IP Library Granted Patent US 12,544,612
Granted Patent B2
US 12,544,612 · App. 18/660,085 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Enhancing concentric load experienced by user

Inventors: Colin Russell Parker (San Francisco, CA); Troy Taylor (Park City, UT); Nihal Murthy (Oakland, CA)
Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
A63B21/0058A63B24/0087A63B2220/54
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,544,612
App. No.
18/660,085
Granted
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

During at least a portion of a user exercise movement in which an actuator velocity of an actuator is in an outward direction, an amount of torque that is requestable from a motor is increased based at least in part on the actuator velocity. The motor provides resistance to the actuator. The actuator is coupled to the motor.

Claims (19)

1 . An exercise device comprising:

a motor that provides resistance to an actuator coupled to the motor; and

a torque controller configured to:

during at least a portion of a user exercise movement in which an actuator velocity is in an outward direction, increase an amount of torque that is requestable from the motor based at least in part on the actuator velocity.

2 . The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to determine the actuator velocity.

3 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the outward direction comprises any direction that a user ultimately supplies power to the exercise device.

4 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the increased amount of torque requestable from the motor is based at least in part on a determination whether the actuator velocity is greater than a velocity engagement threshold.

5 . The exercise device of claim 4 , wherein the velocity engagement threshold is based at least on a saturation point.

6 . The exercise device of claim 5 , wherein the saturation point is based at least in part on a current user requested weight, current drawn from a power supply coupled to the motor, a lower torque bound for requestable torque from the motor, a higher torque bound for requestable torque from the motor, and losses in the motor.

7 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the increased amount of torque requestable from the motor is based at least in part on a current motor temperature.

8 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the increased amount of torque requestable from the motor is based at least in part on a torque constant or a back EMF constant for the motor.

9 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the increased amount of torque requestable from the motor is based at least in part on a number of motor windings for the motor.

10 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the increased amount of torque requestable from the motor is based at least in part on speed limitations of a drivetrain comprising the motor.

11 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the increased amount of torque requestable from the motor is based at least in part on power limitations of a drivetrain comprising the motor.

12 . The exercise device of claim 1 , wherein the increased amount of torque requestable from the motor is based at least in part on thermal limitations of a drivetrain comprising the motor.

13 . A method, comprising:

during at least a portion of a user exercise movement in which an actuator velocity of an actuator is in an outward direction, increasing an amount of torque that is requestable from a motor based at least in part on the actuator velocity;

wherein the motor provides resistance to the actuator; and

wherein the actuator is coupled to the motor.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2026
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CUSTOMERS BANK
Reel/Frame 074233/0413 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2026
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 075306/0212 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2024
From: PARKER, COLIN RUSSELL; TAYLOR, TROY; MURTHY, NIHAL
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067916/0424 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250345647A1 · Nov 13, 2025
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