U.S. patent application number 11/983537 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for engaging mechanism for a folding apparatus of a treadmill.
Invention is credited to Leao Wang.
Application Number | 20090124465 11/983537 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40624311 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090124465 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Leao |
May 14, 2009 |
Engaging mechanism for a folding apparatus of a treadmill
Abstract
The invention relates to an engaging mechanism for a folding
apparatus of a treadmill that is adapted to apply an appropriate
locking force to a slidable pushing assembly of the folding
apparatus such that an unexpected false pushing action caused by
the driving behavior of a slope adjusting support by the lifting
motor is prevented when the platform frame of the treadmill is
moved in a horizontal operational position.
Inventors: |
Wang; Leao; (Taiping,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROXELL LAW OFFICE PLLC
5205 LEESBURG PIKE 1404
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22041
US
|
Family ID: |
40624311 |
Appl. No.: |
11/983537 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20130101;
A63B 22/0023 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 2210/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A folding apparatus of a treadmill having a platform frame with
a transmission motor at one side thereof for driving a continuous
moving belt into rotation by use of a transmission belt, a front
roller, and a rear roller, a lifting motor being employed to move
an adjusting support upward and downward for adjusting the
supporting angle of the platform frame, two connection pins being
disposed at both sides of the platform frame, respectively, for
pivotally coupling a handrail assembly and a rear support,
respectively, wherein a slide pusher, to which a pneumatic cylinder
applies a pushing force, is interposed between a first and a second
strengthening bar while the other end of the slide pusher is
pivotally connected to the rear support, whereupon a coupling rod
is interposed between the rear support and the handrail assembly;
accordingly, the handrail assembly may be folded up by the coupling
rod in cooperation with a crossbar; and wherein one side of the
slide pusher is provided with a secondary coupling rod
synchronically movable therewith, and wherein an engaging mechanism
is positioned adjacent to a cross lug of the secondary coupling
rod, the cross lug extending from opposite sides of the secondary
coupling rod in a direction perpendicular to the secondary coupling
rod, and wherein the engaging mechanism is configured to
selectively apply a certain locking force to the secondary coupling
rod by selectively engaging both the secondary coupling rod and the
cross lug when the platform frame is brought in a horizontal
operational position.
3. A folding apparatus of a treadmill having a platform frame with
a transmission motor at one side thereof for driving a continuous
moving belt into rotation by use of a transmission belt, a front
roller, and a rear roller, a lifting motor being employed to move
an adjusting support upward and downward for adjusting the
supporting angle of the platform frame, two connection pins being
disposed at both sides of the platform frame, respectively, for
pivotally coupling a handrail assembly and a rear support,
respectively, wherein a slide pusher, to which a pneumatic cylinder
applies a pushing force, is interposed between a first and a second
strengthening bar while the other end of the slide pusher is
pivotally connected to the rear support, whereupon a coupling rod
is interposed between the rear support and the handrail assembly;
accordingly, the handrail assembly may be folded up by the coupling
rod in cooperation with a crossbar; wherein one side of the slide
pusher is provided with a secondary coupling rod synchronically
movable therewith, and wherein an engaging mechanism is positioned
adjacent to a cross lug at the rear end of the secondary coupling
rod, the cross lug extending from opposite sides of the secondary
coupling rod in a direction perpendicular to the secondary coupling
rod, and wherein the engaging mechanism is configured to
selectively apply a certain locking force to the secondary coupling
rod by selectively engaging both the secondary coupling rod and the
cross lug when the platform frame is brought in a horizontal
operational position; and wherein the engaging mechanism consists
of an operating lever pivotally disposed at a certain place of the
platform frame, a locking piece, and an elastic element, and
wherein a locking groove of the coupling lock piece is formed such
that the cross lug of the secondary coupling rod is firmly engaged
in the locking groove.
4. An engaging mechanism for a folding apparatus of a treadmill as
claimed in claim 3, wherein the coupling lock piece of the engaging
mechanism includes a slanting guide surface opposing to the
secondary coupling rod such that the cross lug of the secondary
coupling rod slides over the slanting guide surface into the
locking groove.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Fields of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to an engaging mechanism for a folding
apparatus of a treadmill, and more particularly, to an engaging
mechanism that prevents the folding apparatus from an unexpected
false action.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the application Ser. Nos. 11/900,042 and 11/866,999, the
inventor of the invention has developed a folding apparatus of a
treadmill that permits an easy folding of the platform frame in an
upright position and even an easy folding of a handrail assembly.
In this way, a complete folding is achieved. It is apparent that
the inventor has made every effort to enhance the practicality and
convenience of the product in the actual use. However, the inventor
still found that it is likely to create a certain extent of sway on
the platform frame and the handrail assembly due to the existence
of the folding apparatus, thereby causing users to have little
psychological anxiety and misgivings when the platform frame of the
treadmill is moved in a horizontal operational position and the
user wants to employ the lifting motor and the slope adjusting
support to adjust the exercise slope.
[0005] In fact, any treadmill having a folding apparatus for
providing an auxiliary force creates a varying degree of sway when
the mechanism for adjusting the exercise slope is operated. The
slight sway won't harm the operators. In order to eliminate the
misgiving of the operator in use, a further solution is developed
again.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is a primary object of the invention to eliminate the
above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an engaging mechanism for
a folding apparatus of a treadmill that avoids the above-mentioned
swaying phenomenon so as to enhance the structural stability in
using the treadmill. In this way, the operator does not have
additional mental burden and apprehensiveness.
[0007] According to the invention, an engaging mechanism for a
folding apparatus of a treadmill is provided to apply an
appropriate locking force to any element of a slidable pushing
assembly of the folding apparatus (including the rear support, the
slide pusher, the pneumatic cylinder, the coupling rod, or the
secondary coupling rod) such that an unexpected false pushing
action caused by the driving behavior of a slope adjusting support
by the lifting motor is prevented when the platform frame of the
treadmill is moved in a horizontal operational position.
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 perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1 with the illustration of the
operation; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 1 in a folded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] The present invention will now be described in more detail
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that show
various embodiments of the invention.
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a preferred embodiment
of the invention is illustrated, a platform frame 10 includes a
transmission motor 11 at one side thereof for driving a continuous
moving belt (not shown) into rotation by use of a transmission belt
12, a front roller 13, and a rear roller 14. Meanwhile, a lifting
motor 15 is employed to move an adjusting support 16 upward and
downward for adjusting the supporting angle of the platform frame
10. Moreover, two connection pins 17, 18 are disposed at both sides
of the platform frame 10, respectively, for pivotally coupling a
handrail assembly 19 and a rear support 20, respectively.
[0015] Moreover, a slide pusher 22, to which a pneumatic cylinder
21 applies a pushing force, is interposed between a first and a
second strengthening bar 101, 102. The other end of the slide
pusher 22 is pivotally connected to the rear support 20. Besides, a
coupling rod 23 is interposed between the rear support 20 and the
handrail assembly 19. As a result, the handrail assembly 19 can be
folded up by the coupling rod 23 in cooperation with a crossbar 24.
Thus, a folding apparatus of a treadmill is created by the
above-mentioned components.
[0016] One side of the slide pusher 22 is provided with a secondary
coupling rod 25 synchronically movable therewith. An engaging
mechanism 30 is positioned adjacent to a cross lug 26 at the read
end of the secondary coupling rod 25. As a result, the engaging
mechanism 30 applies a certain locking force to the secondary
coupling rod 25 when the platform frame is brought in a horizontal
operational position.
[0017] The engaging mechanism 30 consists of an operating lever 31
pivotally disposed at a certain place of the platform frame 10, a
coupling lock piece 32, and an elastic element 33. Meanwhile, a
locking groove 34 of the coupling lock piece 32 is formed such that
the cross lug 26 of the secondary coupling rod 25 can firmly engage
into the locking groove 34. Accordingly, an expected engaging
effect can be achieved.
[0018] Now, please refer to FIG. 3. When the operator wants to fold
up the platform frame 10, he only requires to move the operating
lever 31 to detach the cross lug 26 of the secondary coupling rod
25 from the locking groove 34 of the second transmission gear 32.
In this way, the folding apparatus can regain its original effect
(see FIG. 4) without creating any negative interference.
[0019] Likewise, when the platform frame 10 descends from its
upright fold-up position to its horizontal operational position,
the cross lug 26 of the secondary coupling rod 25 slides over a
slanting guide surface 35 of the coupling lock piece 32. Under the
influence of the coupling lock piece 32, the cross lug 26
automatically engages into the locking groove 34 in an engaged
state. Accordingly, the above-mentioned adverse effect can be
completely avoided when the operator employs the lifting motor 15
and the adjusting support 16 for adjusting the exercise slope.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the pneumatic cylinder 24 according to
the invention can be pivotally attached to the rear end of the
slide pusher 23. This may achieve the same effect.
[0021] Most of components of the folding apparatus have varying
degree of slip phenomenon in operation. The engaging mechanism in
accordance with the invention can work with any one element of the
slidable pushing assembly, including the rear support 20, the slide
pusher 22, the pneumatic cylinder 21, the coupling rod 23, or the
secondary coupling rod 25, to create the same effect by the same
assembly principle.
[0022] 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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