Life Fitness, LLC

Brunswick Corporation

Donald J Alexander

Richard E Skowronski

George Kolomayets

Vincent C Adams

Kenneth F Lantz

Eugene B Szymczak

Wade K Totzke

Tomas F Leon

Edward W Minnich

Tomas F Leon, Deceased

Emil S Golen, Jr

Edward V Minnich

Douglas G Guenther

Gary E Oglesby

Chester F Robards, Jr

William H Englehardt

David J Thum

Olgerts J Svilans

Douglas B MacDonald

Steven J Cinke

Stephen A Waltasti

Robert Kohan

Allen J Fuller

Robert A Bonner

Teng Y Hong

Jose A Leon

To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Exercise treadmill

An exercise apparatus for measuring heart rate is provided which comprises a sensor for generating a signal which includes the biopotential signal produced by a heart. This signal is filtered, amplified and digitized. A computer autocorrelates the digitized signal. A plurality of signal indication routines then scan the autocorrelated output for the presence of periodic signals. Each of the signal indication routines uses different search or filter criteria, such as peak and wave form detection, and generates one (and in some cases, several) candidate heart rates. An arbitrator then selects one of the candidate heart rates according to predetermined criteria. These criteria include the value of previously selected heart rates. In one embodiment, the signal indication and arbitration routines are especially well-suited for measuring the heart rate of a user while exercising on a stair climbing machine or treadmill.

Apparatus and method for measuring heart rate

An exercise management system is disclosed for maintaining a user's level of exercise intensity (such as measured by heart rate) at a target level while exercising. In one embodiment, the system includes a movement member (such as pedals) which is engaged by the user to provide an exercise movement. The movement member is selectively adjustable to varying the intensity of exercise performed by the user. A heart rate sensor indicates the user's heart rate, and a computer adjusts the movement member in accordance with the heart rate signal to establish and maintain the user's heart rate near the target level. The user may periodically disengage the heart rate sensor for a limited time, during which time the computer maintains the user's heart rate near the target level by adjusting load in accordance with the user's rate of exercise (such as measured by rpm).

Exercise system and method for managing physiological intensity of

An apparatus for measuring heart rate is provided which comprises a sensor for generating a signal which includes the biopotential signal produced by a heart. This signal is filtered, amplified and digitized. A microcomputer autocorrelates the digitized signal. A plurality of signal indication routines then scan the autocorrelated output for the presence of periodic signals. Each of the signal indication routines uses different search criteria, such as peak and waveform detection, and generates a candidate heart rate. An arbitrator then selects one of the candidate heart rates according to predetermined criteria. These criteria include the value of previously selected heart rates.

A step type exercise apparatus is disclosed in which two pedal members are connected for reciprocating movement by a chain which, in turn, operates through a transmission providing a resistive force to the pedals. The resistive force is supplied by an alternator which is controlled by a computer. Means are provided to lubricate the chain thereby prolonging the life of the chain.

Exercise apparatus for simulating stair climbing

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Donald J Alexander