U.S. patent application number 11/155855 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for cushioning mechanism for a treadmill.
Invention is credited to Leao Wang.
Application Number | 20060287163 11/155855 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37574147 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060287163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Leao |
December 21, 2006 |
Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill
Abstract
A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill having a link at each
side in close vicinity to the rear end of a platform frame. The
links are pivotally attached to the platform frame and the base. A
resilient pad facing to the bottom of the link is disposed on the
base. When the platform frame is subjected to a certain force to
expose the link to a synchronous vibration, the resilient pad
provides an optimal shock-absorbing effect.
Inventors: |
Wang; Leao; (Taiping,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROXELL LAW OFFICE PLLC
5205 LEESBURG PIKE, SUITE 1404
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22041
US
|
Family ID: |
37574147 |
Appl. No.: |
11/155855 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0235 20130101;
A63B 22/0214 20151001; A63B 2225/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill comprising: a) two handle
frames extending upwardly from and connected to opposing sides of a
base at a front end of the base, an electronic console being
positioned atop the handle frames; b) a platform frame having a
platform and rotatably mounted in close vicinity to a bottom
portion of the handle frame by use of a pivot pin, a continuous
moving belt operating in cooperation with a motor, a belt, a front
roller, and a rear roller to allow it to move on a certain
circulation course, each side in close vicinity to the rear end of
the platform frame being provided with a link having two ends with
one end being pivotally attached to a sidewall of the platform
frame and the other end being pivotally attached to an upper
surface of the base; and c) a resilient pad disposed on the upper
surface of the base, the resilient pad being positioned forward of
a point where the link is pivotally attached to the base to have a
top surface below the link, whereby the resilient pad provides an
optimal shock-absorbing effect when the platform frame is subjected
to a certain downward force to expose the link to a synchronous
vibration.
2. A cushioning mechanism for an electric treadmill comprising: a)
two handle frames extending upwardly from and connected to opposing
sides of a base at a front end of the base, an electronic console
being positioned atop the handle frames wherein a ground-contacting
portion is extended downwardly from a bottom end of the handle
frames while a supporting foot is attached to a bottom end of the
base, and wherein the supporting foot allows for an adjustment of
its supporting angle, thereby ensuring a convenient adjustment of
the inclination of the platform frame relative to the ground; b) a
platform frame having a platform and rotatably mounted in close
vicinity to a bottom portion of the handle frame by use of a pivot
pin, a continuous moving belt operating in cooperation with a
motor, a belt, a front roller, and a rear roller to allow it to
move on a certain circulation course, each side in close vicinity
to the rear end of the platform frame being provided with a link
having two ends with one end pivotally attached to a sidewall of
the platform frame and another end pivotally attached to an upper
surface of the base; and c) a resilient pad disposed on the upper
surface of the base, the resilient pad being positioned forward of
a point where the link is pivotally attached to the base to have a
top surface below a bottom surface of the link, whereby the
resilient pad provides an optimal shock-absorbing effect when the
platform frame is subjected to a certain downward force to expose
the link to a synchronous vibration.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Fields of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a cushioning mechanism for a
treadmill, and more particularly, to a cushioning mechanism having
a compact configuration while achieving an optimal shock-absorbing
effect.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A cushioning mechanism of a treadmill is adapted to support
a platform frame. A vibration action is created when the platform
frame is exposed to a continuous treading force by an operator
thereon. A reaction force will, in turn, act on the feet of the
operator, thereby giving him a little discomfort now and again.
This discomfort can be relieved by the cushioning mechanism.
[0005] Accordingly, a few rows of resilient pads are provided
between the platform frame and the base frame of the treadmill to
achieve an expected shock-absorbing effect. Such a conventional
configuration can be easily obtained from e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,077,200, 5,746,682, etc.
[0006] However, the aforementioned construction is prone to trouble
with respect to its assembly, maintenance, and replacement. In
particular, the disassembly and assembly of the continuous moving
belt and the platform often frustrate do-it-yourselfers during the
maintenance of the treadmill. Finally, they often have no choice
but to turn to professional mechanic for help.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Thus, based on the above described drawbacks of the prior
art, the designer would like to employ a mechanism exposed to the
outside of the main body of the treadmill for an easy assembly
while achieving the same effects. In this way, maintenance and
replacement operations can be considerably simplified. So, the
primary object of the invention is to provide a cushioning
mechanism for an electric treadmill having a link at each side in
close vicinity to the rear end of a platform frame. The links are
pivotally attached to the platform frame and the base. A resilient
pad facing to the bottom of the link is disposed on the base. When
the platform frame is subjected to a certain force to expose the
link to a synchronous vibration, the resilient pad provides an
optimal shock-absorbing effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accomplishment of this and other objects of the
invention will become apparent from the following description and
its accompanying drawings of which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a first embodiment of the
invention; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a second embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a treadmill in accordance with
the invention includes two handle frames 10 and a platform frame
20.
[0012] The handle frame 10 is positioned at both sides of the front
end of the platform frame 20. An electronic console 11 is installed
at a top side of the handle frame 10 while a base 12 is coupled to
a bottom end thereof.
[0013] The platform frame 20 supports a platform 21 and is
rotatably mounted at a bottom portion of the handle frame 10 by use
of a pivot pin 22. A continuous moving belt 27 operates in
cooperation with a motor 23, a belt 24, a front roller 25, and a
rear roller 26 to allow it to move on a certain circulation. Each
side of the rear end of the platform frame 20 is provided with a
link 28 that is pivotally attached to the platform frame 20 and the
base 12.
[0014] A resilient pad 30 facing to the bottom of the link 28 is
disposed on the base 12. When the platform frame 20 is subjected to
a certain force to expose the link 28 to a synchronous vibration,
the resilient pad 30 provides an optimal shock-absorbing
effect.
[0015] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. A
ground-contacting portion 13 is extended from a bottom end of the
handle frame 10 while a supporting foot 14 is attached to the
bottom end of the base 12. In this way, the supporting foot 14
allows for an adjustment of its supporting angle, thereby bringing
the platform frame 20 in an inclined position.
[0016] Many changes and modifications in the above-described
embodiments 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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