# US 10,864,399 B2 · Exercise machine with variable resistance system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,399 B2 - Document ID: US10864399B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/532,036 - Filed: 2019-08-05 - Published: 2019-11-28 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-29 - Assignees: Lagree Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Lagree Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Sebastien Anthony Louis Lagree; Matthew O'Brien; William Balzer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864399B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/00065: {by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units} - A63B 21/0059: {using a frequency controlled AC motor} - A63B 21/023: {Wound springs} - A63B 21/0428: {the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation} - A63B 21/0557: {Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps} - A63B 21/154: {using special pulley-assemblies} - A63B 21/157: {Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches} - A63B 21/4031: {with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise} - A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand} - A63B 22/203: {in a horizontal plane} - A63B 22/205: {in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity (exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023)} - A63B 23/03516: {For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user} - A63B 23/12: for upper limbs {or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles (bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06)} - A63B 23/1263: {Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements} - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 22/0087: {with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract The exercise machine with a variable resistance system includes a frame, an exercise implement movably connected to the frame, a main shaft rotatably connected to the frame, a main connector attached between the main shaft and the exercise implement, a plurality of resistance assemblies and a plurality of actuation assemblies adapted for selectively engaging or disengaging at least one of the plurality of resistance assemblies with respect to the main shaft. The plurality of resistance assemblies apply a total level of rotational resistance against the main shaft based on which of the plurality of resistance assemblies are engaged with the main shaft by the plurality of actuation assemblies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise machine, comprising: a frame having a first end, a second end, and a rail; a carriage movably positioned upon the rail, wherein the carriage is movable between the first end and the second end in a reciprocating manner, and wherein the carriage includes an upper surface adapted to receive and support an exerciser; a main shaft rotatably connected to the frame; a main connector connected between the main shaft and the carriage; a plurality of resistance assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies includes a bias member adapted to exert a resistance force against rotation of the main shaft in a first rotational direction, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies is selectively rotationally locked with the main shaft or rotationally unlocked with the main shaft; and a plurality of actuation assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies are adapted for selectively rotationally locking and unlocking one of the plurality of resistance assemblies with respect to the main shaft, wherein the plurality of resistance assemblies apply a total level of rotational resistance against the main shaft based on which of the plurality of resistance assemblies are rotationally locked with the main shaft by the plurality of actuation assemblies; wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies includes a clutch; wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies includes a shift member to connect to the clutch for engaging or disengaging the clutch to selectively rotationally lock or unlock each of the plurality of resistance assemblies with respect to the main shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies comprises a pulley rotatably positioned upon the main shaft and wherein the pulley is connected to the bias member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the clutch selectively engages the pulley to selectively rotationally lock or unlock the pulley with respect to the main shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the pulley is connected to the main shaft in a non-rotating manner with respect to the main shaft when the pulley is in a locked state with respect to the main shaft, and wherein the pulley is connected to the main shaft in a rotating manner so as to allow for free rotation of the pulley with respect to the main shaft when the pulley is in an unlocked state with respect to the main shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the shift member is comprised of an elongated member, wherein the shift member includes a first end connected to one of the plurality of resistance assemblies and a second end connected to the actuation assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies include a shift device attached to an actuation shaft, wherein the second end of the shift member engages the shift device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the shift device includes a cam groove that is engaged by the second end of the shift member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The exercise machine of claim 6, comprising a handle for rotating the actuation shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The exercise machine of claim 6, comprising a motor for rotating the actuation shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the clutch is engaged or disengaged by one of the plurality of actuation assemblies. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the clutch is comprised of a non-slip clutch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the clutch is comprised of a dog clutch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies is selectively rotationally locked or unlocked with the main shaft by the clutch to adjust the total level of rotational resistance against the main shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies is comprised of an electric actuator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the bias member is comprised of spring. ### Claim 16 An exercise machine, comprising: a frame having a first end, a second end, and a rail; a carriage movably positioned upon the rail, wherein the carriage is movable between the first end and the second end, and wherein the carriage includes an upper surface adapted to receive and support an exerciser; a main shaft rotatably connected to the frame; a main connector connected between the main shaft and the carriage; a plurality of resistance assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies includes a bias member adapted to exert a resistance force against rotation of the main shaft in a first rotational direction, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies is selectively rotationally locked with the main shaft or rotationally unlocked with the main shaft; and a plurality of actuation assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies are adapted for selectively rotationally locking and unlocking one of the plurality of resistance assemblies with respect to the main shaft, wherein the plurality of resistance assemblies apply a total level of rotational resistance against the main shaft based on which of the plurality of resistance assemblies are rotationally locked with the main shaft by the plurality of actuation assemblies; wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies includes a clutch, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies is selectively rotationally locked or unlocked with the main shaft by the clutch to adjust the total level of rotational resistance against the main shaft; wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies includes a shift member to connect to the clutch for engaging or disengaging the clutch to selectively rotationally lock or unlock each of the plurality of resistance assemblies with respect to the main shaft; wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies comprises a pulley rotatably positioned upon the main shaft and wherein the pulley is connected to the bias member; wherein the clutch selectively engages the pulley to selectively rotationally lock or unlock the pulley with respect to the main shaft; wherein the pulley is connected to the main shaft in a non-rotating manner with respect to the main shaft when the pulley is in a locked state with respect to the main shaft, and wherein the pulley is connected to the main shaft in a rotating manner so as to allow for free rotation of the pulley with respect to the main shaft when the pulley is in an unlocked state with respect to the main shaft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The exercise machine of claim 16, wherein the clutch is comprised of a non-slip clutch. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The exercise machine of claim 16, wherein the shift member is comprised of an elongated member, wherein the shift member includes a first end connected to one of the plurality of resistance assemblies and a second end connected to the actuation assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The exercise machine of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies is comprised of a motor or an electric actuator. ### Claim 20 An exercise machine, comprising: a frame having a first end, a second end, and a rail extending between the first end and the second end of the frame; a carriage movably positioned upon the rail, wherein the carriage is movable between the first end and the second end in a reciprocating manner, and wherein the carriage includes an upper surface adapted to receive and support an exerciser; a main shaft rotatably connected to the frame; a main connector connected between the main shaft and the carriage; a plurality of resistance assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies includes a bias member adapted to exert a resistance force against rotation of the main shaft in a first rotational direction, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies is selectively rotationally locked with the main shaft or rotationally unlocked with the main shaft; and a plurality of actuation assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies are adapted for selectively rotationally locking and unlocking one of the plurality of resistance assemblies with respect to the main shaft, wherein the plurality of resistance assemblies apply a total level of rotational resistance against the main shaft based on which of the plurality of resistance assemblies are rotationally locked with the main shaft by the plurality of actuation assemblies; wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies includes a clutch, wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies is selectively rotationally locked or unlocked with the main shaft by the clutch to adjust the total level of rotational resistance against the main shaft; wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies includes a shift member to connect to the clutch for engaging or disengaging the clutch to selectively rotationally lock or unlock each of the plurality of resistance assemblies with respect to the main shaft; wherein each of the plurality of resistance assemblies comprises a pulley rotatably positioned upon the main shaft and wherein the pulley is connected to the bias member; wherein the clutch selectively engages the pulley to selectively rotationally lock or unlock the pulley with respect to the main shaft; wherein the pulley is connected to the main shaft in a non-rotating manner with respect to the main shaft when the pulley is in a locked state with respect to the main shaft, and wherein the pulley is connected to the main shaft in a rotating manner so as to allow for free rotation of the pulley with respect to the main shaft when the pulley is in an unlocked state with respect to the main shaft; wherein the clutch is comprised of a non-slip clutch; wherein each of the plurality of actuation assemblies is comprised of a motor or an electric actuator.