U.S. patent application number 11/219694 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for treadmill.
This patent application is currently assigned to TUNTURI OY LTD. Invention is credited to Henri Kuivala, Simo Maenpaa, Pekka Vieno.
Application Number | 20060058162 11/219694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33041607 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060058162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vieno; Pekka ; et
al. |
March 16, 2006 |
Treadmill
Abstract
The invention relates to a treadmill comprising a frame
structure as well as roller parts supported against the frame
structure, a belt part, and means for rotating at least one of the
roller parts, whereby the belt part is arranged to rotate as an
endless loop around the roller parts. The frame structure is made
of a self-supporting structure functioning as a tread base and
formed as an integrated glued structure.
Inventors: |
Vieno; Pekka; (Rosko,
FI) ; Kuivala; Henri; (Poytya, FI) ; Maenpaa;
Simo; (Turku, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
TUNTURI OY LTD
Turku
FI
|
Family ID: |
33041607 |
Appl. No.: |
11/219694 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2004 |
FI |
20045329 |
Claims
1. A treadmill comprising a frame structure as well as roller parts
supported against the frame structure, a belt part, and means for
rotating at least one of the roller parts, the belt part being
arranged to rotate as an endless loop around the roller parts,
wherein the frame structure is made of a self-supporting structure
functioning as a tread base and formed as an integrated glued
structure.
2. A treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the integrated glued
structure comprises a honeycomb plate, surface plate parts being
glued to the upper and lower surfaces of this plate.
3. A treadmill according to claim 2, wherein the surface plate part
glued to the upper surface of the honeycomb plate is made of
low-friction and abrasion-resistant material.
4. A treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the integrated glued
structure comprises a wood-fiber plate and a film-plywood
plate.
5. A treadmill according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4,
wherein profile parts are glued to the side edges of the glued
structure.
6. A treadmill according to claim 1, wherein an appropriate
auxiliary plate is arranged in the front part of the glued
structure for attaching different technical components.
7. A treadmill according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary plate is
attached to the glued structure with a glue joint.
8. A treadmill according to claim 5, wherein the profile parts are
components made of aluminum.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a treadmill comprising a frame
structure as well as roller parts supported against the frame
structure, a belt part, and means for rotating at least one of the
roller parts, whereby the belt part is arranged to rotate as an
endless loop around the roller parts.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Treadmills are very popular devices today, being used for
instance at gyms and at home for training within both keep-fit
activities and world-class sports. An advantage of treadmills is
that running exercises can be done indoors, whereby one is not
dependent on weather conditions or large halls. Further, in
keep-fit activities, an advantage of treadmills is the possibility
to combine the exercises with some other activity, for example
watching TV.
[0005] Over the years, various types of treadmills have been
manufactured, from simple basic devices to diversified devices
intended for test use. Devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,855,537, 5,899,834, 5,921,893, 6,273,843, 6,325,745, 6,461,275
and 6,475,121 as well as in U.S. application publication
2002/0183169 can be mentioned as examples of known treadmill
solutions.
[0006] In known solutions, the structure comprises a tread base
that is attached to the load-bearing metal frame of the treadmill
with either rigid or elastic bolt or screw joints, for instance
with rubber bushings or steel springs.
[0007] A disadvantage of prior art solutions has been a complex and
often large-size structure. The complexity also means a large
number of components, which increases the costs related to
acquiring, storing and assembling the components. Also, the weight
of the devices according to known solutions is often considerably
high, which makes the moving of the device more difficult.
Corresponding problems are also caused by the large size of the
device; for instance, a high-positioned tread surface is not
regarded as user-friendly. In some cases, the weight and large size
of the construction also cause problems when the device is to be
transported to the customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a treadmill by
means of which disadvantages of prior art can be eliminated. This
has been achieved with the solution of the invention. The treadmill
according to the invention is characterized in that the frame
structure is made of a self-supporting structure functioning as a
tread base and formed as an integrated glued structure.
[0009] An advantage of the invention is that the number of
components in the structure is essentially smaller than in prior
art solutions, whereby the costs are reduced in this respect,
compared with prior art solutions. The treadmill according to the
invention is also significantly lighter than a conventional one,
because the elements used in the integrated glued structure, such
as honeycomb plates and aluminum profiles, may be very light. The
invention also enables an extremely low structure in which the
tread surface is close to the floor surface. Such a feature is
considered very advantageous today. Owing to the small number of
components of the treadmill according to the invention, assembling
the treadmill is quicker than with conventional treadmills. Yet
another advantage is that the invention can utilize materials, such
as aluminum, that do not require pre-treatment or surface
treatment, as did the steel structures of prior art solutions.
Owing to its lightness and small size, the treadmill of the
invention is also easily moveable and can be packed and stored as a
small-size unit, which is advantageous with regard to the
production, logistic chain and user's training premises.
[0010] Further scope of the applicability of the present invention
will become apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0012] The invention will now be described in greater detail with
reference to the example illustrated by the attached drawing, of
which
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a principled side view of a treadmill structure
according to the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a structure according to FIG. 1, seen in
direction A; and
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the structure according
to FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The figures show the treadmill according to the invention as
a principled manner. Reference numeral 1 indicates the frame
structure of the treadmill, while reference numerals 2 and 3
designate roller parts arranged to be supported against the frame
structure. Reference numeral 4 indicates a belt part arranged to
rotate as an endless loop around the roller parts 2, 3. The above
aspects represent completely conventional technology known to a
person skilled in the art, and therefore they are not described in
more detail here.
[0017] The treadmill further comprises means for rotating at least
one roller part. In the example of the figures, the above means
comprise a roller motor, but it is clear that they may also
comprise a separate motor unit, gear means etc. The treadmill
further comprises a handle part, which is provided with means for
controlling the use of the treadmill. Further, the treadmill may be
provided with means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the
treadmill, etc. Also these aspects represent completely
conventional technology known to a person skilled in the art, so
that they are not described in more detail here. In this context,
reference is made to the above-mentioned publications relating to
prior art.
[0018] In accordance with an essential idea of the invention, the
frame structure 1 of the treadmill is comprised of a
self-supporting structure 5 formed as an integrated glued structure
functioning as a tread base. As seen from the figures, the
integrated glued structure constitutes the load-bearing lower part
and the tread base; in other words it thus replaces a separate
tread base, a separate frame structure, different support
structures, dampers and all mechanical connecting peaces, such as
screws, bolts, plates and the like elements used in known
treadmills.
[0019] The structural solution according to the invention has
essentially fewer components than conventional treadmill solutions,
in which the base is formed by, for example, a tread base plate
damped by rubber bushings, and a steel frame structure below
it.
[0020] The invention thus comprises a self-supporting structure 5
which functions as a tread base and may be formed of a light and
torsionally stiff plate. A honeycomb plate, for instance, can be
used as such a plate, the raw material of the honeycomb cells being
for instance aluminum or plastic. The thickness of the plate may be
20 to 30 mm, but also thinner or thicker plates are feasible as far
as the total strength of the plate is guaranteed. The upper and
lower surfaces of the plate cell can be provided, by gluing, with
thin surface plate parts 6, 7 that give the structure the actual
stiffness. The plate part 6 of the upper surface must be of a
material with low friction and very good abrasion resistance,
because the belt part 4 is, during use, against the plate part 6
and rubbing against it the whole time. The above-mentioned plate
parts may be relatively thin, for instance 0.5 to 2 mm. The plate
part 6 of the upper surface must endure enough point-like loading
that may be generated in some cases, for instance sharp shoe heels.
The plate part 7 of the lower surface does not have the same kind
of requirements for abrasion resistance and endurance of point
loading as the plate part 6 of the upper surface.
[0021] Profile parts 8 may be glued to the side edges of the
honeycomb plate. The profile parts 8 are not essential for the
invention, because the honeycomb plate gives, as such, sufficient
stiffness and load-bearing capacity to the structure. Profile parts
can be, however, easily utilized for attaching different
components, and thus the appearance of the treadmill can be
affected very advantageously. In the examples of the figures, the
gluing between the profile part 8 and the honeycomb plate is
implemented by means of a glue joint between the lower surface of
the honeycomb plate and the profile part 8. The above aspect is
clearly seen from FIG. 3. It is to be noted that FIG. 3 shows only
the profile part 8 glued to one edge of the honeycomb plate. It is
further to be noted that FIG. 3 shows the structure according to
the invention in the upside down position, whereas FIGS. 1 and 2
show the structure in the normal using position. The above gluing
arrangement is not the only possible option, but also other kinds
of gluing arrangements are naturally possible.
[0022] The profile parts 8 may be, for example, an extruded
aluminum profile or steel. The profile parts 8 should have a
sufficiently wide contact surface for the glue. The glue may be,
for instance, tough and flexible urethane glue. The profile parts 8
also give fastening support to the front and rear roller parts 2, 3
in an advantageous manner.
[0023] The honeycomb plate together with the profile parts 8 can be
dimensioned in such a way that they bear even very heavy loads,
passing the static load test specified in the standard EN957-6.
[0024] The integrated structure according to the invention
constitutes, as a whole, a stiff and hard tread base. Particularly
those who run a lot prefer a hard running base to a loose and soft
one. The flexibility and hardness of the base can be adjusted by
the selection and dimensioning of the profile parts 8 and the
honeycomb plate.
[0025] The front part of the honeycomb plate can be provided, for
instance by means of a glue joint, with an auxiliary plate 10, to
which different technical components can be attached, if required.
The auxiliary plate 10 can naturally also be attached with another
suitable fastening manner. Also various fastening solutions of a
tread board 9, suitable for assembling industry, can be provided on
top of the profile parts. Any fastening solutions known per se, for
instance a snap/clamp joint, can be used. In fastening the tread
board also a screw joint may be used, which has the advantage that
a tread board that has been acquired as a spare part, for instance,
is easy to be changed.
[0026] The above embodiment example of the invention is by means
intended to restrict the invention, but the invention can be
modified completely freely within the scope of the claims. The
integrated self-supporting glued structure does not necessarily
have to be manufactured of a honeycomb plate, but according to the
basic idea of the invention it is fully possible to form the
structure of the invention by using a conventional film-plywood
plate and wood-fibre plate (MDF plate). When this embodiment is
used, it should be made sure that the plate does not split in the
middle, for instance. The invention can naturally be applied to
very different treadmills; for instance the drive system of the
belt part is by no way confined to the roller motor system shown by
the figures, as was noted earlier.
[0027] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *