AU762459B2 - A Treadmill - Google Patents

Description

1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Evelyn Joyce Purcell Evelyn Joyce Purcell CULLEN CO Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street Brisbane QId 4000 Australian A Treadmill Name of Applicant Actual Inventor Address for Service: Invention Title: r r r r r r r r The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it, known to me: A TREADMILL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a treadmill. In particular, the invention relates to a treadmill for preventing deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is characterised by the development of a clot within a vein of the body, but nearly exclusively in the veins of the legs. The clot may travel upwards to either the heart or lungs, in which case it may be fatal. DVT has a greater chance of occurring in an inactive person as opposed to an active person, as blood is moved through veins of the legs primarily by way of muscular contractions.

It is well known that persons travelling on long journeys by aeroplane or bus are usually at greater risk of developing DVT as they are usually seated in a confined space with little legroom and are unable to readily leave their seats to exercise their legs. Persons who are bed-ridden for extended periods of time, or are otherwise unable to walk, are also at greater risk of developing DVT.

It would therefore be advantageous to have an exercise machine by which a seated person could exercise their legs to improve blood flow 20 therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The applicant has now invented a treadmill for preventing DVT, said treadmill comprising: dual endless tracks, each said track having a treading surface upon which to tread; and a roller assembly associated with each said track, each said •assembly having end and intermediate rollers mounted to freely rotate upon movement of the respective track, wherein a said end roller is located at each Oleo end of each said treading surface and a pair of said intermediate rollers is 30 located between said end rollers of each said roller assembly, and the "..*.intermediate rollers are of larger diameter than the end rollers.

The treadmill can comprise a case that houses the tracks and roller assemblies.

The roller assemblies can have axles that mount the rollers between upstanding walls of the case.

Each roller can comprise a pair of roller bearings through which a said axle extends, and a pipe extending around the roller bearing pair.

The case can have a hinged lid movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and in the raised position a user of the treadmill can access the treading surfaces.

The case can have ground-bearing legs such that the treading surfaces extend upwardly and away from the user.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a detailed perspective view of a treadmill according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a treadmill according to another embodiment of the invention, and Figure 3 is another perspective view of the treadmill shown in Figure 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 20 In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a portable treadmill 1 having dual endless tracks 2, dual roller assemblies and a carry case 4. Each endless track 2 has a treading surface 3 on which a user of the treadmill 1 can tread. Each roller assembly has a pair of end rollers 5, 6 and a pair of intermediate rollers 7, 8. An end roller 5, 6 is located at each end of each treading surface 3 and the intermediate rollers 7, 8 are located between each pair of end rollers 5, 6. The intermediate rollers 7, 8 are of larger diameter than the end rollers 5, 6.

The carry case 4 houses the tracks 2 and the roller assemblies.

30 The carry case 4 has a base 12, side walls 13, 14, 15, 17,.an upstanding internal wall 30 (seen in Figures 2 and extending between the tracks 2, and a lid 16 connected to wall 15 with hinges 31. The lid 16 is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and in the raised position a user of the treadmill 1 can tread on the treading surfaces 3.

A handle 18 of the carry case 4 enables the treadmill 1 to be carried from one location to another, and dual latches 19 enable the lid 16 to be locked atop side walls 13, 14, 15 and 17. Ground-bearing rubber feet 26 extend from the base 12 such that the treading surfaces 3 extend upwardly and away from the user, so that the treading surfaces 3 are better positioned for use.

Wooden axles 22, 23, 24, 25 (only some of which have been labelled) extend through the rollers 5, 6, 7, 8 of each roller assembly and mount the rollers 5, 6, 7, 8 between internal wall 30 and side walls 13 and 14.

Each roller 5, 6, 7, 8 comprises a pair of a roller bearings 21 (only some of which have been labelled) through which an axle 22, 23, 24, extends, and a PVC or metal pipe 20 (only some of which have been labelled) that extends around the roller bearing 21 pair.

The endless tracks 2 are made of rubber belting. The treading surfaces 3 grip the user's feet.

Figures 2 and 3 show another embodiment of the invention. This treadmill 50 has the features of treadmill 1, but the carry case 51 lacks a lid.

20 In use, the treadmill 1, 50 is positioned in front of a seat, a seated user treads on the treading surfaces 3 and moves their legs in a walking 5.ll5 motion. Since the tracks 2 move independently of one another, one or both legs may be exercised. The rollers 5, 6, 7, 8 rotate freely about the axles 22, 23, 24, 25 and the tracks 2 move freely around the rollers 5, 6, 7, 8. In this way, the leg muscles are exercised whilst the user is seated, blood flow through the legs is promoted, and the risk of DVT is minimised.

S"The treadmill 1, 50 may be of benefit to travellers, to people seated at desks for long periods of time, or to post-operative patients who are unable to leave their beds. The treadmill 1, 50 may help reduce the swelling of legs 30 and ankles. The treadmill 1, 50 is compact and the carry case 4, 51 makes treadmill 1, 50 portable and easy to store when not in use.

Claims (7)

1. A treadmill comprising: dual endless tracks, each said track having a treading surface upon which to tread; and a roller assembly associated with each said track, each said assembly having end and intermediate rollers mounted to freely rotate upon movement of the respective track, wherein a said end roller is located at each end of each said treading surface and a pair of said intermediate rollers is located between said end rollers of each said roller assembly, and the intermediate rollers are of larger diameter than the end rollers.

2. The treadmill of claim 1 further comprising a case that houses the tracks and roller assemblies.

3. The treadmill of claim 2, wherein the roller assemblies have axles that mount the rollers between upstanding walls of the case.

4. The treadmill of claim 3, wherein each said roller comprises a pair of roller bearings through which a said axle extends, and a pipe extending around the roller bearing pair.

The treadmill of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the case has a hinged lid movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and in 20 the raised position a user of the treadmill can tread on the treading surfaces.

6. The treadmill of claim 5, wherein the case has ground-bearing legs such that the treading surfaces extend upwardly and away from the user.

7. A treadmill substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 3. Dated this 23 rd day of April 2003 Evelyn Joyce Purcell :By Her Patent Attorneys S• CULLEN CO. BHPeAr 06 *oleo cello