Dual deck exercise device

• US 8,734,300 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• 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
• Application Number:
  US13/619,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 54
• 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 frame;

a first treadle assembly pivotally attached to said frame by a pivotal connection;

a second treadle assembly pivotally attached to said frame by a pivotal connection;

an upright attached to said frame;

each said treadle assembly having a moving surface and wherein movement of one treadle assembly causes an opposite movement of the other treadle assembly;

said first and second treadle assemblies are each operative to independently pivot about said respective pivotal connections to a storage position substantially parallel to said upright, further comprising a latching mechanism for retaining said first treadle assembly in said storage position; and

said first and second treadle assemblies are configured to allow a user to perform, on each said treadle assembly, a striding motion, a stepping motion, or a combination of the striding motion and the stepping motion.

2. The exercise device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a side rail pivotally attached to said upright by a side rail pivot; and

wherein

said side rail is operable to pivot about said side rail pivot into a storage position.

3. The exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the exercise device is free standing on said frame with said first treadle assembly and said upright in a generally vertical orientation when said first treadle assembly is in said storage position.

4. The exercise device as set forth in claim 3, where said first treadle assembly is rotated to an over-center orientation when said first treadle assembly is in said storage position.

5. The exercise device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a second latching mechanism for retaining said second treadle assembly in said storage position.

6. The exercise device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the exercise device is free standing on said frame with said second treadle assembly and said upright in a generally vertical orientation when said second treadle assembly is in said storage position.

7. The exercise device as set forth in claim 6, where said second treadle assembly is rotated to an over-center orientation when said second treadle assembly is in said storage position.