Exercise equipment

• US 20060035757A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Flick, Edward L., Trevino, Richard W., Watt, Jonathan B., Lull, Andrew P., Hubbard, Adam P.
• Application Number:
  US11/202,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20060035757A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprises a frame defining a front portion and at least one front wheel operably coupled with the front portion of the frame. The exercise apparatus also comprises an elevation support frame defining a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is pivotally supported at the front portion of the frame and the rear portion operably supports at least one rear wheel. The exercise apparatus further comprises a motor coupled with the elevation support frame, the motor adapted to pivot the elevation support frame and extend the at least one rear wheel away from the frame.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

at least one first wheel operably coupled with the frame;

an elevation support frame defining a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being pivotally supported on the frame, the second portion operably supporting at least one second wheel; and

a motor coupled with the elevation support frame, the motor adapted to pivot the elevation support frame and extend the at least one second wheel away from the frame.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 whereby the at least one first wheel and the at least one second wheel engage a surface to lift the frame.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the frame defines a front region and a rear region;

the at least one first wheel is operably coupled with the front region of the frame; and

the first portion of the elevation support frame is pivotally supported at the front region of the frame.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 whereby the at least one second wheel and the at least one first wheel engage a surface to lift the front of the frame.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motor coupled with the elevation support frame is adapted to retract an extended at least one second wheel towards the frame.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elevation support frame comprises:

a pivot rod rotably supported on the frame;

at least one wheel support bracket operably coupled to the pivot rod, wherein the at least one wheel support bracket rotabably supports the at least one second wheel; and

at least one pivot bracket operably coupled between the motor and the at least one wheel support bracket.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the at least one wheel support bracket comprise a first and a second wheel support bracket, the first and second wheel support brackets operably coupled with the pivot rod;

the first wheel support bracket rotabably supports a second wheel of the at least one second wheel;

the second wheel support bracket rotabably supporting a third wheel of the at least one second wheel;

at least one brace coupled to the first wheel support bracket and the second wheel support bracket;

the at least one pivot bracket arranged to engage the at least one brace; and

wherein the motor pivots the at least one pivot bracket away from the frame and the pivot bracket engages the at least one brace to extend the first and second wheel support brackets away from the frame to lift the frame.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a treadmill assembly.

9. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame supporting an exercise device having at least one motor and associated motor control electronics;

at least one console defining user inputs in communication with the control electronics;

a shroud assembly coupled with the frame, the shroud assembly covering at least the at least one motor; and

at least one status light supported on the shroud and visible from a position external the exercise device, the at least one status light adapted to receive illumination signals from at least one of the control board, the at least one motor and the console.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one motor is an elevation motor.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least one status light is a grade down light that is illuminated when the control board sends a signal to the elevation motor to grade down the exercise device.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least one status light is a grade up light that is illuminated when the control board sends a signal to the elevation motor to grade up the exercise device.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one status light has variable illumination intensity in order to provide diagnostic status.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one status light utilizes a plurality of colors to provide a diagnostic status.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one motor is a treadmill belt drive motor.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

a front roller coupled to the frame and in operable communication with the treadmill belt drive motor; and

the at least one status light is a movement status light that flashes with every turn of the front roller.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the at least one status light is a speed control diagnostic, wherein the speed control diagnostic light'"'"'s intensity is increased when the at least one console defining user inputs communicates to the control board to increase the speed of the front roller.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one status light is a light emitting diode.

19. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame defining a first region and a second region;

at least one power plug selection switch;

a first power plug operably supported on the first region of the frame, the first power plug in electrical communication with the at least one power plug selection switch; and

a second power plug operably supported on the second region of the frame, the second power plug in electrical communication with the at least one power plug selection switch.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein when one of the first power plug and second power plug is activated by the power plug selection switch the other power plug is deactivated.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the at least one power plug selection switch is a double-pull, double-throw type switch with center off.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the at least one power plug selection switch is supported on the first region of the frame.

23. The exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the at least one power plug selection switch is supported on the second region of the frame.

24. The exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the exercise apparatus defines a treadmill.

25. The exercise apparatus of claim 24 wherein the first region is a front region of the treadmill.

26. The exercise apparatus of claim 24 wherein the second region is a rear region of the treadmill.

27. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

at least one upright coupled with the frame, the at least one upright supporting an arm member, the at least one upright comprising;

an inner upright frame member coupled with the frame, the inner upright frame member defining a first side and a second side; and

a first outer shroud member adapted to shroud the first side of the inner upright frame member, and second outer shroud member adapted to shroud the second side of the inner upright and further adapted to engage the first outer shroud member.

28. The exercise apparatus of claim 27 wherein the inner upright frame member defines means for supporting an arm member.

29. The exercise apparatus of claim 28 wherein the first outer shroud member defines means for shrouding the inner upright frame member.

30. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame supporting at least one electrical arrangement adapted to generate a diagnostic signal;

at least one diagnostic light in communication with the at least one electrical arrangement, the at least one diagnostic light arranged to illuminate upon receipt of a diagnostic signal; and

the at least one diagnostic light supported on a portion of the frame such that it is visible without removal of any components of the exercise apparatus.

31. The exercise apparatus of claim 30 where the frame includes a shroud adapted to cover the at least one electrical arrangement.

32. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a tread belt operably supported on the frame;

means for elevation operably associated with the frame;

means for supporting arm members operably associated with the frame;

means for delivering power to one or more electrical components of the exercise apparatus; and

means for providing a visual indication corresponding with the electrical components.