptacle and the second drop-in receptacle is open;

a movable element that moves with respect to the frame during a performance of an exercise;

wherein the movable element includes a crank assembly connected to the upright portion;

the crank assembly including;

a crank axle;

a first crank arm attached to a first side of the crank axle; and

a second crank arm attached to a second side of the crank axle.

16. The exercise machine of claim 15, further comprising a flywheel that resists movement of the movable element during the performance of the exercise.

17. The exercise machine of claim 16, further comprising a tilt actuator that connects the base portion of the frame to the upright portion of the frame and determines an angle that the upright portion forms with respect to the base portion.

18. The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the flywheel is located on a far side of the exercise machine away from the tilt actuator and is a counter weight to the tilt actuator.

19. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame including a base portion, an upright portion coupled to the base portion, and a pivot joint connecting the upright portion to the base portion;

wherein the pivot joint includes;

a drop-in axle connected to the upright portion, wherein the drop-in axle includes a stationary portion and a rotatable portion; and

a drop-in receptacle connected to the base portion, wherein the drop-in receptacle includes a plurality of side-walls;

wherein the drop-in axle is removably received in the drop-in receptacle, and wherein the stationary portion is secured to the drop-in receptacle using a fastener transverse to a pivot axis of the drop-in axle;

a movable element that moves with respect to the frame during a performance of an exercise;

wherein the movable element includes a crank assembly connected to the upright portion;

the crank assembly including;

a crank axle;

a first crank arm attached to a first side of the crank axle; and

a second crank arm attached to a second side of the crank axle;

a flywheel that resists movement of the movable element during the performance of the exercise;

a tilt actuator that connects the base portion of the frame to the upright portion of the frame and determines an angle that the upright portion forms with respect to the base portion; and

wherein the flywheel is located on a far side of the exercise machine away from the tilt actuator and is a counter weight to the tilt actuator.