IP Library Granted Patent US 9,474,927
Granted Patent B2
US 9,474,927 · App. 15/068,889 · Granted Oct 25, 2016

Pilates machine tension device support system

Inventor: Sebastien Anthony Louis Lagree (West Hollywood, CA)
Assignee: SPX Fitness, Inc.
A63B22/0089A63B21/00065A63B21/0428A63B21/0442A63B21/0552A63B21/154A63B21/4033A63B21/4045A63B21/0557
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,474,927
App. No.
15/068,889
Granted
Oct 25, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A Pilates machine tension device support system for efficiently providing a tension force to a movable platform of an exercise machine. The Pilates machine tension device support system generally includes a frame, a platform movably positioned upon the frame and a tension assembly connected between the frame and the platform to provide selective tension upon the platform in a first direction. The tension assembly is comprised of a plurality of pulleys and a plurality of tension devices positioned upon the pulleys, wherein the tension devices are attached between a frame and the platform. The tension members are selectively engaged to the platform to increase or decrease the tension applied to the platform for varying levels of workouts.

Claims (35)

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end;

a platform movably positioned upon said frame, wherein said platform is adapted to be movable in a reciprocating manner along at least a portion of an axis extending between said first end and said second end;

a plurality of pulleys rotatably supported upon said frame, wherein said plurality of pulleys are positioned below a lower surface of said platform; and

a plurality of tension devices each having a first connecting end attached to said frame and a second connecting end opposite of said first connecting end, wherein said second connecting end is adapted for selectively connecting to said platform;

wherein said plurality of tension devices are each comprised of an elongated elastic object, wherein said plurality of tension devices jointly provide a resistance to movement of said platform in a first direction, wherein a level of said resistance is determined by the number of said plurality of tension devices operatively engaged with said platform, wherein said resistance is increased by operatively engaging additional tension units to said platform, wherein said plurality of tension devices connected to said platform stretch when said platform is moved in said first direction and wherein said plurality of tension devices connected to said platform contract when said platform is moved in a second direction that is opposite of said first direction, wherein as said platform moves in said first direction said level of said resistance is increased, and wherein said plurality of tension devices are wrapped around at least a portion of said plurality of pulleys.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pulleys are positioned between said first end and said second end of said frame.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pulleys are near a central location between said first end and said second end of said frame.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pulleys are positioned side-by-side.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pulleys are substantially parallel to one another.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tension devices each have a first segment extending from said first connecting end and a second segment extending towards said second connecting end.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6 , wherein said first segment is parallel to said second segment.

8. The exercise machine of claim 6 , wherein said first segment stretches in a first direction and wherein said second segment stretches in a second direction, wherein said first direction is not the same as said second direction.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein said first direction is opposite of said second direction.

10. The exercise machine of claim 9 , wherein said first segment is below said second segment.

11. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tension devices each include an intermediate segment that is adjacent to and contacting an outer portion of a corresponding pulley of said plurality of pulleys.

12. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tension devices are comprised of a U-shaped configuration.

13. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pulleys are independently rotatable with respect to one another.

14. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of pulleys includes a curved outer channel within an outer rim.

15. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tension devices are comprised of tension springs.

16. The exercise machine of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of tension springs are comprised of a tension coil spring.

17. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tension devices are comprised of elastic bands.

18. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tension devices are parallel with respect to one another.

19. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end;

a platform movably positioned upon said frame, wherein said platform is adapted to be movable in a reciprocating manner along at least a portion of an axis extending between said first end and said second end;

a plurality of pulleys rotatably supported upon a common concentric axle, wherein said common concentric axle is connected to said frame and is substantially transverse with respect to said axis, and wherein said plurality of pulleys are parallel to one another; and

a plurality of tension devices each having a first connecting end attached to said frame and a second connecting end opposite of said first connecting end, wherein said second connecting end is adapted for selectively connecting to said platform;

wherein said plurality of tension devices are each comprised of an elongated elastic object, wherein said plurality of tension devices jointly provide a resistance to movement of said platform in a first direction, wherein a level of said resistance is determined by the number of said plurality of tension devices operatively engaged with said platform, wherein said resistance is increased by operatively engaging additional tension units to said platform, wherein said plurality of tension devices connected to said platform stretch when said platform is moved in said first direction and wherein said plurality of tension devices connected to said platform contract when said platform is moved in a second direction that is opposite of said first direction, wherein as said platform moves in said first direction said level of said resistance is increased, and wherein said plurality of tension devices are wrapped around at least a portion of said plurality of pulleys.

20. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end;

a platform movably positioned upon said frame, wherein said platform is adapted to be movable in a reciprocating manner along at least a portion of an axis extending between said first end and said second end;

a plurality of pulleys rotatably supported upon said frame, wherein said plurality of pulleys are positioned between said first end and said second end of said frame, wherein said plurality of pulleys are positioned below a lower surface of said platform, and wherein said platform is adapted to pass over said plurality of pulleys; and

a plurality of tension devices each having a first connecting end attached to said frame and a second connecting end opposite of said first connecting end, wherein said second connecting end is adapted for selectively connecting to said platform;

wherein said plurality of tension devices are each comprised of an elongated elastic object, wherein said plurality of tension devices jointly provide a resistance to movement of said platform in a first direction, wherein a level of said resistance is determined by the number of said plurality of tension devices operatively engaged with said platform, wherein said resistance is increased by operatively engaging additional tension units to said platform, wherein said plurality of tension devices connected to said platform stretch when said platform is moved in said first direction and wherein said plurality of tension devices connected to said platform contract when said platform is moved in a second direction that is opposite of said first direction, wherein as said platform moves in said first direction said level of said resistance is increased, and wherein said plurality of tension devices are wrapped around at least a portion of said plurality of pulleys.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 4, 2018
From: HAMILTON, JOHN C., MR.
To: LAGREE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 044539/0509 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2016
From: SPX FITNESS, INC.
To: LAGREE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 040491/0114 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2016
From: LAGREE, SEBASTIEN ANTHONY LOUIS
To: SPX FITNESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 037965/0119 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14066402 · Oct 29, 2013
Provisional Application 61719763 · Oct 29, 2012
Provisional Application 61719757 · Oct 29, 2012
Related Publication 20160193496A1 · Jul 7, 2016