Patent ID: 11865400
Assignee: LIFE FITNESS, LLC
Field: Furniture, games (Other fields)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 16:
17. An exercise machine comprising:
a flywheel and a rotary input member that comprises a pulley wheel, wherein the flywheel and the rotary input member rotate about an axis of rotation;
a user input member for performing an exercise motion, which causes rotation of the rotary input member; and
a clutch mechanism positionable in a freewheel position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and wherein thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member permits continued rotation of the flywheel, and alternately positionable in a direct drive position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and wherein thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member prevents continued rotation of the flywheel,
wherein the clutch mechanism prevents movement of the clutch mechanism from the freewheel position to the direct drive position when rotation of the rotary input member is out of synchronization with rotation of the flywheel,
wherein the clutch mechanism comprises a clutch gear that rotates with the flywheel, wherein positioning the clutch mechanism in the direct drive position moves the clutch gear into engagement with the pulley wheel so that the clutch gear and the pulley wheel rotate together about the axis of rotation, and wherein positioning the clutch mechanism in the freewheel position moves the clutch gear out of engagement with the pulley wheel so that the clutch gear and the pulley wheel are separately rotatable about the axis of rotation,
wherein the clutch mechanism further comprises a locking hub that rotates with the pulley wheel about the axis of rotation, and
wherein the locking hub comprises at least one pawl, wherein the pawl is configured to ratchets along the pulley wheel when the clutch mechanism is in the freewheel position, thus permitting relative rotation between the locking hub and the pulley wheel.