Exercise machine with semi-dependent retraction system

• US 7,524,272 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Carringi, Ronald H., Bruck, Robert C., Budworth, Daniel D., Pyles, Nathan, Stiemke, Donald E., Kannel, Mark J., Pettis, J. Addison
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GINSBERG, OREN ISAAC
• Application Number:
  US11/423,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20070287601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482 54- 56, 482/62, 482/70, 482/72, 482121-122, 482126-127, 482/116
• US Class Current: 482/127
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• 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 23/047 Walking and pulling or pushing a load for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34

Abstract

Disclosed is an exercise machine providing an upper body exerciser portion adapted for use with a lower body exerciser and having a semi-dependent retraction system. The exercise machine generally includes a frame adapted to be mounted on a lower body exerciser (though standalone versions are also disclosed) and the upper body exerciser consisting of first and second user members for pulling by a user to provide pull forces, single retraction means for providing retraction forces to the user members sufficient to retract them back to their start positions after being pulled out, and, non-floating combining means coupled to the single retraction means for making the retraction forces semi-dependent on the pull forces, and thereby reducing travel of the retraction means, by coupling the single retraction means to both user members. Drive and resistance means are further provided.

Claims

1. A treading exerciser assembly comprising:

a) a treadmill including a movable surface;

b) an upper body exerciser coupled to the treadmill and adapted to be utilized by a user on the treadmill, the upper body exerciser comprising;

i) a torsion spring having a first end and a second end;

ii) a first user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a first start position to a first extended position, the first user member being coupled to the first end of the torsion spring and being biased toward the first start position by the torsion spring; and

iii) a second user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a second start position to a second extended position, the second user member being coupled to the second end of the torsion spring and being biased toward the second start position by the torsion spring, the retractor simultaneously biasing the first user member and the second user member toward the first start position and the second start position, respectively,

wherein the torsion spring provides a first retraction force to the first user member, and wherein the torsion spring is coupled between the first user member and the second user member such that movement of the second user member from the second start position to the second extended position causes the first retraction force applied by the torsion spring to the first user member to increase.

2. The treading exerciser of claim 1, wherein the torsion spring is mounted for rotation.

14. The treading exerciser of claim 1, wherein the upper body exerciser further comprises a connecting assembly including a shaft supported for pivoting movement and coupled to the first end of the retractor, a first pulley supported for pivoting movement with the shaft, a first cord coupling the first user member to the first pulley, a second pulley supported for pivoting movement relative to the shaft and coupled to the second end of the retractor, and a second cord coupling the second user member to the second pulley, wherein movement of the first user member from the first retracted position toward the first extended position causes movement of the first cord thereby causing pivoting movement of the first pulley in a first direction relative to an axis of the shaft, and wherein movement of the second user member from the second retracted position toward the second extended position causes movement of the second cord thereby causing pivoting movement of the second pulley in an opposite second direction relative to the axis of the shaft.

15. The treading exerciser of claim 1, wherein the upper body exerciser further includes a connecting assembly including a shaft supported for pivoting movement and coupled to the first end of the torsion spring, a first pivoting member supported for pivoting movement with the shaft, a first cord coupling the first user member to the first pivoting member, a second pivoting member supported for pivoting movement relative to the shaft and coupled to the second end of the torsion spring and a second cord coupling the second user member to the second pivoting member.

3. A method of operating a treading exerciser assembly having a treadmill including a movable surface, and further having an upper body exerciser coupled to the treadmill, the upper body exerciser including a first user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a first retracted position toward a first extended position, and a second user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s other hand and movable from a second retracted position toward a second extended position, the method comprising:

providing a torsion spring coupled between the first user member and the second user member, the torsion spring having a first end coupled to the first user member and a second end coupled to the second user member;

moving the movable surface;

with the torsion spring, simultaneously applying a first retraction force to the first user member and a second retraction force to the second user member;

moving the second user member from the second retracted position toward the second extended position while maintaining the first user member in the first retracted position; and

increasing the first retraction force applied by the torsion spring to the first user member as a result of moving the second user member while maintaining the first user member in the first retracted position.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

moving the first user member from the first retracted position toward the first extended position while maintaining the second user member in the second retracted position; and

increasing the second retraction force applied by the torsion spring to the second user member as a result of moving the first user member while maintaining the second user member in the second retracted position.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the torsion spring includes an intermediate spring portion connected between the first end and the second end, and wherein increasing the first retraction force includes energizing the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring to have a stored energy.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

moving the first user member and the second user member in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate; and

maintaining the stored energy in the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring substantially constant while the first and second user members are being moved in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the torsion spring is mounted for rotation, and wherein moving the first and second user members in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate includes rotating the torsion spring.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein moving the movable surface includes activating the treadmill.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein moving the second user member comprises engaging a user'"'"'s hand with the second user member.

10. A method of operating a treading exerciser assembly having a treadmill including a movable surface, and further having an upper body exerciser coupled to the treadmill, the upper body exerciser including a torsion spring having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate spring portion connected between the first end and the second end, a first user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a first retracted position toward a first extended position, a second user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s other hand and movable from a second retracted position toward a second extended position, and a connecting assembly including a shaft supported for pivoting movement and coupled to the first end of the torsion spring, a first pulley supported for pivoting movement with the shaft, the first user member being coupled to the first pulley, and a second pulley supported for pivoting movement relative to the shaft and coupled to the second end of the torsion spring the second user member being coupled to the second pulley, the method comprising:

moving the movable surface;

energizing the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring to create stored energy in the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring by moving the first user member toward the first extended position, movement of the first user member toward the first extended position causing pivoting movement of the first pulley and the shaft to thereby energize the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring;

moving the first user member and the second user member in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate, movement of the first user member causing pivoting movement of the first pulley and the shaft and movement of the second user member causing pivoting movement of the second pulley relative to the shaft; and

maintaining the stored energy in the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring substantially constant while the first user member and the second user member are being moved in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the torsion spring is mounted for rotation, and wherein moving the first and second user members in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate includes rotating the torsion spring.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein moving the movable surface includes activating the treadmill.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein moving the first user member and second user member comprises engaging one of a user'"'"'s hand with the first user member and the other of a user'"'"'s hand with the second user member.

16. A treading exerciser assembly comprising:

a) a treadmill including a movable surface; and

b) an upper body exerciser coupled to the treadmill and adapted to be utilized by a user on the treadmill, the upper body exerciser comprising;

i) a first user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a first start position to a first extended position;

ii) a second user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a second start position to a second extended position,

iii) a connector assembly including

(1) a pivotable shaft,

(2) a first pulley supported for pivoting movement with the shaft, a first cord coupling the first user member to the first pulley, movement of the first user member causing movement of the first cord and thereby causing pivoting movement of the first pulley, and

(3) a second pulley supported for pivoting movement relative to the shaft, a second cord coupling the second user member to the second pulley, movement of the second user member causing movement of the second cord and thereby causing pivoting movement of the second pulley, and

iv) a torsion spring having a first end coupled to the shaft for pivoting movement with the shaft and a second end coupled to the second pulley for pivoting movement with the second pulley, the torsion spring biasing the first user member toward the first start position, the torsion spring simultaneously biasing the second user member toward the second start position, the torsion spring providing a first retraction force to the first user member, the torsion spring being coupled by the connecting assembly between the first user member and the second user member such that movement of the second user member from the second start position to the second extended position causes the first retraction force applied by the torsion spring to the first user member to increase.

17. A method of operating a treading exerciser assembly having a treadmill including a movable surface, and further having an upper body exerciser coupled to the treadmill, the upper body exerciser including a first user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a first retracted position toward a first extended position, a second user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s other hand and movable from a second retracted position toward a second extended position, a connecting assembly including a shaft supported for pivoting movement, a first pulley supported for pivoting movement with the shaft, a first cord coupling the first user member to the first pulley, a second pulley supported for pivoting movement relative to the shaft, and a second cord coupling the second user member to the second pulley, and a torsion spring coupled between the first user member and the second user member, the torsion spring having a first end coupled to the shaft and a second end coupled to the second pulley, the method comprising:

moving the movable surface;

applying a first retraction force with the torsion spring to the first user member;

moving the second user member from the second retracted position toward the second extended position while maintaining the first user member in the first retracted position, movement of the second user member causing movement of the second cord and thereby causing pivoting movement of the second pulley; and

increasing the first retraction force applied by the torsion spring to the first user member as a result of moving the second user member while maintaining the first user member in the first retracted position.

18. A method of operating a treading exerciser assembly having a treadmill including a movable surface, and further having an upper body exerciser coupled to the treadmill, the upper body exerciser including a first user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s hand and movable from a first retracted position toward a first extended position, a second user member adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s other hand and movable from a second retracted position toward a second extended position, a connecting assembly including a shaft supported for pivoting movement, a first pulley supported for pivoting movement with the shaft, a first cord coupling the first user member to the first pulley, a second pulley supported for pivoting movement relative to the shaft, and a second cord coupling the second user member to the second pulley, and a torsion spring coupled between the first user member and the second user member, the torsion spring having a first end coupled to the shaft, a second end coupled to the second pulley, and an intermediate spring portion connected between the first end and the second end, the method comprising:

moving the movable surface;

energizing the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring to create stored energy in the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring by moving the first user member toward the first extended position, movement of the first user member toward the first extended position causing movement of the first cord and thereby causing pivoting movement of the first pulley and the shaft to thereby energize the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring;

moving the first user member and the second user member in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate, movement of the first user member causing movement of the first cord and thereby causing pivoting movement of the first pulley and the shaft, movement of the second user member causing movement of the second cord and thereby causing pivoting movement of the second pulley relative to the shaft; and

maintaining the stored energy in the intermediate spring portion of the torsion spring substantially constant while the first and second user members are being moved in substantially opposing directions at substantially the same time and rate.