Patent Application
20070167293
The present invention relates to operating control systems for treadmills and other exercise equipment.
A need presently exists for a system for controlling, programming, and operating treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical machines, stair climbers, and other exercise equipment which will allow the user to more quickly input, change, and establish any desired value of exercise speed, degree of incline, amount of resistance or tension, exercise time, targeted distance, targeted calorie count, and/or any other operating and/or program parameter. Most treadmill systems currently available on the market have user control panels which include up and down speed buttons, keys, or other contact elements which only allow the user to set or change the speed in small increments of about 0.1 miles per hour (MPH). Consequently, in order to establish a speed of 5 MPH, the user must press the up speed button 50 times or must continue to hold the up speed button for a period of time amounting to 50 presses. Similarly, many treadmills also include a pair of up and down incline buttons, keys, or other contact elements which only allow the user to set or change the incline of the treadmill belt in small increments of about 0.5%.
In order to make the operation and programming of the system a bit more convenient, some treadmills include alternative or added buttons, keys, or other contact elements, which correspond to specific preset speed and/or incline values. Unfortunately, however, these precise preset values of speed and/or incline often will not correspond to the specific actual operating parameters or conditions desired by the user. Consequently, in those systems which only include the specific preset options, the user will be forced to operate the system at conditions which may be significantly below or above the values actually desired.
Moreover, even in the prior art systems which include dual sets of controls, the user is still required to use the small increment, up and down controls extensively for zeroing in on specific desired parameters and/or for making a desired increment change from a base or current operating condition. Thus, by way of example, if the specific preset speed options for a treadmill of this type are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 MPH (or e.g., medium, low, and high), there is no convenient way for the user to establish an initial speed of say 1.5 MPH and then quickly adjust the speed in intervals while exercising to speeds of 2.5 MPH, 3.5 MPH, and then 4.5 MPH.
The present invention satisfies the needs and addresses the problems discussed above. In one aspect, there is provided a control system for an exercise apparatus. The control system comprises an increment control array including at least three increment control contact elements. Each of the increment control contact elements has a different pre-assigned numerical control increment value. The increment control contact elements can be selectively activated by a user both in an individual manner and in a combined cumulative manner for incrementally setting, incrementally changing, or both incrementally setting and incrementally changing one or more operating parameters of the exercise apparatus in accordance with the pre-assigned numerical control increment values.
In another aspect, the increment control array can be operated, for example, for incrementally setting and incrementally changing an operating speed of the exercise apparatus such that, when being used for incrementally setting and incrementally changing the operating speed, the pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical units of incremental velocity. In another aspect, the incremental control array can be operated, for example, for incrementally setting and incrementally changing an operating incline of the exercise apparatus such that, when being used for incrementally setting and incrementally changing the operating incline, the pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle.
In another aspect, the control system can further comprise, for example, a speed increase contact element and a speed decrease contact element which are not included in the increment control array and which can also be used for controlling the operating speed of the exercise apparatus. The speed increase contact element and the speed decrease contact element will preferably operate to control the operating speed of the exercise apparatus in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolute value, than the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the increment control contact elements.
In another aspect, the control system can further comprise, for example, an incline increase contact element and an incline decrease contact element which are not included in the increment control array and which can also be used for controlling the operating incline of the exercise apparatus. The incline increase contact element and the incline decrease contact element will preferably operate to control the operating incline of the exercise apparatus in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolute value, than the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the increment control contact elements.
In another aspect, the control system can further comprise a speed access contact element for activation before, after, or both before and after activating a selected one or a selected combination of the increment control contact elements to cause the increment control array to operate to control the operating speed of the exercise apparatus. In another aspect, the control system can further comprise an incline access contact element for activation by the user before, after, or both before and after activating a selected one or a selected combination of the increment control contact elements to cause the increment control array to control the operating incline of the exercise apparatus.
Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
An embodiment 10 of the inventive operating and control system for a treadmill 2 is illustrated in
The inventive operating and control system 10 employed in the treadmill 2 comprises: a control and display panel 12; a belt or belt motor speed sensor 14; a belt incline sensor 16; a heart rate sensor 18; and a magnetic safety stop key 20 which is receivable in a key slot 22 and includes a cord and clip 24 for attachment to the user's clothing. As illustrated in
The control and display panel 12 of the inventive system 10 includes: a mode contact element 30; a stop contact element 32; a first speed control 34 including an up increment contact element 36 and a down increment contact element 38; a first incline control 40 including an up increment button or other contact element 42 and a down increment contact element 44; a time display window 46; a speed display window 48; an incline and pulse display window 50; a distance and calorie display window 52; and a matrix display window 54. In addition, the control and display panel 12 preferably includes: a quick response speed (QRS) access contact element 56; a quick response incline (QRI) access contact element 58; and an array 60 of specific increment control contact elements. As used herein, the term “contact elements” includes buttons, switches, pressure pads, touch screen elements, and all other types of user interface contact elements known in the art.
The increment control array 60 of the inventive control system 10 preferably includes at least three specific increment buttons or other contact elements. Each of these contact elements has a pre-assigned, unique numerical increment control value which is different from the values of all of the other buttons of the increment array 60. In the embodiment 10 of the inventive control system shown in
The increment control array 60 can be used to quickly make large incremental entries and selections for inputting, establishing, and/or changing the belt speed, the degree or angle of incline, a set exercise time, a target speed, a target pulse rate, a workout distance, a workout calorie count, and/or any other desired operating or control parameter.
In the inventive control system 10, the five individual contact elements of the increment control array 60 can be used for making respective automatic incremental entries or changes in speed wherein the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the five contact elements become numerical units of incremental velocity such as, e.g., −2 MPH, −1 MPH, +1 MPH, +2 MPH, and +3 MPH. Similarly, when used for making incremental entries and changes in incline, the numerical control increment values of the five increment control contact elements become numerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle such as, e.g., −2%, −1%, +1%, +2%, and +3%. Likewise, for time increment entries, the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the five contact elements will correspond to numerical increments of time, e.g., −2 minutes, −1 minute, +1 minute, +2 minutes, and +3 minutes.
Moreover, the contact elements of the increment control array 60 can also be used cumulatively in any combination of entries so that, for example, if the user desires to enter a starting speed of 5 MPH or make a 5 MPH change in an existing speed, the user can push the +2 button and then push the +3 button, or vice versa. For cumulative entries of this type, the inventive control system will preferably require that each successive entry be made within a set allowed time (e.g., 3 seconds) of the previous entry.
In the inventive control system 10, the speed of the apparatus can be input or changed at any time using either the increment control array 60, the up and down speed buttons 36 and 38, or both. The up and down speed buttons 36 and 38 will preferably be set to provide smaller incremental increases and decreases in speed, in terms of absolute value, than the contact elements of the increment control array 60. The up and down speed buttons 36 and 38 preferably provide incremental up and down changes in the range of from about 0.05 MPH to about 0.25 MPH (most preferably 0.1 MPH).
Similarly, the incline of the treadmill belt 5 can be input or changed at any time using either the increment control array 60, the up and down incline increment buttons 42 and 44, or a combination thereof. The up and down incline buttons 42 and 44 will preferably be set to provide smaller increases and decreases in the incline angle of the belt in the range of from about 0.25% to 0.5% (most preferably 0.5%).
To use the increment control array 60 for entering or changing the belt speed, the user will preferably press the quick response speed access contact element 56 either before, after, or both before and after (most preferably before) pressing the desired contact elements or combination of contact elements in the increment control array 60. Similarly, when using the increment control array 60 for entering or changing the belt incline, the user will preferably press the quick response incline access contact element 58 either before, after, or both before and after (most preferably before) pressing the desired contact element or combination of contact elements in the increment control array 60.
In the inventive control system 10, the user can also use the mode button 30 to access the increment control array 60 for entering or changing a set exercise time, a targeted distance, a targeted calorie count, and/or a targeted heart rate. In addition, when in the program mode the user can also use the mode button 30 as an alternative means for accessing the increment control array 60 for entering or changing the speed or incline. Moreover, if desired, the control and display panel 12 of the inventive control system 10 can also optionally include additional contact elements (not shown), similar to the quick response access speed (QRS) element 56 and the quick response incline (QRI) element 58, for providing direct access to the increment control array 60 for entering or changing the targeted time, calorie count, distance, heart rate, and/or other desired parameter(s).
To begin operation of the inventive control system 10 and treadmill 2, the user will place the safety key 20 in the key slot 22 and clip the safety key cord 24 to his or her clothing. The removal of the magnetic safety stop key 20 from the key slot 22 at any time during operation will cause the treadmill 2 to stop immediately.
In one aspect, the inventive control system 10 can be used for manual operation of the treadmill 2 by simply inputting the desired speed and incline values for the belt 5. The speed of the belt 5 can be entered, or changed at any time, by (a) using the up and down speed contact elements 36 and 38, (b) using the increment control array 60 by pressing the quick response speed element 56 and then pressing any desired increment control contact element or cumulative combination of increment elements in the array 60 or (c) using both the increment control array 60 and the up and down increment buttons 36 and 38. Similarly, the desired inclination of the belt 5 can be entered, or changed at any time, by either (a) using the up and down incline contact elements 42 and 44, (b) using the increment control array 60 by first pressing the quick response incline access element 58 and then pressing any desired increment control contact element or cumulative combination of increment elements in the array 60 or (c) using both the increment control array 60 and the up and down increment buttons 42 and 44.
The inventive control system 10 will also preferably include a plurality of different preprogrammed workouts which can alternatively be selected and implemented by the user. Each of the programs will preferably be divided into a plurality of (preferably 10) equal time segments. The user controls each program by inputting the total time of the workout, the maximum belt speed, and the maximum belt incline. For any given program selected, the characteristics of the program will change based upon the user's choice of maximum speed and/or maximum incline. If the user chooses a maximum speed of 4 MPH and a maximum incline of 5%, the selective program will have an entirely different feel than if the user chooses a maximum speed of 6.5 MPH and a maximum incline of 8.0%.
Each of the 10 segments of the selected workout program will be based upon a different, predetermined percentage of the selected maximum speed and incline. For example, if a given segment is programmed to operate at 80% of the maximum speed and 50% of the maximum incline, then, assuming that a maximum speed of 4 MPH was entered, the treadmill will run at approximately 3.2 MPH during the segment. Similarly, assuming that the selected maximum incline value was 5%, the belt will automatically adjust to an incline value of 2.5% during the segment.
Moreover, the user can also increase or decrease the speed or incline of the belt 5 during any segment of the preprogrammed workout using either (a) the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38 or the up and down incline buttons 42 or 44, (b) the quick response speed element 56 or quick response incline element 58 in combination with the increment element array 60, or (c) a combination thereof.
To access, view, and select from the program options, the user will press and hold the mode button 30 for a predetermined period of time (preferably about 3 seconds) until a beep tone is generated. At the same time, the number of the first program, together with a program difficulty chart, will be displayed in the matrix display window 54. The difficulty chart will preferably comprise a series of vertical columns, each representing one of the 10 time segments of the program with taller columns indicating a greater degree of difficulty than shorter columns. The relative difficulty levels are determined based upon the combined values of speed and incline pertaining to each segment. The user can scroll through the available workout programs using the up and down speed buttons 36 and 38 and can accept a program by pressing the stop button 32.
Upon accepting a preprogrammed workout, the time display window 46 will begin to flash as an indication that the user must now input the desired maximum total time for the workout. The default value for the maximum workout time will preferably be a predetermined value such as, e.g., 10 minutes. The user can change this value either by (a) the direct activation of the speed up and down increment buttons 36, 38, (b) the direct activation of any contact element or cumulative combination of contact elements in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. Once a desired maximum time has been entered, the user will press the stop button 32 to accept the entered value.
Next, the speed display window 48 will begin to flash as an indication that the user must now enter the desired maximum allowed speed for the workout. The desired maximum speed can be entered by either (a) directly activating the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38, (b) directly activating any contact element or cumulative combination of contact elements in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. Once the desired maximum speed has been entered, the user will press the stop button 32 to accept the selected value.
Following the input and acceptance of the desired maximum speed, the incline display window 50 will begin to flash as an indication that the user must now enter the desired maximum incline for the workout. To enter the desired maximum incline value, the user can either (a) directly activate the up and down incline increment buttons 42 and 44, (b) directly activate any contact element or cumulative combination of contact elements in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. After inputting the desired maximum incline value, the user will accept the value by pressing the stop button 32.
Finally, after accepting the desired maximum incline value, the user can begin the program by pressing the mode button 30. The actual speed and incline values for the first segment of the program will then automatically flash in the speed display and incline display windows 48 and 50 and the system will provide an indication (e.g., five beep tones), indicating that the belt 5 will now begin to move.
During the running of the program, the time display window 46 will count down the total time remaining for the workout program. The speed display window 48 will show the current speed of the treadmill and the incline window 50 will show the current incline of the belt 5. The total distance traveled and calories burned, as well as the user's pulse, can be selected and viewed as desired in the display windows 50 and 52 by operating the mode button 30.
As indicated above, the user can adjust the actual speed and/or incline of the belt 5 while the belt 5 is running during any segment of the program by either (a) directly operating the speed up and down increment buttons 36 and 38 or the incline up and down increment buttons 40 and 42, (b) activating either the quick response speed button 56 or the quick response incline button 58 and then activating any button or combination of buttons in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. Except as explained hereinbelow, such speed or incline changes made during any segment of the programmed workout will only affect the speed and incline of the belt for the remainder of that segment. Such changes, except as explained hereinbelow, will not affect the speed or incline of the belt during any upcoming segments of the workout.
Toward the end of each program segment, the system will preferably advise the user that the next segment is about to begin and that the operating parameters are about to change in accordance with the requirements of the program. Preferably, with about 10 seconds remaining in the current segment, the speed display window 48 will begin to flash the new speed of the upcoming segment. In addition, the incline display window 50 will preferably begin to flash the new incline setting for the upcoming segment and the difficulty graph shown in the matrix display window 54 will preferably begin to flash the vertical difficulty column corresponding to the new segment. At 5 seconds remaining in the segment, the system will preferably provide an indication or warning (e.g., 5 beep tones) alerting the user of the upcoming change. Any speed or incline adjustments made during the final 10 seconds of the segment will not affect the current segment operation but will be applied only to the upcoming segment.
At the end of the program, the system will provide an indication (e.g., 5 beep tones) announcing that the final segment is about to end and that the belt 5 will stop. After stopping, the control system 10 will be in a pause mode such that by operation of the mode button 30, the user can look at the total distance traveled and the total calorie count for the workout. If desired, the user can add to these values by beginning manual operation of the system as described above. Alternatively, the user can press or hold the stop button 32 to clear all values to zero. Also, at any time during the course of the workout program, the user can automatically place the control system 10 in the pause mode by pressing the stop button 32 once.
In another aspect, the inventive control system 10 will allow the user to operate the treadmill 2 at any desired speed and incline for a selected time entered by the user. To begin operation in a programmed time mode, the user will insert the safety stop key 20 in the key slot 22 and then depress the mode button 30 once so that the time display window 46 begins to flash. The user can then enter the desired total time for his or her workout by either (a) directly activating the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38, (b) directly activating any button or cumulative combination of buttons in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. The up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38 will preferably be effective for increasing or decreasing the set time in one minute intervals. The time (minutes) increments provided by the increment control array 60, on the other hand, will correspond to the number values of the array buttons. Once the desire workout time has been entered, the user will press the mode button 30 twice to accept the entered time value. The user can then enter, establish, or change the speed and incline of the belt 5 in the same manner as in the manual operating procedure described above. However, in contrast to the manual procedure, once the belt 5 begins to move, a countdown of the preprogrammed time will begin and the belt 5 will automatically stop when the programmed time expires.
Similarly, in another aspect, the user can cause the system to operate for a programmed distance by inserting the safety stop key 20, pressing the mode button 30 twice, and then entering and accepting a desired programmed distance value. The programmed distance can be entered by either (a) directly activating the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38, (b) directly activating any button or cumulative combination of buttons in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. When used in this mode for setting a programmed distance, the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38 will preferably operate to increase or decrease the set distance in increments of ±0.5 miles or less. The mileage increments provided by the increment control array 60, on the other hand, will correspond to the number values of the array buttons. Once the desired programmed distance has been entered, the user will confirm and accept the entered distance by pressing the mode button 30 once. The user can then enter, establish, or change the speed and incline of the belt 5 in the same manner as the manual procedure described above and the belt 5 will automatically stop when the programmed distance is reached.
As will be apparent, the inventive control system 10 can also be adapted to provide for a combined programmed time and distance mode, a programmed calorie mode, a set heart rate mode, or in any other mode or program desired wherein the increment control array 60 can be used to set the programmed parameters and to input, establish, and change the operating parameters of the treadmill 2 in any mode.
Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
