US3608898A - Treadmill with curved axles supporting the belt - Google Patents
Treadmill with curved axles supporting the belt Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3608898A US3608898A US38666A US3608898DA US3608898A US 3608898 A US3608898 A US 3608898A US 38666 A US38666 A US 38666A US 3608898D A US3608898D A US 3608898DA US 3608898 A US3608898 A US 3608898A
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- axles
- frame
- wheel
- curved
- wheels
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- 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
- A63B22/0015—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
Definitions
- a rectangular frame supports a plurality of transversely extending horizontal axles. These axles have at each end and at the midpoint a separate driving wheel freely rotatable thereabout. Some of the axles as viewed in a horizontal plane are curved intermediate their ends to offset the center wheel from the end wheels.
- An endless belt freely rotatable in the frame is wrapped around the axles to engage the wheels and to be spaced from the axles.
- a user runs on top of the belt which rotates with the wheels to enable the user to remain in one place while running.
- Use of the offset wheels enables greater separation between adjacent axles for a given size of frame over that obtainable when straight parallel axles are used whereby the number of axles and driving wheels is reduced.
- FIG. 1 is a top cutaway view of my invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional end view thereof
- FIG. 3 is a detail top view thereof
- FIG. 4 is a detail end view thereof
- FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view thereof; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof.
- a hollow rectangular frame 10 having open top and bottom surfaces is provided at one end with manually adjustable screws 12 to vary the separation between this end and the ground, floor or other supporting surface whereby the frame can be inclined or level. As the angle of inclination is increased, the energy required to operate the apparatus is increased whereby more strenuous exercise is involved.
- a handle 14 to be used, when desired, as a support by a user is secured to, and extends upward from this one end.
- a plurality of spaced horizontal axles having freely rotatable driving wheels 16 at each end extend within the frame between opposite sides.
- the axles 18 immediately adjacent each end are straight and parallel; all other axles 22 curve in the same direction, as viewed in the horizontal plane, between their ends whereby the midpoint of each axle is equidistantly offset from both ends. (These axles, as viewed in vertical planes, do not curve).
- An additional driving wheel 24 is secured to the midpoint of each axle and is freely rotatable thereabout. All wheels 16 and 24 are parallel and are coplanar. However, each wheel 24 is offset from the corresponding wheels 16.
- An endless belt 26 having top and bottom horizontal surfaces is disposed in the frame and is wrapped about the axles and wheels in such manner as to engage the periphery of the wheels and to be spaced from the axles.
- the longitudinal direction of rotation of the belt extends transversely to the axles, A user can then run on the structure while remaining in one place in the usual manner utilizing a treadmill.
- axles and wheels were all axles to be straight and parallel, a certain quantity of axles and wheels would be required with a given geometry to provide proper performance regardless of the position of the users feet on the belt. By using curved axles and offset wheels, fewer axles and wheels are required for the same geometry. Note that straight axles 1.8 are used to provide proper clearances adjacent the ends of the frame.
- Exercise apparatus comprising: a hollow rectangular frame having open top and bottom surfaces; a plurality of horizontal spaced axles extending in spaced horizontally coplanar positions between opposite sides of the frame, at least some of these axles being curved in a horizontal plane whereby the midpoint of each curved axle is in the same horizontal plane, as but is disposed offset and equidistantly spaced from both ends thereof;
- each wheel in the pair being rotatably disposed about a corresponding end of a corresponding axle, all of said wheel pairs being parallel and coplanar;
- an endless belt having a longitudinal direction of rotation extending transversely to said axles, said belt being wrapped about and in peripheral contact with all of said wheels and spaced from said axles.
- Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including manually adjustable means secured to one end of said frame to vary the angle of inclination of said frame with respect to the horizontal.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Cardiology (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
Abstract
A treadmill utilizing an endless belt which permits a user to run while remaining in one place. Curved axles supporting driving wheels are employed to minimize the number of driving wheels and axles employed. Each axle rotatably supports one wheel at its center and one wheel at each end. These axles are curved in a horizontal plane so that the center wheel is offset from the end wheels.
Description
United States Patent Evan H. Berlin l 19 Dunn Ave., Lake City, Pa. 16423 Appl. No. 38,666
Filed May 19, 1970 Patented Sept. 28, 1971 Inventor TREADMILL WITH CURVED AXLES SUPPORTING THE BELT 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.
ILLS. Cl 272/69 A63!) 23/06 272/69;
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,064,968 6/1913 Hagen 272/69 i Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard Dror ABSTRACT: A treadmill utilizing an endless belt which permits a user to run while remaining in one place. Curved axles supporting driving wheels are employed to minimize the number of driving wheels and axles employed. Each axle rotutably supports one wheel at its center and one wheel at each end. These axles are curved in a horizontal plane so that the center wheel is offset from the end wheels.
TREADMILL WITH CURVED AXLES SUPPORTING THE BELT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A rectangular frame supports a plurality of transversely extending horizontal axles. These axles have at each end and at the midpoint a separate driving wheel freely rotatable thereabout. Some of the axles as viewed in a horizontal plane are curved intermediate their ends to offset the center wheel from the end wheels. An endless belt freely rotatable in the frame is wrapped around the axles to engage the wheels and to be spaced from the axles. A user runs on top of the belt which rotates with the wheels to enable the user to remain in one place while running. Use of the offset wheels enables greater separation between adjacent axles for a given size of frame over that obtainable when straight parallel axles are used whereby the number of axles and driving wheels is reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top cutaway view of my invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional end view thereof; FIG. 3 is a detail top view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a detail end view thereof;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view thereof; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a hollow rectangular frame 10 having open top and bottom surfaces is provided at one end with manually adjustable screws 12 to vary the separation between this end and the ground, floor or other supporting surface whereby the frame can be inclined or level. As the angle of inclination is increased, the energy required to operate the apparatus is increased whereby more strenuous exercise is involved. A handle 14 to be used, when desired, as a support by a user is secured to, and extends upward from this one end.
A plurality of spaced horizontal axles having freely rotatable driving wheels 16 at each end extend within the frame between opposite sides. The axles 18 immediately adjacent each end are straight and parallel; all other axles 22 curve in the same direction, as viewed in the horizontal plane, between their ends whereby the midpoint of each axle is equidistantly offset from both ends. (These axles, as viewed in vertical planes, do not curve). An additional driving wheel 24 is secured to the midpoint of each axle and is freely rotatable thereabout. All wheels 16 and 24 are parallel and are coplanar. However, each wheel 24 is offset from the corresponding wheels 16.
An endless belt 26 having top and bottom horizontal surfaces is disposed in the frame and is wrapped about the axles and wheels in such manner as to engage the periphery of the wheels and to be spaced from the axles. The longitudinal direction of rotation of the belt extends transversely to the axles, A user can then run on the structure while remaining in one place in the usual manner utilizing a treadmill.
Were all axles to be straight and parallel, a certain quantity of axles and wheels would be required with a given geometry to provide proper performance regardless of the position of the users feet on the belt. By using curved axles and offset wheels, fewer axles and wheels are required for the same geometry. Note that straight axles 1.8 are used to provide proper clearances adjacent the ends of the frame.
While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.
Having thus described this invention what is asserted as new 1. Exercise apparatus comprising: a hollow rectangular frame having open top and bottom surfaces; a plurality of horizontal spaced axles extending in spaced horizontally coplanar positions between opposite sides of the frame, at least some of these axles being curved in a horizontal plane whereby the midpoint of each curved axle is in the same horizontal plane, as but is disposed offset and equidistantly spaced from both ends thereof;
a like plurality of pairs of driving wheels, each wheel in the pair being rotatably disposed about a corresponding end of a corresponding axle, all of said wheel pairs being parallel and coplanar;
an additional and like plurality of individual driving wheels parallel to and coplanar with said wheel pairs, each individual wheel being rotatable about the midpoint of the corresponding axle; and
an endless belt having a longitudinal direction of rotation extending transversely to said axles, said belt being wrapped about and in peripheral contact with all of said wheels and spaced from said axles.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim I wherein others of said axles are straight and parallel.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2. wherein there are two straight axles, each straight axle being disposed adjacent a corresponding end of the frame.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including manually adjustable means secured to one end of said frame to vary the angle of inclination of said frame with respect to the horizontal.
Claims (4)
1. Exercise apparatus comprising: a hollow rectangular frame having open top and bottom surfaces; a plurality of horizontal spaced axles extending in spaced horizontally coplanar positions between opposite sides of the frame, at least some of these axles being curved in a horizontal plane whereby the midpoint of each curved axle is in the same horizontal plane, as but is disposed offset and equidistantly spaced from both ends thereof; a like plurality of pairs of driving wheels, each wheel in the pair being rotatably disposed about a corresponding end of a corresponding axle, all of said wheel pairs being parallel and coplanar; an additional and like plurality of individual driving wheels parallel to and coplanar with said wheel pairs, each individual wheel being rotatable about the midpoint of the corresponding axle; and an endless belt having a longitudinal direction of rotation extending transversely to said axles, said belt being wrapped about and in peripheral contact with all of said wheels and spaced from said axles.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein others of said axles are straight and parallel.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein there are two straight axles, each straight axle being disposed adjacent a corresponding end of the frame.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including manually adjustable means secured to one end of said frame to vary the angle of inclination of said frame with respect to the horizontal.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US3866670A | 1970-05-19 | 1970-05-19 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3608898A true US3608898A (en) | 1971-09-28 |
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Family Applications (1)
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US38666A Expired - Lifetime US3608898A (en) | 1970-05-19 | 1970-05-19 | Treadmill with curved axles supporting the belt |
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Cited By (31)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4066257A (en) * | 1975-11-07 | 1978-01-03 | Moller Bynum W | Treadmill exercising device |
US4616822A (en) * | 1984-08-01 | 1986-10-14 | Trulaske James A | Exercise treadmill |
US5203800A (en) * | 1991-10-11 | 1993-04-20 | Meredith Jeffrey O | Treadmill with peripheral belt support |
US5330401A (en) * | 1993-03-02 | 1994-07-19 | Orbiter Royalty Trust | Suspension system for treadmill with resilient surface |
US5336145A (en) * | 1991-08-30 | 1994-08-09 | Keiser Dennis L | Apparatus having a movable load bearing surface |
US6974404B1 (en) | 1996-01-30 | 2005-12-13 | Icon Ip, Inc. | Reorienting treadmill |
US7192388B2 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 2007-03-20 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Fold-out treadmill |
WO2015037999A1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-19 | Olav SANDNES | An active walking platform and a system for walking in place |
US9186539B2 (en) | 2013-10-17 | 2015-11-17 | Paul G. Kahmann | Walking slide mill |
US9968823B2 (en) | 2015-08-28 | 2018-05-15 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Treadmill with suspended tread belt |
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 (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1064968A (en) * | 1911-10-20 | 1913-06-17 | Claude Lauraine Hagen | Training-machine. |
-
1970
- 1970-05-19 US US38666A patent/US3608898A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1064968A (en) * | 1911-10-20 | 1913-06-17 | Claude Lauraine Hagen | Training-machine. |
Cited By (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4066257A (en) * | 1975-11-07 | 1978-01-03 | Moller Bynum W | Treadmill exercising device |
US4616822A (en) * | 1984-08-01 | 1986-10-14 | Trulaske James A | Exercise treadmill |
US5336145A (en) * | 1991-08-30 | 1994-08-09 | Keiser Dennis L | Apparatus having a movable load bearing surface |
US5203800A (en) * | 1991-10-11 | 1993-04-20 | Meredith Jeffrey O | Treadmill with peripheral belt support |
US5330401A (en) * | 1993-03-02 | 1994-07-19 | Orbiter Royalty Trust | Suspension system for treadmill with resilient surface |
US6974404B1 (en) | 1996-01-30 | 2005-12-13 | Icon Ip, Inc. | Reorienting treadmill |
US7540828B2 (en) | 1996-01-30 | 2009-06-02 | Icon Ip, Inc. | Reorienting treadmill |
US7192388B2 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 2007-03-20 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Fold-out treadmill |
US10279212B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2019-05-07 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods |
WO2015037999A1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-19 | Olav SANDNES | An active walking platform and a system for walking in place |
US9186539B2 (en) | 2013-10-17 | 2015-11-17 | Paul G. Kahmann | Walking slide mill |
US10188890B2 (en) | 2013-12-26 | 2019-01-29 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Magnetic resistance mechanism in a cable machine |
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 |
US10953305B2 (en) | 2015-08-26 | 2021-03-23 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Strength exercise mechanisms |
US9968823B2 (en) | 2015-08-28 | 2018-05-15 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Treadmill with suspended tread belt |
US10293211B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-05-21 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Coordinated weight selection |
US10493349B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-12-03 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Display on exercise device |
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 |
US10561894B2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2020-02-18 | Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. | Treadmill with removable supports |
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 |
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