IP Library Granted Patent US 11,583,726
Granted Patent B2
US 11,583,726 · App. 16/760,832 · Granted Feb 21, 2023

Exercise machine

Inventor: Jeffrey A. Tracy (Troutdale, OR)
Assignee: NAUTILUS, INC.
A63B22/0664A63B22/001A63B22/0015A63B22/0056A63B2022/0682
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,583,726
App. No.
16/760,832
Granted
Feb 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exercise machine is provided. The exercise machine may include a frame, an adjustment assembly coupled to the frame and selectively movable relative thereto, a foot linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a closed loop path, and a handle linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a defined path. The adjustment assembly may include a pivot axis. The foot linkage may be pivotably coupled to the adjustment assembly at the pivot axis such that selective movement of the pivot axis relative to the frame alters the closed loop path of the foot linkage in use. Movement of one of the foot linkage and the handle linkage may cause corresponding movement of the other of the foot linkage and the handle linkage Actuation of the adjustment assembly may selectively move the pivot axis in more than one direction.

Claims (56)

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

an adjustment assembly coupled to the frame and selectively movable relative thereto, the adjustment assembly including a pivot axis;

a foot linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a closed loop path, the foot linkage pivotably coupled to the adjustment assembly at the pivot axis such that selective movement of the pivot axis relative to the frame alters the closed loop path of the foot linkage in use; and

a handle linkage arranged to reciprocally move in a defined path, wherein movement of one of the foot linkage and the handle linkage causes corresponding movement of the other of the foot linkage and the handle linkage;

wherein actuation of the adjustment assembly selectively moves the pivot axis along a curve with a concave shape directed toward a base of the frame.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein:

the frame includes a mast positioned adjacent the front of the exercise machine; and

the pivot axis is positioned rearward of the mast.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein:

the adjustment assembly includes an actuator operable to move the pivot axis relative to the mast.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein:

the adjustment assembly includes a lever arm pivotably coupled to the mast; and

the actuator is arranged to move the lever arm relative to the mast; and

the actuator is attached to the mast such that the actuator and the pivot axis are positioned on opposing sides of the mast.

5. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein:

the lever arm includes opposing first and second ends;

the pivot axis is arranged on the first end of the lever arm; and

the actuator is coupled with the second end of the lever arm.

6. The exercise machine of claim 5 , wherein:

the lever arm includes opposing first and second portions extending at an angle to each other;

the first portion of the lever arm is positioned on a rear side of the mast; and

the second portion of the lever arm extends from the rear side of the mast to a front side of the mast.

7. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame including a mast positioned adjacent the front of the exercise machine;

a lever arm pivotally connected to the mast such that a first end of the lever arm is selectively moved towards or away from the mast;

a crank rotatably mounted to the mast about a crank axis;

first and second reciprocating members operatively associated with the crank to rotate about a respective pivot axis, the pivot axes orbiting the crank axis upon rotation of the crank;

first and second foot links operatively associated with the first and second reciprocating members, respectively, each of the first and second foot links arranged to move in a respective closed loop path; and

first and second swing arms pivotally connected to the first end of the lever arm and operatively associated with the first and second foot links, respectively;

wherein selective movement of the first end of the lever arm towards or away from the mast alters the closed loop paths of the first and second foot links.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7 , further comprising first and second crank arms coupled to the crank and rotatable about the crank axis, wherein the first and second reciprocating members are pivotally connected to the first and second crank arms, respectively.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the first and second crank arms are eccentrically coupled to the crank such that the connection of the first and second crank arms to the crank orbits the crank axis upon rotation of the crank.

10. The exercise machine of claim 7 , further comprising an actuator coupled with a second end of the lever arm and arranged to selectively move the first end of the lever arm at least towards or away from the mast.

11. The exercise machine of claim 10 , wherein:

the first end of the lever arm is positioned on one side of the mast; and

the actuator is positioned on an opposite side of the mast.

12. The exercise machine of claim 11 , wherein the first end of the lever arm is positioned on a rear side of the mast.

13. The exercise machine of claim 7 , further comprising first and second handle linkages respectively coupled to the second ends of the first and second swing arms such that movement of the first and second swing arms causes corresponding movement of the first and second handle linkages.

14. The exercise machine of claim 7 , further comprising first and second handle linkages eccentrically coupled to the crank such that rotation of the crank causes orbital movement of at least a portion of the first and second handle linkages about the crank axis.

15. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a lever arm pivotally connected to the frame and selectively positioned relative to the frame;

a crank rotatably mounted to the frame about a crank axis;

first and second crank arms coupled to the crank and rotatable about the crank axis;

first and second reciprocating members each including opposing first and second ends, the first end of each reciprocating member pivotably coupled to a respective crank arm, the second end of each reciprocating member arranged to reciprocally engage the frame at a position rearward from the crank;

first and second foot links respectively coupled to the first and second reciprocating members and arranged to reciprocally move in respective closed loop paths; and

first and second swing arms respectively coupled to the first and second foot links and to the lever arm to control the reciprocating movement of the first and second foot links.

16. The exercise machine of claim 15 , further comprising first and second handle linkages arranged to reciprocally move in defined paths, wherein the first and second handle linkages are respectively coupled to the first and second swing arms such that movement of the first and second swing arms causes corresponding movement of the first and second handle linkages.

17. The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein the first and second handle linkages are eccentrically coupled to the crank such that rotation of the crank causes orbital movement of a portion of each of the first and second handle linkages about the crank axis.

18. The exercise machine of claim 17 , further comprising a pair of disks eccentrically coupled to the crank and rotatably mounted within respective annular collars included in the first and second handle linkages such that orbital movement of the disks about the crank axis causes reciprocal movement of the first and second handle linkages.

19. The exercise machine of claim 17 , further comprising a pair of bar links coupled to the crank and defining respective pivot axes spaced away from the crank axis, the first and second handle linkages coupled to a respective pivot axis to at least partially orbit the crank axis.

20. The exercise machine of claim 15 , wherein the frame comprises:

a base including a plurality of guide rails with which the second ends of the first and second reciprocating members reciprocally engage;

a mast extending vertically from the base, the lever arm pivotally connected to mast; and

an actuator arranged to selectively move a first end of the lever arm towards or away from the mast.

Assignments (11)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2024
From: BOWFLEX INC.
To: JOHNSON HEALTH TECH RETAIL, INC.
Reel/Frame 067807/0675 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 25, 2024
From: CRYSTAL FINANCIAL LLC (D/B/A SLR CREDIT SOLUTIONS)
To: BOWFLEX INC.
Reel/Frame 067239/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 25, 2024
From: CRYSTAL FINANCIAL LLC (D/B/A SLR CREDIT SOLUTIONS)
To: BOWFLEX INC.
Reel/Frame 067239/0121 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2024
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BOWFLEX INC. (F/K/A NAUTILUS, INC.)
Reel/Frame 066725/0904 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2024
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BOWFLEX INC. (F/K/A NAUTILUS, INC.)
Reel/Frame 066726/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 26, 2024
From: BOWFLEX INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 066374/0281 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2024
From: BOWFLEX INC.
To: CRYSTAL FINANCIAL LLC D/B/A SLR CREDIT SOLUTIONS
Reel/Frame 066369/0555 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 7, 2023
From: NAUTILUS, INC.
To: BOWFLEX INC.
Reel/Frame 065808/0931 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: NAUTILUS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062038/0027 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2022
From: NAUTILUS, INC.
To: CRYSTAL FINANCIAL LLC D/B/A SLR CREDIT SOLUTIONS
Reel/Frame 062029/0373 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2020
From: TRACY, JEFFREY A.
To: NAUTILUS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053292/0059 →