Fitness apparatus with heart rate control system and method of operation

• US 6,033,344 A
• Filed: 01/07/1998
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: True Fitness Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: True Fitness Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Mueller, Mark D., Trulaske, Frank R.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US09/003,917
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/54, 482/51, 482/57, 482/900-902, 601/23, 601/24, 601/26, 601/33-35
• US Class Current: 482/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02455 provided with high/low alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• 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 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0257 Mechanical systems therefor
• 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 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

A method and apparatus for maintaining the heart rate of a user of a fitness apparatus at a scheduled target rate by varying the resistance of a first resistance mechanism with respect to a second resistance mechanism. To increase the heart rate, the resistance of the first resistance mechanism is increased to a maximum level before an adjustment is made to the second resistance mechanism. To decrease the heart rate, the resistance of the second resistance mechanism is decreased to a minimum level before an adjustment is made to the first resistance mechanism. The invention may be incorporated into a treadmill having resistance mechanisms including a mechanism to vary the speed of the treadmill belt and a mechanism to vary the grade of the treadmill.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a level of elevated cardiovascular activity exhibited by a user of a fitness apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing the heart rate of the user;

(b) sensing resistance values of first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user of the fitness apparatus;

(c) capturing a value of the heart rate after the user'"'"'s level of cardiovascular activity has been elevated by working the first and second resistance mechanisms; and

(d) controlling the values of the first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user to maintain the value of the user'"'"'s heart rate at a value determined from the captured value.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the maintained value of the user'"'"'s heart rate is the same as the captured value.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first resistance mechanism is a treadmill belt and its resistance value is a speed of the belt.

4. The method of claim 1 including the step of determining maximum values of resistance for each of the respective first and second resistance mechanisms based on the resistance values of the mechanisms when the user'"'"'s heart rate is captured.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the second resistance mechanism is a grade of a treadmill.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the fitness apparatus is a treadmill.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying the resistance values of the first and second resistance mechanisms includes the step of varying a speed and grade of a treadmill belt.

8. A fitness apparatus comprising:

first and second variable resistance mechanisms worked by a user to elevate the user'"'"'s level of cardiovascular activity;

a heart rate sensor for sensing the heart rate of the user and providing a signal indicative thereof;

a controller in communication with the signal from the heart rate sensor for capturing a value of the user'"'"'s heart rate in response to a signal from a user input; and

, the controller including circuitry for controlling the resistance values of the first and second variable resistance mechanisms to maintain the user'"'"'s heart rate at one or more values determined from the captured value.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 including a sensor associated with each of the first and second variable resistance mechanisms for sensing a value of the resistance of the mechanism and providing a signal indicative thereof to the controller.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fitness apparatus is a treadmill.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the controller includes means for setting maximum values for the first and second resistance mechanisms based on the values of the resistance for each of the mechanisms at the time the value of the heart rate is captured.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first and second resistance mechanisms are a speed and a grade of a belt of the treadmill.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the user input is a switch.