Loading device for exercise machines
US7758479B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63B21/4043
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A loading device for an exercise machine includes a lever arm and a nitrogen gas compression spring in a force triangle that provides easy adjustment of the resistive load presented to a user. The nitrogen gas compression spring and the selected portion of the lever arm comprise two legs of the force triangle, with a slidable coupling selectively interconnecting the nitrogen gas compression spring with the lever arm at adjustment points on the lever arm. Both the nitrogen gas compression spring and the lever arm are pivotally mounted on a rigid member, with the distances between their pivots forming the third leg of the force triangle. The nitrogen gas compression spring exhibits a high resistance, a flat spring rate and is of rigid construction so that the lever arm and nitrogen gas compression spring are self-supported at all times. The nitrogen gas compression spring is coupled to the slidable coupling to produce a slight torque preload to maintain the contact orientation of the slidable coupling and the lever arm the same throughout the excursion of the lever arm for all force loadings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.