U.S. patent application number 10/397420 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for treadmill.
Invention is credited to Ein-Gal, Moshe.
Application Number | 20040192511 10/397420 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32988988 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040192511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ein-Gal, Moshe |
September 30, 2004 |
Treadmill
Abstract
A treadmill comprising an endless running surface extending
between and movable around a plurality of rollers, and one or more
protuberances protruding from the running surface.
Inventors: |
Ein-Gal, Moshe; (Ramat
Hasharon, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dekel Patent Ltd.
Beit HaRofim
Room 27
18 Menuha VeNahala Street
Rehovot
IL
|
Family ID: |
32988988 |
Appl. No.: |
10/397420 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/1284 20130101;
A63B 22/0285 20130101; A61H 7/001 20130101; A63B 2209/08 20130101;
A63B 22/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A treadmill comprising: an endless running surface extending
between and movable around a plurality of rollers; and at least one
protuberance protruding from said running surface.
2. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
protuberance protrudes from a foot-contacting side of said running
surface.
3. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
protuberance protrudes from an underside of said running surface
and forms a depression on a foot-contacting side of said running
surface.
4. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of said protuberances protruding from said running
surface.
5. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein said protuberances
are arranged in a repeating pattern.
6. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein said protuberances
are arranged in a non-repeating pattern.
7. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said
protuberances are of generally equal size.
8. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said
protuberances are of generally unequal size.
9. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said
protuberances are of generally equal shape.
10. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of
said protuberances are of generally unequal shape.
11. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
protuberance is detachable and attachable to said running
surface.
12. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
protuberance is adjustable in height with respect to said running
surface.
13. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
protuberance is formed by a pusher element that selectively pushes
against an underside of said running surface.
14. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a
display operative to display a position of said at least one
protuberance.
15. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor
operative to sense a position of said at least one
protuberance.
16. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a
controller operative to control an operation of said treadmill.
17. The treadmill according to claim 13, wherein said pusher
element comprises an inflatable pocket.
18. The treadmill according to claim 13, wherein said pusher
element comprises at least one first magnetic element which
cooperates with at least one second magnetic element disposed on an
underside of said running surface.
19. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said running
surface comprises a hollow bladder filled with a pourable material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to exercise
equipment and in particular to exercise treadmills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Exercise treadmills are widely used for various purposes.
Exercise treadmills are, for example, used for performing walking
or running aerobic-type exercise while the user remains in a
relatively stationary position. Exercise treadmills may also be
used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For all of these
purposes, the person on the exercise treadmill normally performs an
exercise routine at a relatively steady and continuous level of
physical activity.
[0003] Exercise treadmills typically have an endless running
surface that extends between and moves around two pulleys at each
end of the treadmill. The running surface may comprise a belt of a
rubber-like material, or alternatively, a number of slats
positioned substantially parallel to one another attached to one or
more bands, which are extended around the pulleys. The belt or band
is usually relatively thin. The belt may be driven by a motor
rotating one of the pulleys. The speed of the motor may be adjusted
by the user so that the level of exercise can be adjusted to
simulate running or walking as desired. Alternatively, the belt may
be driven by the force of the human using the treadmill.
[0004] Treadmills may be provided with handlebars for the user to
hold as he/she exercises thereon. Treadmills are commercially
available that have various electronic devices that measure and
display parameters related to the user's output, such as but not
limited to, a speedometer, an odometer or ergometer for measuring
the speed, distance "traveled" or energy consumed, respectively, of
the user. Many current exercise treadmills also have the ability to
provide a variable incline to the treadmill.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a novel treadmill
that may enhance the range of exercises that were heretofore not
possible with prior art treadmills, as is described more in detail
hereinbelow.
[0006] There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention a treadmill comprising an endless running
surface extending between and movable around a plurality of
rollers, and one or more protuberances protruding from the running
surface. The protuberances may be arranged in a repeating or
non-repeating pattern.
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention at
least two of the protuberances may be of generally equal (or
alternatively, unequal) size or shape.
[0008] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the at least one protuberance may be detachable and
attachable to the running surface.
[0009] Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention the at least one protuberance may be adjustable
in height with respect to the running surface.
[0010] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the at least one protuberance may be formed by a pusher element
that selectively pushes against an underside of the running
surface.
[0011] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention a display may display a position of the at least one
protuberance. A sensor may sense a position of the at least one
protuberance. A controller may control an operation of the
treadmill.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a treadmill
constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial, partially cutaway
illustration of a pusher element that selectively pushes against an
underside of a running surface of the treadmill FIG. 1, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified side-view illustrations of
the pusher element of FIG. 2, respectively before and during
pushing against the underside of the running surface of the
treadmill FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of another pusher
element, which may comprise an inflatable pocket, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of yet another pusher
element, which may comprise one or more magnetic elements, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of another running
surface, which may be used with the treadmill, constructed and
operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the running surface may comprise a hollow
bladder filled with a pourable material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a
treadmill 10, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Treadmill 10 may comprise an endless running surface 12
extending between and movable around a plurality of rollers 14. It
is noted that the term "running surface" does not mean that
treadmill 10 may be used only for running, rather it is a general
term that encompasses any kind of gait, such as but not limited to,
running, walking, strolling, jumping and the like. The weight of
the user and of running surface 12 between the end rollers 14 may
be supported by any convenient method, such as but not limited to,
additional rollers positioned below running surface 12 or a
low-friction panel or deck below running surface 12. Running
surface 12 may be either driven by the force generated by the user,
or by a motor 16 rotating one or more rollers 14. The motor speed
may be adjusted by the user.
[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
one or more protuberances 18 may protrude from a foot-contacting
side of running surface 12. Protuberances 18 may be formed of any
suitable material (e.g., plastic, rubber or metal) and may of any
size or shape. Protuberances 18 may be of equal or unequal sizes
and shapes, or a combination thereof. Protuberances 18 may be
arranged in a repeating (e.g., orderly) or non-repeating (e.g.,
random) pattern.
[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
protuberances 18 may be formed as an integral part of running
surface 12. Alternatively or additionally, protuberances 18 may
detachable and attachable to running surface 12. For example,
protuberance 18 may be provided with a fastener, such as but not
limited to, a threaded fastener, snap-on fastener, or VELCRO
fastener, and running surface 12 may be provided with a
complementary fastening device for fastening protuberance 18
thereto, such as but not limited to, a threaded hole for receiving
the threaded fastener, a complementary snap-on fastener, or a
VELCRO surface to which the VELCRO fastener adheres. In the example
of the threaded or snap-on fastener, running surface 12 may be
provided with predetermined attachment points for attaching the
protuberances 18 thereto. In the example of the VELCRO fastener,
the protuberances 18 may be placed anywhere on the VELCRO surface.
In any case, the user may decide where to place the protuberances
18.
[0023] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, which
illustrate another kind of protuberance in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the protuberances
may be formed by a pusher element 20 that selectively pushes
against an underside of running surface 12. One example of pusher
element 20 comprises a cam rotated by a motor 22. As pusher element
20 rotates in the direction of an arrow 24 (FIG. 2), pusher element
20 pushes running surface 12 upwards, as indicated by arrow 26 in
FIG. 3B, thereby forming a localized protuberance in running
surface 12. In this manner, the height of the protuberance may be
controlled or adjusted by the amount of lift provided by pusher
element 20.
[0024] It is noted that this is just one example of pusher element
20, and the invention is not limited to this example. For example,
pusher element 20 may comprise a linear actuator that selectively
raises a rod that pushes against the underside of running surface
12, or a pneumatic or hydraulic device that selectively pushes
against localized zones on the underside of running surface 12 with
pressurized fluid.
[0025] Another example of pusher element 20 is illustrated in FIG.
4. In this embodiment, pusher element 20 may comprise an inflatable
pocket 40, which may be selectively inflatable and deflatable or
may be constantly inflated. When inflatable pocket 40 is inflated,
it pushes running surface 12 upwards, as indicated by arrow 41 in
FIG. 4, thereby forming a localized protuberance in running surface
12.
[0026] Yet another example of pusher element 20 is illustrated in
FIG. 5. In this embodiment, pusher element 20 may comprise one or
more first magnetic elements 42, which cooperate with one or more
second magnetic elements 44 disposed on one or more places on the
underside of running surface 12. Depending on their polarity, the
magnetic elements 42 and 44 may repel one another so as to push
running surface 12 upwards, as indicated by arrow 45 in FIG. 4,
thereby forming a localized protuberance in running surface 12.
Alternatively, the magnetic elements 42 and 44 may attract one
another so as to pull running surface 12 downwards, as indicated by
arrow 46 in FIG. 4, thereby forming a protuberance that protrudes
from the underside of running surface 12 and forming a depression
48 on the foot-contacting side of running surface 12.
[0027] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates another
running surface 60, which may be used with treadmill 10,
constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention. Running surface 60 may comprise a hollow
bladder 62, constructed of any convenient material used for
conventional running surfaces in treadmills. Bladder 62 may be
filled with a pourable material 64, such as but not limited to,
water, oil, sand or flour, for example. Such a running surface may
form protuberances and depressions during use thereof.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, a controller 30 may be provided
for controlling operation of treadmill 10, such as but not limited
to, varying the speed of running surface 12, or controlling the
amount of lift provided by pusher element 20 in the embodiment of
FIG. 2. Treadmill 10 may comprise a display 32 that displays
various information to the user. For example, display 32 may
display the positions of protuberances 18, as seen in FIG. 1. The
positions of protuberances 18 may be determined by controller 30
based on whether the protuberances 18 were set at predefined places
on running surface 12 or whether the user decided where to place
them or whether the protuberances were randomly generated, such as
by pusher element 20 of the embodiment of FIG. 2. A sensor 34 may
be provided to sense the positions of protuberances 18, especially
useful if the protuberances 18 are randomly placed. Sensor 34 may
comprise, without limitation, an optical sensor, e.g., a CCD
(charge coupled device) or electric eye, placed above and viewing
down upon running surface 12, or a sensor that senses the movement
of pusher element 20.
[0029] Treadmill 10 may be used in a wide variety of exercise
activities. For example, the user may try to avoid stepping on the
protuberances 18 as they pass by his/her feet, thereby enhancing
the user's agility. As another example, the user may on purpose
step on protuberances 18, which may improve proprioceptive and
kinesthetic abilities of the user. The user may look at display 32
as he/she tries to avoid stepping on (or tries deliberately to step
on) protuberances 18.
[0030] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present
invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the
features described hereinabove as well as modifications and
variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the
art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the
prior art.
* * * * *