U.S. patent application number 12/016485 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for foot massaging treadmill.
This patent application is currently assigned to WORLD WIDE STATIONERY MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Chun Yuen To.
Application Number | 20080176719 12/016485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641848 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080176719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
To; Chun Yuen |
July 24, 2008 |
FOOT MASSAGING TREADMILL
Abstract
A foot massaging treadmill including a supporting base mounted
close to the floor. The supporting base includes a supporting
board, an endless running belt slidably extending around the
supporting board, and driving rollers for driving the running belt
to move around the supporting board in a longitudinal direction of
the supporting board. The upper surface of the running belt forms a
user supporting surface. The supporting surface of the running belt
provides a plurality of upward protrusions for applying pressure
force to the user's foot soles. The treadmill massages the user's
foot soles by the protrusions. Thus, the user will feel comfortable
even after a long time of exercise.
Inventors: |
To; Chun Yuen; (New
Territories, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 6300, SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
WORLD WIDE STATIONERY MANUFACTURING
COMPANY LIMITED
New Territories
CN
|
Family ID: |
39641848 |
Appl. No.: |
12/016485 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 7/001 20130101;
A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 2213/00 20130101; A61H 2201/1284
20130101; A61H 2205/125 20130101; A61H 2201/1695 20130101; A63B
22/0285 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 2007 |
CN |
200710004008.5 |
Claims
1. A foot massaging treadmill comprising a supporting base mounted
close to the floor, wherein the supporting base comprises a
supporting board, an endless running belt slidably extending around
the supporting board, and driving rollers for driving the running
belt to move around the supporting board in a longitudinal
direction of the supporting board, with the upper surface of the
running belt forming a user supporting surface, and wherein the
supporting surface of the running belt provides a plurality of
upward protrusions for applying pressure force to the user's foot
soles.
2. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions are provided on the outer surface of the running belt
and the supporting board is substantially flat.
3. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 2, wherein the
protrusions are integrally formed on the running belt.
4. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 2, wherein the
protrusions are single pieces formed separately and are removably
attached to the running belt.
5. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 2, wherein some
of the protrusions are integrally formed on the running belt, and
the remaining protrusions are single pieces formed separately and
are removably attached to the running belt.
6. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions are provided on the upper surface of the supporting
board and the running belt is substantially flat.
7. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 6, wherein the
protrusions are integrally formed on the supporting board.
8. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 6, wherein the
protrusions are single pieces formed separately and are removably
attached to the supporting board.
9. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 6, wherein some
of the protrusions are integrally formed on the supporting board,
and the remaining protrusions are single pieces formed separately
and are removably attached to the supporting board.
10. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
treadmill further comprises a frame mounted to the front side of
the supporting base.
11. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 10, wherein the
frame comprises handrails.
12. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 10, wherein the
treadmill further comprises a control panel mounted to the
frame.
13. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions are regularly distributed.
14. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 13, wherein the
protrusions have the same separating distance and the same
arranging pattern.
15. The foot massaging treadmill according claim 1, wherein the
protrusions are irregularly distributed.
16. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 15, wherein the
protrusions have different separating distances and/or different
arranging patterns.
17. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions have the same shape and size.
18. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions have different shapes and/or sizes.
19. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions comprises a plurality of sets of protrusions, the shape
and/or the size of each set of protrusions are different from that
of other sets of protrusions.
20. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 19, wherein the
plurality of sets of protrusions are arranged in an alternating
manner.
21. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 19, wherein the
outer surface of the running belt is divided into a plurality of
zones, each zone containing a set of protrusions of the same shape
and size, and the shapes and/or the sizes of the protrusions in
different zones are different from each other.
22. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
running belt comprises a plurality of zones, the protrusions are
provided in some of the zones.
23. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
top surfaces of the protrusions, which are to be in contact with
the user's foot soles, have smooth transition shapes.
24. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions are formed by an elastic rubber material.
25. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 2, wherein the
running belt and the protrusions are covered with an elastic
protective layer.
26. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions are sized for stimulating the acupoints or the
reflection areas of the foot soles.
27. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 26, wherein the
protrusions each have a lateral size of a few millimeters, and the
arranging density of the protrusions is about two hundred to about
one thousand protrusions per square meter.
28. The foot massaging treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the
protrusions each have a hemisphere shape.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to China application no.
200710004008.5, filed on Jan. 19, 2007.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a treadmill, especially to
a treadmill which provides foot massage to the foot soles of a user
of the treadmill.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In recent years, treadmills or running machines become
popular for in-door physical exercising. A traditional treadmill
mainly comprises a horizontal or slanted supporting base and a
frame with handrails. The supporting base comprises an elongated
rigid supporting board. Driving rollers are mounted proximate to
one or both of the longitudinal ends of the supporting board. An
elastic endless running belt extends around the supporting board
and the driving rollers, thus providing a slanted flat running
surface. When the user is running on the running surface, the
running belt is driven by the driving rollers to move in a
direction reverse to the forwarding direction of the user. Thus the
user can walk or run on the treadmill.
[0004] In traditional treadmills, the supporting board and/or the
running belt are substantially flat. When walking or running on the
treadmills, the user's foot soles consecutively contact with the
flat running surface of the treadmill. In this way, the user will
feel fatigue or pain on his or her feet after a long time of
walking or running on the treadmill, no matter whether he or she
wears shoes or not. If the fatigue or pain is serious, the user
needs to have special massage to the feet to release the stress. In
addition, according to current medical study, regular contacting
and massaging the reflection areas or acupoints of the foot sole
can, at a certain extent, improve the condition of human body and
prevent illness.
[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to have a treadmill which can
massage the user's feet when the user is exercising on the
treadmill. It is expected that, by this treadmill, the user can
exercise his or her body and feel comfortable on his or her feet
even after a long time of exercising.
SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to overcome the
disadvantages of the prior art. To this end, the present invention
provides a foot massaging treadmill comprising a supporting base
mounted close to the floor, wherein the supporting base comprises a
supporting board, an endless running belt slidably extending around
the supporting board, and driving rollers for driving the running
belt to move around the supporting board in a longitudinal
direction of the supporting board, with the upper surface of the
running belt forming a user supporting surface, and wherein the
supporting surface of the running belt provides a plurality of
upward protrusions for applying pressure force to the user's foot
soles.
[0007] The protrusions can be provided on the outer surface of the
running belt and the supporting board is substantially flat. In
this case, the protrusions can be integrally formed on the running
belt. Alternatively, the protrusions are single pieces formed
separately and are then removably attached to the running belt.
Alternatively, some of the protrusions are integrally formed on the
running belt, and the remaining protrusions are single pieces
formed separately and are then removably attached to the running
belt.
[0008] Alternatively, the protrusions are provided on the upper
surface of the supporting board and the running belt is
substantially flat. In this case, the protrusions can be integrally
formed on the supporting board. Alternatively, the protrusions are
single pieces formed separately and are then removably attached to
the supporting board. Alternatively, some of the protrusions are
integrally formed on the supporting board, and the remaining
protrusions are single pieces formed separately and are then
removably attached to the supporting board.
[0009] Preferably, the treadmill further comprises a frame mounted
to the front side of the supporting base. The frame may include
handrails.
[0010] Preferably, the treadmill further comprises a control panel
mounted to the frame.
[0011] Preferably, the protrusions are regularly distributed. In
this case, the protrusions have the same separating distance and
the same arranging pattern.
[0012] Alternatively, the protrusions are irregularly distributed.
In this case, the protrusions have different separating distances
and/or different arranging patterns.
[0013] Preferably, the protrusions have the same shape and size.
Alternatively, the protrusions have different shapes and/or
sizes.
[0014] Alternatively, the protrusions comprises a plurality of sets
of protrusions, the shape and/or the size of each set of
protrusions are different from that of other sets of protrusions.
In this case, the plurality of sets of protrusions can be arranged
in an alternating manner. Alternatively, the outer surface of the
running belt is divided into a plurality of zones, each zone
containing a set of protrusions of the same shape and size, and the
shapes and/or the sizes of the protrusions in different zones are
different from each other.
[0015] Alternatively, the running belt comprises a plurality of
zones, the protrusions are provided in some of the zones.
[0016] Preferably, the top surfaces of the protrusions, which are
to be in contact with the user's foot soles, have smooth transition
shapes.
[0017] Preferably, the protrusions are formed by an elastic rubber
material.
[0018] Preferably, the running belt and the protrusions are covered
with an elastic protective layer.
[0019] Preferably, the protrusions are sized for stimulating the
acupoints or the reflection areas of the foot soles. For example,
the protrusions each have a lateral size of a few millimeters. The
arranging density of the protrusions may be about two hundred to
about one thousand protrusions per square meter
[0020] Preferably, the protrusions each have a hemisphere shape.
Other shapes for the protrusions are also possible.
[0021] According to the present disclosure, the treadmill provides
massage to the user's foot soles by the protrusions. Thus, the user
will feel comfortable even after a long time of exercise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0022] The present invention will be described in details with
reference to the drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete treadmill
according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2A is a top view of a running belt of the treadmill of
the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2B is a side view of the running belt of the treadmill
of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2C is a partly enlarged side view of the encircled
portion of the running belt shown in FIG. 2B;
[0027] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the running belt of the
treadmill of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 3B is a partly enlarged view of the encircled portion
of the running belt shown in FIG. 3A;
[0029] FIG. 3C is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.
3B;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a complete treadmill of the
second embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a running belt of the
treadmill of the second embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 5B is a side view of the running belt shown in FIG.
5A;
[0033] FIG. 5C is a partly enlarged side view of the encircled
portion of the running belt shown in FIG. 5B;
[0034] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the treadmill of
the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the treadmill of the third
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 7B is a sectional view of a supporting board of the
treadmill of the third embodiment of the present invention taken
along the line I-I of FIG. 7A, wherein the running belt is attached
to the supporting board; and
[0037] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the treadmill of the third
embodiment of the present invention, with the supporting board
being partly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 7A and 8 schematically show some preferred
embodiments of the treadmill according to the present disclosure.
As shown in these figures, the treadmill 1 mainly comprises a
supporting base 200 mounted close to the floor and a frame 100
mounted to the front side of the supporting base 200. Preferably,
the treadmill 1 further comprises a control panel 50 attached to
the frame 100, and the like.
[0039] The frame 100 comprises a base frame 7 supported on the
floor, vertical upright stands 3 mounted on the base frame 7,
handrails 4 mounted on the upper ends of the upright stands
providing arm rest for the user's arms, a crossbar 5 mounted to the
handrails for supporting the control panel 50, and the like.
[0040] The supporting base 200, which supports the user who is
walking or running on it, comprises side bars 9 located on both the
right and left sides of the supporting base, a substantially flat
supporting board 12 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7A), an endless
or loop-like running belt 11 slidably extending around the
supporting board 12, one or more driving rollers (not shown) for
driving the endless running belt 11 to circulate around the
supporting board 12 in a longitudinal direction of the supporting
board, and the like. The top surface of the running belt 11 forms a
supporting surface for supporting the user.
[0041] Here, in an illustrative manner, various components of the
treadmill according to the embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described briefly.
[0042] As shown in the figures, the front end of the supporting
base 200 is mounted to the upright stands 3 at its opposite sides
by fasteners 6 such as screws, such that, when the supporting base
200 rests on the floor, it remains horizontal or slanted. The base
frame 7 is optionally provided to the lower end of the upright
stands 3 for contacting with the floor.
[0043] Optionally, a back frame 8 is provided at the back end of
the supporting base 200 so as to be opposite to the base frame 7.
The treadmill 1 is in contact with the floor by the base frame 7
and the back frame 8. A main switch, a control circuit and the like
for the treadmill may be provided in the back frame 8.
[0044] Preferably, the slanted angle of the supporting base 200 is
adjustable, so that the supporting base 200 is in a horizontal
direction or in a longitudinal slanted direction within a range of
slanted angle.
[0045] The handrails 4 are mounted to the upright stands 3, as
shown in the figures, and optionally provide support means to be
grasped by the user's hands. Preferably, the crossbar 5, which
attaches to the handrails 4, carries the control panel 50 in a
known manner. The control panel 50 may be integrated with various
keys, buttons, electric interfaces and displays, such as keys for
adjusting the running speed and displays for indicating the
exercising parameters. For example, as well known in the art, the
heart beats of the user can be sensed by sensors provided in the
handrails 4, the running speed and total running distance can be
calculated based on the output of an electric motor for driving the
driving rollers, and the weight of the user can be measured by
force sensors mounted in the supporting base 200. Then, all these
parameters can be displayed on the displays of the control panel
50, and the user may read out the exercise condition and adjust the
exercise intensity and/or time.
[0046] In the treadmill according to the embodiments of the present
invention, the supporting board 12 is generally a lengthened board
made of a rigid material such as plank, rigid resin or metal, such
that it has sufficient strength for carrying the running user via
the running belt and bearing the shocks from the user's feet.
[0047] One or more driving rollers are driving by the electric
motor. For example, two driving rollers may be provided at the
front and back ends of the supporting board respectively and
rotatably mounted between the side bars 9, wherein only the front
driving roller is connected with the electric motor via a
transmission or speed reduction mechanism and the back driving
roller is just a follower. Alternatively, both driving rollers are
driven by the electric motor in a synchronized manner. The running
belt 11 is driven by the driving rollers to run circulatively
around the supporting board. Preferably, the moving direction
and/or speed of the running belt 11 are adjustable. In most cases,
during running, the supporting surface of the running belt 11 moves
backwardly, so that the user walks or runs on the supporting
surface in a regular way. However, sometimes the user may want to
walk reversely, and in this case the supporting surface of the
running belt should move forwardly. The forward moving speed of the
supporting surface should be limited from becoming too high, to
avoid the user falling off the treadmill.
[0048] Preferably, shielding covers 10 are mounted to the front end
of the supporting base 200 at right and left sides, for shielding
the rotating components of the transmission mechanism from being
touched or contacted by the user when exercising or manipulating
the treadmill.
[0049] As an important feature of the present invention, the
supporting surface of the running belt 11 is provided with or
formed with upward protrusions which are intended to act on the
user's foot soles for massaging the foot soles, especially the
acupoints or the reflection areas of the foot soles.
[0050] The protrusions are either formed on the outer surface of
the running belt 11, or formed on the upper surface of the
supporting board 12 which carries the running belt 11. These two
conditions will be described below respectively.
[0051] In the treadmill of the first embodiment of the present
disclosure as shown in FIG. 1, the running belt 11 extends around
the driving rollers and the supporting board in the supporting base
200 in a known manner, and the protrusions are formed or provided
on the running belt 11. When the user is running or walking, the
running belt 11 is driven by the driving rollers to slidingly run
with respect to the supporting board.
[0052] FIGS. 2A to 2C show the running belt 11 of the treadmill of
the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A
shows a top view of the running belt 11 and FIG. 2B shows a side
view of the running belt 11. It can be seen that the running belt
11 is an endless loop belt. FIG. 2C is an enlarged side view
showing the circled portion of FIG. 2B. As shown in FIGS. 2B and
2C, the running belt 11 of the treadmill of the first embodiment of
the present invention is formed by an elastic loop substrate. The
substrate is a flat endless belt substrate. A plurality of upward
protrusions 30 are formed or provided on the outer surface of the
running belt 11. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the plurality of
protrusions 30 are irregularly (randomly) disposed on the outer
surface of the running belt 11, so as to randomly massage the
user's foot soles. For example, the separating distances between
the protrusions 30 as well as the arranging order or pattern of the
protrusions are variable.
[0053] However, the plurality of protrusions 30 may also be
disposed on the outer surface of the running belt 11 regularly. In
other words, the protrusions 30 are disposed in a predetermined
order or pattern. For example, the separating distance between the
protrusions 30 as well as the arranging order or pattern of the
protrusions may be constant.
[0054] In this context, when describing the directions relating to
the running belt 11, inside (or inner) refers to a side in contact
with the driving rollers or the supporting board. On the other
hand, outside (or outer) refers to the opposite side facing away
from the inside.
[0055] Preferably, the outer surfaces of the protrusions 30, or the
surfaces facing outside, are formed with smooth transition
contours, or in other words, without any sharp edge or point, so
that when the user stands on the running belt 11, he or she will
not feel uncomfortable or be hurt by the protrusions.
[0056] In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the
plurality of protrusions 30 may have completely different shapes
and/or sizes. Of course, this structure will result in a high
manufacture cost. Alternatively, the protrusions 30 may comprise a
plurality of sets of protrusions, the shape and/or the size of each
set of protrusions are different from that of other sets of
protrusions. For example, from the top view (as shown in FIG. 2A),
the protrusions 30 may have at least one shape selected from a
group consisting of: circular, elliptical, triangle, oblong,
square, irregular shapes and the like. Circular shape is
preferable. Top surfaces of the protrusions 30, which are to be
contacted with the user's foot soles, have smooth transition
shapes. For example, from a side view (as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C)
it can be seen that the cross sections of the protrusions 30 are
preferably of semicircular, circular, rounded or similar shapes.
Further, the protrusions 30 may have different sizes. For example,
the protrusions 30 have different heights.
[0057] Optionally, the heights of the protrusions 30 are set in a
manner that, when the user stands on the running belt 11 for
walking or running, with his or her feet being bare or with socks
only or with thin and elastic shoes on his or her feet, the user
will not feel pain or discomfort on his or her feet. Meanwhile, the
protrusions 30 may have different outer surface areas.
[0058] The plural sets of protrusions 30 can be arranged in an
alternating or mixed manner. Alternatively, the outer surface of
the running belt 11 can be divided into a plurality of zones, each
zone including only one set of protrusions with the same shape and
size and the protrusions in different zones having different shapes
and/or sizes.
[0059] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the running belt 11 of
the treadmill of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As
shown in FIG. 3A, the protrusions 30 are disposed on the running
belt 11 in an irregular manner.
[0060] In the treadmill of the first embodiment of the present
disclosure, the running belt 11 is formed in a manner known in the
art. For example, the running belt 11 comprises a fabric layer and
elastomeric layers formed on the inner and outer sides of the
fabric layer respectively. The fabric layer may be formed by woven
fibers of any suitable materials such as polyester. The elastomeric
layers are formed by any suitable materials such as rubbers,
plastics, resins and polymers and are adhered to the fabric layer
through any suitable process such as molding or casting. The inside
and outside surfaces of the running belt 11 are substantially flat
surfaces.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2C and 3C, the protrusions 30 are provided
on the outer surface of the running belt 11. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3C, the protrusions 30 are integrally formed on the
running belt 11. In this case, the material of the protrusions 30
may be the same as that of the outer layer (or the above mentioned
elastomeric layer) of the running belt 11, so that the protrusions
can be integrally formed with the running belt in the same
processing step. Optionally, the protrusions 30 can be individual
pieces formed separately and then removably mounted to the running
belt 11 in any suitable manner such as by snap-locks, screws or the
like. In this case, the running belt 11 is preferably formed with
engaging features for cooperating with corresponding connection
features of the protrusions 30. For example, the engaging features
can be recesses, screw threads or the like while the connection
features can be inserts to be inserted into the recesses,
corresponding screw threads or the like. Optionally, some of the
protrusions 30 are integrally formed on the running belt 11, while
the remaining protrusions are removably mounted to the running belt
11. For example, protrusions which are larger or smaller than
normal protrusions, protrusions having particular massaging
functions, or protrusions which are likely to be damaged, can be
removably mounted to the running belt 11 at corresponding
locations. If some protrusions 30 are removably mounted to the
running belt 11, the material of these protrusions 30 can be
different from that of the corresponding part of the running belt
11. For example, the material of these protrusions can be harder or
softer than that of the running belt 11.
[0062] Preferably, the protrusions 30 are formed by an elastic
rubber material.
[0063] It should be noted that, in this context, the massage to the
foot soles should be such massage which, when the user is walking
or running on the treadmill 1, creates pressure forces to the
structures or acupoints of the foot soles of the user by the
contact between the protrusions 30 and the foot soles.
[0064] Optionally, after the protrusions 30 are formed or mounted
to the outer surface of the running belt 11, an elastic protective
layer is applied to cover the outer surface of the running belt 11
and the protrusions 30. The protective layer can be formed by any
suitable materials such as rubber, resin or the like. The
protective layer, on one hand, reduces the wear of the protrusions
30 during exercising, and on the other hand, prevents the user's
foot soles from receiving excessive pressure from the protrusions
30.
[0065] FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5B show the treadmill of the second
embodiment of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, same
or similar parts are represented by same reference numerals and
their detailed explanation is omitted. FIG. 4 shows a perspective
view of the whole treadmill of the second embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 5A shows the running belt used in the treadmill of
the second embodiment of the present disclosure, with the running
belt being mounted in the treadmill in a known manner. As shown in
FIG. 5A, the second embodiment is different from the first
embodiment in that the plurality of protrusions 30 disposed on the
outer surface of the running belt 11 has the same shape and
size.
[0066] FIGS. 5B and 5C show a side view and partly enlarged side
view of the running belt 11 of FIG. 5A respectively. As shown in
these two figures, the outer surface of the running belt 11 is
formed or provided with the protrusions 30 of the same shape and
size, and the protrusions 30 are disposed in a constant separating
distance. The running belt 11 can be the same as the running belt
11 of the first embodiment and will not explained further.
[0067] FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B show the treadmill of the third
embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the third
embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in
that, in the third embodiment, the protrusions are not provided on
the running belt, but are provided on the supporting board.
Specifically, the supporting board 12 is not a flat supporting
board as in the former embodiments, and the side of the supporting
board 12, which is in contact with the running belt 11, is provided
with a plurality of upward protrusions 30. In this case, as shown
in FIG. 6, the running belt 11 can adopt the common flat running
belt used in the prior art.
[0068] FIG. 7B shows an enlarged sectional view of the supporting
board 12 taken along the line I-I of FIG. 7A. As shown in this
figure, the plurality of protrusions 30 are provided on the upper
surface of the supporting board 12, which upper surface being in
contact with the inner surface of the running belt 11.
[0069] The supporting board 12 can be formed by any suitable
material known in the art, such as plank, rigid resin, metal or
other rigid materials. The protrusions 30 can be integrally formed
on the supporting board 12, so that the protrusions can be
integrally formed with the supporting board in the same processing
step. Optionally, the protrusions 30 can be individual pieces
formed separately and then removably mounted to the supporting
board 12 in any suitable manner such as by snap-locks, screws or
the like. In this case, the supporting board 12 is preferably
formed with engaging features for cooperating with corresponding
connection features of the protrusions 30. For example, the
engaging features can be recesses, screw threads or the like while
the connection features can be inserts to be inserted into the
recesses, corresponding screw threads or the like. Optionally, some
of the protrusions 30 are integrally formed on the supporting board
12, while the remained protrusions are removably mounted to the
supporting board 12. For example, protrusions which are larger or
smaller than normal protrusions, protrusions having particular
massaging functions, or protrusions which are likely to be damaged,
can be removably mounted to the supporting board 12 at
corresponding locations. If some protrusions 30 are removably
mounted to the supporting board 12, the material of these
protrusions 30 can be different from that of the corresponding part
of the supporting board 12. For example, the material of these
protrusions can be harder or softer than that of the supporting
board 12.
[0070] The features about the shape, size and arranging manner of
the protrusions as described in the first and second embodiments
are also applicable in the third embodiment. For example, in the
treadmill of the third embodiment, the protrusions 30 can be
provided to the supporting board 12 in a manner similar to that of
the protrusions 30 provided on the running belt 11 in the first or
second embodiment. For example, the protrusions 30 can be
irregularly distributed on the supporting board 12, as shown in
FIG. 6. Further, the separating distances between the protrusions
30 and their arranging patterns can be variable.
[0071] The protrusions 30 can also be regularly distributed on the
supporting board 12. For example, the separating distance between
the protrusions 30 and their arranging pattern are constant.
[0072] Furthermore, in FIG. 6, the protrusions 30 are shown as
having different shapes and/or sizes. Optionally, the protrusions
30 may have the same shape and/or size.
[0073] It should be noted that, the protrusions are intended to
apply direct pressure force to the acupoints or the reflection
areas of the foot soles to stimulate the acupoints or the
reflection areas. Thus, the size(s) of the protrusions should be
predetermined for this purpose. Preferably, protrusions with a
lateral size of a few millimeters are preferable for stimulating
the acupoints of the foot soles. In this case, the arranging
density of the protrusions may be about two hundred to about one
thousand protrusions per square meter. Meanwhile, protrusions with
a hemisphere shape are suitable for stimulating the acupoints of
the foot soles.
[0074] In the above discussed embodiments, the protrusions 30
provided on the running belt 11 or on the supporting board 12 are
discretely raised blocks. However, the protrusions 30 may also be
formed in other manners, so long as they can provide contact
massage to foot soles of the user in exercising. For example, the
protrusions 30 can be raised long ribs which are perpendicular to
the moving direction of the running belt 11 or form any desired
angle with the moving direction. The ribs can extend in any desired
length on the outer surface of the running belt or on the upper
surface of the supporting board 12.
[0075] In the above discussed embodiments, the protrusions 30 are
disposed on the whole surface of the running belt 11 or the
supporting board 12. However, it is understood that the protrusions
30 can also be provided on one or more zones of the running belt 11
or the supporting board 12, rather than on the whole running belt
11 or supporting board 12. In this case, in the zones without any
protrusion, the running belt or the supporting board is
substantially flat.
[0076] The present invention is described with reference to its
preferred embodiments which are not intended to restrict the scope
of the present invention. A skilled in the art will readily
recognize that modifications and changes can be made to the
embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present
invention, and accordingly all these modifications and changes may
be regarded as falling within the scope of the present
invention.
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