IP Library Granted Patent US 12,558,585
Granted Patent B2
US 12,558,585 · App. 18/368,973 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

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 12,558,585
App. No.
18/368,973
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
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 (27)

1 . An exercise device comprising:

a motor;

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

an actuator connected to the cable, wherein the actuator is physically arranged to deliver a force to a user, 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 at least one of applying or removing tension to the cable is based on one or more of an assessment of the user or a movement to be performed.

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

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

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

5 . The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising a voice control to rack or unrack the digital weight.

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

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

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

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

10 . The exercise device of claim 2 , wherein a remote coaching unit also sends rack and unrack commands in addition to user generated commands.

11 . The exercise device of claim 2 , wherein a ramping rate of tension applied is controlled.

12 . The exercise device of claim 2 , further comprising an audible signal indicating that the digital weight has been unracked.

13 . The exercise device of claim 2 , further comprising an audible signal indicating 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 racked.

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

16 . The exercise device of claim 2 , wherein when a nonstandard orientation of the actuator is detected, the digital weight is racked in response.

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

18 . The exercise device of claim 2 , wherein the actuator comprises a grip sensor to detect grip.

19 . A method, comprising:

receiving an indication from a user to rack or unrack a digital weight; and

signaling a motor to apply or remove tension to a cable coupled to the motor based at least in part on the indication to rack or unrack the digital weight;

wherein an actuator is connected to the cable and is physically arranged to deliver a force to the user; and

wherein at least one of applying or removing tension to the cable is based on one or more of an assessment of the user or a movement to be performed.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the actuator comprises a smart accessory wirelessly connected to the motor.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2026
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 075306/0212 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2025
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CUSTOMERS BANK
Reel/Frame 073255/0161 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17856423 · Jul 1, 2022
Continuation 17178154 · Feb 17, 2021
Continuation 16538713 · Aug 12, 2019
Provisional Application 62718886 · Aug 14, 2018
Related Publication 20240149094A1 · May 9, 2024
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