EP0956884B1 - Federungssystem für ein Übungsgerät - Google Patents

Federungssystem für ein Übungsgerät Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0956884B1
EP0956884B1 EP98303615A EP98303615A EP0956884B1 EP 0956884 B1 EP0956884 B1 EP 0956884B1 EP 98303615 A EP98303615 A EP 98303615A EP 98303615 A EP98303615 A EP 98303615A EP 0956884 B1 EP0956884 B1 EP 0956884B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
deck
spring
frame
exercise treadmill
treadmill
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP98303615A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0956884A1 (de
Inventor
Steve Moore
Thomas Moran
Janine Whan-Tong
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Precor Inc
Original Assignee
Precor Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to CA002236774A priority Critical patent/CA2236774C/en
Application filed by Precor Inc filed Critical Precor Inc
Priority to JP14230898A priority patent/JP4065603B2/ja
Priority to EP98303615A priority patent/EP0956884B1/de
Priority to ES98303615T priority patent/ES2227774T3/es
Priority to DE1998625723 priority patent/DE69825723T2/de
Publication of EP0956884A1 publication Critical patent/EP0956884A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0956884B1 publication Critical patent/EP0956884B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A63B22/0207—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 having shock absorbing means
    • A63B22/0214—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 having shock absorbing means between the belt supporting deck and the frame
    • 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
    • A63B22/0207—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 having shock absorbing means
    • A63B22/0228—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 having shock absorbing means with variable resilience
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to exercise treadmills, and still more particularly to suspension systems for supporting the deck of the exercise treadmill above an underlying frame structure.
  • Exercise treadmills are widely used in spas, exercise clubs and also in individual residences to enable users to walk, jog or run indoors. This is especially useful during inclement weather and also at night or at other times when exercisers do not desire to run outdoors.
  • Most exercise treadmills include first and second roller assemblies that are transversely mounted at the ends of a frame. An endless belt is trained about the roller assemblies. The upper run of the belt is supported by an underlying deck positioned between the belt and the frame.
  • the forward end of the treadmill deck was supported by a conventional compression spring and separate shock absorber. Placement of the spring and shock absorber at the very front of the deck imposes considerable bending stress on the deck.
  • US Patents Nos. 5336144 and 5454772 disclose a deck supported above a frame by a plurality of cup-shaped elastomeric springs.
  • the elastomeric springs reversibly deform during downward deflection of the deck toward the frame.
  • the elastomeric springs have side walls of tapering thickness.
  • the resistance to the downward travel of the deck provided by the elastomeric springs is proportional to the degree of deflection of the deck toward the frame.
  • One drawback of this particular treadmill construction is that the elastomeric springs are fixed in place and individually define a rather small bearing area.
  • the invention provides:
  • the present invention therefore provides an exercise treadmill having a frame, first and second roller assemblies rotatably mounted on the frame, and an endless belt trained about the first and second roller assemblies.
  • the exercise treadmill also includes a deck disposed between the frame and the upper run of the belt.
  • a pivot connection pivotally connects the rearward end portion of the deck to the frame.
  • Elongate elastomeric spring members are disposed between the frame and the deck at a location intermediate the ends of the deck to support the deck spaced above the frame. The elastomeric springs reversibly deform to resist a deflection (downward movement) of the deck toward the frame when the exerciser strides on the endless belt.
  • the resistance provided by the elastomeric spring members is proportional to the extent of deflection of the deck.
  • the elastomeric spring members are mounted on the side rails of the frame and underlie marginal side portions of the deck.
  • the elastomeric springs include a base portion and a bulbous body portion extending upwardly from the base portion.
  • the body portion is domed or crowned at its top to define an outwardly convex shape.
  • the interior of the elastomeric spring between the base portion and the body portion is hollow or partially hollow. As a result, the body portion deflects downwardly under the force imposed on the deck by the exerciser.
  • the wall thickness of the body portion of the elastomeric spring is greater at the intersection of the body portion with the base of the elastomcric spring.
  • the wall thickness of the body portion decreases in the direction away from the base portion, reaching a minimum thickness at the top of the domed body portion.
  • the spring may be constructed so that its rate of deformation may be selectively altered.
  • a compressible insert is sized and shaped to be selectively insertable to a desired degree into the hollow body portion of the spring.
  • the insert may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the hollow body portion of the spring.
  • the spring may be tapered along its length.
  • the body portion of the spring may be adapted to receive a compressible fluid thereby serving as a bladder.
  • the compressible fluid may be composed of air, with the air being supplied to the bladder by an air pump.
  • a valve or other means may be provided for discharging the compressible fluid from the bladder.
  • the pivot connection at the rearward end of the deck includes a spindle mounted on the frame side member to engage with a hinge bracket mounted to the underside of the deck.
  • a treadmill 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a frame 12 on which is mounted a forward roller assembly 14 and a rearward roller assembly 16 are transversely mounted to the frame.
  • forward end refers to the direction in which the exerciser faces when using the treadmill.
  • An endless belt 18 is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies 14 and 16.
  • a deck 20 is positioned between the upper run of the belt 18 and the frame 12.
  • the rearward portion of the deck 20 is pivotally mounted to the frame by a pivot connection 24 to allow the rearward portion of the deck to pivot transversely to the frame about an axis extending relative to the length of the deck.
  • Elongate, deformable springs 26 are mounted on the frame to underlie side margins of the deck to support the deck in conjunction with the pivot connection 24.
  • the frame 12 includes a pair of longitudinal, formed side rails 30A and 30B that are disposed in laterally spaced apart, parallel relationship to each other by a rearward cross member 32, an intermediate cross member 34 and a forward cross member 36.
  • the cross members are formed from hollow metal extrusions so as to provide a high strength to weight ratio.
  • Brackets 38 are positioned on the frame side rails 30A and 30B to engage the ends of the roller assemblies 14 and 16; see FIGURES 2 and 3.
  • the frame 12 also includes a pair of planar mounting plates 40A and 40B that extend upwardly from a position between the intermediate and forward cross members 34 and 36 to support an upwardly extending post 40.
  • the post 40 extends upwardly and forwardly from the forward end of the frame 12 to support the transverse section 42 of railing 44.
  • the railing 44 extends rearwardly and slightly downwardly from transverse section 42 and thereafter extends primarily downwardly to terminate at lower ends that are secured to the frame by attachment brackets 46.
  • the railing is manually graspable by the exerciser during walking, jogging or running on the treadmill 10.
  • the post 40 also supports a display panel 41 that displays various information during use of the treadmill, including speed of the belt, duration of the exercise, calories being burned, the course being run by the exerciser, etc.
  • the display panel typically also includes various control knobs or buttons, for example, a start button, a speed control, an emergency shut off, etc.
  • the treadmill 10 further includes a motor 50 having a drive shaft 52 engaged by a drive belt 54 mounted on one end of forward roller assembly 14.
  • the motor 50 rotatably drives the forward roller assembly 14 thus causing movement of the treadmill belt 18 on which an exerciser strides during use of the treadmill 10.
  • the motor 50 is located within a formed housing cover 56 extending transversally across the forward end of the treadmill.
  • the side rails 30A and 30B are constructed as mirror images of each and thus the same part numbers will be used for the components of the side rails with the understanding that such part numbers refer to a corresponding components of the side rails.
  • the side rails 30A and 30B are composed of multi-cavity metal extrusions having an outward section 60 and an inward section 62 which share a common generally upright extending wall 64.
  • both the outward section 60 and the inward section 62 are constructed as closed box sections with the configuration of the outward section being somewhat more complicated than the inward section.
  • the outward section 60 includes a curved, outwardly convex, outer wall 66 extending downwardly from an upper lip 68 to a bottom horizontal wall 70. Between the upper lip 68 and the bottom wall 70, the outer wall defines an inwardly extending slot 72 having an entrance section 74 somewhat narrower than the height of the slot proper. Slot 72 is sized to slidably receive a corresponding shaped inward key portion (not shown) of bracket 46 which secures the lower ends of the railing 44 to the frame side rails.
  • the side rail inward section 62 includes a substantially horizontal upper wall 76, a substantially vertical inward wall 78 and a substantially horizontal bottom wall 80, which cooperate with common wall 64 to define a closed, substantially rectangular, box-like cross section.
  • the rear cross member 32 bears against the bottom of the bottom wall 80.
  • the lower edge of the intermediate cross member 34 is substantially flush with bottom wall 80
  • the upper surface of the forward cross member 36 is substantially flush with the top wall 76.
  • the brackets 38 used for mounting the forward and rearward roller assemblies 14 and 16 are positioned on the top wall 76, which top wall functions as a shoulder member.
  • the deck 20 is formed as a flat, rectangular, substantially rigid panel having smooth upper and lower surfaces.
  • Suitable materials for forming the deck 20 include plywood or other reinforced wood structures, reinforced thermal set plastic materials, metal and other substantially rigid materials, Ideally the stiffness of the deck as defined by its El (Modulus of Elasticity N/m 2 (lb/in 2 ) x Moment of Inertia m 4 (in 4 )) is from about 7,2 x 10 2 to 28,8 x 10 2 Nm 2 (0.5 x 10 6 and 2.0 x 10 6 lb.in 2 ).
  • Preferably at least the upper surface of the deck is coated with or imbedded with a low friction coating, for instance, a wax composition.
  • a formed trim strip 84 is mounted on each side margin of the deck 20 to protect the edge portions of the deck as well as to laterally constrain the belt 20.
  • the trim strip 84 includes a top section 86 overlapping the top side margins of the deck, a side section 88 bearing against the side edges of the deck and a lower shoulder 90 overlapping the bottom side edge of the deck.
  • the trim strip 84 is formed from an extruded metallic or plastic material.
  • pivot connection 24 includes two hinge assemblies, one at each side of the rearward portion of the deck, for mounting the deck rearward end portion to the frame side rail inward section 62 so as to pivot about a transverse axis 94.
  • each hinge assembly includes a mounting spindle 96 affixed to the inward surface of frame wall 78.
  • a flange bearing 98 is mounted on a reduced diameter shoulder formed in the distal portion of spindle 96, with the web portion of the flange bearing closely fitting within a circular opening formed in the lower section of the vertical leg 102 of hinge bracket 104.
  • the hinge bracket 104 includes an upper horizontal mounting plate portion 106 having clearance openings formed therein for receiving threaded fasteners that extend downwardly through the deck to engage hardware members 108 beneath plate 106.
  • a piano hinge could be mounted to the underside of the deck 20 and to a frame cross member, not shown.
  • the spring 26 is illustrated as being of a generally "d" cross-sectional shape.
  • the spring 26 includes a base portion 112 that lies on top of frame top wall 76, and a bulbous, upwardly projecting, crowned or domed body section 114 that extends upwardly from the base portion to bear against the underside of the side margins of deck 20, see also FIGURES 2 and 3.
  • the interior 116 of the spring 26 preferably is hollow or substantially hollow, to allow the downward deformation of the body section 114.
  • the body section 114 is not formed of a uniform wall thickness, rather the wall thickness decreases in the direction away from base portion 112, so that at the domed top of the body section 114 the wall thickness is approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the thickness of the body section at the intersection thereof with the base section 112.
  • the characteristics of spring 26 may also be altered by changing its cross-sectional dimensions. It is to be understood that the overall cross-sectional dimensions and size of the spring 26 may be increased to provide a stiffer spring or decreased to provide a less stiff spring. Also, the wall thickness at various positions about the cross section of the body section may be altered to change the characteristics of the spring.
  • the width of the spring is approximately 25,4 to 38,1 mm (1.0 to 1.5 inches) wide, and the thickness of the base portion 112 is approximately 5,08 to 10,16 mm (0.2 to 0.4 inches) thick.
  • the overall height of the spring is approximately 25,4 to 31,7 mm (1 to 1.25 inches) high.
  • the wall thickness of the body section at its intersection with the base may be from 7.62 to 10,16 mm (0.3 to 0.4 inches) thick, and decreasing in thickness to approximately 2,54 to 5,6 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) at the top of the body section. It is to be understood that the foregoing dimensions were illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and are not considered to be restrictive of the scope of the present invention.
  • the spring 26 is composed of an elastomeric material, such as a natural or synthetic rubber compound. It would be appreciated that the hardness of the rubber can be altered to thereby alter the spring rate and other characteristics of the spring 26.
  • the spring 26 may be formed in selective lengths depending on the level of resistance to downward deformation of the spring desired.
  • the spring 26 may be placed at a selected position along the length of the side rails 30A and 30B to achieve the desired the manner in which deck 26 reacts to impact loads imposed thereon by the exerciser. Ideally, the spring 26 is placed at the location along the side rails coinciding to where the exerciser's foot strikes the belt 18 above the deck 20.
  • the spring 26 is held in position by an elongate strap 120 that extends through a longitudinal slot formed in the base portion 112 of the spring.
  • the ends of the strap 120 extend beyond the ends of the elastomeric spring to provide mounting tabs having clearance holes formed therein for receiving a threaded fastener extending downwardly through the tab and into the interior of frame rail wall 76.
  • Other methods may be provided for securing the spring 26 to the frame rail.
  • the springs 26 may be selectively placed along the length of the frame rail to alter the energy absorbing and cushioning effects provided by the elastomeric spring. This may be accomplished by simply loosening the threaded fasteners 122 and re-engaging them within wall 76 at a different location along the frame rail.
  • the spring 26 ' is illustrated as mounted on the frame side rail, it could be instead mounted to the underside of deck 20, for instance, by engaging the threaded hardware member 122 upwardly into the underside of the deck 20.
  • Spring 26 may be adapted to slide along the frame rail. This may be accomplished, for instance, by configuring the upper wall 76' of the frame rail to define an upwardly open channel 130 for receiving the spring 26 ' shown in FIGURE 6.
  • the components of the present invention are numbered to correspond to like components in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGURES 1-5, but with the addition of the prime " ' " designation. Any convenient method may be used to retain the spring 26' stationary with channel 130 in the lengthwise direction.
  • the treadmill deck When the treadmill 10 of the present invention is in use, as the exerciser's foot lands on belt 18, the treadmill deck is deflected (moves) downwardly toward frame 12. This deflection is resisted by compression of the springs 26.
  • the springs 26 act to absorb the shock of the impact of the exerciser's feet. Because the treadmill deck is pivotally mounted at its rearward end and otherwise supported only by the springs, the treadmill deck 20 is free to move (pivot) up and down relative to the treadmill frame 20. Downward deflection of the deck 20 towards the frame 12 results in a reversible compression of the springs 26.
  • the top central section of the spring body section 114 initially deflects centrally downwardly due to this portion of the bulbous section being thinner than at the intersection of the spring base portion 112.
  • the springs 26 thus become increasingly "stiffer” with further compression, offering a degree of resistance to the downward movement of the deck 20 that increases in proportion to the extent of travel of the deck 20.
  • the body section 114 of the elastomeric spring is thinnest at the top of the body section.
  • the body section 114 deflects centrally downwardly rather than tending to deflect sideways as it deforms, which in turn would place a lateral load on the deck 20.
  • This tendency to deflect laterally or sideways is not present by virtue of constructing the body section 114 with an increasingly thinner wall section in a direction from base 112 to the top or crown of the bulbous section.
  • the treadmill 10 provides a suitable shock absorption for exercisers of varied weights. Individuals who are lighter in weight do not impart as great an impact force on the treadmill deck during foot fall. Nevertheless, the treadmill deck 20 deflects downward toward the treadmill frame because of the relatively "easy" initial compression of the springs 26 ' , thereby providing suitable shock absorption for lighter weight individuals. When individuals of greater weight use treadmill 10, greater impact loads are imparted to the treadmill deck 20, which loads are met with proportionally greater resistance by the springs 26 because of the proportionally greater downward deflection of the deck 20.
  • the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 pertains to a spring assembly 132 composed of a bulbous or hollow spring 26'' that may be constructed similarly to springs 26 and 26' described above.
  • the spring assembly 132 also includes an insert member 134 shaped and sized to be receivable within the hollow interior 116'' of spring 26''.
  • the exterior shape of insert 134 generally corresponds to the interior shape of the hollow interior 116'' of the spring 26''.
  • the insert 134 is of a length coinciding with the significant portion of the length of the hollow interior of the spring 26''. It will be appreciated that spring 26'' and insert 134 cooperatively form an assembly 132 to support the treadmill deck 20".
  • insert 134 is to alter the characteristics of spring assembly 132.
  • the insert 134 may be formed from material either similar to or dissimilar from the material of which spring 26'' is composed.
  • the insert 134 may be formed from material that is harder or softer, less or more elastic, etc. relative to the material of which spring 26 is composed.
  • the insert may be of solid, hollow or partially hollow construction depending on how stiff or flexible it is desired to construct the insert. The particular material composition and construction of insert 134 is selected to cooperate with spring 26'' to achieve the desired overall characteristics of spring assembly 132.
  • insert 134 may be selectively engaged within and disengaged from the exterior spring 26'' by an actuator system 136.
  • the actuator system 136 is illustrated as including a powered actuator 138 interconnected with the adjacent end wall 140 of the insert 134 through a connecting shaft 142.
  • Actuator 138 may be of various types, for instance, a linear push-pull actuator in the form of a fluid cylinder or a magnetic coil assembly.
  • the actuator 138 may be of a rotary type, for instance, powered by an electrical rotary motor.
  • connecting shaft 142 would be in the form of a lead screw to threadably engage end wall 140.
  • the actuator 136 may be remotely operated by the user through control buttons or other interface device located on display panel 41, see FIGURE 1.
  • the insert 134 may be tapered along its length to provide a variable gap 144 between the top of the insert 134 and the underside of the spring 26''.
  • the spring 26'' is deformable downwardly at a particular spring rate, which spring rate will increase when the top wall of spring 26'' collapses sufficiently to bear against the top of the insert 134.
  • the spring assembly 132 could initially provide a relatively low level of resistance to the downwardly movement of deck 20'' and then provide a relatively higher level of resistance to the further downward movement of the deck once spring 26'' has collapsed sufficiently to eliminate gap 144.
  • FIGURES 9-10 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 9-10 wherein a spring 26''' is in the form of a fluid bladder sized to be receivable within an upwardly open channel 130''' formed in upper wall 76''' of the frame rail. As shown in FIGURE 9, the bladder 26''' is adapted to bear against the underside of deck 20''' thereby to support the deck. Although the bladder is shown as having a generally oval cross-section, the bladder can be formed in other cross-sectional shapes, such as round, square or rectangular.
  • a compressible fluid e.g., air
  • a supply hose 150 connected to an inlet formed in the bladder 26'''.
  • an air compressor 154 may be employed as a supply source.
  • the compressible fluid may be expelled from the bladder 26''' through an outlet valve 156 in fluid flow communication with the bladder.
  • valve 156 may be connected in fluid flow communication with supply hose 150 or incorporated into the construction of compressor 154.
  • the "stiffness" of bladder 26''' will be depended on the pressure of the compressible fluid within the bladder, which may be remotely controlled by depressible buttons 158 and 160 located on display panel 41 "'.
  • springs 26, 26', 26'', 26''' in the elongated configuration as described above and as illustrated in the drawings, and by placing the spring between the frame and the deck, a substantial interface length or area is achieved between the spring and the deck thereby reducing or minimizing bearing or contact stresses, while at the same time requiring very little vertical height, which enables the springs to be readily and conveniently installed.
  • the construction of the springs of the present invention comprise very few components which facilitates their manufacture, assembly, installation, maintenance and reliability.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Trainings-Laufband (10) mit:
    (a) einem Rahmen (12);
    (b) einer ersten und einer zweiten Walzenanordnung (14, 16), die drehbar am Rahmen angebaut sind;
    (c) einem Endlosband (18), das um die erste und zweite Walzenanordnung geführt wird;
    (d) einem Laufdeck (20), das zwischen dem Rahmen und der oberen Lauffläche des Endlosbandes angeordnet ist, wobei das Laufdeck einen ersten Endabschnitt und einen zweiten Endabschnitt hat;
    (e) einer Drehverbindung (24), um den zweiten Abschnitt des Decks schwenkbar mit dem Rahmen zum Schwenken um eine Achse zu verbinden, die allgemein quer zur Länge des Laufdecks verläuft;
    (f) mindestens einer Langfeder (26), die zwischen dem Rahmen und dem Laufdeck an einer Stelle zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Endabschnitt des Laufdecks angeordnet ist, um die vom Trainierenden auf das Deck ausgeübten Lasten aufzunehmen, wobei die Feder so angeordnet ist, dass die Länge der Feder allgemein parallel zur Ebene des Laufdecks verläuft;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Feder in Längsrichtung des Laufdecks angeordnet ist.
  2. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Feder (26) der Bewegung des Laufdecks in Richtung des Rahmens unter den vom Trainierenden aufgebrachten Lasten einen Widerstand entgegensetzt, der proportional zum Ausmaß der Bewegung des Laufdecks zum Rahmen ist.
  3. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Feder (26) eine variable Federkonstante hat, wobei die Federkonstante mit der Biegung der Feder zunimmt.
  4. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem Federkonstante verstellbar ist.
  5. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem:
    die Feder (26) unter den vom Trainierenden aufgebrachten Lasten reversibel verformbar ist; und
    das Ausmaß der Verformung der Feder pro darauf durch das Laufdeck aufgebrachter Lasteinheit mit zunehmenden auf die Elastomer-Feder aufgebrachten Lasten abnimmt.
  6. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Feder (26) ein Elastomermaterial mit einem Bodenabschnitt (112) und einem sich vom Bodenabschnitt aus erstreckenden hohlen, konkaven, verformbaren Abschnitt (114) aufweist.
  7. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 6, bei dem der konkave verformbare Abschnitt (114) zumindest teilweise hohl ist; und
    das ferner einen kompressiblen Einsatz (134) aufweist, der so dimensioniert und geformt ist, dass er wahlweise in einem gewünschten Ausmaß in den hohlen konkaven Abschnitt eingeführt werden kann.
  8. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Feder aufweist: eine Blase (26'"), die so ausgeführt ist, dass sie ein kompressibles Fluid aufnehmen kann; ein Mittel (184) zur Förderung des kompressiblen Fluids zur Blase; und ein Mittel (156) zum Entfernen des kompressiblen Fluids aus der Blase.
  9. Trainings-Laufband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das Laufdeck (20) mit einem EI zwischen 7,2 x 102 und 28,8 x 102 Nm2 (0,5 x 106 - 2,0 x 106 lb.in.2) im Wesentlichen steif ist.
  10. Trainings-Laufband (10) nach Anspruch 1, ferner durch Mittel (134, 135) zur wahlweisen Änderung der Federkonstante gekennzeichnet.
EP98303615A 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 Federungssystem für ein Übungsgerät Expired - Lifetime EP0956884B1 (de)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002236774A CA2236774C (en) 1998-05-06 1998-05-06 Suspension system for exercise apparatus
JP14230898A JP4065603B2 (ja) 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 身体鍛錬装置のサスペンション装置
EP98303615A EP0956884B1 (de) 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 Federungssystem für ein Übungsgerät
ES98303615T ES2227774T3 (es) 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 Istema de suspension para un aparato de deporte.
DE1998625723 DE69825723T2 (de) 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 Federungssystem für Trainingsvorrichtungen

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002236774A CA2236774C (en) 1998-05-06 1998-05-06 Suspension system for exercise apparatus
JP14230898A JP4065603B2 (ja) 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 身体鍛錬装置のサスペンション装置
EP98303615A EP0956884B1 (de) 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 Federungssystem für ein Übungsgerät

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0956884A1 EP0956884A1 (de) 1999-11-17
EP0956884B1 true EP0956884B1 (de) 2004-08-18

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EP98303615A Expired - Lifetime EP0956884B1 (de) 1998-05-06 1998-05-08 Federungssystem für ein Übungsgerät

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EP (1) EP0956884B1 (de)
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CA (1) CA2236774C (de)
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CA2236774C (en) 2005-01-18
DE69825723D1 (de) 2004-09-23
JP4065603B2 (ja) 2008-03-26
CA2236774A1 (en) 1999-11-06
JPH11319144A (ja) 1999-11-24
DE69825723T2 (de) 2005-01-13
EP0956884A1 (de) 1999-11-17
ES2227774T3 (es) 2005-04-01

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