Dual deck exercise device

• US 8,550,962 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2011
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Piaget, Gary, Christopher, Brent, Cook, Brian R., Crawford, Douglas A., Flick, Edward L., Golesh, Eric D., Monette, Ben, Potter, Randal, Singh, Todd, Rauwerdink, Matt, Warner, Patrick A., Smith, Bradley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US13/216,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20110312472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 54, 482 57- 65
• 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 device comprising:

a first treadle operably mounted on a frame to pivot with respect to said frame;

a first resistance element operably mounted between said frame and said first treadle, said first resistance element having a mounting position that is selectively movable within a range of mounting positions via an adjustment structure to adjust a position of said first treadle with respect to said frame; and

for each mounting position of said first resistance element within the range of mounting positions, at least a substantial portion of the first resistance element is located at an elevation that is lower than said first treadle and at least a substantial portion of said adjustment structure is located at an elevation that is lower than the first resistance element.

2. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second treadle operably mounted on said frame to pivot with respect to said frame; and

a second resistance element operably mounted between said frame and second treadle, said second resistance element having a mounting position that is selectively movable to adjust a position of said second treadle with respect to said frame.

3. The exercise device as in claim 2, wherein:

said adjustment structure comprises a first continuous adjustment structure to permit continuous adjustment of said mounting position of said first resistance element within said range of mounting positions for said first resistance element; and

said second resistance element is mounted by a second continuous adjustment structure to said frame to permit continuous adjustment of said mounting position of said second resistance element within said range of mounting positions for said second resistance element.

4. The exercise device as in claim 3, wherein at least one of said continuous adjustment structures is a lead screw.

5. The exercise device as in claim 4, wherein said lead screw is operably connected to a motor to rotate said lead screw.

6. The exercise device as in claim 2, wherein said adjustment structure comprises a first discrete adjustment structure to said frame;

and said second resistance element is mounted by a second discrete adjustment structure to said frame.

8. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resistance element is a shock.

7. The exercise device as claimed in 6, wherein said first and second discrete adjustment structures comprise pop pin structures.

9. An exercise device comprising:

a frame, said frame having a range of attachment locations;

a first treadle pivotally mounted to said frame to pivot in a generally vertical plane;

a first resistance device having a top end and a bottom end, said top end of said first resistance element being operably attached to said first treadle, and said bottom end of said first resistance element being adjustably attached to said frame at a first location within said range of attachment locations;

wherein adjustment of said bottom end of said first resistance element to a different location within said range of attachment locations changes a height of said first treadle;

wherein said first resistance element is attached to said frame by a lead screw mechanism; and

for each mounting position of said first resistance element within the range of mounting positions, at least a substantial portion of the first resistance element is located at an elevation that is lower than said first treadle and at least a substantial portion of said lead screw mechanism is located at an elevation that is lower than the first resistance element.

10. An exercise device as recited in claim 9, wherein said frame includes a second range of attachment locations, the exercise machine further comprising:

a second treadle pivotally mounted to said frame to pivot in a generally vertical plane;

a second resistance element having a top end and a bottom end, said top end of said second resistance element being operably attached to said second treadle, and said bottom end of said second resistance element being adjustably attached to said frame at a first location within said second range of attachment locations; and

wherein adjustment of said bottom end of said second resistance element to a different location within said second range of attachment locations changes a height of said second treadle.

11. An exercise device as recited in claim 10, wherein:

a dependency device is operably attached between said first and second treadles to cause one treadle to move up when the other treadle is moved down; and

wherein

each of said resistance elements do not have a spring return feature.

12. An exercise device as recited in claim 10, wherein adjustment of said first treadle is independent of said second treadle, such that said treadles can be adjusted to different heights.