Body weight lift mechanism on treadmill

• US 10,661,114 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2017
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Watterson, Scott R., Dalebout, William T., Smith, Kent M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nyca T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vermillera, Kathleen
• Application Number:
  US15/787,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20180117385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 482 96, 482 51, 482137
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• 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 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An exercise machine may include a frame, a base portion of the frame, a deck pivotally connected at a rear end, an upright structure of the frame, a handle movably attached to the frame, and a linkage connecting the handle to the first end of the deck. An elevation of the first end of the deck changes when the handle is moved.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame;

a base portion of the frame;

a deck pivotally connected to the base portion;

an upright structure of the frame;

a handle movably attached to the frame;

a linkage connecting the handle to the deck, wherein an elevation of the deck changes when the handle is moved; and

a torque adjuster configured to modify a mechanical advantage between the handle and the linkage, the torque adjuster including a connection plate, a lower portion of the connection plate including a lower portion length different from an upper portion length of an upper portion of the connection plate,

wherein the exercise machine comprises a treadmill.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a first post of the upright structure;

a second post of the upright structure; and

an axle connecting the first post to the second post;

wherein the handle is rotatably disposed about the axle.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein

the first post is connected to the base portion;

the second post is connected to the base portion; and

the deck moves independent of the first post and the second post when the handle is moved.

4. The exercise machine of claim 2, further comprising:

an opening defined in the connection plate;

wherein the axle is disposed within the opening.

5. The exercise machine of claim 4, further comprising:

a plurality of handle slots defined in the connection plate;

wherein the plurality of handle slots are configured to selectively connect to the handle.

6. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the plurality of handle slots are arranged in a semi-circular arrangement on the connection plate.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6, further comprising:

a sleeve disposed about the axle;

wherein the handle is rigidly connected to the sleeve.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7, further comprising:

a locking assembly;

a housing of the locking assembly rigidly connected to the sleeve; and

a retractable pin of the locking assembly partially disposed within an aperture of the housing.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the retractable pin is configured to be aligned with at least one of the plurality of handle slots by rotating the sleeve.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of linkage slots defined in the lower portion of the connection plate;

wherein the plurality of linkage slots are configured to selectively connect to an end of the linkage.

11. The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the plurality of linkage slots are arranged in a linear arrangement on the lower portion of the connection plate.

12. The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the linkage is pivotally connected to a front end of the deck.

13. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the lower portion length is greater than the upper portion length.

14. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame including an upright structure having a first post and a second post;

a deck connected to the frame;

a first pulley disposed at a first end of the deck;

a second pulley disposed at a second end of the deck;

a tread belt surrounding the first pulley and the second pulley;

a handle movably attached to the frame;

a linkage connecting the handle to the first end of the deck; and

a torque adjuster that changes a mechanical advantage between the handle and the linkage;

wherein an elevation of the first end of the deck changes when the handle is moved;

an axle connecting the first post to the second post;

wherein the handle is configured to rotate about the axle;

wherein the deck moves independent of the first post and the second post when the handle is moved.

15. The exercise machine of claim 14, further comprising:

a connection plate; and

an opening defined in the connection plate;

wherein the axle is disposed within the opening.

16. The exercise machine of claim 15, further comprising:

a plurality of linkage slots defined in the connection plate;

wherein the plurality of linkage slots are configured to selectively connect to an end of the linkage.

17. The exercise machine of claim 15, further comprising:

a plurality of handle slots defined in the connection plate;

wherein the plurality of handle slots are configured to selectively connect to the handle.

18. The exercise machine of claim 17, further comprising:

a sleeve disposed about the axle;

wherein the handle is rigidly connected to the sleeve.

19. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame including a base portion and an upright structure having a first post and a second post, wherein the first post and the second post are connected to the base portion of the frame;

a deck pivotally connected to the frame at a rear end;

a first pulley at a first end of the deck;

a second pulley at a second end of the deck;

a tread belt surrounding the first pulley and the second pulley;

a handle movably attached to the frame;

a linkage connecting the handle to the first end of the deck;

wherein an elevation of the first end of the deck changes when the handle is moved;

an axle connecting the first post to the second post;

wherein the handle rotates about the axle;

wherein the deck moves independent of the first post and the second post when the handle is moved;

a torque adjuster that changes a mechanical advantage between the handle and the linkage;

a connection plate of the torque adjuster;

an axle receiving opening defined in the connection plate, wherein the axle is disposed within the axle receiving opening;

a plurality of linkage slots defined in the connection plate, the plurality of linkage slots selectively connect to an end of the linkage;

a plurality of handle slots defined in the connection plate, the plurality of handle slots selectively connected to the handle;

a sleeve disposed about the axle, wherein the handle is rigidly connected to the sleeve; and

a locking assembly including a housing and a retractable pin, wherein the housing of the locking assembly is rigidly connected to the sleeve, and wherein the retractable pin of the locking assembly is partially disposed within an aperture of the housing.