# US 10,369,449 B2 · Braking systems for exercise machines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,449 B2 - Document ID: US10369449B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/694,253 - Filed: 2017-09-01 - Published: 2018-03-29 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-02 - Assignees: True Fitness Technology, Inc. - Applicants: True Fitness Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Tom Russo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369449B2 ## CPC - A63B 71/0054: {Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers (mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00)} - A63B 21/00192: {using resistance provided by magnetic means (A63B21/005 takes precedence)} - A63B 22/0023: {the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band} - A63B 22/0235: {driven by a motor} - A63B 22/025: {electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control} - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - H02P 3/24: by applying DC to the motor - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63B 2071/0072: {Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed} - A63B 2071/0081: {Stopping the operation of the apparatus} - A63B 2209/08: magnetic - H02P 2207/01: Asynchronous machines - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS ## Abstract A method for using an active braking mechanism to halt the motion of a treadmill belt, or other exercise machine system, when the engine ceases driving it and to hold the belt, or system, after the brake is engaged. The types of braking systems will generally utilize at least one but often two or more forms of electrical braking. Frictional braking systems may also be present, but the electrical braking systems will generally be primarily responsible for braking the belt at high inclines. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for braking moving components of an exercise machine, the method comprising: providing a treadmill including: a treadbase including an endless belt thereon; an alternating current (AC) motor for rotating said endless belt about said treadbase; and a direct current (DC) charger, electrically connected to said AC motor; supplying said treadmill with alternating current (AC) electricity; operating said AC motor with said AC electricity; charging said DC charger with said AC electricity; and removing said AC electricity from said treadmill; wherein said removing causes said motor to stop operating and said DC charger to inject direct current (DC) electricity into said AC motor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said DC charger is supplied with DC electricity in addition to said AC electricity. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said DC charger includes a battery. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said DC charger includes a capacitor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said AC motor is a 3-phase induction motor and said AC electricity is 3-phase electricity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein said DC charger injects DC electricity into two of three stator leads in said 3-phase induction motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein at least two of three stator leads in said 3-phase induction motor is shorted because of said removing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said treadbase of said treadmill inclines to a greater than 15% incline. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said treadbase of said treadmill inclines to a greater than 20% incline. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said treadbase of said treadmill inclines to a greater than 25% incline. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said treadbase of said treadmill inclines to a greater than 30% incline. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said endless belt cannot move relative said treadbase while said DC charger is injecting DC electricity into said AC motor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising a frictional braking mechanism for said endless belt. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said DC charger can inject DC electricity into said AC motor for at least 10 seconds. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said DC charger can inject DC electricity into said AC motor for at least 20 seconds. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said DC charger can inject DC electricity into said AC motor for at least 30 seconds. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said DC charger can inject DC electricity into said AC motor for at least 60 seconds. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: an AC load resistor wherein back-driving of said AC motor by said endless belt generates electricity into said AC load resistor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein said AC load resistor comprises an electrical resistor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein said AC load resistor comprises a capacitor.