U.S. patent application number 12/008869 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for safety device for folding treadmill.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sports Art Industrial Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hai Pin Kuo.
Application Number | 20090181831 12/008869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40851180 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090181831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuo; Hai Pin |
July 16, 2009 |
Safety device for folding treadmill
Abstract
A folding treadmill includes a frame pivotally coupled to a
seat, a tread base having a motorized endless treadmill belt and
having a front portion pivotally coupled to the frame for allowing
the front portion of the tread base to be moved up and down
relative to the seat by the frame, and a switching device having
one switching member attached to the frame, and another switching
member attached to the tread base for selectively switching off the
motorized endless treadmill belt when the tread base is moved
upwardly to the upward folding position and for preventing the
motorized endless treadmill belt from being operated inadvertently
and for preventing the users or children from being hurt
inadvertently.
Inventors: |
Kuo; Hai Pin; (Tainan,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQUIRE
90 JOHN STREET, SUITE 309
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Assignee: |
Sports Art Industrial Co.,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
40851180 |
Appl. No.: |
12/008869 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0023 20130101;
A63B 2210/56 20130101; A63B 2071/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A folding treadmill comprising: a seat including a front
portion, a frame including a first end pivotally coupled to said
front portion of said seat with a pivot axle for allowing said
frame to be pivoted relative to said seat between a downward
working position and an upward inclined position, and including a
second end, a tread base including a motorized endless treadmill
belt disposed therein and including a front portion pivotally
coupled to said second end of said frame with a pivot rod for
allowing said front portion of said tread base to be moved up and
down relative to said seat by said frame, and to be pivoted
relative to said seat and said frame between a horizontal working
position and an upward folding position, and a switching means
including a first switching member attached to said frame, and a
second switching member attached to said tread base and disposed
beside said first switching member for selectively actuating said
first switching member and for switching off said motorized endless
treadmill belt when said tread base is moved upwardly to the upward
folding position and for preventing said motorized endless
treadmill belt from being operated inadvertently.
2. The folding treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first
switching member is a micro-switch.
3. The folding treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second
switching member includes an opening formed therein for partially
receiving said pivot rod.
4. The folding treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second
switching member includes a plate-shaped structure having said
opening formed therein.
5. The folding treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first
switching member is attached to said frame with a supporting
element.
6. The folding treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame
includes a stay pivotally coupled between said seat and said frame,
and a motorized actuating device attached to said frame and coupled
to said stay for moving said frame relative to said seat between
the downward working position and the upward inclined position.
7. The folding treadmill as claimed in claim 6, wherein said seat
includes two side beams each having a longitudinal channel formed
therein, and said stay includes two arms each having a pin slidably
received and engaged in said channel of said seat for guiding said
arms of said stay to move relative to said seat.
8. The folding treadmill as claimed in claim 6, wherein said seat
includes an extension coupled to said motorized actuating device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a folding treadmill, and
more particularly to a folding treadmill including a safety
controlling or switching device for switching off the motor-driven
endless treadmill belt when in the folding position or
configuration and for preventing the motor-driven endless treadmill
belt from being operated inadvertently.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Typical folding treadmills comprise a tread base pivotally
attached or supported on a supporting seat and foldable relative to
the tread base between a downwardly working position and an
upwardly folding or storing position.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,791 to Kuo discloses one of
the typical tiltable and foldable treadmill device comprising an
actuating device coupled between the tread base and the seat for
moving or rotating the tread base upwardly to the upwardly folding
or storing position.
[0006] However, even when or after the tread base has been moved or
rotated upwardly folding or storing position, the motor-driven
endless treadmill belt may still be energized or operated, or the
motor-driven endless treadmill belt may not be switched off such
that the operated endless treadmill belt may hurt the users,
particularly the children inadvertently.
[0007] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional folding
treadmills.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a folding treadmill including a safety controlling or switching
device for switching off the motor-driven endless treadmill belt
when in the folding position or configuration and for preventing
the motor-driven endless treadmill belt from being operated
inadvertently.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a folding treadmill comprising a seat including a front
portion, a frame including a first end pivotally coupled to the
front portion of the seat with a pivot axle for allowing the frame
to be pivoted relative to the seat between a downward working
position and an upward inclined position, and including a second
end, a tread base including a motorized endless treadmill belt
disposed therein and including a front portion pivotally coupled to
the second end of the frame with a pivot rod for allowing the front
portion of the tread base to be moved up and down relative to the
seat by the frame, and to be pivoted relative to the seat and the
frame between a horizontal working position and an upward folding
position, and a switching device including a first switching member
attached to the frame, and a second switching member attached to
the tread base and disposed beside the first switching member for
selectively actuating the first switching member and for switching
off the motorized endless treadmill belt when the tread base is
moved upwardly to the upward folding position and for preventing
the motorized endless treadmill belt from being operated
inadvertently.
[0010] The first switching member may be selected from a
micro-switch. The second switching member may include an opening
formed therein for partially receiving the pivot rod. For example,
the second switching member includes a plate-shaped structure
having the opening formed therein. The first switching member may
be attached to the frame indirectly with a supporting element.
[0011] The frame includes a stay pivotally coupled between the seat
and the frame, and a motorized actuating device attached to the
frame and coupled to the stay for moving the frame relative to the
seat between the downward working position and the upward inclined
position.
[0012] The seat includes two side beams each having a longitudinal
channel formed therein, and the stay includes two arms each having
a pin slidably received and engaged in the channel of the seat for
guiding the arms of the stay to move relative to the seat. The seat
includes an extension coupled to the motorized actuating
device.
[0013] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed
description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding treadmill in
accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating the
operation of the folding treadmill;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side plan schematic view of the folding
treadmill;
[0017] FIGS. 4, 5, 6 are side plan schematic views similar to FIG.
3, illustrating the folding or collapsing operation of the folding
treadmill;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating
the safety controlling or switching device of the folding
treadmill;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial side plan schematic view
illustrating the safety controlling or switching device as shown in
FIG. 7; and
[0020] FIGS. 9, 10, 11 are enlarged partial side plan schematic
views similar to FIG. 8, illustrating the operation of the safety
controlling or switching device for the folding treadmill.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a
folding treadmill 1 in accordance with the present invention
comprises a supporting seat 10 including one or more (such as two)
ears 11 extended upwardly from such as the front portion 12 thereof
for supporting a pivot axle 13, and including a longitudinal
channel 14 formed in each of the two side beams 15. The supporting
seat 10 may further include one or more rollers or wheels 16
rotatably attached to the seat 10 for allowing the seat 10 to be
easily moved to any suitable places or positions. The
above-described structure for the supporting seat 10 is typical and
will not be described in further details.
[0022] A frame 20 includes a first end or front portion 21
rotatably or pivotally attached or secured or coupled to the front
portion 12 of the seat 10 with the pivot axle 13 for allowing the
frame 20 to be rotated or pivoted relative to the seat 10 between a
downwardly working position (FIGS. 1, 3, 6) and an upwardly folding
or inclined position (FIGS. 2, 4, 5). A foldable or collapsible or
retractable or extendible and motorized screw threading device or
actuating device 22 is pivotally coupled to the frame 20, and a
motor 23 is attached to the frame 20 and coupled to the actuating
device 22 for operating or actuating the actuating device 22 or for
extending or folding or collapsing or retracting the actuating
device 22 (FIGS. 1-6).
[0023] A follower or stay 30 includes one or more (such as two)
arms 31 and a bar 32 attached or secured or coupled between the
arms 31, and includes a roller or pin 33 attached or secured to one
end or the lower portion 34 of each arm 31 and slidably received or
engaged in the corresponding channels 14 of the seat 10 for guiding
the arms 31 of the stay 30 to move relative to the seat 10, and
includes an upper portion 35 rotatably or pivotally attached or
secured or coupled to the frame 20 with a pivot shaft 36 for
supporting the frame 20 and for allowing the frame 20 to be rotated
or pivoted relative to the seat 10 between the downwardly working
position (FIGS. 1, 3, 6) and the upwardly folding or inclined
position (FIGS. 2, 4, 5). The stay 30 includes an extension 37
extended therefrom, such as extended upwardly from the bar 32.
[0024] The actuating device 22 is pivotally coupled to the
extension 37 of the stay 30, and the motor 23 is coupled to the
actuating device 22 for operating or actuating the actuating device
22 to move or rotate the frame 20 between the downwardly working
position (FIGS. 1, 3, 6) and the upwardly folding or inclined
position (FIGS. 2, 4, 5). A tread base 40 includes a motor-driven
or motorized endless treadmill belt 41 disposed or supported
therein and includes a first end or front portion 42 rotatably or
pivotally attached or secured or coupled to the second end or the
rear portion 24 of the frame 20 with a pivot rod 43 for allowing
the front portion 42 of the tread base 40 to be tilted or moved up
and down relative to the seat 10 by the frame 20. The motor (not
shown) for driving the endless treadmill belt 41 is typical and
will not be described in further details.
[0025] In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, the frame 20 and the
tread base 40 may be moved to the downwardly working position for
allowing the endless treadmill belt 41 to be operated by the users
to conduct the walking or the jogging exercises. When it is
required to fold the tread base 40 upwardly to the upwardly folding
or storing position as shown in FIG. 6, the motor 23 may first
operate or actuate the actuating device 22 to move or to pull the
stay 30, and to move or rotate the frame 20 upwardly to the
inclined position as shown in FIGS. 2, 4-5, the front portion 42 of
the tread base 40 may also be tilted or moved up relative to the
seat 10 to the inclined position as shown in FIG. 4. The rear
portion of the tread base 40 may then be elevated or moved upwardly
to the intermediate folding position as shown in FIG. 5.
[0026] For example, another motorized or hydraulic or pneumatic
operating device 45 further be provided and attached or coupled
between the tread base 40 and the seat 10 for moving or rotating
the tread base 40 upwardly from the inclined position as shown in
FIG. 4 to the intermediate folding position as shown in FIG. 5, or
the tread base 40 may also be moved or rotated upwardly from the
inclined position as shown in FIG. 4 to the intermediate folding
position as shown in FIG. 5 manually. The motor 23 may then be
operated to actuate the actuating device 22 to move the stay 30 and
to move or rotate the frame 20 downwardly to the horizontal
position as shown in FIG. 6, the front portion 42 of the tread base
40 may also be moved down relative to the seat 10 to the downward
or lower position as shown in FIG. 6 for allowing the tread base 40
to be easily moved to the upwardly folding or storing position as
shown in FIG. 6.
[0027] The folding treadmill 1 in accordance with the present
invention further comprises a safety controlling or switching
device 5 for switching off the motor-driven endless treadmill belt
41 when in the folding position or configuration (FIG. 6) and for
preventing the motor-driven endless treadmill belt 41 from being
operated inadvertently. The safety controlling or switching means
or device 5 includes a micro-switch or first switching member 50
attached to the frame 20 directly or indirectly with a supporting
element 51, and an actuating element or second switching member 52
attached to the tread base 40, such as attached to the front
portion 42 of the tread base 40, and disposed beside the
micro-switch or first switching member 50 for selectively actuating
the micro-switch or first switching member 50, particularly when
the tread base 40 has been moved or rotated upwardly to the
upwardly folding or storing position as shown in FIG. 6. The
actuating element or second switching member 52 may include a
plate-shaped structure having an opening 53 formed therein for
partially receiving the pivot rod 43 (FIGS. 7-11).
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 7-11, the switching members 50, 52 are
arranged to be separated from each other, or the micro-switch or
first switching member 50 is arranged to be separated from the
actuating element or second switching member 52 (FIGS. 7-10) when
the tread base 40 is moved or rotated upwardly from the downwardly
working position (FIGS. 1, 3, 6) toward the upwardly folding or
inclined position (FIGS. 2, 4, 5), but before reaching the upwardly
folding or inclined position. When reaching the upwardly folding or
inclined position as shown in FIG. 6, the switching members 50, 52
are arranged to be engaged with each other, or the micro-switch or
first switching member 50 may be engaged with or actuated by the
actuating element or second switching member 52 (FIG. 11) in order
to switch off the motor-driven endless treadmill belt 41 when in
the folding position or configuration (FIG. 6) and for preventing
the motor-driven endless treadmill belt 41 from being operated
inadvertently.
[0029] Accordingly, the folding treadmill in accordance with the
present invention includes a safety controlling or switching device
for switching off the motor-driven endless treadmill belt when in
the folding position and for preventing the motor-driven endless
treadmill belt from being operated inadvertently.
[0030] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *