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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame including a base and at least one upright extending substantially vertically from the base, the at least one upright including a slot;   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 to provide resistance as the treadle travels in the first direction and the second direction;   a travel-limiting device comprising an element movably associated with the at least one upright to move along the at least one upright and operatively associated with the resistance device, the travel-limiting device further comprising a first threaded pivot assembly joined to the element, a second threaded pivot assembly joined to the element, and a threaded shaft joined to the first and second threaded pivot assemblies; and   the element and the slot are configured such that the slot limits a movement range of the element along the at least one upright.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the element comprises an upright bracket and a L-shaped bracket joined to the upright bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the element is operatively associated with the resistance device by a pin that passes through aligned holes in the upright bracket and the resistance device. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the upright bracket comprises a flat wall and a pair of sidewalls extending from the flat wall, each sidewall includes a hole that aligns with a hole in the resistance device, and a pin passes through the holes in the sidewalls and the resistance device. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second threaded pivot assemblies are rigidly connected to the L-shaped bracket at opposite ends of the L-shaped bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the L-shaped bracket is positioned within the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first threaded pivot assembly comprises a link, a first bushing housing fixedly joined to the L-shaped bracket and pivotally joined to the link, a second bushing housing pivotally joined to the link, and the second bushing housing includes a threaded bore that receives the threaded shaft therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second threaded pivot assembly comprises a link, a first bushing housing fixedly joined to the L-shaped bracket and pivotally joined to the link of the second pivot assembly, a second bushing housing pivotally joined to the link of the second pivot assembly, and the second bushing housing of the second threaded pivot assembly includes a threaded bore that receives the threaded shaft therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first bushing housing of the first threaded pivot assembly and the first bushing housing of the second threaded pivot assembly are connected to the L-shaped bracket at opposite ends of the L-shaped bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded shaft includes a first threaded portion associated with the first threaded pivot assembly and a second threaded portion associated with the second threaded pivot assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second threaded portions are threaded in opposite directions. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded shaft includes a head. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a mounting bracket joined to the at least one upright, and an end portion of the threaded shaft distal from the head is received within a hole of the mounting bracket.