US20080312047A1

US20080312047A1 - Treadmill

Info

Publication number: US20080312047A1
Application number: US11/818,588
Authority: US
Inventors: Sun Feng
Original assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-18
Filing date: 2007-06-18
Publication date: 2008-12-18

Abstract

This present invention discloses a treadmill comprising a base, a platform, two rollers, an endless belt, and at least two assemblies, and therefore the user can adjust the location of the adjustable assembly relative to the platform for reducing impact of the platform and varying flexibility of the platform to meet the user's demanding so as to prevent sports injury during operation period.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus improved feature and, more particularly, to a treadmill with adjustable assembly that a user can change the location of the adjustable assembly relative to the treadmill for reducing impact of the treadmill.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,336 discloses a shock-absorbing platform support means being movable fore and aft on the frame for adjustment purposes so as to act as a shock-absorbing fulcrum for the platform to protect the body of the exerciser from the shock usually associated with running or walking on a hard surface. Although this invention can change the position of the shock-absorbing fulcrum relative to the platform, due to its complication structure, the exerciser can not adjust the fulcrum easily so as to causing inconvenient during operation period.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,788 discloses a spring for providing flexibility of cushion function to the user while using the treadmill. It's better than the abovementioned prior art, but still takes lots of manufacture cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,061 discloses a treadmill having a deck spacing mechanism comprising an adjustable height bumper movable between a down position and an up position. This conventional treadmill uses a drive screw that is adapted for movement relative to the base for adjusting level of resistance to downward movement of the support deck relative to the base. Also, this conventional treadmill will cost much manufacturing cost due to the complicated structure of deck spacing mechanism comprising, and the user can not stably run on the deck during operation period due to the wheel structure of the deck spacer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a treadmill comprising: a base having a front portion and a rear portion; a platform supported by the base; a front roller and a rear roller respectively coupled to the front portion and the rear portion of the base; an endless belt encompassed the platform and coupled to the front roller and the rear roller; and at least two adjustable assemblies movably disposed between the base and the platform to reduce impact of the platform, each of the adjustable assemblies respectively located under the right side and left side of the platform capable of moving back and forth relative to the platform, wherein each of the adjustable assemblies comprises a first supporting member rotatably mounted therein. Therefore, user can adjust the location of the adjustable assembly relative to the platform for reducing impact of the platform and varying flexibility of the platform to meet the user's demanding so as to prevent sports injury during operation period.
Furthermore, each of the adjustable assemblies further comprises a second supporting member and a third supporting member respectively rotatably mounted therein, wherein the three supporting members arrange in an order of nonlinear geometry figure such as triangle and each of the supporting members keeps a space with others. In addition, at least one of the supporting members contacted with one of the base and the platform is preferably composed of resilient material. Due to the arrangement of the supporting members, the adjustable assembly can stably located between the base and platform for reducing impact of the platform while the user runs on the platform.
In addition, each of adjustable assemblies comprises an adjustable portion, a connecting portion, three supporting members disposed between the connecting portion and the adjustable portion and at least one connecting assembly associated with the adjustable portion, the connecting portion and the three supporting members, wherein a user can hold the adjustable portion for pushing the adjustable cushion assembly to move back and forth relative to the platform. Therefore, due to the simple structure of the adjustable assembly, the user can easy to adjust the location of the adjustable assembly relative to the platform.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a treadmill with adjustable assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows part of structure of the treadmill of the FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the adjustable assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an explosion view of the adjustable assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a treadmill with adjustable assembly according to this present invention. FIG. 2 shows part of structure of the treadmill of the FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the adjustable assembly according this present invention. Referring FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the treadmill 100 comprises two adjustable assemblies 20,30 capable of reducing the impact of the treadmill given by the user. In this embodiment, the treadmill 100 comprises a base 101, a platform 102, a front roller 103, a rear roller 104, a endless belt 105 and two adjustable assemblies 20,30.
Referring to FIG. 1, the treadmill 100 comprises two standards 107 extended upwardly from the base 101, a console 109 disposed on the upper end of the standards 107, and a handgrip 110 fixed on the standards 107 for user to grasp during operation period. There are some buttons, display devices or some indicators located on the panel of the console 109 for user to control working parameters or other related functions of the treadmill 100.
Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, some elements are removed at FIG. 2 for displaying the characteristics of this present invention more clearly. The base 101 has a front portion 1021 and a rear portion 1022, and the platform 102 is supported by the base 101. The front roller 103 and the rear roller 104 respectively locates near to the front portion 1021 and the rear portion 1022 of the base 101. In this embodiment, the adjustable assemblies 20,30 respectively locates between the platform 102 and the base 101. For clearly displaying the location of the adjustable assemblies 20,30, the endless belt 105 was removed and the platform 102 was shown by the dotted line. Please refer to FIG. 2, the adjustable assemblies 20,30, respectively disposes at the left side and right side of the platform 102, were supported by the base 101.
While a user operates the treadmill 100, the adjustable assemblies 20,30 can reduce impact of the platform 102 given by the user, and adjust the location of the adjustable assemblies 20,30 capable of moving back and forth between the front portion 1021 and the rear portion 1022.
FIG. 4 shows an explosion view of the adjustable assembly. Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the adjustable assemblies 20,30 respectively comprises an adjustable portion 21,31, a connecting portion 22,32, three supporting members 23,33, and three connecting assemblies 24,34. In this embodiment, each of the three connecting assemblies 24,34 associates with the adjustable portion 21,31, the connecting portion 22,32, and the supporting members 23,33 located between the adjustable portion 21,31 and the connecting portion 22,32. In this embodiment, the adjustable assemblies 20,30 respectively comprises a supporting plate 27,37 located between the adjustable portion 21,31 and the supporting member 23,33 for strengthening the structure of the adjustable assembly 20,30.
In this embodiment, the adjustable assembly 20 and the adjustable assembly 30 both have the same structure, and therefore this embodiment will only describe the adjustable assembly 20 as an example hereinafter. Referring to FIG. 3, the three supporting members 23 arrange in an order of triangle. Due to the arrangement of the three supporting members 23, one of the supporting members 23 contacts with the platform 102, and others contact with the base 101, and each of the supporting members 23 keeps a space with others. In this embodiment, at least one supporting member 23 should contact with one of the base 101 and the platform 102. Due to the triangular arrangement of the three supporting members 23, the adjustable assembly 20 can strengthen the supporting force for the treadmill 100 so as to maintain the platform more stable while someone runs on the platform 102, and reduce impact of the platform 102 given by the user during operation period. In this embodiment, each of the three supporting members 23 is rotably mounted to the adjustable assembly 20, and therefore each of the three supporting members 23 respectively is rotated about clockwise or counter-clockwise while the user pushes the adjustable portion 21 to adjust the location of the adjustable assembly 20 relative to the platform 102. Due to the triangular arrangement of the three supporting members 23, the adjustable assembly has some advantages such as less members, simple structure, and low manufacturing cost. In addition, the adjustable assembly can comprises any number of supporting members for arranging in any type of the nonlinear geometry figure. Therefore, the supporting members of this present invention were arranged in an order of any nonlinear geometry figure, preferably, but not limited to arrangement such as triangle, rectangle, . . . or trapezoid. Further, no matter what the geometry figure was the supporting members arranged, at least one of the supporting members should contacts with one of the base or the platform, and each supporting member should keep space from others.
In this embodiment, the connecting assemblies 24,34 respectively comprises a bolt 241,341 and a nut 242,342. Also, this embodiment only describes the connecting assembly 24 as an example. In this embodiment, the bolt 241 threads through the supporting member 23, the connecting portion 22, and the supporting plate 27, and was fasten by the nut 242 therein. Further, the connecting assembly 24 comprises a screw or other related elements for fixing the supporting plate 27 on the adjustable portion 21 so as to increase the integration of the adjustable assembly 20. In this embodiment, the connecting assembly 24 preferably comprises a bolt and a nut for associating the adjustable portion, the connecting portion and, three supporting members and the supporting plate, but it still can use other members to achieve the same object such as screw and c-shaped clip.
Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the adjustable assembly assemblies 20,30 respectively further comprises two elastic members 211,311 relatively mounted on the supporting plate 27,37 and the connecting portion 22,32. While the adjustable assembly assemblies 20,30 respectively moves back and forth on the base 101, the adjustable assembly assemblies 20,30 will rub against the base 101 during operation period. Therefore, the elastic members 211,311 can decrease the abrasion generated by rubbing the adjustable assembly assemblies 20,30 against the base 101 so as to prevent damage of the adjustable assembly assemblies 20,30 and the base 101. The material of the supporting members 23,33 and the elastic members 211,311 is preferably composed resilient material. Further, for reducing the impact of the platform 102, at least one of the supporting members contacted with one of the base and the platform is composed of resilient material such as PA66.
While the user runs on the platform 102, the user will feel uncomfortable if the flexibility of the platform 102 is too small. At this time, the user just moves the adjustable assemblies 20,30 to the front end of the platform 102 for increasing the flexibility of the platform 102, and the user will feel more comfortable after adjusting the location of the adjustable assemblies 20,30 so as to prevent sports injury occurred during operation period. On the other hand, the user can move the adjustable assemblies 20,30 to the rear end of the platform 102 while the flexibility is too large for the user so as to select a better operation environment. In addition, the adjustable assemblies 20,30 not only were adjusted the location by the user, but also can be adjusted by a driving device (not shown in figure) such as the motor capable of moving back and forth relative to the platform 102.
From abovementioned, this present invention relates to a treadmill comprising. Therefore, user can change the location of the adjustable assembly relative to the platform for varying flexibility of the platform to meet the user's demanding so as to prevent sports injury during operation period. Further, due to the simple structure of the adjustable assembly, the user can easy to adjust the location of the adjustable assembly relative to the platform.
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A treadmill comprising:

a base having a front portion and a rear portion;

a platform supported by the base;

a front roller and a rear roller respectively coupled to the front portion and the rear portion of the base;

an endless belt encompassed the platform and coupled to the front roller and the rear roller; and

at least two adjustable assemblies movably disposed between the base and the platform to reduce impact of the platform, each of the adjustable assemblies respectively located under the right side and left side of the platform capable of moving back and forth relative to the platform, wherein each of the adjustable assemblies comprises a first supporting member rotatably mounted therein.

2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the adjustable assemblies further comprises a second supporting member and a third supporting member respectively rotatably mounted therein, and the three supporting members arrange in an order of nonlinear geometry figure.

3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the supporting members contacts with one of the base and the platform.

4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the supporting members keeps a space with others.

5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the supporting members contacted with one of the base and the platform is composed of resilient material.

6. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of adjustable assemblies comprises an adjustable portion, a connecting portion, three supporting members disposed between the connecting portion and the adjustable portion and at least one connecting assembly associated with the adjustable portion, the connecting portion and the three supporting members, wherein a user can hold the adjustable portion for pushing the adjustable cushion assembly to move back and forth relative to the platform.

7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the treadmill comprises a driving device to drive the at least two adjustable assemblies to move back and forth relative to the platform.

8. A treadmill comprising:

a base having a front portion and a rear portion;

a platform supported by the base;

at least two adjustable assemblies movably disposed between the base and the platform to reduce impact of the platform, each of the adjustable assemblies respectively located under the right side and left side of the platform capable of moving back and forth relative to the platform, wherein each of adjustable assemblies comprises a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a third supporting member rotatably mounted therein, and the three supporting members arrange in an order of nonlinear geometry figure.

9. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the supporting members contacts with one of the base and the platform.

10. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the supporting members contacted with one of the base and the platform is composed of resilient material.

11. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the supporting members keeps a space with others.

12. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of adjustable assemblies comprises an adjustable portion, a connecting portion, three supporting members disposed between the connecting portion and the adjustable portion and at least one connecting assembly associated with the adjustable portion, the connecting portion and the three supporting members, wherein a user can hold the adjustable portion for pushing the adjustable cushion assembly to move back and forth relative to the platform.

13. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8, wherein the treadmill comprises a driving device to drive the adjustable cushion to move back and forth relative to the platform.

14. A treadmill comprising:

a base having a front portion and a rear portion;

a platform supported by the base;

at least two adjustable assemblies movably disposed between the base and the platform to reduce impact of the platform, each of the adjustable assemblies respectively located under the right side and left side of the platform capable of moving back and forth relative to the platform, wherein each of adjustable assemblies comprises a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a third supporting member rotatably mounted therein, wherein the three supporting members arrange in an order of nonlinear geometry figure, and at least one of the three supporting members contacts with one of the base and the platform.

15. The treadmill as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the supporting members keeps a space with others.

16. The treadmill as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first supporting member contacts with the platform, and the second and third supporting members respectively contacts with the base.

17. The treadmill as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first supporting member contacts with the base, and the second and third supporting members respectively contacts with the platform.

18. The treadmill as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of the supporting members contacted with one of the base and the platform is composed of resilient material.

19. The treadmill as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of adjustable assemblies comprises an adjustable portion, a connecting portion, three supporting members disposed between the connecting portion and the adjustable portion and at least one connecting assembly associated with the adjustable portion, the connecting portion and the three supporting members, wherein a user can hold the adjustable portion for pushing the adjustable cushion assembly to move back and forth relative to the platform.

20. The treadmill as claimed in claim 14, wherein the treadmill comprises a driving device to drive the adjustable assembly to move back and forth relative to the platform.