Dual deck exercise device

• US 8,002,674 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2009
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Potter, Randal, Cook, Brian R., Piaget, Gary, Monette, Ben, Singh, Todd, Rauwerdink, Matt, Christopher, Brent, Warner, Patrick A., Golesh, Eric D., Crawford, Douglas A., Flick, Edward L., Smith, Bradley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/624,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20100075812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 482/54, 482 51- 52, 482/70, 482 79- 80
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0278 with reversible direction of the running surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• 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 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• 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 22/0214 between the belt supporting deck and the frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• 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 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0292 separate for each leg, e.g. dual deck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 : Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/305 : Remote servicing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/64 : Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 : Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 : User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/42 : rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/436 : partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 : involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0429 : with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by being cantilevered about a horizontal axis
• 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: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases

Abstract

An exercise device employing side-by-side pivotally supported moving surfaces. In one particular example, an exercise device employs a first belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller and an adjacent second belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller. The rear of the belts in the area of the rear rollers are pivotally secured and the front of the belts in the area of the front roller are adapted to reciprocate in an up and down motion during use. In some implementations, the moving surfaces include an interconnection structure such that a generally downward movement of one surface is coordinated with a generally upward movement of the other surface. In other implementations, the moving surfaces are operably associated with one or more resistance elements that effect the amount of force required to pivot or actuate the moving surfaces.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame;

a first treadle assembly including a first frame structure and a first surface supported by the first frame structure and movable relative to the first frame structure, the first treadle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame, the first movable surface including a length and a width, and the first frame structure including a first member defining a longitudinal perimeter edge of the first treadle assembly that is substantially parallel to the length of the first surface;

a second treadle assembly including a second frame structure and a second surface supported by the second frame structure and movable relative to the second frame structure, the second treadle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame, the second movable surface including a length and a width, the second frame structure including a first member defining a longitudinal perimeter edge of the second treadle assembly that is substantially parallel to the length of the second surface, and the first member of the second treadle assembly positioned adjacent to the first member of the first frame structure; and

a structure located between the first and second movable surfaces and overlying at least one of the first member of the first treadle assembly or the first member of the second treadle assembly, the structure configured to provide less friction when contacted by a user of the exercise device as compared to friction provided by the first and second movable surfaces when contacted by the user of the exercise device, whereby when a user'"'"'s foot steps downwardly on both the structure and a respective one of the first and second movable surfaces the user'"'"'s foot tracks movement of the respective one of the first and second movable surfaces and moves along the structure.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a slidable surface.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the slidable surface is nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the slidable surface is lubricated.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the structure extends generally an entire length of the treadle assemblies.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the structure is also located at exterior edges of the first and second treadle assemblies.

7. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a second structure located at exterior edges of the first and second treadle assemblies, the second structure configured to provide less friction when contacted by the user of the exercise device as compared to friction provided by the first and second movable surfaces when contacted by the user of the exercise device, whereby when the user'"'"'s foot steps downwardly on both the second structure and a respective one of the first and second movable surfaces the user'"'"'s foot tracks movement of the respective one of the first and second movable surfaces and moves along the second structure.