Bally Manufacturing Corporation

Bryan Andrus

George Kolomayets

Augustine Nieto

Allen Ryan

Gary Oglesby

John J Pasierb, Jr

A diagnostic testing system for an exercise machine having a computer control. The computer control of the machine is responsive to the actuation of a test button to enter a diagnostic test mode in which various components of the machine may be checked for maintenance. Tests are provided to check the machine's display, keypad, sound generation system, opposition force providing system and speed sensing system. Another test is used to display accounting data which reflects the usage of the machine. The accounting data may be monitored by the computer control to automatically provide an indication to an operator when the data indicates that the machine should have a service check performed.

Diagnostic testing system for an exercie machine

A rowing exercise machine having an improved user interface. The user interface has a cable for accepting user exercising stroke movements each stroke having a power and return portion. The cable is carried on a cable drum which is mounted on a shaft such that when the cable is unwound and rewound rotation to the shaft is imparted. A flywheel is connected to the shaft for receiving and conserving angular momentum imparted thereto. The machine also includes a brake for opposing the rotational displacement of the flywheel. The user interface further includes a stainless steel eye staked into one end of a strain relief spring with an end of the cable being staked in the opposite end of the spring. A handle is secured to the eye which is capable of withstanding the concentrated forces to which the user interface is subjected. A nylon cable port is mounted on the cable drum housing, the cable port having a centrally located aperture therein with cross sections which are generally oval in shape to allow the cable to be pulled out from the cable port along a line generally parallel to the base of the cabinet or at an upward angle with respect to the base without rubbing against the cable port. The cable drum has an angled sidewall to allow only one row of cable to be wound there around so as to maintain the forces opposing the user constant and controllable. The cable drum further includes a guide plate positioned between the end plates of the drum so as to lightly rub against the cable and guide it onto the drum in order to prevent tangling of the cable if it is not rewound fast enough.

Rowing machine with improved mechanical features

An improved rowing exercising machine is disclosed. The machine has a mechanical apparatus for accepting user stroke movements; each stroke has a power portion and a return portion. The mechanical apparatus converts the energy from the user stroke movements into rotation of a flywheel. In order to closely simulate the feel of momentum in actual rowing activity, electronic circuitry is used to control a brake to apply a force to slow the motion of the flywheel. The amount of force supplied by the brake is independent of the speed at which the user is rowing the machine and is under software control. The brake force can be varied to additionally slow down the rotation of the flywheel during the return portion of a stroke. The rowing machine includes a video display which gives the user the sense of competitive scull racing. The display shows an animated rowing figure having stroke movement synchronized with the user stroke movements. A pacer rowing figure is also displayed. During the rowing exercise, the distance separating the rowing figures depends on the user stroke movements and on pre-set pacer motion.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Bryan Andrus