IP Library Granted Patent US 11,541,264
Granted Patent B1
US 11,541,264 · App. 16/902,163 · Granted Jan 3, 2023

Versatile bench and smart seat for an exercise appliance

Inventors: David Mallard (Mill Valley, CA); Ryan Lafrance (San Francisco, CA); Thomas Kroman Watt (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
A63B21/00076A63B21/0442A63B21/151A63B21/169A63B21/4029A63B22/0076A63B2022/0079A63B2220/51
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,541,264
App. No.
16/902,163
Granted
Jan 3, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

A controllable tension force is provided on a first cable. The first cable has a terminal end wherein the terminal end is adapted to attach to an accessory. The first cable is coupled to a motor. The first cable and motor are part of a resistance unit. The resistance unit is coupled to a user support unit having a sliding seat.

Claims (34)

1. An exercise machine including:

a resistance unit including:

a first cable having a terminal end wherein the terminal end is adapted to attach to an accessory;

a screen;

a motor providing a controllable tension force simulating a power stroke experience of a rowing boat by the motor on the first cable, wherein the motor is a direct-drive hub motor; and

a user support unit having a sliding seat and a detachable coupling component;

wherein the resistance unit is mounted to a wall, wherein the detachable coupling component comprises a footplate and a sensor arrangement, and wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a slide for the first cable and a position transducer associated with an angle of a handlebar grip simulating an oar position.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the resistance unit further includes a first arm routing the first cable.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the sliding seat has one or more sensors in communication with the resistance unit wherein the one or more sensors provide an input that affects control of the tension force.

4. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the sliding seat has one or more sensors in communication with the resistance unit wherein the one or more sensors provide an input that provides form feedback.

5. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the screen is configured to provide the form feedback using a target band.

6. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the user support unit is convertible to a weight bench.

7. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the exercise machine further includes a mechanical attachment.

8. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the resistance unit further includes a second arm and a second cable, wherein the motor also provides a second controllable tension force on the second cable, and the second arm routes the second cable.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the first arm may be used by a first user and the second arm may be used by a second user such that it allows the first user and second user to use the exercise machine simultaneously.

10. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the exercise machine further includes a mechanical attachment to couple the first arm and the second arm together.

11. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the exercise machine further includes a mechanical attachment to hold a mobile screen device.

12. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the exercise machine further includes a mechanical attachment to reduce the exercise machine creeping towards a wall.

13. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the exercise machine further includes a sensor.

14. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the sensor arrangement further includes a sensor, wherein the sensor includes at least one of the following: a camera, a depth sensing camera, a seat sensor, a push force sensor for a user foot, a pull force sensor for a user foot, and a seat to rail position sensor.

15. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the resistance unit further includes a power adjustment module configured to adjust power management based on user input power by at least in part using a power shunt to dissipate excess electrical energy generated by user input power.

16. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the resistance unit further includes an electrical energy storage device.

17. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the motor is configurable as a heat sink by running the motor off-phase.

18. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the resistance unit further includes a shunt resistor, coupled to the motor.

19. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the accessory is one of one or more accessories, and one of the one or more accessories is a rowing handle.

20. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the controllable tension force adjusts cable speed to be in a rowing-mode.

21. A method, including:

providing a controllable tension force simulating a power stroke experience of a rowing boat on a first cable, wherein:

the first cable has a terminal end wherein the terminal end is adapted to attach to an accessory; and

the first cable is coupled to a motor, wherein the motor is a direct-drive hub motor; and

routing the first cable, wherein:

the first cable, and motor are part of a resistance unit;

the resistance unit is mounted to a wall; and

the resistance unit is coupled to a user support unit having a sliding seat and a detachable coupling component, and wherein the detachable coupling component comprises a footplate and a sensor arrangement, and wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a slide for the first cable and a position transducer associated with an angle of a handlebar grip simulating an oar position.

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 Aug 13, 2020
From: MALLARD, DAVID; LAFRANCE, RYAN; WATT, THOMAS KROMAN
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053485/0567 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62869959 · Jul 2, 2019
Cited By (10)
US 1,079,856 US 1,127,952 US 12,285,648 US 12,311,222 US 12,350,546 US 12,415,110 US 12,420,135 US 12,569,709 US 12,599,806 US 12,667,749