Patent Application
20160074701
Treadmill desks are rapidly becoming more commonplace in the workplace and home office. However, a major limiting factor in the adoption of treadmill desks has been the space required for the treadmill, especially when not in use. Since treadmill desks are typically only used for a few hours per day at most, a major convenience would be the ability to make the treadmill “vanish” in order to recover the floor space, and to be able to use the desk in a standing or sitting modality, at the correct ergonomic height.
“Incline” mechanisms and “folding” mechanisms are known.
Incline mechanisms vary in design, but are designed to raise the front of the treadmill to increase exertion level. None reach a position that makes the treadmill no longer functional for walking/running, hence none are designed to continue lifting the treadmill until it is stowed vertically.
Folding mechanisms hinge the treadmill at the front. There are some designs in the market that fold the desk up along with the treadmill, though this is an impractical solution as most people do not want to clear their desk of all items before stowing the treadmill. Also, this means the desk cannot be used so long as the treadmill is stowed.
The disclosed retractable treadmill desk is a walking treadmill which may be connected to an adjustable-height desk, in such a way as to be able to be retracted and stowed vertically behind the desk when not in use. This can be done in a single operation when the user presses the “Retract” button, wherein the desk is automatically raised to its highest position, the treadmill is pulled up and locked into a safe vertical position behind the desk, and the desk is then lowered back down to either a standing-height or sitting-height position, per the user's preference. The disclosed retractable treadmill may be integrated with a desk or may be a stand-alone item.
Retracting the treadmill and movement of the desk may be fully automated, through user activation of a “Retract” button, or may be partially automated, such as through separate commands to move the desk and to retract the treadmill.
The desktop may incorporate a “cabinet” for the treadmill, for safety and to conceal the treadmill from view atop the desk when stowed.
The mechanism for lifting the treadmill shown in the figures includes a track and a cable connecting the motor to the treadmill. The motor can wind and unwind the cable to raise and lower the treadmill. The track keeps the treadmill aligned as it is raised and lowered so the long sides of the treadmill stay perpendicular to the front and rear edges of the desk. Other mechanisms for keeping the treadmill aligned can be devised, including mechanisms without a track.
Another aspect of the track would be a mechanism for keeping the treadmill in the track. Examples of mechanisms for that include guide wheels or glides on the treadmill portion of the guiding system riding in a channel shaped rail or other shape capable of capturing the guide wheels/glides.
Another variant of the design, in place of a single cable as shown in the figures, would have cables attached to both sides of the treadmill and those cables would be attached to both ends of an axle. The axle could then be rotated by the motor (or alternately a manual mechanism) to raise and lower the treadmill by winding and unwinding the cable on the axle. Other mechanisms for sensing and controlling the movement of the treadmill to keep it moving in the desired direction could include two motor/cable systems and sensors or encoders to detect the differential in motion of the treadmill—and automatic correction, etc.
Another variant of this mechanism would be use a chain mechanism instead of a track and cables.
Other lifting mechanisms besides the motor and cable can be devised. These can include springs and other linkages. Many different linkages including but are not limited to equal and unequal length paired arms (a.k.a. 4-bar linkages), single lever systems, combinations of cams, levers and so-called “geneva” mechanisms. These and other examples of kinematic linkages could be actuated with cables, as on the previous examples, or by direct or indirect acting linear actuators. Actuators could be electro-mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or a combination of these. Manually driven mechanisms are also possible, utilizing human power as the prime mover. Spring-loaded mechanisms, mechanical, pressurized gas, or other typical devices could be used to support portions of the load and assist the manual, electro-mechanical, or other driving mechanisms which move the treadmill.
Pulley systems may also be employed to either manually or automatically raise and lower the treadmill. The pulleys may be used to provide a convenient means to manually actuate—as on some window shade or roll-up warehouse doors. Or, an actuator of some sort may be attached to the cable/chain/rope to provide automatic actuation. Push-pull (“Bowden”) cables could also be used to deploy and retract, providing positive positioning throughout the entire range of motion. Pulley/gantry systems may also be used to amplify force or motion to allow for shorter stroke actuators and/or provide a more compact mechanism envelope.
A purely mechanical mechanism for lifting and lowering the treadmill may also be utilized.
Safety is a key consideration when moving the treadmill up and down. Various levels of safety can be built into these mechanisms.
One safety feature would be a mechanism to lock the treadmill into the upright position. One example of this would be an actuator that slides a restraining bar across the mechanism that allows (or prevents) the treadmill to be (or from being) lowered.
Another safety mechanism would be similar to the way an inertial reel or car seat belt mechanism works that keeps the treadmill from unwinding and sliding out of the upright position. These mechanical mechanisms operate by sensing unexpected or unallowed acceleration or deceleration events and, as a result, causes a mechanism to move into a position that locks the unwinding mechanism.
