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

Claim 20:
21. An exercise machine comprising:
a flywheel;
a rotary input member comprising a pulley wheel;
a user input member for performing an exercise motion, which causes rotation of the rotary input member; and
a clutch mechanism that is positionable in a freewheel position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member permits continued rotation of the flywheel, and alternately that is positionable in a direct drive position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member prevents continued 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 are rotationally locked relative to each other, and further 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, and
wherein, when a speed of rotation of the rotary input member is different than a speed of rotation of the flywheel, the clutch mechanism prevents movement of the clutch gear into engagement with the pulley wheel to move the clutch mechanism from the freewheel position to the direct drive position.