Precor Incorporated

Data I/o Corporation

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Janine Whan-Tong

Lev M Bolotin

Bryan D Powell

Peter A Pasero

Robert B Hubler

Paul D Barker

Simon B Johnson

Thomas Joseph Moran

Bradley Morris Johnson

Steve Moore

Andreas Preussner

Timothy O Armstrong

David J Littrell

Carl W Olson

Scott S Newell

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flatter inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Crosstraining exercise device

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links ( ). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported to travel back and forth on rollers and . The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flatter inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Cross training exercise device

A treadmill ( ) includes a frame on which are mounted transverse forward and rearward roller assemblies ( ). An endless belt ( ) is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies. A deck ( ) is positioned between the upper run of the belt and the frame. The rearward portion of the deck ( ) is mounted to the frame by a pivot connection ( ) to allow pivoting of the deck about an axis transversely to the length of the deck. Elongate springs ( ) of adjustable stiffness are mounted either along the sides of the frame to underlie the side margins of the deck, or transversely of the deck, to support the deck in conjunction with the pivot connection ( ) and to absorb impact loads imparted on the deck by the user.

Cushioned pivoting deck

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links ( ). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis ( ), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide ( ). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the user's feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The position of the rearward ends of the foot link vis-&agrave;-vis the pivot axis may be selectively altered to vary the stride length of the stepping motion experienced by the user.

A feeder/programming/buffer operating system is provided which controls a feeder mechanism, a programming mechanism, an electronic handling mechanism, a pneumatic handling mechanism, and a plurality of sensors. The operating system programs programmable devices and makes the feeder/programming/buffer system substantially independent of a production assembly system with which it is capable of being integrated yet fully responsive to the requirements of the production assembly system.

Feeder/programming/buffer operating system

A pick and place system is provided which is connectable to an air and an electrical power source. The system has a pick and place unit including an actuator responsive to the connection to the air power source to move to a pick-up position. The actuator moves a coupler which in turn moves a probe to compliantly move to a pick-up position. The probe is responsive to a connection to the air power source to pick up the micro device. A pneumatic valve connected to the actuator is capable of electrical actuation to connect the air power source to the actuator and a supply valve connected to the probe is capable of electrical actuation to remove the power source from the probe. Deactivation of the pneumatic valve moves the actuator and probe to a raised position. A system control, connectable to the electrical power source, is connected to the pneumatic and supply valves for selectively, electrically actuating the pneumatic and supply valves.

Pick and place system and unit therefor

A holding connector system is provided for connecting a microdevice feeder to an assembly line table having a plurality of alignment pins. A connector body having a slot provided therein engages one of the plurality of alignment pins and a table recess in the connector body holds it to the assembly line table. A threaded knob secures the connector body to the assembly line table. The microdevice feeder is provided with an alignment plate, which has fingers engaging the alignment pins to cause the microdevice feeder to be properly aligned with the assembly line table. A clamping plate on the microdevice feeder engages a portion of the connector body, which holds down the microdevice feeder.

Microdevice feeder to assembly line holding connector system

Processing apparatus

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (36). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flater inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Control panel

A treadmill (10) includes a frame on which are mounted transverse forward and rearward roller assemblies (14, 16). An endless belt (18) is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies. A deck (20) is positioned between the upper run of the belt and the frame. The rearward portion of the deck (20) is mounted to the frame by a pivot connection (24) to allow pivoting of the deck about an axis transversely to the length of the deck. Elongate springs (26) of adjustable stiffness are mounted either along the sides of the frame to underlie the side margins of the deck, or transversely of the deck, to support the deck in conjunction with the pivot connection (24) and to absorb impact loads imparted on the deck by the user.

Suspension system for exercise apparatus

Cross training exerciser

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links reciprocate back and forth along a guide (36). The combination to these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination and/or elevation of the guide (36) may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At lower inclinations/elevations of the guide, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively higher angles of inclination or elevations of the guide (36), the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing. The connection of the foot links to the pivot axis allow motion in a direction orthogonal to the rotational motion, thus compensating for alignment inconsistencies of the device.

Growing community of inventors

Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Janine Whan-Tong