Noise abatement for fitness machines

Abstract

A fitness machine operable by a user. The fitness machine has a base that extends in a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction that are perpendicular to each other. A mobile portion is configured to support the user during operation of the fitness machine. A resilient body is supported by a frame and configured to provide a resistance against the mobile portion moving towards the base in the height direction. A fastener assembly couples the frame to the base, wherein the fastener assembly is configured to expand to prevent the frame from moving relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fitness machine operable by a user, the fitness machine comprising:
 a base that extends in a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction that are perpendicular to each other;   a mobile portion configured to support the user during operation of the fitness machine;   a resilient body supported by a frame and configured to provide a resistance against the mobile portion moving towards the base in the height direction; and   a fastener assembly that couples the frame to the base, wherein the fastener assembly is configured to expand to prevent the frame from moving relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine.   
     
     
         2 . The fitness machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener assembly is configured to prevent the frame from moving in the height direction relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine. 
     
     
         3 . The fitness machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is moveable in the length direction relative to the base to adjust the resistance provided by the resilient body. 
     
     
         4 . The fitness machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener assembly includes an expandable bushing that expands in the width direction and/or in the length direction to prevent the frame from moving relative to the base. 
     
     
         5 . The fitness machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the expandable bushing expands within a slot that extends in the width direction and/or in the length direction. 
     
     
         6 . The fitness machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the slot extends through the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The fitness machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the fastener assembly includes a plunger with an angled face that when operatively contacting the expandable bushing causes the expandable bushing to expand. 
     
     
         8 . The fitness machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the fastener assembly further comprises a biasing member that biases the expandable bushing towards expanding. 
     
     
         9 . The fitness machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is supported by the base. 
     
     
         10 . The fitness machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient body is supported by the frame and moveable therewith. 
     
     
         11 . A fitness machine operable by a user, the fitness machine comprising:
 a base that extends in a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction that are perpendicular to each other;   a mobile portion configured to support the user during operation of the fitness machine;   a resilient body that extends along a body length from a first end to a second end and supports the mobile portion at a position therebetween, wherein the resilient body is configured to provide a resistance against the mobile portion moving towards the base in the height direction, wherein the body length of the resilient body changes in the length direction and/or in the width direction relative to the base when providing the resistance during operation of the fitness machine; and   a cushion positioned between the resilient body and the mobile portion and/or between the resilient body and the base so as to reduce noise generated by the resilient body during operation of the fitness machine.   
     
     
         12 . The fitness machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the cushion is positioned between the resilient body and the mobile portion to reduce the noise generated from contact therebetween during operation of the fitness machine. 
     
     
         13 . The fitness machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the cushion is coupled to the resilient body. 
     
     
         14 . The fitness machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the resilient body comprises a first material and the cushion comprises a second material. 
     
     
         15 . The fitness machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the resilient body comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         16 . The fitness machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the cushion covers at least a portion of the resilient body. 
     
     
         17 . The fitness machine according to  claim 11 , further comprising an end stop operable to prevent the body length of the resilient body from increasing beyond a set maximum, the end stop being moveable to adjust the set maximum for the body length of the resilient body, wherein the cushion is positioned between the resilient body and the end stop to reduce the noise generated from contact therebetween during operation of the fitness machine. 
     
     
         18 . The fitness machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the cushion comprises foam. 
     
     
         19 . The fitness machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the cushion is a first cushion, further comprising a second cushion positioned between the resilient body and the mobile portion to reduce the noise generated from contact therebetween during operation of the fitness machine. 
     
     
         20 . A fitness machine operable by a user, the fitness machine comprising:
 a base that extends in a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction that are perpendicular to each other;   a mobile portion configured to support the user during operation of the fitness machine;   a resilient body configured to provide a resistance against the mobile portion moving towards the base, wherein a body length of the resilient body changes when providing the resistance during operation of the fitness machine;   a cushion positioned between the resilient body and the mobile portion and/or between the resilient body and the base so as to reduce noise generated by the resilient body during operation of the fitness machine;   a frame moveable relative to the base to adjust the resistance provided by the resilient body; and   a fastener assembly that moveably couples the frame to the base, wherein the fastener assembly is configured to expand to prevent the frame from moving relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine.