BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the treadmill of the present invention with portions broken away to reveal interior details.
FIG. 2 is a left end view of FIG. 1 with portions broken away.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows upon the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of an embodiment of the treadmill belt of the present invention having identical rounded pads.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top view of the belt of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view of a belt embodiment having pads of high hardness and a valley area having small raised elements.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view of a belt embodiment having a checkerboard pattern of alternating soft and hard rectangular pads.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top view of the belt of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional side view of a belt having pads of high hardness embedded in a valley of lesser hardness.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional side view of a belt having inflatable pads.
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a belt embodiment with pads having vertical slits.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1-12, an embodiment of the exercise treadmill 10 of the present invention is shown having a frame 11 including a pair of laterally spaced apart parallel side channels 12a and 12b extending lengthwise of the frame. A front roller 13 and a rear roller 14 are journaled between said side channels adjacent the front and rear ends thereof, respectively. An endless flexible belt 15 is entrained around the front and rear rollers, with the belt having horizontally elongated upper and lower reaches 16 and 17, respectively. Belt 15 is bounded by interior and exterior surfaces 18 and 19, respectively, and parallel side edges 20a and 20b. The distance between said rollers, and consequently the length of said upper and lower reaches is typically between about 4 and 8 feet. The width of the belt, namely the distance of separation of said side edges is typically between about 18 and 30 inches. As commonly constructed, the belt contains at least one layer of a reinforcing fabric embedded in a synthetic elastomer such as neoprene by way of a compression molding operation similar to the production of automobile tires. The belt is fabricated from a single length of belt material having a thickness of about 0.125 inch, the end edges of which are joined by metal fasteners. The material of construction of the belt must be durable, resilient to repeated impact load, abrasion resistance, may be composite, multi-layered, open cell foam, closed cell foam, hybrid of open and closed cell foam, impregnated with binders, woven, made up of discrete or continuous fibers using various manufacturing process commonly used in manufacturing belt like articles in various combinations therein, can contain additives like antimicrobial, antifungal, deodorizing compounds, moisture absorbing, hydrophobic, and hydrophilic compounds.
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper reach 16 of the belt moves from front to rear so that a user standing on the upper reach has to walk or run at a predetermined speed in the forward direction (to the right as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) to remain stationary relative to frame 11. Front roller 13 is generally rotatably driven by a variable speed DC electric motor housed within the frame, with the motor connected to the roller by means of a belt and pulley drive. A plurality of shock absorbing support feet 22 comprised of rubber pads, springs or the like are provided on the bottom faces of said side channels at the forward and rear ends thereof for the purpose of minimizing vibration of the treadmill. A front frame member 23 is secured to and extends between the forward ends of the side channels.
As generally indicated at 25, a control panel is provided at the front end of the treadmill in position so that the panel's display may be readily viewed by a user of the treadmill when walking or running on upper reach 16. Control panel 25 includes a plurality of switches for controlling the operation of the drive motor. Also, certain display readouts 26 may be provided for showing the speed of the belt and hence the velocity at which the user is walking or running. Control panel 25 is supported by a pair of support arms 27a and 27b secured to respective side channels 12a and 12b and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the front ends thereof. Paired handlebars 29a and 29b extend upwardly from side channels 12a and 12b, respectively, and provide a grip for the user while walking or running on upper reach 16 of the belt. A slider panel 31 fabricated of heat-conductive metal is secured by said side channels in the intervening space 32 between said upper and lower reaches, and slidingly supports said upper reach along its entire length.
In a first embodiment of the treadmill of this invention, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the elevated regions or protrusions are in the form of a series of resilient pads 35 of varied thickness, size, shape and compressive modulus adhered in varied spacing and patterns to exterior surface 19 of the belt. The laterally extending shape of the pad is defined by a perimeter 39 of preferably irregular configuration. The pads are typically fabricated of resilient polymers, and have a flat bottom surface 36. The upper surfaces of the pads may be flat, rounded or otherwise contoured. In preferred embodiments, the upper surface has a central region of maximum elevation or apogee 40 which is downwardly tapered toward said perimeter, causing the pad to have a hill-shaped profile with a maximum height or thickness corresponding to said region of maximum elevation. Such construction provides lessened impact, and provides comfort to the soles of the exerciser's feet.
The pads may have a height or thickness, measured between said bottom surface and region of maximum elevation in the range of 0.1 to 1.50 inch, and may be of foam structure, having closed and/or open cells. The pads may be adhered to the belt by conventional adhesives, and may be emplaced either in a factory operation or by the treadmill user. In fact, one aspect of the present invention is a kit comprised of pads and/or pad material along with a supply of a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the bottom surfaces 36 of the pads of the kit may contain a layer of contact adhesive covered by a protective release paper. Such kits will contain between about 25 and 100 pads.
The nature of the selection and arrangement of pads on the belt provides a texture which can simulate the effects of walking or running upon different types of natural terrain. Such effect serves to strengthen the ankle muscles of the exerciser.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a belt embodiment having identical rounded pads 60 upon flat exterior surface 19. The spaces between the pads are considered as valleys 61.
FIG. 7 illustrates a belt embodiment having pads 62 of high hardness surrounded by a valley area 63 having small raised elements 64.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a belt embodiment having a checkerboard pattern of alternating soft pads 65 and hard pads 66.
FIG. 10 shows a belt embodiment having pads 67 of high hardness embedded in a valley layer 68 of lesser hardness.
FIG. 11 illustrates a belt embodiment having inflatable pads 69 connected to underlying air supply means 70.
FIG. 12 shows a belt embodiment with pads 71 having vertical slits 72 oriented transversely to the direction of belt travel.
While particular examples of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broadest aspects. The aim of the appended claims, therefore, is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20070298937
