Exercise apparatus with control interfaces on handles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12496494-B2
Application number	US-202318123935-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2023
Priority date	Mar 20, 2023
Publication date	Dec 16, 2025
Grant date	Dec 16, 2025

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes an exercise mechanism, a handle assembly, a display device, and a control unit. The exercise mechanism is provided for a user to perform an exercise. The handle assembly has at least one handle for the user to hold and a control interface mounted on an upper portion of the handle for allowing the user to control at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus. The display device is configured for displaying information to the user. The control unit is electrically connected to the control interface of the handle and configured to control the operating parameter of the exercise apparatus when receiving a command from the control interface. Specifically, the control interface is a touch screen for allowing the user to input the command to control the operating parameter of the exercise apparatus through the control interface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
an exercise mechanism for a user to perform an exercise; a handle assembly having at least one handle for the user to hold and a control interface mounted on an upper portion of the at least one handle for allowing the user to control at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus; a display device for displaying information to the user; and a control unit electrically connected to the control interface of the at least one handle, the control unit configured to control the at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus when receiving a command from the control interface; wherein the control interface is a touch screen for allowing the user to input the command to control the at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus through the control interface.

2 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is in communication with the display device so that the control interface is capable of controlling the display device.

3 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is operable to display information relating to a control signal provided on the display device.

4 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is operable to provide input options for controlling at least one function of the display device.

5 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is operable to control selection of video content displayed on the display device and/or control volume output of the display device.

6 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface is configured to graphically display timer information provided on the display device.

7 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a difficulty changing device configured to change difficulty level of the exercise mechanism for the user to perform the exercise, wherein the difficulty changing device is electrically connected to the control unit, so that the user is capable of changing difficulty level of the exercise through the control interface of the at least one handle.

8 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the difficulty changing device comprises a resistance device configured to apply a predetermined resistance to the exercise mechanism and the user is capable of adjusting the resistance to the exercise mechanism through the control interface of the at least one handle.

9 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface is operable to display physiological information of the user during the exercise.

10 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the at least one handle of the handle assembly has a grip portion and a heart rate sensor disposed on the grip portion of the at least one handle for detecting a heart rate of the user.

11 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface has a user authentication unit configured for personal validation, so that the user is capable of pairing with the exercise apparatus and obtaining workout data from the exercise apparatus.

12 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the control interface is provided for allowing the user to pair a wireless device with the exercise apparatus, so that the wireless device is in communication with the exercise apparatus.

13 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is operable to control a plurality of the operating parameters of the exercise apparatus.

14 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is configured to provide two or more display pages for allowing the user to switch, and each display page represents an operating interface for controlling a particular one of the at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus or an operating interface for controlling the display device.

15 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is provided for allowing the user to input commands of stopping, resuming, or ending the exercise.

16 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is provided for allowing the user to select an exercise program which includes a time setting item and a difficulty setting item for the exercise.

17 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
an exercise mechanism having a movable element being movable during performance of an exercise by a user; a handle assembly having a first handle and a second handle for the user to hold, the first handle having a first control interface mounted on an upper portion thereof, the second handle having a second control interface mounted on an upper portion thereof, the first control interface being operable for the user to control a first set of operating parameters of the exercise apparatus, the second control interface being operable for the user to control a second set of operating parameters of the exercise apparatus; a display device configured for displaying information to the user; and a control unit electrically connected to the first control interface and the second control interface, the control unit configured to control the first set of operating parameters of the exercise apparatus when receiving a command from the first control interface or to control the second set of operating parameters of the exercise apparatus when receiving a command from the second control interface; wherein both the first control interface and the second control interface are touch screens for allowing the use to input the command to control the operating parameter of the exercise apparatus.

18 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first and second control interfaces are in communication with the display device, so that the first and second control interfaces are capable of controlling functions of the display device and displaying information on the display device.

19 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first and second control interfaces are capable of graphically displaying exercise information to the user.

Assignees

• Johnson Health Tech Co Ltd

Inventors

• Malm Chad
• Hanson Steven
• Stiemke Donald
• Hanson Alexander
• Quinlan Megan

Classifications

• A63B71/0619

  Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills · CPC title

• A63B22/0605

  performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers · CPC title

• A63B2071/0683

  Input by handheld remote control · CPC title

• A63B2071/065

  Visualisation of specific exercise parameters · CPC title

• A63B71/0622 Primary

  Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user · CPC title