WO2009000014A1

WO2009000014A1 - Treadmill with step counter

Info

Publication number: WO2009000014A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000833
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daren Piggins
Original assignee: Daren Piggins
Priority date: 2007-06-22
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2008-12-31

Abstract

A treadmill or other exercise machine has an electric motor. The electrical load on the motor is used to determine user activity on the treadmill without attaching a sensor to a user. In some embodiments the machine can transmit workout data based on user activity over a network.

Description

Treadmill with Step Counter

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to treadmills and more particularly to a treadmill with a step counter.

Background of the Invention

Treadmills are used for performing walking or running exercises. In addition, treadmills are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In some instances, a user of a treadmill or a health professional monitoring that user will want to determine the user's activity by measuring, for example, the number of steps taken on the treadmill, the step rate, the time spent on the treadmill etc. An exercise regime may also include statistical analyses of a user's performance. Performance data analysis can be useful, for example to someone who wishes to evaluate his or her fitness progress. Such analysis may be useful when performed remotely from the user, that is, when the person or computer doing the monitoring are not in the user's home or facility. With regard to running, one way of obtaining exercise data, such as the number of steps run or the time or frequency of steps taken, involves attaching a sensor to a user. The attachment of wires or cables to a user may present a safety hazard or an inconvenience for the user.

It is therefore desirable to provide a treadmill that has a built-in step sensor and preferably, means of transmitting performance data to a remote location. Some conventional exercise machines, such as treadmills, exercycles, stepping machines, cross trainers, or rowing machines, have user interface panels where users may input and read work-out parameters. Such panels may include control buttons or switches, as well as areas for alphanumeric display showing statistics such as heart rate, distance, and the like. A conventional panel of this type needs to be large enough to accommodate all of the user controls and display areas. Where such a panel is provided without any covering or enclosure, the panel may collect dust or debris because it is exposed when the machine is unused. Objects and Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a treadmill having an electric motor. The electrical load on the motor or other means is used to determine user activity on the treadmill.

It is also an object of the invention to obtain step statistics without attaching a sensor to a user.

It is still another object of some embodiments of the invention to provide a work-out machine having a networked step sensor. It is another object of the invention to provide a work-out machine that has a built-in step sensor.

It is an object of some embodiments of the present technology to reduce the collection of dust or debris on the control panel of a work-out machine by providing a cover for a user interface panel. It is another object of selected embodiments of the present technology to efficiently use the display and control surface space.

Accordingly, there is provided a treadmill having an electric motor. A motor load sensing device measures the electrical load on the motor and creates and output signal. The output signal is related to a user activity. In preferred embodiments, the treadmill provides data in a transmittable format that is based on the output signal, and can be transmitted to a remote location. The data signal is based on the user activity measured by the load sensing device.

In some embodiments of the invention, user activity is measured, compiled into a transmittable format and transmitted to a remote location.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

In order that the invention be better understood, reference is now made to the following drawing figures in which: Figure i is a schematic side elevation of a treadmill having an electric motor and motor load sensor device;

Figure 2 is schematic of the motor, the motor load sensor and various options for utilising the output signal of the load sensor; Figure 3 is an elevation view of a treadmill that incorporates a step counter; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram depicting a transmission of a work-out data to a tracking computer; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a treadmill with a user interface panel;

Figure 6(a) is a perspective showing the first and second sub-panels of the user interface panel, the second sub-panel being open; Figure 6Cb) is a perspective view of a treadmill where the uprights are attached to the handles; Figure 7(a) is a perspective view showing the first and second sub-panels, the second sub-panel being completely folded onto the first sub- panel; Figure 7(b) is a perspective view showing a first sub-panel that incorporates a disk drive; Figure 7(c) is a top plan view showing an open second sub-panel that consists entirely of a display; Figure 8 (a) to (f) are perspective views of alternative shapes of the second sub- panel; Figure 9 is a perspective view depicting another embodiment of the treadmill having a user interface panel that is subdivided into two sub-panels; and Figure 10 is an excercycle with a display in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Best Mode and Other Embodiments

By way of example, the present teachings and technology are discussed in the context of a treadmill. It should be understood, however, that the same principles may be applied to another type of work-out machine, such as a stepping machine, an exercise bicycle, an elliptical trainer, or a rowing machine.

As shown in Figure 1, a treadmill 10 comprises a continuous conveyor belt 11 supported by rollers 18 carried within a belt frame 12. The belt frame 12 supports a pair of uprights 13. The upright provides the user of the treadmill with a handle 14 and support a display and user control area 15. A motor housing 21 is located generally between the uprights 13 and contains an electric motor 16. The electric motor, either directly or utilising a chain or belt 17 drives the continuous tread or conveyor belt 11. As shown in Figure 2, the treadmill's electric motor 16 has a power supply or motor controller 22. The motor or its power supply or controller can be monitored by an electrical load sensing device 23. It will be appreciated that a user operating the treadmill will cause changes in the motor's loading each time a step is taken. A clamp-on type ammeter, shunted galvanometer or other form of current sensing apparatus may be used to determine the electrical load on the motor or power supply etc. Thus, "motor load" is taken to mean a measurement of the load on the motor, regardless of how that measurement is taken or where or how the load sensing device is deployed. The load sensing device can provide an output signal 24 that can interpret and compile information such as user information or time information, by a processor 25. The output signal 24 can thus be used measure or detect individual motor load events or a series of events over a period of time. Information signals or data 27 based on the output signals of the load sensor can thus be used by the processor 25 to drive a step counter display 26 mounted on the control panel 15. Information such as workout data 29 from the processor may be sent through a wireless modem to a remote monitoring station. This same information can also be provided through a dial up modem or network cable 28 to a micro processor or computer that may be located either locally or remotely to the treadmill.

In this way, the user or, for example, health professional can monitor information about when the treadmill is used, the number of steps taken, the frequency of steps taken over a period of time as well as other parameters associated with use.

Motor load can be correlated by the processor 25 with a real time clock so as to develop a load or work profile over a period of time. Inputs such as keyboard inputs on the display area 15 can also be used to log-in individual users so that a single treadmill can be monitored in respect of multiple users by including log-in information in the monitored information 28, 29.

Referring to Figure 3, a treadmill 30 comprises a frame 31 and a housing 32. The front portion 33 of the housing 32 is preferably located between the frame's uprights or front members 34. The housing 32 may contain treadmill components, such as gears, a motor, or an incline mechanism, that enable the movement of a continuous tread 35 that is supported by a flexible or other chassis 36. The chassis 36 is located between a pair of rotating swing arms 39. The swing arms 39 are preferably interconnected by a shaft 44.

The rotating swing arms 39 each extend between a first pivot point 40 and a second pivot point 41. The first pivot point 20 is located, for example, on a side portion 22 of the frame 11. The second pivot point 21 is associated with the chassis 16. A resiliently biased suspension element 43 extends between the base member 38 and the chassis 36. The suspension element 43 comprises a resilient bias that resists the downward movement of the swing arm 19 and is adapted to return the chassis to its initial or rest position.

One swing arm 39 is adapted to directly or indirectly impinge on and thus activate a switch 45 located adjacent to that swing arm 39. A step taken by a user exerts a weight on the tread 35. The weight causes a downward movement of the chassis 36 and thus the swing arm 39. This downward movement of the swing arm 39 causes the swing arm 39 to pivot about the first pivot point 40 and move toward the base 38. As the swing arm 39 rotates downwardly, it causes contact with and activates the switch 45. The lifting of the user's weight, in conjunction with the bias exerted by the suspension element 43, allows the rotating swing arm 39 to return to its normal position. The rotating swing arm 39 ceases to contact the switch 45, and the switch is deactivated. The activity of the user who is walking or running on the treadmill therefore produces a series of on-off switching signals that can be operated on to produce "work-out data". Work-out data may include total steps, interval between steps, frequency of steps, etc. It will be appreciated that any mechanical part of the device that reciprocates or rotates regularly in accordance with the device being used or operated, can be used to impinge on a switch to produce a step signal.

As shown in Figure 4, switching signals from the switch 45 are routed to a modem or cable or wireless modem or network card 46, preferably located within or built-in to the treadmill itself and are transmitted, for example, over a telephone line or another communications network 47 to an on-site or remote computer 48 for analysis. The on-site or remote computer 48 may monitor or analyse the signals or data derived from the signals. The computer 48 may have software 49, such as tracking software, that further analyses the signals and that may produce reports or alarms based on the switching signals or work-out data.

As shown in Figure 5, the treadmill 100 has a belt frame 101. The frame 101 is preferably supported by a pair of rear wheels 102 to facilitate the transport of the treadmill 100. The frame 101 has two lateral elongated frame members 104, 105, between which a treadmill belt 103 is supported. A front cover 106 maybe provided along the front edge of the frame 101 to protect components such as gears, motors, or incline mechanisms. The treadmill 100 further comprises an upright frame 107. The upright frame 107 has a pair of rearward extending lateral base legs io8_; between which the front portion of the frame is located. Each lateral brace or base leg 108 may also comprise a front angle brace or bracket 109 and a rear wheel 120. The upright frame 107 further has two uprights 121, 122 that each extend upwardly from a front angle bracket 109. A crosspiece or panel 123 spans at least the distance between the tops of the two uprights 121, 122. In this example, the crosspiece or panel 123 is a moulded "dashboard" that has an integral user interface panel section 124. The user interface panel section 124 is sub- divided into a first sub-panel 125 and a second sub-panel 126 attached to one another by a hinge 127. The first sub-panel 125 is integral with the crosspiece or panel 123. The first sub-panel 125 is preferably inclined from the horizontal so as to provide users with easy access to certain displays or controls (134, 135; see Figure

6(a)). It is also preferred that the first sub-panel 125 be centrally located with respect to the crosspiece 123. The crosspiece 123 further comprises recesses 128 suitable for holding water bottles or other personal belongings. The recesses are preferably formed into the crosspiece 123 but to either side of the first sub-panel 125. Each of the two lateral ends 130, 131 of the crosspiece 123 may be attached to, or integral with handles 132, 133. The handles 132, 133 maybe at an angle to the crosspiece 123. In this example the handles 132, 133 extend rearward. In embodiments of the type shown in Figure 6(b), the aforementioned uprights 121, 122 may be connected to the handles 131. The handles may include sensors such as pulse rate sensors 129. As shown in

Figure 6(a), the treadmill may further have a safety key (or a dead man's switch) 138 that shuts down the treadmill in the event of emergency. The safety key 138 is linked to the user via a cord. The cord is a lanyard that may be clipped to the user. In the event that the user accidentally falls off the treadmill or otherwise leaves the treadmill, the safety key 145 becomes unseated from its physical port 140, The unseating of the safety key 145 from its port 140 causes the treadmill to stop or be shut down.

As shown in Figures 5 to y(β), the first and second sub-panels 125, 126 of the user interface provide surface space for display areas 134, 135 or user controls 136. Each sub-panel may be devoted entirely to either user controls or display areas, or have a mix of user controls and display areas. In some embodiments, the second sub-panel 126 is purely a display panel, and can be folded to completely cover the first sub-panel 125, as depicted in Figure 7(a). The second sub-panel 126 is also preferably stable at a variety of open angles with respect to the first sub-panel 125. This way the user may adjust the second sub-panel 26 according to his or her desired view angle. The opening and closing of the second sub-panel 26 switch the treadmill and its associated electronics on or off.

The user controls can (without limitation) be keys, buttons, sliders, etc. These controls allow a user to start or stop the work-out, or enter work-out parameters, such as weight, age, work-out time, intensity, target heart-rate, work-out program, and the like. The display areas 134, 135 show the work-out parameters entered by the users or work-out statistics generated during the exercise. There maybe indicators 137 such as lights that are selectively lit based on the work-out mode or progress.

Figures 7(b) and (c) depict other features that maybe provided on the cross- piece or panel 123 or the sub-panels 125, 126. For example, the cross-piece 123 may have a recess 141 that facilitates the opening of the second sub-panel 126. The first sub-panel 125 may also comprise a disk drive 142 such as a CD or DVD reader or writer, so that users may play music or video or record data while exercising. As shown in Figure γ(c), the second sub-panel 126 is a flat panel display 143. In some embodiments, the content shown by the display may correspond to a work-out parameter or a biometric data associated with the user. For example, the display 143 may show the image of an animal 144 that runs faster as the user runs faster. In Figures 5 to 7 (c), the first and second sub-panels 124, 125 are rectangular and are of the same size. However, they may have different sizes or take other shapes, as long as they provide enough area to accommodate the arrangement of user controls and display areas as required. For instance, the first and second sub- panels may be round or elliptical (Figure 8 (a)), semi-circular (Figure 8 (b)), triangular (Figure 8 (c)), clam-shaped (Figure 8 (d)), or any other irregular shapes (Figures 8 (e) and (f)). The sub-panels 124, 125 shown in Figures 8 (c) and 8(d) have different sizes.

As shown in Figure g, the crosspiece that supports the display or sub-panels may be a transverse structural element 152. The element 152 is part of the frame 153 and extends at least between the tops of the two upright bars 154, 155. The user interface panel 151 comprising first and second hinged together sub-panels mounted onto the element 152. In this embodiment one or more holders 156 for water bottles or personal belongings may be mounted onto, hung from, or integral with the element 152.

Referring to Figure 10, the aforementioned features can be provided on any workout machines where user controls and display areas are needed. For example, a user interface panel comprising two sub-panels may be provided in an exercycle 161. Further examples, without limitation, include stepping machines, rowing machines, or cross trainers.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, the frame of the work out machine could be of practically any shape as long as it supports the user interface panel. Examples of other components that can be modified without affecting the invention include (without limitation) the biometric sensors used, the specific types of user controls or displays used, and the size, and shape of the sub-panels.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

l. An exercise treadmill device, comprising: a continuous conveyor belt driven by an electric motor; a load sensor for detecting motor load; the load sensing device providing an output signal that is used to detect individual motor load events over a period of time.

2. The treadmill device of claim l, wherein: the output signals are input to a processor that generates information signals based on the output signals are transmittable by the treadmill to a remote monitoring station.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein: a motor load can be correlated by the processor with a real time clock.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein: the processor is adapted to accept inputs such as keyboard inputs so that the device be used to log-in individual users, a single treadmill being able to be monitored in respect of multiple users.

5. A motorised exercise device, comprising: an apparatus driven by an electric motor; the motor having a power supply or motor controller; the power supply or controller being monitored by an electrical load sensing device; the load sensing device providing an output signal that is used to detect individual motor load events over a period of time.

6. The treadmill device of claim 5, wherein: the output signals are input to a processor that generates information signals based on the output signals are transmittable by the device to a remote monitoring station. j. The device of claim 6, wherein: a motor load can be correlated by the processor with a real time clock.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein: the processor is adapted to accept inputs such as keyboard inputs so that the device may be used to log-in individual users, a single device being able to be monitored in respect of multiple users.

9. A treadmill device comprising: a continuous conveyor belt supported by a chassis; the chassis located between a pair of rotating swing arms; a suspension element extending between a base member and the chassis; a reciprocating portion of the device impinging on and thus activating a switch so that an activity of a user who is using the treadmill produces a series of switching signals.

10. The device of claim io_} wherein: switching signals from the switch are input to a component adapted to transmit the signals, or workout data derived from the signals, to a remote computer for analysis.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein: the switch is activated by vertical movement of the chassis.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the chassis is located between a pair of rotating swing arms; the swing arms extending between a first pivot point on a portion of the frame and a second pivot point associated with the chassis; further comprising a resilient bias that resists the downward movement of a swing arm and is adapted to return the chassis to an initial position; one swing arm being adapted to directly or indirectly impinge on and thus activate the switch.