Lift assist for exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device includes a lift assist mechanism to reduce a weight of the console assembly. The console assembly includes a display and handlebars, which increases the weight of the console assembly. The lift assist mechanism reduces the force used to adjust the vertical position of the lift assist assembly, thereby improving the ease of use of the exercise device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a support post including:
 an outer post; and 
 an inner post inserted into the outer post, the inner post being slidable within the outer post; 
   a console assembly connected to the inner post, a vertical position of the console assembly being based on a vertical position of the inner post relative to the outer post; and   a lift assist mechanism, a first end of the lift assist mechanism connected to the outer post and a second end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to the inner post, the lift assist mechanism applying an upward force on the inner post.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the lift assist mechanism moves vertically with the inner post. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the lift assist mechanism remains connected to the outer post as the inner post slides in the outer post. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a gas shock. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , wherein the gas shock is compressed when the console assembly is in a lowered position, and wherein the gas shock is extended when the console assembly is in an extended position. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the lift assist mechanism includes an electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a pinion gear and a shaft, the pinion gear being rotated by the electric motor to engage grooves on the shaft to adjust the vertical position of the inner post. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the console assembly includes a display. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the console assembly includes handlebars. 
     
     
         10 . A stationary bicycle, comprising:
 a frame;   a seat connected to the frame;   a resistance mechanism connected to the frame; and   a console assembly connected to the frame, the console assembly including:
 an outer post fixed to the frame; 
 an inner post slidably inserted into the frame, the inner post being slidable between an upper position and a lower position; 
 a display connected to the inner post; 
 handlebars connected to the inner post; and 
 a lift assist mechanism located in the inner post and the outer post, the lift assist mechanism reducing an adjustment force to adjust the inner post between the upper position and the lower position. 
   
     
     
         11 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the lift assist mechanism is connected to the inner post and the outer post. 
     
     
         12 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 11 , wherein an extendable portion of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the inner post. 
     
     
         13 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 11 , wherein a stationary portion of the lift assist mechanism is connected to the outer post. 
     
     
         14 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the lift assist mechanism includes a gas shock. 
     
     
         15 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the inner post moves vertically between the upper position and the lower position. 
     
     
         16 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the display is connected to the inner post with an extension bar. 
     
     
         17 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 16 , wherein the display is offset from the inner post, applying a moment arm to the inner post. 
     
     
         18 . The stationary bicycle of  claim 17 , wherein the console assembly includes a wheel between the inner post and the outer post in a direction of the display. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 applying an assisting upward force on a console assembly with a lift assist mechanism, a lower end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to a post of an exercise device, an upper end of the lift assist mechanism being connected to the console assembly; and   applying a position adjustment force on the console assembly, the position adjustment force causing the console assembly to move between an upper position and a lower position.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the position adjustment force is applied by an electric motor.