U.S. patent application number 10/793332 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for treadmill.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tunturi Oy Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kuivala, Henri, Maenpaa, Simo, Vieno, Pekka.
Application Number | 20040204296 10/793332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8565812 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040204296 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maenpaa, Simo ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
Treadmill
Abstract
A treadmill that comprises a frame, a belt section arranged on
the frame and comprising a belt arranged in an endless loop around
two rolls at a distance from each other, first means for turning
the belt around a front roll and a back roll at a desired speed,
and second means for adjusting the tilt of the belt section with
respect to the horizontal. The second means comprise a rotary
actuator arranged in the frame and having a support arm arranged to
rest against the frame, and lifting arms, the angle of which is
arranged to change with respect to the frame when the rotary
actuator is working.
Inventors: |
Maenpaa, Simo; (Turku,
FI) ; Vieno, Pekka; (Turku, FI) ; Kuivala,
Henri; (Poytya, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACK LOWE & GRAHAM, PLLC
701 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 4800
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Assignee: |
Tunturi Oy Ltd.
Turku
FI
|
Family ID: |
8565812 |
Appl. No.: |
10/793332 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0023 20130101;
A63B 2225/30 20130101; A63B 22/0221 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 14, 2003 |
FI |
20030388 |
Claims
1. A treadmill that comprises a frame, a belt section arranged on
the frame and comprising a belt arranged in an endless loop around
two rolls at a distance from each other, first means for turning
the belt around a front roll and a back roll at a desired speed,
and second means for adjusting the tilt of the belt section with
respect to the horizontal, the second means comprising a rotary
actuator arranged in the frame and having a support arm arranged to
rest against the frame, and lifting arms, the angle of which is
arranged to change with respect to the frame when the rotary
actuator is working.
2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support arm of
the rotary actuator is arranged to flexibly support itself against
the frame.
3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotary
actuator is fastened to a profile section, the ends of which are
fitted with bearings/pivoted to the frame, and that the lifting
arms are arranged to the area of the ends of the profile
section.
4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motor and gears
of the rotary actuator are arranged inside the profile section.
5. The treadmill as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the rotary actuator is arranged to the front part of the
treadmill.
6. The treadmill as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the rotary actuator is arranged to the back part of the
treadmill.
7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the rotary
actuator is arranged between the frontmost and backmost roll.
8. The treadmill as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
the lifting arms are arranged to rest against the floor.
9. The treadmill as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
the lifting arms are arranged to rest against a separate
subframe.
10. The treadmill as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ends of the
lifting arms are pivoted to the subframe.
11. The treadmill as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ends of the
lifting arms are pivoted to the subframe, to points above the
frame.
12. A treadmill that comprises a frame, a belt section arranged on
the frame and comprising a belt arranged in an endless loop around
two rolls at a distance from each other, first means for turning
the belt around a front roll and a back roll at a desired speed,
and second means for adjusting the tilt of the belt section with
respect to the horizontal, wherein the second means comprise a
rotary actuator arranged in a separate subframe and having a
support arm arranged to rest against the subframe, and lifting
arms, the angle of which is arranged to change with respect to the
subframe when the rotary actuator is working.
13. The treadmill as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lifting arms
are arranged to rest against the frame.
14. The treadmill as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ends of the
lifting arms are pivoted to the frame.
15. The treadmill as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein
the rotary actuator is fastened to a profile section, the ends of
which are fitted with bearings/pivoted to the frame, and that the
lifting arms are arranged in the area of the ends of the profile
section.
16. The treadmill as claimed in claim 15, wherein the motor and
gears of the rotary actuator are arranged inside the profile
section.
17. A treadmill that comprises a frame, a belt section arranged on
the frame and comprising a belt arranged in an endless loop around
two rolls at a distance from each other, first means for turning
the belt around a front roll and a back roll at a desired speed,
and second means for adjusting the tilt of the belt section with
respect to the horizontal, the second means comprising a rotary
actuator arranged in a subframe and having a support arm arranged
to rest against the frame, and lifting arms arranged to the
subframe, the angle of which is arranged to change with respect to
the frame when the rotary actuator is working.
18. The treadmill as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first means
intended for rotating the belt are also fastened to the
subframe.
19. The treadmill as claimed in claim 18, wherein the joint between
the subframe and frame is a joint turning around an articulated
shaft and allows a positional shift between the subframe and frame,
and that the first means and the rotary actuator are fastened
coaxially to the subframe so that the articulated shaft is linear
with the common axis of the first means and the rotary
actuator.
20. The treadmill as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein
the lifting arms are arranged to rest against the floor.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a treadmill that comprises a frame,
a belt section arranged on the frame and comprising a belt arranged
in an endless loop around two rolls at a distance from each other,
first means for turning the belt around a front roll and a back
roll at a desired speed, and second means for adjusting the tilt of
the belt section with respect to the horizontal.
[0002] Treadmills are today very popular devices, and they are used
at gyms and at home for keeping fit and for exercises related to
top athletics. Treadmills provide the advantage that they make it
possible to do running exercises indoors, whereby the user is
independent of weather conditions and large hall space. In
addition, the advantage of treadmills when used for keeping fit is
that they make it possible to combine exercises with some other
activity, such as watching television, which in a way allows for
more time for the fitness exercise, because it can be combined with
watching a specific television programmed, for example.
[0003] During home usage in particular, it has been noticed that
the space required by a treadmill is relatively large in comparison
with the available space, so the possibility to turn the treadmill
upright into what is known as the transport position, when the
device is not used, is in practice an important feature. In
addition to the above-mentioned feature, the total weight of the
device should also preferably be reasonable so as to make moving it
simple.
[0004] During the years, a variety of treadmills have been
manufactured starting from simple basic devices to very versatile
devices intended for testing purposes. Examples of known treadmill
solutions are devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,855,537;
5,899,834; 5,921,893; 6,273,843; 6,325,745; 6,461,275; and
6,475,12, and in published US application 2002/0183169.
[0005] In known devices, the angle of tilt, or running angle, of
the belt section is usually adjusted by a motor-gear-screw
combination or, in addition to it, a mechanical solution that
alters the linear movement of the screw to a turning movement.
These solutions require space and limit considerably the placement
of the mechanics in the treadmill. The problem with the prior art
is the complexity of the solutions, which in several cases has led
to large and heavy structures. The complex structure has also
increased the manufacturing costs, which has affected the price of
the device. The complexity of the structure has, at least in some
cases, led to high operating costs, since a complex structure
easily results in an extensive need for maintenance. In addition,
it is known that a complex structure also requires a correct
attitude from a user; in other words, a solution designed for
expert use is not in all cases suitable for an average
enthusiast.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a treadmill, by
means of which the drawbacks of the prior art can be eliminated.
The treadmill of the invention achieves this.
[0007] A first embodiment of the treadmill of the invention is
characterized in that the second means comprise a rotary actuator
arranged in the frame and having a support arm arranged to rest
against the frame, and lifting arms, the angle of which is arranged
to change with respect to the frame when the rotary actuator is
working.
[0008] A second embodiment of the treadmill of the invention is
characterized in that the second means comprise a rotary actuator
arranged in a separate subframe and having a support arm arranged
to rest against the subframe, and lifting arms, the angle of which
is arranged to change with respect to the subframe when the rotary
actuator is working.
[0009] A third embodiment of the treadmill of the invention is
characterized in that the second means comprise a rotary actuator
arranged in a subframe and having a support arm arranged to rest
against the frame, and lifting arms arranged in the subframe, the
angle of which is arranged to change with respect to the frame when
the rotary actuator is working.
[0010] The invention provides above all the advantage that by means
of the invention, it is possible to provide a simple and functional
structure. Due to the simple structure, the maintenance need of the
treadmill is small, whereby the operating costs of the device are
low. As a result of the simple structure, the weight of the device
does not become unreasonable, and the handling and moving of the
device is easy.
[0011] In the following, the invention will be described in more
detail by means of the preferred embodiments of the invention
described in the attached drawing, in which
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a general view of the basic principle of the
treadmill of the invention by means of an embodiment and in a
situation, in which the frame is lowered to its low position;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a general view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a
situation, in which the front end of the frame is lifted to a high
position;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an additional feature of the treadmill of the
invention in a situation, in which the frame is lowered to its low
position;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a detail of FIG. 3 on a larger scale;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows the solution of FIG. 3 in a situation, in which
the front end of the frame is lifted to a high position;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a detail of FIG. 5 on a larger scale;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the treadmill of the invention
in a situation, in which the frame is in its low position;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a situation, in
which the frame is lifted to a high position;
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the treadmill of the
invention in a situation, in which the frame is in its low
position;
[0021] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a situation, in
which the frame is lifted to a high position;
[0022] FIGS. 11 to 13 show a third embodiment of the invention in
situations, in which the frame is in different positions;
[0023] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a fourth embodiment of the treadmill of
the invention in situations, in which the frame is in different
positions;
[0024] FIGS. 16 to 18 show a fifth embodiment of the treadmill of
the invention in situations, in which the frame is in different
positions;
[0025] FIGS. 19 to 20 show a sixth embodiment of the treadmill of
the invention in situations, in which the frame is in different
positions;
[0026] FIGS. 21 to 23 show a seventh embodiment of the treadmill of
the invention in situations, in which the frame is in different
positions;
[0027] FIGS. 24 and 25 show a eighth embodiment of the treadmill of
the invention from different directions; and
[0028] FIGS. 26 to 28 show the ninth embodiment of the treadmill of
the invention in situations, in which the frame is in different
positions.
[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the basic principle of the treadmill of
the invention. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference
number 1 marks the frame of the device and reference number 2 marks
the belt section arranged on the frame. The belt section 2
comprises a belt 3 arranged in an endless loop around two rolls, a
front roll and a back roll, located at a distance from each other.
FIGS. 1 and 2 only show the front roll 4.
[0030] The treadmill further comprises first means for turning the
belt 3 around the front roll and the back roll, and second means
for adjusting the tilt of the belt section. In addition to the
above-mentioned parts, the treadmill also comprises rail structures
and adjusting means, by means of which the user of the device can
adjust the rotation rate of the belt and the tilt angle of the belt
section as desired.
[0031] The above-mentioned matters are fully known to a person
skilled in the art, so they need not be described in greater detail
herein. With respect to the matters in question, reference is made
to the US publications mentioned earlier.
[0032] An essential matter of the invention is that the tilt angle
of the treadmill is adjusted by a rotary actuator, in which the
fast rotary motion of an electric motor is changed by means of a
planetary gear or another corresponding compact and powerful gear
into a high-torque turning movement of a lever. The turning
movement and turning angle is detectable by a sensor in the
actuator or one attached to it. An advantage of the rotary actuator
is that it provides a small, compact and powerful adjustment
arrangement for the running angle. The above-mentioned fact enables
a free placement of the actuator and thereby also implementation
alternatives of various kinds. Any suitable device can be used as
the rotary actuator. An example of suitable devices is a device
known by the name of Linak Rotary Actuator RA40.
[0033] The above-mentioned essential matter of the invention is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which show that the second means, which are
intended for adjusting the tilt of the belt section 2, comprise a
rotary actuator 5 arranged in the frame, a support arm 6 of which
is, in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, arranged to rest against the
frame 1. The solution also comprises lifting arms 7, 8, the angle
of which is, in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, arranged to change
with respect to the frame 1 when the rotary actuator 5 is working.
In the solution of FIGS. 1 and 2, the ends of the lifting arms 7, 8
are arranged to rest against a subframe 9.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows the treadmill in its low position; in other
words, in a position, in which the belt section 2 is lowered to its
low position. FIG. 2 shows a situation, in which the tilt of the
belt section is increased by rotating the rotary actuator 5,
whereby the movement of the lifting arms 7, 8 lifts the belt
section to the position of FIG. 2.
[0035] FIGS. 3 to 6 show an essential additional feature of the
treadmill of the invention. The same reference numbers as in FIGS.
1 and 2 are used in the corresponding points in FIGS. 3 to 6. FIGS.
3 to 6 do not show, nor do any other figures showing different
embodiments of the invention, any parts of the treadmill, such as
rails, or corresponding elements, that are inessential for the
invention. The back roll is marked with reference number 11. The
example of FIGS. 3 to 6 shows that the support arm 6 of the rotary
actuator 5 is arranged to flexibly support itself against the frame
1. The flexible support is implemented by means of a flexible
element 10. The flexible element 10 can be a steel spring, a piece
of elastomeric material, a gas spring, or the like. The flexible
element can also be an adjustable element so that the springing
characteristics of the element can be adjusted as necessary.
[0036] The idea behind the above-mentioned flexible support is that
by means of the flexible element 10, it is possible to affect the
flexibility of the treadmill for users of different weights. The
support arm 6 of the rotary actuator can also be fixed to the
frame, and it is also possible to use an articulated solution or
one that moves freely into one direction. With the solution that
moves freely into one direction, it is possible to decrease the
danger of compression between the treadmill and the structures
below it.
[0037] According to a preferred additional feature of the treadmill
of the invention, the rotary actuator 5 is fastened to a profile
section 12, the ends of which are fitted with bearings/pivoted to
the frame 1. The lifting arms 7, 8 are arranged in the area of the
ends of the profile section 12. The motor and gears of the rotary
actuator 5 can then preferably be arranged inside the profile
section. This type of solution is shown in the examples of FIGS. 1
and 2 and 3 to 6.
[0038] The above-mentioned basic solution can be modified in many
ways. The above-mentioned rotary actuator 5 can be located for
instance in the front section of the treadmill, as is done in the
example of FIGS. 7 and 8. In the example of FIGS. 7 and 8, the
lifting arms 7, 8 are arranged to rest against the floor. If
necessary, the ends of the lifting arms can be equipped with wheels
or rollers, as shown in the figures. The lifting arms 7, 8 can also
be arranged to rest against a separate subframe, as is done in the
example of FIGS. 3 to 6, for instance.
[0039] The rotary actuator 5 can also be located between the front
roll 4 and the back roll 11, as is done in the example of FIGS. 9
and 10. In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, the rotary actuator 5 is
arranged in the back part of the treadmill. In such an embodiment,
the treadmill can be pivoted at its front section to the subframe
9, as is done in the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, or propped directly
to the floor. In this embodiment, too, the support arm of the
rotary actuator rests against the frame 1.
[0040] The rotary actuator 5 can also be located between the rolls
in the front part of the device, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. In the
example of FIGS. 11 to 13, the rotary actuator 5 is located in the
front part of the device, between the front roll 4 and a base plate
13. The lifting arms 7, 8 are pivoted to the subframe 9. In this
embodiment, too, the lifting arms can be arranged to be directly
propped to the floor. In this embodiment, the support arm 6 of the
rotary actuator rests against the frame 1 as in the previous
examples. By means of the rotary actuator 5, the treadmill can be
lifted to its transport position, in which the frame is upright, as
shown in FIG. 13, when the lifting arms 7, 8 are locked to the
subframe so that they cannot turn as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The
lifting arms can be locked in any suitable locking manner, for
instance by using locking pins that settle in suitable
openings.
[0041] FIGS. 14 and 15 show an embodiment of the invention, in
which the rotary actuator is arranged to the front part of the
treadmill frame and the lifting arms 7, 8 are pivoted to the
subframe 9. The support arm of the rotary actuator is arranged to
rest against the frame 1. In this embodiment, the lifting arms 7, 8
turn backward when the frame 1 is lowered to its low position. The
lifting arms can naturally also turn forward in said situation, as
shown in the earlier examples.
[0042] FIGS. 16 to 18 show an embodiment of the invention, in which
the rotary actuator is arranged to the front part of the frame 1 of
the treadmill and the lifting arms 7, 8 are pivoted to the subframe
9. The support arm of the rotary actuator is arranged to rest
against the frame 1. In this embodiment, the lifting arms 7, 8 of
the rotary actuator turn backward when the frame 1 is lowered to
its low position. The embodiment according to the example of FIGS.
16 to 18 can be lifted upright by means of the rotary actuator by
locking the lifting arms 7, 8 to the subframe. The upright position
is shown in FIG. 18.
[0043] FIGS. 19 and 20 show an embodiment, in which the rotary
actuator is located in the front part of the treadmill, between the
front roll 4 and base plate 13 of the treadmill, providing a
structure known as a run-through structure. In the example of FIGS.
19 and 20, the lifting arms 7, 8 are pivoted to the subframe 9, but
they can also be propped directly to the floor. The support arm of
the rotary actuator is arranged to rest against the frame 1. The
lifting arms 7, 8 can be either forward- or backward-turning
elements, as shown in the previous examples.
[0044] FIGS. 21 to 23 shows an embodiment of the invention, in
which the rotary actuator is fastened to the front part of the
treadmill in a separate subframe 9. The lifting arms 7, 8 are
pivoted to the front part of the treadmill frame 1. In this
embodiment, the support arm of the rotary actuator is arranged to
rest against the subframe 9. In this embodiment, the frame 1 can be
lifted by means of the rotary actuator to the transport position,
in which the frame is in an upright position when the lifting arms
7, 8 are locked to the frame 1. The lifting arms can be locked by
any suitable locking device, such as the conventional pin lock.
FIG. 23 shows a situation, in which the frame 1 is turned into its
transport position.
[0045] FIGS. 24 and 25 show an embodiment of the invention, in
which the rotary actuator 5 is located in the subframe 9 and the
support arm 6 of the rotary actuator is arranged to rest against
the frame 1. The lifting arms 7, 8 are arranged to the subframe 9
and their angle is arranged to change with respect to the frame 1
when the rotary actuator is working. First means 14 intended to
rotate the belt are also fastened to the subframe 9. In this
embodiment, too, the rotary actuator 5 can be arranged inside the
profile section 12, as earlier described in connection with the
previous embodiments. In the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25, the
joint between the subframe 9 and the frame 1 is a joint turning
around an articulated shaft and allows a positional shift between
the subframe 9 and frame 1. The first means 14 and the rotary
actuator 5 are fastened coaxially to the subframe 9 so that the
articulated shaft is linear with the common axis of the first means
14 and the rotary actuator 5. With such a solution, the tightness
of the treadmill belt remains unchanged despite the rotary motion.
The above-mentioned matter is especially clearly seen in FIG. 24.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25, the lifting arms 7, 8 are
arranged to be propped to the floor. If necessary, the ends of the
lifting arms 7, 8 can be equipped with wheels or rollers, as shown
in FIGS. 24 and 25.
[0046] The embodiments of the invention described above are in no
way intended to limit the invention, and the invention can be
freely modified within the scope of the claims. Thus, it is clear
that the treadmill of the invention or its details need not be
exactly as described above, but solutions of other kind are also
possible within the scope of the basic idea of the invention. For
instance, when using a subframe 9, it is completely possible to
pivot or fit with bearings the ends of the lifting arms 7, 8 to the
subframe 9, at points above the frame so that the frame 1 and the
lifting arms 7, 8 form a suspended structure. This type of
embodiment is shown in FIGS. 26 to 28. FIG. 26 in particular shows
how the frame 1 is suspended from the turning arms 7, 8, etc. An
advantage of this embodiment is that the structure does not strain
the gears when the frame is horizontal, as shown in FIG. 26.
Another advantage is that when turning the frame into a high
position, the frame moves slightly backward. Even with this
embodiment, it is possible to use the earlier mentioned locking of
the lifting arms 7, 8 so that the treadmill can be lifted by means
of the rotary actuator to the transport position shown in FIG. 28.
The lifting arms 7, 8 can be locked using locking pins, for
instance, as earlier described. The locking can be manual or a
system operated by means of a suitable actuator.
* * * * *