# US 10,369,404 B2 · Pedal assembly for exercise machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,404 B2 - Document ID: US10369404B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/986,068 - Filed: 2015-12-31 - Published: 2017-07-06 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-31 - Assignees: Nautilus, Inc. - Applicants: Nautilus, Inc. - Inventors: Joshua S. Smith; P J M. Bush - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369404B2 ## CPC - A63B 22/0015: {with an adjustable movement path of the support elements} - A63B 21/023: {Wound springs} - A63B 21/028: {made of material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber, steel wool, intended to be compressed (resistance provided by plastic deformable materials A63B21/00189)} - A63B 21/4034: {for operation by feet} - A63B 21/4047: {Pivoting movement (weight pivoting A63B21/0615)} - A63B 22/001: {by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 22/0046: {Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation (attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20)} - A63B 22/0664: {performing an elliptic movement} - A63B 22/203: {in a horizontal plane} - A63B 23/08: for ankle joints - A63B 21/00069: {Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve} - A63B 21/0051: {using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets} - A63B 21/0058: {using motors} - A63B 21/0088: {by moving the surrounding air} - A63B 21/225: {with flywheels} - A63B 71/0619: {Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills} - A63B 2022/0676: {with crank and handles being on the same side of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. crank and handles are in front of the user} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2225/68: with article holders - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An adjustable pedal assembly for an exercise machine, such as an elliptical trainer, may include a link and a pedal pivotally connected to the link The pedal assembly may further include a damping assembly, which may provide dynamic damping to the pedal during use of the exercise machine. The damping assembly may be adjustable such that a user can select the level of damping. The damping assembly may include at least one resilient member configured to engage the pedal for damping pivotal movement of the pedal, and an actuator operable to selected a level of damping provided to the pedal by the at least one resilient member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pedal assembly for an exercise machine, the pedal assembly comprising: a foot link; a foot member pivotally connected to the foot link; a support member positioned between the foot member and the foot link; a selector mechanism movable with respect to the foot member at least between a first position in which the foot member is supported by the support member and a second position in which the foot member is not supported by the support member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein the selector mechanism comprises a selector platform configured to move in a plane to position the selector platform between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The pedal assembly of claim 2, wherein the selector platform is pivotally coupled to the foot member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The pedal assembly of claim 2, wherein the selector platform comprises a contact side positioned to at least partially contact the foot member during at least a portion of a stroke of the pedal assembly, and an engagement side in contact with the support member when the selector platform is in the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The pedal assembly of claim 4, wherein the engagement side comprises one or more engagement features configured to resist relative movement between the selector platform and the support member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The pedal assembly of claim 5, comprising a plurality of springs, and wherein the support member is one of the plurality of springs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pedal assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a first spring and a second spring stiffer than the first spring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein the support member is formed of resilient material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The pedal assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a first spring and a second spring, and wherein the one or more engagement features comprise a first seat to resist relative movement between the first spring and the selector platform when the selector platform is in the first position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The pedal assembly of claim 9, wherein the selector platform is configured such that the foot member is not supported by the second spring when the selector platform is in the first position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The pedal assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second seat configured to resist relative movement between the second spring and the selector platform when the selector mechanism is in a third position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The pedal assembly of claim 6, wherein the engagement side comprises a first region configured to engage only one spring of the plurality of springs and a second region configured to engage only another one of the plurality of springs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The pedal assembly of claim 4, wherein the support member is a first resilient member, the pedal assembly further comprising a second resilient member, and wherein the engagement side comprises a first engagement sector including engagement features to resist relative movement between the selector platform and the first resilient member, the second resilient member, or both. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The pedal assembly of claim 13, wherein the first engagement sector corresponds to the first position, and the pedal assembly further comprises a second engagement sector corresponding to a third position in which the selector platform contacts the first resilient member, the second resilient member, or both. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The pedal assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of springs is connected to a support structure below the foot member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The pedal assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of springs is removably connected to the support structure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The pedal assembly of claim 15, wherein the support structure includes a base defining a plurality of holes sized for an interference fit with the plurality of springs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The pedal assembly of claim 17, wherein the selector platform, the base, or both are made from a resilient material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The pedal assembly of claim 15, further comprising a post positioned between the foot member and the support structure, wherein the foot member rests on the post when the selector platform is in the second position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The pedal assembly of claim 19, wherein the selector platform comprises at least one registration hole configured to receive the post at least partially therein. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The pedal assembly of claim 20, wherein the selector platform is movable to a plurality of predetermined positions including the first and second positions, and wherein the selector platform further comprises a registration hole for each of the plurality of predetermined positions, the registration hole configured to receive, at least partially, therein the post. ### Claim 22 (depends on 2) The pedal assembly of claim 2, further comprising an actuator connected to the selector platform. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The pedal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing at least partially enclosing the foot member and the selector mechanism. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The pedal assembly of claim 23, wherein the housing comprises a first portion movable relative to a second portion of the housing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The pedal assembly of claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to provide visual feedback of a selected position.