Rollback Braking for Non-Motorized Treadmills

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to non-motorized treadmills and, more particularly, to devices for providing rollback braking for belts of non-motorized treadmills.

BACKGROUND

Exercise-type non-motorized treadmills allow people to walk, jog, run, and sprint on a stationary machine with an endless belt moving over front and rear sets of pulleys.

When using a non-motorized treadmill, the endless belt moves backwards freely, thereby requiring the user to continue to walk, jog, run, or sprint forward to remain on the treadmill. However, the ability of the endless belt to also freely move forwards in the opposite direction creates a potential safety hazard when, for example, the user initially first steps onto the treadmill from the rear end to commence exercise, as the action of mounting the treadmill causes the belt to move rapidly forward and away from the user, which may possibly catch the user unaware, potentially causing the user to fall over backwards.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a device for providing rollback braking to a non-motorized treadmill that is able to overcome the above disadvantages.

Advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the detailed description of the invention hereinbelow.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a device for providing rollback braking to a non-motorized treadmill. The device can comprise a rollback control mechanism configured to be coupled to a frame of a non-motorized treadmill. The rollback control mechanism can be configured to be in contact with a belt upper portion of the non-motorized treadmill thereby causing resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least a forward direction.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a workout system which can comprise a non-motorized treadmill. The non-motorized treadmill can comprise a frame and a belt comprising a belt upper portion. The workout system can also comprise a rollback control mechanism coupled to the frame. The rollback control mechanism can be configured to be in contact with the belt upper portion thereby causing resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least a forward direction.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of using a workout system. The method can comprise providing a non-motorized treadmill. The non-motorized treadmill can comprise a frame and a belt comprising a belt upper portion. The method can also comprise providing a rollback control mechanism coupled to the frame. The rollback control mechanism can be in contact with the belt upper portion thereby causing resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least a forward direction, when a user is positioned on the belt upper portion.

These and other aspects of the present invention are described in the Detailed Description below and the accompanying figures. Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of the present invention in concert with the figures. While features of the present invention may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures, all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of the features discussed herein. Further, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used with the various embodiments of the invention discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments, it is to be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a device including a rollback control mechanism comprising a cam for providing rollback braking to a non-motorized treadmill, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a right side view of a workout system which includes a portion of a non-motorized treadmill in conjunction with the cam shown in FIG. 1A in a first position that resists movement of the belt upper portion in the forward direction.

FIG. 1C illustrates the right side view of the workout system shown in FIG. 1B showing the cam in a second position that does not resist movement of the belt upper portion in the rearward direction.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective upper view of a workout system which includes a portion of a non-motorized treadmill in conjunction with devices including rollback control mechanisms comprising skid pads for providing rollback braking to the non-motorized treadmill, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective right side view of the workout system shown in FIG. 2A showing one of the skid pads.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective side view of a device including a rollback control mechanism comprising a non-rotatable (or non-movable) belt guide for providing rollback braking to a non-motorized treadmill, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective lower/underside view of a workout system which includes the non-rotatable belt guide shown in FIG. 3A (two non-rotatable belt guides are shown) in conjunction with a portion of a non-motorized treadmill.

FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective side view of the workout system shown in FIG. 3B showing one of the non-rotatable belt guides.

FIG. 4 illustrates an entire perspective side view of a non-motorized treadmill of the type shown in any of FIG. 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3B, or 3C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the present disclosure, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. The components, steps, and materials described hereinafter as making up various elements of the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components, steps, and materials that would perform the same or similar functions as the components, steps, and materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosure. Such other components, steps, and materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, similar components or steps that are developed after development of the embodiments disclosed herein.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality of components. References to a composition containing “a” constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named. In other words, the terms a, an, and the do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

As used herein, the term “and/or” may mean “and,” it may mean “or,” it may mean exclusive-or” it may mean “one,” it may mean “some, but not all,” it may mean “neither,” and/or it may mean “both.” The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.”

Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. It is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” or “substantially” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” or “substantially” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Further, the term “about” means within an acceptable error range for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system. For example, “about” can mean within an acceptable standard deviation, per the practice in the art. Alternatively, “about” can mean a range of up to +20%, preferably up to +10%, more preferably up to +5%, and more preferably still up to +1% of a given value. Alternatively, particularly with respect to biological systems or processes, the term can mean within an order of magnitude, preferably within 2-fold, of a value. Where particular values are described in the application and claims, unless otherwise stated, the term “about” is implicit and in this context means within an acceptable error range for the particular value.

Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the disclosure can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2, 7, 3, 4, 5, 5. 3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

By “comprising” or “containing” or “including” is meant that at least the named component, element, or method step is present in the system, device, or method, but does not exclude the presence of other elements, components, or method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named.

For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “cover”, “shield”, “cage”, and “shroud” may be used interchangeably.

For purposes of this disclosure, the phrase “rollback braking” is intended to encompass or refer to any of the following: rollback dampening, rollback resisting, rollback mitigating, rollback slowing, rollback motion-limiting, and/or rollback stopping. And “rollback control” includes “rollback braking”.

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a belt rollback braking (control) mechanism for a belt of a non-motorized treadmill. The non-motorized treadmill may be a curved non-motorized treadmill where the belt upper portion follows a concavely curved path. The rollback control mechanism includes either, some, or all of a cam, a skid pad, or a non-rotatable (or non-movable) belt guide such as a fixed (e.g. bearing-free) belt guide, all of which providing rollback braking control.

With reference to FIG. 1A, the figure illustrates a side view of a device including a rollback control mechanism comprising a cam 100 for providing rollback braking to a belt of a non-motorized treadmill such as any of non-motorized treadmills 150 (FIGS. 1B and 1C), 250 (FIGS. 2A and 2B), 350 (FIGS. 3B and 3C), 450 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 1B illustrates a right side view of a workout system 1000 which includes a portion of a non-motorized treadmill 150 in conjunction with the cam 100 shown in FIG. 1A in a first position that resists movement of the belt upper portion 160u in the forward direction. In an example, the spring-loaded cam is pushing up hard under the belt upper portion 160u, thereby stopping (or providing resistance to) the belt upper portion 160u from running in the forward direction. One or more cams 100 may be employed and may be distributed anywhere along the belt upper portion 160u, including below and/or above the belt upper portion 160u.

FIG. 1C illustrates the right side view of the workout system 1000 shown in FIG. 1B showing the cam 100 in a second position that does not resist movement of the belt upper portion 160u in the rearward direction. In an example, the spring-loaded cam is allowing the belt upper portion 160u to pass freely in the rearward direction.

The cam 100 can be spring-loaded such that the cam 100 is biased to move from the first position (FIG. 1B) to the second position (FIG. 1C). In this configuration, the cam 100 would be in constant contact with the belt upper portion 160u. More specifically, movement of the belt upper portion 160u in the forward direction causes the cam's upper surface 112u to apply additional pressure to the belt upper portion 160u so as to provide rollback braking to the movement of the belt 160. Whereas movement of the belt upper surface 160u in the rearward direction can cause the cam's upper surface 112u to disengage from or apply less pressure to the upper belt portion 160u, thereby causing free, non-rollback braking, or less resistive movement of the belt 160.

Alternatively, the cam 100 may not be spring-loaded. In this configuration, the cam 100 can be in contact with the belt upper portion 160u only when a user steps anywhere along, or among certain portions along, the belt upper portion 160u. More specifically, the weight of the user on the belt upper portion 160u causes the belt upper portion 160u to flex downward toward the cam 100 until the belt upper portion 160u makes contact with the cam's upper surface 112u (FIG. 1A). The resultant pressure of the belt upper portion 160u against the cam's upper surface 112u causes resistance of movement (i.e., rollback braking) of the belt upper portion 160u in at least the forward direction.

With reference again to FIG. 1A, the cam 100 can include a first part 111 and a second part 112. Either or both parts 111, 112 can comprise a material similar to the skid pads 200 mentioned below, or another material that wears well. The cam's upper surface 112u can be convexly curved and resides on an upper portion of the second part 112. The first part 111 can be fixedly coupled or rotatably coupled to the frame of the non-motorized treadmill (see, for example, treadmill 150 shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C) via a coupler 113 such as a bolt or other coupler. In an example, the cam 100 can be coupled to the treadmill frame via, for example, a threaded bolt and aperture combination. The second part 112 can rotate relative to the first part 111 via the coupler 113 which effectively serves as an axis of rotation. Pin 114 (or other raised element) may serve as a stop, limiting the rotation (and preventing hyperextension) of the second part 112 relative to the first part 111. The cam 100 can alternatively be affixed to one of the rotatable belt guide rollers 166, where movement of the belt upper portion 160u in the forward direction causes the cam's upper surface 112u to press against and apply pressure to the belt upper portion 160u so as to provide rollback braking to the movement of the belt 160. Conversely, movement of the belt upper surface 160u in the rearward direction can cause the cam's upper surface 112u to disengage from or apply less pressure to the upper belt portion 160u, thereby causing free, non-rollback braking, or less resistive movement of the belt 160. The non-motorized treadmill 150 can also employ bearings 161 as shown in FIG. 1B to facilitate movement of the belt 160, as well as additional belt guide rollers 166.

With reference to FIG. 2A, the figure illustrates a perspective upper view of a workout system 2000 which includes a portion of a non-motorized treadmill 250 in conjunction with devices including rollback control mechanisms comprising skid pads 200 for providing rollback braking to a belt of the non-motorized treadmill 250. One or more skid pads 200 may be employed and may be distributed anywhere below the belt upper portion 260u of belt 260 (FIG. 2B also shows the belt lower portion 2601 of belt 260), so long as they are positioned along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 260u. The skid pads 200 may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the belt guide rollers 266.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective right side view of the workout system 2000 shown in FIG. 2A showing one of the skid pads 200. The skid pads 200 can comprise, for example, acetal, nylon, metal, plastic, rubber, wood, etc. They could potentially be made of any type of material providing the material wears well. The skid pads 200 can be affixed to the frame 252 of the non-motorized treadmill 250 via couplers 213 such as bolts or other couplers. In an example, one or more skid pads 200 can be coupled to the treadmill frame 252 via, for example, at least one threaded bolt and aperture combination. In this configuration, the skid pads 200 can be in contact with the belt upper portion 260u only when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 260u. More specifically, the weight of the user on the belt upper portion 260u causes the belt upper portion 260u to flex downward toward the skid pads 200 until the belt upper portion 260u makes contact with the skid pads 200. The resultant pressure of the belt upper portion 260u against the skid pads 200 causes resistance of movement (i.e., rollback braking) of the belt upper portion 260u in the forward and rearward directions. Once the user moves forward to the normal operating position (i.e., in front of the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 260u), the belt upper portion 260u freely passes over the skid pads 200. The non-motorized treadmill 250 can also employ bearings 261 as shown in FIG. 2B to facilitate movement of the belt 260, as well as additional belt guide rollers 266.

In any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the rollback braking function may be enhanced, or alternatively, even be solely facilitated, with one or more skid pads 200 mounted under the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 260u, either by the replacement of any number of belt guide rollers 266, or alternatively mounted elsewhere under the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 260u.

With reference to FIG. 3A, the figure illustrates a perspective side view of a device including a rollback control mechanism comprising a non-rotatable (i.e., fixed, non-movable and bearing-free) belt guide 300 for providing rollback braking to a non-motorized treadmill 350 (FIG. 3B). The non-rotatable belt guide 300 may be circular-cylindrical having raised edges along both sides (such as shown in FIG. 3A) to guide the belt upper portion 360u or its surfaces may be without raised edges. The non-rotatable belt guide 300 may alternatively have a non-circular cylindrical shape such as a rectangular cylindrical shape, whereby the top surface of which that contacts the belt upper portion 360u may be planar.

With reference to FIG. 3B, the figure illustrates a perspective lower/underside view of a workout system 3000 which includes the non-rotatable belt guide 300 shown in FIG. 3A (two non-rotatable belt guides 300 are shown) in conjunction with a portion of a non-motorized treadmill 350, for providing rollback braking to a belt 360 of the non-motorized treadmill 350. One or more non-rotatable belt guides 300 may be employed and may be distributed anywhere below the belt upper portion 360u of belt 360 (FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C also show the belt lower portion 3601 of belt 360), so long as they are positioned along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 360u. The non-rotatable belt guides 300 may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the rotatable belt guide rollers 366. In an example, a rollback braking effect may be achieved by simply permanently removing the bearings in one or more of the rear belt guide rollers 366, so that they are fixed and do not roll.

FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective side view of the workout system 3000 shown in FIG. 3B showing one of the non-rotatable belt guides 300. The non-rotatable belt guides 300 can comprise a material similar to the skid pads 200 mentioned above, or another material that wears well. The non-rotatable belt guides 300 can be affixed to the frame of the non-motorized treadmill 350 via couplers such as bolts or other couplers. In an example, one or more non-rotatable belt guides 300 can be coupled to the treadmill frame via, for example, at least one threaded bolt and aperture combination. In this configuration, the non-rotatable belt guides 300 can be in contact with the belt upper portion 360u only when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 360u. More specifically, the weight of the user on the belt upper portion 360u causes the belt upper portion 360u to flex downward toward the non-rotatable belt guides 300 until the belt upper portion 360u makes contact with the non-rotatable belt guides 300. The resultant pressure of the belt upper portion 360u against the non-rotatable belt guides 300 causes resistance of movement (i.e., rollback braking) of the belt upper portion 360u in the forward and rearward directions. Once the user moves forward to the normal operating position (i.e., in front of the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 360u), the belt upper portion 360u freely passes over the non-rotatable belt guides 300. The non-motorized treadmill 350 can also employ bearings 361 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C to facilitate movement of the belt 360, as well as additional belt guide rollers 366.

In any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the rollback braking function may be enhanced, or alternatively, even be solely facilitated, with one or more non-rotatable belt guides 300 mounted under the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 360u, either by the replacement of any number of belt guide rollers 366, or alternatively mounted elsewhere under the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion 360u.

In any of the embodiments above, by acting as a rollback brake when the user's weight (applied though their feet) firmly presses the belt upper portion 260u, 360u against the skid pad(s) 200 or non-rotatable belt guide(s) 300 at the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion, an effective rollback (braking) control mechanism preventing forward movement of the belt upper portion is achieved when the user first mounts the treadmill at the commencement of exercise. These configurations also serve to assist in safely slowing down the speed of the belt during exercise, i.e., if the user moves too far back towards the rear of the treadmill. When a user's weight is on the belt upper portion, these configurations also prevent rearward movement of the belt upper portion.

FIG. 4 illustrates an entire perspective side view of a non-motorized treadmill 450 which can be any of the treadmills 150, 250, 350 respectively shown in FIG. 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3B, or 3C.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the rollback control mechanism can comprise a cam which can be configured to be movable between a first position and a second position. The cam can be in the first position when the belt upper portion moves or attempts to move in the forward direction, and can be in the second position when the belt upper portion moves in a rearward direction. The cam can be configured to press against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward direction, and can be configured to not press against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the second position thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the cam can be spring-loaded such that the cam is biased to move from the first position to the second position.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the cam can be configured to be coupled to the frame along an axis, and the cam can be rotatable about the axis when moving between the first position to the second position.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the cam can be configured to press against an underside of the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the rollback control mechanism can be positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and can comprise a friction-type skid pad/plate. The skid pad can be configured to be in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the skid pad can be configured to not be in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the rollback control mechanism can be positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and can comprise a non-rotatable belt guide. The non-rotatable belt guide can be configured to be in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the non-rotatable belt guide can be configured to not be in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the rollback control mechanism can comprise a cam that moves between a first position and a second position. The cam can be in the first position when the belt upper portion moves or attempts to move in the forward direction, and can be in the second position when the belt upper portion moves in a rearward direction. The cam may press against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward direction, and may not press against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the second position thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the cam can be spring-loaded such that the cam is biased to move from the first position to the second position.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the cam can be coupled to the frame along an axis, and the cam can rotate about the axis when moving between the first position to the second position.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the cam can press against an underside of the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the rollback control mechanism can be positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and can comprise a skid pad. The skid pad can be in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the skid pad can be not in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the rollback control mechanism can be positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and can comprise a non-rotatable belt guide. The non-rotatable belt guide can be in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the non-rotatable belt guide can be not in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the rollback control mechanism can be positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it is intended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A device for providing rollback braking to a non-motorized treadmill, the device comprising: a rollback control mechanism configured to be coupled to a frame of a non-motorized treadmill;wherein the rollback control mechanism is configured to be in contact with a belt upper portion of the non-motorized treadmill thereby causing resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least a forward direction.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rollback control mechanism comprises a cam configured to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cam is in the first position when the belt upper portion moves or attempts to move in the forward direction, and is in the second position when the belt upper portion moves in a rearward direction, and wherein the cam is configured to press against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward direction, and is configured to not press against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the second position thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the rearward direction.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cam is spring-loaded such that the cam is biased to move from the first position to the second position.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cam is configured to be coupled to the frame along an axis, and the cam is rotatable about the axis when moving between the first position to the second position.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the cam is configured to press against an underside of the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the rollback control mechanism is positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and comprises a skid pad, and wherein the skid pad is configured to be in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the skid pad is configured to not be in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the rollback control mechanism is positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and comprises a non-rotatable belt guide, and wherein the non-rotatable belt guide is configured to be in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the non-rotatable belt guide is configured to not be in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.
10. A workout system comprising: a non-motorized treadmill comprising: a frame; anda belt comprising a belt upper portion; anda rollback control mechanism coupled to the frame;wherein the rollback control mechanism is configured to be in contact with the belt upper portion thereby causing resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least a forward direction.
11. A method of using a workout system, the method comprising: providing a non-motorized treadmill comprising: a frame; anda belt comprising a belt upper portion; andproviding a rollback control mechanism coupled to the frame;wherein the rollback control mechanism is in contact with the belt upper portion thereby causing resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least a forward direction, when a user is positioned on the belt upper portion.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the rollback control mechanism comprises a cam that moves between a first position and a second position, wherein the cam is in the first position when the belt upper portion moves or attempts to move in the forward direction, and is in the second position when the belt upper portion moves in a rearward direction, and wherein the cam presses against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward direction, and does not press against the belt upper portion when the cam is in the second position thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the rearward direction.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the cam is spring-loaded such that the cam is biased to move from the first position to the second position.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the cam is coupled to the frame along an axis, and the cam rotates about the axis when moving between the first position to the second position.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the cam presses against an underside of the belt upper portion when the cam is in the first position.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the rollback control mechanism is positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and comprises a skid pad, and wherein the skid pad is in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the skid pad is not in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the rollback control mechanism is positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion and comprises a non-rotatable belt guide, and wherein the non-rotatable belt guide is in contact with the belt upper portion when a user steps on the rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing the resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in the forward and rearward direction.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-rotatable belt guide is not in contact with the belt upper portion when the user steps on the front three-quarters portion of the belt upper portion thereby causing no resistance of movement of the belt upper portion in at least the rearward direction.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the rollback control mechanism is positioned only along a rear quarter portion of the belt upper portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/609,949, filed on Dec. 14, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Provisional Applications (1)

	Number	Date	Country
	63609949	Dec 2023	US

Rollback Braking for Non-Motorized Treadmills

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CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

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