U.S. patent application number 10/426196 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-04 for supporting mechanism for a deck frame of a folding-up treadmill.
Invention is credited to Wang, Leao, Wu, Peter.
Application Number | 20040220020 10/426196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33309815 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040220020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang, Leao ; et al. |
November 4, 2004 |
Supporting mechanism for a deck frame of a folding-up treadmill
Abstract
The invention relates to a supporting mechanism for a deck frame
of a folding-up treadmill having a support frame, a base frame and
a deck frame. The supporting mechanism includes a supporting rod
with one end connected to the base frame and with the other end
connected through an extension spring to an extension piece of the
front roller is interposed between the base frame and the deck
frame. A slide wheel is provided between the supporting rod and the
inner side of the deck frame. The slide wheel is cooperative with a
supporting piece 38 at bottom end of the deck frame to create a
supporting effect.
Inventors: |
Wang, Leao; (Taiping,
TW) ; Wu, Peter; (Taiping, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUO-HSIUNG CHIU
13F., NO.23, JIUN-HO STREET, PEITUN DISTRICT
TAICHUNG
406
TW
|
Family ID: |
33309815 |
Appl. No.: |
10/426196 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/30 20130101;
A63B 2210/56 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An supporting mechanism for a deck frame of a folding-up
treadmill having a handle support, a base frame and a deck frame,
the top of the handle support being provided with a console, the
deck frame being swiveled on the handle support through a pivot pin
so that the deck frame can be folded up in a storage position, a
movable endless belt transmission assembly being mounted on the
deck frame while a front roller is driven in motion by means of a
transmission belt, a movable endless belt being rotatable around
the front roller and a rear roller so that an operator can stand on
the movable endless belt to take an in-place walking, jogging or
running exercise, the deck frame being provided with a support
protrusion at both bottom sides thereof, the supporting mechanism
comprising: a) a supporting rod with one end connected to the base
frame and with the other end connected through an extension spring
to an extension piece of the front roller at the inner side of the
deck frame; b) a slide wheel provided between the supporting rod
and the inner side of the deck frame; and c) a supporting piece
being cooperative with the slide wheel at bottom end of the deck
frame to create a supporting effect.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a supporting mechanism for a deck
frame of a folding-up treadmill with economical, durable and
easy-to-use features. This supporting mechanism serves to support
the deck frame of the folding-up treadmill when the deck frame is
folded up in storage position.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventional treadmills have a large volume. In order to
diminish occupied space and to facilitate their transport, a
folding-up device is fitted for the deck frame of the treadmills.
However, the deck frame in storage position creates a tremendous
loading to the base frame. Moreover, in order to prevent the deck
frame from unexpected dangerous toppling, a supporting mechanism is
interposed between the deck frame and the base frame to provide
proper supporting force.
[0005] The most commonly used so-called supporting mechanism is
pneumatic and hydraulic cylinder. In folding up the deck frame, the
cylinder is used to provide a lifting force to the deck frame so
that the operator is able to elevate the deck frame with little
effort.
[0006] The supporting mechanism created by the pneumatic or
hydraulic cylinder hat, of course, excellent using effect. However,
the inventor finds a few drawbacks of the conventional cylinders as
follows:
[0007] 1. The pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is very
expensive;
[0008] 2. The service life of the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder
is very limited due to the larger loading. It's often defective
before the warranty expires, thereby resulting in much trouble and
cost to the suppliers. Meanwhile, the commercial reputation is also
tremendously damaged. Besides, this causes much inconvenience to
the operators, too; and
[0009] 3. The operator can't still realize something wrong with the
pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder from their appearance when they are
so damaged that they are no more usable. Provided that the deck
frame unexpectedly topples down, this would endanger the operator
or even people and objects around him.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is a primary object of the present invention to remove
the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a supporting mechanism
for a deck frame of a folding-up treadmill which utilizes a
supporting rod with simple configuration instead of conventional
pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. Accordingly, the fabricating cost
of the supporting mechanism can be effectively reduced. Moreover,
the supporting mechanism in accordance with the present invention
is more durable and easier to use. Besides, the functionality of
the supporting mechanism is more easily identifiable so that the
using safety is more ensured. Furthermore, the service life of the
supporting mechanism in accordance with the present invention is
longer than the conventional pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder,
thereby avoiding the unnecessary servicing cost. Moreover, the
invention is a practical design for the operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accomplishment of this and other objects of the
invention will become apparent from the following description and
its accompanying drawings of which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folded-up treadmill with
the supporting mechanism supporting the deck frame thereof in
storage position;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the treadmill in accordance with
FIG. 1, showing the operational position thereof;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the treadmill in accordance with
FIG. 1, showing the folding-up action thereof; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the folded-up treadmill in
accordance with FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] First of all, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a treadmill 10
includes a handle support 12, a base frame 20 and a deck frame 30.
The top of the handle support 12 is provided with a console 14. The
deck frame 30 is swiveled on the handle support 12 through a pivot
pin 16 so that the deck frame 30 can be folded up in a storage
position. Meanwhile, a movable endless belt transmission assembly
31 is mounted on the deck frame 30 while a front roller 33 is
driven in motion by means of a transmission belt 32. A movable
endless belt 35 is rotatable around the front roller 33 and a rear
roller 34 so that an operator can stand on the movable endless belt
35 to take an in-place walking, jogging or running exercise.
Moreover, the deck frame is provided with a support protrusion 36
at both bottom sides thereof A supporting rod 21 with one end
connected to the base frame 20 and with the other end connected
through an extension spring 22 to an extension piece 37 of the
front roller is interposed between the base frame 20 and the deck
frame 30. A slide wheel 23 is provided between the supporting rod
21 and the inner side of the deck frame 30. The slide wheel 23 is
cooperative with a supporting piece 38 at bottom end of the deck
frame 30 to create a supporting effect.
[0017] As for the operation of the supporting rod 21, as shown in
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the supporting rod 21 is shifted by the deck
frame 30 in a hidden position between the deck frame 30 and the
base frame 20 when the deck frame 30 is located in the operation
position. Meanwhile, the extension spring 22 is situated in
extended state. In folding up the deck frame 30, the supporting rod
21 is moved therewith under the effect of the extension spring 22
until the deck frame 30 is folded up in place. At that time, the
slide wheel 23 of the supporting rod 21 is located against a tip
381 of the supporting piece 38 for reaching the expected supporting
effect. Besides, the extension spring 22 is released in an original
state.
[0018] To fold up the deck frame 30 in place still requires a limit
post 18 inwardly and laterally extending from the handle support
12. Therefore, the deck frame 30 is positionable by the limit post
at a certain folded-up angle.
[0019] Again, referring to FIG. 1, in releasing the supporting
force of the supporting rod 21 for bringing the deck frame 30 in
operation position, it's only required for an operator to use his
hand to support the deck frame 30. Meanwhile, the operator uses his
foot to separate the slide wheel 23 from the tip 381 of the
supporting piece 38. Therefore, the deck frame 30 is smoothly
brought in operational state.
[0020] Many changes and modifications in the above-described
embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without
departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the
progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed
and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended
claims.
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