Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a device for aerobic exercise having an elongate frame, a housing enclosing the frame, a stress imposing pedal-driven fan carried by one end portion of the frame and a user supporting and positioning seat carried by the other end portion of the frame opposite the fan. The positioning seat has a seat portion inclined from front to rear at a predetermined acute angle to the horizontal, and a backrest portion inclined at a predetermined acute angle to the vertical, with at least the backrest portion having ventilation openings therein which communicate with the front and rear surfaces of the backrest portion. Air passages communicate with the discharge side of the fan and also with the ventilation openings in the backrest portion and serve for directing air discharged by the fan through the ventilation openings to the forward surface of the backrest portion and outwardly therefrom whereby the air cools the user and substantially increases the user's comfort, particularly during long periods of use.

<CIT> discloses an exercise cycle having a frame, a pedal actuated gear arrangement and an impeller, mechanically associated with that gearing arrangement. The impeller is housed within a chamber defined within a housing mounted on the frame. The chamber includes an inlet opening for introducing a stream of environmental air into the chamber and an outlet opening adapted for directing a flow of pressurized air generated by the impeller's rotation over the body of the user.

<CIT> discloses an exercise cycle including a frame having a front wheel assembly and handlebars. The front wheel assembly includes a fan wheel having side plates one of which has an intake port, and an intake assembly around the intake port, the intake assembly having openings which may be opened and closed. By opening and closing the intake openings, the resistance of the wheel to the air can be varied without changing the rotational rate of the wheel. The handlebars of the exercise cycle are pivotally connected to the cycle intermediate their ends. The lower ends of the handlebars are pivotally connected to a cam arm which is removably connected to the shaft to which the pedal is mounted. By connecting or disconnecting the cam arm to or from the pedal shaft, the handlebars can be selectively moved between a stationary mode and a mode in which the handlebars reciprocate between forward and backward positions.

<CIT> (following the publication <CIT>) discloses a device for directing a concentrated airflow at the user of an air resisted exercise machine. The cowling is constructed from either a semi-rigid material or low-porosity fabric and can be removably attached to the cage covering the fan type blades usually associated with such machines. Various means can be used to attach the device to the cage, one means being the use of elastic cords routed through welts. In use, the device of the current invention directs air at the user of the machine. The device is lightweight and portable, and a user can carry the device along for use on machines in a variety of places. Moreover, <CIT> discloses an exercise cycle having a frame, a pedal actuated gear arrangement and an impeller, mechanically associated with that gearing arrangement, is disclosed. The impeller is housed within a chamber defined within a housing mounted on the frame. The chamber includes an inlet opening for introducing a stream of environmental air into the chamber and an outlet opening adapted for directing a flow of pressurized air generated by the impeller's rotation over the body of the user.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter. In certain examples disclosed herein: an exercise machine has a supporting frame; a resistance fan on the supporting frame, the resistance fan being configured to provide an amount of resistance to a user of the exercise machine; a housing enclosing the resistance fan, the housing having a plurality of openings through which air from the resistance fan is directed towards the user of the exercise machine; and a shroud on the housing. The shroud is movable into a plurality of positions with respect to the housing and the plurality of openings. The plurality of openings defines a total cross-sectional area through which the air, upon use of the machine, flows through the housing. In each of the plurality of positions the shroud covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area so that an equal portion of the air from the resistance fan is redirected, whereby air is redirected from the resistance fan without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise machine. The shroud is located on a rear side of the housing, the rear side of the housing being towards the user of the exercise machine.

Optionally, the shroud is movable along the housing from an extreme first position to an opposite, extreme second position, and as the shroud is moved into and between the extreme first position and the opposite, extreme second position, the shroud continuously covers an equal portion of the cross-sectional area.

Optionally, the resistance fan is circular and has an outer diameter, and the housing comprises a radially outer perimeter, and the plurality of openings are disposed along the radially outer perimeter.

Optionally, the air, upon use of the machine, flows from the resistance fan through each opening in the plurality of openings in a different direction, respectively.

Optionally, the shroud comprises a sleeve that is slide-able along the radially outer perimeter of the housing.

Optionally, the sleeve comprises a leading edge and an opposite, trailing edge, and as the shroud is movable along the radially outer perimeter of the housing the trailing edge to uncover a portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings as the leading edge covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings.

Optionally, the sleeve is disposed outside of the housing.

Optionally, the sleeve comprises first and second arms that together form a U-shape.

Optionally, the resistance fan is rotatable about a center axle, and the housing comprises axially opposite side faces, and the first and second arms are coupled to the axially opposite side faces, respectively.

Optionally, the exercise machine further comprises arcuate tracks on the axially opposite side faces, and the first and second arms are engaged with and slide along the arcuate tracks, respectively.

Optionally, the sleeve is disposed on the inside of the housing.

Optionally, the housing comprises a wire grate and the plurality of openings are defined by gaps within the wire grate.

Optionally, the exercise machine is an exercise cycle.

Examples of exercise machines are herein disclosed with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout to reference like features and components.

Through research and development, the present inventors have determined that conventional stationary exercise machines having resistance fans do not provide the user with the ability to change a flow of air contacting them during use without also modifying the level of resistance provided by the resistance fan. In particular, the present inventors realize that the total surface area of the fan housing through which the air can flow will affect the resistance encountered by the fan. The prior art mentioned herein above allows the user to change the direction of airflow through the fan housing; however only in arrangements that also change the noted cross-sectional area and thus the resistance. This is disadvantageous. Upon this realization, the present inventors endeavored to provide an exercise machine, in particular a stationary exercise machine, that overcomes these disadvantages of the prior art. The present disclosure is a result of these efforts.

<FIG> depict a stationary exercise machine according to the present disclosure, which in the illustrated example is a stationary cycle <NUM>. The stationary cycle has a supporting frame <NUM> that supports an adjustable seat <NUM> with respect to the ground. The supporting frame <NUM> has an axially elongated base member <NUM> and transversely elongated forward and rearward brace members <NUM>, <NUM>. A pedal housing <NUM> contains a pair of pedal members <NUM>. Each pedal member <NUM> has a pedal <NUM> for supporting a user's foot and a crank arm <NUM> coupled to a laterally extending pedal axle <NUM>. A seat pedestal <NUM> extends vertically upwardly from the pedal housing <NUM> and supports the seat <NUM>. Optionally, the position of the seat <NUM> can be adjusted relative to the seat pedestal <NUM> to accommodate users of different height, as is conventional and for example disclosed in <CIT>. A forked, angularly extending support pillar <NUM> extends upwardly from the forward brace member <NUM> and has a support bracket <NUM> on its upper end for supporting a display panel, control panel, and/or the like <NUM>, for use by the user sitting on the seat <NUM>. A pair of handle members <NUM> are pivot-ably coupled to the support pillar <NUM>, each having a handlebar <NUM> that can be manually grasped by the user sitting on the seat <NUM>. The handle members <NUM> are manually pivotable back and forth relative to each other and to the support pillar <NUM>. The type and configuration of the handlebar <NUM> can also vary from what is shown. Optionally, a pair of stationary foot support pegs <NUM> are fixed to and laterally extend from the support pillar <NUM>, and are for supporting a user's feet when the pedal members <NUM> are not being operated by the user. A pair of wheel brackets <NUM> extend forwardly from opposite ends of the forward brace member <NUM> and have wheels <NUM> facilitating transport of the stationary cycle <NUM> during periods of non-use. As is conventional, the supporting frame <NUM> can be pivoted forwardly about the wheel brackets <NUM> to thereby raise the rearward brace member <NUM> off the ground and allow the supporting frame <NUM> to be rolled along the ground via wheels <NUM>.

A resistance fan <NUM> is supported on the supporting frame <NUM>, and particularly located within a housing <NUM>, which in the illustrated example is a wire grate having a plurality of openings <NUM> (shown best in <FIG>) defined by gaps within the wire grate. The resistance fan <NUM> has a generally circular outer profile and rotates about a center axle <NUM>. The resistance fan <NUM> is operably coupled to the pedal members <NUM> by for example gearing and/or belt(s) and/or chain(s) and/or the like (not shown) such that operating the pedal members <NUM> (i.e., pedaling the pedal members <NUM> with respect to the pedal axle <NUM>) rotates the resistance fan <NUM> about the center axle <NUM>. Optionally the resistance fan <NUM> is also operatively coupled to the handle members <NUM> by for example gearing and/or belt(s) and/or chain(s) and/or the like (not shown) such that operating the handlebars <NUM> (i.e., pushing and/or pulling the handlebars <NUM> back and forth with respect to the support pillar <NUM>) rotates the resistance fan <NUM> about the center axle <NUM>, all as is conventional.

Referring briefly to <FIG>, the resistance fan <NUM> has contours (e.g. ridges, plates, holes, slots, curvatures, etc.) such that when rotated, the resistance fan <NUM> encounters resistance from the surrounding air, which resistance in turn is applied to the user pedaling the pedal members <NUM> and/or operating the handle members <NUM>, all as is conventional. Thus, the resistance fan <NUM> is configured to provide resistance to the user of the stationary cycle <NUM> via the pedal members <NUM> and/or handlebars <NUM>, all as is conventional. The air that is encountered by the resistance fan <NUM> is forced outwardly away from the resistance fan <NUM> and towards the through the openings <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. The particular contours of the resistance fan <NUM> can vary, examples of which are known in the art and for example disclosed in the above-referenced patents. The manner in which the resistance fan <NUM> is operably coupled to the pedal members <NUM> can vary, examples of which are known in the art and for example disclosed in the above-referenced patents. The manner in which the resistance fan <NUM> is operably coupled to the handle members <NUM> is conventional and can vary. Examples of conventional stationary cycles are disclosed in <CIT>.

Referring now to <FIG>, according to the present disclosure, a novel, movable shroud <NUM> is located on the housing <NUM>, and particularly on a rearward side of the housing <NUM>, between the seat <NUM> and the handle members <NUM>. Optionally, a fixed cowling (not shown) can be located on the housing <NUM>, and particularly on the portions of the housing <NUM> located forwardly of the support pillar <NUM>, and thus preventing flow of air through the housing <NUM> at the locations of the fixed cowling. In the example shown in <FIG>, the movable shroud <NUM> includes a generally U-shaped sleeve <NUM> disposed on the rear, radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> has a body <NUM> and opposing first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> that together form the U-shape. The first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled to axially opposite side faces of the housing <NUM> via arcuate tracks <NUM>. The arcuate tracks <NUM> are fixed to the opposing side faces via backing brackets <NUM> and fasteners <NUM>. The arcuate tracks <NUM> have elongated slots <NUM> that generally follow the profile of the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. A pair of fasteners <NUM> extend through the first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> and are disposed in and configured to slide along the arcuate tracks <NUM>, and thus facilitate sliding movement of the sleeve <NUM> along the arcuate tracks <NUM> and along the rear, radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Engagement between the fasteners <NUM> with the opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the slots <NUM> defines first and second extreme positions into which the shroud <NUM> is slide-able with respect to the housing <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> has a leading edge <NUM> and an opposite, trailing edge <NUM>, and a handle <NUM> located proximate to the leading edge <NUM> and facilitating manual grasping and sliding of the sleeve <NUM> with respect to the housing <NUM> into and between the noted extreme positions.

The plurality of openings <NUM> in the wire grate that are not covered by the noted fixed cowling thus define a total cross-sectional area through which the air flows through the housing <NUM>. The plurality of openings <NUM> is defined, at least in part, along the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, which is along the housing <NUM> between the pedal members <NUM> and the handle members <NUM>, such that air encountered by the resistance fan <NUM> is forced radially from the housing <NUM> and directed onto the user sitting on the seat <NUM>. This forces air onto and cools the user sitting on the seat <NUM>. Each opening <NUM> directs the air from the resistance fan <NUM> in a slightly different respective radial direction. A portion of the total cross-sectional area for flow of air through the housing <NUM> is blocked by the shroud <NUM>. The total cross-sectional area of the housing <NUM> through which air can flow is a factor that determines the amount of resistance provided by the fan <NUM>. The greater the cross-sectional area, the less resistance provided by the fan <NUM>, and vice versa. Advantageously, the shroud <NUM> is configured so as to be movable with respect to the plurality of openings <NUM> so as to redirect the air from the resistance fan <NUM> without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the stationary cycle <NUM>. In particular, as the shroud <NUM> is moved along the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the trailing edge <NUM> uncovers a portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings <NUM> as the leading edge <NUM> simultaneously covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings <NUM>. In other words, the shroud <NUM> is movable with respect to the housing <NUM> into and between a plurality of positions; however in each position an equal portion of the air from the resistance fan <NUM> is blocked and/or redirected. This causes the total resistance provided by the resistance fan <NUM> to the user to remain unchanged during and after said movement. As the shroud <NUM> is moved into and between the extreme positions defined by engagement between the tabs <NUM> and the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the arcuate tracks <NUM>, the shroud <NUM> continuously covers an equal portion of the cross-sectional area, thus causing the resistance provided by the resistance fan <NUM> to remain unchanged. That is, in all positions along the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the shroud <NUM> advantageously covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area, thus leaving the total resistance provided by the resistance fan <NUM> unchanged.

<FIG> depicts another example of a shroud 58a according to the present disclosure. Like reference numbers are used for like components shown in the example of <FIG>. In this example, instead of being coupled to the housing <NUM> via the above-described arcuate tracks <NUM>, the shroud 58a has elongated first and second arms 66a, 68b that are pivot-ably coupled to the housing <NUM> and/or support pillar <NUM>, and thus pivotable about a lateral pivot axis <NUM>. An opening <NUM> is defined between the first and second arms 66a, 66b through which air from the resistance fan <NUM> can pass. In all positions along the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the shroud 58a advantageously covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area, thus leaving the total resistance provided by the resistance fan <NUM> unchanged.

<FIG> depicts another example of a shroud 58b according to the present disclosure. Like reference numbers are used for like components shown in the example of <FIG>. The shroud 58b differs from what is shown in <FIG> in that it has a body <NUM> that is disposed inside of the housing <NUM>. In this example, an elongated track <NUM> is formed through the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The shroud 58b has a handle 90b that extends through the elongated track <NUM> and facilitates manual sliding of the shroud 58b along the interior of the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM> into and between extreme first and second positions, all as described herein above. In all positions along the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the shroud 58b advantageously covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area, thus leaving the total resistance provided by the resistance fan <NUM> unchanged.

<FIG> depicts another example of a shroud 58a according to the present disclosure. Like reference numbers are used for like components shown in the example of <FIG>. Like the example shown in <FIG>, an elongated track <NUM> is formed through the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The shroud 58c differs from what is shown in <FIG>, in that the body <NUM> is disposed outside of the housing <NUM> and is slide-ably engaged with the elongated track <NUM> (via for example a pin or tab, not shown, that extends through the elongated track <NUM> in a relationship similar to the engagement between the handle 90b shown in <FIG>). The shroud 58c has a handle 90c that facilitates manual sliding of the shroud 58c along the exterior of the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM> into and between extreme first and second positions, all as described herein above. In all positions along the radially outer perimeter <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the shroud 58c advantageously covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area, thus leaving the total resistance provided by the resistance fan <NUM> unchanged.

In other examples, the stationary cycle <NUM> can include a user-operable control unit <NUM>, such as disclosed in <CIT>. The user-operable control unit can for example be mounted on the support bracket <NUM> and be programmed to automatically move the shroud <NUM>, 58a-58c, via for example an electric motor, hydraulic actuator, or any other similar known actuation device for moving components on an exercise machine. Such a mechanism can be powered by electricity, for example as disclosed in <CIT>. Automatically controlling movement of the shroud <NUM> can be based on user inputs to the noted user-operable control unit and/or programmed exercise routines run by the control unit, and/or based on current characteristics of the user (e.g., the user's heart-rate) as sensed by biometric sensors, all as well known in the art, one example being disclosed in <CIT>.

The present disclosure thus advantageously provides a novel exercise cycle having supporting frame; pedals for performing a cycling exercise motion relative to the supporting frame; and a resistance fan operatively coupled to the pedals such that performance of the cycling exercise motion causes rotation of the resistance fan, which thereby provides an amount of resistance to the cycling exercise motion via the pedals. A housing encloses the resistance fan and having a plurality of openings through which air from the resistance fan is directed towards a user of the exercise cycle. A shroud is located on the housing and is movable with respect to the plurality of openings so as to redirect the air from the resistance fan without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise cycle.

Claim 1:
An exercise machine (<NUM>) comprising:
- a supporting frame (<NUM>);
- a resistance fan (<NUM>) on the supporting frame (<NUM>), the resistance fan (<NUM>) being configured to provide an amount of resistance to a user of the exercise machine (<NUM>);
- a housing (<NUM>) enclosing the resistance fan (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>) having a plurality of openings (<NUM>) through which air from the resistance fan (<NUM>) is directed towards the user of the exercise machine (<NUM>);
- a shroud (<NUM>, 58a, 58b, 58c) on the housing (<NUM>), the shroud (<NUM>, 58a, 58b, 58c) being movable into a plurality of positions with respect to the housing (<NUM>) and the plurality of openings (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of openings (<NUM>) defines a total cross-sectional area through which the air, upon use of the machine, flows through the housing (<NUM>), and wherein in each of the plurality of positions the shroud (<NUM>, 58a, 58b, 58c) covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area so that an equal portion of the air from the resistance fan is redirected, whereby air is redirected from the resistance fan (<NUM>) without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise machine (<NUM>), characterized in that
- the shroud (<NUM>, 58a, 58b, 58c) is located on a rear side of the housing (<NUM>), the rear side of the housing (<NUM>) being towards the user of the exercise machine (<NUM>).