Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPLICATION FOR PATENT
INVENTORS: R. CLAYTON LEE and JEFFREY OWEN MEREDITH
INVENTION: TREADMILL WITH TRAMPOLINE-LIKE SURFACE
SPECIFICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
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1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to treadmills and, more
particularly, to an improved treadmill apparatus which is
formed with a trampoline-lik surface, supported by an
improved multiple position peripheral spring support, that
is resilient enough to minimize shock when the foot of an
exerciser engages the treadmill surface but rigid enough not
to interfere with the normal walking, jogging or running
motions.
Treadmills utilize an endless moving belt that allows
an individual to walk, jog or run in place. Treadmills are
useful not only for exercise purposes, but for
rehabilitation pxograms and medical testing such as the
popular "stress test." There is also a demand for
treadmills in indoor health clubs since many clubs are not
abie to build a running track and such a treadmill provides
the capability of a well rounded exercise program.
Treadmills traditionally are formed with a thin endless
belt which travels over a supporting surface such as a metal
plate so that the belt can withstand the weight of the
individual using it. The belt in such a design has a
tendency to wear because of the ~rictional contact hetween
the plate and belt. The metal support plate forms a rigid
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surface that can create various injuries such as "stone
bruise" or "shin splints" because of its hard, unyielding
surface. Another possible way of supporting the belt is to
provide rollers under the belt. This construction is not
totally desirable because the rollers provide an uneven
exercise surface.
Thus, exercising on a treadmill with a rigid support
surface underneath the belt is similar to exercising on a
hard surface because the impact of the feet of the exerciser
and the support surface for each step which is taken. This
tends to exert undue strain on the legs, which is a common
cause of leg problems for joggers and runners and is
particularly bothersome fsr patients who are undergoing a
rehabilitation program.
Several treadmill devices are the subject of U.S.
Patents. The Jones U.S. Patent No. 2,315,485, issued April
6, 1943, entitled "Exercising Device," shows an exercising
machine having a moving belt, end rollers supporting the
belt at its end portions, and an adjustment for varying the
tension of the belt.
The Volk U.S. Patent No. 921,755, issued May 18, 1909,
illustrates a treadmill-type device constructed of cross
slats, each carrying anti~friction rollers. Other treadmill
devices including the Haracz-U.S. Patent No. 3,628,654,
entitled "Vacuum Belt Conveyor;" the Hagan UOS. Paten~ No.
3,689,066, entitled "Treadmill Exercising Device With
Yieldable Belt Support;" and German Patent No. 2,503,118,
entitled "Movable Endless Band Apparatus For Physical
Training, Containing Profiled Rails Connected To Band."
Applicants are the owners of prior U.S. Patent No.
4,548,405, issued October 22, 1985, entitled "Treadmill With
Trampoline-Like Surface," which discloses a treadmill having
a belt surface supported at its lateral edges with springs
and between front and rear rollers.
The present inven~ion provides an improvement to these
above-referenced patents in that an improved spring geometry
supports the lateral edges of the belt in both lateral and
longitudinal directions by means of a pair of spaced apart
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angularly extending springs which contact the belt at spaced
positions. Further, Applicants' invention provides an
improved treadmill apparatus which may utilize a secondary
suxface, spaced below the belt upper surface, that limits
the vertical deflection of the belt during use. The
secondary surface maintains stability of the belt when it is
used by very heavy persons or by runners that exercise
vigorously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION-
A treadmill has been developed in accordance with the
invention which provides an improved vertically deflecting
surface that is designed to eliminate the need for any rigid
reinforcing surfaces directly underneath the belt. The
supporting belt surface i5 resilient enough to ahsorb shock
so that people can walk, jog or run with less strain on
their legs and at the same time rigid enough to provide a
stable exercising surface.
The treadmill which embodies the invention includes an
endless belt, the uppermost side of which i9 adapted to form
a flat surface capable of supporting an individual. An
improved lateral support extends along the edge of the
endless belt defining the belt shape while supporting the
endless belt continuously. The belt is supported with
sp.ing assemblies by a pair of continuous rails that are
spaced from and extend along the lateral edges of the
endless belt. Curved sections of the rail define the curved
end portions of the belt in one embodiment. The edges of
the belt are connected to their respective rails through a
plurality of pairs of coil springs, each pair carried by a
roller bracket and each pair connected at spaced apart
positions to the belt. The roller brackets rotatably engage
the rail and travel thereon. In the preferred embodiment,
the roller bracket assemblies slidably engage each rail and
are faced toward the edge of the belt, and the roller
brackets are connected at spaced apart positions along the
belt, each bracket carrying a pair of springs which extend
from the bracket at angles with respect to each other so
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that the springs attach to spaced apart positions along the
edge of the belt. This improved spring arrangement provides
both lonqitudinal and lateral load carrying to the edge of
the belt for increased longitudinal and lateral stability.
This improved spring arrangement provides both longitudinal
and lateral support to the roller brackets for the
maintenance of their alignment with the rail,s they engage.
In the preferred embodiment, the treadmill includes a
peripheral support which is spaced from and extends
substantially along the sides of the endless belt and
includes curved supporting portions at each end of, and on
both sides of the endless belt. In this embodiment, two
extra rollers are attached to each roller bracket mounted
inside the support railing and with their axis at 90 to the
load bearing roller in each bracket. These extra rollers
engage the curved supporting portions at each end to
maintain the alignment of the load bearing roller with the
support rail without the continuous support rollers shown at
each end of the endless belt in previous embodiments. The
springs are arranged in pairs and are angularly positioned
with respect to each other for applying tension to the belt
in both lateral and longitudinal directions at each position
where a respective pair of springs àttaches the endless
belt. Preferably two springs extend from each roller
bracket at an acute angle of forty-five degrees (45), for
example, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the beltO
In this manner, a longitudinal and a lateral load component
tension the belt at each spring.
In the preerred embodiment, the apparatus includes at
least one drive roller so that the belt is driven through
frictional contact between the inner surface of the belt and
the drive roller.
In the preferred embodiment, the drive roller is
mounted upon a rotating shaft. The shaft can carry a pair
of spaced apart wheels on the opposite respective side
portions of the drive roller for supporting the belt at its
periphery.
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In one embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention, a secondary surface is positioned under the belt
for limiting vertical deflection of the belt during use such
as for limiting the amount of downward movement of the belt
when it i5 used ~y heavier persons.
In another embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention, the belt is segmented, comprising a plurality of
belt sections, each of the sections being connected by
tensile members, such as for example, coil springs or an
elastomeric member for forming a tensile load transfer
between the edges of adjacent belt sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and
advantages of the present invention, reference should be had
to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of one embodimen~
of the apparatus o~ the present invention;
Figure 3A is a partial sectional fragmentary view of
the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention.
Figure 4 is a partial sec~ional elevational view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention;
Figure 5 is an elevational fragmentary view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention illustrating the roller bracket assemblies;
Figure 6 is a ragmentary perspective view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention illustrating the roller bracket assembly;
Figure 7 is a sectional elevational view of another
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
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Figure 8 is a sectional elevational view of another
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention shown
during use;
Figure 9 is a sectional elevationa]. view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention illustrating the secondary support surface portion
thereof;
Figure 10 is a sectional elevational view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention illustrating the secondary support surface ;
Figure 11 is a partial fragmentary view illustrating
the drive shaft and side wheel portions of the drive roller
assembly;
Figure 12 is another fragmentary view of the drive
roller assembly illustrating the side wheels, the drive
roller and the foam cover;
Figure 13 is an elevational view of one embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the
improved hand rail construction;
Figure 14 is a plan top view of the embodiment of
Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a fragmentary view of the embodiment of
Figure 13;
Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the
embodiment of Figure 13;
Figure 17 is a schematic elevational view illustrating
the belt tensioning mechanism;
Figures 18A - 18B are top schematic views illustra~ing
an alternate bias weave mat for use with the apparatus of
the present invention.
Figure 19 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus of the
present invention illustrating an alternate, adjusta~le
carrier portion thereof;
Figure 20 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention illustrating the spring and transporter
configuration in detail;
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Figure 21 is an enlarged schematic plan view
illustrating alternate, non-tensile connecting member for
use with the bias weave mat;
Figure 22 is an elevational view of another embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention;
E'igure 23 is an elevation view of another alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
illustrating an array of coil spring supports for supporting
the mat;
Figure 24 is yet another embodiment of the apparatus of
the present invention illustrating a deflected upper mat
surface configuration; and
Figure 25 is a schematic fragmentary view of an
alternate embodiment of the transporter portion of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Figures 1 and 2 show generally the preferred embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention designated
generally by the numeral 10. In Figure 1, there can be seen
a plan view of the treadmill apparatus 10 of the present
invention having a frame 12 supporting a pair of roller
assemblies 13, 14 (phantom lines).
An endless belt 15 is supported so that a runner,
jogger or walker can stand upon the belt surface 15A. As
the belt moves in the direction shown by the Arrows 16 in
Figure 1, the runner, walker or jogger can move his or
herself through a typical jogging, walking, running gait yet
remain in the same position as is typical with all
treadmills. However, with the present invention, a
cushioned trampoline-like surface 15A is provided because
the peripheral edge portions 17, 18 of the belt 15 are
supported by a plurality of spring assemblies~ as will be
described more fully hereinafter. The belt can be made of a
woven plastic, for example, or like material, such as is
commonly used in the manufacture of trampoline surfaces.
Alternately, a laminated belt can be used having two layers
of woven plastic with a foam layer therebetweenO
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A paix of continuous rails 19, 20 are provided on
opposite edge portions of the belt 15 and spaced laterally
therefrom, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rails include a
top 19A and a bottom 19B rail portion as well as a
semicircular l9C end portion both fore and aft, as shown in
Figures 4 and 6. Rail 10 would be similarly shaped.
Each rail 19, 20 has a plurality of roller brackets 21
mounted thereon for travel (see Figures 5 and 6~. Each
roller bracket includes a bracket frame portion 22 made of
suitable structural material such as stainless steel or the
like. Bracket 21 supports a plurality of rollers including
vertical roller 23 mounted upon vertical shaft 24 and
horizontal roller 25. In the preferred embodiment, a pair
of hori-~ontal rollers 25 are shown. Each horizontal roller
25 is mounted upon a corresponding horizontal shaft 27, 2a~
The bracket includes a structural section, as shown in
Figure 5, having vertical portions 29, 30 for supporting
shafts 27, 28 and innermost, inwardly facing horizontal
flange portion 31 having at least one opening 32 therein
receptive of coil springs 33, 34. Bracket 21 is further
comprised of an uppermost flat horizontal portion 35,
lowermost horizontal portion 36 which extend outwardly of
rails 19, 20 and vertlcal flange 37. Roller bracket 21 can
utilize a single vertical roller 23, with bracket 21 being
generally C-shaped, having vertical flange 22A and
horizontal flange 21A portions.
Figure 19 discloses an alternate construction of roller
bracket 22 wherein the bracke is adjustable so that springs
33, 34 can be stretched or relaxed as desired to increaset
decrease the tension in belt 15. In the embodiment of
Figure 19l roller bracket frame portion 22A includes
sections 22B and 22C which are movable with respect to each
other, as each bracket member carries a slot 22D which
allows the members 22B, 22C to be bolted together using
bolted connection 22E. The lower flange 36A is ell-shaped,
carrying roller 25A which abuts the bottom of rail 19, 20.
At its end l9C, 20C porti.ons, rails 19, 20 include a
flat semicircular portion, designated in Figure 6 by the
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numeral 40. Flat rail section 40 provides a flat outer
curved surface 41 which has a curvature similar to that of
rail section l9C, as shown in Figure 6. The flat surface 41
is adapted to receive horizontal rollers 25 thereupon so
that the flat rollers engage and travel upon surface 41.
The terminal ends of flat rail section 40 include beveled
portions 42, 43, as shown in Figure 6, which help register
rollers 25 upon surface 41.
Springs 33, 34 attach to roller brac~et 21 at
horizontal flange 31. Springs 33, 34 attach at two spaced
apart different positions to mat 15, and more specifically
to the peripheral edge 17, 18 portions thereof. Notice in
Figures 1 and 2 that each roller bracket 21 carries a pair
of springs 33, 34, each attaching at a grommet opening, for
example, in spaced apart positions, designated by the
numeral 50 in Figures 1 and 2. This arrangement places each
spring 33, 34 at an acute angle with respect to mat edges
17, 18 of, for example, forty-five degrees (45) and thus
allo~s each spring to impart both longitudinal and lateral
tension to the mat 15 at its edge 17, 18 portionsO In an
alternate arrangement (Figure 20~ three springs are provided
including two springs 33 at acute angles with respect to mat
15 lateral edge 17, 18 and a third spring 34 at right angles
to edge 17, 18. In Figures 18A, 18B, and 21, bias weave mat
15E includes resilient woven members lSF, 15G that are woven
at generally right angles (Figures 18A, 21) with respect to
one another and preferably at forty five degree (45) angles
with respect to the mat edges 17, 18. In Figure 18B, woven
members 15F, lSG are oriented at acut~ angles with respec~
to lateral edges 17, 18. With bias weave resilient mat 15E,
non-tensile connecting members such as wire loops 33A can be
used.
In one embodiment (Figure 1), the mat 15 can be in the
form of pair of separate spaced apart mat Sections 15C, 15D,
each having an upper surface lS~, 15B adapted to receive the
foo~ of a runner, walker or a jogger during exercise
sessions. Springs 33A join the mats 15C, I5D together. One
skilled in the art will see that the use of rollers 13, 14
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is optional because support to the peripheral edges 17, 18
of mat 15 is provided by roller assemblies 21 and by the
coil springs 33, 34, as above described even at end portions
l9C, 20C of the rails 19, 20. Rollers 13, 14 can be driven
and powered to rotate, for example, electrically if desired.
In Figures 3-3A, roller bracket 21A does not have horizontal
rollers 25. The bracket 21A can be used where end rollers
13, 14 are used to support the ends of the mat 15 instead of
flat rail section 40.
In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, the mat edges 17,
18 are supported by shock assemblies, each including an
upstanding articulating link 61 which can pivot inwardly
upon pivot support 62. A gusset member 63 extends around
the bottom of rail sections l9B, 20B. A shock absorber 70
in the form of a coil spring supported at its ends by spring
socket 71, 72 supports the rail sections 19, 20 while the
size and constant of the spring 70 determine the degree of
flexibility of the mat inwardly, as indicated by the curved
Arrows 68 in Figure 8, when the leg L of a runner or walker
presses against the upper surface 15B of the mat 15.
In the embodiments of Figures 9-10, a secondary surface
70 is provided which includes an upper frictionless surface
72, a middle cushioning surface of foam, for example, 73,
and a lower structural surface of metal, wood or the like,
designated by the numeral 74. The mats 15C, 15D could be
connected by springs 33A covered by a cylindrical hose-like
sleeve 33B. A pair of jack assemblies 75, 76 supported by
frame 12 can be used to raise or lower the secondary surface
70 to limit the degree of vertical deflection of mat 15
downwardly.
Figures 11, 12 illustrata more particularly the
construction of rollers 13, 14 as including a cylinder 13A,
a drive shaft 13B~ and an outer foam or other resilient
surface 13C. End rollers 13D, 13E can extend upwardly and
register with the mat 15 at its edge surfaces 17, 18.
Figure 22 illustra~es an alternate construction
de~ignated generally by the numeral 100, which provides an
underlying cantilevered support 103 positioned beneath belt
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15. The belt 15 is supported at one end portion by roller
101, and at its opposite end portion by a plurality of
tensioning rollers 104 106. Rollers 104-106 are mounted
respectively upon support brackets 108, 109 that are affixed
to a superstructure 110 portion of frame ]02. Tensioning
spring 107 connects to bracket 108 which is pivotally
mounted to superstructure 110. Support 103 is in the form
of an elongated cantileve`red beam which is only attached
fixedly at one end portion to bulk head 114. Its opposite
free end portion 103A is free to deflect during use when a
runner, jogger or the like is running upon the surface of
belt 15. Super ætructure 110 carries an upper fixed roller
111 and a lower moving roller 112. Spring 113 is attached
to frame 102 and at its opposite end portion connects to
roller 112. An endless belt 114 connects between the
rollers 111, 112 so that tension of the spring 113 can
regulates the tension of the belt 114. Bulk head 116 slides
upwardly and downwardly as it is connected by means of
bolted connection 115 to bracket 118 which is supported by
the spring 113. During use a runner deflects the support
103 both downwardly by compressing spring 113 and arcuately
because the support 103 bends as its end portion 103A
deflects during use. This produces a composite deflection
which can be adjusted depending upon the configuration of
the support 103, its flexibility between its ends, and the
spring 113 Constant. As an exerciser engages the endless
belt 15 traveling over rollers 101 and 104-106, the
exerciser experiences a degree of shock absorption from both
deflection of the vertically arranged coil spring 113 and
the deflection motion of the elongated support 103. As the
support 103 returns to its normal relaxed condition, the
exerciser would receive additional vertical lift in this
acceleration stage.
Figure 23 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention designated by the numeral 120. In Figure 23, an
underlying support 125 is positioned under the belt 15. The
support 125 would be flexible and would be supported
thereunder by means o~ a plurality of coil springs 126-136.
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Otherwise, the endless belt is supported at its ends with
rollers 121, 122 and upon structural frame 123. In the
embodiment of Figure 23, the horizontal spacing between the
springs would be varied. This would provide for a variable
spring return to be applied to the exerciser's foot
depending upon the position of the foot. Thus, the belt 15
could be made more or less firm in different horizontal
positions for a custom shock absorption depending upon the
needs of the exerciser. Additionally, the spring K rate
could be varied while maintaining the array of springs
126-136 in a regular spacing. In Figure 24, a
"banana"-shaped embodiment of the apparatus, designated by
the numeral 150 is disclosed having a bend at 153, 154. As
the foot reaches the elevated portion, toward the roller
152, there will be increased lifting power available from
the springs 33-35 and from the mat because they will be
farther from their normal, relaxed state. The exerciser's
foot will be lifted (in the acceleration phase) to a higher
point lor increased height) at the surface departure point.
Figures 13-16 illustrate an improved hand rail
construction for use with the apparatus of the present
invention. Frame 12 includes a forward upstanding pedestal
80 having a pair of spaced apart hand rails 81, 82 which
attached to pedestal 80 using rotary bearings 83, 84. Each
hand rail 81, 82 includes a top rail 85, a bottom rail 86,
and a connecting rail 87 that defines a handle typically
gripped by the user tsee Figure 16)~ The angle A between
lower rail 85 and handle 87 is preferably between 15 and
45, that angle being designated by the letter "A" in Figure
16. Handle 17 can carry a switch plate 88 having a
plurality of switches thereon for operating treadmill 10,
for example, an on/off switch 89, a speed switch 90, and an
elevation switch 91 for controlling the angle of inclination
of the treadmill 10. A forward caster 92 would typically
extend and retract to raise and lower the forward end
portion of frame 12 thus varying the angle of inclination of
the running surface defined by belt 15.
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An instrument panel 93 is pivotally mounted upon cross
bar 94 which connects handles 81, 82. Instrument panel 93
would include a graphics display of any number of desirable
parameters, such as distance, time, pace (such as minutes
per mile), or the like.
Because of the spacing of handles 81, 82~ as shown in
Figure 14, a runner, walker, or jogger can occupy a position
between handles 81, 82 while gripping the handles 87.
Because the handles rotate upon rotary bearings 83, 84, into
multiple positions, as shown in Figure 13, the handles can
be raised or lowered to accommodate persons of various
heights. Further, the lowermost position of the handles r as
shown in Figure 1, can be used for shipping purposes.
Detent locking can be provided to fix handles 81, 82 in any
particular desired elevational position. Display 93 can be
pivotally mounted (between 0 and 90 with respect to
horizontal) upon cross bar 94, as shown by the curved arrow
95 in Figure 13, so that the graphics display can be rotated
to a comfortable viewing position for any particular user.
The bearings 83, 84 can be accompanied by a spring
counterbalance so that lifting the handles 81, 82 is easy,
even for children. The handles would typically be spaced
thirty to thirty-five inches (30"-35") apart.
Figure 14 shows left and right handrails pivoting to
change the distance between them. This is accomplished by
mounting the handrai~s on hinge pins where their ends join a
common crossmember. A bracket on each side of the
crossmember engages each handrail a distance ~e.g., six
inches) from the center of the hinge pin limiting stops
spaced at 4- 5 increments. This gives each handrail about
twenty degrees (20) of pivotal movement. The crossmember
would also pivot to adjust the height of both handrails and
provide a mounting platform and wiring conduit for the
control-panel.
In Figure 25, an alternate embodiment 160 uses an
elastomeric mat 161 affixed to transporter ~racket 163 using
a rivet 164, for example. A plurality of transporter
brackets 163 each include curved portion 167 and threaded
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opening 170 receptive of bolt 169. Endless band 168 can be
of plastic, for example, and in side view, band 168 tracks
endless belt 15. Band 168 has a concave inwardly facing
portion 172. Frame 162 also has a continuous concave rail
portion 165 that supports ball bearings 166 as an interface
between rail 165 and endless band 168.
In view of the numerous modifications which could be
made to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein without
departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention,
the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and
not in a limiting sense.
What is claimed as invention is:
