Device and method for limiting travel in an exercise device, and an exercise device including such a limiting device

Abstract

A method and/or a device may limit a distance traveled by a treadle assembly in an exercise device. For example, the distance traveled by the treadle assembly may be limited by limiting a distance that a resistance element operably coupled to the treadle assembly may travel. An exercise apparatus may include a travel-limiting device or capability.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   a treadle assembly operably coupled to the frame to travel in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction;   a resistance device operably coupling the treadle assembly to the frame and configured to provide resistance as the treadle travels in the first direction and the second direction; and   means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device to thereby limit movement of the treadle assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a base and at least one upright extending substantially vertically from the base, the resistance device operably coupling the treadle assembly to the at least one upright. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the treadle assembly comprises a first treadle assembly and a second treadle assembly;   the resistance device comprises a first resistance element operably coupling the first treadle assembly to the frame and a second resistance element operably coupling the second treadle assembly to the frame; and   the means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device comprises means for selectively limiting movement of one of the first and second resistance elements to thereby limit movement of one of the first and second treadle assemblies.   
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the treadle assembly comprises a first treadle assembly and a second treadle assembly;   the resistance device comprises a first resistance element operably coupling the first treadle assembly to the frame and a second resistance element operably coupling the second treadle assembly to the frame; and   the means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device comprises means for selectively limiting movement of the first resistance element and means for selectively limiting movement of the second resistance element to thereby limit movement of the first and second treadle assemblies.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the resistance device is configured to be movable between a maximum upper limit and a maximum lower limit; and   the means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device is configured to set an upper limit for movement of the resistance device that is less than the maximum upper limit.   
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device comprises at least one spacer. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one spacer comprises a plurality of spacers. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device comprises a bracket configured to engage the resistance device in a plurality of vertical positions. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of vertical positions are defined by a plurality of vertically spaced slots. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the slots are horizontally offset. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device comprises a movable bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the movable bracket is configured to move substantially vertically. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for selectively limiting movement of the resistance device further comprises means for selectively moving the movable bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the means for selectively moving the movable bracket comprises a gear assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the means for selectively moving the movable bracket comprises a pair of pivoting links. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a treadle assembly configured to travel in an upward direction and a downward direction; and   means for selectively adjusting a distance traveled by the treadle assembly in the upward and downward directions during operation of the exercise apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for selectively adjusting a distance traveled by the treadle assembly comprises at least one spacer. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for selectively adjusting a distance traveled by the treadle assembly comprises a bracket including a plurality of vertical positions. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for selectively adjusting a distance traveled by the treadle assembly comprises a movable bracket. 
     
     
         20 . A method of selectively adjusting a distance traveled by a treadle assembly in an exercise apparatus, the method comprising:
 selectively positioning a means to determine a distance traveled by the treadle assembly in upward and downward directions during operation of the exercise apparatus.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein selectively positioning the means comprises selectively limiting movement of a resistance device operably coupled to the treadle assembly.