U.S. patent application number 13/363511 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for buffer structure of treadmill.
The applicant listed for this patent is HUANG-TUNG CHANG. Invention is credited to HUANG-TUNG CHANG.
Application Number | 20130196827 13/363511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48870712 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130196827 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHANG; HUANG-TUNG |
August 1, 2013 |
BUFFER STRUCTURE OF TREADMILL
Abstract
A buffer structure of a treadmill includes a load board, two
side rods and two tooth racks. The two side rods includes a pair of
hand wheels and a pair of gear wheels which are respectively
located central sections of the two side rods and connected by a
link rod, and a pair of fixing rods disposed under the link rod.
The two tooth racks includes toothed portions at upper ends thereof
to mesh with the gear wheels, fixing posts at inner sides thereof
for insertion of the hollow cylinders, fixing bolts screwed to the
fixing posts, and two slots at two sides of the fixing bolts. The
two slide bolts are inserted through two through holes of the two
side rods and the two slots and connected with nuts and washers. A
gap is formed between the tooth racks and the side rods for
slide.
Inventors: |
CHANG; HUANG-TUNG; (Hemei
Township, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHANG; HUANG-TUNG |
Hemei Township |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
48870712 |
Appl. No.: |
13/363511 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20130101;
A63B 22/0228 20151001; A63B 22/0214 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A buffer structure of a treadmill, comprising a load board, two
side rods and two tooth racks; the load board comprising a pair of
buffer units under two sides thereof, the buffer units comprising a
plurality of buffer members to lean against upper ends of hollow
cylinders of the tooth racks; the two side rods comprising a pair
of hand wheels and a pair of gear wheels which are respectively
located at outer and inner sides of central sections of the two
side rods, a link rod connecting the hand wheels and the gear
wheels and a pair of fixing rods disposed under the link rod, the
fixing rods each having two through holes; the two tooth racks
comprising toothed portions at upper ends thereof to mesh with the
gear wheels, fixing posts at inner sides thereof for insertion of
the hollow cylinders, fixing bolts screwed to the fixing posts, and
two slots at two sides of the fixing bolts, the two slide bolts
being inserted through the two through holes of the two side rods
and the two slots and connected with nuts and washers, a gap being
formed between the tooth racks and the side rods for slide;
thereby, by turning either of the hand wheels, the link rod and the
two gear wheels being driven to mesh with the two tooth portions so
that the two tooth racks being slid through the two slots, the
hollow cylinders being moved to be under the desired buffer
members.
2. The buffer structure of a treadmill as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the link rod is connected between the two fixing posts, the
link rod having threaded sections at two ends thereof for
connection of the two fixing posts and stop walls to confine
rotation of the hollow cylinders.
3. The buffer structure of a treadmill as claimed in claim 1,
wherein a motor is provided at one end of the buffer unit under
either side of the load board close to the gear wheel of the
corresponding side rod, the motor comprising a transmission gear
wheel to mesh with the corresponding gear wheel.
4. The buffer structure of a treadmill as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the slide bolts are provided with sleeves to slide in the
slots with ease.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a buffer structure of a
treadmill.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1-A, Taiwanese Utility Model
Patent No. M388948 discloses a conventional treadmill having a
buffer mechanism. The treadmill comprises a load board 5 and two
opposing supports 6. The buffer mechanism comprises buffer units 51
and a shaft 62. The buffer units 51 are disposed on the load board
5. The shaft 62 is connected between guide holds 61 of the two
supports 6. The load boards 5 lean against the shaft 62 through the
buffer units 51 to be suspended on the two supports 6. The buffer
units 51 comprise a plurality of buffer members 511 which have
different coefficients of elasticity. The shaft 62 can be rotated
on the two supports 6 and moved relative to the buffer members 511
to lean against one of the buffer members 511.
[0005] Two ends of the shaft 62 are provided with shaft sleeves 621
and gear wheels 622 and connected to rotation members 623. The
shaft sleeves 621 and the gear wheels 622 correspond to the buffer
units 51 and tooth racks 52 at the inner sides of the two supports
6, respectively. One end of the shaft 62 penetrates a guide slot
521 of the corresponding guide hole 61. The gear wheels 622 meshes
with toothed portions 522. The shaft sleeves 621 are against the
buffer members 511, such that the load board 5 leans against the
shaft sleeves 621 through the buffer units 51. The conventional
treadmill has the following drawbacks.
[0006] 1. The buffer members of the buffer units are directly
pressed on the shaft sleeves and then indirectly on the shaft. The
shaft cannot be rotated for adjustment when in use. The user must
be away from the treadmill for adjustment, and then run on the
treadmill to test the adjustment repeatedly. The operation is
troublesome and takes a lot of time.
[0007] 2. When the shaft is rotated, the two ends of the shaft are
inserted into the guide holes of the two supports and cooperate
with the gear wheels to slide on the tooth racks. There is no
sleeve on the shaft. By the gear wheels to bring the tooth racks,
the slide is not smooth because of friction.
[0008] Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has
devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to
solve these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
buffer structure of a treadmill. The buffer structure comprises a
load board, two side rods and two tooth racks. The load board
comprises a pair of buffer units under two sides thereof. The
buffer units comprise a plurality of buffer members to lean against
upper ends of hollow cylinders of the tooth racks. The two side
rods comprise a pair of hand wheels and a pair of gear wheels which
are respectively located at outer and inner sides of central
sections of the two side rods, a link rod connecting the hand
wheels and the gear wheels, and a pair of fixing rods disposed
under the link rod. The fixing rods each have two through holes.
The two tooth racks comprise toothed portions at upper ends thereof
to mesh with the gear wheels, fixing posts at inner sides thereof
for insertion of the hollow cylinders, fixing bolts screwed to the
fixing posts, and two slots at two sides of the fixing bolts. The
two slide bolts are inserted through the two through holes of the
two side rods and the two slots and connected with nuts and
washers. A gap is formed between the tooth racks and the side rods
for slide. When the user wants to adjust the buffer degree, he/she
can still stand on the load board and turn either of the hand
wheels by himself or another person. The link rod and the two gear
wheels are driven together to mesh with the two tooth portions so
that the two tooth racks are slid through the two slots. Through
the sleeves on the slide bolts, the tooth racks can be slid
smoothly. After adjustment, the hollow cylinders are moved to be
under the desired buffer members. The user can direct test the
buffer degree until it is suitable. The user can stand on the
treadmill to adjust the buffer degree. The present invention is
simple for adjustment and convenient for use.
[0010] Alternatively, the link rod is connected between the two
fixing posts. The link rod has threaded sections at two ends
thereof for connection of the two fixing posts and stop walls to
confine rotation of the hollow cylinders. When the user wants to
adjust the buffer degree, he/she can turn either of the hand
wheels. The corresponding gear wheel is driven to mesh with the
toothed portion so that the tooth rack is slid through the two
slots. The tooth rack at the other side is synchronously slid by
the link rod. Through the sleeves on the slide bolts, the tooth
racks can be slid smoothly.
[0011] Preferably, a motor is provided at one end of the buffer
unit under either side of the load board close to the gear wheel of
the corresponding side rod. The motor comprises a transmission gear
wheel to mesh with the gear wheels. When the motor is driven, the
transmission gear wheel will mesh with the gear wheel at one side
to move the tooth rack. Through the link rod, the gear wheels and
the tooth racks are linked to activate for adjusting the two hollow
cylinders to be under the desired buffer members, providing an
electric adjustment and control.
[0012] Both sides of the treadmill have the hand wheels for
directional option when the treadmill is against the wall. The user
can stand on the treadmill to adjust the buffer degree. The present
invention is simple for adjustment and lowers the limitation in
arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional treadmill;
[0014] FIG. 1-A is a partial exploded view of the conventional
treadmill;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3-A is a perspective view showing the link rod
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing slide of the tooth rack
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded view according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is an exploded view according to a third embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a bottom view according to the third embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 5, the present invention
comprises a load board 1, two side rods 2, 2', and two tooth racks
3, 3'.
[0026] The load board 1 comprises a pair of buffer units 11, 11'
under two sides thereof. The buffer units 11, 11' comprise a
plurality of buffer members 111, 111' which have different
coefficients of elasticity and lean against upper ends of hollow
cylinders 33, 33' of the tooth racks 3, 3'.
[0027] The two side rods 2, 2' comprise a pair of hand wheels 21,
21' and a pair of gear wheels 22, 22' which are respectively
located at outer and inner sides of central sections of the two
side rods 2, 2' for manual control of the tooth racks 3, 3'. A link
rod 23 is used to connect the hand wheels 21, 21' and the gear
wheels 22, 22' for synchronous adjustment. A pair of fixing rods
24, 24' is provided under the link rod 23. The fixing rods 24, 24'
each have two through holes 241, 241' for insertion of slide bolts
35, 35'.
[0028] The two tooth racks 3, 3' comprise toothed portions 31, 31'
at upper ends thereof to mesh with the gear wheels 22, 22' of the
two side rods 2, 2', fixing posts 32, 32' at inner sides thereof
for insertion of the hollow cylinders 33, 33', fixing bolts 321,
321' screwed to the fixing posts 32, 32', and two slots 34, 34' at
two sides of the fixing bolts 32, 32'. The two slide bolts 35, 35'
are inserted through the two through holes 241, 241' of the two
side rods 2, 2' and the two slots 34, 34' and then connected with
nuts 351, 351' and washers 352, 352', such that a gap for slide is
formed between the tooth racks 3, 3' and the side rods 2, 2'. The
tooth racks 3, 3' can slide along the side rods 2, 2'. The slide
bolts 35, 35' are provided with sleeves 353, 353' to slide in the
slots 34, 34' with ease. Thus, the present invention can be easily
adjusted when in use.
[0029] FIG. 2 through FIG. 5 and FIG. 3-A show a first embodiment
of the present invention. The link rod 23 to connect the hand
wheels 21, 21' and the gear wheels 22, 22' penetrates the central
sections of the two side rods 2, 2'. The two tooth racks 3, 3' are
coupled to the inner sides of the fixing rods 24, 24' through the
slide bolts 35, 35', with the toothed portions 31, 31' to mesh with
the gear wheel 22, 22'. The buffer members 111, 111' lean against
the upper ends of the hollow cylinders 34, 34'. When the user wants
to adjust the buffer degree, he/she can still stand on the load
board 1 and turn either of the hand wheels 21, 21' by himself or
another person. The link rod 23 and the two gear wheels 22, 22' are
driven together to mesh with the two tooth portions 31, 31 so that
the two tooth racks 3, 3 are slid through the two slots 34, 34'.
Through the sleeves 353, 353' on the slide bolts 35, 35', the tooth
racks 3, 3' can be slid smoothly. After adjustment, the hollow
cylinders 34, 34' are moved to be under the desired buffer members
111, 111'. The user can direct test the buffer degree until it is
suitable. Both sides of the treadmill have the hand wheels 21, 21'
for directional option when the treadmill is against the wall. The
user can stand on the treadmill to adjust the buffer degree. The
present invention is simple for adjustment and convenient for
use.
[0030] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a second embodiment of the present
invention. A link rod 36 to connect the hand wheels 21, 21' and the
gear wheels 22, 22' is provided between the two fixing posts 32,
32'. The link rod 36 has threaded sections 361, 361' at two ends
thereof for connection of the two fixing posts 32, 32' and stop
walls 362, 362' to confine rotation of the hollow cylinders 33,
33'. When the user wants to adjust the buffer degree, he/she can
still stand on the load board 1 and turn either of the hand wheels
21, 21' by himself or another person. The corresponding gear wheel
22 is driven to mesh with the toothed portion 31 so that the tooth
rack 3 is slid through the two slots 34, 34'. The tooth rack 3' at
the other side is synchronously slid by the link rod 36. Through
the sleeves 353, 353' on the slide bolts 35, 35', the tooth racks
3, 3' can be slid smoothly. After adjustment, the hollow cylinders
33, 33' are moved to be under the desired buffer members 111, 111'.
The user can direct test the buffer degree until it is suitable.
The second embodiment has the same effect as the first
embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a third embodiment of the present
invention. The present invention further comprises a motor 4
located at one end of the buffer unit 11, 11' under either side of
the load board 1 close to the gear wheel 22, 22' of the
corresponding side rod 2, 2'. The motor 4 comprises a transmission
gear wheel 41 to mesh with the gear wheels 22, 22'. When the motor
4 is driven, the transmission gear wheel 41 will mesh with the gear
wheel 22 at one side to move the tooth rack 3. Through the link
rods 23, 36, the gear wheel 22' and the tooth rack 3' are linked to
activate for adjusting the two hollow cylinders 33, 33' to be under
the desired buffer members 111, 111', providing an electric
adjustment and control.
[0032] Although particular embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the
present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *