-
The present invention concerns a treadmill device as well as a treadmill system comprising the treadmill device.
-
Treadmill devices (or treadmills) known from the prior art comprise a treadmill surface on which a user can run or walk or move by foot in a different way, i.e. perform locomotion, in the reference system of the treadmill surface. This treadmill surface may thereby be, for example, an outer surface of an endless belt supported by at least two pulleys to revolve such that the treadmill surface moves in a direction opposite to the running direction of the user. Thus, in the reference system of the surrounding of the treadmill device, the user may remain substantially at the same position.
-
An example of a treadmill is described in document
EP 3 578 085 A1 . This treadmill is positioned in the foot region of a workstation arrangement and is driven exclusively passively by the walking movement of the user. In order to achieve high profiling of the running surface, the running belt is formed by a plurality of wooden slats extending transversely to the running direction. The ends of the wooden slats are fastened to a left and a right guide belt, respectively, wherein the two guide belts in turn are supported circularly revolvingly on the left and the right side of the treadmill frame standing on the ground in order to reduce undesired noise development when the running belt is driven by the user.
-
Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively compact, well-integrated and cost-effectively producible treadmill device, which is comparably durable. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a corresponding treadmill system.
-
This object is solved by a treadmill device having the features of claim 1 as well as a treadmill system according to claim 15.
-
The treadmill device comprises a running belt, a treadmill frame upon which the running belt is revolvably mounted, and a support frame arranged to support the treadmill frame. The treadmill frame is resiliently supported upon the support frame.
-
This enables stably supporting the running belt and at the same effectively reducing vibration transmission to the support frame. In particular, the treadmill frame and the support frame may essentially be mechanically decoupled. Thus, a person standing next to the treadmill device on a floor that may be comparably transmissive for vibrations (such as a wooden floor) may perceive less such vibrations. Additionally, attachment parts such as a desk device or a backrest device attached to the support frame may vibrate less while the user is walking on the treadmill, so that the user can better work and walk at the same time. Resonances may thus be reduced, so that the user may be provided with an improved, in particular more comfortable, walking or running experience on the treadmill device. It follows that the treadmill device may be designed more lightweight, compact in its dimensions as well as better integrated.
-
The treadmill device (also more simply called treadmill) may generally be designed as a unidirectional treadmill allowing a single running direction. Further, the treadmill device may be a manual treadmill (without an electrical motor configured for driving the running belt). Thus, the running surface may be curved when viewed from the side of the treadmill device. The running belt may be (rotatably) supported by the treadmill frame such as to rotate in response to a user locomoting on the running belt. Thus, the running belt is preferably an endless belt. It may, in particular, be designed as an elastic (continuous) belt or as a slatted running belt. The slatted running belt may comprise several slats, which are in particular aligned parallel to each other and/or transverse to the running direction. The slats may be attached to guide belts, in particular at their longitudinal ends. The guide belts may be mounted on longitudinal ends of the treadmill device by means of pulleys (more specifically, front and rear pulleys) in such a way as to rotate circumferentially when viewed from the side while the user is walking on the treadmill.
-
The treadmill device preferably comprises at least one damping element between the treadmill frame and the support frame. It is further preferred that the treadmill frame is supported upon the support frame by the at least one damping element to achieve the resilient support. The number of such damping elements may be one, two, three or more. In other words, the treadmill device may comprise one such damping element or a plurality of such damping elements. Preferably, the number of such damping elements is at least two or at least four. Each of these damping elements may have the features of the (at least one) damping element. I.e., the disclosure relating to the at least one damping element may apply analogously to the remaining damping elements of the treadmill device. When the number of damping elements is at least two, a plurality of damping elements is provided, via which the treadmill frame may rest (i.e., sit) on (top of) the support frame. Preferably, the damping elements are spaced apart, and may be evenly distributed along the circumference of the treadmill frame and/or arranged more proximate to corners of the treadmill frame than to its center. Most preferably, each damping element may be located proximate to an associated supporting part of the support frame by which supporting part the support frame may rest (i.e., sit) on the ground. The supporting parts may be configured as the feet of the support frame as described in further detail below, respectively.
-
In order to even more effectively decouple any possible running belt vibrations from the support frame, it may be provided that the treadmill frame is supported only to the support frame, and/or only by (i.e., by means of / via) the at least one damping element. Accordingly, the feature of the treadmill frame being supported upon the support frame by the at least one damping element may mean that the load path from the user standing on the running belt to the ground is necessarily routed (only) through the damping element(s). Alternatively, the treadmill frame may additionally be mounted to the support frame at one or more further positions separate from the location(s) of the damping element(s). In this letter case, the majority of the user's weight is preferably supported by (i.e., through) the damping element(s).
-
For compactness and stability, it is preferred that the treadmill frame and the support frame are arranged, with respect to a transverse direction, concentrally. Preferably, the treadmill frame and the support frame share a common plane symmetry, wherein a symmetrical plane of these two frames may be a vertical central plane of the treadmill device. The at least one damping element may accordingly be arranged such that the treadmill frame bears on the at least one damping element. In other words, the treadmill frame may abut against a top surface of the at least one damping element. Further, the at least one damping element may bear on the support frame. Accordingly, the support frame may abut against a bottom surface of the at least one damping element. Thus, the at least one damping element may be restrained between the treadmill frame and the support frame (during (intended) use of the treadmill device, i.e., while the user walks / runs on the running band). Similarly, the terms top and bottom may refer to the arrangement of the treadmill device during its use.
-
The at least one damping element may be configured as a resilient body (i.e., a three-dimensional body having elasticity). The resilient body may be generally configured as a pad. Further, the resilient body may be made of a solid matter. A length of the resilient body may be less than half, preferably less than a fourth, of the width of the treadmill frame in the transverse direction. It is generally conceivable that the damping element is made of rubber. More preferably though, the damping element may be made of an elastomeric material. The material of the damping element may be Polyurethane, in particular, a Polyurethane elastomer. An exemplary elastomer is distributed as so called Sylomer® by RRG INDUSTRIETECHNIK GMBH, 45470 Mül-heim an der Ruhr, Germany. The elastomeric material may have a cellular structure. Preferably, the load deflection curve of the resilient body is not-linear in its entirety; this curve may have a first slope at loads below a compression threshold and a second slope at loads above this compression threshold, wherein the first slope may be steeper than the second slope. Thus, the treadmill frame may be stably supported by the support frame, and good damping characteristics may be provided by the damping element.
-
Further, the at least one damping element is preferably fixed to the treadmill frame. This fixation may preferably be realized by a positive connection and/or a frictional connection. In particular, each damping element may comprise fixing projections. Each fixing projection may be accommodated in a corresponding receptacle formed in the treadmill frame. Advantageously, the resilient characteristic of the damping element material may be exploited for bringing the respective damping element (i.e., its projections) into engagement with the receptacles. Alternatively or additionally, the damping element may be fixed to the support frame. This fixation may be configured like to the above described fixation of the damping element to the treadmill frame.
-
The pulleys, by which the running belt may be supported, may be rotatably mounted to the treadmill frame. Front pulleys may be connected to each other by a front axle. Rear pulleys may be connected to each other by a rear axle. In the longitudinal direction of the treadmill frame, the front pulleys may extend beyond the front end of the treadmill frame. Analogously, the rear pulleys may extend beyond the rear end of the treadmill frame. This may allow for further improving on the compact design of the treadmill device.
-
The treadmill frame and/or the support frame may be built as separate assemblies. The treadmill frame and/or the support frame may have the same (general) geometry. Preferably these frames may have a generally rectangular geometry defined by the positions of the beams/rails forming these frames, respectively. Specifically, the treadmill frame may be formed as a ladder frame. The treadmill frame may accordingly have several frame beams (frame rails), advantageously including one or more longitudinal frame beams and/or one or more cross frame beams. For compactness, the treadmill frame, the longitudinal frame beams and/or the cross frame beams of the treadmill frame are preferably arranged inside of the running belt. In other words, the treadmill frame, in a top or bottom view, preferably does not extend laterally beyond the running belt.
-
Further, between the cross frame beams, at least one strut extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal frame beams may be provided. The longitudinal frame beams may extend parallel to each other. The cross frame beams (and optionally the strut(s)) may extend in parallel to each other. Preferably, the cross frame beams extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal frame beams. Furthermore, the front axle may be located further towards the front of the treadmill device than the front-most cross frame beam. The rear axle may be located further towards the rear of the treadmill device than the rear-most cross frame beam. Roller bearings may be mounted to the longitudinal frame beams of the treadmill frame and positioned to support the running belt between the front and rear pulleys.
-
The treadmill frame is preferably self-supporting (rigid), that is, the treadmill frame does not need the support frame for maintaining its stability. For lightweight design and nevertheless high stability, one or more of the, preferably all, cross frame beams may have a U-shaped cross-section. Thereby, the basis of this cross-section may be arranged at the top. In other words, the U-profile may be open to the bottom so as to receive a corresponding cross frame member of the support frame from below. In other words, the treadmill frame may comprise at least one frame beam having a profile with two limbs opposing each other. Preferably, the at least one damping element is received / interposed between the two limbs. One or more of the, preferably all, longitudinal frame beams may have an L-shaped cross-section, preferably with the respective long limb extending vertically.
-
The support frame may comprise one or more frame members, in particular, one or more cross frame members and/or one or more longitudinal frame members. The frame beam of the treadmill frame may be seated onto the at least one frame member of the support frame. In further detail, the frame member(s) of the support frame may have a seat portion on which the damping element(s) sit(s) directly. The seat portion may comprise several parts which are preferably spaced from each other. Each such part may be associated with one of the damping elements, in case the treadmill device comprises more than one damping element.
-
Preferably, the at least one frame member of the support frame is inserted over at least part of its length into the frame beam of the treadmill frame, preferably from below. Accordingly, the limbs of the cross frame beam of the treadmill frame preferably encompass the respective cross frame member. Most preferably, each cross frame beam of the support frame is accommodated at least over a part of its length inside a cross frame member associated with the respective cross frame beam. For improved integration, it is preferred that (in the vertical direction) a sum of the thickness of the resilient body and the height of the cross frame member essentially corresponds to the depth of the channel/profile between the limbs of the respectively receiving cross frame beam. In other words, the cross frame member preferably does not vertically project beyond the bottom of the treadmill frame. This configuration may thus be named a frame-in-frame configuration.
-
Cross frame members of the support frame may be rigidly connected by means of longitudinal frame members of the support frame. In particular, the cross frame members may be soldered or welded to the longitudinal frame members. The longitudinal frame members may be side panels of the treadmill device. These side panels may be configured for shielding the treadmill frame laterally towards the exterior. Preferably, the longitudinal frame beams of the treadmill frame are arranged between the side panels.
-
The support frame may further comprise feet. The feet may be arranged such that the treadmill device stands on the feet during use. Each foot may be attached to a side panel. Preferably, each side panel stands on two of the feet, which feet may be arranged at the front and rear ends of the side panel, respectively. Furthermore, the support frame may be covered at least in sections by cover panels arranged laterally next to the running surface of the treadmill device as well as parallel to the running surface. Advantageously, each cover panel (i.e., deck panel) sits on a top edge of a corresponding side panel. In particular, the at least one cover panel may be arranged across (perpendicular to) the side panels, and/or abut against the corresponding side panel.
-
The treadmill system suggested herein comprises a treadmill device as described above in detail, as well as at least one attachment part configured to be attached to the support frame. To this effect, the support frame may be configured with (designated) attachment sections complementary to the attachment part. Hereinafter, one such attachment section will be described, wherein this description applies analogously for the remaining attachment sections of the support frame.
-
The attachment section may be one of the feet of the support frame. That foot may be formed as a hollow tube. The attachment part may have a connecting section configured to fit into the tube. Therefore, the connecting section may have an outer diameter that is just slightly (1 to 3 mm) smaller than the inner diameter of the tube. In use, the attachment part may thus be fixed to the foot by means of the connecting section.
-
The at least one attachment part may be a desk device, a leaning device, and/or a seating device. The desk device (desk) may have one or more legs connecting a desk board with the attachment section. The legs may be telescopic. Further, the desk (device) may be horizontally and/or vertically adjustable. Similarly, at least one of the attachment parts of the treadmill system being a leaning device or a seating device may comprise one or more legs connecting a seat section or backrest section with the corresponding attachment section. Again, the respective leg may be received partly inside the tube of the associated foot of the support frame. Accordingly, the treadmill device as described above may be the treadmill base of the treadmill system arranged at the bottom of the treadmill system. The treadmill system may be a treadmill workstation.
-
In other words, the invention may provide an integrated height-adjustable desk with a vibration decoupling mechanism for treadmill workstations. More specifically, the invention may pertain to a treadmill workstation, in particular, an integrated, height-adjustable desk that is physically decoupled from the treadmill using a unique vibration-dampening mechanism.
-
The treadmill workstation may feature an integrated, height-adjustable desk having a compact and mobile design, minimizing the footprint while maintaining stability. A key innovation may be the desk essentially being physically decoupled from the treadmill through a specialized vibration-dampening mechanism, utilizing a Polyurethane elastomer. This may ensure that vibrations from the treadmill are significantly dampened so as not to transfer to the desk, providing a stable work surface.
-
The treadmill may include slats that create a lamella running surface, and the entire assembly may be softly suspended using the elastomer. This elastomer may provide effective vibration dampening, physically decoupling the desk from the treadmill to prevent any transfer of vibrations to the desk surface. The integrated desk may be height-adjustable, catering to individual ergonomic needs. This seamless integration may not only optimize space but also enhance mobility, making the workstation ideal for a variety of work environments. It follows that this innovation may offer a stable, efficient, and user-friendly experience. The combination of physical vibration decoupling and an integrated, height-adjustable desk may mark a significant advancement in this field.
-
Preferred embodiments of a treadmill device and a treadmill system are explained hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, not true to scale, wherein
- Figure 1
- shows a treadmill device in a perspective overall view from the top;
- Figure 2
- shows the treadmill device of figure 1 in a partial detailed view of its interior from laterally below, wherein (inter alia) the running belt is omitted;
- Figure 3
- shows the treadmill device of figure 1 in a partial detailed view of its interior from the left side, wherein the running belt and the side panels are omitted;
- Figure 4
- shows the treadmill device of figure 1 in a perspective partial detailed view of the interior between the longitudinal frame beams;
- Figure 5
- shows the treadmill device of figure 1 in a detailed view of the damping element arrangement;
- Figure 6
- shows the treadmill device of figure 1 in a bottom view with omitted running belt; and
- Figure 7
- shows a treadmill system comprising the treadmill device of figure 1 as well as attachment parts configured as a desk device and a leaning device in a side view.
-
Figures 1 to 6 show a treadmill device 10, herein exemplarily a treadmill base, comprising a running belt 12 on which a user can walk, run, or perform other forms of locomotion without displacing himself / herself in the reference system of the surrounding. The treadmill device 10 is a manual treadmill. The running belt 12 is revolvably (rotatably) mounted to a treadmill frame 20 of the treadmill device 10. The running belt 12 comprises a plurality of slats 13. Furthermore, the treadmill device 10 comprises a support frame 40 supporting the treadmill frame 20. Preferably, the treadmill frame 20 is a rigid assembly, i.e., the treadmill frame is itself a stable assembly even when it is detached from the support frame 40. In other words, the treadmill frame 20 may be self-supporting.
-
In further detail, the treadmill frame 20 is resiliently supported upon the support frame 40. The treadmill device 10 thus further comprises at least one damping element 50 disposed between the treadmill frame 20 and the support frame 40 (see, for example, the detailed view of figure 5). The treadmill frame 20 is supported upon the support frame 40 by the at least one damping element 50. In particular, the treadmill frame 20 bears on the at least one damping element 50; the at least one damping element 50 bears on the support frame 40.
-
A plurality of these damping elements 50 (in total four damping elements 50) are provided on the treadmill device 10. The damping elements are distributed along the perimeter of the treadmill frame, preferably on (cross) frame members of the support frame. All these damping elements 50 may have an essentially identical configuration. Thus, the following description of the (at least one) damping element 50 may apply for all damping elements 50.
-
The damping element 50 is a resilient (elastic) body, in particular made of an elastomeric material. The damping element 50 is preferably made of a Polyurethane (PUR) elastomer, which allows for a particularly effective vibration damping.
-
As shown in figures 2 to 5 in detail, at least one frame member of the support frame 40 may have a seat portion 43 on which the at least one damping element 50 sits directly. Specifically, such seat portions 43 may be formed on the cross frame members 42, 44. Since a plurality of damping elements 50 is provided, via which the treadmill frame 20 rests on the support frame 40, a damping element 50 may be provided per seat portion 43, and the damping elements 50 may thus be spaced-apart.
-
The treadmill frame 20 comprises a plurality of frame beams, including longitudinal frame beams and cross frame beams, in particular a front cross frame beam 22, a rear cross frame beam 24, a right longitudinal frame beam 26, and a left longitudinal frame beam 28. Between two cross frame beams, a strut 23 may be provided for reinforcing the structure of the treadmill frame 20. The cross frame beams 22, 24 are U-frame beams having a substantially U-shaped profile (cross section) open to the bottom of the treadmill device 10 so as to receive cross frame members 42, 44 of the support frame 40, respectively. Thus, cross frame beams 22, 24 each have a profile with two limbs opposing each other. Each limb corresponds to a flat flange portion of the respective cross frame beam 22, 24. These flat flange portions extend substantially parallel to each other as well as, relative to the running belt 12, transversely, respectively.
-
As shown exemplarily in figure 2 as well as in figure 5 in detail, the cross frame member 42, 44 of the support frame 40 is inserted over at least part of its length (and preferably with its whole height) into the corresponding frame beam 22, 24 of the treadmill frame 20. Vice versa, the frame beam 22, 24 of the treadmill frame 20 is seated onto the frame member 42, 44 of the support frame 40. The cross frame beams 22, 24 are rigidly connected by the longitudinal frame beams 26, 28 such as to form a rigid structure. Roller bearings are attached to the longitudinal frame beams 26, 28 so as to support the running belt 12 between the front and rear pulleys 30, 32 and 34, 36 (see figure 2). The entire treadmill frame 20 is preferably encompassed by the running belt 12 to achieve a compact, integrated configuration. In particular, longitudinal frame beams 26, 28 of the treadmill frame 20 are arranged in the interior of the endless running belt 12.
-
The at least one damping element 50 is interposed between the two limbs, and preferably abuts against the basis of the profile. In other words, the damping element 50 sits on the basis of the cross frame beam 22, 24. Moreover, the at least one damping element 50 is fixed to the treadmill frame 20. For this purpose, the at least one damping element 50 comprises fixing projections 52 extending from a base portion of the at least one damping element 50 in opposite directions. These opposite directions are preferably at an angle to the flat flange portions (e.g., perpendicular thereto), and/or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the treadmill device 10. The fixing projections 52 are accommodated in corresponding receptacles 54 formed in the treadmill frame 20, preferably in the cross frame beams 22, 24 into which the respective damping element 50 is accommodated. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one damping element 50 may be attached to the support frame 40.
-
The support frame 40 forms as a stand for the treadmill frame 20. The support frame 40 has itself rigidity, which is provided by cross frame members 42, 44 fixedly attached to longitudinal frame members 46, 48. The cross frame members 42, 44 may have a closed profile; they may, for example, have a rectangular cross section. E.g., the cross frame members may be designed as hollow tubes. The cross frame members 42, 44 of the support frame 40 are rigidly connected by means of longitudinal frame members 46, 48 of the support frame 40. As shown in figure 2, the longitudinal frame members 46, 48 are side panels of the treadmill device 10, which limit an interior area of the treadmill device 10 laterally.
-
Moreover, the support frame 40 comprises feet 60, 62, 64, 66 which are arranged such that the treadmill device 10 stands on the feet 60, 62, 64, 66 during use. These feet 60, 62, 64, 66 are attached to the longitudinal frame members 46, 48. The left longitudinal frame member 48 is supported by left rear foot 60 and left front foot 64. The right longitudinal frame member 46 is supported by right rear foot 62 and right front foot 60. Moreover, the support frame 40 is covered at least in sections by cover panels 68, 70 arranged laterally next to the running surface 14 of the treadmill device 10 as well as parallel to the running surface 14. These cover panels 68, 70, are curved according to the curvature of the running belt 12 when viewed from the side of the treadmill device 10. Each cover panel 68, 70 may contact (sit on) one of the side panels/longitudinal frame members 46, 48 for support.
-
Figure 7 shows a treadmill system 100, comprising a treadmill device 10 and at least one attachment part configured to be attached to the support frame 40. In the configuration shown, two attachment parts (each formed as an assembly of parts) are provided. A first attachment part is a desk device 102, and a second attachment part is a leaning device 104 (alternatively, a seating device). The attachment part(s) is/are configured to be fixed to one or more attachment sections formed on the support frame 40 (in particular, at a position remote from the damping elements 50). Preferably, the attachment section(s) is/are the feet 60 to 66. The respective foot 60 to 66 is formed as a hollow tube. A connecting section (e.g., a bottom end of a leg) of the respective attachment part is formed complementarily to the attachment section. That is, the connecting section is configured to be received by the foot 60 to 66 from the top.
-
As a result, legs 110, 112 of the desk device 102 are fixed to the support frame 40. The legs 110, 112 are each configured to fixedly connect a desk board 114 with the respective attachment section of the support frame 40, and may be telescopic. Accordingly, a desk board 114 may be horizontally and/or vertically adjustable providing for an ergonomic workplace. Vibrations potentially generated as the user walks on the running belt 12, may thus be damped due to the resilience of the connection between the treadmill frame 20 and the support frame 40. Thus, the user may receive fewer disturbances when working while walking.
-
Likewise, the leaning device 104 (or seating device) comprises legs 116, 118 connecting a seat section or backrest section 120 with the corresponding attachment section(s), i.e., the feet 60, 62. Bottom ends of these legs 116, 118 may be received inside the feet 60, 62 of the support frame 40, respectively. Thus, vibrations due to the rotation of the running belt 12 may be significantly decoupled from the leaning device 104 to provide a higher level of comfort for the user.
-
The terms "comprising", "having", "with" and the like used in this disclosure are to be understood as non-limiting. In particular, the term "comprising a" in this context means "comprising at least one", i.e. "comprising a" does not exclude the possibility of further corresponding elements being present. At least one means one or more in the present context. For readability, the term "at least" is eventually omitted in this disclosure. Whenever a feature of the present disclosure is described in the singular or in an indefinite manner, its plural form is also meant to be disclosed. At least in sections/parts is to be understood as in sections/parts or completely.