U.S. patent application number 11/728282 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for cushioning mechanism for a treadmill.
Invention is credited to Leao Wang.
Application Number | 20080176718 11/728282 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641847 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080176718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Leao |
July 24, 2008 |
Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill
Abstract
A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill having a pair of -shaped
rigid connection elements and a pair of pivotal rigid cushioning
elements that are interposed between the bottom surface of both
sides of the platform frame and the base bars. The pivotal rigid
cushioning element includes a guidewheel at one end thereof. In
this way, the guidewheel is movable on the surface of the base bar
when the platform frame is moved up and down by the external forces
applied to it. Accordingly, the cushioning and restoring effects
can be achieved. Moreover, a resistance-adjusting element is
provided at the bottom of the guidewheel. A free adjustment of the
cushioning force may be achieved by the inclination of the
resistance-adjusting element.
Inventors: |
Wang; Leao; (Taiping,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUO-HSIUNG CHIU
13F., NO.23, JIUN-HO STREET, PEITUN DISTRICT
TAICHUNG
406
omitted
|
Family ID: |
39641847 |
Appl. No.: |
11/728282 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11656398 |
Jan 23, 2007 |
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11728282 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0214 20151001;
A63B 22/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill comprising: a) a handle
frame assembly positioned at both sides of a front end of the
platform frame, an electronic console being installed at a top side
of the handle frame assembly while two base bars being attached to
a bottom end thereof; b) a platform frame pivotally mounted near a
bottom portion of the handle frame assembly, a continuous moving
belt working in cooperation with a motor, a belt, a front roller,
and a rear roller to ensure a circulating operation; c) a pair of
-shaped rigid connection elements and a pair of pivotal rigid
cushioning elements interposed between the bottom surface of both
sides of the platform frame and the base bars, the pivotal rigid
cushioning elements each having a guidewheel at one end thereof
such that the guidewheel is movable on the surface of the base bar
when the platform frame is moved up and down by the external forces
applied to it; d) a resistance-adjusting element is provided at the
bottom of the guidewheel such that a free adjustment of the
cushioning force may be achieved by the inclination of the
resistance-adjusting element; and e) an auxiliary supporting
element pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform
frame and the handle frame assembly, respectively.
2. The cushioning mechanism for an electric treadmill as claimed in
claim 1 wherein a soft stop element is attached to the surface of
the base bars, respectively
3. The cushioning mechanism for an electric treadmill as claimed in
claim 1 wherein a pivotal rigid cushioning element is made of a
plurality of arched steel plates.
4. The cushioning mechanism for an electric treadmill as claimed in
claim 1 wherein a pivotal rigid cushioning elements is
symmetrically designed in .andgate.-form.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field 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 Prior 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.
6,07,7200, 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. Thus, a pair
of -shaped rigid connection elements and a pair of pivotal rigid
cushioning elements that are interposed between the bottom surface
of both sides of the platform frame and the base bars. Moreover, an
auxiliary supporting element is pivotally interposed between both
sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly,
respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring
effect can be ensured. In this way, the drawbacks of the prior art
in use can be eliminated. This is the main object of the
invention.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide the means such
that the user can adjust the cushioning force of the cushioning
element by himself. In this way, the user can perform an
operator-oriented adjustment according to personal operation habits
for ensuring a comfortable operation. Accordingly, a
resistance-adjusting element is provided at the bottom of the
guidewheel. A free personal adjustment of the cushioning force may
be achieved by the inclination of the resistance-adjusting element
42.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the resistance-adjusting element in
accordance with the invention that is located in a nearly
horizontal position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an operational side view according to the state of
FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the resistance-adjusting element in
accordance with the invention that is located in an inclined
position;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an operational side view according to the state of
FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of another preferred
embodiment of the invention; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of a further preferred
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a treadmill in accordance
with the invention includes a handle frame assembly 10 and a
platform frame 20.
[0017] The handle frame assembly 10 is positioned at both sides of
a front end of the platform frame 20. An electronic console 11 is
installed at a top side of the handle frame assembly 10 while two
base bars 12 are attached to a bottom end of the handle frame
assembly 10.
[0018] The platform frame 20 is pivotally mounted near a bottom
portion of the handle frame assembly 10. A continuous moving belt
25 works in cooperation with a motor 21, a belt 22, a front roller
23, and a rear roller 24 to ensure a circulating operation.
[0019] A pair of -shaped rigid connection elements 30 and a pair of
pivotal rigid cushioning elements 40 are interposed between the
bottom surface of both sides of the platform frame 20 and the base
bars 12. The pivotal rigid cushioning element 40 includes a
guidewheel 41 at one end thereof. In this way, the guidewheel 41 is
movable on the surface of the base bar 12 when the platform frame
20 is moved up and down by the external forces applied to it (see
FIG. 3 & FIG. 5). Accordingly, the cushioning and restoring
effects can be achieved.
[0020] Moreover, a resistance-adjusting element 42 is provided at
the bottom of the guidewheel 41. A free adjustment of the
cushioning force may be achieved by the inclination of the
resistance-adjusting element 42. An auxiliary supporting element 50
is pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform frame 20
and the handle frame assembly 10, respectively. As a result, a
complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured.
[0021] In a few words, the sliding resistance created by the
resistance adjusting element 42 and acting on the guidewheel 41 is
smaller when the inclination of the resistance adjusting element 42
approaches to the horizontal position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
To the contrary, the sliding resistance acting on the guidewheel 41
will be increased, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0022] In addition, the -shaped rigid connection elements 30 can
also achieve the cushioning effect. In other words, the -shaped
rigid connection elements 30 regain their original shape after
being compressed or deformed by the external forces applied
thereto. Accordingly, an optimal cushioning action may be achieved
by the cooperation of the -shaped rigid connection elements 30, the
pivotal rigid cushioning elements 40 and the auxiliary supporting
elements 50. In order to ensure the use safety, a soft stop element
60 can be attached to the surface of the base bars 12,
respectively. In case of overload on the platform frame 20 or
damage of relevant elements, the soft stop element 60 can act
against the downward movement of the platform frame 20. In this
way, the operator's safety can be assured.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, which is a schematic drawing of another
preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivotal rigid cushioning
element 40, may be made of a plurality of arched steel plates for
increasing the whole strength. Likewise, the pivotal rigid
cushioning elements 40 may be symmetrically designed in
.andgate.-form for enhancing the whole effect thereof.
[0024] 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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