IP Library Granted Patent US 11,426,618
Granted Patent B2
US 11,426,618 · App. 16/538,713 · Granted Aug 30, 2022

Racking and unracking exercise machine

Inventors: Ryan Lafrance (San Francisco, CA); Aly E. Orady (San Francisco, CA); Brandt Belson (San Francisco, CA); Sarah Wilson Lewis (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
A63B21/0058A63B21/00069A63B21/151A63B23/035A63B24/0062A63B24/0087A63B2220/801A63B2220/833A63B2230/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,426,618
App. No.
16/538,713
Granted
Aug 30, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An indication is received from a user to rack or unrack a digital weight. A motor is signaled to apply or remove tension to a cable couple to the motor based at least in part on the indication. The actuator is connected to the cable and is physically arranged to deliver a force to the user. The motor selectively tensions a cable in accordance with an exercise program.

Claims (21)

1. An exercise device comprising:

a resistance unit comprising a motor;

a cable coupled to the motor, wherein the motor selectively tensions the cable in accordance with an exercise program;

an actuator connected to the cable, wherein the actuator is physically arranged to deliver a force to a user, and wherein the actuator includes a control that signals the motor to apply or remove tension to the cable in response to the user indicating to rack or unrack a digital weight; and

wherein an indication to unrack the digital weight is received, and wherein unracking of the digital weight is overridden based at least in part on a determination that racking of the digital weight is being processed.

2. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a smart accessory wirelessly connected to the resistance unit.

3. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a Bluetooth smart accessory wirelessly connected to the resistance unit.

4. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the control is a button.

5. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein a nominal tension is applied when the digital weight is unracked.

6. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein unracking the digital weight corresponds to applying tension to the cable.

7. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein in response to an indication to unrack the digital weight, tension is changed first gradually, then more quickly, and then less quickly to reach a desired tension.

8. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein an amount of jerk when the digital weight is unracked is limited.

9. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein a remote coaching unit also sends rack and unrack commands in addition to user generated commands.

10. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein a ramping rate of tension applied is controlled.

11. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising an audible signal indicating that the digital weight has been unracked.

12. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising an audible signal indicating that the digital weight has been racked.

13. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising a haptic cue that the digital weight has been racked.

14. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising a haptic cue that the digital weight has been unracked.

15. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein when a nonstandard orientation of the actuator is detected, the digital weight is racked in response.

16. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a heart rate sensor to detect heart rate.

17. The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a grip sensor to detect grip.

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 Oct 24, 2019
From: LAFRANCE, RYAN; ORADY, ALY E.; BELSON, BRANDT; LEWIS, SARAH WILSON
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050813/0695 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62718886 · Aug 14, 2018
Related Publication 20200054914A1 · Feb 20, 2020