U.S. patent application number 12/206563 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for treadmill cross training conversion.
Invention is credited to Daniel Hunter Hoggan.
Application Number | 20090075784 12/206563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40455104 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090075784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoggan; Daniel Hunter |
March 19, 2009 |
Treadmill Cross Training Conversion
Abstract
This device comprises two upward extending arms and mounting
brackets which attach to the handrails of any treadmill and afford
the user an opportunity to exercise the upper body in an action
similar to cross country skiing.
Inventors: |
Hoggan; Daniel Hunter;
(Providence, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Daniel H. Hoggan
955 Foothill Drive
Providence
UT
84332
US
|
Family ID: |
40455104 |
Appl. No.: |
12/206563 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60971919 |
Sep 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0012 20130101;
A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 2022/0041 20130101; A63B 21/4047
20151001; A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 2244/19 20130101; A63B 21/015
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A cross training device comprising two upward extending arms
with mounting brackets that attach to the handrails of a treadmill
whereby a user may experience upper body exercise similar to cross
country skiing while using the treadmill.
2. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein said mounting
brackets have universal means to attach to existing treadmills or
to new treadmills being manufactured.
3. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein the arms and brackets
for both handrails are the same, one being merely reversed in
position to the other.
4. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein said brackets are
mounted to said handrails with bolts, some of which fit within
slots in said brackets, whereby the location of the bolts may be
adjusted horizontally to fit different sizes and shapes of
handrails.
5. A cross training device of claim 4 wherein said bolts are long
enough to enable vertical adjustment of the attachment to
accommodate different sizes and shapes of handrails.
6. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein said brackets are
mounted to said handrails with straps and ratchet type buckles,
whereby the attachment mechanisms may be adjusted to fit different
sizes and shapes of handrails.
7. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein said brackets are
mounted to said handrails with screw-type clamps, whereby the
attachment mechanisms may be adjusted to fit different sizes and
shapes of handrails.
8. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein said brackets are
mounted to said handrails with spring-type clamps, whereby the
attachment mechanisms may be adjusted to fit different sizes and
shapes of handrails.
9. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein the two mounting
brackets are attached to each other to form a strut, whereby
providing considerable lateral stability of the brackets.
10. A cross training device of claim 9 wherein said strut formed
between two brackets may have bends, whereby greater clearance is
provided for movement of a user's knees and legs.
11. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein the two mounting
brackets are not attached to each other, whereby each bracket is
attached to a handrail independently.
12. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein a horizontal handle
is attached to the upper end of each arm.
13. A cross training device of claim 12 wherein said horizontal
handle comprises a bolt within a sleeve, said bolt engaged in a
threaded hole in said arm.
14. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein said brackets are
mounted on the outside of the handrails and said arms have compound
bends, whereby the upper ends of said arms are positioned between
the handrails of said treadmill in a more natural and comfortable
position for the user.
15. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein said brackets are
mounted on the side of the handrails toward the center of the
treadmill, whereby straight arms, i.e., with no bends, have their
upper ends in a natural and comfortable position for a user.
16. A cross training device of claim 1 wherein each arm is bolted
to a mounting bracket with a locking nut and two pairs of specially
designed flat washers, each washer having a wearing surface on one
side and a nub on the other side.
17. A cross training device of claim 16 wherein all of said washers
are of the same design, whereby the same washer will fit in all
locations.
18. A cross training device of claim 16 wherein said nubs are of
predetermined size to fit within recesses of predetermined size in
adjoining parts, whereby constraining slippage and wear except at
said washer's wearing surfaces.
19. A cross training device of claim 16 wherein said wearing
surface is textured or roughened and may have a light lubricant
applied, whereby frictional resistance qualities of the parts
wearing against each other are enhanced.
20. A cross training device of claim 12 wherein said washers are
made of metal or tough, durable plastic, whereby said washers will
wear slowly and move smoothly as frictional resistance is increased
through compression caused by tightening of the locking nut.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application No. 60/971,919, filed Sep. 13, 2007 by the present
inventor.
STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field of Invention
[0005] This invention relates to sports and exercise equipment,
specifically to treadmills.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Treadmills used for workouts and fitness are generally
equipped with side handrails or horizontal bars which the users can
hold on to for support if desired. Recently some treadmills have
been marketed that are also equipped with moveable arms which
simulate ski poles. These arms permanently attached to the frame of
the treadmill afford the user a cross training type of exercise in
which the arms are used in an action similar to cross country
skiing at the same time that the user is walking or running on the
treadmill. Thus, both the upper body and the lower body are
exercised.
[0008] A number of patents have been granted for upper body
exercise devices that supplement lower body exercise equipment. All
of these that were found in the prior art are designed to attach to
a specific design or model of equipment. This fact differentiates
them in a significant way from the device disclosed in this patent
application, which has means to attach universally to most models
and designs of treadmills. An aerobic and anaerobic treadmill
exercise system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,245 to Dalebout,
et al (1996) consists of independently moveable arms, an arm lift
apparatus, and an overhead pull type apparatus used in conjunction
with a treadmill. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,874 to Wilkenson (1998) has
poles mounted to opposite sides of the foot contact surface of a
leg exercising unit or to a self contained unit that would fit
under various types of leg exercise units. Handrails on treadmills
would interfere with the operation of this device. Another device
for exercising the upper body simultaneously with the lower body is
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2004/0204294 A2 to Wilkenson, et al
(2004). This device consists of a dual cable system permanently
attached to the back end of a treadmill. A cross training device
for a pedal and ellipse generator exercise system is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,022,049 B2. This device is designed specifically
for permanent attachment to this exercise system.
[0009] Many treadmills on the market today do not come with a cross
training feature. And many treadmills that have been sold in the
past of which there are a very large number do not have a cross
training feature. It is likely that people who have acquired a
traditional treadmill without a cross training feature would
benefit from having such a capability added. This invention is a
cross training conversion device which attaches to the handrails of
most treadmills and provides this capability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This invention consists of two upward extending arms and
mounting brackets which fasten to the two handrails of a treadmill.
Each bracket is attached to a handrail near its upper end toward
the front of the treadmill. The bracket secures the arm to the
handrail and serves as a pivot point about which the arm can be
rotated. The upper ends of the arms may be equipped with handle
grips that the user can take hold of to push and pull the arms in a
motion similar to that used in cross country skiing. Each bracket
has means for adjusting the frictional resistance of the arm to
rotation thus requiring different levels of exertion and exercise
by the user
[0011] There are a number of ways that the mounting brackets can be
attached to the handrails with universal application including:
different bolting arrangements, strap and ratchet type buckles,
spring loaded clamps, and screw tightening clamps. The brackets for
two handrails may be mounted with an interconnecting strut to
provide greater stability or they may be mounted alone without any
interconnection.
[0012] A rotatable horizontal handle with a grip may be attached at
a 90 degree angle to the upper end of each arm. This handle
consists of a bolt within a moveable sleeve. The advantage of this
embodiment is that it may provide additional comfort for the user.
The sleeve will rotate as the arm is moved back and forth thus
preventing minor strain on the user's hand and wrist that might
otherwise result from holding on to the vertical arm as it is moved
backward and forward in an arc.
[0013] The main purpose of this device is to provide an attachment
that will fit all types and brands of treadmills that do not have a
cross training feature and to give them that capability. Of course,
new treadmills manufactured in the future could be equipped with
cross training arms and brackets that attach to their handrails.
Mounting holes or keyways in the handrails of future treadmills for
attaching cross training devices could be provided so that this
feature could be offered as an optional accessory. In any case, the
mounting of cross training capability to handrails of treadmills
whether manufactured in the past or in the future is novel with
this invention. And all such applications are intended to be
covered by this patent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of a typical treadmill with a cross
training conversion device installed.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the arms and attaching
brackets installed on the inside of the handrails, i.e., on the
side toward the centerline of the treadmill. This view shows the
brackets for the two handrails fastened together with a bolted
connection. The connecting members essentially form a strut between
the brackets, and the strut has bends to provide additional room
for a user's knees and legs when in motion. This is the preferred
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment
showing one of the arms with its attaching bracket mounted on the
outside of the handrail, i.e., on the other side from that
indicated in FIG. 2. The arm is shown with compound bends to
position the grip of the arm toward the center of the treadmill for
ease of use. The arm and attaching bracket for the other handrail
(not shown) is exactly the same, merely oriented in an opposite
position.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment in
which the mounting bracket is attached with a strap and ratchet
type buckle. This figure also shows the top of the arm equipped
with a horizontal rotatable handle.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment in
which the mounting bracket is attached to the handrail with a
screw-type clamp.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment in
which mounting bracket is attached with a spring-type clamp.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment in
which the mounting bracket is bolted directly to the handrail.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a blown-up view of the connection of the arm of
the device to the mounting bracket with a bolt, nut, and specially
designed resistance washers.
THE REFERENCE NUMBERS ARE ASSIGNED AS FOLLOWS
[0022] 9 Arm of cross training device [0023] 10 Mounting bracket
for arm on each handrail [0024] 11 Bolt that fits in slotted holes
in brackets [0025] 12 Handrail of treadmill [0026] 13 Bolt in round
holes that fastens the bracket to the handrail [0027] 14 Bolt in
slotted holes that fastens the bracket to the handrail [0028] 15
Flange [0029] 16 Arm with compound bends [0030] 17 Bolted
connection between arm and bracket [0031] 18 Mounting bracket with
strap and buckle [0032] 19 Ratchet-type strap [0033] 20
Ratchet-type tensioning buckle [0034] 21 Horizontal handle with
grip on sleeve at top of arm [0035] 22 Arm with horizontal handle
[0036] 23 Threaded rod [0037] 24 Swivel head on threaded rod [0038]
25 Nut [0039] 26 Lower flange on bracket [0040] 27 Leaf spring
[0041] 28 Bracket with spring attachment [0042] 29 Bolt or bolts
[0043] 30 Resistance-type washer [0044] 31 Resistance-type washer
[0045] 32 Resistance-type washer [0046] 33 Resistance-type washer
[0047] 34 Locking nut [0048] 35 Nub on washer 30 [0049] 36 Recess
in bracket 10 [0050] 37 Nub on washer 31 [0051] 38 Recess in arm 9
[0052] 39 Nub on washer 32 [0053] 40 Recess in nut 34 [0054] 41 Nub
on washer 33 [0055] 42 Recess in arm 9
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0056] This device comprises two arms that are attached, one to
each of the two handrails of an exercise treadmill to give the
treadmill the cross training capability of simulating exercise of
the upper body in cross country skiing. FIG. 1 shows a side view of
a typical treadmill with the cross training device attached to the
handrails. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the handrails with the
arms attached. The arms and mounting brackets for both handrails
are the same, merely reversed in position, so the description which
follows refers to only the one on the right. The arm 9 and the
mounting bracket 10 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 2 the
bracket 10 is connected to the other bracket with a bolt 11 forming
a strut between the two brackets. This bolt fits within slots in
each of the brackets thereby enabling adjustment of the distance
between brackets to fit treadmills with different distances between
handrails. An alternative design (not shown) of this connection
between the two brackets comprises a separate coupling member,
which is a flat bar with a long slot. When bolted in place it
functions as an adjustable splice between the extended members of
the two brackets which are cut short so as not to touch each other
within the range of adjustment. Either arrangement in which the two
brackets are connected provides considerable lateral stability.
[0057] The bracket 10 is bolted to handrail 12 with two bolts 13
and 14. Bolt 13 fits into a round hole in bracket 10 and a similar
hole in flange 15. Bolt 14 fits within a slot in bracket 10 and
fits within a similar slot in flange 15. These slots enable
horizontal adjustment of the attachment to fit different widths or
diameters of handrails. Bolts of different lengths are used to
adjust vertically for different thicknesses or diameters of
handrails. A piece of cloth or soft rubber (not shown) can be
placed between the flanges of the bracket and the handrail to
protect the handrail when the attachment is bolted tight.
[0058] In FIG. 1 arm 9 is shown with a bend. A straight arm without
a bend will function satisfactorily as well. In FIG. 2 the arms are
shown to be straight from a lateral perspective, which works well
when the arms are attached to the inside of the handrails. However,
in FIG. 3 showing another embodiment in which the arm 16 is mounted
on the outside of the handrail, compound bends are used to position
the upper end of the arm toward the center of the treadmill. This
is a more natural and comfortable position for a user.
[0059] FIGS. 1-3 relate to the embodiment of the invention
described above in which the brackets mounted to the two handrails
of the treadmill are connected to each other in the form of a
strut. There are other embodiments of the invention in which the
arm and bracket are attached independently to each of the
handrails. One such embodiment (not shown) is exactly like the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except that the bracket 10 would have no
connection with the bracket on the other handrail. In essence the
vertical leg of the bracket would be cut off a short distance below
the bolted connection 17. There are numerous ways that this cross
training device can be attached to the handrails of a treadmill.
Another embodiment that would fit all sizes and shapes of handrails
is shown in FIG. 4. The bracket 18 is fastened to the handrail with
a strap 19 and ratchet type buckle 20. The strap 19 passes through
slots in the top of the bracket and around the handrail. The slots
are long enough to accommodate different sizes of handrail cross
sections. The strap can be cinched up tight so as to hold the
bracket and arm securely in place. Bracket 18 shown here mounted
independently, could also be modified (modification not shown) to
have a strut connecting to the bracket on the other handrail.
[0060] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention which has a
horizontal handle 21 installed at the top of the arm 22. This
handle consists of a bolt within a sleeve. The bolt holding the
sleeve is attached to a threaded hole in the arm. The sleeve, which
may have a soft grip for comfort, is free to rotate on the bolt.
The advantage of this embodiment is that as the end of the arm
swings back and forth in an arc a user's hand gripping the sleeve
will cause the sleeve to rotate thus eliminating any stress that
might otherwise be transferred from the vertical arm of the device
to the hand and wrist of the user.
[0061] Another means for attaching the bracket to a wide range of
different handrails comprises a screw-type clamp as shown in FIG.
5. This constitutes another embodiment of the device. A threaded
rod 23 with a swivel head 24 similar to the end on a standard
U-bolt and a nut 25 is used to apply a compressive force between
the lower flange 26 and bottom of the handrail. For installation,
the nut 25 is threaded onto the rod 23 and seated on top of flange
26 with the swivel head 24 in position at the base of the handrail.
The rod fits within a slot in the lower flange that enables it to
be repositioned horizontally to fit different sizes of handrails.
When in position, the nut can be turned to exert a compressive
force between flange and the bottom of the handrail thus holding
the bracket securely in place.
[0062] Yet another means for attaching the bracket to a wide range
of different handrails comprises a spring-type clamp as shown in
FIG. 6, another embodiment of the device. A leaf spring 27 attached
to the upper part of the bracket 28 can be forced open to fit
different diameters or sizes of handrails. Two different sizes of
handrails are depicted in this figure demonstrating how the spring
will open up to accommodate different sizes. A small diameter
handrail is shown with a solid line and one with a larger diameter
is shown with a dashed line.
[0063] A major purpose of this device is to provide cross training
capability to treadmills already manufactured or treadmills
produced in the future that do not have this capability. Another
application of this invention is on treadmills that could have
cross training attachments permanently mounted to the handrails in
the manufacturing process. There are numerous ways that could be
accomplished. One of the ways, another embodiment of the device,
shown in FIG. 7 is to bolt the mounting bracket directly to the
handrail with one or more bolts 29. In this case, holes could be
provided in the handrails during the manufacturing process. The
cross training device could either be installed at that time or
left to be installed later as an optional accessory. The mounting
of a cross training device to handrails whether on existing
treadmills or in the manufacturing process of new ones is novel and
is intended to be covered by this patent application.
[0064] In FIG. 2 the arm 9 is shown attached to bracket 10 with a
bolt, nut, and specially designed resistance-type washers. This
assembly is typical for attachments in all embodiments, and a
blown-up detail is shown in FIG. 8. The bolt 17 used to connect the
arm to the bracket is similar to a typical carriage bolt which has
a short length of square cross section next to the round head. This
square part fits into a hole of exactly the same shape in the
bracket so that the bolt is restrained from rotating. There are two
special washers or wearing plates 30 and 31 between the arm 9 and
the bracket 10 and two similar washers 32 and 33 between the arm 9
and the locking nut 34. Each of these washers has a flat wearing
surface on one side where the washers come in contact with each
other. This surface may be textured or roughened to provide added
frictional resistance under a compressive force, and a light
lubricant may be applied. The washers may be made of metal or
tough, durable plastic that provides smooth frictional resistance
as the compression is increased, and will wear slowly with repeated
sliding of their surfaces back and forth against each other.
[0065] Each washer has on its reverse side a nub which fits into a
recess in the part next to it. Nub 35 fits into recess 36 in
bracket 10, and the nub 37 fits into recess 38 in arm 9. Nub 39
fits into recess 40 in nut 34 and nub 41 fits into recess 42 in arm
9. When the nut 34 is tightened, the nubs held within the recesses
constrain the washers from slipping except at their flat wearing
surfaces. The nubs and recesses are merely an example of ways these
parts can be keyed together to prevent movement relative to each
other. All four washers are of exactly the same design, so the same
part fits in all four locations. And, they can be easily removed
and replaced after extended wear. In lieu of the specially designed
washers described above, frictional resistance pads glued or
otherwise attached to both sides of the arm 9 at the location of
the washers comprise another embodiment of the device. The purpose
of these designs is to provide a mechanism for adjusting the force
required to move the arms back and forth as if in cross country
skiing. By tightening the nut 34 to various positions, the
resistance to movement is changed as is the level of exertion and
exercise required by the user of the treadmill.
* * * * *