The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 03, 1990
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1988
Michael T Sweeney, Laguna Beach, CA (US);
Duane P Stark, Laguna Beach, CA (US);
James S Sweeney, Jr, Laguna Beach, CA (US);
Laguna Tectrix, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
An exercise apparatus is disclosed which simulates a stair climber, and which determines the amount of user exercise by the speed of rotation of a flywheel. The speed of the flywheel is controlled to maintain the desired speed of stair climbing by a friction belt engaging the flywheel. A rotary electrical motor is moved in one direction to tighten the belt on the flywheel and in the opposite direction to loosen the belt on the flywheel. A slack sensor determines whether the motor has been moved to a limit in the belt-loosening direction. Incremental changes of motor energy are used to gradually reduce an error signal between command speed and actual speed. Pulse width modulation is used to vary the motor energy in accordance with the size of the error signal.