DE202015101590U1 - Running belt assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Treadmill assembly, with a treadmill frame and an over-running in the treadmill frame rollers and driven by a drive endless belt, one surface of which serves as walking or running surface, being mounted on rising side panels or a front part of the treadmill frame on both sides of the band armrests with handles or a seat and wherein each of the armrests or the seat is associated with a force sensor for registering the supporting and / or holding force or seat force applied by a user in using the treadmill assembly in each armrest to obtain a control signal for the drive.

Description

The invention relates to a treadmill assembly, with a treadmill frame and an over-held in the treadmill frame rollers and driven by a drive endless belt, one surface of which serves as walking or running surface.

Treadmill arrangements for athletic training purposes have long been known in a large variety of products. Their racks are usually equipped with a display and control panel in the front (i.e., in the direction of use in front of the user) for displaying and setting parameters and functions of the arrangement and in many cases also for displaying body function parameters of the user.

Also devices and methods for gait analysis, which allow a recording and analysis of the gait and use a treadmill, are known. For example, it should be noted on the DE 40 27 317 C1 or the US 6,010,465 A , In R. Kram and AJ Powell: "A treadmill-mounted force platform" Appl. Physiol. 67 (4): 1692-1698 (1989) a measuring device is described as known in which a treadmill is pulled over a measuring platform or measuring surface and thus a continuous detection of forces exerted by the feet of a subject on the ground forces is possible.

The DE 10 2010 004 504.7 describes a treadmill assembly that is controlled according to the actual gait behavior of a user, especially a rehabilitation patient, and in which, among other things, a shutdown process can be triggered. The WO 2014/009046 A2 , which is attributable to the applicant, describes a treadmill arrangement and a method for operating such, wherein on both sides of the treadmill handles are mounted and a force sensor is provided for registration and evaluation of introduced by the user in the handles holding forces. By evaluating those holding forces can be controlled about a safety shutdown of the treadmill; but it is also a more complex evaluation and the operation of certain functions of the treadmill arrangement hereby possible.

The invention is based on the object of providing a further improved arrangement of the type mentioned, which is particularly suitable for rehabilitation purposes. One goal is to further develop the system into an even more widely usable therapy device, thereby further increasing safety and user acceptance.

This object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the inventive concept are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the consideration that walking for the elderly or rehabilitation patients can be substantially facilitated by walking aids, whereby in addition to conventional crutches for years also so-called "rollators" are becoming increasingly widespread, which need not be specially set by the user set, but in a sense move on with it automatically. According to a first aspect of the invention, therefore, on the one hand, the idea of substantially improving the usability of a treadmill arrangement for rehabilitation purposes by providing the arrangement with handgrips, for example, with crutch-type or also with a rollator of conventional type). According to a second aspect, the invention assumes that certain rehabilitation measures with respect to the lower extremities are also possible while sitting, so that the treadmill arrangement can thus also be provided with a seat.

Furthermore, the invention includes the idea of providing a force sensor system for controlling a parameter and / or a function of the treadmill arrangement on the armrests or the seat. In particular, a safety shutdown can be implemented via the force sensor system, but it is also possible, for example, to control the treadmill speed and, if necessary, to control peripheral devices for user guidance or to simulate training environments or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one component of the force sensor of the armrest is assigned such that are detected on these acting force components acting counter to the running direction of the treadmill. Since considerable insecurity is to be expected in patients for whom the proposed treadmill arrangement is primarily intended and advantageous, this embodiment is particularly significant in practice. It makes it possible to respond early to a forcing of the forearms to be considered a sign of an impending fall and to slow down or slow down the treadmill altogether. On the other hand, in principle, the detection of a decreasing support force in the opposite direction of the treadmill as a signal for an increase in the speed of the treadmill should also be evaluated and used.

In a further embodiment it is provided that at least one component of the force sensor is incorporated in the handles. Moreover, for controlling at least one parameter or a function of the treadmill arrangement a control handle or lever may be provided in spatial association with a handle. Such an (additional) control element can typically serve to trigger a user-consciously desired (ie not dependent on movement reflexes) control process, for example for retrieving selectable functions or training accompanying pictorial representations or an acoustic background or the like.

According to a further embodiment, the force sensor system has a switching element with a threshold characteristic for outputting a switching signal when a preset force threshold value is exceeded. This represents a particularly simple and cost-effective implementation of the force sensor, which in particular manages without a separate force evaluation device and in which the occurrence of an impermissibly high force component in a predetermined direction immediately triggers a switching operation.

In a further embodiment, the switching element is associated with extending to the level of the treadmill extension or support of the armrest, which is mounted resiliently or elastically. The force sensor (such as one or more load cell (s), strain gauges, etc.) can thereby be placed in the treadmill frame, in particular approximately in the plane of the treadmill. This provides particular advantages with special versions of the armrests mentioned below. On the other hand, the force sensor can certainly be placed directly on the armrest or the handle in this simple design.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the resilient or elastic mounting of the treadmill arrangement is designed such that the switching element is switched when exceeding a predetermined spring force.

In a further embodiment of the extension or support of the armrest or the seat, in particular a horizontally disposed in use end portion thereof, a plurality of force sensors for distinguishing forward and backward acting force components are assigned.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the force sensor is designed as a multi-axis sensor for the spatial direction-dependent detection of supporting or holding forces of a user. This can be on the one hand reactions of the user in relation to the treadmill, such as a detention reflex or supporting reflex in speed change or sudden malaise, or reflect reflexes to compensate for uncertainties of the aisle and perform a diagnostic evaluation. On the other hand, implement relatively easy to understand and learn operations, the execution of the user does not have to give up his secure hold and therefore mentally easy him fall.

More specifically, the multi-axis sensor is designed to distinguish at least in or against the treadmill movement direction or from downward or upward holding or actuating forces, preferably for distinguishing the direction of action of both support or holding force components. This allows an evaluation of both the aforementioned knee-jerk reactions to treadmill speed changes or a self-explanatory speed control, as well as the detection of approaches to falls or of posterior / anterior body variations. For example, the speed of the treadmill can be increased by pushing the handles forward and reduced by pulling backwards. Furthermore, the multi-axis sensor system is also preferably designed to distinguish holding or actuating forces acting to the left or to the right, as a result of which lateral body fluctuations can also be registered and evaluated.

In a further refinement, the force sensor system is combined with the actuating means, such that the actuating means are designed to output a control signal as a function of a detected force action direction and optionally a force amount, and a parameter or function of the treadmill arrangement is controllable by the actuating means in such a way that the reduced by the user force or the belt is stopped. In combination with the above-explained embodiment, for example, the function that the treadmill automatically slows down when the user can not keep up with the set speed and pulls accordingly on the handle, while an involuntary pressing on the handle at too low a speed of the tape to do so can be used to increase the belt speed again. In a particularly preferred solution, the tape is blocked as long as long as no force is exerted on the armrests or the other actuating means. This ensures optimum protection when using the treadmill. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various other combinations of detection and control functions can be realized in a similar manner.

In a further embodiment, the armrests each have a lockable rotary or sliding joint about a vertical axis or a sliding joint for adjusting the width or the distance of the armrests zueinender on. hereby The armrest component of the treadmill assembly can be easily adapted to the anatomy and the state of rehabilitation of the user. In combination herewith or independently thereof it can be provided that the armrests are detachably mounted from the side parts of the treadmill rack and / or adjustably mounted in these. This makes it possible, for example, to equip the treadmill assembly with various specially shaped armrests or to change between armrests and a holder for a seat, etc.

The treadmill assembly may include, in addition to the side panels supporting the armrests with associated handles, a tie bar spanning across the treadmill, providing a substantially rigid connection between the side panels, on the one hand, and an additional support and support capability for the user, on the other hand can offer. The side panel / tie bar assembly may also be provided with multiple force sensors (preferably two to four per side) for obtaining differentiated signals to the user's current jacking behavior.

Instead of such a strap (or in combination with this), the side parts may be rigidly coupled together by a traverse extending below the treadmill.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the proposed treadmill arrangement comprises a foot pressure sensor for determining a pressure / force distribution on the treadmill or a measuring plate located below the same, which has a plurality of pressure / force sensors arranged in a matrix, and one with the foot pressure sensor on the input side connected foot pressure evaluation unit, which detects the position of pressure distribution images of a walking or running user on the treadmill and thus their time-dependent changes in location, and an output side connected to the foot pressure evaluation unit processing unit, which from the time / location dependence of the pressure distribution images gait parameters Identification of the gear of the user generated.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the force evaluation unit and the foot pressure processing unit have a gear characterization stage for deriving a complex gear characteristic of the user, taking into account both the parameters or measurement curves determined in the foot pressure processing unit and the force evaluation unit is subordinate. As a result, the known statement possibilities of treadmill arrangements provided with force measuring plates can be significantly extended.

In a further embodiment, the treadmill assembly is provided with an image display device for projecting images onto the surface of the belt serving as a walking surface, the image display device being preceded by an image display control device responsive to control signals output from the actuation means on the or a handle. In connection with the image display device, if necessary, but also without such, can be provided with a user guidance unit for optical and / or acoustic output of display-accompanying instructions, in particular via earphones and / or as text overlays.

In a further embodiment, a feedback unit is provided, especially in the variant equipped with a foot force sensor system. This is to detect touches of the walking area by the user at locations where predetermined picture elements, particularly target touchdown points, are displayed, or at locations where no predetermined picture element is displayed, and to output a warning or strobe signal in response thereto , These last-mentioned embodiments also serve to expand the application possibilities of the treadmill arrangement, especially in the area of rehabilitation, and to increase user acceptance by allowing a more varied, more demanding and more interesting training.

The invention makes it possible to build Laufbandanordrungen for rehabilitation purposes with significantly lower overall length, which of course also has a positive effect on the cost price and space requirements, and thus on the effective operating costs of such an arrangement. According to special embodiments, the distance between the rollers is less than 1.2 m, in particular less than 1 m, or that the distance between the armrests and the rear roller is less than 0.6 m, in particular less than 0.4 m. Unlike conventional treadmill arrangements, the side parts of the treadmill frame which support the armrests can be placed in particular in the central or rear region of the treadmill.

Advantages and expediencies of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to FIGS. From these show:

1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the invention,

2 a schematic detail of a second embodiment of the invention,

3 a block diagram of a further embodiment,

4 a detailed view of another embodiment, the 5 and 6 perspective views of connected side member constructions according to further embodiments, and

7A to 7C perspective views of further connected side member constructions according to embodiments of the invention.

1 shows a treadmill training system 1 which has one over two rollers 2a running treadmill 2 B includes, under its upper, by the user as a tread 2c used surface a spatially high-resolution pressure sensing plate 3 is provided with a plurality of (not individually designated) arranged in a matrix pressure sensors for detecting pressure sensing images generated by the user when appearing on the treadmill. The one of the two rollers 2a is powered and pulls the tape 2 B at a predetermined speed, via a processing and control unit 4 the arrangement and a speed controller 5 is set.

Furthermore, (which is shown only symbolically in the figure) via a suitable tilt actuator 6 , which also interferes with the processing and control unit 4 can receive an inclination of the entire treadmill adjusted as needed or optionally just his front part to be erected something. In practice, the tilt adjustment of the treadmill can be realized, for example, by a hydraulic lifting the front part or other actuators on the front roller or under the tread. With a plurality of actuators can also create unevenness of the tread, which may be desirable for certain training tasks.

At the in 1 In the embodiment shown, signals characterizing the set speed value of the treadmill reach the speed controller 5 back to the processing and control unit 4 and serve to synchronize a pictorial representation on the tread 2c by means of a projector (laser beamer) 7 which is generated from pre-stored picture elements and / or picture sequences.

The pictorial representation is controlled on the basis of the speed signals such that - in particular in connection with a special embodiment described below - the user an overall harmonious simulation of a running environment, advantageously associated with the insertion of markings to be taken with the feet and / or with the simulation of obstacles to be overcome or avoided. Notwithstanding the illustration in the figure, the actual speed of the treadmill can also be detected via a suitable sensor system (not shown) and the measured value of the processing and control unit 4 for the purpose of (to a certain extent fed back) flow control of the image representation and synchronized evaluation of the pressure distribution pattern are supplied.

In the figure is shown that the projector 7 on a wall bracket 7a is angularly fixed, so that the projection direction with the plane of the treadmill includes a variable angle. To avoid distortion of the processing and control unit 4 To avoid provided images or picture elements by the acute projection angle is the projector 7 an image signal equalizer 7b upstream. This may vary depending on the actual angular position of the projector 7 in the holder 7a work, but that is not shown in the figure for reasons of clarity. Incidentally, to complete the user interface (here symbolized as a loudspeaker) audio level 8th provided that the trainee can receive additional acoustic training instructions. The audio level 8th For example, the headset may also be bidirectional, so that the exerciser may also provide audible feedback (such as confirmation of received instructions or answers to questions asked).

To carry out training tasks on the treadmill system, it may be of interest to detect the height of the feet lifting off the belt, eg. B. when the subject should exceed a virtual obstacle. Therefore, in a further embodiment, the subject in each case has a sensor 9 attached to the feet, whose signals can be detected by means of a known per se (not shown here) position detection sensor to give inferences about the position or the height of the feet. The sensors preferably operate synchronously with the sensors of the pressure distribution matrix. An exact time synchronization can be established if necessary via an infrared or radio signal or via a detection of the time of occurrence.

The sensors 9 can be designed as single or multi-axis acceleration sensors and are possibly via radio with the evaluation computer 4 connected. From the acceleration signals, the position of the feet can be calculated, especially if in addition the time and location dependence of the pressure distribution pattern can be included in the calculation. In extended arrangements, inertial sensor systems may be used which additionally employ gyroscopes or sensors for detecting the earth's magnetic field become. Of course, such sensors can also be attached to other parts of the body so that the movement of the complete lower extremities or of the whole body can be measured and displayed. The sensors 9 However, they can also work according to other measurement principles, for example on the basis of active or passive light markers recorded by stationary cameras, magnetic field sensors or sensors which emit ultrasonic waves to stationary receivers or receive from there and determine the position of the feet from the duration of the sound. A current position determination of the feet of the treadmill user and especially a determination of the touchdown on the tape can in principle also be done by means of a conventional (3D) digital camera or a 2D camera.

The pressure sensors of the pressure sensing plate can either have an analogue or - in a simplified and cheaper version - a digital response characteristic (off / on characteristic). Both variants are valid for certain applications, and the choice of one of the variants will be made by the system designer according to the primary application requirements. In a simplified embodiment of the arrangement, a "coarser" foot force detection can be provided by a few mutually offensive force sensors under the belt or on the axes of the rollers instead of a pressure sensing plate with a plurality of matrix-shaped sensors. Due to the measured values obtained with such individual force sensors, in addition to magnitude values with interpolation algorithms it is also possible to determine, to a certain extent, a position dependency of the foot force introduced by the user. In the following as well as in the claims, the term "foot force sensor system" should also be understood as meaning such a simplified configuration.

A frame 10 the treadmill arrangement 1 in which the rollers 2a of the treadmill, has vertically upstanding side panels 10a in which on both sides of the band in each case an armrest 11 with handle 11a is attached, what the user is supported in a rehabilitation use of the treadmill assembly and holds. The armrests 11 are formed like a crutch, so in particular may have a (not separately designated) U-shaped end piece, which supports the upper arm of the user above the elbow. A swivel 11b is intended for the angle adjustment of the armrest and thus to adapt to different user anatomies and other conditions in the user. The armrest 11 is also in the side panel 10a height-adjustable and lockable in different heights.

In the armrests 11 is each a multi-axis force sensor 12 integrated, which is explained in more detail below, for example. Output signals of this force sensor, with which the user initiated support or holding forces can be detected spatially dependent, get, as well as the signals of the pressure sensing plate 3 and the speed controller 5 , to the evaluation calculator 4 in order to be processed there combined with the signals of the other sensors in a manner not of interest here.

In the 1 Sketch-like illustrated treadmill arrangement is effectively a high-end configuration, from which various components and functions can be omitted without departing from the inventive concept. Thus, the invention is also advantageously possible with a treadmill arrangement without pressure-sensing plate and / or without tilt adjustment of the treadmill and / or without optical and acoustic user guidance and thus without the corresponding evaluation and processing components. It is also not necessary for the embodiment of the invention that the force sensor for detecting the support and holding forces of the user is connected to a complex evaluation electronics; see above.

2 shows a modification of the in 1 illustrated and described above arrangement. Insofar as the same components are used as in that arrangement, they are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG 1 and will not be explained again.

In modification of the 1 shown armrest configuration described above is in the side panels 10a the treadmill arrangement 1' a seat 11 ' supported. At the seat 11 ' is a modified handle 11a ' provided, an operating lever 11b ' for actively controlling treadmill parameters or functions, such as deliberately slowing down or accelerating, or causing the tape to be skewed by the user. The output signals of both the force sensor 12 as well as the additional operating lever 11b ' in turn get to the evaluation computer 4 , It should be noted that in this embodiment, the handle with operating lever is merely optional; Accordingly, the control of treadmill parameters or functions can be omitted in this embodiment.

With the force sensor 12 Here again, in the lower part of the treadmill frame 10 is integrated, force components acting on the seat due to reactions of the user are detected, in particular a tilting forward or backward. Depending on the type used the sensor and the downstream evaluation this detection is used, for example, to control safety functions, such as a speed reduction or emergency shutdown of the treadmill.

3 shows in a schematic cutout view in the manner of a functional block diagram essential components or aspects of the evaluation and control component of another embodiment of the treadmill assembly. This is partly due to in 1 and 2 shown and discussed above in principle components and functions reference.

As force sensor 12 For example, a commercially available multi-axis force sensor can be used which is connected with its force-receiving surface to parts of an armrest (not shown here) in such a way that the support or holding force initiated by the user is introduced into the sensor in the direction and amount. On the output side is the force sensor 12 with a holding power preprocessing stage 41 connected, at the output of fault-free holding force components Fx, Fy and Fz are issued. Subsequently, this preprocessed signal passes through a synchronization stage 42 to a gear characteristic evaluation stage 43 , This represents one due to the measurement signals of the force sensor 12 determined gear characteristic of the user or essential parameters of such on an evaluation computer 13 the doctor or physiotherapist available.

On the other hand, the pre-processing stage 41 with a holding force comparison unit 43 connected, in which the spatially and temporally resolved detected supporting or holding force is continuously compared with comparative data or comparative patterns, in a comparison value memory 44 are stored. The comparative data / patterns represent supporting forces which, in typical situations of use, introduce users to the armrest or the associated grab handle, in particular in the case of a risk of a fall. The comparison process may in particular have a threshold characteristic, and as a result, at the output of the comparator unit 43 a first input signal of the processing and control unit 4 the treadmill arrangement provided, the output signal here to the speed controller 5 arrives.

Depending on the direction in which the user initiates a force in the armrest or the handle, as well as depending on their amount can thus speed changes of the treadmill, if necessary, to shutdown (standstill) are controlled. It can also be prevented that the tape starts, as long as it is not ensured that the user is supported or secured over the retaining elements. This control sequence is largely independent of the will of the user and takes into account mainly its movement using the armrest or handles. In the embodiment shown also enters from the operating lever 11b ' outgoing signal to the processing and control unit 4 and is processed there in addition to the force signal for obtaining a control signal for the treadmill operation. As mentioned above, however, the additional operating lever and the signal emanating from it are only optionally provided.

4 indicates, in one 1 ajar cutout, an implementation of the force sensor according to an embodiment of the invention. The mechanical design of the treadmill assembly 1 corresponds to the in 1 shown and explained above and will therefore not be described again here.

The force sensor 12 here includes a special holder of the side part 10a the armrest 11 placing one perpendicular to the side panel 10a attached side member carrier 10b and two bearings each associated with its ends 10c includes. Camps 10c are clamp-like and each enclosing two force sensors 12a . 12b of which the first above and the second below the side member carrier 10b is arranged.

So it's every end of the side panel wearer 10b each associated with two force sensors, the at least on upward and downward components of a user by the user in the armrest 11 addressed registered support or holding force. By suitable signal processing of the signals of the four force sensors, arm and hand movements of the user can be detected with sufficient accuracy in their temporal dependence in order to control safety functions of the treadmill. A particular advantage of this arrangement shown is that it (assuming appropriate sensors and evaluation) also allows the detection of forward and backward directed force components.

A modification of the embodiment shown comes with only one force sensor at each end of the side member carrier 10b from, where then on the opposite surface just a (for example, elastic) support member is provided without measuring function. As with the arrangement discussed above, the provision of the side member support and the placement of the force sensors at the ends thereof, due to the leverage effect, allows for a force measurement range for which simple and inexpensive force sensors are available.

The use of an elastomer is not limited to the bearings of the side member-carrier, but such may additionally or alternatively between force sensor and bearing, be provided in the side part or in various areas of the armrest to make the use of the arrangement comfortable and pleasant and / or to achieve a certain smoothing of the force measuring signals.

5 shows a connected side member construction, which is based on the construction 4 builds up so that partially with 4 matching or based on these reference numerals have been used and the parts described above are not explained again here. The left and right side panel C are here via a traverse 13 rigidly connected. A further stiffening of the entire side panel construction can be achieved by additional braces, of which purely by way of example on the right side panel a diagonal strut 10d is shown.

The brackets of the left and right armrests 10b thus form a total of a largely rigid body, in the example shown on two left and right side force sensors 12b is stored. With this side part construction and sensor arrangement, both the center of gravity of the arrangement in the state of use (ie depending on the position and posture of a user) can be determined as well as the left and right side load or unbalanced load on the front and rear force sensors. This can be used to draw or push forces that are introduced by the user in the armrests, and this in turn, as explained above in more general context) the movement behavior of the user - including the occurrence of risky situations - determine.

In one embodiment, the traverse can be constructed so that a certain elasticity z. B. is present in the axial direction of rotation, so that the force sensors 12b the left and right side are decoupled voneinender particular for forward and Rückshub the armrests.

At the in 5 Otherwise, the embodiment shown is at the upper free end of the side part 10a a sleeve 10e attached, in the laterally adjustable and lockable an elbow 11c the armrest 11 is guided. This angle piece lets you see the lateral position of the respective armrest 11 adjust, and by adjusting both armrests can be the distance to the needs of a specific user adapt. Alternatively, the sleeve 10e on the bracket 10a be rotated axially, which also the distance of the holder 10b or the armrests 11 can be changed.

6 shows another side part construction, which in turn on the in 5 constructed construction and their parts are largely denoted by the same reference numerals as there and have already been explained above. In addition, here is a frame 14 to protect the patient against fall or for alternative holding while walking. This frame 14 is preferably in the front region of the treadmill and so far also acts on the intended force sensor, as they have welded on vertical sleeve sections 10f with the side parts 10a is coupled slidably and lockable. The effect of a force on the horizontally extending frame cross member 14a and possibly on the additional bracing 14b therefore supplies a force signal to the force sensors 12b like when the user is at the crossbar 14a supports or conversely exerts a tensile force on them. As described above in another context, such a force effect can again be compared with a threshold and, for example, a stop of the associated treadmill can be effected when a threshold value is exceeded.

The holding frame 14 can be adjusted in height via sliding joints, but also with the bracket 10a be firmly connected.

A particular advantage of the arrangement after 6 results from the fact that on the in 5 Traverse shown 13 can also be dispensed with.

Instead of the front area of the treadmill, the frame 14 be arranged in the rear area, in which case additionally a folding mechanism must be provided for boarding on the tread.

The 7A to 7C show, largely building on 5 and 6 , Further variants of side member constructions of embodiments of the treadmill assembly according to the invention. In all variants, a frame connecting the two side parts above the treadmill or a connection bracket is similar to the frame 14 out 6 provided - but separately from the actual armrest side member construction.

While at 7A a separate headband construction 14 ' on continuous horizontal side panel support 10b attached and firmly connected to these is in the execution after 7C each side panel carrier divided. There are here a first side member carrier 10 .1b, which supports and supports the armrest construction, and a second side member support 10.2b provided that the headband 14 ' carries and stores. Each of the two side member carriers 10.1b . 10.2b is at the front and rear end each a force sensor 12b assigned. So hereby is a separate measurement of the armrests or forces acting on the headband allows. It can thus be analyzed directly here, which of the two holding means is used by the user and how high the respective forces there are or whether they are in a safety-critical area. In the execution according to 7B is the side panel carrier 10b Although continuous, but it is provided in the middle region in each case a third force sensor.

For all the last-mentioned constructions, it should be pointed out that a traverse connecting them below the treadmill can be dispensed with and thus the overall height of the treadmill arrangement in the lower region can be reduced. Furthermore, it should be noted that the armrests / handles are adjustable in height ago, which allows older people to walk similar to a walker and thus improves the possibilities of use of the treadmill arrangement. The longitudinal members with the force sensors are preferably installed in side parts of the treadmill left and right next to the running belt and covered with a cover. The upwardly projecting structural parts may be sealed by elastic sealing rings against such a cover, whereby the ingress of dirt or moisture can be prevented.

The embodiment of the invention is not limited to these examples, but also in a variety of modifications possible, which are within the scope of professional action.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4027317 C1 [0003]
• US 6010465 A [0003]
• DE 102010004504 [0004]
• WO 2014/009046 A2 [0004]

Claims (23)

Treadmill assembly, with a treadmill frame and an over-running in the treadmill frame rollers and driven by a drive endless belt, one surface of which serves as walking or running surface, being mounted on rising side panels or a front part of the treadmill frame on both sides of the band armrests with handles or a seat and wherein each of the armrests or the seat is associated with a force sensor for registering the supporting and / or holding force or seat force applied by a user in using the treadmill assembly in each armrest to obtain a control signal for the drive. Treadmill assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one component of the force sensor of the armrest or the seat is assigned such that on these acting force components are detected, which act counter to the running direction of the treadmill. Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one component of the force sensor is arranged in the handle. Treadmill assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one component of the force sensor is designed as an additional control handle or lever in spatial association with each handle. Treadmill arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the component of the force sensor is associated with a extending into the plane of the treadmill extension or support of the armrest or the seat, which is mounted in particular resiliently or elastically. Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force sensor is designed as a multi-axis sensor for the spatial direction-dependent detection of supporting and / or holding forces of the user. Treadmill assembly according to claim 6, wherein the multi-axis force sensor is formed at least to distinguish in or against the treadmill direction of movement or from downward or upward supporting and / or holding forces, preferably for distinguishing the direction of action of both supporting or holding force components. Treadmill assembly according to claim 7, wherein the multi-axis force sensor is also designed to distinguish from left or right acting supporting and / or holding forces. Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force sensor is associated with an output-side force evaluation device for numerical evaluation processing of the introduced supporting and / or holding force or force acting on the seat. Treadmill arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the force sensor has a switching element with threshold characteristic for outputting a switching signal when exceeding a preset force threshold value. Treadmill arrangement according to claims 5 and 10, wherein the resilient or elastic bearing is designed such that the switching element is switched when exceeding a predetermined spring force. Treadmill assembly according to one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the extension or support of the armrest or the seat, in particular a horizontally disposed in use end portion thereof, a plurality, in particular two to four, force sensors are assigned to distinguish between forward and backward acting force components , Treadmill assembly according to claim 12, wherein the left and right side extensions or brackets of the armrest or the seat by means of a crossbar or a bracket are rigidly interconnected, such that with the force sensors also resulting from left-sided and right-handed forces resulting force-determined is. A treadmill assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force sensor is combined with actuating means for outputting a control signal in response to a detected force action direction and optionally an amount of force, and the actuation means controls a parameter or function of the treadmill assembly such that the tape speed reduces the tape stopped or the tape movement is not started. Treadmill assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the armrests each have a lockable rotary or sliding joint for adjusting the width and the distance of the armrests to each other. Treadmill assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the armrests are removable from the side parts of the treadmill rack and / or mounted adjustably in these. Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transverse to the treadmill extending, in particular height-adjustable, holding frame is provided, which is optionally designed so that it connects the left and right armrest with each other. Treadmill assembly according to claim 17, wherein the holding frame is rigidly connected to the left and right armrest, such that acting on the support frame forces can be detected by the armrests associated force sensor. Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, with a foot pressure sensor, which in particular has a plurality of pressure sensors arranged in matrix form, for determining a foot pressure distribution on the treadmill or a measuring plate located below it, a foot pressure evaluation unit connected to the foot pressure sensor on the input side Position of pressure distribution images of a walking or running user on the treadmill and thus detects their time-dependent location changes, and an output side connected to the foot pressure evaluation unit processing unit which generates from the time / location dependence of the pressure distribution images gait parameters to identify the gait of the user. Treadmill assembly according to claim 19, wherein the force evaluation device and the foot pressure processing unit is followed by a gear characterization stage for deriving a complex gait characteristic of the user taking into account both the parameters or measurement curves determined in the foot pressure processing unit and the force evaluation unit , Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, with a user guidance unit for the optical and / or acoustic output of display-accompanying instructions, in particular via earphones or speakers and / or as text overlays by an image display device. Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the rollers is less than 1.2 m, in particular less than 1 m. Treadmill arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the armrests and the rear roller is less than 0.6 m, in particular less than 0.4 m.

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