Resistance system for fitness equipment

• US 7,887,468 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Exersmart LLC
• Inventors: Olschansky, Brad R., Abelbeck, Kevin G., Ross, Glenn D., Olschansky, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): JALALZADEH ABYANE, SHILA
• Application Number:
  US12/176,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 482 92- 94, 482/99, 482/101, 482/107, 482/121, 482/129, 482/130, 482/133, 482/135, 482/136, 482/138
• US Class Current: 482/92
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• 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 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0626 with substantially vertical guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies

Abstract

A resistance system for fitness equipment includes a frame, a resistance source such as an elastic cord, coil or any other type of spring, weight, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. The resistance source is mounted to a resistance block with a load support. A support disk is provided that is movably mounted to the frame and adapted to enable selective engagement with the load support. A transmission member, including a pliable member such as a cable, belt or other member, is coupled to the resistance source. Movement of the support disk enables selective engagement of the resistance source. In this way one or more individual resistance sources can be selectively engaged or disengaged to vary the resistance to the user by actuation of a dial or other actuator as directed by the user.

Claims

1. A resistance system for fitness equipment, comprising:

a frame;

plural resistance blocks;

plural resistance devices coupled to the plural resistance blocks;

an engagement mechanism including a plurality of support disks on a common shaft rotatably mounted for selective direct engagement with specific resistance blocks of the plural resistance blocks;

a carriage coupled to the plural resistance devices and moveable relative to the frame;

a recoil bar adapted to support resistance blocks not engaged with the engagement mechanism when the carriage is displaced from a resting position; and

a user interface member coupled to the carriage, whereby movement of the carriage is resisted by resistance devices that are selectively and non-sequentially engaged by the engagement mechanism.

2. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the plural resistance devices includes a device selected from the group consisting of a weight block, an elastic cord, a spring, a pneumatic cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder.

3. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the plural resistance devices includes a device with the resistance capacity of twice that of another resistance device.

4. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the plural resistance devices includes a device in which each device with a greater resistance capacity than the device with the lowest resistance capacity, is twice the resistance capacity of another device.

5. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the common shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame.

6. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the the common shaft is rotatably mounted to the carriage.

7. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface member is a transmission member coupled to the carriage.

8. The resistance system according to claim 7, wherein the transmission member is a pliable member.

9. The resistance system according to claim 7, wherein the transmission member is coupled to a secondary transmission system adapted to be engaged by a user, thereby the transmission member is indirectly engaged by the user.

10. The resistance system according to claim 7, wherein a second end of the transmission member includes a handle that is directly engaged by the user.

11. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the carriage is directly coupled to the plural resistance devices.

12. The resistance system according to claim 1, wherein the carriage is selectively coupled to the plural resistance devices through the engagement mechanism.

13. A resistance system, comprising:

a frame;

plural resistance devices;

plural resistance blocks coupled to the plural resistance devices;

an engagement mechanism including a plurality of support disks on a common shaft rotatably mounted for selective direct engagement with specific resistance blocks;

a carriage coupled to the plural resistance devices and moveable with respect to the frame, the carriage including a user interface, whereby movement of the carriage is resisted by resistance devices that are selectively and non-sequentially engaged by the engagement mechanism; and

a recoil bar adapted to support resistance blocks not engaged with the engagement mechanism when the carriage is displaced from a resting position.

14. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the user interface includes a transmission member.

15. The resistance system according to claim 14, wherein the transmission member includes a first end that is coupled to the carriage.

16. The resistance system according to claim 14, wherein the transmission member is a pliable member.

17. The resistance system according to claim 14, wherein a second end of the transmission member is coupled to a secondary transmission system, thereby the second end of the transmission member is indirectly engaged by a user.

18. The resistance system according to claim 14, wherein a second end of the transmission member includes a handle that is directly engaged by a user.

19. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the user interface is a handle.

20. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the plural resistance devices are selected from the group consisting of a weight block, an elastic cord, a spring, a pneumatic cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder.

21. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the plural resistance devices includes a device with the resistance capacity of twice that of another resistance device.

22. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the plural resistance devices includes a system in which each device with a greater resistance capacity, than the device with the lowest resistance capacity, is twice the resistance capacity of another device.

23. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the the common shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame.

24. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the the common shaft is rotatably mounted to the carriage.

25. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the carriage is directly coupled to the plural resistance devices.

26. The resistance system according to claim 13, wherein the carriage is selectively coupled to the plural resistance devices through the engagement mechanism.

27. A method of providing resistance for an exercise device of the type including a frame, plural resistance devices, plural resistance blocks coupled to the resistance devices, an engagement mechanism including a plurality of support disks on a common shaft rotatably mounted for selective direct engagement with specific resistance blocks, a carriage coupled to the plural resistance devices and moveable with respect to the frame, the carriage including a user interface and a recoil bar adapted to support resistance blocks not engaged with the engagement mechanism when the carriage is displaced from a resting position, the method including the steps of:

moving the engagement mechanism to engage selected resistance blocks;

actuating the carriage with respect to the frame so as to displace a portion of the resistance source, thereby applying a resistance to movement of the carriage at the user interface.

28. A resistance system, comprising:

an engagement mechanism including a plurality of support disks on a common shaft rotatably coupled to a frame;

plural resistance blocks with a center recess adapted to receive a portion of the engagement mechanism for selective direct engagement with specific resistance blocks of the plural resistance blocks;

plural resistance devices coupled to the plural resistance blocks;

a carriage coupled to the plural resistance blocks and movable with respect to the frame, the carriage including a user interface; and

a recoil bar adapted to support the resistance blocks not engaged with, and while displaced from the engagement mechanism.