Exercise machine adjustable resistance system and method

• US 10,603,546 B1
• Filed: 12/06/2018
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lagree Technologies, Inc. (Sebastien Lagree)
• Original Assignee: Lagree Technologies, Inc. (Sebastien Lagree)
• Inventors: Lagree, Sebastien Anthony Louis, Cox, Samuel D., Remund, Todd G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Atkinson, Garrett K
• Application Number:
  US16/211,305
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• 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 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0052 induced by electromagnets A63B21/0056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• 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 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• 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 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 : For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 : A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 : involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• 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 71/0619 : Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills

Abstract

An exercise machine adjustable resistance system and method for efficiently varying the workout resistance for an exercise machine. The exercise machine generally includes a carriage movably positioned with respect to the at least one rail, a plurality of springs selectively connectable to the carriage to provide a resistance level to the carriage, a plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices adapted to latch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the carriage when in the latch state and unlatch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the carriage when in the unlatch state and a control unit in communication with the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to selectively control the state of each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to be within the latch state or unlatch state.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame having at least one rail extending longitudinally between a foot end and a head end of the frame;

a carriage movably positioned with respect to the at least one rail, wherein the carriage is movable between a first position and a second position along the at least one rail;

a plurality of springs, wherein each of the plurality of springs are selectively connectable to the carriage to provide a resistance level to the carriage along at least a first direction of movement of the carriage;

a plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices, wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices correspond to one of the plurality of springs, wherein the electrically actuated mechanical device each have a latch state or an unlatch state, wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices are adapted to latch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the carriage when in the latch state and unlatch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the carriage when in the unlatch state; and

a control unit in communication with the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to selectively control the state of each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to be within the latch state or unlatch state;

wherein the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices increase a number of the plurality of springs that are connected to the carriage when the control unit signals an increase in the resistance level and wherein the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices decrease a number of the plurality of springs that are connected to the carriage when the control unit signals a decrease in the resistance level.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one rail is comprised of a monorail, wherein the carriage is movably positioned upon the monorail.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the plurality of springs are enclosed within the monorail.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein at least one rail is comprised of a pair of parallel rails, wherein the carriage is movably positioned upon the pair of parallel rails.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, including a resistance sensor in communication with the control unit, wherein the resistance sensor measures the resistance level applied to the carriage.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically changes the resistance level.

7. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to automatically change the resistance level throughout an exercise routine.

8. The exercise machine of claim 1, including a resistance setting control in communication with the control unit, wherein the resistance setting control originates a control signal that is transmitted to the control unit indicating a desired resistance level.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the resistance setting control is comprised of a digital input keypad to allow an exerciser to manually enter the desired resistance level.

10. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the resistance setting control is comprised of an analog dial to allow an exerciser to manually enter the desired resistance level.

11. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the control unit automatically changes the resistance level applied to the carriage based on the control signal indicating the desired resistance level.

12. The exercise machine of claim 1, a latch connected to the carriage, wherein each of the plurality of springs are selectively connectable to the latch.

13. The exercise machine of claim 12, wherein the latch extends downwardly from the carriage.

14. The exercise machine of claim 13, wherein the latch is connected to an end of the carriage.

15. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices include an actuator.

16. The exercise machine of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices include an idle spring carrier, wherein the actuator is connected to the idle spring carrier to move the idle spring carrier into the latch state or the unlatch state.

17. The exercise machine of claim 16, wherein the actuator pivots the idle spring carrier into the latch state or the unlatch state.

18. The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the idle spring carrier supports one of the plurality of springs when in the unlatch state.

19. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of springs includes a pull knob.

20. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame having at least one rail extending longitudinally between a foot end and a head end of the frame;

a carriage movably positioned with respect to the at least one rail, wherein the carriage is movable between a first position and a second position along the at least one rail;

a latch connected to the carriage, wherein the latch extends downwardly from the carriage;

a plurality of springs, wherein each of the plurality of springs are selectively connectable to the latch to provide a resistance level to the carriage along at least a first direction of movement of the carriage;

a plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices, wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices include an actuator, wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices correspond to one of the plurality of springs, wherein the electrically actuated mechanical device each have a latch state or an unlatch state, wherein each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices are adapted to latch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the latch when in the latch state and unlatch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the latch when in the unlatch state; and

a control unit in communication with the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to selectively control the state of each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to be within the latch state or unlatch state, wherein the control unit automatically changes the resistance level;

wherein the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices increase a number of the plurality of springs that are connected to the latch when the control unit signals an increase in the resistance level and wherein the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices decrease a number of the plurality of springs that are connected to the latch when the control unit signals a decrease in the resistance level.