EP1586351A1

EP1586351A1 - Apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill

Info

Publication number: EP1586351A1
Application number: EP04008711A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Leao Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-13
Filing date: 2004-04-13
Publication date: 2005-10-19

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill. The apparatus includes a diverting apparatus, consisting of a conducting piece (33), a conductive strip (32) and a connection bolt (31). The diverting apparatus is mounted on the surface of a platform (27) without influencing the smooth rotation of the continuous belt (25) for carrying off the static electricity produced by friction within a walking area of the treadmill (20) by providing a direct grounding path through the connection of the other end of the conductive strip (32) to the ground.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill.

As well-known, molecule is the smallest physical unit of substance, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound. Each atom consists of a nucleus containing combinations of neutrons and protons and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus by electrical attraction. In the ordinary state, the number of the protons with positive electric charge corresponds to the number of the electrons with negative electric charge. Thus, the atom is normally of no electric charge through the balance of the positive and negative electric charges. However, electrons bound to the nucleus can be taken away from the ordinary track by an external force. If the electric charge is not evenly distributed, the electric charge will accumulate and the static electricity is built up as it is typical of an insulating material.

For a treadmill, static charge builds up when an operator runs on a continuous belt of the treadmill due to friction between the continuous belt and the components touching the moving belt. As a result, the operator might get an electric shock. In a serious case, it could cause an organic failure and endanger the life of the operator. In addition, the static electricity can be transmitted to mechanical or electrical components of the treadmill to increase their loading. This could affect the functionality of the treadmill.

In order to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, TW 92207032 discloses a configuration with a conductive board fixed on a base frame of a treadmill. This conductive board is constantly pressed against the continuous belt so that the static electricity produced by friction during rotational motion can be removed by the conductive board to the base frame. However, this structure still has following drawbacks:

1. The operator could kick the board and fall to the ground.

2. The friction increases due to the constant contact of the conductive board to the continuous belt. Therefore, the continuous belt is easily worn out and can even break.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for diverting static electric electricity away from a treadmill to protect the operator from injuries and the mechanical and electronic components from damages.

The object of the present invention is solved by an apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill according to claim 1.

Advantageously, the apparatus for diverting static electricity is easy to install and does not affect the performance of the exercise action.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention installed to a platform of a conventional treadmill; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention installed to the conventional treadmill.

A treadmill 20, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a platform 27 and a base frame 22. A plurality of cushioning elements 271 are interposed between the platform 27 and the base frame 22 for cushioning impacts. A continuous belt 25 is mounted around the platform 27, the cushioning elements 271 and a front and rear roller 26. In this way, a basic in-place walking area is formed.

The continuous belt 25 can be guided by two rollers 26 for performing non-electric continuous cyclic motion by operators. Alternatively, a motor 28 can be employed to drive a transmission belt 29 to impart rotational motion to the two rollers 26. Therefore, the walking belt 25 can be moved around the platform 27 for an electric operation.

The treadmill 20 further includes a handrail 21 extending upwardly from the base frame 22. A control console 24 is installed on the handrail 21. During the operation of the electric mode, the control console 24 can give out a signal to activate or deactivate the motor 28. Even, it is possible to adjust the rotational speed of the continuous belt 25.

As described above, the static electricity can be produced on the insulating material by friction. In fact, the action of friction is a process of contact and separation, causing the formation of unbalance of positive and negative electric charges. The friction is formed most on the contact surface of the platform 27 with the continuous belt 25. Thus, most of static electricity is stored there.

When an operator stands on the continuous belt 25 for a jogging exercise or the continuous belt 25 circles around the front and rear roller 26, a stationary electric charge will be produced by friction. Due to the continuous action of contact and separation between the continuous belt 25 and the platform 27, the stationary electric charges are unceasingly built up on the surface of the platform 27. According to the law that like chares repel each other and unlike charges attract each other, the operator can get an electric shock. In a serious case, it could cause an organic failure and endanger the life of the operator. In addition, the static electricity can be transmitted to mechanical or electrical components of the treadmill to increase their loading. Even, this could affect the functionality of the treadmill.

When the static electricity is stored to a certain extent, an electric discharge is created. A diverting apparatus 30 can be mounted on the surface of the platform 27 without influencing the rotational motion of the continuous belt 25. Due to a ground piece 23 beneath the base frame 22, the static electricity stored on the platform 27 can be carried off by the conductive strip 32 to provide a direct path to the ground.

The platform 27 includes a threaded hole 34 at one of four corners thereof on which a diverting apparatus 30 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 1. A connection bolt 31 passes through one end of a conductive strip 32 and a conducting piece 33 and is screwed to the threaded hole 34.

Moreover, the static electricity can be produced on the bottom surface of the platform 27. Therefore, the static electricity there can be diverted away from the platform 27 by another conductive piece and a nut (not shown).

Furthermore, the conducting piece 33 of the diverting apparatus 30 can be designed to have the same length as the length of the diagonal of the platform 27. Meanwhile, the conducting piece 33 is embedded or glued to the top and bottom surface of the platform 27. In this way, the effect in diverting static electricity away from a treadmill will be more significant.

Claims

An apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill (20) having a platform (27) with a threaded hole (34) and a base frame (12), a plurality of cushioning elements (271) being installed between the platform (27) and the base frame (271) for cushioning impacts, a continuous belt (25) being mounted around the platform (27), the cushioning elements (271) and a front and rear roller (26) such that a walking area is formed, the apparatus comprising:

a.) a conducting piece (33) mounted on the surface of the platform (27), the conducting piece (33) having a through hole in the middle thereof;

b.) a conductive strip (32) positioned above the conduct- ing piece (33), the ends of the conductive strip (32) each having a through hole; and

c.) a connection bolt (31) passing through the through holes, the conductive strip (32) and the conducting piece (32) and screwed to the threaded hole (34) of the platform (27);

whereby the diverting apparatus, consisting of the conducting piece (33), the conductive strip (32) and the connection bolt (31), is mounted on the surface of the platform (27) without influencing the smooth rotation of the continuous belt (25) for carrying off the static electricity produced by friction within the walking area by providing a direct grounding path through the connection of the other end of the conductive strip to the ground.
The apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill (20) of claim 1 further comprising another conductive strip and a nut on the bottom surface of the platform (27) for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill (20) to a greater extent.
The apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill of claim 1 or 2, wherein the conducting piece (33) of the diverting apparatus has the same length as the length of the diagonal of the platform, and wherein the conducting piece (33) is embedded or glued to the top and bottom surface of the platform (27) such that a more efficient effect in diverting static electricity away from a treadmill (20) is achieved.