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
  • 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
• • 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
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/22—Resisting devices with rotary bodies
  • A63B21/225—Resisting devices with rotary bodies with flywheels
• • 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
  • A63B22/0015—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
  • A63B22/0023—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with an adjustable movement path of the support elements the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
  • A63B2225/09—Adjustable dimensions
  • A63B2225/093—Height

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a motorized treadmill, and more specifically to a motorized treadmill having various advantageous features such as a unique flywheel assembly that both improves the rotational motion of the treadmill belt and also reduces the load on the motor; a unique elevation system that is more reliable, and provides superior stability and lifting power; an automatic dampening system that automatically dampens the impact of a user's step on the treadmill deck for users in all weight ranges; and retractable handrails.
• motorized treadmills have become increasingly popular for fitness as well as for various therapeutic purposes.
• an endless belt travels around two parallel and spaced apart cylindrical rollers, with at least one roller being directly driven by the motor.
• a support deck located beneath the endless belt supports the belt and the user when the treadmill is in operation.
• known treadmills have either no support bars, or more typically, have rigid support bars or handrails positioned on either side of the belt to provide a balancing aid for the user.
• An additional feature of many treadmills today is an elevation system that enables the user to increase the incline of the treadmill, thereby increasing the exercise difficulty level.
• the motor that drives the treadmill typically has a flywheel mounted on the motor shaft for improving the rotational motion of the belt.
• the motor In addition to the overhang load, the motor also experiences significant unidirectional loading from driving the treadmill rollers. Since the life of a motor is related to the loads imposed on it, the need exists for a motorized treadmill in which these loads ' are substantially reduced. Further, it would be desirable to provide a treadmill having a flywheel assembly that further improves the fluid rotational motion of the belt.
• many treadmills also include an elevation system.
• One existing type of elevation systems consists of a single motor and gear unit, such as a single motor mounted in the front center region of the treadmill that drives a linear actuator to lift up the front end of the treadmill.
• Such a system is typically mounted on the treadmill at only two points, one on either side of the motor and gear unit, and therefore tends to wobble under use.
• the single motor and gear unit provides only a limited lifting force.
• Another typical elevation system consists of a motor mounted in the front center region of the treadmill that simultaneously drives two linear actuators that are mounted in the front right and front left corner regions of the treadmill.
• a suspended deck is a widely used dampening system. Dampening mechanisms thus far, however, have been unable to provide a dampening system that will account for the vast differences in weight of treadmill users. This aspect is particularly important for treadmills that are used by the general public, such as those in fitness clubs. For example, many types of suspended decks will comfortably dampen the stepping force of a 180 or 200 pound person, but will not provide sufficient dampening for a 100 or 110 pound person. Therefore, a need exists to provide an improved dampening system that is simple in construction, and that will automatically provide dampening for users in all weight ranges.
• most treadmills include rigidly attached handrails mounted on either side of the belt to assist in balancing the user. These devices are particularly useful for beginners, older users, users with disabilities, or simply users who prefer to have a balancing aid readily available. Many users, however, are experienced and do not use these handrails, and many would prefer to simultaneously exercise their arms, e.g., by using free weights or the like. The latter is difficult with treadmills having rigidly attached handrails, since they cannot easily be moved out of the way. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a treadmill that includes retractable handrails that are available to those who desire to use them, and that are readily retractable for those who do not. Summary of the Invention
• an improved treadmill in accordance with the present invention, includes an external frame having first and second longitudinal side rails and at least one frame cross-bar extending therebetween, and an upright frame section that extends upwardly from a first end of the longitudinal side rails.
• First and second rollers are rotatably mounted to the external frame and positioned so as to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal side rails. The first roller is coincident with a first axis.
• a deck is mounted on the external frame and positioned between the first and second rollers and the longitudinal side rails.
• An endless belt is mounted around and extends between the first and second rollers for rotation therewith, passing over the deck.
• a motor assembly including a motor, and a motor shaft that is coincident with a second axis and is rotatably driven by the motor, is rotatably coupled to the first roller for rotatably driving the first roller.
• the treadmill also includes a flywheel assembly that is mounted on the external frame, and includes a flywheel fixedly mounted on a flywheel shaft that is coincident with a third axis. The flywheel assembly is coupled to and rotatably driven by the motor assembly.
• a treadmill according to the present invention may also include first and second retractable handrails that are pivotally mounted on first and second upright support members that form part of the upright frame section.
• the retractable handrails are movable between an extended position in which they may provide balancing assistance to a user of the treadmill and a retracted position.
• the treadmill may also include an elevation system for adjusting the incline of the treadmill relative to the surface on which the treadmill rests.
• the elevation system includes a support assembly that is pivotally mounted to the external frame, and a lift assembly that is coupled to the support assembly and the external frame at six points.
• the treadmill may also include first and second autodampening pads for dampening the force exerted on the deck of the treadmill by a user in any weight range.
• the deck is secured to the external frame at each of its four corners, and the autodampening pads are fixedly mounted on the external frame and positioned below a first and second longitudinal side of the deck.
• FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a treadmill according to the present invention.
• FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external frame of the treadmill and selected elements of the elevation system
• FIGURE 3 A is a cross-sectional view of selected portions of the treadmill belt, roller assembly and deck;
• FIGURE 3B illustrates an autodampening pad
• FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the motor assembly, the flywheel assembly, and selected other components that are mounted at the front end of the treadmill;
• FIGURE 5 is a top view illustrating the interconnection between the motor assembly, the front roller and the flywheel assembly;
• FIGURE 6 illustrates the treadmill handrail in its extended position
• FIGURE 7 is a front view of the elevation system according to the present invention.
• Fig. 1 illustrates a motorized treadmill 1 having an endless belt 2, an external frame 3 that provides structural stability for the treadmill, a display panel 4 that displays information regarding the exercise cycle such as speed or difficulty level, retractable handrails
• a protective cover 6 that encases and protects the motor assembly, flywheel assembly, elevation system and various other element such as electronic circuitry and wiring.
• the external frame 3 comprises various elements, as shown in Fig. 2.
• Longitudinal side rails 200 extend longitudinally along the sides of the treadmill, and are rigidly connected together by front frame cross-bar 201.
• a rear bar 202 may extend between the longitudinal side rails 200, and may also serve as an axle for rear wheels 203. Additional crossbars may also be provided at selected locations along the length of the longitudinal side rails 200.
• Deck mounts 217 and autodampening pad mounts 218 are either secured to or are extensions of the longitudinal side rails 200, and provide a mounting surface for the deck and autodampening pads respectively, as will be described below.
• External frame 3 also includes an upright frame section 220 having two upright support members 204 that extend upwardly from the longitudinal side rails 200 at a front end 205 of the treadmill. These upright support members 204 are rigidly joined together by a lower lateral member 206, and by upper lateral members 207. Although three upper lateral members are shown in Fig. 2, either a greater number or a lesser number of upper lateral members could also be used. Further, the elements of the upright frame section could also be integrally joined rather than rigidly secured to one another.
• the external frame 3 further includes a support plate 420 (Fig. 4) that provides a mounting surface for securing various elements (described below) to the external frame.
• FIG.2 Also shown in Fig.2 are support arms 209 and support cross-bar 210 that are part of the elevation system. Protruding from lower lateral member 206 are lifting assembly supports 208 that provide the point of attachment for various other elements of the lifting assembly that will be described in further detail below with reference to Fig. 7.
• the endless belt 2 of the treadmill 1 is mounted around and extends between a front roller 301 positioned toward the front end 205 of the treadmill, and a rear roller 302 positioned toward the rear end 225 of the treadmill.
• Front roller 301 and rear roller 302 are substantially parallel and spaced apart, and are rotatably mounted on and positioned between longitudinal side rails 200.
• the endless belt 2 is rotatable with front roller 301 and rear roller 302.
• Also mounted on the external frame 3 between the front roller 301 and rear roller 302 is a support deck 303 made of wood or other suitable material.
• This support deck is attached by bolts 304, or otherwise securely fixed, to deck mounts 217 at each of its four corners, and is also supported by two autodampening pads 305 that are secured to autodampening pad mounts 218 and positioned on opposite sides of the support deck approximately mid-way along the length L of the support deck.
• the deck mounts 217 and autodampening pad mounts 218 can be either separate elements that are secured to the longitudinal side rails 200, or integral with the longitudinal side rails.
• Positioned between the front roller 301 and the front frame cross-bar 201 are the motor assembly 401 , the flywheel assembly 402, the elevation system 403, and various electronic circuitry and wires 404, as is shown in Fig. 4.
• a support plate 420 provides a mounting surface for various elements that are located under the protective cover 6, such as the motor assembly.
• the motor assembly 401 comprises a motor 405, and a motor shaft 406 having a first enlarged portion 407 and a second enlarged portion 408.
• the first and second enlarged portions 407, 408 may be integrally joined to the motor shaft 406, or may consist of separate disk-shaped elements that are fixedly mounted on the motor shaft.
• the front roller 301 also includes an enlarged portion 409, or a disk-shaped element mounted thereon, that extends beyond the endless belt 2.
• Any motor having sufficient power to drive the endless belt and rollers, and having an adequate life may be used.
• One such motor is a two horsepower motor rated at 3400 revolutions per minute, and manufactured by Baldor Electric Co. of Fort Smith,
• Motor assembly 401 is rotatably coupled to the front roller 301 by a first endless pulley belt 501 that is mounted around and extends between the enlarged portion 409 of the front roller 301 and the first enlarged portion 407 of the motor shaft 406.
• the first endless pulley belt 501 is tightly fitted so that when the motor causes the motor shaft to rotate it will also rotatably drive the front roller.
• the first roller 301 is coincident with a first axis A
• the motor shaft 406 of motor assembly 401 is coincident with a second axis B.
• the flywheel assembly 402 is also rotatably coupled to the motor assembly 401.
• the flywheel assembly consists of a flywheel 501 that is fixedly mounted on a separate flywheel shaft 502 that is coincident with a third axis C. Flywheel 501, however, could also be formed as an integral part of flywheel shaft 502, such as an enlarged portion of the shaft.
• flywheel 501 is made of steel or cast iron, weighs approximately 30 lbs, and is positioned between two pillow block bearings 503. These pillow block bearings preferably are lined with rubber so as to dampen vibrations of the flywheel assembly.
• a fan 504 is mounted at one end of the flywheel shaft 502.
• the fan 504 provides convection cooling for the electronic circuitry 404 that is mounted under the protective cover 6 of the treadmill.
• the flywheel assembly is rotatably coupled to the motor through a second endless pulley belt 505 that is mounted around and extends between the second enlarged portion 408 of motor shaft 406, and an enlarged portion 506 of flywheel shaft 502.
• Enlarged portion 506 may also be a separate disk-shaped element that is mounted on flywheel shaft 502.
• Enlarged portion 506 may also be a variable speed pulley, to allow for "on the fly” ratio changes. Because the flywheel assembly is uniquely mounted on a shaft that is separate and apart from both the motor shaft 406 and the front roller 301, significant advantages are achieved.
• the flywheel can rotate at a faster rate simply by changing the relative diameters of the enlarged portion 506 of the flywheel shaft and the second enlarged portion 408 of the motor shaft in a manner analogous to changing the gear ratio in a gear assembly.
• the flywheel creates additional inertial forces that counteract the tendency of the motor to slow down during each footstep of the user, thereby further improving the fluid motion of the belt.
• the flywheel 501 is driven at from 1.5 to 5 times the rotational speed of the motor. Even when driven at the same or a slower speed, however, because the flywheel is mounted on a shaft other than the motor shaft, the flywheel will nevertheless function to reduce the load on the motor as described below.
• a variable speed pulley could allow for the ratio to change as the motor speed changes.
• Another advantageous feature of the flywheel assembly of the present invention is that it substantially reduces the load imposed on the motor via the motor shaft since the flywheel is mounted on a separate shaft. Under normal operation, when the motor is driving the front roller 301 and endless belt 2, a significant unidirectional load is imposed on the motor shaft 406. The direction of this load is illustrated by F R in Fig. 5. This load is transferred to the motor bearings, and the greater the amount of the load, the shorter the life of the bearings. Further, a flywheel that is mounted directly on the motor shaft creates an additional overhang load on the motor shaft and the motor bearings.
• the flywheel shaft 502 is preferably mounted parallel to both the motor shaft 406 and the front roller 301, but on the opposite side of the motor from the front roller 301. In this manner, the flywheel assembly 402 also creates a unidirectional load on the motor shaft 406, as is shown by F F in Fig. 5. The direction of this force, however, is opposite to that of the load imposed by the roller and belt (F R ), causing the opposite forces to substantially cancel each other out, and essentially neutralizing the load on the motor.
• flywheel shaft 502 is parallel to and opposite from the front roller 301 , it may also be positioned so that it is either non-parallel or not entirely opposite from the front roller 301. Although these configurations do not counteract the load imposed on the motor by the front roller and belt in the most effective manner, they will nevertheless reduce the load.
• the treadmill 1 also includes various other unique features, such as retractable handrails, and an automatic dampening system that automatically adjusts to dampen the impact of a user's footstep on the deck of the treadmill for all users regardless of their weight.
• the retractable handrails 5 of treadmill 1 are shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Each handrail 5 is pivotally mounted to a respective upright support member 204 of the upright frame section 220. A pin 16 and a retainer 17 (Fig. 1) are used to pivotally mount the retractable handrails on the upright support members 204, but any other suitable means could be used as well.
• the retractable handrails 5 each include a connecting portion 60 that is pivotally connected to the upright support member 204, and a support portion 61 that serves to provide support for the user when in the extended position. In the extended position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the retractable handrails extend so that the support portion 61 is substantially parallel to and substantially positioned above the longitudinal side rails 200.
• the retractable handrails 5 are movable between this extended position, and a retracted position in which they are not positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal side rails 200.
• the retractable handrails in the retracted position are positioned against the upright support members 204.
• the retractable nature of the handrails enables them to be moved out of the way so that they are no longer positioned on either side of the user. The user is then able to use the free space to simultaneously exercise the arms, such as by using dumbbells or the like, or for any other purpose.
• Other retracted positions, such as lowering rather than raising the handrails, are also possible so long as they are retracted out of the way of the user.
• the deck 303 of the treadmill 1 is rigidly attached by bolts 304 or the like to the deckmounts 217 at each of its four corners.
• the deck 303 positioned under either longitudinal side of the deck 303 approximately midway along the length L of the deck are two autodampening pads 305.
• the deck 303 simply rests on and is partially supported by the autodampening pads 305.
• the undersides of the autodampening pads 305 are securely attached to the autodampening pad mounts 218.
• the autodampening pads 305 include a first pad member 310 and a second pad member 311.
• the first pad member 310 is cylindrical in shape, and has a cylindrical hole 312 therethrough.
• the second pad member 311 is also cylindrical in shape, and is of such a diameter that it fits snugly within the cylindrical hole 312 in the first pad member 310.
• the second pad member 311 has a length 1 2 that is greater than the length 1 ⁇ of the first pad member 310 so that it protrudes beyond the top surface 313 of the first pad member.
• the first pad member is preferably made of a high density compressible material, such as 30 lb. compression rubber
• the second pad member is preferably made of a lower density compressible material, such as 10 lb. compression rubber.
• the difference in length of the first pad member in this embodiment and the second pad member is approximately 0.25 inches. Because the second pad member 311 both consists of a lower density material and protrudes beyond the upper surface of the first pad member, it will provide initial dampening against any forces exerted on the treadmill deck 303. For a lightweight user, the lower density material of the second pad member provides sufficient dampening. For a heavy user, however, the lower density inner pad member 311 is insufficient.
• the second pad member 311 will become compressed under the force of a heavy user, and the surrounding first pad member 310 will eventually begin to bear some of the load.
• the first member is a higher density material, it provides the additional dampening necessary for heavier users.
• the combination of a lower density material and a higher density material and the differences in the length between the first and second pad members ensures that both a light weight user and a heavier user will experience sufficient dampening.
• Different configurations of the pad members, and different types of material may also be used, so long as the autodampening pads function according to the principles described above.
• the autodampening pads 305 also reduce the springback force experienced by the user.
• autodampening elements tend to dampen the impact of a user's footstep, but once the force is removed the autodampening elements tend to spring back quickly, exerting what is known as a springback force on the deck.
• the first pad member 310 tends to first exert a force radially inwardly against the second pad member 311, rather than upwardly against the deck 303. In this manner, the immediate upward springback force is substantially reduced.
• the elevation system 403 includes a support assembly 230 (Figs.
• the support assembly 230 shown in Fig. 2 includes two lifting arms 209 that are each pivotally mounted at one end to a respective one of the longitudinal side rails 200. Extending between and securely attached to the two support arms 209 is a support cross-bar 210. Wheels 211 or the like may also be attached to the support arms
• the lifting assembly includes a lift motor 700 that drives a linear actuator 701, and two gas lift cylinders 702.
• a bottom end 703 of the motor driven linear actuator 701, and a bottom end 704 of each of the gas lift cylinders 702 are pivotally connected to the support cross-bar 210 of the support assembly of the elevation system 403.
• An upper end 706 of the motor driven linear actuator and an upper end 707 of each of the gas lift cylinders are pivotally connected to the lifting assembly supports 208 of the lower lateral member 206 of the external frame 3.
• the upper ends 707 could, however, also be secured directly to the lower lateral member 206. Because the support cross-bar 210 is rigidly secured to the support arms 209, which in turn are pivotally mounted on the longitudinal side rails 200 (Fig.
• the gas lift cylinders 702 continuously exert a lifting force F L on the lower lateral member 206, urging the external frame 3 to an inclined position.
• the motor 700 and linear actuator 701 counteract the lifting force F L at all times.
• the motor 700 forces the linear actuator to either expand, thereby allowing the lifting force F L to raise the treadmill, or to contract against the lifting force F L to reduce the incline of the treadmill.
• This unique arrangement of the elevation system 403 provides several advantages. First, because the elevation system is secured to the treadmill 1 at six points it provides superior stability over prior two or four point systems. Second, by using a single motor driven linear actuator that is separate and independent of the lifting elements (the gas lift cylinders), an elevation system is provided that will not seize up if one of the lifting elements fails to function properly. Further, proper functioning does not depend on the synchronous operation of both lifting elements. Accordingly, the elevation system is more stable and more reliable.

Landscapes

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

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=21741071

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Citations (4)

• 2000
  • 2000-02-21 CA CA002401038A patent/CA2401038C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-02-21 EP EP00908734A patent/EP1257327A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events