IP Library Granted Patent US 10,987,565
Granted Patent B2
US 10,987,565 · App. 16/534,897 · Granted Apr 27, 2021

Exercise machine emergency motor stop

Inventors: Aly E. Orady (San Francisco, CA); Thomas Kroman Watt (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
A63B71/0054A63B21/0058A63B24/0087A63B2071/0081A63B2220/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,987,565
App. No.
16/534,897
Granted
Apr 27, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A safety signal is sent to a relay coupled to a plurality of power leads of a motor wherein a default state of the relay is to short the plurality of power leads together and wherein the safety signal maintains the relay in an open state. The safety signal to the relay is deasserted in response to a determination that an unsafe condition has occurred.

Claims (27)

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a motor having a plurality of power leads; and

a relay coupled to the plurality of power leads, wherein:

a default state of the relay is to short the plurality of power leads together to cause an opposing back EMF to motion in the motor at least in part to self-brake the motor; and

the relay comprises a safety input configured to receive a safety signal to maintain the relay in an open state.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising a safety controller coupled to the safety input.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the safety controller, wherein the safety controller is configured to deassert the safety signal in an event of a sensor detection from the sensor.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a power failure.

5. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a memory loss and/or corruption.

6. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a motor positioning inconsistency.

7. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a motor speed inconsistency.

8. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a motor acceleration inconsistency.

9. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects an electrical voltage inconsistency.

10. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects an electrical current inconsistency.

11. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects an electrical power inconsistency.

12. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a temperature inconsistency.

13. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a frame acceleration.

14. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects an arm acceleration.

15. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor emits a sensor failure.

16. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a watchdog timeout.

17. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects a boot validation failure.

18. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the sensor detects an illegal instruction fault.

19. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the safety controller deasserts the safety signal in an event of controller failure.

20. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the safety controller deasserts the safety signal in event of relay failure.

21. A method of safely operating an exercise machine, comprising:

sending a safety signal to a relay coupled to a plurality of power leads of a motor wherein a default state of the relay is to short the plurality of power leads together to cause an opposing back EMF to motion in the motor at least in part to self-brake the motor and wherein the safety signal maintains the relay in an open state; and

deasserting the safety signal to the relay in response to a determination that an unsafe condition has occurred.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2026
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 075306/0212 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2026
From: THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, IN ITS CAPACITY AS RECEIVER FOR SIGNATURE BRIDGE BANK, N.A.
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 074028/0088 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2025
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CUSTOMERS BANK
Reel/Frame 073255/0161 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2023
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, IN ITS CAPACITY AS RECEIVER FOR SIGNATURE BRIDGE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063283/0182 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2019
From: ORADY, ALY E.; WATT, THOMAS KROMAN
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051093/0081 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62716862 · Aug 9, 2018
Related Publication 20200070032A1 · Mar 5, 2020
Cited By (20)
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