IP Library Granted Patent US 9,616,276
Granted Patent B2
US 9,616,276 · App. 15/019,088 · Granted Apr 11, 2017

Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,616,276
App. No.
15/019,088
Granted
Apr 11, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of a strength training apparatus and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the strength training apparatus includes a base member and a tower structure coupled with the base member. At least one arm is pivotally coupled with the tower structure. A flywheel and a cable and pulley system are associated with the at least one arm, wherein displacement of at least one cable of the cable and pulley system effects rotation of the flywheel. The strength training apparatus may include a selectively adjustable magnetic braking mechanism associated with a flywheel that is configured to apply a selected resistance to the rotation of the flywheel. A torque sensor may be associated with the flywheel and the measured torque during operation of the apparatus may be used to calculate the work expended in rotating the flywheel. In one embodiment, the calculated work may be expressed in units of watts.

Claims (66)

1. A strength training apparatus, comprising:

a base member;

a tower structure coupled to the base member;

at least one arm coupled to the tower structure;

a pulley being coupled to the at least one arm;

a cable extending through the pulley;

a handle coupled to a first end of the cable;

a flywheel connected to the tower structure;

a magnetic braking mechanism that resists movement of the flywheel; and

a console in communication with the magnetic braking mechanism;

wherein displacement of the handle results in rotation of the flywheel.

2. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , further including a biasing member that returns the handle without causing rotation of the flywheel.

3. The strength training apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the biasing member is in communication with a sprocket, and the cable extends through the sprocket.

4. The strength training apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the sprocket is displaceable relative to the tower structure when the handle is pulled.

5. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm is pivotally coupled to the tower structure.

6. The strength training apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the at least one arm is movable with respect to the tower structure to position the handle at multiple locations with respect to the tower structure.

7. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , further including a torque sensor proximate the flywheel.

8. The strength training apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the console is configured to provide an indication of an amount of work upon rotation of the flywheel.

9. The strength training apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the console further includes an input for selecting an amount of resistance applied by the magnetic braking mechanism to the flywheel.

10. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a second end that is fixed to the tower structure.

11. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable is in communication with a drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism is attached to a shaft supporting the flywheel through a drive belt.

12. The strength training apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism includes an input shaft and an output shaft.

13. The strength training apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the input shaft is rotational in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the output shaft is rotational in just the first direction.

14. A strength training apparatus, comprising:

a base member;

a tower structure couple to the base member;

at least one arm coupled to the tower structure;

a pulley being coupled to the at least one arm;

a cable extending through the pulley;

a handle coupled to a first end of the cable;

a flywheel connected to the tower structure;

a magnetic braking mechanism that resists movement of the flywheel;

a console in communication with the magnetic braking mechanism; and

a drive mechanism in communication with the cable, the drive mechanism further including:

an input shaft;

a concentric output shaft disposed within the input shaft;

wherein the drive mechanism is in communication with the flywheel through a drive belt;

wherein the input shaft is rotational in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the concentric output shaft is rotational in just the first direction;

wherein displacement of the handle results in rotation of the flywheel.

15. The strength training apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the cable includes a second end that is fixed to the tower structure.

16. The strength training apparatus of claim 14 , further a biasing member that returns the handle without causing rotation of the flywheel.

17. The strength training apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is in communication with a sprocket that supports a portion of the cable.

18. The strength training apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the sprocket is displaceable relative to the tower structure when the handle is pulled.

19. The strength training apparatus of claim 14 , further including:

a torque sensor proximate the flywheel;

wherein the console is configured to provide an indication of an amount of work performed upon rotation of the flywheel.

20. A strength training apparatus, comprising:

a base member;

a tower structure couple to the base member;

at least one arm coupled to the tower structure;

a pulley being coupled to the at least one arm;

a cable extending through the pulley;

the cable includes a second end that is fixed to the tower structure;

a handle coupled to a first end of the cable;

a flywheel connected to the tower structure;

a magnetic braking mechanism that resists movement of the flywheel;

a console in communication with the magnetic braking mechanism;

a drive mechanism in communication with the cable, the drive mechanism further including:

an input shaft;

a output shaft disposed within the input shaft;

a biasing member that returns the handle without causing rotation of the flywheel;

a sprocket that supports a portion of the cable is in communication with the biasing member; and

the sprocket is displaceable relative to the tower structure when the handle is pulled;

wherein the drive mechanism is in communication with the flywheel through a drive belt;

wherein the input shaft is rotational in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the output shaft is rotational in just the first direction;

wherein displacement of the handle results in rotation of the flywheel.

Assignments (18)
RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST (4TH LIEN) Recorded May 28, 2025
From: LC9 CONNECTED HOLDINGS, LP
To: IFIT INC.; ICON IP INC.
Reel/Frame 071429/0479 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2025
From: LC9 CONNECTED HOLDINGS, LP
To: IFIT INC.; ICON IP INC.
Reel/Frame 071407/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2025
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: IFIT, INC. (F/K/A ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.); ICON IP, INC.
Reel/Frame 071351/0624 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2025
From: PLC AGENT LLC
To: IFIT INC.; ICON IP, INC.
Reel/Frame 071358/0584 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2025
From: ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L.P.
To: IFIT INC.; ICON IP INC.
Reel/Frame 071336/0725 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2025
From: IFIT, INC.
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE AGENCY, LLC
Reel/Frame 071278/0707 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2023
From: IFIT INC.; ICON IP, INC.
To: LC9 CONNECTED HOLDINGS, LP
Reel/Frame 066094/0529 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2022
From: IFIT INC.; ICON IP, INC.
To: LC9 CONNECTED HOLDINGS, LP
Reel/Frame 059857/0830 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNEE'S ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 059633 FRAME: 0313. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 28, 2022
From: IFIT INC.
To: ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L.P.
Reel/Frame 060512/0315 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 1, 2022
From: IFIT INC.
To: ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L.P.
Reel/Frame 059633/0313 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: IFIT INC.
To: PLC AGENT LLC
Reel/Frame 059249/0466 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 24, 2022
From: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
To: IFIT INC.
Reel/Frame 058829/0193 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 23, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056654/0951 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2021
From: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 056238/0818 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 14, 2020
From: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 053548/0453 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded May 14, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ICON IP, INC.; ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 052671/0737 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2017
From: DALEBOUT, WILLIAM; OLSON, MICHAEL
To: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 041841/0866 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 12, 2016
From: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.; HF HOLDINGS, INC.; UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL SERVICES; ICON IP, INC.; FREE MOTION FITNESS, INC.; ICON-ALTRA LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 039669/0311 →