Emergency stop with magnetic brake for an exercise device

• US 10,537,764 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2016
• Issued: 01/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Smith, Kent M., Hays, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Atkinson, Garrett K
• Application Number:
  US15/228,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20170036053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0085 using pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0088 by moving the surrounding air
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/68 with article holders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 : Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 1/005 : constructional features of brake elements, e.g. fastening of brake blocks in their holders

Abstract

A control mechanism includes a friction brake assembly. The friction brake assembly includes a push rod and a friction pad connected to the push rod. The control mechanism also includes a magnetic resistance assembly. The magnetic resistance assembly includes a rotatable sleeve, a movable housing in contact with the rotatable sleeve, and at least one magnet disposed within the movable housing. The control mechanism also includes a knob in mechanical communication with both the push rod and the rotatable sleeve.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a crank assembly, the crank assembly comprising;

a pedal; and

a pedal arm connected to the pedal;

a flywheel connected to the pedal arm; and

a control mechanism comprising;

a friction brake assembly, the friction brake assembly comprising;

a push rod; and

a friction pad connected to the push rod;

the friction pad being proximate to the flywheel so that upon activation of the push rod, the friction pad engages the flywheel;

a magnetic resistance assembly, the magnetic resistance assembly comprising;

a rotatable sleeve with a sleeve threaded portion;

a movable housing in mechanical communication with the rotatable sleeve, wherein the rotatable sleeve is rotatable relative to the push rod and the movable housing; and

at least one magnet disposed within the movable housing;

the movable housing being proximate the flywheel; and

a knob in mechanical communication with both the push rod and the rotatable sleeve; and

a threaded mover intermeshed with the sleeve threaded portion, wherein the threaded mover is in contact with the movable housing.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a return spring in communication with the push rod.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the push rod is mechanically isolated from the knob.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the rotatable sleeve comprises at least one spline that interlocks with an inside surface of the knob and allows for axial movement of the knob with respect to the rotatable sleeve.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the rotatable sleeve is rotationally interlocked with the knob so that the rotatable sleeve rotates when the knob rotates.

6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the rotatable sleeve causes the movable housing to move in axial direction when the knob is rotated in a first direction.

7. A exercise device, comprising:

a crank assembly, the crank assembly comprising;

a pedal; and

a pedal arm connected to the pedal;

a flywheel connected to the pedal arm; and

a control mechanism comprising;

a friction brake assembly, the friction brake assembly comprising;

a push rod including a push rod first end and a push rod second end; and

a friction pad connected to the push rod at the push rod second end;

the friction pad being proximate to the flywheel so that upon activation of the push rod, the friction pad engages the flywheel;

a knob, the knob being movable coaxially with the push rod, wherein in a first knob position, the knob is spaced a distance apart from the push rod and in a second knob position, the knob contacts the push rod at the push rod first end;

a magnetic resistance assembly, the magnetic resistance assembly comprising;

a rotatable sleeve including a sleeve threaded portion, sleeve threaded portion being in communication with a sensor, the rotatable sleeve including a bore defined by a sleeve inner surface of the sleeve, wherein the push rod is inserted into the bore along a bore length of the bore;

a threaded mover threadedly connected to an end of the rotatable sleeve at the sleeve threaded portion, wherein when the push rod moves axially, a location of the threaded mover is not moved;

a movable housing in contact with the threaded mover, the movable housing being proximate to the flywheel;

the rotatable sleeve comprises at least one spline that rotationally interlocks with an inside surface of the knob so that the rotatable sleeve rotates when the knob rotates, and wherein the spline allows for axial movement of the knob with respect to the rotatable sleeve;

wherein rotating the rotatable sleeve moves the threaded mover in an axial direction such that when the knob is rotated in a first direction, the threaded mover moves the movable housing toward the flywheel, and when the knob is rotated in a second direction, the threaded mover moves the movable housing away from the flywheel, wherein rotating the knob does not affect the push rod, and wherein pushing on the knob moves push rod and the friction pad in the axial direction without affecting a position of the movable housing;

at least one magnet disposed within the movable housing;

wherein the knob is in mechanical communication with both the push rod and the rotatable sleeve;

wherein the knob is rotationally isolated from the push rod;

a knob return spring positioned within a knob cavity in an underside of the knob, the return spring connected to an annular face on the rotatable sleeve and configured to push the knob into the first knob position in the absence of a downward force; and

a housing spring configured to return the movable housing to an upward position when the threaded mover is not exerting an axial force on the movable housing.