WO1996020757A1

WO1996020757A1 - Reversible direction treadmill

Info

Publication number: WO1996020757A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/016747
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilbert Reyes
Original assignee: Reyes Equipment, Inc.
Priority date: 1994-12-30
Filing date: 1995-12-22
Publication date: 1996-07-11
Also published as: AU4644596A

Abstract

A treadmill (10) has a striding surface (18) that moves bidirectionally. A pair of exerciser-engaging handles (22, 24) extend upwardly from a post (30) located on one side (17) of the treadmill. The direction of movement of the striding surface (18) is changed in response to an operation of a switch (40, 42) that is disposed within one of the handles (22, 24).

Description

REVERSIBLE DIRECTION TREADMILL

Field of the Invention This invention generally relates to physical conditioning and, more particularly, to a treadmill for physically conditioning a person for lateral movement of the type used in sports.

Background of the Invention A modern medical facility, as well as an athletic club, typically features an electrically powered exercise device known as a treadmill. The treadmill includes a stationary frame wherein a striding surface moves from a front end towards a rear end of the frame. Accordingly, movement of the striding surface is unidirectional. While the striding surface moves at a given speed, an exerciser maintains a position thereon by moving at the same speed towards the front of the frame. Accordingly, movement of the exerciser is unidirectional.

The striding surface is formed by an endless belt that loops about a motor-driven roller near one end of the frame and an idler roller at the other end of the frame. The belt slides over a waxed wooden deck that supports the weight of the exerciser. Treadmills of the type described hereinbefore are exemplified by disclosures in French Patent No. 767,577, and U. S. Patent Nos. 3,826,491, 4,334,676, 4,614,337, 5,088,729 and 5,209,240.

Treadmills are also used in medical facilities to determine and evaluate physiological responses of the exerciser to steady state exercise. Additionally, the treadmill is used as a therapeutic aid for heart and lung disorders and for body building. The treadmill is used in the athletic club to stimulate the cardiovascular system of the exerciser and to exercise those muscles of the exerciser that are associated with running and walking. Prior art devices are used by running or walking towards the front of the treadmill opposite the direction of belt movement.

In racquet sports, such as tennis, racquetball and squash, and in contact sports, such as football, boxing and wrestling, a participant who is able to execute quicker bidirectional lateral movements than an adversary has a competitive advantage. Heretofore, there has not been a treadmill with a bidirectional striding surface, or any other similar device, that is useful for exercising those muscles and reflexes that are associated with lateral, i.e., side-to-side, movement.

Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention is to exercise muscles and reflexes of a person that are associated with lateral movement.

According to the present invention, a treadmill has a striding surface that moves bidirectionally. The direction of movement of the striding surface is changed in response to the operation of a switch.

In one specific embodiment, the treadmill includes a frame with a first end, second end, first side and second side. The striding surface in the form of a belt extends generally between rollers at the first and second ends of the frame.

A switch is disposed within a handle mounted on one of the sides of the treadmill. An exerciser on the striding surface of the treadmill faces the side and grasps the handle while the striding surface moves. Since the exerciser faces the second side, the exerciser moves laterally to maintain a position on the striding surface, which moves perpendicular to the direction the exerciser faces. The exerciser operates the switch to cause a reversal of the direction of movement of the striding surface.

The invention is an adaptation of known technology to economically provide a reliable treadmill that exercises muscles and reflexes associated with lateral movement.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures. Description of the Drawings

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment treadmill of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic block diagram of electrical and electro-mechanical components in the embodiment of Figure 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention which includes a computer control. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention comprises a treadmill with a striding surface that moves bidirectionally. The direction of movement is controlled by an exerciser on a striding surface who faces in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement. Therefore, when the striding surface moves in a known direction at a given speed, the exerciser maintains a position on the striding surface by moving laterally at the given speed in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the striding surface.

Referring to Figure 1, a treadmill 10 includes a frame 36 having a first end 11, second end 13, first side 15 and second side 17. An endless belt 12 loops about a motor-driven roller 14 and an idler roller 16 to form a striding surface 18. The rollers 14,16 are located about 50 inches apart. The rollers 14,16 extend between the sides 15,17 of the frame 36, and are each about 18-19 inches long and 1-2 inches in diameter. A reversible DC motor 102 (illustrated schematically in Figure 2) is mounted within a housing 19 of treadmill 10. The shaft of the DC motor is coupled to roller 14 by a belt or any other suitable means. The housing 19 preferably comprises an end section of the treadmill 10 about 20 inches long, and about 2-9 inches tall. The housing 19 preferably includes a removable cover for accessing the motor and circuitry described below.

Roller 14 frictionally engages belt 12. Because of the frictional engagement, when the motor rotates in one direction, the motion of surface 18 is in the direction of an arrow 20; rotation in the opposite direction causes the motion of surface 18 to be opposite from the direction of arrow 20. As illustrated, the surface 18 generally extends along a horizontal surface. In fact, locating the surface along an incline is generally incompatible with the exerciser's ability to move laterally with respect to the striding surface.

Treadmill 10 includes a pair of nearly identical handles 22,24 mounted on the frame 36 along one of the sides 17 of the treadmill. Preferably, the handles 22,24 have a circular cross section and are bent to have the general shape of a bellcrank. Handles 22,24 have proximal ends 26,28, respectively, that are connected to a console base 32 located at the top of a post 30. Handles 22,24 extend vertically upwardly about 8-9 inches, and then inwardly about 6 inches. The handles 22,24 extend upwardly from a left side 32L and a right side 32R, respectively, of the console base 32. The console base 32 is a flat metal support about 20 inches wide. The console base 32 is securely connected to the post 30 by welding or the like. Preferably, the post 30 is about 35-36 inches tall and constructed of 4 inch square metal tubing. A bottom end portion 34 of post 30 is fastened to the side 17 of the frame 36 of treadmill 10. More particularly, the post 30 is preferably connected with bolts 37 to a platform 35 extending outwardly from the side 37 of the frame 36. The platform 35 is constructed of metal, and is about 7 inches by 7 inches in dimension.

The post 30 is preferably located approximately midway between (about 25 inches from) rollers 14, 16. An exerciser grasps handles 22,24 in order to support himself while the striding surface 18 is moving. Furthermore, the exerciser grips the handles 22,24 in order to control the motion of the striding surface 18, as described below.

A push button switch 40 is disposed in a distal end 38 of handle 22. When surface 18 is stopped, pushing of switch 40 causes surface 18 to move. Conversely, when surface 18 is moving, a pushing of switch 40 causes surface 18 to stop. The moving and stopping of surface 18 are more fully explained hereinafter. A similar push button switch 44 is located at the distal end 42 of the other handle 24 and is connected to means for reversing the direction of the striding surface 18. Preferably, the means for reversing the direction is the circuit described below. Switches 40,44 are similar to one another. When surface 18 moves in the direction of arrow 20, pushing of switch 44 causes surface 18 to reverse its direction of movement after a first delay time. When surface 18 moves in the direction opposite that of arrow 20, a pushing of switch 44 causes surface 18 to reverse its direction of movement after a second delay time. In this embodiment, the delay times are selectable within a range of one millisecond to as long as three or more seconds, or even several minutes. The reversal of direction of movement and the delay times are more fully explained hereinafter. As shown in Figure 2, positive and negative output terminals of a rectifier (not shown, but preferably located within housing 19) of treadmill 10 are connected to terminals 48,50, respectively, whereby a DC input voltage is applied to terminals 48,50. The input to the rectifier is 115 volts at 60 hertz which is provided via a utility outlet in a room where treadmill 10 is housed. Terminals 48,50 are connected to a motor voltage control circuit 52 that attenuates the DC input voltage. As explained hereinafter, the attenuated DC voltage is the excitation that is applied to the input of a reversible DC motor. Therefore, the speed of the motor is proportional to that amplitude of the attenuated DC voltage. The attenuation of the DC voltage is selectable at a control console 126 with a knob 132, both of which are described hereinafter.

Terminals 48,50 are additionally connected to contacts 54,56, respectively, of switch 40 which is referred to hereinbefore. Switch 40 has contacts 58,60 that are connected to an input of a double-pole double- throw latching relay circuit 62.

Latching relay circuit 62 has contacts 64,66 that are connected to a positive output terminal 52P and a negative output 52N, respectively, of motor control circuit 52. Additionally, poles 67,68 of latching relay circuit 62 are connected to inputs of a solid state switch 70. In response to switch 40 being pushed, ohmic connections are established between contacts 54,58 and between contacts 56,60, thereby causing the input voltage to be applied to latching relay circuit 62. The application of the input voltage causes the state of latching relay circuit 62 to change.

When there is an ohmic connection between contact 64 and pole 67 and between contact 66 and pole 68, latching relay circuit 62 is in an ON state and the attenuated DC voltage is provided to solid state switch 70. The application of the input voltage causes latching relay circuit 62 to change to an OFF state where an ohmic connection is provided between a contact 72 and pole 67 and between a contact 79 and pole 68, thereby preventing the application of the attenuated DC voltage to switch 70.

Conversely, when latching relay circuit 62 is in the OFF state, the application of the input voltage causes latching relay circuit 62 to change to the ON state. Latching relay circuits are well known to those skilled in the art.

Switch 70 has a switch input 75 where an on/off voltage is applied. When the on/off voltage is substantially zero volts, a low resistance ohmic connection is provided by switch 70 between pole 67 and a positive output terminal 7OP of switch 70 and between pole 68 and a negative output terminal 70N of switch 70. When the on/off voltage is positive and has an amplitude greater than approximately 1.4 volts, poles 67,68 are ohmicly disconnected from terminals 70P,70N. Solid state switches are well known to those skilled in the art.

Terminals 48,50 are additionally connected to contacts 76,78, respectively, of switch 44 which is referred to hereinbefore. Switch 44 has contacts 80,82 that are connected to an input of a double pole double throw latching relay circuit 84 through signal lines 86,88, respectively. Latching relay circuit 84 is similar to latching relay circuit 62. Latching relay circuit 84 has contacts 90,92 that are connected to terminals 70P,70N, respectively. Additionally, latching relay circuit 84 has contacts 94,96 that are connected to terminals 70N,70P, respectively. Poles 98,100 of latching circuit 84 are respectively connected to the input of a reversible DC motor 102 through signal lines 104,106.

In response to switch 44 being pushed, ohmic connections are established between contacts 76,80 and between contacts 78,82, thereby causing the input voltage to be applied to latching relay circuit 84. The application of the input voltage causes the state of latching relay circuit 84 to change.

When there is an ohmic connection between contact 90 and pole 98 and between contact 94 and pole 100, latching relay circuit 84 is in a POSITIVE ROTATION state and an ohmic connection is provided between terminal 7OP and motor 102 via line 104. Additionally, an ohmic connection is provided between terminal 70N and motor 102 via line 106. In concurrent response to latching relay circuit 84 being in the POSITIVE ROTATION state, latching relay circuit 62 being in the ON state and the low impedance ohmic connections being provided through switch 70, the attenuated DC voltage is applied as an excitation to motor 102. Moreover, the excitation is applied with a polarity that causes the shaft of motor 102 to rotate in a direction that moves striding surface 18 (Figure 1) in the direction of arrow 20. When latching relay 84 is in the POSITIVE ROTATION state, the application of the input voltage causes latching relay circuit 84 to change to a NEGATIVE ROTATION state where an ohmic connection is provided between terminal 70P and motor 102 via line 106 and between a contact 79. Additionally, an ohmic connection is provided between terminal 70N and motor 102 via line 104.

In concurrent response to latching relay circuit 84 being in the NEGATIVE ROTATION state, latching relay circuit 62 being in the ON state and the low impedance ohmic connections being provided through switch 70, the attenuated DC voltage is applied as an excitation to motor 102. Moreover, the excitation is applied with a polarity that causes the shaft of motor 102 to rotate in a direction that moves striding surface 18 (Figure 1) in the direction opposite that of arrow 20. From the explanation given hereinbefore, latching relay circuit 84 is operable to reverse the polarity of the excitation applied to motor 102, thereby reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft of motor 102. Contacts 80,82 are additionally connected through signal lines 86,88, respectively, to a steering circuit 108. Additionally, poles 98,100 are connected through signal lines 104,106 to steering circuit 108. In concurrent response to latching relay 62 being in the ON state, latching relay circuit 84 being in the POSITIVE ROTATION state and switch 44 being pushed, a negative rotation trigger pulse is provided at an output 110 of steering circuit 108. Correspondingly, in concurrent response to latching relay 62 being in the ON state, latching relay circuit 84 being in the NEGATIVE ROTATION state and switch 44 being pushed, a positive rotation trigger pulse is provided at an output 112 of steering circuit 108. Outputs 110,112 are connected to pulse generator circuits 114,116, respectively, at inputs thereof. In response to the negative rotation trigger pulse, circuit 114 generates a first delay pulse that has an amplitude of approximately 2.4 volts and a duration equal to the first delay time. In response to the positive rotation trigger pulse, circuit 116 generates a second delay pulse that has an amplitude of approximately 2.4 volts and a duration equal to the second delay time. The first and second delay times are selected in a manner described hereinafter.

The outputs of circuits 114,116 are respectively connected to coupling diodes 118,120 at their anodes. The cathodes of diodes 118,120 are connected to input 75. The first delay pulse 122 passes through diode 118 to input 75 to create an on/off voltage that substantially causes a disconnection of poles 67,68 from terminals 70P, 70N, respectively, during the first delay time, thereby preventing the application of the attenuated voltage to motor 102. It should be understood that striding surface 18 is stationary during.the first delay time, since there is no excitation applied to motor 102. In a similar manner, the second delay pulse 124 passes through diode 120 to cause striding surface 18 to be stationary during the second delay time.

Preferably, the delay times are chosen so that the exerciser has ample time to ready his body for the change in direction of the surface 28, but does not substantially interrupt the motion of the exerciser and thus provides fairly rapid side-to-side changes in direction. The first and second delay times are preferably about 1 to 2 seconds, but can be as little as a millisecond, or as much as several minutes. Treadmill 10 includes a console 126 (Figure 1) that is mounted between the handles 22,24 on the console base 32. Console 126 includes an LED display that is operable to provide a readout of elapsed time during an exercise session, distance traversed by the exerciser on surface 18 during the session, calories expended by the exerciser during the session and the speed of the surface. Console 126 is of a type well known in the prior art.

Preferably, first and second lights 128,130 are located on the console 126 and illuminate to indicate the direction of travel of the striding surface 28. A first light 128 illuminates to indicate that the direction of travel of the surface 18 is opposite to direction 20 indicated, and a second light 130 illuminates to indicate the direction of travel indicated as arrow 20.

A third light 136 preferably illuminates whenever a master power switch 134 is in the "on" position and power from an electrical outlet via a cord is available to the treadmill. This switch 134 is of a type known in the art, and is located between the electrical outlet and the input voltage point illustrated in Figure 2.

In addition, knob 132 is located on the console 126 and, as described above, allows an exerciser to control the speed of the surface, as is well known in the art of unidirectional treadmills.

While the handles 22,24 preferably have the shape described above, they may have different shapes, or comprise a single member. Most importantly, the handle(s) comprise a member which an exerciser can grip when facing one of the sides of the treadmill, and on which is located the switches described above for controlling the operation of the surface. For example, the handles may comprise an elongate "C"-shaped bar which extends upwardly from each end of the treadmill and along one side thereof for gripping by an exerciser.

The controls for the treadmill may be located in a hand-held device which operates the above-described system via an elongate cord containing wires connected to the treadmill circuit, or via infrared or other remote operation means such as that known in the art of television operation. In this manner, the exerciser need not hang onto the handles during exercise in order to effectuate changes in direction of the surface, or to shut off the unit or the like.

Alternatively, the handles 22,24 need not be connected directly (such as via post 30) to the frame 36. In particular, the handles 22,24 may be connected an independent support, such as a wall or free-standing post, which is independent of the frame.

Further, while movement of the device described above is effectuated by a reversible DC motor, other means for effectuating movement of the striding surface 18 in either direction may be employed. For example, a non-reversible motor may drive a gear box containing gears by which the drive roller may be rotated in either direction. Further, two single-direction motors may be employed, one for moving the surface 18 in one direction, and one for moving it in the other direction. As a further aspect of the present invention, a computer control may be used to provide pre-programmed exercise routines, or self-programmed exercise routines. As illustrated in Figure 3, a user-interface or interface means 140 is connected to control means in the form of a computer processing unit (CPU) 142 which controls the motor 102. In this form, the interface 140 preferably includes visual and/or aural notification of the movement of the surface 18. Audible signalling means in the form of a buzzer 144 sounds to alert the exerciser to an impending change of direction of the surface 18. In addition, display means in the form of a screen 146 provide information regarding the direction and speed of the surface 18 at present, and during an upcoming time interval. Further, text information is displayed on the screen 146 in response to certain functions, some of which are described below.

The interface 140 preferably includes a key pad 148 for programming an exercise program or selecting pre- programmed routines. The key pad 148 may also include buttons which prompt the CPU to display information such as elapsed time, speed, calories burned, or the like onto the screen 146.

The interface 140 is preferably located on a post such as that (post 30) described above, although it may be located on a separate support such as an adjacent wall.

The interface 140 is connected to the CPU 142, the CPU controlling the motor 102. With the exception of the change of direction feature of the treadmill, interfaces and CPUs which control electronic exercise devices, display information, and which allow programming of the same and/or pre-programmed routines are conventional in the field of exercise devices. The CPU 142 effectuates the change of direction of the surface 118, changes in speed of the surface, and the audible and visual signalling as described above.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. In a treadmill of the type that provides a moving striding surface, the improvement comprising means for causing a reversal in the direction of movement of said striding surface.

2. The treadmill of Claim 1 wherein said striding surface is formed by an endless belt that loops about a driver roller that is driven by a motor having an electrical input where excitation of a known polarity is applied, said means comprising a switch that is operable to reverse the polarity of said excitation.

3. The treadmill of Claim 2 wherein said driver roller is at one end of said treadmill, said belt looping about an idler roller at the other end of said treadmill, said switch being disposed near the top of a post that has its bottom connected to a side of said treadmill approximately midway between said rollers.

4. The treadmill of Claim 3 wherein said switch is disposed within a handle connected to the top of said post.

5. The treadmill of Claim 4 wherein said handle has a circular cross section and is bent to have the general shape of a bellcrank.

6. The treadmill of Claim 2 additionally comprising means for delaying said reversal in the direction of movement.

7. The treadmill of Claim 6 wherein said means for delaying includes delaying said reversal during a first delay time when movement of said striding surface is in one direction and delaying said reversal when movement of said striding surface is in an opposite direction.

8. The treadmill of Claim 7 wherein said delay times are selectable.

9. The treadmill of Claim 8, wherein said delay times are between 1 and 2 seconds.

10. A treadmill comprising: a frame having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end; a flat striding surface extending between a first and a second roller, said rollers mounted on said frame between said sides; at least one user-engaging handle located on one of said sides of said treadmill.

11. The treadmill of Claim 10, wherein said striding surface is rotatable in first and second directions.

12. The treadmill of Claim 10, wherein two handles extend upwardly from a post connected said frame.

13. The treadmill of Claim 10, further including means for rotating said striding surface in first and second directions, said first and second directions being opposite one another.

14. The treadmill of Claim 10, further including a console located on said frame.

15. The treadmill of Claim 10, further including switch means for causing rotation of said striding surface, said switch means located on one of said handles.

16. A method of exercising on a treadmill having a first and second end, a first and second side, and a striding surface extending parallel to said first and second sides, comprising: moving said striding surface in a first direction; stopping said striding surface; and moving said striding surface in a second direction.

17. The method of Claim 16, further including the step of facing one of said sides of said treadmill.

18. The method of Claim 16, further including the step of gripping first and second handles on one of said sides of said treadmill.

19. A treadmill comprising: a frame having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end; a horizontal striding surface extending between a first roller and a second roller located on said frame; means for moving said striding surface in first and second directions, said first and second directions opposite one another.

20. The treadmill of Claim 19, further including a user-interface for controlling the movement of said striding surface.

21. The treadmill of Claim 20, wherein said interface includes display means.

22. The treadmill of Claim 20, wherein said interface includes audible signalling means.

23. The treadmill of Claim 20, wherein said interface includes a key pad.

24. The treadmill of Claim 19, further including control means for controlling the speed and direction of said striding surface.

25. The treadmill of Claim 24, wherein said control means includes a computer processing unit.

26. The treadmill of Claim 20, wherein said interface is located on a post on one side of said treadmill.

27. The treadmill of Claim 19, further including means for providing a delay between changes of direction of said striding surface.

28. The treadmill of Claim 19, further including switch means whereby an exerciser can cause said means for moving to change the direction of movement of said striding surface from said first to said second direction or said second to said first direction.

29. The treadmill of Claim 19, including means for signalling an exerciser of an impending change of direction in movement of said striding surface.