Flexible display assembly for fitness trainers

• US 20070225121A1
• Filed: 03/24/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precor Incorporated (Peloton Interactive, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Precor Incorporated (Peloton Interactive, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pipinich, Victor, Stewart, Jonathan, Olason, Brady, West, Rodney, Pennington, Blakely
• Granted Patent: US 7,901,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/067 with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• 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 69/06 for rowing or sculling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a display system for a fitness trainer is provided. The display system includes a processor, a hardware circuit board in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the hardware circuit board and the processor. A base portion is provided in communication with the processor and the memory. The base portion provides exercise information to the user. At least two modules are provided that can be removably attached to the base portion. In one embodiment, the removable modules comprise entertainment modules.

Claims

1. A display assembly for a fitness trainer comprising:

a base module including;

a processor;

a hardware circuit board in communication with the processor;

memory in communication with the hardware circuit board and the processor; and

a first front operating surface including at least one control and at least one display window disposed on the front operating surface; and

a supplemental module removably coupled to the base module, the supplemental module having a second front surface.

2. The display assembly of claim 1, wherein the supplemental module includes at least one control and/or at least one display window.

3. The display assembly of claim 2, wherein the supplemental module is an entertainment module, and wherein the at least one control and/or display window are directed to controlling and/or displaying entertainment.

4. The display assembly of claim 1 further wherein the supplemental module includes at least one display window, and wherein the display window comprises an audio digital display of radio frequency.

5. The display assembly of claim 1 further wherein the supplemental module comprises a personal viewing video display.

6. The display assembly of claim 1 further wherein the at least one control and the at least one display window of the base module are configured to control and monitor the operation of the fitness trainer.

7. The display assembly of claim 6 wherein the base portion further comprises a publication holder positioned such that at least one of the controls is exposed when a publication is present on the holder.

8. The display assembly of claim 1, wherein the base module and the supplemental module include first and second edge regions, respectively, and wherein the first and second edge regions are positioned adjacent three side edges of the first front operational surface and the second front surface, respectively.

9. The display assembly of claim 8, wherein the first front operational surface and the second front surface form a generally continuous and generally planar operating surface.

10. The display assembly of claim 1, further comprising a jack assembly removably coupled to the base module.

11. The display assembly of claim 10, wherein the jack assembly is centrally positioned at the lower end of the base module.

12. The display assembly of claim 1, wherein the second operating surface is formed without a control and without a display window.

13. The display assembly of claim 1 further wherein the fitness trainer is an elliptical fitness trainer.

18. The display system for a fitness trainer of claim 2 further wherein the base portion exercise information comprises exercise information displays and exercise controls.

19. The display system for a fitness trainer of claim 18 further wherein the base portion comprises a publication holder positioned such that exercise information displays and exercise controls remain accessible when a publication is present.

14. A display system for a fitness trainer comprising a base portion having exercise information and at least two removable modules that can be connected to the base portion.

15. The display system for a fitness trainer of claim 14 further wherein the removable modules include a support bracket extending downwardly from the module, the support bracket adopted to extend into housing provided in the base unit.

16. The display system for a fitness trainer of claim 14 further wherein the module comprises an entertainment module selected from the group comprising audio entertainment, video entertainment, and audio and video entertainment.

17. The display system for a fitness trainer of claim 14 further wherein the module comprises a personal viewing video display.

20. A display assembly for an exercise device comprising:

a main body having a first front operating surface;

a processor;

a hardware circuit board in communication with the processor;

memory in communication with the hardware circuit board and the processor, the processor, the hardware circuit board and the memory positioned within the main body;

at least one control and at least one display window disposed on the first front operating surface and operably engaged with the processor; and

a primary control region outwardly projecting from the first front operating surface of the main body, the primary control region having a second front operating surface spaced apart from the first operating surface.

21. The display assembly of claim 20, wherein the primary control region is positioned at a central location of a lower region of the display assembly.

22. The display assembly of claim 20, wherein the second front operating surface is substantially parallel to the first operating surface.

23. The display assembly of claim 20, wherein the primary control region includes a quick start button.

24. The display assembly of claim 23, wherein the primary control region further includes at least one increment/decrement switch.

25. The display assembly of claim 24, wherein two increment/decrement switches surround the quick start button on the second front operating surface.

26. The display assembly of claim 20, further comprising a publication holder positioned above the primary control region.

27. The display assembly of claim 20, further comprising a jack assembly removably coupled to the main body.

28. The display assembly of claim 27, wherein the jack assembly is centrally positioned at the lower end of the main body.

29. The display assembly of claim 20 further wherein the exercise device is an elliptical exercise device.