System and method for controlling an exercise apparatus

• US 7,618,346 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2004
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Crawford, Douglas A., Smith, Bradley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US10/789,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20040209738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,091 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 119/700, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/002 electronically, e.g. by using a program
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0666 worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0059 using a frequency controlled AC motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0015 with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0048 with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• 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 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/36 Speed measurement by electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• 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 2225/305 Remote servicing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present invention generally provide a control system and a process for an exercise apparatus configurable into a combined treadmill and stepper mode. The apparatus may also be configured into stepper only and treadmill only modes. The apparatus generally includes a master control unit, a first sensor, in communication with the master control unit, which generates a first signal indicative of an effective tread speed for the apparatus, and a resistive element that includes at least one resistance level. Using the first signal, the resistance level, and empirical information, the amount of energy expended by a user of the apparatus may be calculated and the operation of the apparatus controlled. Various sensors, actuators and information, such as that obtained from various data structures, may be utilized in performing calculations and controlling the features, functions and operation of the apparatus.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

at least one treadle having at least one tread;

a master control unit;

a first sensor, in communication with the master control unit, which generates a first signal indicative of an effective tread speed for the apparatus;

a resistive element operably coupled with the at least one treadle, the resistive element including at least one resistance level; and

a second sensor in communication with the master control unit

wherein the at least one treadle is pivotally attached to the frame to perform a downward movement in response to an increase in a force applied by a user and to perform an upward movement in response to a decrease in the force applied by the user; and

wherein the second sensor generated at least one second signal with at least one of the downward movement and the upward movement of a treadle.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the master control unit calculates an amount of energy expended based upon the first and second signals.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one treadle has at least a downward movement;

and

wherein the second sensor generates the at least one second signal with each downward movement of a treadle.

3. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one treadle having at least one tread;

a master control unit;

a first sensor, in communication with the master control unit, which generates a first signal indicative of an effective tread speed for the apparatus;

a resistive element operably coupled with the at least one treadle, the resistive element including at least one resistance level; and

a second sensor in communication with the master control unit

a data structure containing data indicative of the amount of energy expended for at least one of a given effective tread speed and a given resistance level;

wherein the at least one treadle has at least one movement;

wherein the second sensor generated at least one second signal with each movement of a treadle; and

wherein the master control unit calculates an amount of energy expended based upon the first and second signals, and the master control unit utilizes data from the data structure in calculating the amount of energy expended.

5. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one treadle having at least one tread;

a master control unit;

a first sensor, in communication with the master control unit, which generates a first signal indicative of an effective tread speed for the apparatus;

a resistive element operably coupled with the at least one treadle, the resistive element including at least one resistance level; and

a second sensor in communication with the master control unit

wherein the at least one treadle has at least one movement;

wherein the second sensor generated at least one second signal with each movement of a treadle; and

wherein the master control unit determines an amount of calories expended based upon the second signal when the first sensor provides a null reading.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus is configured in stepping mode.

7. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one treadle having at least one tread;

a master control unit;

a first sensor, in communication with the master control unit, which generates a first signal indicative of an effective tread speed for the apparatus;

a resistive element operably coupled with the at least one treadle, the resistive element including at least one resistance level; and

a second sensor in communication with the master control unit

wherein the at least one treadle has at least one movement;

wherein the second sensor generated at least one second signal with each movement of a treadle; and

wherein the master control unit determines an amount of energy expended based upon the first signal when the second signal provides a null reading.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured in treadmill only mode.