US20230321482A1

US20230321482A1 - Lift assist for exercise device

Info

Publication number: US20230321482A1
Application number: US18/132,277
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel Vasquez; T. Aaron Wilkinson
Original assignee: Ifit Inc
Current assignee: Ifit Inc
Priority date: 2022-04-08
Filing date: 2023-04-07
Publication date: 2023-10-12

Abstract

An exercise device includes a lift assist mechanism to reduce a weight of the console assembly. The console assembly includes a display and handlebars, which increases the weight of the console assembly. The lift assist mechanism reduces the force used to adjust the vertical position of the lift assist assembly, thereby improving the ease of use of the exercise device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/329,270, filed on Apr. 8, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Exercise is popular activity that many people perform to improve their physical and/or mental health. Exercise devices are often utilized to allow a person to exercise a variety of muscles in a variety of activities. Some exercise devices increase difficulty by changing the settings on an exercise device. In some situations, a height of the console and other elements of the exercise device may be adjusted based on the various biomechanics of the user.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an exercise device, including, a support post having an outer post and an inner post inserted into the outer post, the inner post being slidable within the outer post. A console assembly is connected to the inner post. A vertical position of the console assembly is based on a vertical position of the inner post relative to the outer post. A lift assist mechanism is connected to the console assembly. A first end of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the outer post and a second end of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the inner post. The lift assist mechanism applies an upward force on the inner post.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a stationary bicycle, including a frame, a seat connected to the frame, a resistance mechanism connected to the frame, and a console assembly connected to the frame. The console assembly includes an outer post fixed to the frame, an inner post slidably inserted into the frame, the inner post being slidable between an upper position and a lower position, a display connected to the inner post, handlebars connected to the inner post, and a lift assist mechanism located in the inner post and the outer post, the lift assist mechanism reducing an adjustment force to adjust the inner post between the upper position and the lower position.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific implementations thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of the drawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, at least some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that the drawings depict some example implementations, the implementations will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of an exercise device, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2-1 is a representation of a console assembly in a lower position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2-2 is a representation of the console assembly of FIG. 2-1 in an upper position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3-1 is a representation of a console assembly in a lower position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3-2 is a representation of the console assembly of FIG. 3-1 in an upper position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4-1 is a representation of a console assembly in a lower position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4-2 is a representation of the console assembly of FIG. 4-1 in an upper position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for exercise and adjusting a console assembly of an exercise device. The console assembly includes a display and handlebars, the weight of which may approach 50 lb. or more. A lift assist mechanism is located a support post for the console assembly. The lift assist mechanism may reduce the force a user may apply to the console assembly to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly relative to the frame. This may help to improve the ease of use of the exercise device, including adjusting the position of console assembly between users. Different users may have different body dimensions, such as height, arm length, torso length, leg length, and so forth. Reducing the adjustment force to adjust the position of the console assembly may help to improve the accessibility of the exercise device for multiple different users.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lift assist mechanism may be a gas shock, such as a pneumatic piston assembly that includes a compressed gas. The compressed gas may urge a shaft of the piston to extend, thereby applying an expansion force to the gas shock. The gas shock may be connected to a support post and the console assembly. The gas shock may apply the expansion force between the console assembly and the support post. This may reduce the adjustment force a user may apply to the console assembly to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly.
In some embodiments, the lift assist mechanism may include an electric motor. The electric motor may be connected to a pinion gear. The pinion gear may interact with a grooved shaft connected to the console assembly. By rotating the pinion gear, the electric motor may apply a lifting force to the console assembly. In some embodiments, the electric motor may apply a lifting force sufficient to fully adjust the vertical position of the console assembly. In some embodiments, the electric motor may apply a lifting force to reduce the adjustment force applied by the user. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lift assist mechanism, such as the electric motor, may be connected to a seat and a seat post of the exercise device. This may further improve the ability to adjust the stationary bicycle between users having different body shapes.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device 100 having an adjustable console assembly. The exercise device 100 illustrated is a stationary bicycle. The stationary bicycle includes a frame 102. The frame 102 may provide structural support for the exercise device 100 during operation. For example, the frame 102 may support the weight of the user and the forces generated while a user is performing an exercise activity.
The exercise device 100 includes a drive chain 104, including pedals 106 connected to a crank 108. The drive chain 104 may be connected to a flywheel 110. For example, a chain, belt, or other connecting element may connect the drive chain 104 to the flywheel 110. A user may apply a force to the pedals 106, which may be transferred through the crank 108 to the chain. This may cause the flywheel 110 to rotate. A resistance mechanism 112 may adjust the resistance to rotation of the flywheel 110. Adjusting the resistance applied by the resistance mechanism 112 may allow the user to perform exercise activities having variable resistance to rotation, thereby exercising muscles in different ways. The resistance mechanism 112 may be any type of resistance mechanism 112, such as a frictional resistance mechanism 112, a magnetic resistance mechanism 112, a fluid-based resistance mechanism 112, any other type of resistance mechanism 112, and combinations thereof.
The exercise device 100 includes a console assembly 114. The console assembly 114 is connected to the frame 102 with a console post 116. The inner post 116 may be inserted into a frame post 118. The frame post 118 may be part of, fixed to, or rigidly connected to the frame 102. The vertical position of the console assembly 114 relative to the floor, frame, or the user's face or field of view may be adjusted for different users and/or different posture or positioning for a user.
The console assembly 114 may include a display 120. As the size of displays 120 on exercise devices 100 have increased, the weight of the console assembly 114 may increase. This may increase the weight and difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the console assembly 114. In the embodiment shown, a display connector 122 may offset the display 120 from the console post 116 and the frame post 118. This may allow the display 120 to be rotated and positioned to allow the user to view the display 120 while standing to the side of the exercise device 100. Offsetting the display 120 may apply a torque or moment to the console post 116 and the frame post 118. The torque or moment may further increase the difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the console assembly 114.
The console assembly 114 further includes handlebars 124. The handlebars 124 may support the user during operation of the exercise device 100. The handlebars 124 may further increase the weight of the console assembly 114 and the difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the exercise device 100.
An increased weight of the console assembly 114 may increase the difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the console assembly 114. For example, an increased weight of the console assembly 114 may increase the force a user may apply to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly 114. The console assembly 114 may include a lift assist mechanism to reduce the force the user may apply to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly 114. The lift assist mechanism may support at least a portion of the weight of the console assembly 114. By supporting a portion of the weight, or applying an upward force on, the console assembly 114, the lift assist mechanism may reduce the force a user may use to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly 114. This may increase the ease of adjustment of the console assembly 114, thereby improving the user experience.
FIG. 2-1 is a schematic view of a console assembly 214 in a lower position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The console assembly 214 includes a console support 226 having a console post 216 and a frame post 218. The frame post may be fixed to (e.g., secured to, welded to, bolted to) a frame of the exercise device. The console post 216 may be located at least partially inside of or internal to the frame post 218. This may make the console post 216 an inner post to the frame post 218. The frame post 218 may receive the console post 216 inside it (e.g., the console post 216 may be inserted into the frame post 218). This may make the frame post 218 an outer post to the console post 216. While embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate the frame post 218 as being an outer post to the console post 216, it should be understood that the console post 216 may be an outer post to the frame post 218. In some embodiments, the frame post 218 and/or the console post 216 may include multiple concentric posts, such as a telescoping structure.
The console post 216 may be inserted into the frame post 218 such that it is slidably connected to the frame post 218. For example, the console post 216 may be slid or inserted inside an interior portion of the frame post 218. As the console assembly 214 moves between the lower position shown in FIG. 2-1 to the upper position shown in FIG. 2-2 , the console post 216 may slide up and down in the frame post 218. While FIG. 2-1 and FIG. 2-2 , and subsequent figures, show a single upper position and a single lower position, it should be understood that the console assembly 214 may have any number of vertical positions. For example, the console assembly 214 may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, or more vertical positions. Any position may be an upper position to a position below it, and any position may be a lower position to a position above it.
The console assembly 214 includes a display 220 and handlebars 224 connected to the console post 216. As the console post 216 moves between the lower position and the upper position, the console post 216 may move the display 220 and the handlebars 224 between the lower position and the upper position. The combined weight of the handlebars 224, the display 220, and the console post 216 may be relatively high, making it difficult for a user to manually adjust the vertical position of the console assembly 214. For example, the combined weight may be 20 lb. (9.1 kg), 25 lb. (11.3 kg), 30 lb. (13.6 kg), 35 lb. (15.9 kg), 40 lb. (18.1 kg), 45 lb. (20.4 kg), 50 lb. (22.7 kg), 55 lb. (24.9 kg), 60 lb. (27.2 kg), 65 lb. (29.5 kg), 70 lb. (31.8 kg), 75 lb. (34.0 kg), or more.
To adjust the vertical position of the console assembly 214, the console assembly 214 may receive a position adjustment force. The position adjustment force may be received in the direction of motion of the console assembly 214. For example, to move the console assembly 214 from the lower position shown in FIG. 2-1 to the upper position shown in FIG. 2-2 , the position adjustment force may be an upward force (e.g., opposite the force of gravity). To move the console assembly 214 from the upper position shown in FIG. 2-2 to the lower position shown in FIG. 2-1 , the position adjustment force may be a downward force.
The console assembly 214 further includes a lift assist mechanism 228 located in the console support 226. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lift assist mechanism 228 may include any type of mechanism that may support or reduce a lifting weight of the console assembly 214. For example, the lift assist mechanism 228 may include a gas shock, a spring in compression, a spring in tension, a hydraulic piston, an electric motor, a compressible material, a cable system, any other lift assist mechanism, and combinations thereof.
A first end (or lower end) of the lift assist mechanism 228 may be connected to the frame post 218. A second end (or upper end) of the lift assist mechanism 228 may be connected to the console post 216. The lift assist mechanism 228 may apply an assisting upward force 230 to the console assembly 214. For example, the lift assist mechanism 228 may apply the assisting upward force 230 to the console post 216, the handlebars 224, and the display 220. This may reduce the position adjustment force to change the position of the console assembly 214 between the lower position and the upper position.
The assisting upward force 230 may apply an assisting percentage of the combined weight of the console assembly 214. The assisting percentage may be the combined weight divided by the assisting upward force 230, with a percentage of greater than 100% corresponding to an assisting upward force 230 that is greater than the combined weight of the console assembly 214. In some embodiments, the assisting percentage may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150%, 160%, 170%, 180%, 190%, 200%, or any value therebetween. For example, the assisting percentage may be greater than 10%. In another example, the assisting percentage may be less than 200%. In yet other examples, the assisting percentage may be any value in a range between 10% and 200%. In some embodiments, it may be critical that the assisting percentage is between 70% and 130% to reduce the position adjustment force, thereby improving the ease of adjustment of the position of the console assembly 214.
As may be understood, the assisting upward force 230 on the console assembly 214 may be greater than the force of gravity on the console assembly 214. In this manner, the assisting upward force 230 may bias the console assembly 214 into the upper position when no position adjustment force is applied. This may result in a downward position adjustment force being applied (in addition to the force of gravity) to move the console assembly 214 from the upper position to the lower position.
In some embodiments, the assisting upward force 230 may be less than the force of gravity on the console assembly 214. In this manner, the force of gravity may bias the console assembly 214 into the lower position when no external position adjustment force is applied (e.g., when only the force of gravity is applied to the console assembly 214 to oppose the assisting upward force 230). This may result in an upward position adjustment force being applied (in addition to the assisting upward force 230) to move the console assembly 214 from the lower position to the upper position.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lift assist mechanism 228 may include a gas shock. A gas shock may utilize compressed air to apply a constant extension force on a piston. The piston and the housing may be connected to two different elements, and the extension force of the compressed air may urge the different elements to separate. In the embodiment shown, the lift assist mechanism 228 includes a housing 232 and a piston 234 or shaft. The housing 232 may be connected to the frame post 218. The piston 234 may be connected to the console post 216.
The housing 232 may be filled with a compressed gas, which may urge the piston 234 out of the housing 232. This may cause the housing 232 to push against the frame post 218 and the piston 234 to push against the console post 216, thereby applying the assisting upward force 230 to the console post 216, the handlebars 224, and the display 220.
The housing 232 may be connected to a bracket 236. The housing 232 may be connected to the bracket 236 using a bolt, nut, or other threaded connector. The piston 234 may be connected to or threaded into a bracket or nut on the console post 216. This may secure the elements of the lift assist mechanism 228 to the console support 226.
In FIG. 2-2 , the console assembly 214 has been moved into the upper position. As may be seen, the piston 234 of the lift assist mechanism 228 has slid through an upper opening of the housing 232. Similarly, the console post 216 has slid through an upper opening of the frame post 218. In this manner, the console assembly 214 may extend in height, moving from the lower position to the upper position. As will be understood, the lift assist mechanism 228 may apply the assisting upward force 230 to reduce the position adjustment force used to move the console assembly 214 between the upper position and the lower position. It should be noted that, as the console post 216 slides in the frame post 218, the first end (e.g., the lower end) of the lift assist mechanism 228 may remain connected to the frame post 218 and the second end (e.g., the upper end) of the lift assist mechanism 228 may remain connected to the console post 216.
In some embodiments, the offset of the display 220 from the console post 216 may apply a torque or a moment arm to the console post 216 at the post opening 238. A torque or moment at the post opening 238 may cause friction and binding of the sliding of the console post 216 within the frame post 218. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a guiding element 240 may be located at the post opening 238. The guiding element 240 may help to maintain alignment of the console post 216, such as by guiding the sliding of the console post 216 through the post opening 238. This may help to reduce friction and/or binding of the console post 216 when changing the vertical position. In some embodiments, the guiding element 240 may be any type of guiding element, such as a wheel, a roller, a bushing, a low-friction surface, any other guiding element, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the guiding element 240 may surround an entirety of a circumference of the console post 216. In some embodiments, the guiding element 240 may be located at high contact or high friction areas where the console post 216 engages the frame post 218 at the post opening 238. For example, the weight of the display 220 may cause the console post 216 to contact the post opening 238 of the frame post 218 on the same side as the display 220. By placing the guiding element 240 on the same side of the lift assist mechanism 228 as the display 220, the guiding element 240 may reduce friction and/or binding of the console post 216 and the frame post 218.
In some embodiments, the frame post 218 may include other guiding elements. For example, the frame post 218 may include a guiding element on an opposite side of the console post 216 than the display 220. The lower guiding element may be a roller, a series of rollers, a low friction surface, or any other guiding element that may reduce the friction of engagement of the console post 216 with the frame post 218.
In some embodiments, the console post 216 includes a support element 242. The support element 242 may support the lift assist mechanism 228 while the lift assist mechanism 228 and the console support 226 extend into the upper position shown. As the lift assist mechanism 228 extends, the lift assist mechanism 228 may experience buckling forces or buckling tendencies. The support element 242 may help to support the lift assist mechanism 228 to prevent buckling, thereby increasing the extension of the support element 242 and extending the operational life of the lift assist mechanism 228.
In some embodiments, the support element 242 may be fixed to a lower portion of the console post 216 and slide along the outer surface of the housing 232 of the lift assist mechanism 228 as the console post 216 moves upward. In some embodiments, the support element 242 may be fixed to an upper portion of the housing 232 of the lift assist mechanism 228 and slide along the inner surface of the console post 216. By sliding the support element 242 along one of the housing 232 or the console post 216, the support element 242 may provide increasing support as the lift assist mechanism 228 extends.
In some embodiments, the support element 242 may be any type of support element. For example, the support element 242 may include a bracket, a roller, a bushing, a wheel, a bearing, any other type of support element 242, and combinations thereof.
FIG. 3-1 is a schematic view of a console assembly 314 in a lower position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The console assembly 314 includes a console support 326 having a console post 316 and a frame post 318. The console post 316 may be located at least partially inside of or internal to the frame post 318. This may make the console post 316 an inner post to the frame post 318. The frame post 318 may receive the console post 316 inside it (e.g., the console post 316 may be inserted into the frame post 318). This may make the frame post 318 an outer post to the console post 316.
The console assembly 314 includes a lift assist mechanism 328. As discussed herein, the lift assist mechanism 328 may apply an upward force 330 on the console assembly 314. In some embodiments, the lift assist mechanism 328 may include a motor assembly 344. The motor assembly 344 may apply the upward force 330 on the console assembly 314. This may cause the console assembly 314 to change from the lower position shown in FIG. 3-1 to the upper position shown in FIG. 3-2 .
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor assembly 344 may include a motor 346 and a pinion gear 348. The motor 346 may be an electric motor, and may be connected to the pinion gear 348. In some embodiments, the motor 346 may rotate the pinion gear 348.
The lift assist mechanism 328 further includes a drive shaft 350. The drive shaft 350 may include grooves that may engage the pinion gear 348. As the motor 346 causes the pinion gear 348 to rotate, the pinion gear 348 may engage the grooves on the drive shaft 350, thereby causing the drive shaft 350 to change vertical position. This may change the vertical position of the console assembly 314 between the lower position shown in FIG. 3-1 to the upper position shown in FIG. 3-2 .
In some embodiments, the upward force 330 applied by the motor assembly 344 may provide all the force used to change the position of the console assembly 314. The motor assembly 344 may be connected to a controller in a display 320. The controller may cause the motor assembly 344 to change the position of the console assembly 314 based on any criteria, such as a user input, a user login, a change in exercise activity, a change in simulated terrain, any other criteria, and combinations thereof.
While the lift assist mechanism 328 and the motor assembly 344 described herein have been described with respect to a console assembly 314, it should be understood that the lift assist mechanism 328 and the motor assembly 344 may be utilized in any other system of an exercise device. For example, the lift assist mechanism 328 and the motor assembly 344 may be utilized in a seat assembly, such as a seat post and a seat of a bicycle. This may allow the vertical position of the seat post to be changed based on any criteria, such as a user input, a user login, a change in exercise activity, a change in simulated terrain, any other criteria, and combinations thereof.
In FIG. 3-2 , the lift assist mechanism 328 and the motor assembly 344 have adjusted the position of the console assembly 314 from the lower position shown in FIG. 3-1 to the upper position shown in FIG. 3-2 . For example, the motor 346 has caused the pinion gear 348 to rotate, engaging the grooves on the drive shaft 350. This may cause the vertical position of the drive shaft 350 to change, thereby causing the console post 316 to slide out of the frame post 318.
FIG. 4-1 and FIG. 4-2 are representations of a console assembly 414 in a retracted and an extended position, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The console assembly 414 includes a console post 416 and a frame post 418 connected to a frame 402. A lift assist mechanism 428 may be connected to the console post 416 and the frame post 418. The lift assist mechanism 428 may apply an upward force on the console and the console post 416, thereby reducing the amount of force a user may use to adjust the vertical position of the console.
The console post 416 may include a position adjustment knob 452. The position adjustment knob 452 may include an adjustment pin 454. The adjustment pin 454 may engage with the console post 416, holding the console post 416 in place during an exercise activity. When the user adjusts the vertical position of the console assembly 414, the user may adjust the position adjustment knob 452 to disengage the adjustment pin 454 from the console post 416. When the console assembly 414 is in the desired vertical location, the user may adjust the position adjustment knob 452 to engage the 454 with the console post 416, thereby securing the console assembly 414 in the vertical location.
The lift assist mechanism 428 may include a support element 442. The support element 442 may be connected to the console post 416 to stabilize the lift assist mechanism 428. This may help to prevent damage to, such as through buckling, the lift assist mechanism 428 when the console assembly 414 is in the upper position.
In FIG. 4-2 , the console assembly 414 is in the upper position with the lift assist mechanism 428 extended. In the upper position shown, the position adjustment knob 452 has been adjusted such that the adjustment pin 454 is engaged with the console post 416 to secure the console post 416 in place. As may be seen, the support element 442 is supporting the lift assist mechanism 428, thereby reducing the chance of the buckling or other damage to the lift assist mechanism 428 during operation and/or operation in the upper or extended position.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for exercise and adjusting a console assembly of an exercise device. The console assembly includes a display and handlebars, the weight of which may approach 50 lb. A lift assist mechanism is located a support post for the console assembly. The lift assist mechanism may reduce the force a user may apply to the console assembly to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly. This may help to improve the ease of use of the exercise device, including adjusting the position of console assembly between users. Different users may have different body dimensions, such as height, arm length, torso length, leg length, and so forth. Reducing the adjustment force to adjust the position of the console assembly may help to improve the accessibility of the exercise device for multiple different users.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lift assist mechanism may be a gas shock, such as a pneumatic piston assembly that includes a compressed gas. The compressed gas may urge a shaft of the piston to extend, thereby applying an expansion force to the gas shock. The gas shock may be connected to a support post and the console assembly. The gas shock may apply the expansion force between the console assembly and the support post. This may reduce the adjustment force a user may apply to the console assembly to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly.
In some embodiments, the lift assist mechanism may include an electric motor. The electric motor may be connected to a pinion gear. The pinion gear may interact with a grooved shaft connected to the console assembly. By rotating the pinion gear, the electric motor may apply a lifting force to the console assembly. In some embodiments, the electric motor may apply a lifting force sufficient to fully adjust the vertical position of the console assembly. In some embodiments, the electric motor may apply a lifting force to reduce the adjustment force applied by the user. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lift assist mechanism, such as the electric motor, may be connected to a seat and a seat post of the exercise device. This may further improve the ability to adjust the stationary bicycle between users having different body shapes.
In some embodiments, an exercise device having an adjustable console assembly includes a stationary bicycle. The stationary bicycle includes a frame. The frame may provide structural support for the exercise device during operation. For example, the frame may support the weight of the user and the forces generated while a user is performing an exercise activity. While the exercise devices described herein disclose a stationary bicycle, it should be understood that any exercise device may be used, including an elliptical device, a stationary bicycle, a rower, a stair machine, any other exercise device, and combinations thereof.
The exercise device includes a drive chain, including pedals connected to a crank. The drive chain may be connected to a flywheel. For example, a chain, belt, or other connecting element may connect the drive chain to the flywheel. A user may apply a force to the pedals, which may be transferred through the crank to the chain. This may cause the flywheel to rotate. A resistance mechanism may adjust the resistance to rotation of the flywheel. Adjusting the resistance applied by the resistance mechanism may allow the user to perform exercise activities having variable resistance to rotation, thereby exercising muscles in different ways. The resistance mechanism may be any type of resistance mechanism, such as a frictional resistance mechanism, a magnetic resistance mechanism, a fluid-based resistance mechanism, any other type of resistance mechanism, and combinations thereof.
The exercise device includes a console assembly. The console assembly is connected to the frame with a console post. The inner post may be inserted into a frame post. The frame post may be part of or rigidly connected to the frame. The vertical position of the console assembly may be adjusted for different users and/or different posture or positioning for a user.
The console assembly may include a display. As the size of displays on exercise devices have increased, the weight of the console assembly may increase. This may increase the weight and difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the console assembly. In the embodiment shown, a display connector may offset the display from the console post and the frame post. This may allow the display to be rotated and positioned to allow the user to view the display while standing to the side of the exercise device. Offsetting the display may apply a torque or moment to the console post and the frame post. The torque or moment may further increase the difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the console assembly.
The console assembly further includes handlebars. The handlebars may support the user during operation of the exercise device. The handlebars may further increase the weight of the console assembly and the difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the exercise device.
An increased weight of the console assembly may increase the difficulty of adjusting the vertical position of the console assembly. For example, an increased weight of the console assembly may increase the force a user may apply to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly. The console assembly may include a lift assist mechanism to reduce the force the user may apply to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly. The lift assist mechanism may support at least a portion of the weight of the console assembly. By supporting a portion of the weight, or applying an upward force on, the console assembly, the lift assist mechanism may reduce the force a user may use to adjust the vertical position of the console assembly. This may increase the ease of adjustment of the console assembly, thereby improving the user experience.
In some embodiments, a console assembly may be placed in a lower position. The console assembly includes a console support having a console post and a frame post. The console post may be located at least partially inside of or internal to the frame post. This may make the console post an inner post to the frame post. The frame post may receive the console post inside it. This may make the frame post an outer post to the console post.
The console post may be slidably connected to the frame post. For example, the console post may be slid inside an interior portion of the frame post. As the console assembly moves between the lower position to the upper position, the console post may slide up and down in the frame post.
The console assembly includes a display and handlebars connected to the console post. As the console post moves between the lower position and the upper position, the console post may move the display and the handlebars between the lower position and the upper position. The combined weight of the handlebars, the display, and the console post may be relatively high, making it difficult for a user to manually adjust the vertical position of the console assembly. For example, the combined weight may be 20 lb. (9.1 kg), 25 lb. (11.3 kg), 30 lb. (13.6 kg), 35 lb. (15.9 kg), 40 lb. (18.1 kg), 45 lb. (20.4 kg), 50 lb. (22.7 kg), 55 lb. (24.9 kg), 60 lb. (27.2 kg), 65 lb. (29.5 kg), 70 lb. (31.8 kg), 75 lb. (34.0 kg), or more.
To adjust the vertical position of the console assembly, the console assembly may receive a position adjustment force. The position adjustment force may be received in the direction of motion of the console assembly. For example, to move the console assembly from the lower position to the upper position, the position adjustment force may be an upward force (e.g., opposite the force of gravity). To move the console assembly from the upper position to the lower position, the position adjustment force may be a downward force.
The console assembly further includes a lift assist mechanism located in the console support. A first end (or lower end) of the lift assist mechanism may be connected to the frame post. A second end (or upper end) of the lift assist mechanism may be connected to the console post. The lift assist mechanism may apply an assisting upward force to the console assembly. For example, the lift assist mechanism may apply the assisting upward force to the console post, the handlebars, and the display. This may reduce the position adjustment force to change the position of the console assembly between the lower position and the upper position.
The assisting upward force may apply an assisting percentage of the combined weight of the console assembly. The assisting percentage may be the combined weight divided by the assisting upward force, with a percentage of greater than 100% corresponding to an assisting upward force that is greater than the combined weight of the console assembly. In some embodiments, the assisting percentage may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150%, 160%, 170%, 180%, 190%, 200%, or any value therebetween. For example, the assisting percentage may be greater than 10%. In another example, the assisting percentage may be less than 200%. In yet other examples, the assisting percentage may be any value in a range between 10% and 200%. In some embodiments, it may be critical that the assisting percentage is between 70% and 130% to reduce the position adjustment force, thereby improving the ease of adjustment of the position of the console assembly.
As may be understood, the assisting upward force on the console assembly may be greater than the force of gravity on the console assembly. In this manner, the assisting upward force may bias the console assembly into the upper position when no position adjustment force is applied. This may result in a downward position adjustment force being applied (in addition to the force of gravity) to move the console assembly from the upper position to the lower position.
In some embodiments, the assisting upward force may be less than the force of gravity on the console assembly. In this manner, the force of gravity may bias the console assembly into the lower position when no external position adjustment force is applied (e.g., when only the force of gravity is applied to the console assembly to oppose the assisting upward force). This may result in an upward position adjustment force being applied (in addition to the assisting upward force) to move the console assembly from the lower position to the upper position.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lift assist mechanism may include a gas shock. A gas shock may utilize compressed air to apply a constant extension force on a piston. The piston and the housing may be connected to two different elements, and the extension force of the compressed air may urge the different elements to separate. In the embodiment shown, the lift assist mechanism includes a housing and a piston or shaft. The housing may be connected to the frame post. The piston may be connected to the console post.
The housing may be filled with a compressed gas, which may urge the piston out of the housing. This may cause the housing to push against the frame post and the to push against the console post, thereby applying the assisting upward force to the console post, the handlebars, and the display.
The housing may be connected to a bracket. The housing may be connected to the bracket using a bolt, nut, or other threaded connector. The piston may be connected to or threaded into a bracket or nut on the console post. This may secure the elements of the lift assist mechanism to the console support.
In some embodiments, the console assembly may be moved into the upper position. As may be seen, the piston of the lift assist mechanism has slid through an upper opening of the housing. Similarly, the console post has slid through an upper opening of the frame post. In this manner, the console assembly may extend in height, moving from the lower position to the upper position. As will be understood, the lift assist mechanism may apply the assisting upward force to reduce the position adjustment force used to move the console assembly between the upper position and the lower position. It should be noted that, as the console post slides in the frame post, the first end of the lift assist mechanism may remain connected to the frame post and the second end of the lift assist mechanism may remain connected to the console post.
In some embodiments, the offset of the display from the console post may apply a torque or a moment arm to the console post at the post opening. A torque or moment at the post opening may cause friction and binding of the sliding of the console post within the frame post. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a guiding element may be located at the post opening. The guiding element may help to maintain alignment of the console post, such as by guiding the sliding of the console post through the post opening. This may help to reduce friction and/or binding of the console post when changing the vertical position. In some embodiments, the guiding element may be any type of guiding element, such as a wheel, a roller, a bushing, a low-friction surface, any other guiding element, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the guiding element may surround an entirety of a circumference of the console post. In some embodiments, the guiding element may be located at high contact or high friction areas where the console post engages the frame post at the post opening. For example, the weight of the display may cause the console post to contact the post opening of the frame post on the same side as the display. By placing the guiding element on the same side of the lift assist mechanism as the display, the guiding element may reduce friction and/or binding of the console post and the frame post.
In some embodiments, the frame post may include other guiding elements. For example, the frame post may include a guiding element on an opposite side of the console post than the display. The lower guiding element may be a roller, a series of rollers, a low friction surface, or any other guiding element that may reduce the friction of engagement of the console post with the frame post.
In some embodiments, the console post includes a support element. The support element may support the lift assist mechanism while the lift assist mechanism and the console support extend into the upper position shown. As the lift assist mechanism extends, the lift assist mechanism may experience buckling forces or buckling tendencies. The support element may help to support the lift assist mechanism to prevent buckling, thereby increasing the extension of the support element and extending the operational life of the lift assist mechanism.
In some embodiments, the support element may be fixed to a lower portion of the console post and slide along the outer surface of the housing of the lift assist mechanism as the console post moves upward. In some embodiments, the support element may be fixed to an upper portion of the housing of the lift assist mechanism and slide along the inner surface of the console post. By sliding the support element along one of the housing or the console post, the support element may provide increasing support as the lift assist mechanism extends.
In some embodiments, the support element may be any type of support element. For example, the support element may include a bracket, a roller, a bushing, a wheel, a bearing, any other type of support element, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, a console assembly includes a console support having a console post and a frame post. The console post may be located at least partially inside of or internal to the frame post. This may make the console post an inner post to the frame post. The frame post may receive the console post inside it. This may make the frame post an outer post to the console post.
The console assembly includes a lift assist mechanism. As discussed herein, the lift assist mechanism may apply an upward force on the console assembly. In some embodiments, the lift assist mechanism may include a motor assembly. The motor assembly may apply the upward force on the console assembly. This may cause the console assembly to change from the lower position to the upper position.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor assembly may include a motor and a pinion gear. The motor may be an electric motor and may be connected to the pinion gear. In some embodiments, the motor may rotate the pinion gear.
The lift assist mechanism further includes a drive shaft. The drive shaft may include grooves that may engage the pinion gear. As the motor causes the pinion gear to rotate, the pinion gear may engage the grooves on the drive shaft, thereby causing the drive shaft to change vertical position. This may change the vertical position of the console assembly between the lower position to the upper position shown.
In some embodiments, the upward force applied by the motor assembly may provide all the force used to change the position of the console assembly. The motor assembly may be connected to a controller in a display. The controller may cause the motor assembly to change the position of the console assembly based on any criteria, such as a user input, a user login, a change in exercise activity, a change in simulated terrain, any other criteria, and combinations thereof.
While the lift assist mechanism and the motor assembly described herein have been described with respect to a console assembly, it should be understood that the lift assist mechanism and the motor assembly may be utilized in any other system of an exercise device. For example, the lift assist mechanism and the motor assembly may be utilized in a seat assembly, such as a seat post and a seat of a bicycle. This may allow the vertical position of the seat post to be changed based on any criteria, such as a user input, a user login, a change in exercise activity, a change in simulated terrain, any other criteria, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the lift assist mechanism and the motor assembly may adjust the position of the console assembly from the lower position to the upper position. For example, the motor has caused the pinion gear to rotate, engaging the grooves on the drive shaft. This may cause the vertical position of the drive shaft to change, thereby causing the console post to slide out of the frame post.
In some embodiments, a console assembly includes a console post and a frame post connected to a frame. A lift assist mechanism may be connected to the console post and the frame post. The lift assist mechanism may apply an upward force on the console and the console post, thereby reducing the amount of force a user may use to adjust the vertical position of the console.
A position adjustment knob. The position adjustment knob may include an adjustment pin. The adjustment pin may engage with the console post, holding the console post in place during an exercise activity. When the user adjusts the vertical position of the console assembly, the user may adjust the position adjustment knob to disengage the adjustment pin from the console post. When the console assembly is in the desired vertical location, the user may adjust the position adjustment knob to engage the with the console post, thereby securing the console assembly in the vertical location.
The lift assist mechanism may include a support element. The support element may be connected to the console post to stabilize the lift assist mechanism. This may help to prevent damage to, such as through buckling, the lift assist mechanism when the console assembly is in the upper position.
In some embodiments, the console assembly is in the upper position with the lift assist mechanism extended. In the upper position shown, the position adjustment knob has been adjusted such that the adjustment pin is engaged with the console post to secure the console post in place. As may be seen, the support element is supporting the lift assist mechanism, thereby reducing the chance of the buckling or other damage to the lift assist mechanism during operation and/or operation in the upper or extended position.
Following are sections in accordance with the present disclosure:
A1. An exercise device, comprising:

- a support post including:
  - an outer post; and
  - an inner post inserted into the outer post, the inner post being slidable within the outer post;
- a console assembly connected to the inner post, a vertical position of the console assembly being based on a vertical position of the inner post relative to the outer post; and
- a lift assist mechanism, a first end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to the outer post and a second end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to the inner post, the lift assist mechanism applying an upward force on the inner post.
  A2. The exercise device of section A1, wherein the second end of the lift assist mechanism moves vertically with the inner post.
  A3. The exercise device of section A1 or A2, wherein the first end of the lift assist mechanism remains connected to the outer post as the inner post slides in the outer post.
  A4. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A3, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a gas shock.
  A5. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A4, wherein the gas shock is compressed when the console assembly is in a lowered position, and wherein the gas shock is extended when the console assembly is in an extended position.
  A6. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A5, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a shaft and a housing, the shaft being extendable into and out of the housing.
  A7. The exercise device of section A6, wherein the shaft is connected to the inner post and the housing is connected to the outer post.
  A8. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A7, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes an electric motor.
  A9. The exercise device of section A8, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a pinion gear and a shaft, the pinion gear being rotated by the electric motor to engage grooves on the shaft to adjust the vertical position of the inner post.
  A10. The exercise device of section A9, wherein the pinion gear is located at a lower end of the lift assist mechanism and the shaft is connected to the inner post.
  A11. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A10, wherein the console assembly includes a display.
  A12. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A11, wherein the console assembly includes handlebars.
  A13. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A12, wherein the console assembly has a weight of greater than 50 lb. (22.7 kg).
  A14. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A13, wherein the lift assist mechanism applies an upward force of at least 50 lb. force (222 N).
  A15. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A14, further comprising a guiding element between the inner post and the outer post to maintain alignment of the inner post.
  A16. The exercise device of section A15, wherein the guiding element includes at least one wheel located at an upper end of the outer post.
  A17. The exercise device of section A15 or A16, wherein the guiding element includes a bushing located at an upper end of the outer post.
  A18. The exercise device of any of sections A1-A17, further comprising a support element at a lower end of the inner post, the support element being connected to the inner post and the lift assist mechanism.
  A19. The exercise device of section A18, wherein the support element slides along a housing of the lift assist mechanism as the inner post moves upward.
  A20. The exercise device of section A18 or A19, wherein the support element reduces buckling in the lift assist mechanism as the lift assist mechanism extends.
  B1 A stationary bicycle, comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat connected to the frame;
- a resistance mechanism connected to the frame; and
- a console assembly connected to the frame, the console assembly including:
  - an outer post fixed to the frame;
  - an inner post slidably inserted into the frame, the inner post being slidable between an upper position and a lower position;
  - a display connected to the inner post;
  - handlebars connected to the inner post; and
  - a lift assist mechanism located in the inner post and the outer post, the lift assist mechanism reducing an adjustment force to adjust the inner post between the upper position and the lower position.
    B2 The stationary bicycle of section B1, wherein the lift assist mechanism is connected to the inner post and the outer post.
    B3 The stationary bicycle of section B2, wherein an extendable portion of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the inner post.
    B4 The stationary bicycle of section B3, wherein the extendable portion of the lift assist mechanism is threaded into a bolt secured to the inner post.
    B5 The stationary bicycle of any of sections B2-B4, wherein a stationary portion of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the outer post.
    B6 The stationary bicycle of section B5, wherein the stationary portion is connected to a support bracket with a bolted connection.
    B7 The stationary bicycle of any of sections B1-B6, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a gas shock.
    B8 The stationary bicycle of any of sections B1-B7, wherein the inner post moves vertically between the upper position and the lower position.
    B9 The stationary bicycle of any of sections B1-B8, wherein the display is connected to the inner post with an extension bar.
    B10 The stationary bicycle of section B9, wherein the display is offset from the inner post, applying a moment arm to the inner post.
    B11 The stationary bicycle of section B10, wherein the console assembly includes a wheel between the inner post and the outer post in a direction of the display.
    B12 The stationary bicycle of any of sections B1-B11, further comprising an adjustment knob, the adjustment knob including a pin that is extendable into a portion of the inner post when the inner post is in the upper position or the lower position.
    B13 The stationary bicycle of any of sections B1-B12, the console assembly including a support element connected to the inner post and the lift assist mechanism.
    B14 The stationary bicycle of section B13, the support element being slidably connected to the lift assist mechanism.
    B15 The stationary bicycle of section B13 or B14, the support element reducing buckling of the lift assist mechanism when the upper post is in the upper position.
    C1. A method for exercise, comprising:
- applying an assisting upward force on a console assembly with a lift assist mechanism, a lower end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to a post of an exercise device, an upper end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to the console assembly; and
- applying a position adjustment force on the console assembly, the position adjustment force causing the console assembly to move between an upper position and a lower position.
  C2. The method of section C1, wherein the position adjustment force is an upward force in the same direction as the assisting upward force.
  C3. The method of section C2, wherein the position adjustment force is opposite a force of gravity to move the console assembly from the lower position to the upper position.
  C4. The method of section C2 or C3, wherein the position adjustment force is applied by a user.
  C5. The method of any of sections, C2-C4 wherein the position adjustment force is applied by an electric motor.
  C6. The method of section any of sections C1-C5, wherein the position adjustment force is a downward force in the opposite direction as the assisting upward force.
  C7. The method of section C6, wherein the downward force is greater than the assisting upward force to move the console assembly from the upper position to the lower position.
  C8. The method of section C6 or C7, wherein the downward force is a force of gravity.
  C9. The method of any of sections C1-C8, wherein the assisting upward force is applied by a gas shock.
  C10. The method of any of sections C1-C9, wherein the assisting upward force is applied by an electric motor.
  C11. The method of any of sections C1-C10, wherein the assisting upward force is less than a weight of the console assembly.
  C12. The method of any of sections C1-C11, wherein the assisting upward force is the same as a weight of the console assembly.

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual embodiment may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one embodiment to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, any element described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinable with any element of any other embodiment described herein. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.
A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a support post including:

an outer post; and

an inner post inserted into the outer post, the inner post being slidable within the outer post;

a console assembly connected to the inner post, a vertical position of the console assembly being based on a vertical position of the inner post relative to the outer post; and

a lift assist mechanism, a first end of the lift assist mechanism connected to the outer post and a second end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to the inner post, the lift assist mechanism applying an upward force on the inner post.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the lift assist mechanism moves vertically with the inner post.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the lift assist mechanism remains connected to the outer post as the inner post slides in the outer post.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a gas shock.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the gas shock is compressed when the console assembly is in a lowered position, and wherein the gas shock is extended when the console assembly is in an extended position.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes an electric motor.

7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a pinion gear and a shaft, the pinion gear being rotated by the electric motor to engage grooves on the shaft to adjust the vertical position of the inner post.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the console assembly includes a display.

9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the console assembly includes handlebars.

10. A stationary bicycle, comprising:

a frame;

a seat connected to the frame;

a resistance mechanism connected to the frame; and

a console assembly connected to the frame, the console assembly including:

an outer post fixed to the frame;

an inner post slidably inserted into the frame, the inner post being slidable between an upper position and a lower position;

a display connected to the inner post;

handlebars connected to the inner post; and

a lift assist mechanism located in the inner post and the outer post, the lift assist mechanism reducing an adjustment force to adjust the inner post between the upper position and the lower position.

11. The stationary bicycle of claim 10, wherein the lift assist mechanism is connected to the inner post and the outer post.

12. The stationary bicycle of claim 11, wherein an extendable portion of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the inner post.

13. The stationary bicycle of claim 11, wherein a stationary portion of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the outer post.

14. The stationary bicycle of claim 10, wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a gas shock.

15. The stationary bicycle of claim 10, wherein the inner post moves vertically between the upper position and the lower position.

16. The stationary bicycle of claim 10, wherein the display is connected to the inner post with an extension bar.

17. The stationary bicycle of claim 16, wherein the display is offset from the inner post, applying a moment arm to the inner post.

18. The stationary bicycle of claim 17, wherein the console assembly includes a wheel between the inner post and the outer post in a direction of the display.

19. A method, comprising:

applying an assisting upward force on a console assembly with a lift assist mechanism, a lower end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to a post of an exercise device, an upper end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to the console assembly; and

applying a position adjustment force on the console assembly, the position adjustment force causing the console assembly to move between an upper position and a lower position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the position adjustment force is applied by an electric motor.