US 6,033,344 A · Fitness apparatus with heart rate control system and method of operation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for maintaining the heart rate of a user of a fitness apparatus at a scheduled target rate by varying the resistance of a first resistance mechanism with respect to a second resistance mechanism. To increase the heart rate, the resistance of the first resistance mechanism is increased to a maximum level before an adjustment is made to the second resistance mechanism. To decrease the heart rate, the resistance of the second resistance mechanism is decreased to a minimum level before an adjustment is made to the first resistance mechanism. The invention may be incorporated into a treadmill having resistance mechanisms including a mechanism to vary the speed of the treadmill belt and a mechanism to vary the grade of the treadmill.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method of controlling a level of elevated cardiovascular activity exhibited by a user of a fitness apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing the heart rate of the user;
(b) sensing resistance values of first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user of the fitness apparatus;
(c) capturing a value of the heart rate after the user's level of cardiovascular activity has been elevated by working the first and second resistance mechanisms;
and (d) controlling the values of the first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user to maintain the value of the user's heart rate at a value determined from the captured value.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/003,917Filed 7 Jan 1998 · continuation in part

Priority

4 Feb 1994

Granted

7 Mar 2000

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

A61B 5/6831
Means for maintaining contact with the body: straps, bands or harnesses
A61B 5/0002
Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons: remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals…
A61B 5/02438
Measuring pulse rate or heart rate: with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
A61B 5/02455
By using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals: provided with high/low alarm devices

Family

Serial192,407Parent of this continuation · filed 4 Feb 1994

Serial549,604Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 27 Oct 1995

Serial585,191Parent of this continuation · filed 11 Jan 1996

Serial838,457Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 4 Apr 1997

US 5,618,245 AParent of this continuation

US 5,462,504 AParent of this continuation

US 6,033,344 AThis patent

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

Fitness apparatus with heart rate control system and method of operation

Life of this patent

Fitness apparatus with heart rate control system and method of operation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13