WO2009014330A1

WO2009014330A1 - A weight training treadmill and its controlling method

Info

Publication number: WO2009014330A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/004064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Chul Kim
Original assignee: Jae-Chul Kim
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2008-07-10
Publication date: 2009-01-29
Also published as: KR100829774B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a weight training treadmill and a method of controlling the same. The present invention more particularly relates to a weight training treadmill which includes a running belt, a motor for driving the running belt, a motor driver, sensors for controlling the running belt and the motor, and a controller, and further includes means for allowing the weight training to be carried out. And a method of controlling the treadmill is also provided, which allows the motor to act as a brake having a braking power when the running belt moves for a predetermined distance, stops and then moves backward by an external power. Therefore, according to the present invention, an operator's external power for moving the running belt backward after the running belt moves for a predetermined distance and stops leads to weight training by means of a braking power generated from the motor.

Description

A WEIGHT TRAINING TREADMILL AND ITS CONTROLLING

METHOD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a weight training treadmill and a method for controlling the same. The present invention more particularly relates to a weight training treadmill which includes a running belt, a motor and a motor driver for driving the running belt, sensors for controlling the running belt and the motor, and a controller, and further includes means for allowing the weight training to be carried out. In addition, a method for controlling the treadmill is also provided, which allows the motor to act as a brake having a braking power when the running belt moves backward by an external power after the running belt had been moved for a predetermined distance and then stopped.

[2] Therefore, according to the present invention, an operator applying his/her power to the running belt for moving the running belt backward after the running belt had moved for a predetermined distance forward and then stopped can be led to experience a weight training by means of a braking power generated from the motor. Background Art

[3] Cited document 1: U.S. patent publication No. US 2006/0135322 Al, 2006.06.22

[4] Cited document 2: U.S. patent publication No. US 2006/0276306 Al, 2006.12.07

[5] Cited document 3: International publication No. WO/2002/083251, 2002.10.24

[6] Cited document 4: Korean patent registration No. 10-0701456, 2007.03.23

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] In general, a treadmill also known as a running machine in Korea has a running belt wound around two rotating axes spaced apart from each other at predetermined distance for limitless orbit rotation. Any one of the axes is connected to a motor by a belt or the like so that a rotating movement is delivered, and the running belt, the rotating axes, and the motor are disposed in a bottom frame playing role of an external casing. A support frame is disposed on the bottom frame, and a controller such as an instrument board is disposed at the support frame.

[8] Such a treadmill allows the controller to set or select a rotating speed and time of the running belt and to drive the running belt, while an operator walked or ran on the running belt. Accordingly, the conventional treadmill only allowed walking and running exercises. For physical strength training such as weight training, separated equipment should be required. [9] According to cited document 4, it discloses a multi-functional running machine and a method for controlling the same, which allows a running belt to move reciprocally for a predetermined distance. That is, as both of the forward and backward rotations of the motor can be driven, an operator can enjoy the physical strength training such as stretching, bending, twisting, pushing, relaxation, contraction in addition to the treadmill exercise. However, it was limited to create various methods for intensively carrying out weight training.

[10] The multi-functional running machine only allows the runnung belt to move reciprocally for a predetermined distance using a driving power of the motor, so that it is limited to experience weight training exercises applying an operator's power.

[11] In addition to yoga, there is an apparatus called reformer, which relaxes or contracts muscles to strengthen the muscle power. The reformer for doing pilates exercise includes a rope supported by a frame, a rope grip, a spring, a panel moving along a rail, and a rope guide roller so that an operator usually holds the rope with his/her hands or feet to use the reformer, which is disclosed in cited document 3.

[12] The reformer for the pilates exercise is the athletic apparatus moving along the rail by the force of operator against the braking power of the spring so that the operator can exercise only using his/her muscle power on the panel without using a motor. Accordingly, an effect of the training can be significantly large, but the size of the movable panel is small to limit the training posture and method. Further, the spring and the rail are exposed due to a property of the reformer to cause a restoring power of the spring when the operator let go of the rope by accident so that the rapidly moving panel is not safe to the operator. In addition, it is burdensome to individually hang the spring in such a reformer for pushing or pulling exercise, and it is difficult for the operator to have interest in terms of the passive exercise. Technical Solution

[13] In order to solve the foregoing and/or other problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a treadmill as described in the following embodiments.

[14] The present invention provides a method for allowing weight training to be carried out using a treadmill including a motor for generating a driving power and a braking power by means of a motor driver, a running belt driven by the motor and a controller for controlling the motor driver, wherein the running belt moves for a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction (forward direction) and then stops, and moves backward by means of an operator's power, and a forward driving power of the motor is removed to have only a motor load resistance so that the braking power of the motor acts on the running belt when the running belt moves backward.

[15] The weight training can be more variously carried out by using a load cell for recognizing a weight. That is, a power applied by the operator is input to the controller through the load cell, and the input power is determined to change the driving power and the braking power of the motor according to various setting conditions, so that a power such as spring tension which has been generated in the reformer for pilates exercise can be adjusted more finely to allow various safe and interesting weight trainings to be carried out.

[16] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a weight training treadmill, which includes: a driving motor controlled by a motor driver; a running belt wound around two rotatable axes and for rotation; a bottom frame where the running belt is mounted; and a controller disposed in a vertical frame supported by the bottom frame for controlling the motor driver, wherein the running belt moves for a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction (forward direction) and then stops, and moves backward by means of an operator's power, and a forward driving power of the motor is removed to have only a load resistance that acts as a weight training load when the running belt moves backward.

Advantageous Effects

[17] According to the present invention as described above, when the running belt moves for a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction by a motor and then stops and then moves backward by an operator, a braking voltage of the motor is generated to cause the operator's power to act on the weight training. This allows a weight training function to be added to the existing treadmill function so that various trainings can be done in one apparatus.

[18] In addition, the controller that receives the operator's power as a signal by the load cell changes the braking power and the driving power of the motor according to the operator's power, so that the weight training can be properly done in a range that can draw a distinction of the training and does not apply an excessive power to the physical muscle. Brief Description of the Drawings

[19] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[20] FIG. 1 is a whole perspective diagram of the present invention.

[21] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a marking and a belt sensor.

[22] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional rotating axis sensor.

[23] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a base plate and an anti-rolling base plate. [24] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a configuration of a rope.

[25] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a long pull training method.

[26] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a vertical fly training method.

[27] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an arm curl training method.

[28] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a high lat pull training method.

[29] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a chest press training method.

[30] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a dipping training method.

[31] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a leg press training method.

[32] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a leg curl training method.

[33] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a total hip training method.

[34] FIG. 15 is a diagram of a chest weight training method.

[35] FIG. 16 is a diagram of an abdominal training method.

[36] FIG. 17 is a diagram of a barbell up training method.

[37] FIG. 18 is a diagram of a dumbbell and barbell training method.

[38] FIG. 19 is a diagram of a pull over training method.

[39] FIG. 20 is a diagram of a leg squat training method.

[40] FIG. 21 is a diagram of an inner thigh training method.

[41] FIG. 22 is a diagram of a whole body exercise using a rope guide roller and a rope.

[42] FIG. 23 is a diagram of a mounted load cell engagement rod.

[43] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a running belt training.

[44] FIG. 25 is a flow chart of a general weight training mode.

[45] FIG. 26 is a flow chart of a motion copy weight training mode.

[46] FIG. 27 is a flow chart of a weight recognition weight training using a load cell.

Mode for the Invention

[47] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[48] The present invention is mainly classified into two modes.

[49] The first mode is a control method mode that signals of a load cell 30 are not recognized by a controller 4 at the time of weight training, and the second mode is a control method mode that the signals of the load cell 30 are recognized by the controller 4 at the time of weight training.

[50] The first mode of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to an apparatus, as follows. The present invention is not for controlling the running belt 1 in one direction, reverse direction, or reciprocating movement for a predetermined distance in the conventional treadmill. That is, the present invention differs from the conventional treadmill due to the characteristics in that a motor 2 that moves in any one direction for a predetermined angle of the running belt 1 and stops, a running belt 1 that moves for a predetermined distance (not greater than 1.5 meter) and stops by the motor 2 and moves backward to the original position by an operator's power, and a rope 3 and a pipe 18 that help to exert power from the operator when the running belt 1 needs to move backward are employed. And it also differs from the conventional treadmill in that a braking power is applied to the motor 2 when the operator tries to return to the original position.

[51] In particular, the present invention provides a treadmill, which derives anaerobic weight training on the running belt 1 from a braking power of the motor 2 generated when the operator tries to move the running belt 1 backward on the running belt 1 driven by the motor 2. Accordingly, the treadmill for the weight training according to the present invention includes: a motor 2 whose braking power is controllable; a controller 4 for controlling a movement speed, a movement direction, a movement distance, and so on of the running belt 1; a bench 5, a base plate 6 or an anti-rolling base plate 34 for aiding the training on the running belt 1; a rope 3, a rope guide roller 7, a rope grip 8, a rope rod 9, and an engagement rod 10 for allowing the operator to exert his/her power; and a plurality of adjustment buttons 11 for allowing the operator to readily adjust a training intensity while doing the training.

[52] Such a structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, provides a treadmill, which includes a motor 2 having a decelerating function controlled by a motor driver 12, a running belt 1 driven by the motor 2, a bottom frame 13 where the running belt 1 is mounted, and a vertical frame 14 vertically disposed on the bottom frame 13 and having a controller 4 for controlling the motor driver 12.

[53] The present invention is characterized in that a forward driving power of the motor 2 is removed but a backward load resistance of the motor is generated when the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction (forward direction) and then stops and moves backward by means of the operator's power, so that a braking power of the motor 2 acts as a weight when the operator tries to move the running belt 1 backward, thereby allowing the weight training to be carried out by the operator.

[54] The controller 4 receives signals corresponing to a movement distance, a movement speed, a movement direction, and the number of movement of the running belt 1, and a magnitude of the braking power from the operator. In addition, the running belt 1 operates in accordance with contents input to the controller 4 so that all information resulting from the movement of the running belt 1 is displayed in the controller 4 at the time of training.

[55] The braking power of the motor 2 is varied by the motor driver 12 to cause the operator's power to be changed at the time of weight training. [56] The controller 4 already has various programs in combination of movement distance, the movement speed, the movement direction, and a movement time of the running belt 1, and the braking power of the motor 2, so that the operator selects any one of the various programs.

[57] The controller 4 operates a sound and a lamp according to the control information of the motor 2 and the operating state of the running belt 1 moving for a predetermined distance (or section). At this time, sounds generated from counting of reciprocating movement for safety according to the information of the controller are informed by a speaker so that the operator can concentrate more on the respiration and training posture.

[58] FIG. 24 illustrates the controlling examples of the running belt 1 moved within a predetermined section by the motor 2, in which the predetermined section ranges from A to Z, for example. A solid line and a dotted line are present between A and Z, wherein the solid line represents a direction of the running belt 1 driven by the motor 2 only, and the dotted line represents a direction of an operator's power movement only. When the running belt 1 moves backward by means of the operator's power, a braking power of the motor 2 is applied in the moving section and it can be also varied. Further, a driving voltage of the motor 2 can be changed also in the moving section where the running belt 1 moves forward for a predetermined distance so that the velocity of the running belt 1 may be changed. This corresponds to FIG. 24 (d) and (e). That is, thick solid lines of (d) denote changes in magnitude of the driving voltage, and thick dotted lines of (e) denote changes in braking voltage of the motor 2.

[59] The running belt 1 may be configured to have a pause period at least one time in a section where the running belt moves forward for a predetermined distance by means of the motor 2. That is, the motor 2 is forced to stop even when the operator's power acts backward so that the running belt is controlled to have the pause period at least one time within the training section. Examples of the pause period within the training section are illustrated in FIG. 24(f) and (g). In the drawing, the pause period is shown as dots.

[60] In addition, the running belt 1 may be controlled by the controller 4 to have the pause period varying from 1 to 6 seconds at an end of the predetermined distance desired by the operator's power and at an end of the predetermined distance moved by the driving voltage of the motor 2. This corresponds to of FIG. 24(b) and (c), and is shown as large dots.

[61] Referring to (a) of FIG. 24, the driving voltage of the motor 2 is uniform within the section by the already input value, and the backward braking voltage is also constantly kept within the predetermined section depending on what was input by the controller 4. Accordingly, FIG. 24(a) shows the example in which the uniform speed and braking power of the motor 2 are presented. However, the speed and the braking power are not restricted with each other to be mutually effected.

[62] The braking power of the motor 2, the movement speed and the movement distance of the running belt 1 may be adjusted by several adjustment buttons 11 disposed in the treadmill. That is, the adjustment buttons 11 may be disposed at a proper position of the bottom frame 13 where the running belt 1 is disposed, at a proper position of the vertical frame 14 vertically disposed in the bottom frame 13 and having the controller 4, or a proper position such as an end of the knob 15 disposed above the vertical frame 14.

[63] An engagement rod 10 is disposed across the vertical frame 14, and the separated engagement rod 10 may be inserted into multi grooves 19 of an engagement unit 20 for facilitating insertion by the operator.

[64] The engagement rod 10 is disposed to allow the rope 3 to be hung on. The engagement unit 20 having the multi grooves 19 may be disposed to allow the mounted position of the engagement rod 10 to be detachably changed in the vertical frame 14.

[65] A bench 5, a base plate 6, or an anti-rolling base plate 34 may be disposed on the running belt 1.

[66] Pipe insert holes 17 are formed at both sides of the bottom frame 13, and both ends of the "n"-shaped pipe 18 having the rope guide rollers 7 may be inserted into the pipe insert holes 17.

[67] Markings 29a and 29b as means for recognizing a movement distance are disposed at both edges of the running belt 1 at regular intervals, belt sensors 23a and 23b are disposed at positions allowing the markings 29a and 29b to be recognized, so that the movement distance and speed of the running belt 1 can be accurately measured. That is, the markings 29a are disposed at one edge of the running belt 1 with equal intervals, and the markings 29b are disposed at the other edge at equal intervals, wherein the interval of the marking 29a is different from the interval of the marking 29b. Accordingly, the controller 4 of the present invention has a built-in program for calculating a movement distance of the running belt 1 using the belt sensors 23a and 23b only without employing a rotating axis sensor 22 disposed in the rotating axis 21a, so that the information of the running belt 1 can be extracted even when errors of the rotating axis sensor 22 occur.

[68] The controller 4 calculates the voltage of the motor driver 12 and the time when the voltage was output to calculate the movement distance of the running belt 1. That is, the controller 4 may be configured to calculate the voltage of the motor driver 12 and the time when the voltage was output to calculate the movement distance of the running belt 1 without using the rotating axis sensor 22 for measuring the movement distance of the running belt 1 that moves in a predetermined section. [69] The running belt 1 may be configured to have a varying inclination degree by means of the controller 4 when the operator does the weight training on the running belt 1. [70] A motor case 24 for covering the motor is disposed at one end of the bottom frame

13, and several rotating roller rods 25 are disposed above the motor case 24. [71] The controller 4 may be configured to compare a movement distance of the running belt 1 run by the motor 2 with a movement distance of the running belt 1 run backward by the operator's power and to control the motor 2 to operate by an amount of error when the error results from the comparison so that the running belt 1 moves always by a constant distance. [72] The present invention has set about 1 :3 to 1 :4 ratio of a belt pulley 26 of the motor 2 to the belt pulley 26 of the rotating axis 21a connected to the belt pulley by means of the belt 27. [73] The present invention takes advantages of the response speed of the motor 2 that repeatedly moves after stopping and a low rpm range of the motor 2 so that a motor 2 wheel was not employed. [74] The treadmill with an increased pulley ratio has a decreased rotating speed of the running belt 1 moving at a fast speed in a general running function, however, the decrease is cancelled off by the increased rpm of the motor 2 in control of the motor driver 12. [75] According to the treadmill with an increased pulley 26 ratio of the rotating axis 21a, a friction power between the running belt 1 and the deck 32 pushed by the operator's weight acts to be added with the strong braking power of the motor 2 in control of the motor driver 12, thereby making the running belt 1 stop. [76] The present invention has two fans outside the motor 2, which acts to have external cool air flow in and internal overheated air flow outside to prevent the motor 2 from being overheated due to repeat of the driving power and the braking power of the motor 2. [77] A temperature sensor having a predetermined value is built in the motor 2 for preventing the motor from being overheated, so that the sensor controls the voltage of the motor 2 by means of the motor driver 12 at the time of overheating state. [78] In addition, functions of the treadmill of the present invention are the same as those of a general treadmill. However, the functions of the general treadmill are not listed herein. [79] The treadmill of the present invention meets the objectives such as walking or running of the general treadmill. Further the training method according to the present invention at the time of weight training is at least the same effect with the conventional pilates training method [80] Change between the weight training treadmill of the present invention and the general treadmill is determined by the mode switching button of the controller 4, which is displayed by colors in up and down positions of the display of the controller 4.

[81] The present invention limits the speed of the running belt 1 to a range of predetermined speed for safety of the weight training. The speed may change in a value not greater than 6 km/h.

[82] The rope 3, the rope grip 8, or the rope rod 9 is usually employed in the treadmill at the time of weight training.The base plate 6 may be used to enhance the feeling of cushion and contact between the body and the running belt 1 when the operator performs the weight training on the running belt 1, and several fine protrusions are formed on the bottom of the base plate 6 for preventing slipping with the running belt 1 so that the slipping can be decreased as much as possible when the operator applies a power on the running belt 1. Vertical plates 28 may be erected at both sides of the base plate for receiving the pushing power.

[83] A friction power is originally present between the deck 32 and the running belt 1 due to the operator's weight when the braking power of the motor 2 does not act on the weight training. Accordingly, the operator can do the weight training without the braking power of the motor 2, and the braking power of the motor 2 is controlled by more increasing the friction power.

[84] The motor driver 12 alternately carries out outputting voltage for the driving power of the motor 2 and outputting the DC voltage for the braking power used as a load resistance. When the braking voltage is high the motor 2 stops, and when the braking power is small the braking voltage of the motor 2 is 0 V.

[85] The braking voltage significantly varies from 0 V to high value by means of the controlled output of the motor driver 12 when the motor 2 acts for the braking power, so that the power of operator can be changed within wide range.

[86] In this case, the high value is an upper limit value that the running belt stops due to the high braking power. The upper limit value may be changed depending on the horse power of the motor.

[87] The variable braking power is combined with the number of trainings when the power increases or decreases at the time of weight training so that the weight training method becomes well-organized and phased.

[88] The motor 2 has a rotating driving power in one direction in the general treadmill, however, according to the present invention, the driving power of the motor 2 is used and the braking power of the motor 2 is also used as a load resistance.

[89] Training objects may be readily accomplished by well-known techniques for con- trollingthe running belt 1 in terms of braking power and driving power at the time of weight training without using an extremely accurate control method. [90] To simply describe the braking power of the motor 2, the DC motor generates the braking power when to two poles are short-circuited backward, which may be divided by variable resistors or power elements and then applied to the rotating DC motor coil, thereby obtaining the varying braking power. In a case of three-phase AC motor, a constant voltage may be applied to any two phases of U, V and W phases to generate a DC voltage, which may be varied by a more or less amount and applied to the motor coil, thereby obtaining the varying control power according to the DC voltage. The DC voltage may be generated by pulse width modulation (PWM).

[91] Therefore, according to the present invention, when any one direction is selected to cause the running belt 1 to move by means of the motor 2 regardless of its direction, the braking power of the motor 2 is then required by the operator. The variable braking power may be already input in the controller 4 before doing the weight training, the operator may vary the braking power while doing his/her weight training, and separate adjustment buttons 11 for adjusting the magnitude of the braking power are disposed at a proper position. Accordingly, the degree of muscular tension and the intensity of exercise can be readily adjusted during the exercise. It is also possible for the adjustment buttons 11 to vary the braking power, the movement distance and the speed of the running belt 1.

[92] Sensors are employed to recognize the distance and calculate the length, of the running belt 1. It is required for the sensors to secure control of the movement distance of the running belt 1. Due to the characteristic that the braking power of the motor 2 varies while the operator does the weight training on the running belt 1, a slip occurs between the running belt 1 and the rotating axis 21a. Such phenomenon results from two different powers counteracting each other, i.e., the power for rotating the motor 2 and the operator's power opposite to the power for rotation.

[93] Accordingly, several markings 29a and 29b are printed at different intervals in both sides of an external surface of the running belt 1, and belt sensors 23a and 23b for recognizing the respective markings 29a and 29b are disposed close to the markings, so that the distance does not exceed the error range by means of the method of directly recognizing the length of the running belt 1 even when the slip occurs on the running belt 1.

[94] The movement distance of the running belt 1 is not accurately calculated by the rotating axis sensor 22 disposed in the rotating axis 21a of the motor 2, which occurs from the slip. Such an error results from the inner slip between the rotating axis 21a and the running belt 1.

[95] The rotating axis sensor 22 can have the accuracy of cm unit in recognizing the distance of the running belt 1, however, the accuracy is decreased due to the error occurring on the running belt 1 resulting from the slip of the running belt 1. However, according to the present invention, an actual movement distance of the running belt 1 required for the exercise can be calculated even when the slip occurs on the running belt 1, which is accomplished by the markings 29a and 29b and the belt sensors 23a and 23b which are disposed at both edges of the running belt 1. In addition, the present invention allows the interval between the markings 29a and the interval between the markings 29b to be different from each other so that the information detected from the respective markings can be complemented for each other to perform accurate measurement.

[96] That is, the means for recognizing the movement distance of the running belt 1 was reinforced by the addition of the belt sensors 23a and 23b, and a photosensor interacts with the markings 29a and 29b printed on side surfaces of the running belt 1. Therefore, it has a structure of recognizing reflecting light in an embodiment.

[97] The belt sensors 23a and 23b may be any sensors, however, are preferably composed of photo sensors. That is, since the belt sensors receive the infrared light reflected at a predetermined distance, it is not subjected to an electrostatic phenomenon which often occurs in a cold weather.

[98] Several magnets and Hall-effect sensors may be employed at the position of the rotating axis sensor 22 of the belt pulley 26 in calculating the movement distance of the running belt.

[99] The belt sensors 23a and 23b act to complement each other in recognizing the distance of the running belt 1 controlled by the rotating axis sensor 22, and runs a program for recognizing the distance of the running belt 1 when errors occur on the rotating axis sensor 22, which thus gives the operator safety and reliability during his/ her exercise.

[100] When the rotating axis sensor 22 runs the program for recognizing the distance of the running belt 1, the belt sensors 23a and 23b assist the rotating axis sensor 22. When assisting the rotating axis sensor, locations of the markings 29a and 29b of the running belt 1 are the central point notes.

[101] The controller 4 may have a program for calculating the distance of the running belt 1 only using the belt sensors 23a and 23b when the rotating axis sensor 22 fails to operate.

[102] Recognition of the length of the running belt 1 by means of the belt sensors 23a and 23b is different depending on the intervals and the number of the markings 29a and 29b. To accurately recognize the length, the number of the markings 29a and 29b needs to be increased.

[103] When the distance of the running belt 1 is recognized, the controller 4 may implement a program that compares the movement speed and the movement time of the running belt 1 without depending on the rotating axis sensor 22. The method of calculating the movement distance of the running belt 1 calculates the voltage output to the motor and the time of the output voltage. The method of calculating the movement distance of the running belt 1 using the time corresponds to a method of recognizing the distance of the running belt when all of the rotating axis sensor 22 and the belt sensors 23a and 23b are out of order.

[104] At this time, any one of the belt sensors 23a and 23b acts as a central point of the running belt.

[105] The method of recognizing the movement distance of the running belt using the time is not as good as the method of measuring the distance of the running belt 1 using the rotating axis sensor 22. However, according to the present invention, the running belt 1 moves in a predetermined direction and then stops by means of the motor 2 and remains stopped when an external power is not applied to the running belt 1, so that the weight training treadmill of the present invention is safer than the general running machine for walking or running, and the movement distance of the running belt 1 using the time does not significantly exceed the range for accomplishing the training objective.

[106] The speed and the time of the motor 2 for rotating the running belt 1 are also delivered to the motor driver 12 in consideration of the operator's safety by the controller 4. Consequently, the driving power of the motor 2 operating in any one direction has a power-off state so long as the operator's external power is not applied to the central points of the belt sensors 23a and 23b.

[107] The weight training that the running belt 1 moves in a predetermined direction by the motor 2 and the user applies a power in a backward direction to make the running belt move is repeatedly done, and the running belt 1 stops at any time when the user does not move.

[108] A friction occurs between the deck 32 and the bottom surface of the running belt 1 when the operator does the weight training, and increases in proportion to the increased weight of the user when the operator is on the running belt 1. Accordingly, the user can do the training with his/her weight only without generating the braking power of the motor at all, so that the running belt 1 has a load resistance for the weight training. When the operator's power does not make the running belt 1 with the weight of the operator move, the inclination degree of the treadmill may be changed to derive an oblique angle of the running belt 1 and the friction of the gravity acting on the running belt 1 may be decreased to allow the weak operator to do his/her weight training.

[109] The oblique angle of the running belt 1 causes a stronger weight gravity to act on the operator on the running belt when the operator changes his/her training posture.

[110] The method of significantly increasing the gravity power instead of the braking power of the motor 2 adjusts an inclination of the treadmill, which thus allows the weak operator to easily do his/her exercise and allows the intensity of the weight training to be varied.

[I l l] Such an inclination function for the treadmill is programmed in the controller 4, and an exercise effect becomes increased when the inclination of the treadmill is at high, medium, and low levels.

[112] Therefore, the weight training of the present invention can be accomplished by the inclination angle of the treadmill even without the braking power of the motor 2.

[113] In general, the general inclination angle of the treadmill is typically 25 degree or less, however, the weight training treadmill of the present invention allows the inclination angle to be increased to enhance the exercise effect as much as possible.

[114] When the weak operator does his/her exercise or the friction force of the running belt 1 with an operator's weight needs to be more decreased and the number of exercises needs to be increased, pipe insert holes 17 are formed near both side ends of the bottom frame 13 of the treadmill, and both ends of the "n" -shaped pipe 18 are inserted into the pipe insert holes. Accordingly, the weight training can be done when the pipe 18 is inserted and an exercise for walking or running can be done when the pipe 18 is separated from the treadmill.

[115] The pipe 18 has the rope guide roller 7 for allowing legs or hands to be switched for exercise and the rope 3 to be hung on.

[116] The controller 4 of the present invention acts to control the motor driver 12 for driving the motor 2, display various information, receive information input from buttons pressed by the operator, receive sensor signals, share functions of the treadmill and process incoming or outgoing separate information required for the exercise.

[117] Several adjustment buttons 11 are separately disposed in addition to the buttons controlled by the controller 4 during the weight training, and the use of the several adjustment buttons is to avoid troublesome that the buttons connected to the controller 4 must be pressed after the operator stands up while doing his/her exercise.

[118] Therefore, the adjustment buttons 11 may be disposed anywhere, since the operator needs not to stand up to adjust the braking power of the motor 2 required for adjusting the backward exercise or the distance of the motor 2.

[119] Such an exercise allows the buttons to be controlled at the time that the running belt

I moves by means of the motor 2 after the running belt 1 moves by means of the operator's braking power during his/her actual exercise, so that it allows the buttons to be controlled in a rest time during the weight training that causes pressure and rest to be alternately occur.

[120] Adjustment of the separate buttons 11 gives the operator continuity of the exercise to apply the power. Although not proposed by the present invention, the separate buttons

I 1 may be a remote control. [121] In addition, according to the present invention, a method of allowing the speed of the running belt 1 moving for a predetermined distance to be changed in the predetermined distance is implemented in a program of the controller 4. The change in speed acts to increase the body reaction of the operator and enhance the muscle power of the operator when the running belt 1 moves in the predetermined section by means of the motor 2.

[122] In addition, according to the present invention, the change in braking power of the motor 2 also occurs in the predetermined section by means of the program of the controller 4. That is, the braking power of the motor 2 is not the same but changes when the running belt 1 moves by means of the operator's power. For example, a driver may rapidly or slowly step on the brake or does a double-brake.

[123] The treadmill of the present invention does not significantly differs from the general treadmill in terms of its structure, however, the weight training method of the present invention significantly differs from the existing general exercise method such as walking and running. The motor 2 mounted in the treadmill is designed to be the nearest to the ground, the motor case 24 covering the motor 2 is closest to the upper height of the running belt 1, and the rotating roller rod 25 is disposed above the motor case 24.

[124] The rotating roller rod 25 acts to allow the operator to smoothly slip even when the operator partially moves above the motor case 24 while the operator does his/her weight training, and acts to complement the drawback that the operator feels due to a short length of the running belt 1 when the operator does the weight training while lying or lying on his/her face. This rotating roller rod 25 gives rise to a massage effect at locations where the body contacts the rotating roller rod 25 while the rod moves by means of the motor 2.

[125] It is preferable to form the base plate 6 with its end having a curved surface upward so as to avoid overlapping of the base plate and the rotating roller rod 25 when the base plate 6 grazes upward along the rotating roller rod during the operator's weight training.

[126] To increase the exercise effect in addition to various features of the weight training, the controller 4 allows the change in speed of the motor 2 to occur within a predetermined section, allows the braking power of the motor 2 to vary within the predetermined section even whenthe operator applies a power in a backward direction, and allows the running belt 1 to have a pause period after it moves within the predetermined section.

[127] A bench 5 is disposed for increasing the number of weight trainings. The bench 5 may be variously shaped. When the bench 5 is put on the running belt 1 and the operator sits on the bench to do the weight training, various body regions can be physically strengthened by means of the roper guide roller 7 when the rope 3 is employed, which thus attributes to the exercise effect.

[128] Generation of the sound and lamp from the controller 4 is to prevent the operator from being in danger due to confusion with the existing general treadmill and to make the operator concentrate more on the respiration and exercise posture by counting the training number of weight trainings using a speaker.

[129] The rope rod 9 have concave grooves 16 that act to prevent detachment of the rope 3 and recognize the width of the rope rod 9 when the operator grasps the rope rod.

[130] When the operator does his/her weight training, a motion copy function program is implemented for facilitating adjustment of the buttons from the controller 4. A processing flow of the motion copy is illustrated in FIG. 26.

[131] The motion copy function refers to an action that receives, from the rotating axis sensor 22 and the belt sensors 23a and 23b, information of the distance of the running belt 1 that moved backward by the operator's power and makes the running belt 1 move forward again by the movement distance of the operator using the driving power of the motor 2.

[132] This motion copy function acts to allow the controller 4 to recognize the movement direction and movement speed information of the running belt 1 through the rotating axis sensor 22 and the belt sensors 23a and 23b after the operator first moves the running belt 1 in a predetermined direction, and acts to copy the information of the movement distance of the operator to the motor 2 to make the running belt 1 move to its original position when the motor 2 moves in a backward direction.

[133] The motion copy function is an easy method for simple weight training and for allowing the operator to use some buttons without use of complicated buttons.

[134] The motion copy mode is first input in the controller 4 and then the operator does his/her exercise to move on the running belt 1 according to his/her proper exercise posture involving hands, foots, elbows, a waist, etc. The running belt 1 does not move when the operator does not repeat any action, so that the safety is also secured.

[135] In the mode copy exercise mode, the driving power of the motor 2 may involve the backward movement speed of the running belt 1 moved by the operator's power, and a movement speed of 6 km/h or less that divides into three levels, i.e., high, medium, low. This corresponds to a case that the movement distance of the running belt 1 is copied to control the movement distance resulting from the driving power of the motor 2 without copying the movement speed of the running belt 1.

[136] When there is no button input from the controller 4 during the exercise, a default value among the classified speeds mentioned above is selected to cause a constant value to be output, thereby avoiding confusion for the operator. According to the weight training in the motion copy mode, the operator first changes the movement distance of the running belt 1 to cause the next action to be generated by the motor 2, which thus facilitates using the weight training method of the beginner and enhances exercise safety. This is because various information of the complicated running belt 1 does not need to be individually input to the controller 4 and the running belt 1 does not move at all when the operator does not apply his/her power, so that the motion copy mode is safe and interesting.

[137] The foregoing has been described regarding the control method mode that does not allow the controller 4 to recognize signals of the load cell 30 when the weight training is done.

[138] A control method mode that allows the controller 4 to recognize the signals of the load cell 30 during the weight training will be now described.

[139] The apparatus is the same as the first mode, however, differs from the first mode in that the engagement rod 10 is replaced by load cell engagement rods 33a and 33b.

[140] This control method mode allows the controller 4 to receive the sensor signal of the load cell 30 and applies the signal to the driving power and the braking power of the motor 2. The processing flow is illustrated in FIG. 27.

[141] The first and the second modes mentioned above are common in that the driving power of the motor 2 is applied to any one direction without conditions and the braking power of the motor is applied to a direction opposite to the any one direction. However, the second mode differs from the first mode in that the controller 4 receives the power pushed or pulled by the operator in the first mode from the load cell 30 and varies the driving voltage and the braking voltage depending on the weight value of the load cell 30.

[142] The weight recognition weight training mode has a weight condition in addition to the first mode control method.

[143] The controller 4 in charge of adding the load cell 30 and the program receives the change in apparatus, changes it to the weight as a unit, and outputs the output voltage and the braking voltage of the motor 2 to the motor driver 12 depending on the weight condition.

[144] Load cell engagement rods 33a and 33b are disposed as additional devices which receive sensor signals of the load cell 30. The load cell engagement rod 33a has the load cell 30 engaged at a central position of the rod and allows an external rope to be hung on. The load cell engagement rod 33a acts only to extend the rope 3 after the rope is hung on the rod.

[145] The load cell engagement rod 33b has two load cells 30 disposed at both ends of the rod. Both ends of the load cell engagement rod 33b are inserted into the load cell housings 31 disposed in the vertical frame 14. At this time, the load cell 30 measures the pushing power and the pulling power according to the insertion direction. The load cell engagement rod 33b is detachably disposed in the load cell housing 31.

[146] Accordingly, the controller 4 may receive the power pushed or pulled by the load cell engagement rods 33a and 33b, and the load cell 30 may be disposed at any place where the power of the rope 3 can act.

[147] As such, powers pushed or pulled by the load cell engagement rods 33a and 33b are changed to signals, which are then delivered to the controller 4. And the voltage of the delivered weight value is changed to the value in weight in the controller 4. The changed weight is associated with the program in the controller 4 to be used for controlling the driving power and the braking power of the motor 2.

[148] When the pulling power in weight is set to 30 kg while the operator does his/her weight training, the running belt 1 does not move due to the strong braking power of the motor 2 when the operator's pulling power is 30 kg or less. However, when the pulling power exceeds 30 kg, the braking power of the motor 2 is decreased to cause the running belt to move due to the operator's power. That is, the exercising power done by the operator is adjusted to 30 kg by the load cell 30.

[149] Such an action is implemented by reading the unit in weight using the load cell 30 in the controller 4. Comparison is made on whether the read data exceeds a set weight value selected by the operator to determine the driving power and the braking power of the motor 2. That is, the controller 4 receives an initial value as a weight training amount desired by the operator, receives an actual power applied to the running belt 1 using the load cell 30 by the user, and compares the initial value with the actual power to adjust the magnitude of the braking power of the motor 2 and the magnitude of the driving power of the motor 2, so that the actual power is adjusted to the initial value. And the controller 4 stops the operation of the treadmill to secure safety when the operator's power received from the load cell 30 and applied to the running belt 1 varies several times for a predetermined time. The controller 4 moves the running belt 1 by means of the driving power and the braking power of the motor 2 input from the load cell 30, and controls the running belt 1 depending on the braking voltage of the set button value without receiving an input from the load cell 30 in the case of backward direction. The controller 4 controls the running belt 1 so as to vary the braking power and the driving power only in a specific section within a predetermined section.

[150] The load cell 30 is connected to the load cell engagement rod 33a to measure the pulling power, however, the kind of the load cell 30 and the position where the load cell 30 is to be disposed may be changed to measure the operator's power in the manner of pushing power, and one embodiment thereof corresponds to the load cell engagement rod 33b.

[151] Accordingly, the weight training treadmill uses the power and the signal by means of the load cell 30, allows the controller 4 to process them, and allows the operator to adj ust the power in weight unit applied to the motor 2, so that the exercise methods are creative based on the adjustment.

[152] The weight recognition weight training using the load cell 30 adds the method of controlling the weight recognition to the method of controlling the motor 2 using the driving power that moves for the predetermined distance in the predetermined direction and using the braking power for the motor that moves backward, so that resultant changes are as follows.

[153] The operator uses selection buttons to set the pulling or pushing weight by means of his/her body in the controller 4. And then the operator presses the start button, the controller 4 provides a braking power corresponding to the initially input weight value to the motor 2 to maintain the running belt 1 stopped. At this time, the running belt 1 can move only when the operator does his/her exercise with a power greater than the braking power of the motor 2.

[154] Whenever the power of the operator increases, the weight increase signal of the load cell 30 is transmitted to the controller 4 so that the controller 4 decreases the magnitude of the braking power in inverse proportion to the weight increase.

[155] This corresponds to the general weight training. When a barbell is lift up, a gravity acts on the barbell, and the barbell lift up has the same gravity. This may correspond to the case that the vertical gravity is changed to a horizontal weight.

[156] When doing an exercise, the motor 2 already has the selected weight (braking power) value, and the driving power of the motor 2 is not generated if the operator does not take any action. The running belt 1 moves when the operator's power is greater than the set weight value. At this time, the start point of the running belt 1 that starts to move is stored by the belt sensors 23a and 23b and the markings 29a and 29b. The running belt 1 returns to the stored first start point of the running belt 1 when the running belt moves for a predetermined distance and then the operator's power is smaller than the set weight value.

[157] The returning speed is the movement speed of the running belt 1, which is the driving power of the motor 2. Accordingly, when the driving power of the motor 2 occurs in any one direction in the weight recognition weight training using the load cell 30, the braking power necessarily occurs in a direction opposite to the any one direction.

[158] The power for returning to the first start point of the running belt 1 that has moved by the operator's power is responsible for the driving power of the motor 2, and the driving power that has exceeded the set value due to the operator's great power becomes the braking power to generate a voltage from the motor driver 12. Such every control is based on the set weight value and the operator's power.

[159] An embodiment thereof is as follows.

[160] 1. The operator selects a weight recognition mode button in the controller 4 mode. [161] 2. The operator selects a sensor weight from buttons connected to the controller 4.

[162] 3. The operator sets a movement speed and a movement direction and presses an OK button.

[163] 4. The operator sits on the running belt 1 in a direction toward the controller 4 and pulls the rope 3.

[164] 5. At this time, when the operator's pulling power is not greater than the set value, the braking power of the motor 2 strongly acts to keep the running belt 1 stopped.

[165] 6. When the operator's power is greater than the set value, the braking power of the stopped motor 2 is decreased and the running belt 1 moves in a direction where the operator's power acts. At this time, a sensor signal by the amount of movement is transmitted to the controller 4. The transmitted sensor signal acts to recognize the position of the running belt that has first started and to allow the running belt 1 to return to the position backward by the distance that the running belt moved by the driving power of the motor 2.

[166] 7. When the operator's power is greater than the set weight value in item 6, the braking power of the motor 2 is decreased in inverse proportion to the operator's increased power, which leads to the increased speed of the running belt 1 due to the operator's power.

[167] 8. When the pulling power is smaller than the set weight value in item 6, the driving power of the motor 2 is added to move the running belt 1 toward the first start point during the exercise. At this time, the magnitude in movement speed of the running belt 1 is inverse proportion to the magnitude in operator's power of pulling the rope.

[168] According to the above described embodiment, the running belt 1 that acts like a spring can be controlled when the weight is sensed using the load cell 30.

[169] The running belt 1 that has moved by the operator pulling the rope 3 has a restoring property like an elastic band or spring. This is based on the fact that the controller 4 controls the motor driver 12 in terms of the operator's pulling power that is great or small. Accordingly, the weight training using the load cell 30 of the present invention uses a control method employing proportional control in the controller 4, which changes the driving voltage and the braking voltage of the motor 2 depending on the magnitude in operator's pulling or pushing power, which thus leads to changes in movement power, movement distance and braking power of the running belt 1 so that an effect of the weight training for the operator is increased.

[170] The elasticity depending on the weight when the running belt 1 moves may be associated not with the vertical gravity but with the horizontal gravity, so that the weight training methods may be various.

[171] The patterns of the horizontal reciprocating exercise of the running belt 1 may be varied as shown in (h), (i), (j), (k) and (1) of FIG. 24. [172] The solid line arrows of FIG. 24 denote the movement of the running belt 1 by means of the driving power of the motor 2, and the dotted line arrows denote the movement of the running belt 1 by means of the operator's power exceeding the braking power of the motor 2.

[173] Examples of doing various weight trainings according to the present invention will now be described.

[174] First, the operator is in a start standby mode before doing his/her exercise. The operator inputs a control program for the running belt 1 that is suitable for the exercise by means of buttons. When the start button of the controller 4 is pressed, the program starts to run, the operator takes an exercise posture on the running belt 1 and waits for the movement of the running belt 1 in the standby time.

[175] The operator is informed of a start counter by means of a bell sound before 5 seconds the running belt 1 starts to move, the lamp operates to cause the running belt 1 to move in a predetermined distance. The movement speed is also selected by the program.

[176] The embodiment described below proposes common notes and predetermined direction for better understanding the present invention. A direction where the running belt 1 moves away from the controller 4 is the forward direction, and a direction where the running belt 1 moves toward the controller 4 is the backward direction. All exercise methods allow the motor 2 to move the running belt 1 in any one direction and allow the operator to act his/her power to move the running belt 1 in the opposite direction. Names of the exercise methods are arbitraily defined in terms of weight training equipment for better description of the present invention.

[177] Examples below correspond to ones that implement the first mode exercise method. The load cell 30 recognition weight mode is the same as the exercise methods below except that a condition regarding the weight is added, so that a description of the first mode exercise method will be sufficient. The rope rod 9 is illustrated in the examples below, however, the load cell engagement rods 33a and 33b instead of the rope rod 9 are used in other mode using the load cell 30.

[178] 1. LONG PULL

[179] The long pull exercise is illustrated in FIG. 6. The movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is a forward direction. The operator grasps the rope rod 9 connected to the rope 3 with his/her both hands and keeps legs together on the running belt 1. When the running belt 1 moves, the body then moves, the length of the rope 3 is limited, so that the waist is bent. The running belt 1 stops after it moves for a predetermined distance due to the controller 4. The operator pulls the rope 3 at the point of the stop. The magnitude in pulling power changes depending on the adjusted braking power of the running belt 1.

[180] When the magnitude in weight needs to be adjusted during the exercise, adjustment buttons separate from the key input device disposed in the controller 4 may be used for the same, and the operator may control the braking power of the running belt 1 without standing up from the running belt 1. That is, the speed, the braking power, and the direction of the running belt 1 may be changed according to the number of continuous pressing of the adjustment button 11. For example, one pressing may control the speed, two braking power, and so forth, and the right and left adjustment buttons 11 may be responsible for functions of decreasing or increasing the weight. Functions and operations of the adjustment buttons 11 are also the same in the following descriptions, so that they are omitted for simplicity.

[181] Therefore, after the thick solid line is changed to the double-dotted chain line, the running belt 1 moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that trapezius muscle, deltoid muscle, rhomboid muscle, and latissimus dorsi muscle can be strengthened.

[182] 2. VERTICAL FLY

[183] The vertical fly training is illustrated in FIG. 7. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator leans his/her back against the controller 4, grasps the rope 3 like grasping a steering wheel of a vehicle in front of the operator. At this time, when the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance in the forward direction, both arms of the operator are pulled back like spread wings.

[184] At the position where the running belt 1 has stopped, the operator strongly moves his/her arms that were pulled back like a circle and moves in a forward direction. The running belt 1 is rotated by the operator's arm power and then stop. At this time, the running belt 1 repeatedly moves again due to the motor 2. The braking power of the motor 2 is also properly controlled.

[185] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG. 7, the running belt 1 moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that deltoid muscle, pectoralis major muscle, and pectoralis minor muscle concentrated on the chest can be strengthened.

[186] 3. ARM CURL

[187] The arm curl exercise is illustrated in FIG. 8. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is a forward direction. The operator sits on a bench 5 disposed on the running belt 1, and grasps the rope rod 9 with both hands with palms facing upward. The operator softly puts his/her elbows on knees and bends his/her both arms. At the position where the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance by means of the controller 4 and then stops, the operator uses bending powers of both arms to pull the rope rod toward his/her neck. The operator repeatedly does this exercise. [188] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

8, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that biceps muscle and brachial muscle can be strengthened.

[ 189] 4. HIGH LAT PULL

[190] The high lat pull exercise is illustrated in FIG. 9. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator lies on the running belt 1 and grasps the rope rod 9 connected to the rope 3. When the running belt 1 moves in a predetermined direction and then stops, arms are spread toward the head of the operator. At this time, the operator pulls his/her spread arms to do the weight training. The operator may do this weight training even if the operator lies on his/her stomach. In this case, the base plate 6 may be disposed between the operator and the running belt 1 to prevent slipping.

[191] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

9, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that pectoralis major muscle, pectoralis minor muscle, biceps muscle, brachial muscle, rhomboid muscle, teres major muscle, and latissimus dorsi muscle can be strengthened.

[192] 5. CHEST PRESS

[193] The chest press exercise is illustrated in FIG. 10. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator sits on the bench 5 disposed on the running belt 1 with his back against the controller 4. The operator grasps the rope rod 9 connected to the rope 3 by a shoulder width and spreads his/her both arms straight at the chest height. Afterwards, when the running belt 1 moves forward, spread arms of the operator are bent and the rope rod 9 closely contacts the chest. At this time, the operator strongly pushes the rope rod 9 toward the controller direction so that the exercise can be repeatedly done in the direction where the running belt 1 moves.

[194] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

10, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that pectoralis major muscle, deltoid muscle, and triceps brachii muscle can be strengthened.

[195] 6. DIPPING

[196] The dipping exercise is illustrated in FIG. 11. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator grasps the rope 3 by both hands and stands at attention on the running belt 1. When the running belt 1 moves forward, the operator's arms are bent, and the bent arms are pushed downward by means of the operator's power. This exercise is also repeatedly done. The braking power of the motor 2 is increased when the weight needs to be increased. [197] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

11, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that pectoralis muscle and biceps muscle can be strengthened.

[198] 7. LEG PRESS

[199] The leg press exercise is illustrated in FIG. 12. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the backward direction. The operator has his/her both legs supported by the engagement rod 10 toward the controller 4 and is in standby mode with his/her knees spread. At this time, the base plate 6 or the anti-rolling base plate 34 may be disposed for preventing slipping between the running belt 1 and the operator's back. Protrusions for increasing the fraction with the running belt 1 are formed on a bottom surface of the base plate 6, and vertical plates 28 for supporting both shoulders of the operator are formed at both sides of one end of the anti-rolling base plate 34. Accordingly, the whole body is supported through the operator's shoulders.

[200] The engagement rod 10 is disposed over the vertical frame 14 where the controller 4 is mounted. When the running belt 1 moves backward, legs are bent to cause the operator's hips to move toward the controller 4.

[201] The running belt 1 that has moved backward and then stopped makes the operator's legs bent, and the operator's power pushes the running belt 1 forward when the operator spreads out his/her legs toward the engagement rod 10. At this time, the running belt 1 is pushed away due to the squat power and the braking power may be added to repeatedly do a desired exercise.

[202] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

12, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that adductor muscle, peroneus longus muscle, and peroneus longus muscle can be strengthened.

[203] 8. LEG CURL

[204] The leg curl exercise is illustrated in FIG. 13. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator lies on his/her stomach on the running belt 1, hangs two legs on the rope 3 with ankles closely pulled toward the hips, and waits for the operation of the motor 2.

[205] When the motor 2 operates to make the running belt 1 move forward, the two legs hung on the rope 3 are spread. When the operator strongly bends the running belt 1 with his/her two legs that have been spread, the two legs hung on the rope 3 are bent again like the first state. This is repeatedly done.

[206] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

13, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that biceps femon's muscle, semimembranosus muscle, semitendinosus muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle can be strengthened.

[207] 9. TOTAL HIP

[208] The total hip exercise is illustrated in FIG. 14. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the backward direction. The operator puts any one leg on the bottom surface next to any one side of the treadmill toward the controller 4 and puts the other leg straight behind the operator.

[209] When the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance and then stops due to the controller 4, the leg on the running belt 1 is bent, and the operator applies a power to the bent leg to move the running belt 1. This is repeatedly done.

[210] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

14, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that gluteus muscle and iliotibial band can be strengthened.

[211] 10. CHEST WEIGHT

[212] The chest weight exercise is illustrated in FIG. 15. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator fixes the rope 3 to the upper end of the vertical frame 14, bends his/her knees, grasps the rope 3 with two arms and is in a standby mode with pulling the rope down the crotch.

[213] When the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance and then stops by means of the motor 2, arms are spread straight toward the controller 4. At this time, the operator pulls the rope 3 down the crotch. The running belt 1 moves backward due to the operator's pulling power and then stops, and the motor 2 causes the operator's posture to be changed forward. This is repeatedly done.

[214] Accordingly, after the thicksolid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

15, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that triceps muscle, biceps muscle, and deltoid muscle can be strengthened.

[215] 11. ABDOMINAL

[216] The abdominal exercise is illustrated in FIG. 16. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator pulls the rope 3 above the back and the head, grasps the rope 3 with two hands at the forehead position, and waits for the forward movement of the running belt 1 due to the motor 2.

[217] When the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance and then stops due to the motor 2, the rope 3 causes the operator's waist to be bent backward. At this time, when the operator exerts himself to the utmost to try bending by means of the waist power, the running belt 1 moves backward.

[218] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

16, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that rectus abdominal muscle and obliquus externus abdominal muscle can be strengthened. [219] 12. BARBELL UP

[220] The barbell up exercise is illustrated in FIG. 17. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator lying on the running belt 1 grasps the rope rod 9 connected to the rope 3, spreads his/her arms above the head, and puts legs on the motor case 24. Afterwards, when the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance and then stops due to the motor 2, the rope rod 9 is moved toward and above the head and the arms are bent. At this time, when the operator strongly pushes the bent arms above the head, the running belt 1 moves backward due to the operator's power. This is repeatedly done. In addition, although this exercise is not illustrated in the drawing, the effect of the barbell up exercise increases when the operator lies on his/her stomach on the running belt 1.

[221] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

17, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that deltoid muscle and triceps brachii muscle can be strengthened.

[222] 13. DUMBELL/BARBELL

[223] The dumbell/barbell exercise is illustrated in FIG. 18. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator lies on the running belt 1, grasps the rope rod 9 connected to the rope 3 with two hands, and bends the arms. Afterwards, when the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance and then stops due to the motor 2, the rope rod 9 is moved down the lower body of the operator.

[224] At this time, when the operator pull his/her two arms, the running belt moves backward. This is repeatedly done.

[225] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

18, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that biceps muscle can be strengthened.

[226] 14. PULL OVER

[227] The pullover exercise is illustrated in FIG. 19. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator stands his/her back against the controller 4, grasps the rope rod 9 connected to the rope 3 with two hands, and obliquely spreads both arms straight above the head. Afterwards, when the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance and then stops due to the motor 2, the operator bends only two elbows and fixes the upper body. The operator moves the running belt 1 only with his/her arm power at the position where the running belt 1 is stopped.

[228] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG.

19, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that posterior-deltoid muscle, triceps, teres major muscle, and rectus abdominal muscle can be strengthened.

[229] 15. LEG SQUAT

[230] The leg squat exercise is illustrated in FIG. 20. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2is the backward direction. The operator lies on the running belt 1, and spreads straight ends of the foots against the engagement rod 10 mounted in the vertical frame 14. Afterwards, the operator bends the ankles as much as possible when the running belt 1 moves backward for a predetermined distance, and moves the running belt 1 only with the ankle power when the running belt 1 is stopped.

[231] Accordingly, after the thick solid line becomes the double-dotted chain line in FIG. 20, the running belt moves in the thick solid line again by means of the operator's power, so that tibialis anterior, peroneus longus muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle can be strengthened.

[232] 16. INNER THIGH

[233] The inner thigh exercise is illustrated in FIG. 21. A movement direction of the running belt 1 by means of the motor 2 is the forward direction. The operator sits on the bench 5 on the running belt 1 against the controller 4, hangs both legs on the rope 3 and keeps legs together forward. Afterwards, when the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance and then stops due to the motor 2, the operator moves the running belt 1 only with the power of keeping both legs together. This exercise is effective for women in terms of prevention of urinary incontinence, and adductor muscle, great adductor muscle, and brevi adductor muscle can be strengthened.

[234] 17. WHOLE BODY EXERCISE

[235] The whole-body exercise can be simply done using the rope guide roller 7 and the rope 3, which is illustrated in FIG. 22. Accordingly, the operator may push or pull legs and hands using the rope knob 8 disposed at both ends of the rope 3 so that the whole- body exercise is done, and the rope 3 is reciprocated along the rope guide roller 7 of the engagement rod 10 disposed in the vertical frame 14.

[236] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein and, although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

[1] A weight training treadmill comprising: a driving motor 2 controlled by a motor driver 12; a running belt 1 wound around two rotatable axes 21a and 21b for rotation; a bottom frame 13 where the running belt 1 is mounted; and a controller 4 disposed in a vertical frame 14 supported by the bottom frame 13 for controlling the motor driver 12, wherein the running belt 1 moves for a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction (forward direction) and then stops, and moves backward by means of an operator's power, and a forward driving power of the motor 2 is removed to have only a load resistance that acts as a weight training load when the running belt 1 moves backward.

[2] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 receives, from the operator, a movement distance, a movement speed, amovement direction, the number of movements, of the running belt 1, and a magnitude of braking power, and the running belt 1 operates by means of contents input to the controller 4, so that all information according to the movement of the running belt 1 is displayed in the controller 4 when the operator does weight training.

[3] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 already has various programs in combination of movement distance, the movement speed, the movement direction, a movement time, of the running belt 1, and the braking power of the motor 2, so that the operator selects any one of the various programs.

[4] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a braking power of the motor 2 varies to cause the operator to have a change in power when the operator does the weight training.

[5] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein markings 29a and 29b as means for recognizing the movement distance are disposed at equal intervals at both edges of the running belt 1, and belt sensors 23a and 23b for accurately measuring the movement distance and the speed of the running belt 1 are disposed in positions that allow the markings 29a and 29b to be recognized.

[6] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the running belt 1 is forced to stop at both ends of a predetermined section of the running belt for 1 to 6 seconds by the braking power of the motor 2.

[7] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 operates a sound and a lamp according to the control information of the motor 2 and the operating state of the running belt 1.

[8] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the braking voltage of the motor 2 varies in magnitude in a specific portion of a predetermined section of the running belt when the running belt 1 moves by means of the operator's power.

[9] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the driving voltage of the motor 2 varies in magnitude in a specific portion of a predetermined section of the running belt when the running belt 1 moves.

[10] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the running belt 1 has a pause period while a strong braking power of the motor 2 is applied to the running belt 1 one to ten times in a section where the running belt moves forward or backward.

[11] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the braking power of the motor 2, the movement distance and the movement speed of the running belt 1 are adjusted by several control buttons 11 disposed in the treadmill.

[12] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein an engagement rod 10 or load cell e ngagement rods 33a and 33b are disposed across the vertical frame 14, and a rope 3 is engaged with the engagement rod 10 or the load cell engagement rods 33a and 33b.

[13] The treadmill according to claim 12, wherein the rope 3 has a rope grip 8 or a rope rod 9.

[14] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein pipe insert holes 17 are disposed at both sides of the bottom frame 13, and both ends of a pipe 18 are inserted into the pipe insert holes 17.

[15] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein an engagement unit 20 that has several grooves 19 for detachably changing the position of the mounted engagement rod 10 is disposed in the vertical frame 14.

[16] The treadmill according to claim 12, wherein the rope rod 9 have several concave grooves 16 for preventing the rope 3 from being detached when the rope 3 is hung on the groove.

[17] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 stores information including the movement distance, the movement speed and the movement direction, of the running belt 1 by means of a rotating axis sensor 22 when the running belt 1 was moved by the operator's power, and causes a motion of the running belt 1 to be copied in a backward direction by driving the motor 2 again so as to make the running belt 1 move backward based on the stored movement information of the running belt 1.

[18] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 stores information including the movement distance, the movement speed and the movement direction, of therunning belt 1 by means of a rotating axis sensor 22 when the running belt 1 was moved by the operator's power, and causes a motion of the running belt 1 to be copied in a backward direction based on the stored movement information of the running belt 1 while maintaining the movement speed of the running belt 1 at a speed input from a button of the controller 4.

[19] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 has a program for calculating a distance of the running belt 1 by means of a rotating axis sensor 22 and belt sensors 23 a and 23b.

[20] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 calculates a voltage of the motor driver 12 and a time when the voltage was output to calculate the movement distance of the running belt 1.

[21] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein an inclination degree of the running belt 1 varies by means of the controller 4 when the operator does weight training on the running belt 1.

[22] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a motor case 24 for covering the motor 2 is disposed at one end of the bottom frame 13, and several rotation roller rods 25 are disposed above the motor case 24.

[23] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the controller 4 compares a movement distance of the running belt 1 run by the motor 2 with a movement distance of the running belt 1 run backward by the operator's power, and controls the motor 2 to operate by an amount of error when the error results from the comparison so that the running belt 1 moves always by a constant distance.

[24] The treadmill according to claim 12, wherein a load cell 30 for detecting a weight acting on the rope 3 from the operator is disposed between the load cell engagement rod 33a and the rope 3, and the controller 4 uses the information detected by the load cell 30 to variably control a braking power of the motor 2.

[25] The treadmill according to claim 12, wherein load cells 30 for detecting a weight acting on the rope 3 from the operator are disposed at both ends of the load cell engagement rod 33b, and the controller 4 uses the information detected by the load cells 30 to variably control a braking power of the motor 2.

[26] The treadmill according to claim 12, wherein a load cell housing 31 is disposed in the vertical frame 14, a load cell 30 disposed at an end of the load cell engagement rod 33b is inserted into the load cell housing 31, and information regarding the magnitude of a power when the power is applied to the engagement rod 10 is transmitted to the controller 4 so that a braking power and a driving power of the motor 2 are variably controlled by the controller.

[27] The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a bench 5, a base plate 6 or an anti- rolling base plate 34 is disposed on the running belt 1.

[28] The treadmill according to claim 27, wherein vertical plates 28 are disposed at both sides of one end of the anti-rolling base plate 34 to facilitate tight contact and power action, of the operator. [29] A method of allowing weight training to be carried out using a treadmill including a driving motor 2 controlled by a motor driver 12, a running belt 1 driven by the motor 2 and a controller 4 for controlling the motor driver 12, the method comprising: moving the running belt 1 at a predetermined speed and a predetermined direction (forward direction) for a predetermined distance and stopping the running belt; removing a driving power of the motor 2 to cause the running belt 1 to move backward by means of an operator's power; generating a braking power of the motor 2 to make the braking power of the motor 2 act as a weight training load when the running belt 1 moves backward; and repeating the above described steps when the running belt 1 moves to the original position. [30] The method according to claim 29, wherein when therunning belt 1 moves backward, the controller 4 varies the braking power of the motor 2 to allow several weight apparatuses to be used for training for one movement of the running belt. [31] The method according to claim 29, wherein the controller 4 moves the running belt 1 by means of a driving voltage of the motor 2 generating from a button set value, and receives the operator's power to control the braking power of the motor 2 when the power acts backward. [32] The treadmill according to claim 12, wherein a rope guide roller 7 for allowing the rope 3 to be hung and reciprocated is disposed in the engagement rod 10.