Dual deck exercise device

• US 8,696,524 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US13/619,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 54, 482/148
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a first pivotable treadle assembly including left and right side members and a first moving surface;

a first foot platform extending outwardly from either the left side member or the right side member of the first treadle assembly; and

a second pivotable treadle assembly including left and right side members and a second moving surface;

whereby a user can stride on the first and second moving surfaces or step onto the first foot platform.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interconnection assembly operably coupled between the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one resistance element operably coupled to the frame and at least one of the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one resistance element is configured to resist and dampen movements of the first and second treadle assemblies.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one resistance element comprises:

a first shock operably coupled to the first treadle assembly and the frame; and

a second shock operably coupled to the second treadle assembly and the frame.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

the first shock is operably coupled to an outer frame member of the first treadle assembly and a first upright of the frame extending above the treadle assemblies; and

the second shock is operably coupled to an outer frame member of the second treadle assembly and a second upright of the frame extending above the treadle assemblies.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the first shock is coupled to a rear surface of the first upright; and

the second shock is coupled to a rear surface of the second upright.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the first shock is aligned with the first upright; and

the second shock is aligned with the second upright.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the first upright includes a rearwardly extending first handle member;

the first shock is aligned with the first handle member in a vertical direction of the apparatus;

the second upright includes a readwardly extending second handle member; and

the second shock is aligned with the second handle member in the vertical direction of the apparatus.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

the first shock is positioned below the first treadle assembly; and

the second shock is positioned below the second treadle assembly.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first foot platform defines a substantially flat mounting surface configured to be engaged by at least one foot of a user.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mounting surface of the first foot platform is located at approximately the same level as an upper surface of the first treadle assembly.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein as the first treadle assembly pivots, the first foot platform moves relative to the frame.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein pivotal movement of the first treadle assembly causes movement of the first foot platform.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second treadle assembly further comprises a second foot platform extending outwardly from either the left side member or the right side member of the second treadle assembly.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second foot platform defines a substantially flat mounting surface configured to be engaged by at least one foot of a user.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mounting surface of the second foot platform is located at approximately the same level as an upper surface of the second treadle assembly.

18. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a first pivotable treadle assembly including left and right side members and a first moving surface;

a first foot platform cantilevered from either the left side member or the right side member of the first treadle assembly; and

a second pivotable treadle assembly including left and right side members and a second moving surface;

whereby a user can stride on the first and second moving surfaces or step onto the first foot platform.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second treadle assembly further comprises a second foot platform cantilevered from either the left side member or the right side member of the second treadle assembly.