Cushioning mechanism in an exercise machine
View Patent ↗An exercise machine includes a frame, a movable element movably attached to the frame that is movable in the performance of an exercise, and a magnetic assembly attached to the frame. The magnetic assembly has a magnetic unit movably positioned adjacent to a non-ferromagnetic material.
1. An exercise machine, comprising:
a frame;
a movable element movably attached to the frame that is configured to move with respect to the frame during a user's performance of an exercise and that is configured to support a weight of the user during the user's performance of the exercise; and
a magnetic assembly attached to the frame, the magnetic assembly comprising:
a non-ferromagnetic material; and
a magnetic unit movably positioned adjacent to the non-ferromagnetic material, the magnetic unit configured to create a secondary magnetic field in the non-ferromagnetic material as the magnetic unit moves with respect to the non-ferromagnetic material such that the secondary magnetic field directs a repulsive force toward the magnetic unit.
2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic unit or the non-ferromagnetic material is configured to move with the movable element.
3. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic unit or the non-ferromagnetic material is configured to move independent of the movable element.
4. The exercise machine of claim 2 , further comprising a seat assembly wherein the magnetic unit is integrated into the seat assembly.
5. The exercise machine of claim 2 , further comprising an exercise deck wherein the magnetic unit is integrated into the exercise deck.
6. The exercise machine of claim 2 , further comprising:
an exercise deck; and
an incline mechanism movably attached to the exercise deck and the frame and configured to selectively incline the exercise deck;
wherein the magnetic unit is integrated into the exercise deck.
7. The exercise machine of claim 2 , further comprising a foot pedal assembly wherein the magnetic unit is integrated into the foot pedal assembly.
8. The exercise machine of claim 2 , further comprising:
a track attached to the frame, and
a linkage movably guided by the track.
9. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic unit is integrated into the track.
10. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic unit is integrated into the linkage.
11. The exercise machine of claim 2 , further comprising a crankshaft assembly, wherein the magnetic unit is integrated into the crankshaft assembly.
12. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic unit is movably disposed along a track.
13. The exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein the track is a linear track.
14. The exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein the track is a circular track.
15. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the non-ferromagnetic material comprises an electrical conductor that is configured to generate a magnetic field that repels the magnetic unit as current passes through the electrical conductor.
16. An exercise machine, comprising:
a frame;
a movable element movably attached to the frame that is configured to move with respect to the frame during a user's performance of an exercise and that is configured to support a weight of the user during the user's performance of the exercise; and
a magnetic assembly movably attached to the frame and at least a portion of which is configured to move with the movable element, the magnetic assembly comprising:
a non-ferromagnetic material; and
a magnetic unit movably positioned adjacent to a non-ferromagnetic material, the magnetic unit configured to create a secondary magnetic field in the non-ferromagnetic material as the magnetic unit moves with respect to the non-ferromagnetic material such that the secondary magnetic field directs a repulsive force towards the magnetic unit, the magnetic unit movably disposed along a linear track.
17. The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein:
the movable element includes a track end;
the magnetic unit is integrated into the track end;
the exercise machine further comprises a foot pedal supported by the track end;
the non-ferromagnetic material is integrated into the linear track; and
the secondary magnetic field is configured to prevent the track end from making physical contact with the linear track as the user moves the foot pedal during at least a portion of the user's performance of the exercise.
18. The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein:
the movable element includes a track end;
the non-ferromagnetic material is integrated into the track end;
the exercise machine further comprises a foot pedal supported by the track end;
the magnetic unit is integrated into the linear track; and
the secondary magnetic field is configured to prevent the track end from making physical contact with the linear track as the user moves the foot pedal during at least a portion of the user's performance of the exercise.
19. The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein:
the movable element includes a foot pedal;
the magnetic unit is integrated into foot pedal;
the non-ferromagnetic material is integrated into the linear track; and
the secondary magnetic field is configured to prevent the foot pedal from making physical contact with the linear track as the user moves the foot pedal during at least a portion of the user's performance of the exercise.
20. The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein:
the movable element includes a foot pedal;
the non-ferromagnetic material is integrated into the foot pedal;
the magnetic unit is integrated into the linear track; and
the secondary magnetic field is configured to prevent the foot pedal from making physical contact with the linear track as the user moves the foot pedal during at least a portion of the user's performance of the exercise.