US20080176717A1 - Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill - Google Patents
Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080176717A1 US20080176717A1 US11/656,398 US65639807A US2008176717A1 US 20080176717 A1 US20080176717 A1 US 20080176717A1 US 65639807 A US65639807 A US 65639807A US 2008176717 A1 US2008176717 A1 US 2008176717A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- elements
- cushioning
- platform frame
- handle frame
- base bars
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
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
- 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
Definitions
- the invention relates to a cushioning mechanism for a treadmill, and more particularly, to a cushioning mechanism having a compact configuration while achieving an optimal shock-absorbing effect.
- a cushioning mechanism of a treadmill is adapted to support a platform frame.
- a vibration action is created when the platform frame is exposed to a continuous treading force by an operator thereon.
- a reaction force will, in turn, act on the feet of the operator, thereby giving him a little discomfort now and again. This discomfort can be relieved by the cushioning mechanism.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1 after application of the external forces;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.
- a treadmill in accordance with the invention includes a handle frame assembly 10 and a platform frame 20 .
- the handle frame assembly 10 is positioned at both sides of a front end of the platform frame 20 .
- An electronic console 11 is installed at a top side of the handle frame assembly 10 while two base bars 12 are attached to a bottom end of the handle frame assembly 10 .
- the platform frame 20 is pivotally mounted near a bottom portion of the handle frame assembly 10 .
- a continuous moving belt 25 works in cooperation with a motor 21 , a belt 22 , a front roller 23 , and a rear roller 24 to ensure a circulating operation.
- a pair of ⁇ -shaped rigid connection elements 30 and a pair of pivotal rigid cushioning elements 40 are interposed between the bottom surface of both sides of the platform frame 20 and the base bars 12 .
- the pivotal rigid cushioning element 40 includes a guidewheel 41 at one end thereof.
- the guidewheel 41 is movable on the surface of the base bar 12 when the platform frame 20 is moved up and down by the external forces applied to it (see FIG. 3 ). Accordingly, the cushioning and restoring effects can be achieved.
- an auxiliary supporting element 50 is pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform frame 20 and the handle frame assembly 10 , respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured.
- the ⁇ -shaped rigid connection elements 30 can also achieve the cushioning effect.
- the ⁇ -shaped rigid connection elements 30 regain their original shape after being compressed or deformed by the external forces applied thereto. Accordingly, an optimal cushioning action may be achieved by the cooperation of the ⁇ -shaped rigid connection elements 30 , the pivotal rigid cushioning elements 40 and the auxiliary supporting elements 50 .
- a soft stop element 60 can be attached to the surface of the base bars 12 , respectively. In case of overload on the platform frame 20 or damage of relevant elements, the soft stop element 60 can act against the downward movement of the platform frame 20 . In this way, the operator's safety can be assured.
- a ground-contacting portion 13 and an adjustable foot 14 are attached to the bottom side of the base bars 12 .
- the supporting feet 14 allow for an adjustment of the supporting angle, thereby bringing the platform frame 20 in an inclined position.
Abstract
A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill having a pair of ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements and a pair of pivotal rigid cushioning elements that are interposed between the bottom surface of both sides of the platform frame and the base bars. The pivotal rigid cushioning element includes a guidewheel at one end thereof. In this way, the guidewheel is movable on the surface of the base bar when the platform frame is moved up and down by the external forces applied to it. Accordingly, the cushioning and restoring effects can be achieved. Moreover, an auxiliary supporting element is pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly, respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured.
Description
- 1. Fields of the Invention
- The invention relates to a cushioning mechanism for a treadmill, and more particularly, to a cushioning mechanism having a compact configuration while achieving an optimal shock-absorbing effect.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A cushioning mechanism of a treadmill is adapted to support a platform frame. A vibration action is created when the platform frame is exposed to a continuous treading force by an operator thereon. A reaction force will, in turn, act on the feet of the operator, thereby giving him a little discomfort now and again. This discomfort can be relieved by the cushioning mechanism.
- Accordingly, a few rows of resilient pads are provided between the platform frame and the base frame of the treadmill to achieve an expected shock-absorbing effect. Such a conventional configuration can be easily obtained from e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,077,200, 5,746,682, etc.
- However, the aforementioned construction is prone to trouble with respect to its assembly, maintenance, and replacement. In particular, the disassembly and assembly of the continuous moving belt and the platform often frustrate do-it-yourselfers during the maintenance of the treadmill. Finally, they often have no choice but to turn to professional mechanic for help.
- Thus, based on the above described drawbacks of the prior art, the designer would like to employ a mechanism exposed to the outside of the main body of the treadmill for an easy assembly while achieving the same effects. In this way, maintenance and replacement operations can be considerably simplified. Thus, a pair of ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements and a pair of pivotal rigid cushioning elements that are interposed between the bottom surface of both sides of the platform frame and the base bars. Moreover, an auxiliary supporting element is pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly, respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured. In this way, the drawbacks of the prior art in use can be eliminated. This is the main object of the invention.
- The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according toFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according toFIG. 1 after application of the external forces; and -
FIG. 4 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3, a treadmill in accordance with the invention includes ahandle frame assembly 10 and aplatform frame 20. - The
handle frame assembly 10 is positioned at both sides of a front end of theplatform frame 20. Anelectronic console 11 is installed at a top side of thehandle frame assembly 10 while twobase bars 12 are attached to a bottom end of thehandle frame assembly 10. - The
platform frame 20 is pivotally mounted near a bottom portion of thehandle frame assembly 10. A continuous movingbelt 25 works in cooperation with amotor 21, abelt 22, afront roller 23, and arear roller 24 to ensure a circulating operation. - A pair of ⊃-shaped
rigid connection elements 30 and a pair of pivotalrigid cushioning elements 40 are interposed between the bottom surface of both sides of theplatform frame 20 and thebase bars 12. The pivotalrigid cushioning element 40 includes aguidewheel 41 at one end thereof. In this way, theguidewheel 41 is movable on the surface of thebase bar 12 when theplatform frame 20 is moved up and down by the external forces applied to it (seeFIG. 3 ). Accordingly, the cushioning and restoring effects can be achieved. Moreover, an auxiliary supportingelement 50 is pivotally interposed between both sides of theplatform frame 20 and thehandle frame assembly 10, respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured. - In addition, the ⊃-shaped
rigid connection elements 30 can also achieve the cushioning effect. In other words, the ⊃-shapedrigid connection elements 30 regain their original shape after being compressed or deformed by the external forces applied thereto. Accordingly, an optimal cushioning action may be achieved by the cooperation of the ⊃-shapedrigid connection elements 30, the pivotalrigid cushioning elements 40 and the auxiliary supportingelements 50. - In order to ensure the use safety, a
soft stop element 60 can be attached to the surface of thebase bars 12, respectively. In case of overload on theplatform frame 20 or damage of relevant elements, thesoft stop element 60 can act against the downward movement of theplatform frame 20. In this way, the operator's safety can be assured. - Referring to
FIG. 4 for another embodiment of the invention, a ground-contacting portion 13 and anadjustable foot 14 are attached to the bottom side of thebase bars 12. In this way, the supportingfeet 14 allow for an adjustment of the supporting angle, thereby bringing theplatform frame 20 in an inclined position. - Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (4)
1-4. (canceled)
5. A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill comprising:
a) a handle frame assembly having an electronic console located on a top thereof and two base bars located on a bottom thereof;
b) a platform frame pivotally mounted above two base bars of the handle frame assembly and having a continuous belt working in cooperation with a motor, a belt, a front roller, and a rear roller to ensure a circulating operation;
c) two ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements, one connection element of the two ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements pivotally connecting each side of the platform frame to a corresponding one of the two base bars of the handle frame;
d) two pivotal rigid cushioning elements, one cushioning element of the two pivotal rigid cushioning elements having a first end connected to each of two opposing sides of the platform frame and a guide wheel located on a second end thereof and slidably engaging a top surface of the corresponding one of the two base bars of the handle frame; and
e) two auxiliary support elements, one of the two auxiliary support elements is connected between each of the two opposing sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly.
6. The cushioning mechanism according to claim 5 , further comprising two soft stop elements, one of the two soft stop elements is located between each of the two opposing sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly.
7. The cushioning mechanism according to claim 5 , further comprising two ground-contacting elements and two adjustable feet, one of the two ground-contacting elements and one of the two adjustable feet extending downwardly from each of the two base bars of the handle frame, the two ground-contacting elements and two adjustable feet selectively controlling an angle of the platform frame.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/656,398 US20080176717A1 (en) | 2007-01-23 | 2007-01-23 | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill |
US11/728,282 US20080176718A1 (en) | 2007-01-23 | 2007-03-26 | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/656,398 US20080176717A1 (en) | 2007-01-23 | 2007-01-23 | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/728,282 Continuation-In-Part US20080176718A1 (en) | 2007-01-23 | 2007-03-26 | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080176717A1 true US20080176717A1 (en) | 2008-07-24 |
Family
ID=39641846
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/656,398 Abandoned US20080176717A1 (en) | 2007-01-23 | 2007-01-23 | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080176717A1 (en) |
Cited By (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090082176A1 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2009-03-26 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods |
US20160287929A1 (en) * | 2015-04-02 | 2016-10-06 | Bachar Corporation | Treadmill extender |
US9474928B1 (en) * | 2014-01-02 | 2016-10-25 | Joseph D Maresh | Treadmill with folding overhead handlebar assembly |
US9907994B1 (en) * | 2014-01-02 | 2018-03-06 | Joseph D Maresh | Treadmill with folding overhead handlebar assembly |
US10188890B2 (en) | 2013-12-26 | 2019-01-29 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Magnetic resistance mechanism in a cable machine |
US10252109B2 (en) | 2016-05-13 | 2019-04-09 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Weight platform treadmill |
US10258828B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2019-04-16 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Controls for an exercise device |
US10272317B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-04-30 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Lighted pace feature in a treadmill |
US10279212B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2019-05-07 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods |
US10293211B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-05-21 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Coordinated weight selection |
US10343017B2 (en) | 2016-11-01 | 2019-07-09 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Distance sensor for console positioning |
US10376736B2 (en) | 2016-10-12 | 2019-08-13 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Cooling an exercise device during a dive motor runway condition |
US10426989B2 (en) | 2014-06-09 | 2019-10-01 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Cable system incorporated into a treadmill |
US10433612B2 (en) | 2014-03-10 | 2019-10-08 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Pressure sensor to quantify work |
US10441844B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2019-10-15 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Cooling systems and methods for exercise equipment |
US10471299B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2019-11-12 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Systems and methods for cooling internal exercise equipment components |
US10493349B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-12-03 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Display on exercise device |
US10500473B2 (en) | 2016-10-10 | 2019-12-10 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Console positioning |
US10543395B2 (en) | 2016-12-05 | 2020-01-28 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Offsetting treadmill deck weight during operation |
US10561894B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2020-02-18 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Treadmill with removable supports |
US10625137B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2020-04-21 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Coordinated displays in an exercise device |
US10661114B2 (en) | 2016-11-01 | 2020-05-26 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Body weight lift mechanism on treadmill |
US10729965B2 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2020-08-04 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Audible belt guide in a treadmill |
US10953305B2 (en) | 2015-08-26 | 2021-03-23 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Strength exercise mechanisms |
US11451108B2 (en) | 2017-08-16 | 2022-09-20 | Ifit Inc. | Systems and methods for axial impact resistance in electric motors |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5827155A (en) * | 1991-02-21 | 1998-10-27 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Resiliently mounted treadmill |
US20020049121A1 (en) * | 2000-08-30 | 2002-04-25 | Anderson Timothy T. | Treadmill mechanism |
US6893383B1 (en) * | 2004-02-17 | 2005-05-17 | Alilife Industrial Co., Ltd. | Stepper |
US20060287163A1 (en) * | 2005-06-20 | 2006-12-21 | Leao Wang | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill |
-
2007
- 2007-01-23 US US11/656,398 patent/US20080176717A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5827155A (en) * | 1991-02-21 | 1998-10-27 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Resiliently mounted treadmill |
US20020049121A1 (en) * | 2000-08-30 | 2002-04-25 | Anderson Timothy T. | Treadmill mechanism |
US6893383B1 (en) * | 2004-02-17 | 2005-05-17 | Alilife Industrial Co., Ltd. | Stepper |
US20060287163A1 (en) * | 2005-06-20 | 2006-12-21 | Leao Wang | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill |
Cited By (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7815550B2 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2010-10-19 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods |
US20090082176A1 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2009-03-26 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods |
US10279212B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2019-05-07 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods |
US10188890B2 (en) | 2013-12-26 | 2019-01-29 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Magnetic resistance mechanism in a cable machine |
US9474928B1 (en) * | 2014-01-02 | 2016-10-25 | Joseph D Maresh | Treadmill with folding overhead handlebar assembly |
US9907994B1 (en) * | 2014-01-02 | 2018-03-06 | Joseph D Maresh | Treadmill with folding overhead handlebar assembly |
US10433612B2 (en) | 2014-03-10 | 2019-10-08 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Pressure sensor to quantify work |
US10426989B2 (en) | 2014-06-09 | 2019-10-01 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Cable system incorporated into a treadmill |
US10258828B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2019-04-16 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Controls for an exercise device |
US20160287929A1 (en) * | 2015-04-02 | 2016-10-06 | Bachar Corporation | Treadmill extender |
US10953305B2 (en) | 2015-08-26 | 2021-03-23 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Strength exercise mechanisms |
US10272317B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-04-30 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Lighted pace feature in a treadmill |
US10625137B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2020-04-21 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Coordinated displays in an exercise device |
US10293211B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-05-21 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Coordinated weight selection |
US10561894B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2020-02-18 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Treadmill with removable supports |
US10493349B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-12-03 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Display on exercise device |
US10252109B2 (en) | 2016-05-13 | 2019-04-09 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Weight platform treadmill |
US10441844B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2019-10-15 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Cooling systems and methods for exercise equipment |
US10471299B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2019-11-12 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Systems and methods for cooling internal exercise equipment components |
US10500473B2 (en) | 2016-10-10 | 2019-12-10 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Console positioning |
US10376736B2 (en) | 2016-10-12 | 2019-08-13 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Cooling an exercise device during a dive motor runway condition |
US10661114B2 (en) | 2016-11-01 | 2020-05-26 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Body weight lift mechanism on treadmill |
US10343017B2 (en) | 2016-11-01 | 2019-07-09 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Distance sensor for console positioning |
US10543395B2 (en) | 2016-12-05 | 2020-01-28 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Offsetting treadmill deck weight during operation |
US11451108B2 (en) | 2017-08-16 | 2022-09-20 | Ifit Inc. | Systems and methods for axial impact resistance in electric motors |
US10729965B2 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2020-08-04 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Audible belt guide in a treadmill |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20080176717A1 (en) | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill | |
US20080176718A1 (en) | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill | |
US20060287163A1 (en) | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill | |
US20090093347A1 (en) | Integrated folding mechanism of a treadmill | |
US7316633B2 (en) | Elliptical exercise machine | |
US7300387B2 (en) | Treadle assembly of an exercise equipment | |
US20050255969A1 (en) | Folding mechanism for a treadmill | |
US20060240951A1 (en) | Supporting mechanism for a deck frame of a folding-up treadmill | |
US20030073545A1 (en) | Treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure | |
US7789807B1 (en) | Folding mechanism of a treadmill | |
US20070202996A1 (en) | Treadmill | |
KR101371607B1 (en) | Deck support structure of treadmill | |
US20070135268A1 (en) | Treadle assembly of an exercise equipment | |
US9403054B1 (en) | Sitting type oblong orbital exercising machine | |
CA2471080A1 (en) | Adjustable roof platform | |
US20180015325A1 (en) | Mandatory hooking/locking device for elevating footboard of pull-up exercise machine | |
EP2033690A1 (en) | Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill | |
US6311994B1 (en) | Skateboard-like exerciser | |
US20070135269A1 (en) | Deflectable treadle of an exercise apparatus | |
US9616280B2 (en) | Sitting type oblong orbital exercising machine | |
US20070257242A1 (en) | Compact carpet stretcher | |
KR100890923B1 (en) | Structure for nonslip of stairs | |
ATE462327T1 (en) | BED | |
EP1354548A3 (en) | Floor care machine with counter acting force | |
US7331905B1 (en) | Fixed safety handle of an elliptical cross trainer |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |