U.S. patent application number 10/253875 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure.
Invention is credited to Chen, Chun-Ho, Liu, Pao-Pao, Wu, Hung-Sheng.
Application Number | 20030073545 10/253875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21686936 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030073545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu, Pao-Pao ; et
al. |
April 17, 2003 |
Treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure
Abstract
A treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure
includes a base frame, and a belt frame, and a cushioning device.
The base frame is separated from the belt frame. Thus, the base
frame is disposed at a stationary state, thereby enhancing the
stability and stiffness of the treadmill. In addition, movement of
the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device,
thereby enhancing the stability of the treadmill, and thereby
reducing the noise in use.
Inventors: |
Liu, Pao-Pao; (Gang Shan
Jen, TW) ; Wu, Hung-Sheng; (Kaohsiung, TW) ;
Chen, Chun-Ho; (Ti-Pin City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
21686936 |
Appl. No.: |
10/253875 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0214 20151001;
A63B 2225/30 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 16, 2001 |
TW |
090217769 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure,
comprising a base frame, and a belt frame, and a cushioning device,
wherein: said base frame has a front end provided with a connecting
portion, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion; said belt
frame has a front end provided with a connecting portion mating
with the connecting portion of the base frame, and a rear end
provided with a pivot portion pivotally mounted on said pivot
portion of said base frame, so that said belt frame is pivotable
relative to said base frame.; and a cushioning device is mounted
between said connecting portion of said base frame and said
connecting portion of said belt frame.
2. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said cushioning device has a
bottom portion pivotally mounted on said connecting portion of said
base frame and a top portion pivotally mounted on said connecting
portion of said belt frame.
3. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said cushioning device includes a
lower pivot ear secured on said connecting portion of said base
frame, a piston cylinder pivotally mounted on said lower pivot ear,
an upper pivot ear secured on said connecting portion of said belt
frame, a piston rod pivotally mounted on said upper pivot ear and
slidably mounted in said piston cylinder, and an elastic member
mounted between said piston rod and said piston cylinder and having
a first end rested on said piston rod and a second end rested on
said piston cylinder.
4. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in
accordance with claim 3, wherein said elastic member is a
compression spring.
5. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said connecting portion of said
base frame extends under the bottom of said base frame.
6. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in
accordance with claim 1, wherein a driven wheel is secured on the
shaft of the roller of said belt frame. The base frame is provided
with a motor and a drive wheel. A driving belt is mounted between
said driven wheel and said drive wheel. An idler device is mounted
on said driving belt.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a treadmill with a
shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, and more particularly to
a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure,
wherein the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, and
movement of the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the
cushioning device, thereby enhancing the stability of the
treadmill.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A first conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior
art shown in FIG. 7 comprises a base frame 50, a board 54 mounted
in the base frame 50, two rollers 51 mounted on two ends of the
base frame 50, a belt 52 mounted around the two rollers 51 to
encompass the board 54, and multiple springs 53 mounted on two
sides of the base frame 50 to support two sides of the board 54.
Thus, the springs 53 may provide a cushioning effect to the board
54.
[0005] However, the first conventional treadmill has the following
disadvantages.
[0006] 1. The board 54 is suspended, and is supported by the
springs 53 only, so that the structure of the treadmill is
unstable.
[0007] 2. The board 54 is supported by the springs 53, thereby
easily causing a great noise in use.
[0008] 3. The springs 53 are subjected to a large stress, so that
the springs 53 are easily worn out during a long-term utilization,
thereby shortening the lifetime of the treadmill.
[0009] A second conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior
art shown in FIG. 8 comprises a main frame 60 having a foot post 61
mounted on a foot seat 62, and a spring 63 mounted between the foot
post 61 and the foot seat 62.
[0010] However, the second conventional treadmill has the following
disadvantages.
[0011] 1. The main frame 60 easily oscillates due to the cushioning
action of the spring 63, so that the structure of the treadmill is
unstable.
[0012] 2. The spring 63 is subjected to a large stress, so that the
spring 63 is easily worn out during a long-term utilization,
thereby shortening the lifetime of the treadmill.
[0013] 3. The main frame 60 will form a larger vibration due to the
cushioning action of the spring 63, thereby decreasing the
stability and stiffness of the treadmill.
[0014] A third conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior
art shown in FIG. 9 comprises a main frame 70 having a foot post 71
provided with a cushioning device 72.
[0015] However, the third conventional treadmill has the following
disadvantages.
[0016] 1. The main frame 70 easily oscillates due to the cushioning
action of the cushioning device 72, so that the structure of the
treadmill is unstable.
[0017] 2. The cushioning device 72 is subjected to a large stress,
so that the cushioning device 72 is easily worn out during a
long-term utilization, thereby shortening the lifetime of the
treadmill.
[0018] 3. The main frame 70 will form a larger vibration due to the
cushioning action of the cushioning device 72, thereby decreasing
the stability and stiffness of the treadmill.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the disadvantage of the conventional treadmills.
[0020] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure,
wherein the base frame is separated from the belt frame, so that
the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of
the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device,
thereby enhancing the stability of the treadmill.
[0021] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, wherein
the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, thereby enhancing
the stability and stiffness of the treadmill.
[0022] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a
treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, wherein
the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of
the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device,
thereby reducing the noise in use.
[0023] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure,
comprising a base frame, and a belt frame, and a cushioning device,
wherein:
[0024] the base frame has a front end provided with a connecting
portion, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion;
[0025] the belt frame has a front end provided with a connecting
portion mating with the connecting portion of the base frame, and a
rear end provided with a pivot portion mating with the pivot
portion of the base frame; and
[0026] the cushioning device is mounted between the connecting
portion of the base frame and the connecting portion of the belt
frame.
[0027] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed
description with appropriate reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a treadmill with a
shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the treadmill with
a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a side plan cross-sectional view of the treadmill
with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG.
2;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the treadmill with
a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG. 3 in
use;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a side plan cross-sectional view of a treadmill
with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the treadmill with
a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG. 5 in
use;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a first
conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a side plan cross-sectional view of a second
conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art; and
[0036] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third
conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a
treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises a base frame 10, and a belt frame 20.
[0038] The base frame 10 is provided with a support rack 11 which
is provided with two handles 12. The belt frame 20 is provided with
two parallel rollers 21a and 21b, a board 200 located between the
two rollers 21a and 21b, and a belt 22 mounted around the two
rollers 21a and 21b to encompass the board 200 which is used to
support the belt 22. The base frame 10 has a front end provided
with a connecting portion 14, and a rear end provided with a pivot
portion 13. Preferably, the connecting portion 14 extends under the
bottom of the base frame 10.
[0039] The belt frame 20 has a front end provided with a connecting
portion 24 mating with the connecting portion 14 of the base frame
10, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion 23 mating with the
pivot portion 13 of the base frame 10. The pivot portion 23 of the
belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on the pivot portion 13 of the
base frame 10.
[0040] The treadmill in accordance with the present invention
further comprises a cushioning device 30 mounted between the
connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10 and the connecting
portion 24 of the belt frame 20. The cushioning device 30 has a
bottom portion pivotally mounted on the connecting portion 14 of
the base frame 10 and a top portion pivotally mounted on the
connecting portion 24 of the belt frame 20. Thus, the base frame 10
is disposed at a stationary state, and the belt frame 20 is
pivotable relative to the base frame 10, so that the cushioning
device 30 may produce a better and more stable cushioning effect
between the base frame 10 and the belt frame 20.
[0041] The cushioning device 30 includes a lower pivot ear 33
secured on the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10, a piston
cylinder 34 pivotally mounted on the lower pivot ear 33, an upper
pivot ear 31 secured on the connecting portion 24 of the belt frame
20, a piston rod 32 pivotally mounted on the upper pivot ear 31 and
slidably mounted in the piston cylinder 34, and an elastic member
35 mounted between the piston rod 32 and the piston cylinder 34 and
having a first end rested on the piston rod 32 and a second end
rested on the piston cylinder 34. Thus, when the piston rod 32 is
moved relative to the piston cylinder 34, the elastic member 35 may
be compressed to produce a better and more stable cushioning effect
between the piston rod 32 and the piston cylinder 34. Preferably,
the elastic member 35 is a compression spring.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in assembly, the pivot portion 23 of
the belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on the pivot portion 13 of
the base frame 10 by a shaft (not shown). Then, the upper pivot ear
31 of the cushioning device 30 is secured on the connecting portion
24 of the belt frame 20, and the lower pivot ear 33 of the
cushioning device 30 is secured on the connecting portion 14 of the
base frame 10, and the connecting portion 14 extends under the
bottom of the base frame 10 and to touch the ground so that the
cushioning device 30 becomes a more stable structure. Then, the
piston rod 32 is pivotally mounted on the upper pivot ear 31 and
the piston cylinder 34 is pivotally mounted on the lower pivot ear
33. Then, the elastic member 35 is mounted on the piston rod 32,
and the piston rod 32 is slidably mounted in the piston cylinder
34, with the first end of the elastic member 35 being rested on the
piston rod 32 and with the second end of the elastic member 35
being rested on the piston cylinder 34. Thus, the treadmill with a
shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled.
[0043] In operation, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2, when the user is running on the belt 22 and the
board 200, the force is applied on the belt frame 20. At this time,
the rear end of the belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on the rear
end of the base frame 10, and the base frame 10 is supported on the
ground rigidly and stably, so that the belt frame 20 is pivoted
relative to the base frame 10. In addition, cushioning device 30 is
mounted between the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10 and
the connecting portion 24 of the belt frame 20, so that the
cushioning device 30 may produce a better and more stable
cushioning effect between the base frame 10 and the belt frame 20,
thereby preventing from incurring vibration and oscillation during
running of the user.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the treadmill with a
shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention is available for a
motorized treadmill. A driven wheel 40 is secured on the shaft of
the roller 21a of the belt frame 20. The base frame 10 is provided
with a motor 41 and a drive wheel 42. A driving belt 43 is mounted
between the driven wheel 40 and the drive wheel 42. When the belt
frame 20 is oscillated, the distance between the driven wheel 40
and the drive wheel 42 is slightly changed. At this situation, an
idler device 44 is mounted on the driving belt 43, so that the
driving belt 43 may be driven efficiently.
[0045] Accordingly, the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and
cushioning structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of
the present invention has the following advantages.
[0046] 1. The base frame 10 is separated from the belt frame 20,
wherein one end of the belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on one
end of the base frame 10, and the other end of the belt frame 20 is
supported on the other end of the base frame 10 by a cushioning
device 30. Thus, the base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary
state, and movement of the belt frame 20 is efficiently cushioned
by the cushioning device 30, thereby enhancing the stability of the
treadmill.
[0047] 2. The base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state, and
movement of the belt frame 20 is efficiently cushioned by the
cushioning device 30, thereby reducing the force applied on the
cushioning device 30, and thereby increasing the lifetime of the
cushioning device 30.
[0048] 3. The base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state,
thereby enhancing the stability and stiffness of the treadmill.
[0049] 4. The base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state, and
movement of the belt frame 20 is efficiently cushioned by the
cushioning device 30, thereby reducing the noise in use.
[0050] 5. The belt frame 20 has a light weight and may be detached
easily, thereby facilitating maintenance of the treadmill.
[0051] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood
that many other possible modifications and variations can be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is,
therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will
cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true
scope of the invention.
* * * * *