US20050137062A1 - Treadmill - Google Patents

Treadmill Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050137062A1
US20050137062A1 US10/964,702 US96470204A US2005137062A1 US 20050137062 A1 US20050137062 A1 US 20050137062A1 US 96470204 A US96470204 A US 96470204A US 2005137062 A1 US2005137062 A1 US 2005137062A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
subframe
frame
slide bars
treadmill
sliding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/964,702
Inventor
Ismo Kuokkanen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tunturi Ltd Oy
Original Assignee
Tunturi Ltd Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tunturi Ltd Oy filed Critical Tunturi Ltd Oy
Assigned to TUNTURI OY LTD reassignment TUNTURI OY LTD ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KUOKKANEN, ISMO
Publication of US20050137062A1 publication Critical patent/US20050137062A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/0015—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
    • A63B22/0023—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with an adjustable movement path of the support elements the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a treadmill comprising a subframe supported against the floor or a corresponding support surface, a frame supported on the subframe for rolls and a belt section running in an endless loop around the rolls, and means arranged between the subframe and frame to vertically shift the location of one end of the frame relative to the subframe, whereby support arms are arranged to the frame with first ends articulated to the frame and second ends arranged slidably into slide bars arranged to the subframe.
  • the slide bars are made up of elements having a substantially C-shaped cross-section.
  • Substantially rectangular sliding elements compatible with the shape of the slide bars are arranged to these slide bars having a substantially C-shaped cross-section.
  • the sliding elements are fastened to the ends of a shaft inside a tubular part by means of two sleeve-like parts.
  • Parts made of plastic, acting as stopping elements, equipped with threaded openings, compatible with the shape of the slide bar, and fastened to the slide bar with screws are also arranged to the back ends of the slide bar.
  • a drawback with the known solutions is their complexity that increases costs, both the actual costs arisen from the number of components and the costs arisen from the complexity of the assembly.
  • a further drawback is the costs related to maintenance, because a complex structure requires in many cases a lot of maintenance, and in addition, it should be noted that a complex structure with a great deal of different parts also requires a large spare parts inventory, which for its part increased the costs.
  • the treadmill of the invention is characterized in that the slide bars are formed of flat components fastened to the subframe, and that sliding elements are arranged at second ends of the support arms and equipped with slots compatible with the flat components, whereby the slide bars are arranged to push into the slots, thus enabling the sliding of the sliding elements along the slide bars when the location of one end of the frame is shifted vertically relative to the subframe.
  • An advantage of the invention is above all its simplicity, whereby the number of required components is essentially reduced in comparison with the prior-art solutions. Due to the simple structure, both the direct costs related to the number of components and the indirect costs related to maintenance requirements or difficulties in assembly, for instance, decrease overall in comparison with the prior art.
  • FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the frame structure of the treadmill of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a general exploded view of the essential parts of the treadmill of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows a sliding element from different directions.
  • FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the frame structure of the treadmill of the invention.
  • reference number 1 indicates a subframe supported against the floor or a corresponding support surface.
  • the subframe 1 is made up of longitudinal profile components 2 of the treadmill and crosswise components connecting the profile components 2 , 3 .
  • reference number 4 indicates a frame supported on the subframe 1 .
  • the frame 4 is made up of longitudinal profile components 5 , 6 of the treadmill and crosswise components connecting the profile components 5 , 6 .
  • the frame 4 supports for instance rolls and a belt section running in an endless loop around them. The rolls and the belt section and other details related to the structure in question, such as the power source used to run the belt section, are not shown in the figures, because they are known to a person skilled in the art.
  • the subframe 1 and frame 4 are connected to each other with means so that the location of one end of the frame 4 can be vertically shifted relative to the subframe 1 ; in other words, one end of the frame can be lifted or lowered to change the angle position, or running angle, of the treadmill.
  • the above-mentioned means include a support arm structure and a unit comprising a power source and power transmission means.
  • Essential parts of the support arm structure are support arms 7 , 8 , first ends of which are articulated to the longitudinal profile components 5 , 6 of the frame and second ends of which are arranged slidably to slide bars 9 , 10 arranged to the longitudinal profile components 2 , 3 of the subframe 1 .
  • the slide bars 9 , 10 are formed of flat elements fastened to the subframe 1 .
  • Sliding elements 11 , 12 are arranged at the ends of the support arms 7 , 8 and equipped with slots 13 compatible with the flat components.
  • the slide bars 9 , 10 are arranged to push into the slots 13 to thus allow the sliding of the sliding elements 13 along the slide bars 9 , 10 when the location of one end of the frame 4 is shifted vertically relative to the subframe 1 , i.e. when the size of the running angle of the treadmill is changed.
  • the slide bars 9 , 10 formed by the flat components are thus in the slots 13 as shown in FIG. 2 , whereby the sliding elements 11 , 12 can slide along the slide bars when the running angle is adjusted.
  • the above-mentioned structural entity according to the essential idea of the invention is shown as a general exploded view in FIG. 2 .
  • the structure of the sliding element is shown particularly clearly in FIG. 3 .
  • the sliding elements 11 , 12 can preferably be made into sleeves that are substantially round in cross-section and fastened directly to the ends of a pipe 14 connecting the ends of the support arms 7 , 8 .
  • the pipe 14 can preferably be made of a pipe that is substantially round in cross-section, whereby the pipe also serves as a shaft to the sleeve acting as a sliding element 11 , 12 .
  • the second ends of the flat components serving as slide bars 9 , 10 can preferably be equipped with stopping elements 15 that are arranged to prevent the sliding element 11 , 12 from sliding past the end of the slide bar 9 , 10 when the running angle of the treadmill is changed.
  • These stopping elements 15 can preferably be screw elements, such as bolts, that are tightened to the slide bars. The use of different studs and corresponding solutions as the stopping elements is also possible.

Abstract

A treadmill comprising a subframe supported against the floor or a corresponding support surface, a frame supported on the subframe for rolls and a belt section running in an endless loop around the rolls, and means arranged between the subframe and frame to vertically shift the location of one end of the frame relative to the subframe. Support arms are arranged to the frame with first ends articulated to the frame and second ends arranged slidably into slide bars arranged to the subframe. Slide bars are formed of flat components fastened to the subframe, and sliding elements are arranged at second ends of the support arms and equipped with slots compatible with the flat components, whereby the slide bars are arranged to push into the slots, thus enabling the sliding of the sliding elements along the slide bar when the location of one end of the frame is shifted vertically relative to the subframe.

Description

  • The invention relates to a treadmill comprising a subframe supported against the floor or a corresponding support surface, a frame supported on the subframe for rolls and a belt section running in an endless loop around the rolls, and means arranged between the subframe and frame to vertically shift the location of one end of the frame relative to the subframe, whereby support arms are arranged to the frame with first ends articulated to the frame and second ends arranged slidably into slide bars arranged to the subframe.
  • Solutions of this type are today well known in treadmills adjustable in their running angle. An example of a prior art solution is the solution described in U.S. patent publication 6,325,745. In this known solution, the slide bars are made up of elements having a substantially C-shaped cross-section. Substantially rectangular sliding elements compatible with the shape of the slide bars are arranged to these slide bars having a substantially C-shaped cross-section. The sliding elements are fastened to the ends of a shaft inside a tubular part by means of two sleeve-like parts. Parts made of plastic, acting as stopping elements, equipped with threaded openings, compatible with the shape of the slide bar, and fastened to the slide bar with screws are also arranged to the back ends of the slide bar.
  • A drawback with the known solutions is their complexity that increases costs, both the actual costs arisen from the number of components and the costs arisen from the complexity of the assembly. A further drawback is the costs related to maintenance, because a complex structure requires in many cases a lot of maintenance, and in addition, it should be noted that a complex structure with a great deal of different parts also requires a large spare parts inventory, which for its part increased the costs.
  • It is an object of the invention to provide a simple solution to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art. This is achieved by the treadmill of the invention. The treadmill of the invention is characterized in that the slide bars are formed of flat components fastened to the subframe, and that sliding elements are arranged at second ends of the support arms and equipped with slots compatible with the flat components, whereby the slide bars are arranged to push into the slots, thus enabling the sliding of the sliding elements along the slide bars when the location of one end of the frame is shifted vertically relative to the subframe.
  • An advantage of the invention is above all its simplicity, whereby the number of required components is essentially reduced in comparison with the prior-art solutions. Due to the simple structure, both the direct costs related to the number of components and the indirect costs related to maintenance requirements or difficulties in assembly, for instance, decrease overall in comparison with the prior art.
  • The invention will next be described in greater detail by means of a preferred embodiment shown in the attached drawing, in which
  • FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the frame structure of the treadmill of the invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a general exploded view of the essential parts of the treadmill of the invention, and
  • FIG. 3 shows a sliding element from different directions.
  • FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the frame structure of the treadmill of the invention. In FIG. 1, reference number 1 indicates a subframe supported against the floor or a corresponding support surface. The subframe 1 is made up of longitudinal profile components 2 of the treadmill and crosswise components connecting the profile components 2, 3. In FIG. 1, reference number 4 indicates a frame supported on the subframe 1. The frame 4 is made up of longitudinal profile components 5, 6 of the treadmill and crosswise components connecting the profile components 5, 6. The frame 4 supports for instance rolls and a belt section running in an endless loop around them. The rolls and the belt section and other details related to the structure in question, such as the power source used to run the belt section, are not shown in the figures, because they are known to a person skilled in the art.
  • The subframe 1 and frame 4 are connected to each other with means so that the location of one end of the frame 4 can be vertically shifted relative to the subframe 1; in other words, one end of the frame can be lifted or lowered to change the angle position, or running angle, of the treadmill. The above-mentioned means include a support arm structure and a unit comprising a power source and power transmission means. Essential parts of the support arm structure are support arms 7, 8, first ends of which are articulated to the longitudinal profile components 5, 6 of the frame and second ends of which are arranged slidably to slide bars 9, 10 arranged to the longitudinal profile components 2, 3 of the subframe 1.
  • According to the essential idea of the invention, the slide bars 9, 10 are formed of flat elements fastened to the subframe 1. Sliding elements 11, 12 are arranged at the ends of the support arms 7, 8 and equipped with slots 13 compatible with the flat components. The slide bars 9, 10 are arranged to push into the slots 13 to thus allow the sliding of the sliding elements 13 along the slide bars 9, 10 when the location of one end of the frame 4 is shifted vertically relative to the subframe 1, i.e. when the size of the running angle of the treadmill is changed. When the structure is assembled, the slide bars 9, 10 formed by the flat components are thus in the slots 13 as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the sliding elements 11, 12 can slide along the slide bars when the running angle is adjusted. The above-mentioned structural entity according to the essential idea of the invention is shown as a general exploded view in FIG. 2. The structure of the sliding element is shown particularly clearly in FIG. 3.
  • The sliding elements 11, 12 can preferably be made into sleeves that are substantially round in cross-section and fastened directly to the ends of a pipe 14 connecting the ends of the support arms 7, 8. The pipe 14 can preferably be made of a pipe that is substantially round in cross-section, whereby the pipe also serves as a shaft to the sleeve acting as a sliding element 11, 12. An advantage of this application over the prior art is that, in the solution of the invention, a separate intermediate shaft is not needed, nor are any separate sleeves used in the joint. Thus, the number of components can be reduced and costs lowered essentially in comparison with the prior art.
  • The second ends of the flat components serving as slide bars 9, 10, the back ends in the example of the figures, can preferably be equipped with stopping elements 15 that are arranged to prevent the sliding element 11, 12 from sliding past the end of the slide bar 9, 10 when the running angle of the treadmill is changed. These stopping elements 15 can preferably be screw elements, such as bolts, that are tightened to the slide bars. The use of different studs and corresponding solutions as the stopping elements is also possible.
  • The above application example is in no way intended to limit the invention, and the invention can be modified freely within the scope of the claims. Thus, it is clear that the treadmill of the invention need not necessarily be exactly as shown in the figures, and solutions of other type are also possible. For instance, the design and arrangement of the support arms and other structural details shown in FIG. 1 can naturally be altered as required. The shapes of the profile components and crosswise components can naturally be freely varied as required.

Claims (4)

1. A treadmill comprising a subframe supported against the floor or a corresponding support surface, a frame supported on the subframe for rolls and a belt section running in an endless loop around the rolls, and means arranged between the subframe and frame to vertically shift the location of one end of the frame relative to the subframe, whereby support arms are arranged to the frame with first ends articulated to the frame and second ends arranged slidably into slide bars arranged to the subframe, wherein the slide bars are formed of flat components fastened to the subframe, and sliding elements are arranged at second ends of the support arms and equipped with slots compatible with the flat components, whereby the slide bars are arranged to push into the slots, thus enabling the sliding of the sliding elements along the slide bars when the location of one end of the frame is shifted vertically relative to the subframe.
2. A treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding elements are made into sleeves that are substantially round in cross-section and fastened directly to the ends of a pipe connecting the ends of the support arms.
3. A treadmill as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second ends of the flat components are equipped with stopping elements arranged to prevent the sliding of the sliding element past the end of the flat component.
4. A treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stopping element is a screw element.
US10/964,702 2003-11-24 2004-10-15 Treadmill Abandoned US20050137062A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20031717A FI115292B (en) 2003-11-24 2003-11-24 Treadmill has slidebars which are pushed into slots of sliding elements, to enable sliding of sliding elements along slide bar, when end of frame is shifted vertically relative to subframe
FI20031717 2003-11-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050137062A1 true US20050137062A1 (en) 2005-06-23

Family

ID=29558686

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/964,702 Abandoned US20050137062A1 (en) 2003-11-24 2004-10-15 Treadmill

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20050137062A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1535647A3 (en)
CN (1) CN1621109A (en)
FI (1) FI115292B (en)
MY (1) MY138175A (en)
TW (1) TW200517164A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10974094B2 (en) * 2016-08-27 2021-04-13 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11081224B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2021-08-03 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11311791B2 (en) 2016-08-27 2022-04-26 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11400344B2 (en) 2016-08-27 2022-08-02 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11610664B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2023-03-21 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11617921B2 (en) 2016-08-27 2023-04-04 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise machine controls

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102319504B (en) * 2011-10-18 2013-04-17 中国科学院合肥物质科学研究院 Lifting mechanism of running device

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6325745B1 (en) * 2000-04-26 2001-12-04 Jessica Yu Foldable jogging machine having a trotting platform that can be erected
US20020183169A1 (en) * 2001-05-29 2002-12-05 Mark Chang Jogging machine
US20030125166A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2003-07-03 Dick Chang Folding device for treadmills
US6786850B2 (en) * 2000-10-04 2004-09-07 Skatestrider Inc. Exercise apparatus for simulating skating movement

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6325745B1 (en) * 2000-04-26 2001-12-04 Jessica Yu Foldable jogging machine having a trotting platform that can be erected
US6786850B2 (en) * 2000-10-04 2004-09-07 Skatestrider Inc. Exercise apparatus for simulating skating movement
US20020183169A1 (en) * 2001-05-29 2002-12-05 Mark Chang Jogging machine
US20030125166A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2003-07-03 Dick Chang Folding device for treadmills

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11295849B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2022-04-05 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11610664B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2023-03-21 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11139061B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2021-10-05 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11145398B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2021-10-12 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11289185B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2022-03-29 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11170886B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2021-11-09 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11081224B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2021-08-03 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11183288B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2021-11-23 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11145399B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2021-10-12 Peleton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11295850B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2022-04-05 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11915817B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2024-02-27 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11640856B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2023-05-02 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US10974094B2 (en) * 2016-08-27 2021-04-13 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11617921B2 (en) 2016-08-27 2023-04-04 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise machine controls
US11400344B2 (en) 2016-08-27 2022-08-02 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method
US11311791B2 (en) 2016-08-27 2022-04-26 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Exercise system and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW200517164A (en) 2005-06-01
EP1535647A2 (en) 2005-06-01
MY138175A (en) 2009-05-29
FI20031717A0 (en) 2003-11-24
CN1621109A (en) 2005-06-01
EP1535647A3 (en) 2005-08-31
FI115292B (en) 2005-04-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TUNTURI OY LTD, FINLAND

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KUOKKANEN, ISMO;REEL/FRAME:016330/0649

Effective date: 20041105

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION