US20080318737A1

US20080318737A1 - Buffering structure of treadmill

Info

Publication number: US20080318737A1
Application number: US11/812,977
Authority: US
Inventors: Yu-Ming Chu
Original assignee: Inray Fitness Products Corp
Current assignee: Inray Fitness Products Corp
Priority date: 2007-06-22
Filing date: 2007-06-22
Publication date: 2008-12-25

Abstract

A buffering structure is coupled to a treadmill to buffer an action route of a support device. The buffering structure comprises a rockshaft and a buffering cushion. The rockshaft is mounted on the bottom of the support device and pivotally connected to the treadmill. The buffering cushion is connected to the outer surface of the rockshaft. The rockshaft and the buffering cushion are able to buffer the action route of the support device. As a result, the buffering structure of the present invention has simple configuration and low cost, and it is able to adjust the buffer route and not easy to get damaged.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a buffering structure, and more particularly to a buffering structure of a treadmill to buffer the action route of a support device by means of a rockshaft and a buffering cushion, wherein the buffering structure of the present invention has simple configuration and low cost, and it is able to adjust the buffer route and not easy to get damaged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to protect the user's legs from being hurt by excessive large counterforce created transiently by the runway platform, the common commercial treadmill generally has a buffering mechanism. However, the general buffering mechanism has poor performance and only provides single buffer action. Therefore, it is unable to provide different degrees of adjustment for different users. Accordingly, the exerciser's legs, especially knees and ankles, may get injured easily.
Although the existing exercise treadmill may equip with another buffering mechanism to stagedly adjust the degree of shock absorption. In addition, it has complicated configuration and is easy to get damaged. In addition, it has high cost, resulting in degraded competitiveness. In addition, every user must adjust the buffering structure individually, resulting in the inconvenience in use and affecting the user's desire to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the conventional drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to provide a buffering structure, which has simple configuration and low cost, and it is able to adjust the buffer route and not easy to get damaged.
In order to achieve the foregoing and other objects, a buffering structure is coupled to a treadmill to buffer an action route of a support device. The buffering structure comprises a rockshaft and a buffering cushion. The rockshaft is mounted on the bottom of the support device and pivotally connected to the treadmill. The buffering cushion is connected to the outer surface of the rockshaft.
As a result, the buffering structure of the present invention has simple configuration and low cost, and it is able to adjust the buffer route and not easy to get damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the treadmill in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is coupled to;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the ascending/descending mechanism in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the ascending/descending mechanism in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the buffering cushion departs from the ascending/descending route of the support device;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the ascending/descending mechanism in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the buffering cushion enters the ascending/descending route of the support device;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a buffering structure of the present invention is coupled to a treadmill 1, wherein the treadmill 1 comprises a base 11. Two lateral plates 111 are mounted respectively on both sides of the base 1. A runway platform 112 is mounted between these two lateral plates 111. A runway belt 113 is sleeved onto the surface of the runway platform 112. In addition, an ascending/descending mechanism 12 is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the front end of the base 11. The ascending/descending mechanism 12 has a buffering structure 2 (3) on the inside. In addition, the ascending/descending mechanism 12 comprises a connection plate 121 having respective lateral frames 122 on both sides. The inner lateral surface of each lateral frame 122 is pivotally, connected to a respective support device 123. The support device 123 is designed to support the weights of the runway platform 112 and the runway belt 113. In addition, an elastic device 125 is held between the front end of the support device 123 and the connection plate 121. The elastic device 125 is designed to absorb the downward pressing force from the support device 123. In addition, an ascending/descending rod set 124 is slidably positioned in the support device 123. The ascending/descending rod set 124 is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the front end of the base 11. In addition, two support frames 13 are vertically, laterally mounted on both sides of the connection plate 121. The top ends of the support frames 13 are connected to a controller 14. Two handles 15 are extended from the rear end of the controller 14 to allow the user to hold them.
Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the buffering structure 2 of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The buffering structure 2 is designed to buffer the action route of the support device 123. The buffering structure 2 comprises a rockshaft 21, a positioning device 22, a control rod 23, a grip 24 and a buffering cushion 25. The rockshaft 21 is parallel-mounted on the bottom of the support device 123. One end of the rockshaft 21 is pivotally connected to the bottom of the lateral frame 122 of the treadmill 1. The other end of the rockshaft 21 is pivotally connected to one end of the positioning device 22. The other end of the positioning device 22 is pivotally connected to the bottom of the lateral frame 122 of the treadmill 1. The positioning device 22 is designed to confine the shift angle of the rockshaft 21. In addition, the outer surface of the rockshaft 21 is connected to the buffering cushion 25. The buffering cushion 25 is of an elastic material. The buffering cushion 25 is such as a rubber cushion or an equivalent cushion. The outer surface of the rockshaft 21 is connected to the control rod 23. The top end of the control rod 23 is fixedly connected to the grip 24. As a result, the user can shift the rockshaft 21 by means of the grip 24 and the control rod 23 so as to further control the positions of the rockshaft 21 and the buffering cushion 25.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the utilization status of the above-mentioned components is shown. When in use, the first preferred embodiment of the present invention may have two adjustment stages.
When the user requires a larger buffer route, the rockshaft 21 can be shifted toward one side by means of the grip 24 and the control rod 23 so as to enable the buffering cushion 25 to depart from the ascending/descending route of the support device 123, as shown in FIG. 3. Consequently, when the user operates the treadmill 1, the support device 123 supports the weights of the runway platform 112, the runway belt 113 and the user, and the support device 123 achieves the buffer effect by means of the elastic device 125 held between the front end of the support device 123 and the connection plate 121, wherein the elastic device 125 has a complete, large action route since it is completely not interfered with by the buffering cushion 25.
When the user requires a smaller buffer route, the rockshaft 21 can be shifted toward the other side by means of the grip 24 and the control rod 23 so as to enable the buffering cushion 25 to enter the ascending/descending route of the support device 123, as shown in FIG. 4. Consequently, when the user operates the treadmill 1, the support device 123 supports the weights of the runway platform 112, the runway belt 113 and the user, and the support device 123 achieves the buffer effect by means of the elastic device 125 held between the front end of the support device 123 and the connection plate 121, wherein the elastic device 125 has a smaller action route since it is interfered with by the buffering cushion 25.
Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Before describing the second preferred embodiment, it is specially noted that the support device 123 is pivotally connected to one end of the lateral frame 122 and raised gradually toward the other end. The buffering structure 3 of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is coupled with the treadmill 1. The buffering structure 3 is designed to buffer the action route of the support device 123. The buffering structure 3 comprises a connection rod set 31, at least two control devices 32, 33, at least two positioning devices 34, 35, and at least two buffering cushions 36, 37.
The connection rod set 31 has a first rockshaft 311 and a second rockshaft 312, which are pivotally connected to the bottom of the lateral frame 122 of the treadmill 1. The first rockshaft 311 and a second rockshaft 312 are parallel to and located against each other, and they affect each other. The both ends of the first rockshaft 311 are respectively, pivotally connected to the control devices 32, 33. The control devices 32, 33 are extended toward the outside of the lateral frame 122. In addition, the control devices 32, 33 can shift in opposite directions by means of the first rockshaft 311, and they are protrudent to the outside of the lateral frame 122 oppositely. In addition, two positioning parts 321, 331 are extended respectively from the outer surfaces of the control devices 32, 33. The positioning parts 321, 331 have a triangular form. The positioning devices 34, 35 are respectively mounted on the laterals of the positioning parts 321, 331. The positioning devices 34, 35 have respective elastic rods 341, 351 and respective rolling wheels 342, 352. The elastic rods 341, 351 are bended and have a compression route. The elastic rods 341, 351 are connected to the inner sides of the lateral frame 122 of the treadmill 1 via respective one ends thereof. In addition, the respective other ends of the elastic rods 341, 351 are movably connected to the rolling wheels 342, 352. The rolling wheels 342, 352 are located to lean against the laterals of the positioning parts 321, 331. The buffering cushions 36, 37 are respectively, pivotally connected to both ends of the second rockshaft 312. The buffering cushions 36, 37 can shift in opposite directions by means of the second rockshaft 312. When the buffering cushions 36, 37 shift in opposite directions, the outer sides of the buffering cushions 36, 37 can lean against a retaining part 122A (shown in FIG. 6) extending from the bottom of the lateral frame 122 so as to position the buffering cushions 36, 37 in the buffer action route of the support device 123.
Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the utilization status of the above-mentioned components is shown. When in use, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention may have two adjustment stages.
When the user requires a smaller buffer route, the first rockshaft 311 can be shifted toward one side by means of the control device 33, wherein the first rockshaft 311 can also shift the second rockshaft 312 to enable the buffering cushion 37 to enter the ascending/descending route of the support device 123. The support device 123 is located slantingly and the buffering cushion 36 is located more near one end of the support device 123 that pivotally connects to the lateral frame 122 so the buffer route is small.
On the contrary, when the user requires a larger buffer route, the first rockshaft 311 can be shifted toward one side by means of the control device 32, wherein the first rockshaft 311 can also shift the second rockshaft 312 to enable the buffering cushion 36 to enter the ascending/descending route of the support device 123. The support device 123 is located slantingly and the buffering cushion 36 is located far from one end of the support device 123 that, pivotally connects to the lateral frame 122 so the buffer route is large.
In addition, it is worth to mention that in the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, the buffering structures 2, 3 are mounted inside the ascending/descending mechanism 12 of the treadmill 1. However, the buffering structures 2, 3 are generally designed to cooperate with the support device 123 that supports the weights of the runway platform 112, the runway belt 113 and the user. Thus, it can be shown that the buffering structure 2 only needs to be mounted between a hold of the runway platform 112 and the runway belt 113 and the action route of the hold. The buffering structure 2 is not limited to be disposed inside the ascending/descending mechanism 12. The foregoing purposes and effects can be achieved as long as the buffering structure 2 is disposed properly.

Claims

1. A buffering structure of a treadmill, said buffering structure being coupled to a treadmill to buffer an action route of a support device, said buffering structure comprising:

a rockshaft mounted on the bottom of said support device and pivotally connected to said treadmill; and

a buffering cushion connected to an outer surface of said rockshaft.

2. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning device having a first end pivotally connected to one end of said rockshaft and a second end pivotally connected to said treadmill.

3. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a control rod connected to said rockshaft and a grip fixedly connected to a top end of said control rod.

4. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said buffering cushion is of an elastic material.

5. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said buffering cushion is a rubber cushion.

6. A buffering structure of a treadmill, said buffering structure being coupled to a treadmill to buffer an action route of a support device, said buffering structure comprising:

a connection rod having a first rockshaft and a second rockshaft pivotally connected to said treadmill, said first rockshaft and said second rockshaft being parallel to and located against each other;

at least two control devices respectively, pivotally connected to both ends of said first rockshaft for controlling the action of said connection rod; and

at least two buffering cushions respectively, pivotally connected to both ends of said second rockshaft, said buffering cushions being able to shift in opposite directions by means of said second rockshaft.

7. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 6, wherein said buffering cushions are of an elastic material.

8. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 6, wherein said buffering cushions are rubber cushions.

9. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 6, wherein said control devices are extended outward and able to shift in opposite directions by means of said first rockshaft, wherein two positioning parts are extended respectively from outer surfaces of said control devices.

10. A buffering structure of a treadmill according to claim 9, further comprising at least two positioning devices, wherein said positioning devices have respective elastic rods and respective rolling wheels, and said elastic rods have respective first ends connected to said treadmill and respective second ends respectively, movably connected to said rolling wheels, wherein said rolling wheels are located to lean against laterals of said positioning parts.