# US 10,478,656 B2 · Exercise machine with electromagnetic resistance selection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,656 B2 - Document ID: US10478656B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/647,330 - Filed: 2017-07-12 - Published: 2018-01-18 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-12 - Assignees: Lagree Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Lagree Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Sebastien Anthony Louis Lagree; Samuel D. Cox; Todd G. Remund - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478656B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/0615: {pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum} - A63B 21/00065: {by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units} - A63B 21/00192: {using resistance provided by magnetic means (A63B21/005 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/0052: {induced by electromagnets (A63B21/0056 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/023: {Wound springs} - A63B 21/0442: {Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user} - A63B 21/4033: {Handles, pedals, bars or platforms} - A63B 22/0087: {with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 22/0089: {a counterforce being provided to the support (force-resisting aspects A63B21/00)} - A63B 22/203: {in a horizontal plane} - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 21/025: {Spiral springs with turns lying substantially in plane surfaces} - A63B 21/055: extension element type - A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands} - A63B 21/4034: {for operation by feet} - A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand} - A63B 22/0007: {by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs} - A63B 22/001: {by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/02: for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso {muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)} - A63B 2024/0081: {Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users} - A63B 2208/0219: on hands and knees - A63B 2209/08: magnetic - A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like - A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An exercise machine with electromagnetic resistance selection for changing exercise resistance settings by engaging more or fewer resistance biasing members using a electromagnets. An example implementation includes a movable carriage configured to move substantially along the length of one or more rails. A plurality of resistance biasing members are removably attachable between a stationary biasing member bracket affixed to the machine structure and the movable carriage. A controller changes the resistance settings against the movable carriage by electrically attaching or detaching any preferred number of resistance biasing members between the machine structure and movable carriage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise machine comprising: a frame having at least one rail, a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one rail has a longitudinal axis; a first end platform connected to the frame near the first end of the frame; a second end platform connected to the frame near the second end of the frame; a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail, wherein the carriage is adapted to be movable along a portion of the at least one rail; a plurality of biasing members each having a first end connected to the frame and a second end; a plurality of first magnetic members, wherein each of the plurality of first magnetic members are connected to the second end of a corresponding biasing member of the plurality of biasing members; a plurality of second magnetic members connected to the carriage, wherein each of the plurality of second magnetic members corresponds with one of the plurality of first magnetic members; and a controller electrically connected to the plurality of first magnetic members or the plurality of second magnetic members, wherein the controller is configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of first magnetic members or the plurality of second magnetic members to magnetically couple one or more of the plurality of first magnetic members to a corresponding second magnetic member of the plurality of second magnetic members to control a resistance force applied to the carriage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are comprised of a ferromagnetic material and the plurality of second magnetic members are comprised of electromagnets, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the plurality of second magnetic members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are comprised of a ferrous material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are each comprised of a permanent magnet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are comprised of electromagnets and the plurality of second magnetic members are comprised of a ferromagnetic material, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the plurality of first magnetic members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the plurality of second magnetic members are comprised of a ferrous material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the plurality of second magnetic members are each comprised of a permanent magnet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, further including a bracket connected to the frame, wherein the bracket is adapted to support the plurality of biasing members when the plurality of biasing members are not engaged with the carriage. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the bracket includes a plurality of openings, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of biasing members extend through a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the carriage is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the carriage is in the first position the plurality of first magnetic members are positioned proximate the corresponding second magnetic members of the plurality of second magnetic members sufficient to allow for magnetic connection of corresponding magnetic members of the plurality of first magnetic members and the plurality of second magnetic members when actuated by the controller. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to prevent any switching of any of the plurality of first magnetic members and any of the plurality of second magnetic members to an off-state when the carriage is not in the first position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method of operating the exercise machine of claim 1, the method comprising: receiving a machine state at the controller on the exercise machine; selecting one or more biasing members from the plurality of biasing members on the exercise machine to engage based on the machine state; and sending an on-state signal to selected second magnetic members of the plurality of second magnetic members to magnetically activate the selected second magnetic members, wherein the selected second magnetic members correspond to the selected biasing members of the plurality of biasing members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, including the step of sending an off-state signal to unselected second magnetic members of the plurality of second magnetic members to magnetically uncouple the unselected second magnetic members from corresponding first magnetic members of the plurality of first magnetic members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second magnetic members are connected to a mounting bracket affixed to the carriage. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are each aligned with the plurality of second magnetic members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of biasing members is comprised of a spring. ### Claim 17 An exercise machine comprising: a frame having at least one rail, a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one rail has a longitudinal axis; a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail, wherein the carriage is adapted to be movable along a portion of the at least one rail; a plurality of biasing members each having a first end connected to the frame and a second end; a plurality of first magnetic members, wherein each of the plurality of first magnetic members are connected to the second end of a corresponding biasing member of the plurality of biasing members; a plurality of second magnetic members connected to a mounting bracket affixed to the carriage, wherein each of the plurality of second magnetic members corresponds with one of the plurality of first magnetic members; wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are each aligned with the plurality of second magnetic members; wherein the carriage is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the carriage is in the first position the plurality of first magnetic members are positioned proximate the corresponding second magnetic members of the plurality of second magnetic members sufficient to allow for magnetic connection of corresponding magnetic members of the plurality of first magnetic members and the plurality of second magnetic members when actuated by the controller; a bracket connected to the frame, wherein the bracket is adapted to support the plurality of biasing members when not engaged with the carriage; and a controller electrically connected to the plurality of first magnetic members or the plurality of second magnetic members, wherein the controller is configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of first magnetic members or the plurality of second magnetic members to magnetically couple one or more of the plurality of first magnetic members to a corresponding second magnetic member of the plurality of second magnetic members to control a resistance force applied to the carriage; wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are comprised of a ferromagnetic material and the plurality of second magnetic members are comprised of electromagnets, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the plurality of second magnetic members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the plurality of first magnetic members are comprised of a ferrous material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the bracket includes a plurality of openings, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of biasing members extend through a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to prevent any switching of any magnetic member of the plurality of first magnetic members and the plurality of second magnetic members to an off-state when the carriage is not in the first position.