CA1045647A - Movable surface apparatus, particularly for physical exercise and training - Google Patents
Movable surface apparatus, particularly for physical exercise and trainingInfo
- Publication number
- CA1045647A CA1045647A CA235,627A CA235627A CA1045647A CA 1045647 A CA1045647 A CA 1045647A CA 235627 A CA235627 A CA 235627A CA 1045647 A CA1045647 A CA 1045647A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- slats
- support
- belts
- rollers
- support rollers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
- A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
- A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
- A63B22/0235—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills driven by a motor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
- A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
- A63B22/0285—Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2210/00—Space saving
- A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Cardiology (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Blinds (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
- Knitting Machines (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
- Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)
- Chain Conveyers (AREA)
- Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The specification describes a powered exercising and training apparatus intended to minimize operating power and noise level and to provide a pleasant springy feel to the user. The apparatus includes a frame structure, a movable surface comprising a plurality of step slats having flat top and bottom surfaces, an endless flexible belt means and a pair of drums having essentially horizontal axes located in the frame.
The belt means is looped about the drums and the slats are secured to the belt means. A plurality of back-up support rollers are located beneath the upper run of the movable support surface and at least one elastic cushion support is located between the support rollers and the bottom surface of the step slats.
The specification describes a powered exercising and training apparatus intended to minimize operating power and noise level and to provide a pleasant springy feel to the user. The apparatus includes a frame structure, a movable surface comprising a plurality of step slats having flat top and bottom surfaces, an endless flexible belt means and a pair of drums having essentially horizontal axes located in the frame.
The belt means is looped about the drums and the slats are secured to the belt means. A plurality of back-up support rollers are located beneath the upper run of the movable support surface and at least one elastic cushion support is located between the support rollers and the bottom surface of the step slats.
Description
The p~esent invention relates to a movable surface, and more particula~ly to a movable surface apparatus for physical exercise and training use, which is motor driven, so that a person standing on the surface is forced to walk, to run, or engage in similar exercise.
Various types of movable surfaces, usually constructed of an endless belt, or the like, have been proposed. Usually, an end~ess wide rubber belt is supported throughout its width by a stationary support in order to prevent bowing due to the weight of the user. As the movable rubber band engages the back-up support surface, substantial friction between the rubber band and the support surface arises, requiring sub-stantial drive power. The rubber band is subject to wear due to friction between it and the support. The feel of the step on the rubber band is disagreeable since it is hard, because the thickness of the rubber band is limited.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a movable support surface apparatus which requires little operating power, has a low noise level when operating, and provides a pleasant, springy feel when being stepped or jumped on without, however, being excessively stressed by bending or bowing.
Subject matter of the present invention:
The present invention is directed to movable surface apparatus for physical exercise and training comprising: a frame structure forming a support frame; an endless movable surface having a plurality of steps slats formed with laterally projecting tongues of a width narrower than the width of the step slats, the step slats having a flat top surface and at least partially a flat bottom surface portion; two looped end-less flexible, internally toothed drive belts which are narrowwith respect to the length of the slats one, each, located beneath the tongues of the slats; attachment means to attach ~:..the step slats to the drive belts in the region of the narrower tongues; two externally toothed drums or roller means having essentially horizontal axes located in the frame structure, the internally toothed drive belts being looped about the drum or roller means and in positive driving engagement therewith;
means driving at least one of the drum or roller means to thereby drive both of the toothed drive belts with uniform speed; a resilient yielding top surface layer secured to the top surface of the step slats; a pluralit~ of back-up support rollers their ends and when loaded centrally by the weight of the located beneath the upper run of the movable surface and aligned in the direction of ~.ovement of the movable surface, the support rollers having a diameter and a mutual spacing with respect to the width of the step slats to provide engagement of at least two support rollers during movement of the step slats; and two spaced endless elastic support belts independent of the step slats and of the drive belts located at respective sides of the apparatus adjacent the end portions of the step slats, looped to pass about a plurality of back-up support rollers and passing above and below the respective support rollers to form upper and lower support belt runs, at least some of the rollers being formed with projecting shoulders to provide for lateral guidance of the support belts upon engagement of the upper run of the respective support belt with the slats .and respective support rollers, the upper side of the upper run of the support belts facing the lower flat surface portions of the step slats and the lower surface of the upper run of the support belts being supported by the support rollers; wherein the back-up support rollers are located adjacent the end portions of the step slats and inwardly of the tongues of the slats to support the step slats in a generally horizontal direction via the respective support belts, the step slats being 1~9/,, r~
formed to have sufficient stiffness along their length to prevent their bowing when supported via the support belts by the back-up support rollers adjacent their ends and when loaded centrally by the weight of the user of the apparatus; whereby vertical loading of the step slats causes resilient, soft engagement of the step slats with the support rollers, with the elastic cushion support belts interposed, and hence conjoint movement of the support rollers and the step slats upon the loading.
The construction substantially reduces friction and wear on the movable surface, and permits operation with low power. Additionally, the apparatus operates with low noise level while providing a pleasant feel when being stepped upon, by resiliently slightly yielding without, however, bowing through or bending in the middle.
The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of the apparatus arranged as a training and physical exercise apparatus;
Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the movable surface and its drive arrangement, with the housing removed;
Fig. 3 is a top view of the movable surface with part of the housing broken away;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the attachment arrangement of the slats of the drive belt;
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~045647 . `
Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view along line V-V of o~ Fig. 7;
Fig. 6 is a vertical view along line V-V of Fig. 7 and illustrating another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another ` embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a highly schematic side view of the embodiment in accordancè with Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary,part sectional view of another embodiment.
, ~
The physical exercise apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is driven by a motor 33 (Figs. 2, 3) which drives a movable j; 15 surface 1. A person standing on the surface, in order to remain on the apparatus, must walk, jog or run. The apparatus - is enclosed in a housing 2 to which also support bars 3 are ..
secured. A control unit C is mounted on one of the support bars to control operation of the motor, for example for its starting, stoppLng, and controlling of its operating speed.
The movable surface 1 is supported on a frame/37 (Fig.2), only schematically shown, and surrounded by the housing 2.
36, The frame/37 may have any suitable structure. Two operating drums lo are located at end points of the frame, suitably journalled. The drums have a toothed or ribbed circumference.
Two endless gear belts 5 (Fig. 4) having internally projecting teeth 7 are engaged with the drums 10, thus ensuring slipless positive common drive of both of the ribbed belts 5 in the operating direction, as shown by arrow A in Fig. 2. The ribbed belts 5 are flexible and are made of rubber or suitable flexible plastic material. One of the drums 10 is driven by motor 33, or by any other suitable motive drive apparatus, by means of a drive belt 34 (Fig. 3), preferably with inter-position of a step-down gearing. The motor is controlled from controller C (Fig. 1). The ribbed belt 5 (Fig. 4) has a group of step slats 4 secured thereto by means of rivets 9.
The slats 4 are preferably of light-weight metal, for example of aluminum, and extend transversely to the running direction indicated by arrow A of the movable surface. The slats 4 have generally T-shaped cross section, and have a center web 8. The center web 8 is recessed at the end portions of the slats. The region of connection of the slats 4 to the belts 5 is reduced with respect to the width of the slats 4 to form an essentially rectangulartongue 38 (Fig. 4) having a width B and a length L. The width B is less than the width of the slats 4; the extent of recess of web 8 is greater than the length L. The distance between adjacent step slats 4 is so selected that only little space or clearance is left between the slats - just enough to prevent interference of adjacent slats upon movement. The upper surface of the slats 4 is covered with an impact-reducing cover 16 (Figs. 5, 6, 7;
omitted from Fig. 4 for clarity) to provide for soft engagement when stepping on the surface, and to provide a pleasantly yielding step. The material for cover may be rubber, cork, dense sponge rubber, plastic foam, artificial lawn surfacing, indoor/outdoor carpeting, particularly with rubber backing, or the like.
Support rollers are provided to prevent bending through of the belts 5 upon loading of the steps by a person.
lc/ -The steps 4, therefore, are supported at their marginal ends by a support belt 13. Each one of the two support belts, one at each side, is made of rubber, or other suitable elastic material and may, for example, be a flat belt, or a V-belt.
Each one of the belts 13 is supported, in turn, by a group of adjacently located support rollers. The support rollers are fixed in position, and are rotatable about their axes.
They support the upper run of the movable surface and are present throughout at least the entire useful length of the support surface between the two drums 10. The diameter of the rollers 12 is less than the diameter of the drums or rollers 10. To provide for good lateral guidance of the support belt 13, at least some of the support rollers 12 may be formed with projecting shoulders.
The support rollers 12, as best seen in Fig. 7, are secured to a U-channel 20 by means of screws or bolts 21, to be rotatable thereover. The U-channels 20 are carried, in turn, by transversely located angle, T, or channel rails 32, secured to the frame of the apparatus. The connection between the U-channels 20 and the rails 32 preferably is by screws 28, although any other suitable connection may be used, such as welding. The support rollers 12 are journalled by means of low-friction bearings, for example needle bearings or ball bearings (Fig. 5) although sleeve bearings operating with low friction with respect to bolt 21 may also be used.
The spacing between the upper surface of the support belt 13 and the lower surface 14 of the step slat 4 is so selected that a small distance, in the order of for example about 1/2 cm is left when the surface 1 is unloaded. Upon loading, for example by the user stepping on a slat 4, the flat underside 14 of the respective slat 4 will engage the support ls/
belt 13. Support belt 13 is carried along in the direction of the arrow A (Fig. 2) when engaged by the lower surface of the respective step slat 4, so that, as a consequence, the support rollers 12 likewise begin to rotate. The support belt 13 will then move with the same speed as the movable surface 1. Since bolts 21 of the support rollers 12 are fixedly located in the frame, there is practically no bowing, or hanging through of the belts 5, since vertical forces applied to the step slats 4 are accepted by the rollers 12.
Thus, the surface is practically flat, while being slightly springy, and resembles that of a natural soft, grass or other soft-surface athletic track.
Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which very small support rollers 12' are used, located immediately adjacent each other, each supported on a respective bolt 21'. The rollers are so dimensioned that r ~ in any position of the slat 4, at least two rollers 12' are in supporting engagement with a respective slat; as shown, the arrangement of three rollers in engagement with a slat is preferred.
Fig. 6 illustrates another variation of the inventive concept in that rather than using a support belt 13, the lower surface 14 of the slat 4 has a yielding layer 17 secured thereto, for example made of rubber or other elastic material, in order to provide for elastic springy support of the respective slat 4 on the support roller.
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a different embodiment of moving the step slats 4i elements previously described have been given the same reference numberals and will not be described again.
Rather than using two lateral ribbed belts 5, a ls/-~
11~)45647 central endless web 35 is used, looped about two end drums or rollers 25. Web or belt 35 preferably is made of rubber.
This belt 35 is comparatively wide and has angle elements 23 secured thereto, for example by riveting, screw connection, or the like. The angle elements 23, in turn, are secured to the central webs 8 of the step slats 4. The connection points of the step slats 4 on web 35 should be as far apart as possible so that the slats 4 are guided truly perpendicularly to their running direction, without skew. The center web 8 of the step slats 4 is foreshortened at the ends in order to provide room for the support rollers 12 (or 12' respectively) and for the support belt 13, if used. The flat bottom sides 14 of the step slats 4 are engaged, in the embodiment shown, by support belts 13, similarly to the arrangement described in connection with Figs. 1 - 5 and 7. The only difference is the replacement of the ribbed belt 5 and the end tongues 38 of the slats 4, which are not needed~ The rollers or drums 25 have laterally projecting rims 30 in order to guide the web or belt 35 and prevent its lateral excursion. The drums are journalled by ball bearings 27 on a central shaft 26, secured to the frame structure or, in the embodiment shown, to the side wall of the housing 2. The step slats 4 are slightly shorter than the distance between the side walls of the housing 2, to provide for slight lateral clearance. The width of the belt 35, however, is substantially less than the length of the slats 4, preferably it is about one-third as wide as the length of the slats.
The arrangement of the moving surface can be horizontal or sllghtly inclined. Use of rubbery or other similar elastic material provides for low-noise operation.
A typical overall length for the apparatus is about 2 meters, ls/~ ~
16~45647 with a width of about 3/4 meter, and a height above ground level of the upper run of the moving surface of about 1/4 meter. A distance counter can be included in the box for the control element C to indicate, for example, the distance a user has run or walked while exercising on the device.
The support belt may be a flat belt 13 (Figs. 2, 4, 5) or a V-belt 13" (Fig. 7). If a V-belt is used, the support rollers are grooved or shaped to match, as seen at 12", to accept and centrally guide the V-belt 13".
Regardless of the type of belt, the center web 8 of the slats 4 is recessed to provide clearance space 37 (Fig. 8) between the end thereof and the surface bearing structure support rollers 12, 12', or 12", respectively.
Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment in which the resilient, elastic cushion support has a tooth or rib section, similar to the ribbed belt 5 with teeth 7 and a smooth portion 36', against which support rollers 12 may bear. The belt 5' thus, at the same time, forms the resilient cushion for the slats and the support rollers 12 as well as the longitudinal stiffening element which holds the slats 4 in adjacent alignment.
Rollers 12 are carried on shafts 21, secured to a bracket lg which is attached to the side wall 2 of the apparatus;
a second bracket arm 20 provides for lateral guidance of the bolt 21. The connections of the bracket elements to each other, and to the side wall, or to the frame of the apparatus may be by welding, for example.
The specific shape of the belt 5' can be suitably selected; for example, the belt 5' may be wedge-shaped in the region 36', similarly to V-belt 13" (Fig. 7), with suitably modified rollers 12". Alternatively, an additional ls/
'.
belt, similar to belt 13, or 13", may be placed beneath belt 5' (Fig. 10) to provide for double cushioning. Fig.
10 illustrates the belt 5' in engagement with roller 12, that is, the condition when the slat 4 is loaded, for example by the weight of the user.
Various changes and modifications may be made and features described in connection with any one of the embodiments may be used with any of the others, within the scope of the inventive concept.
I
:
' ls/
Various types of movable surfaces, usually constructed of an endless belt, or the like, have been proposed. Usually, an end~ess wide rubber belt is supported throughout its width by a stationary support in order to prevent bowing due to the weight of the user. As the movable rubber band engages the back-up support surface, substantial friction between the rubber band and the support surface arises, requiring sub-stantial drive power. The rubber band is subject to wear due to friction between it and the support. The feel of the step on the rubber band is disagreeable since it is hard, because the thickness of the rubber band is limited.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a movable support surface apparatus which requires little operating power, has a low noise level when operating, and provides a pleasant, springy feel when being stepped or jumped on without, however, being excessively stressed by bending or bowing.
Subject matter of the present invention:
The present invention is directed to movable surface apparatus for physical exercise and training comprising: a frame structure forming a support frame; an endless movable surface having a plurality of steps slats formed with laterally projecting tongues of a width narrower than the width of the step slats, the step slats having a flat top surface and at least partially a flat bottom surface portion; two looped end-less flexible, internally toothed drive belts which are narrowwith respect to the length of the slats one, each, located beneath the tongues of the slats; attachment means to attach ~:..the step slats to the drive belts in the region of the narrower tongues; two externally toothed drums or roller means having essentially horizontal axes located in the frame structure, the internally toothed drive belts being looped about the drum or roller means and in positive driving engagement therewith;
means driving at least one of the drum or roller means to thereby drive both of the toothed drive belts with uniform speed; a resilient yielding top surface layer secured to the top surface of the step slats; a pluralit~ of back-up support rollers their ends and when loaded centrally by the weight of the located beneath the upper run of the movable surface and aligned in the direction of ~.ovement of the movable surface, the support rollers having a diameter and a mutual spacing with respect to the width of the step slats to provide engagement of at least two support rollers during movement of the step slats; and two spaced endless elastic support belts independent of the step slats and of the drive belts located at respective sides of the apparatus adjacent the end portions of the step slats, looped to pass about a plurality of back-up support rollers and passing above and below the respective support rollers to form upper and lower support belt runs, at least some of the rollers being formed with projecting shoulders to provide for lateral guidance of the support belts upon engagement of the upper run of the respective support belt with the slats .and respective support rollers, the upper side of the upper run of the support belts facing the lower flat surface portions of the step slats and the lower surface of the upper run of the support belts being supported by the support rollers; wherein the back-up support rollers are located adjacent the end portions of the step slats and inwardly of the tongues of the slats to support the step slats in a generally horizontal direction via the respective support belts, the step slats being 1~9/,, r~
formed to have sufficient stiffness along their length to prevent their bowing when supported via the support belts by the back-up support rollers adjacent their ends and when loaded centrally by the weight of the user of the apparatus; whereby vertical loading of the step slats causes resilient, soft engagement of the step slats with the support rollers, with the elastic cushion support belts interposed, and hence conjoint movement of the support rollers and the step slats upon the loading.
The construction substantially reduces friction and wear on the movable surface, and permits operation with low power. Additionally, the apparatus operates with low noise level while providing a pleasant feel when being stepped upon, by resiliently slightly yielding without, however, bowing through or bending in the middle.
The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of the apparatus arranged as a training and physical exercise apparatus;
Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the movable surface and its drive arrangement, with the housing removed;
Fig. 3 is a top view of the movable surface with part of the housing broken away;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the attachment arrangement of the slats of the drive belt;
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~045647 . `
Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view along line V-V of o~ Fig. 7;
Fig. 6 is a vertical view along line V-V of Fig. 7 and illustrating another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another ` embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a highly schematic side view of the embodiment in accordancè with Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary,part sectional view of another embodiment.
, ~
The physical exercise apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is driven by a motor 33 (Figs. 2, 3) which drives a movable j; 15 surface 1. A person standing on the surface, in order to remain on the apparatus, must walk, jog or run. The apparatus - is enclosed in a housing 2 to which also support bars 3 are ..
secured. A control unit C is mounted on one of the support bars to control operation of the motor, for example for its starting, stoppLng, and controlling of its operating speed.
The movable surface 1 is supported on a frame/37 (Fig.2), only schematically shown, and surrounded by the housing 2.
36, The frame/37 may have any suitable structure. Two operating drums lo are located at end points of the frame, suitably journalled. The drums have a toothed or ribbed circumference.
Two endless gear belts 5 (Fig. 4) having internally projecting teeth 7 are engaged with the drums 10, thus ensuring slipless positive common drive of both of the ribbed belts 5 in the operating direction, as shown by arrow A in Fig. 2. The ribbed belts 5 are flexible and are made of rubber or suitable flexible plastic material. One of the drums 10 is driven by motor 33, or by any other suitable motive drive apparatus, by means of a drive belt 34 (Fig. 3), preferably with inter-position of a step-down gearing. The motor is controlled from controller C (Fig. 1). The ribbed belt 5 (Fig. 4) has a group of step slats 4 secured thereto by means of rivets 9.
The slats 4 are preferably of light-weight metal, for example of aluminum, and extend transversely to the running direction indicated by arrow A of the movable surface. The slats 4 have generally T-shaped cross section, and have a center web 8. The center web 8 is recessed at the end portions of the slats. The region of connection of the slats 4 to the belts 5 is reduced with respect to the width of the slats 4 to form an essentially rectangulartongue 38 (Fig. 4) having a width B and a length L. The width B is less than the width of the slats 4; the extent of recess of web 8 is greater than the length L. The distance between adjacent step slats 4 is so selected that only little space or clearance is left between the slats - just enough to prevent interference of adjacent slats upon movement. The upper surface of the slats 4 is covered with an impact-reducing cover 16 (Figs. 5, 6, 7;
omitted from Fig. 4 for clarity) to provide for soft engagement when stepping on the surface, and to provide a pleasantly yielding step. The material for cover may be rubber, cork, dense sponge rubber, plastic foam, artificial lawn surfacing, indoor/outdoor carpeting, particularly with rubber backing, or the like.
Support rollers are provided to prevent bending through of the belts 5 upon loading of the steps by a person.
lc/ -The steps 4, therefore, are supported at their marginal ends by a support belt 13. Each one of the two support belts, one at each side, is made of rubber, or other suitable elastic material and may, for example, be a flat belt, or a V-belt.
Each one of the belts 13 is supported, in turn, by a group of adjacently located support rollers. The support rollers are fixed in position, and are rotatable about their axes.
They support the upper run of the movable surface and are present throughout at least the entire useful length of the support surface between the two drums 10. The diameter of the rollers 12 is less than the diameter of the drums or rollers 10. To provide for good lateral guidance of the support belt 13, at least some of the support rollers 12 may be formed with projecting shoulders.
The support rollers 12, as best seen in Fig. 7, are secured to a U-channel 20 by means of screws or bolts 21, to be rotatable thereover. The U-channels 20 are carried, in turn, by transversely located angle, T, or channel rails 32, secured to the frame of the apparatus. The connection between the U-channels 20 and the rails 32 preferably is by screws 28, although any other suitable connection may be used, such as welding. The support rollers 12 are journalled by means of low-friction bearings, for example needle bearings or ball bearings (Fig. 5) although sleeve bearings operating with low friction with respect to bolt 21 may also be used.
The spacing between the upper surface of the support belt 13 and the lower surface 14 of the step slat 4 is so selected that a small distance, in the order of for example about 1/2 cm is left when the surface 1 is unloaded. Upon loading, for example by the user stepping on a slat 4, the flat underside 14 of the respective slat 4 will engage the support ls/
belt 13. Support belt 13 is carried along in the direction of the arrow A (Fig. 2) when engaged by the lower surface of the respective step slat 4, so that, as a consequence, the support rollers 12 likewise begin to rotate. The support belt 13 will then move with the same speed as the movable surface 1. Since bolts 21 of the support rollers 12 are fixedly located in the frame, there is practically no bowing, or hanging through of the belts 5, since vertical forces applied to the step slats 4 are accepted by the rollers 12.
Thus, the surface is practically flat, while being slightly springy, and resembles that of a natural soft, grass or other soft-surface athletic track.
Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which very small support rollers 12' are used, located immediately adjacent each other, each supported on a respective bolt 21'. The rollers are so dimensioned that r ~ in any position of the slat 4, at least two rollers 12' are in supporting engagement with a respective slat; as shown, the arrangement of three rollers in engagement with a slat is preferred.
Fig. 6 illustrates another variation of the inventive concept in that rather than using a support belt 13, the lower surface 14 of the slat 4 has a yielding layer 17 secured thereto, for example made of rubber or other elastic material, in order to provide for elastic springy support of the respective slat 4 on the support roller.
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a different embodiment of moving the step slats 4i elements previously described have been given the same reference numberals and will not be described again.
Rather than using two lateral ribbed belts 5, a ls/-~
11~)45647 central endless web 35 is used, looped about two end drums or rollers 25. Web or belt 35 preferably is made of rubber.
This belt 35 is comparatively wide and has angle elements 23 secured thereto, for example by riveting, screw connection, or the like. The angle elements 23, in turn, are secured to the central webs 8 of the step slats 4. The connection points of the step slats 4 on web 35 should be as far apart as possible so that the slats 4 are guided truly perpendicularly to their running direction, without skew. The center web 8 of the step slats 4 is foreshortened at the ends in order to provide room for the support rollers 12 (or 12' respectively) and for the support belt 13, if used. The flat bottom sides 14 of the step slats 4 are engaged, in the embodiment shown, by support belts 13, similarly to the arrangement described in connection with Figs. 1 - 5 and 7. The only difference is the replacement of the ribbed belt 5 and the end tongues 38 of the slats 4, which are not needed~ The rollers or drums 25 have laterally projecting rims 30 in order to guide the web or belt 35 and prevent its lateral excursion. The drums are journalled by ball bearings 27 on a central shaft 26, secured to the frame structure or, in the embodiment shown, to the side wall of the housing 2. The step slats 4 are slightly shorter than the distance between the side walls of the housing 2, to provide for slight lateral clearance. The width of the belt 35, however, is substantially less than the length of the slats 4, preferably it is about one-third as wide as the length of the slats.
The arrangement of the moving surface can be horizontal or sllghtly inclined. Use of rubbery or other similar elastic material provides for low-noise operation.
A typical overall length for the apparatus is about 2 meters, ls/~ ~
16~45647 with a width of about 3/4 meter, and a height above ground level of the upper run of the moving surface of about 1/4 meter. A distance counter can be included in the box for the control element C to indicate, for example, the distance a user has run or walked while exercising on the device.
The support belt may be a flat belt 13 (Figs. 2, 4, 5) or a V-belt 13" (Fig. 7). If a V-belt is used, the support rollers are grooved or shaped to match, as seen at 12", to accept and centrally guide the V-belt 13".
Regardless of the type of belt, the center web 8 of the slats 4 is recessed to provide clearance space 37 (Fig. 8) between the end thereof and the surface bearing structure support rollers 12, 12', or 12", respectively.
Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment in which the resilient, elastic cushion support has a tooth or rib section, similar to the ribbed belt 5 with teeth 7 and a smooth portion 36', against which support rollers 12 may bear. The belt 5' thus, at the same time, forms the resilient cushion for the slats and the support rollers 12 as well as the longitudinal stiffening element which holds the slats 4 in adjacent alignment.
Rollers 12 are carried on shafts 21, secured to a bracket lg which is attached to the side wall 2 of the apparatus;
a second bracket arm 20 provides for lateral guidance of the bolt 21. The connections of the bracket elements to each other, and to the side wall, or to the frame of the apparatus may be by welding, for example.
The specific shape of the belt 5' can be suitably selected; for example, the belt 5' may be wedge-shaped in the region 36', similarly to V-belt 13" (Fig. 7), with suitably modified rollers 12". Alternatively, an additional ls/
'.
belt, similar to belt 13, or 13", may be placed beneath belt 5' (Fig. 10) to provide for double cushioning. Fig.
10 illustrates the belt 5' in engagement with roller 12, that is, the condition when the slat 4 is loaded, for example by the weight of the user.
Various changes and modifications may be made and features described in connection with any one of the embodiments may be used with any of the others, within the scope of the inventive concept.
I
:
' ls/
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Movable surface apparatus for physical exercise and training comprising a frame structure forming a support frame;
an endless movable surface having a plurality of steps slats formed with laterally projecting tongues of a width narrower than the width of the step slats, the step slats having a flat top surface and at least partially a flat bottom surface portion;
two looped endless flexible, internally toothed drive belts which are narrow with respect to the length of the slats one, each, located beneath the tongues of the slats;
attachment means to attach the step slats to the drive belts in the region of the narrower tongues;
two externally toothed drums or roller means having essentially horizontal axes located in the frame structure, the internally toothed drive belts being looped about said drum or roller means and in positive driving engagement therewith;
means driving at least one of the drum or roller means to thereby drive both of said toothed drive belts with uniform speed;
a resilient yielding top surface layer secured to the top surface of the step slats;
a plurality of back-up support rollers located beneath the upper run of the movable surface and aligned in the direction of movement of said movable surface, the support rollers having a diameter and a mutual spacing with respect to the width of the step slats to provide engagement of at least two support rollers during movement of the step slats;
and two spaced endless elastic support belts independent of said step slats and of said drive belts located at respective sides of the apparatus adjacent the end portions of the step slats, looped to pass about a plurality of back-up support rollers and passing above and below the respective support rollers to form upper and lower support belt runs, at least some of said rollers being formed with projecting shoulders to provide for lateral guidance of said support belts upon engagement of the upper run of the respective support belt with the slats and respective support rollers, the upper side of the upper run of the support belts facing the lower flat surface portions of the step slats and the lower surface of the upper run of the support belts being supported by the support rollers;
wherein the back-up support rollers are located adjacent the end portions of the step slats and inwardly of said tongues of said slats to support the step slats in a generally horizontal direction via the respective support belts, the step slats being formed to have sufficient stiffness along their length to prevent their bowing when supported via said support belts by said back-up support rollers adjacent their ends and when loaded centrally by the weight of the user of the apparatus;
whereby vertical loading of the step slats causes resilient, soft engagement of the step slats with the support rollers, with the elastic cushion support belts interposed,and hence conjoint movement of said support rollers and the step slats upon said loading.
an endless movable surface having a plurality of steps slats formed with laterally projecting tongues of a width narrower than the width of the step slats, the step slats having a flat top surface and at least partially a flat bottom surface portion;
two looped endless flexible, internally toothed drive belts which are narrow with respect to the length of the slats one, each, located beneath the tongues of the slats;
attachment means to attach the step slats to the drive belts in the region of the narrower tongues;
two externally toothed drums or roller means having essentially horizontal axes located in the frame structure, the internally toothed drive belts being looped about said drum or roller means and in positive driving engagement therewith;
means driving at least one of the drum or roller means to thereby drive both of said toothed drive belts with uniform speed;
a resilient yielding top surface layer secured to the top surface of the step slats;
a plurality of back-up support rollers located beneath the upper run of the movable surface and aligned in the direction of movement of said movable surface, the support rollers having a diameter and a mutual spacing with respect to the width of the step slats to provide engagement of at least two support rollers during movement of the step slats;
and two spaced endless elastic support belts independent of said step slats and of said drive belts located at respective sides of the apparatus adjacent the end portions of the step slats, looped to pass about a plurality of back-up support rollers and passing above and below the respective support rollers to form upper and lower support belt runs, at least some of said rollers being formed with projecting shoulders to provide for lateral guidance of said support belts upon engagement of the upper run of the respective support belt with the slats and respective support rollers, the upper side of the upper run of the support belts facing the lower flat surface portions of the step slats and the lower surface of the upper run of the support belts being supported by the support rollers;
wherein the back-up support rollers are located adjacent the end portions of the step slats and inwardly of said tongues of said slats to support the step slats in a generally horizontal direction via the respective support belts, the step slats being formed to have sufficient stiffness along their length to prevent their bowing when supported via said support belts by said back-up support rollers adjacent their ends and when loaded centrally by the weight of the user of the apparatus;
whereby vertical loading of the step slats causes resilient, soft engagement of the step slats with the support rollers, with the elastic cushion support belts interposed,and hence conjoint movement of said support rollers and the step slats upon said loading.
Claim 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving means includes motor means driving at least one of the drums or rollers to thereby drive both of said toothed belts with uniform speed.
Claim 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resilient, yielding top surface layer on the step slats comprises at least one material selected from the group of: cork, dense foam rubber, sponge rubber, artificial-type lawn surfacing, indoor/outdoor carpeting having sponge of foam material backing;
pleastic foam material.
pleastic foam material.
Claim 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means are located in the region of the teeth of the toothed belts.
Claim 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic support belts are V-belts;
and the back-up support rollers supporting the upper run of the support belts are formed with a circumferential groove matching, at least in part, the cross section of the V-belts to provide support and lateral guidance for said belts, the portions of the rollers adjacent said groove forming said projecting shoulders,
and the back-up support rollers supporting the upper run of the support belts are formed with a circumferential groove matching, at least in part, the cross section of the V-belts to provide support and lateral guidance for said belts, the portions of the rollers adjacent said groove forming said projecting shoulders,
Claim 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projecting shoulders on at least some of said rollers comprise lateral flanges,
Claim 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the step slats have approximately T-shaped cross section formed with a center web, the end portions of the center web being recessed with respect to the end portions of the flat or cross element of the step slats.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH1369174A CH598832A5 (en) | 1974-10-11 | 1974-10-11 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1045647A true CA1045647A (en) | 1979-01-02 |
Family
ID=4394519
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA235,627A Expired CA1045647A (en) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-09-17 | Movable surface apparatus, particularly for physical exercise and training |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (3) | JPS5854833B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | AT339190B (en) |
| AU (1) | AU8554575A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1045647A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH598832A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2503118C3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2287248A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1526742A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO137629C (en) |
| SE (1) | SE415233B (en) |
Families Citing this family (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2919494C2 (en) * | 1979-05-15 | 1982-12-30 | Christian 7120 Bietigheim-Bissingen Baer | Training device with two cranks supported by a stand |
| US4361115A (en) * | 1980-11-17 | 1982-11-30 | Pike Wendell A | Horse exerciser |
| US4548405A (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1985-10-22 | R. Clayton Lee | Treadmill with trampoline-like surface |
| AU568402B2 (en) * | 1983-09-09 | 1987-12-24 | Theofanis Emmanouilidis | Treadmill exerciser |
| GB8401587D0 (en) * | 1984-01-20 | 1984-02-22 | Reade D R | Exercising platforms |
| EP0196877A3 (en) * | 1985-03-26 | 1987-10-14 | Barry Laurence Hayes | Shock absorbent moving platform |
| DE3806750A1 (en) * | 1988-03-02 | 1989-09-14 | Woodway Ag | Moving belt apparatus for physical training |
| JPH0261366U (en) * | 1988-10-28 | 1990-05-08 | ||
| GB2238483B (en) * | 1989-12-02 | 1993-08-11 | Sport Engineering Limited | Exercise machines |
| JPH03114273U (en) * | 1990-03-07 | 1991-11-22 | ||
| DE4238252C2 (en) * | 1992-11-12 | 1994-08-18 | Woodway Ag | Toothed and V-belt device for treadmills |
| ITCT940013A1 (en) * | 1994-07-21 | 1996-01-21 | Giuseppe Scuderi | ROTOCENTRIFUGA TRACK |
| DE9415266U1 (en) * | 1994-09-20 | 1994-11-17 | Woodway AG, Schönenberg | Device for controlling the belt speed of treadmill equipment |
| DE29615912U1 (en) | 1996-09-12 | 1996-10-31 | Woodway AG, Schönenberg | Treadmill |
| DE29618849U1 (en) | 1996-10-29 | 1997-11-27 | Woodway AG, Schönenberg | Treadmill |
| US8308618B2 (en) | 2009-04-10 | 2012-11-13 | Woodway Usa, Inc. | Treadmill with integrated walking rehabilitation device |
| DE102012011623A1 (en) | 2011-07-26 | 2013-01-31 | SPRINTEX Trainingsgeräte GmbH | Device for motion- and running analysis, has rotating endless belt with evaluation unit, where integrated system of control of treadmill and force transducer allows calculation of motion- and running parameters |
| US8920347B2 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2014-12-30 | Woodway Usa, Inc. | Treadmill with integrated walking rehabilitation device |
| CZ304166B6 (en) * | 2013-01-18 | 2013-11-27 | Nikolaus Krüsselin@Michael | Optimized method of dynamic discharge of load and/or static suspension in vertical position for patients with damage of locomotory system and apparatus for making the same |
| ES1205964Y (en) * | 2015-07-24 | 2018-05-16 | Hoyos Miguel Angel Barbero | MODULAR RUNNING TAPE |
| TWI599385B (en) * | 2016-05-20 | 2017-09-21 | 力伽實業股份有限公司 | Exercise treadmill capable of generating electrical power |
| JP7237289B2 (en) * | 2019-01-17 | 2023-03-13 | 株式会社テック技販 | treadmill |
-
1974
- 1974-10-11 CH CH1369174A patent/CH598832A5/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1975
- 1975-01-25 DE DE2503118A patent/DE2503118C3/en not_active Expired
- 1975-09-12 AT AT702275A patent/AT339190B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1975-09-16 GB GB37984/75A patent/GB1526742A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-09-17 CA CA235,627A patent/CA1045647A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-10-02 JP JP50118287A patent/JPS5854833B2/en not_active Expired
- 1975-10-03 NO NO753357A patent/NO137629C/en unknown
- 1975-10-08 AU AU85545/75A patent/AU8554575A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-10-09 SE SE7511346A patent/SE415233B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1975-10-10 FR FR7532073A patent/FR2287248A1/en active Granted
-
1983
- 1983-07-15 JP JP58128054A patent/JPS5932473A/en active Granted
- 1983-07-15 JP JP58128053A patent/JPS5932472A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS5161334A (en) | 1976-05-27 |
| FR2287248B3 (en) | 1980-05-30 |
| DE2503118C3 (en) | 1978-11-09 |
| NO753357L (en) | 1976-04-13 |
| SE7511346L (en) | 1976-04-12 |
| DE2503118A1 (en) | 1976-04-15 |
| JPS5932473A (en) | 1984-02-21 |
| SE415233B (en) | 1980-09-22 |
| NO137629C (en) | 1978-03-29 |
| AU8554575A (en) | 1977-04-21 |
| CH598832A5 (en) | 1978-05-12 |
| JPH0141346B2 (en) | 1989-09-05 |
| AT339190B (en) | 1977-10-10 |
| NO137629B (en) | 1977-12-19 |
| JPS5854833B2 (en) | 1983-12-06 |
| JPS5932472A (en) | 1984-02-21 |
| FR2287248A1 (en) | 1976-05-07 |
| DE2503118B2 (en) | 1978-01-19 |
| JPS6213028B2 (en) | 1987-03-23 |
| ATA702275A (en) | 1977-01-15 |
| GB1526742A (en) | 1978-09-27 |
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