US 12,138,501 B1 · Unweighting exercise equipment

Abstract

An unweighting system for unweighting a user while using an exercise machine is provided that includes a treadmill exercise device having a treadmill frame and a rotatable belt, an unweighting assembly for applying unweighting force to the user, a system frame, and a substantially airtight chamber. The system frame includes the treadmill frame, frame elements structurally attached to the treadmill frame, and a top surface region adapted for user engagement during exercise having a surface width and a surface length. The top surface region includes a movable running surface defined by the rotatable belt that extends a run length, and a stationary deck extending about at least a portion of the movable running surface. The stationary deck defines a sealing surface having a maximum seal width greater than the belt width and less than the surface width, to which the substantially airtight chamber is attached.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for unweighting a user wearing a user seal, the unweighting system comprising:

an exercise machine frame element located about a running surface portion of an exercise machine;
and
a substantially airtight chamber extending upward when inflated from a base region thereof to an opposite top region thereof, the substantially airtight chamber comprising:
a base attached to the exercise machine frame element;
a top opening defined through the top region;
an upper chamber portion operable for attachment with the user seal at the top opening;
a lower chamber portion below the upper chamber portion;
and
a removable sealing assembly securing the lower chamber portion to the upper chamber portion.

6 more elements

An exercise system for unweighting a user for an exercise session of the exercise system, the unweighting exercise system comprising:

a treadmill exercise device comprising a treadmill frame and a rotatable belt adapted for user engagement for the exercise session, the rotatable belt having a belt width;
an unweighting assembly adapted for applying upward, unweighting force to the user for the exercise session;
a system frame retaining the treadmill exercise device and securing the unweighting assembly in an exercise arrangement with the treadmill exercise device while the unweighting assembly is in a pressurized state for the exercise session, the system frame comprising:
the treadmill frame;
a plurality of frame elements structurally attached to the treadmill frame;
and
a top surface region adapted for user engagement during the exercise session, the top surface region having a surface width and a surface length, the top surface region comprising:
a movable running surface defined by the rotatable belt, the movable running surface extending a run length;
and
a stationary deck extending about at least a portion of the movable running surface, the stationary deck defining a sealing surface having a maximum seal width greater than the belt width and less than the surface width;
and
a substantially airtight chamber attached to the top surface region in a substantially sealed connection to the sealing surface.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/244,793Filed 11 Sep 2023 · continuation

Priority

22 Jun 2017

Granted

12 Nov 2024

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

A63B 21/00181
Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without…:…
A61G 10/023
With artificial climate; with means to maintain a desired pressure, e.g. for germ-free rooms: rooms for the treatment of patients at over- or…
A61F 2007/0239
Connected to the body or a part thereof: using vacuum
A61H 2201/1652
Wearable interfaces: harness

Family

Application62/523,363Us provisional application · filed 22 Jun 2017

Application29/643,045Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 4 Apr 2018

Application16/016,340Parent of this continuation · filed 22 Jun 2018

Application17/351,226Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Jun 2021

Application17/980,782Parent of this continuation · filed 4 Nov 2022

US 11,517,781 B1Parent of this continuation · filed 6 Dec 2022

US 11,794,051 B1Parent of this continuation

Application16/016,340Parent of this continuation-in-part

US D1,010,028 S1Related patent

US 12,138,501 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Unweighting exercise equipment

Life of this patent

Unweighting exercise equipment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20