Brunswick Corporation

Life Fitness, LLC

Gary E Oglesby

Timothy T Anderson

Juliette C Daly

Steven M Lenz

Mark C Termion

John J Hsing

Timothy J Porth

Christopher E Clawson

John Danile

Daniel R Wille

Charles J Rosenow

Emil S Golen, Jr

Allen L Ryan

Clifford F Mueller

Paul William Eschenbach

John M Rogus

Kenneth F Lantz

Peter H Haugen

Gregory A Joseph

Edward V Minnich

Edward Honda

Chungkin Yee

Thomas B Cray

Thomas F Smith, Jr

James B Fox

Rachel Lara Abigal Buckley

Robert D Kohan

Robert C Seaman

Paul D Osenkarski

Jeffrey J Partynski

Kenneth R Davis

Michael A Brennan

Byron T DeKnock

Jack Hough

Gregory John Topel

James Skleba

Kimberly Halsted

Emil Golen

Shawn Barrett

Donald J Alexander

Angela Martin

Daniel R Willie

Rachel Lara Buckley

In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.

Stride adjustment mechanism

Systems, methods and machine readable media related to determining a condition of an exercise machine belt are disclosed. An example system includes a sensor to detect an event related to the exercise machine belt. The example system also includes a counter to selectively change a count based on the event as well as an output device to output a notification associated with the condition of the exercise machine belt based on the count.

Methods and apparatus to determine belt condition in exercise equipment

A microprocessor based exercise treadmill control system is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation. These features include programs operative to: permit a set of user controls to cause the treadmill to initially operate at predetermined speeds; permit the user to design custom workouts; permit the user to switch between workout programs while the treadmill is in operation; and perform an automatic cooldown program where the duration of the cooldown is a function of the duration of the workout or the user's heart rate. The features also include a stop program responsive to a detector for automatically stopping the treadmill when a user is no longer on the treadmill and a frame tag module attached to the treadmill frame having a non-volatile memory for storing treadmill configuration, and operational and maintenance data. Another included feature is the ability to display the amount of time a user spends in a heart rate zone.

Treadmill control system

An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle along with using treadmill operating criteria for scheduling and operating the lubrication system. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs. Another feature includes pre-glazing the treadmill belt. Sound and vibration are reduced in a treadmill by mounting the treadmill belt drive motor on motor isolation mounts that include resilient members. A further feature is a double sided waxed deck where one side of the deck is covered by a protective tape.

Treadmill mechanism

An exercise apparatus includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axis supported by the frame, a pedal bar which has first and second ends, a pedal that is secured to the pedal bar, an ellipse generator, and a track. The ellipse generator is secured to both the pivot axis and to the first end of the pedal bar such that the first end of said pedal bar moves in an elliptical path around the pivot axis. The track is secured to the frame and engages the second end of said pedal bar such that the second end moves in a linear reciprocating path as the first end of the pedal bar moves in the elliptical path around said pivot axis. Consequently, the pedal also moves in a generally elliptical path. As the pedal moves in its elliptical path, the angular orientation of the pedal, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, varies in a manner that simulates a natural heel to toe flexure. The apparatus can also include a resistance member, a data input member, and a control member. The resistance member applies a resistive force to the pedal. The data input means permits the user to input control signals. The control means responds to the input control member to control the resistance member and apply a braking force to the pedal. In addition, the exercise apparatus can include an arm handle and an arm handle coupling assembly that couples the arm handle to the pedal such that the arm handle moves in synchronism with the pedal, and in some cases out of phase.

Cross training exercise apparatus

An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation and to reduce maintenance costs. These features include handlebars with an upwardly curved center section and outwardly flared side portions along with pivoting rear legs for the treadmill frame. The control panel features include snap-in user trays and an overlay covering the numerical key pad along with an auxiliary control panel having a subset of user controls that are larger and more easy to use than the same controls on the main control panel. Maintenance enhancing features include the provision for access panels in the treadmill housing and a belt lubrication system that uses a priming pulse to clear the wax spraying nozzle. For injection molded parts such as the control panel, structural strength is enhanced by utilizing gas-assist injection molding to form structural ribs. Another feature includes pre-glazing the treadmill belt. Sound and vibration are reduced in a treadmill by mounting the treadmill belt drive motor on motor isolation mounts that include resilient members. A further feature is a double sided waxed deck where one side of the deck is covered by a protective tape.

A microprocessor based exercise treadmill control system is disclosed which includes various features to enhance user operation. These features include programs operative to: permit a set of user controls to cause the treadmill to initially operate at predetermined speeds; permit the user to design custom workouts; permit the user to switch between workout programs while the treadmill is in operation; and perform an automatic cooldown program where the duration of the cooldown is a function of the duration of the workout or the user's heart rate. The features also include a stop program responsive to a detector for automatically stopping the treadmill when a user is no longer on the treadmill and a frame tag module attached to the treadmill frame having a non-volatile memory for storing treadmill configuration, and operational and maintenance data.

Growing community of inventors

Manhattan, IL, United States of America

Gary E Oglesby