Device and method for limiting travel in an exercise device, and an exercise device including such a limiting device
View Patent ↗A method and/or a device may limit a distance traveled by a treadle assembly in an exercise device. For example, the distance traveled by the treadle assembly may be limited by limiting a distance that a resistance element operably coupled to the treadle assembly may travel. An exercise apparatus may include a travel-limiting device or capability.
1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame including a base and at least one upright extending substantially vertically from the base, the at least one upright including a slot;
a treadle assembly operably coupled to the frame to travel in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction;
a resistance device operably coupling the treadle assembly to the frame and configured to provide resistance as the treadle travels in the first direction and the second direction;
a travel-limiting device configured to limit movement of the treadle assembly, the travel-limiting device comprising an element movably associated with the at least one upright to move along the at least one upright and operatively associated with the resistance device, the travel-limiting device further comprising a rod joined to the element, a first gear joined to the rod, a second gear that engages the first gear, the second gear joined to a handle, and the handle rotatably joined to the at least one upright; and
the element and the slot are configured such that the slot limits a movement range of the element along the at least one upright.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the element comprises an upright bracket, a connecting bracket joined to the upright bracket, and a bolt joined to the connecting bracket.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the element is operatively associated with the resistance device by a pin that passes through aligned holes in the upright bracket and the resistance device.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the bolt includes a hole that receives at least a portion of the rod.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of brackets joined to the at least one upright, and the first gear is positioned between the pair of brackets.
6. The exercise device of claim 5 , further comprising a first bushing positioned within a hole of one of the pair of brackets, and a second bushing positioned within a hole of the other of the pair of brackets.
7. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the rod comprises a threaded rod.
8. The exercise device of claim 7 , wherein the second gear includes teeth that engage the threaded rod.
9. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a knob joined to a shaft.
10. The exercise device of claim 9 , wherein the second gear is formed as part of the shaft.