Dual deck exercise device

• US 9,352,187 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2014
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Piaget, Gary, Christopher, Brent, Cook, Brian R., Crawford, Douglas A., Flick, Edward L., Golesh, Eric D., Monette, Ben, Potter, Randal, Singh, Todd, Rauwerdink, Matt, Warner, Patrick A., Smith, Bradley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US14/282,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20140336009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 54
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0278 with reversible direction of the running surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/0056 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 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0214 between the belt supporting deck and the frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0257 Mechanical systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0292 separate for each leg, e.g. dual deck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• 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 2225/30 : Maintenance
• 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 2225/64 : Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 : Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 : User's weight
• 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 23/0405 : involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0429 : with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by being cantilevered about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases

Abstract

An exercise device employing side-by-side pivotally supported moving surfaces. In one example, an exercise device employs a first pivotable treadle assembly including a first moving surface, a first foot platform extending outwardly from a side of the first treadle assembly, and a second pivotable treadle assembly including a second moving surface. In some implementations, the exercise device includes a resistance element operably coupled to at least one of the first treadle assembly or the second treadle assembly to resist movement of the at least one of the first treadle assembly or the second treadle assembly. In some implementations, the exercise device includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a slope of at least one of the first treadle assembly or the second treadle assembly.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a first pivotable treadle assembly including a first moving surface;

a first foot platform extending outwardly from a side of the first pivotable treadle assembly, wherein pivotal movement of the first pivotable treadle assembly causes movement of the first foot platform; and

a second pivotable treadle assembly including a second moving surface;

whereby a user can stride on the first and second moving surfaces or step onto the first foot platform.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second foot platform extending outwardly from a side of the second pivotable treadle assembly.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a resistance element operably coupled to at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly to resist movement of the at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the resistance element comprises a brake.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the brake comprises a rotational brake.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the brake comprises an electro-magnetic brake.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a flexible element operably coupled to the brake and to the at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a pulley about which the flexible element is routed.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a slope of at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustor threadingly engaged with a height adjustment element.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the height of one end of at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly relative to an opposing end of the at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interconnecting device operably coupled between the first pivotable treadle assembly and the second pivotable treadle assembly.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interconnecting device comprises a rocker arm.

14. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a first pivotable treadle assembly coupled to the frame and including a first moving surface;

a first foot platform cantilevered from a side of the first pivotable treadle assembly; and

a second pivotable treadle assembly coupled to the frame and including a second moving surface;

whereby a user can stride on the first and second moving surfaces or step onto the first foot platform.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a second foot platform cantilevered from a side of the second pivotable treadle assembly.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a resistance element operably coupled to at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly to resist movement of the at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a flexible element operably coupled to the resistance element and to the at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a pulley about which the flexible element is routed.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame for adjusting a slope of at least one of the first pivotable treadle assembly or the second pivotable treadle assembly.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an interconnecting device operably coupled between the first pivotable treadle assembly and the second pivotable treadle assembly.