US20040266589A1

US20040266589A1 - Lifting assembly for adjusting a slant rate of a platform of a treadmill

Info

Publication number: US20040266589A1
Application number: US10/795,306
Authority: US
Inventors: Chun Tsou
Original assignee: SPORTEK INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Current assignee: SPORTEK INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-30
Filing date: 2004-03-09
Publication date: 2004-12-30
Also published as: TW582287U

Abstract

A lifting assembly for adjusting a slant rate of a platform of a treadmill includes a wiggler pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform. The wiggler has a stopping section and a swing section. The stopping section extends toward a rear portion of the platform and has a free end abutting against the base member of the treadmill. The swing section extends toward a bottom of the platform and has a free end pivotally connected to a rear end of a driving device that is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform. A power source is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform for driving the driving device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lifting assembly, and more particularly to a lifting assembly for adjusting a slant rate of a platform of a treadmill.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 8 comprises main frame ( 50) and a platform (51) mounted on the main frame (50). The main frame (50) includes an H-shaped base member (501) and a stand (502) upwardly extending from the base member (501). The platform (51) includes a frame (511) with a front end pivotally connected to the stand (502). An endless strap (512) is mounted around the frame (511) for user to run thereon. The platform (51) can be upwardly moved toward the stand (502) for easily stored because the front end of the platform (51) is pivotally connected to the stand (502).

The platform ( 51) is connected to the stand (502). However, the stand cannot provide a stable support to the platform (51). Consequently, the conventional treadmill needs a base member (5001) to provide a stable support to the stand (502) and the platform (51) whatever the treadmill is operated of stored. For the stability of the structure of the treadmill, the base member (501) usually has a great cross-section and is heavy. Consequently, the weight and the material cost are hard to be reduced.

Another conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 9 comprises supporting device ( 60), a platform (61), a lifting device (62) and a stand (63). The supporting device (60) includes two opposite sides each having a base member (601) adapted to abut a supporting surface and two rods (602) for laterally securely connecting the two base members (601). Each base member (601) has a groove (604) longitudinally defined therein. The two grooves (604) face and correspond to each other. A guiding shaft (603) is slidably mounted between the two base members (601) and having two opposite ends each slidably received in a corresponding one of the two grooves (604) respectively in a corresponding one of the two base members (601). The platform (61) includes a frame (611) with a front portion has two opposite ends each pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the two base members (601) of the supporting device (60) and a rear portion adapted to abut the supporting surface. The lifting device (62) includes a motor (621) pivotally connected to a lower portion of the stand (63), and a piston (622) driven by the motor (621) reciprocally moved relative to the motor (621). The piston (622) has a free end pivotally connected to the guiding shaft (603) for pulling/pushing the guiding shaft (603) and making the guiding shaft (603) linearly moved within the grooves (604) to adjust the angle formed by the supporting surface and the platform (61).

The treadmill, as shown in FIG. 9, mitigates and/or obviates the disadvantages of the conventional treadmill in FIG. 8. However, the piston ( 622) loads the gravity of the platform (61) such that the active force from the platform (61) directly acts on the piston (622) when the treadmill, as shown in FIG. 9, is operated. Consequently, the piston (622) is easily worn out and influences the lifting effect of the platform (61).

With reference to FIG. 10, for mitigating and/or obviating the disadvantages of the conventional treadmill in FIG. 8, another conventional treadmill is marketed. The conventional treadmill, as shown in FIG. 10, comprises supporting device ( 70), a platform (71) connected to the supporting device (70), a lifting device (72) for lifting the platform (71) and a stand (73) upwardly extending from the supporting device (70).

The supporting device ( 70) includes seats (701) respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the platform (71) and abutting on a supporting surface. A connecting rod (702) has two opposite ends each connected to a corresponding one of the two seats (701). The supporting device (70) includes two shafts (703) each having a first end pivotally received in a corresponding one of the two seats (701) and a second opposite to the first end of the shaft (703). The platform (71) includes a frame (711) with a front portion having two opposite sides respectively pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the two shafts (703) near the second end of each of the shaft (703). The frame (711) has a rear portion abutting on the supporting surface. The platform (71) has two walls extending from the two opposite sides of the front portion of the platform (71). The stand (73) is pivotally connected to the two walls (712) of the platform (71). The lifting device (72) includes a motor (721) pivotally connected to the front portion of the frame (711) and a piston (722) partially slidably received in the motor and reciprocally moved relative to the motor (721). The piston (722) has a free end pivotally connected to the connecting rod (702) for pulling the connecting rod (702) and adjusting the angle formed by the platform (71) and the supporting surface.

However, the structure of the conventional treadmill in FIG. 10 is similar to the conventional treadmill in FIG. 9. Consequently, the piston ( 722) is easily worn out and influences the lifting effect of the platform (71).

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional treadmills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved lifting assembly for adjusting a slant rate of a platform of a treadmill.

To achieve the objective, the lifting assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a wiggler pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform. The wiggler has a stopping section and a swing section. The stopping section extends toward a rear portion of the platform and has a free end abutting against the base member of the treadmill. The swing section extends toward a bottom of the platform and has a free end pivotally connected to a rear end of a driving device that is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform. A power source is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform for driving the driving device.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treadmill including a lifting assembly in accordance with the present invention; [0015]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting assembly in FIG. 1; [0016]
FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the lifting assembly in FIG. 1; [0017]
FIG. 4 is an operational side plan view of the lifting assembly when lifting a platform of a treadmill; [0018]
FIG. 5 is side plan view of the treadmill is FIG. 1 when being folded; [0019]
FIG. 6 is a side plan view of a supporting device of the lifting assembly in accordance with the present invention; [0020]
FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the treadmill in FIG. 1; [0021]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art; [0022]
FIG. 9 is a side plan view of a second conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art; and [0023]
FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the third conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art.[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a lifting assembly for adjusting a slant rate of a platform of a treadmill in accordance with the present invention comprises base member ([0025] 1), a platform (2) having a front portion connected to the base member (1), a lifting device (3) pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform (2) and a supporting device (4) pivotally connected to the base member (1) and the front portion of the platform (2).
The base member ([0026] 1) includes two supporting rods (11) parallel to each other and adapted to abut a supporting surface. A first lateral rod (15) has two opposite ends each securely connected to a middle portion of each of the two supporting rods (11) and a second lateral rod (16) has two opposite ends each securely connected to a rear end of each of the two supporting rods (11). A stopper (17) has two opposite sides each securely connected to a middle portion of the first and the second lateral rods (15, 16). A pair of ears (18) laterally extends from the first lateral rod (15) opposite to the second lateral rods (16). A stand (12) extends from a front end of each of the two supporting rods (11). A U-shaped arm (13) is secured on a free end of each of the stand (12) and a computer (14) mounted on the arm (13) for user to control the treadmill.
The supporting device ([0027] 4) includes a telescope shaft (41) having a tube (410) with a first end pivotally connected to a bottom of the platform (2) and an inner shaft (411) extending into the tube via a second end of the tube (410). The inner shaft (411) has a free end pivotally connected to the pair of ears (18) and is reciprocally moved relative to the tube (410). A fastener (42) is pivotally connected to the base member (1). The fastener (42) includes an outer tube (421) has a first end pivotally connected to the pair of ears (18) and partially receiving telescope shaft (41) in the fastener (42). The outer tube (421) has an opening (423) defined and extending through the outer tube (421) and a locking lever (422) partially extending into the outer tube (421) via the opening (423) to hold the tube (410) in place when the inner shaft (411) expands from the tube (410).
The platform ([0028] 2) includes an endless strap (21) mounted around the platform (2) and driven by a motor (22) for round moving relative to the platform (2). The platform (2) has two first pivot seats (23) respectively downwardly extending from two opposite sides of the front portion of the platform (2). The two first pivot seats (23) each pivotally mounted to a corresponding one of the two supporting rods (11). Two second pivot seats (24) downwardly extending from tow opposite sides of the platform (2). The two second pivot seats (24) are backward relative to the two first pivot seats (23). A third pivot seat (25) upwardly extending from a front side of the platform (2) and two pads (26) are rotatably mounted to two opposite sides of the rear portion of the platform (2).
The lifting device ([0029] 3) includes a wiggler (31) having a stopping section (311) toward the rear portion of the platform (2) and a swing section (312) upwardly extending from the stopping section (311). An axle (313) extends through the wiggler (31) and has two opposite ends each pivotally mounted to a corresponding one of the two second pivot seats (24). The stopping section (311) has a free end with two opposite sides each having a roller (314) rotatably mounted to the stopping section of the wiggler (31). The two rollers (314) abut the stopper (17) of the base member (1) when the treadmill is operated. A drive device (32) is pivotally connected to a free end of the swing section (312) and the third pivot seat (25) of the platform (2). The drive device (32) includes a tubular shaft (320) having a first end connected to the swing section (312) for driving the wiggler (31) and a power source (321) is pivotally mounted to the third pivot seat (25) for driving a threaded rod (322) that is screwed into the tubular shaft (320). Consequently, the tubular shaft (320) is moved back and forth relative to the power source (321) for pulling and pushing the wiggler (31) to adjust the slant rate of the platform (2) because the rollers (314) abut the stopper (17) of the base member (1). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power source (321) is a motor.
With reference to FIG. 3 and [0030] 4, the roller (314) is moved toward the bottom of the platform (2) and the front portion of the platform (2) is moved toward the supporting surface when the power source (321) drives the tubular shaft (320) moved toward the power source (321) due to the threaded rod (322) because the platform (2) is pivotally mounted to the base member (1) and the lifting device (3). Comparatively, the roller (314) acts on the stopper (17), the lifting device (3) lifts the front portion of the platform (2) via the axle (313) and the platform (2) lifting the base member (1) because the front portion of the platform (2) is pivotally connected to the two supporting rods (11) of the base member (1) when the tubular shaft (320) is driven and moved toward the rear portion of the platform (2) by the power source (321) due to the threaded rod (322).
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the platform ([0031] 2) is lifted and moved toward the stand (12) due to reduce the volume of the treadmill when being stored. The inner shaft (411) automatically expands from the tube (410) to assist the user to easily lift platform (2) such that supporting device (4) is labor-saving design. Furthermore, the tube (410) is secured due to the locking lever (422) such that the fastener (42) loads the gravity of the platform (2) for elongating the using life of the telescope shaft (41).
The drive device ([0032] 32) of the lifting device (3) is connected to the wiggler (31) that abuts against the supporting surface and the wiggler (31) is pivotally connected to the platform (2) by the axle (313). Consequently, the gravity from the platform (2) is shared by the wiggler (31) and the driving device (32) so that the using life of the driving device (32) is elongated.
In addition, the supporting device ([0033] 4) assists the user to lift the platform (2) and the fastener (42) locking the telescope shaft (41) after expanding. Consequently, the platform (2) is positioned for promoting safety after being lifted due to the telescope shaft (41) and the fastener (42).
With reference to FIG. 7, the two stands ([0034] 12) are respectively pivoted to two opposite sides of the front portion of the base member (1) so that the angle formed by the stand (12) and base member (1) is changed for user to easily read the data from the computer (14) when the front portion of the platform (2) is lifted.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. [0035]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A lifting assembly for adjusting a slant rate of a platform of a treadmill, wherein the treadmill includes a base member and a platform with a front portion pivotally connected to the base member, the lifting pivotally mounted to base member under the front portion of the platform and comprising:

the lifting device including a wiggler pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform, the wiggler having a stopping section and a swing section, the stopping section extending toward a rear portion of the platform and having a free end abutting against the base member, the swing section extending toward a bottom of the platform and having a free end pivotally connected to a rear end of a driving device that is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform, a power source pivotally mounted to the front portion of the platform for driving the driving device.

2. The lifting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member comprises two supporting rods parallel to each other, a first lateral rod having two opposite ends respectively secured on a middle portion of each of the two supporting rods and a second lateral rod having two opposite ends respectively secured on a rear end of each of the two supporting rods, a stopper having two opposite sides respectively securely connected to a middle portion of the first and the second lateral rods for slidably supporting the free end of the stopping section of the wiggler, an axle laterally extending through the wiggler and having two opposite ends respectively pivotally connected to the two opposite sides of the platform.

3. The lifting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive device comprises a tubular shaft having a first pivotally connected to a free end of the swing section and an open second end toward the power source, and a threaded rod having a first end screwed into the open second end of the tubular shaft and a second operationally connected to the power source that is a motor.

4. The lifting assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a supporting device having two opposite ends respectively pivotally connected to the base member and the platform for user to easily lifting the platform.

5. The lifting assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the supporting device comprises a telescope shaft having a tube with a first end pivotally connected to a bottom of the platform and an inn shaft extending into the tube via a second end of the tube, the shaft having a free end pivotally connected to base member and reciprocally moved relative to the tube, a fastener pivotally connected to the base member for positioned the telescope shaft after expanding.

6. The lifting assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastener comprises an outer tube having a first end pivotally connected to the base member and partially receiving the telescope shaft in the fastener, the outer tube having an opening defined and extending through the outer tube and a locking lever partially extending into the outer tube via the opening to hold the tube in place when the inner shaft extends from the tube.

7. The lifting assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the telescope shaft is an air spring.