U.S. patent application number 14/592008 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for multi-directional exercise platform.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gerald G. Armstrong. Invention is credited to Gerald G. Armstrong.
Application Number | 20160199695 14/592008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56366804 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160199695 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Armstrong; Gerald G. |
July 14, 2016 |
Multi-Directional Exercise Platform
Abstract
A multi-directional exercise platform includes a frame, a
lateral belt drive assembly, a lateral belt assembly circulation
track supported by the frame, and a lateral belt assembly movably
secured to the lateral belt assembly circulation track. At least
one sensor is configured to obtain direction and velocity data. The
lateral belt drive assembly includes a plurality of lateral belt
units. The lateral belt drive assembly is configured to cause
rotation of the lateral belt assembly around the lateral belt
assembly circulation track according to the direction data obtained
by the sensor. A processor, memory, and program instructions may be
in data communication with the sensor for determining an operator's
position and, subsequently, causing movement of the lateral belt
drive assembly and lateral belt assembly.
Inventors: |
Armstrong; Gerald G.;
(Clovis, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Armstrong; Gerald G. |
Clovis |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56366804 |
Appl. No.: |
14/592008 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0235 20130101;
A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; A61B 5/6895 20130101;
A63B 2220/16 20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 22/025 20151001;
A63B 21/0125 20130101; A63B 2220/13 20130101; A61B 5/1113 20130101;
A61B 5/4833 20130101; A63B 2022/0271 20130101; A61B 2505/09
20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B
2024/0093 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 22/02 20060101 A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A multi-directional exercise platform, comprising: a frame,
comprising: a plurality of vertical support members; a horizontal
support member secured between the vertical support members; and a
track stabilizer; a lateral belt drive assembly, comprising: at
least one motor; a drive roller chain; a drive roller position
shaft in communication with the at least one motor; and at least
one drive roller unit, each drive roller unit comprising: a drive
frame; a worm gear assembly; a drive wheel chain drive sprocket; a
wheel position bushing; a wheel position drive shaft; a drive
position bushing; a drive wheel; a housing for accommodating the
drive wheel; and a plurality of gears for operating the drive
wheel; wherein the drive roller position shaft is in communication
with the worm gear assembly and the wheel position bushing such
that operation of the at least one motor causes rotation of the
drive roller position shaft which engages the worm gear assembly
causing rotation of the wheel position bushing, rotation of the
wheel position bushing causing rotation of the housing having the
drive wheel; and wherein the drive roller chain is in communication
with the drive wheel chain drive sprocket such that operation of
the drive roller chain causes the sprocket to rotate, rotation of
the sprocket causing the wheel position drive shaft to rotate,
rotation of the wheel position drive shaft causing rotation of the
drive wheel via the plurality of gears in the housing; a lateral
belt circulation track secured to the frame via the track
stabilizer; a lateral belt assembly comprising a plurality of
lateral belt units, each lateral belt unit comprising: a span; belt
rollers secured to the lateral ends of the span; a center drive; a
belt wound around the span, the belt rollers, and the center drive;
a lateral belt link cable clamp; and a track roller for positioning
the lateral belt unit onto the track; and at least one sensor for
determining direction and velocity of an operator's movement;
wherein the lateral belt drive assembly operates to move the
lateral belt assembly around the lateral belt circulation
track.
2. The platform of claim 1, further comprising a processor in data
communication with the sensors and electronic instructions that,
when executed by the processor, performs steps for: (a) receiving
at least one signal from the sensor; (b) analyzing the at least one
signal to determine the direction of an operator's movement; and
(c) upon identifying the direction of an operator's movement,
actuating the motor thereby causing rotation of the drive roller
position shaft.
3. The platform of claim 2, wherein the step of actuating the motor
causes the drive wheel to rotate from a first position to a second
position, wherein the second position is consistent with the
direction of the operator's movements.
4. The platform of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first
position and the second position of the drive wheel is at an angle
less than 90.degree. relative to the lateral belt assembly
circulation track.
5. The platform of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: (d)
analyzing the at least one signal to determine the velocity of the
operator's movement; and (e) upon identifying the velocity of the
operator's movement, modifying the speed of the motor to match the
velocity of the operator's movement.
6. The platform of claim 5, wherein movement of the operator at an
angle relative to the lateral belt assembly circulation track
causes movement of: 1) the lateral belt assembly around the
circulation track at a first velocity; and 2) the belt around the
belt rollers of the span at a second velocity; and wherein the
first velocity and the second velocity are not equal and are
selected to allow the operator to maintain a position in a central
area of the platform.
7. The platform of claim 6, wherein the lateral belt assembly
circulation track is generally ovular and has grooves for receiving
the track roller.
8. The platform of claim 7, wherein the plurality of individual
lateral belt units are linked together via at least one of a cable,
a belt, a chain, and links.
9. The platform of claim 8, further comprising a second motor
configured for operation of the drive roller chain.
10. The platform of claim 9, wherein the drive roller chain is
wound around the wheel drive sprocket and the wheel drive idler
sprocket of each of a plurality of drive roller units.
11. The platform of claim 10, wherein the drive wheel is made of a
compressible urethane.
12. An exercise system, comprising: a multidirectional exercise
platform, comprising: a frame; a lateral belt assembly; a lateral
belt circulation track; and a lateral belt drive assembly
comprising a plurality of drive wheels; wherein: the lateral belt
assembly is movably secured to the belt circulation track, the
lateral belt circulation track being supported by the frame; and
the lateral belt drive assembly is configured to move the lateral
belt assembly around the belt circulation track; at least one
sensor; a processor in data communication with the at least one
sensor; and electronic instructions that, when executed by the
processor, performs steps for: (a) receiving data from the at least
one sensor; (b) analyzing the data to determine direction and speed
of an operator's movement; and (c) upon determining the direction
and speed of the operator's movement, actuating a motor configured
to alter position of the drive wheels, speed of the motor being
selected based on the determined speed of the operator's
movement.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the lateral belt assembly
comprises a plurality of lateral belt units; each lateral belt unit
having a generally rectangular span with a first and second end, a
belt roller attached to the first and second ends, a center drive,
and a belt; wherein the belt is secured around the belt rollers at
the first and second ends and the center drive to allow the belt to
travel in either direction along the length of the span when the
operator moves in a direction parallel to the lateral belt
assembly.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein movement of the operator in a
direction perpendicular to the lateral belt assembly causes the
lateral belt drive assembly to move the lateral belt assembly
around the belt circulation track.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein movement of the operator at an
angle relative to the lateral belt assembly causes concurrent
movement of the lateral belt assembly around the belt circulation
track via the lateral belt drive assembly and the belt along the
length of the span via the belt rollers.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the movement of the lateral
belt assembly occurs at a first velocity and the movement of the
belt along the length of the platform occurs at a second velocity,
wherein the first velocity and the second velocity are independent
of one another and are configured to maintain the operator at a
position near a center of the exercise platform.
17. A multi-directional exercise platform, comprising: a frame; a
lateral belt drive assembly; a lateral belt assembly circulation
track; a lateral belt assembly; and at least one sensor configured
to obtain direction and velocity data; wherein: the frame supports
the lateral belt assembly circulation track; the lateral belt
assembly is movably secured to the lateral belt assembly
circulation track; and the lateral belt drive assembly is
configured to cause rotation of the lateral belt assembly around
the lateral belt assembly circulation track.
18. The platform of claim 17, wherein the lateral belt drive
assembly comprises a plurality of lateral belt drive units, each
drive unit comprising a span with a first and second end, each end
having a belt roller attached thereto; wherein a belt is wound
around the span and the belt rollers such that movement in a
transverse direction on the span causes the belt to rotate around
the span via the belt rollers.
19. The platform of claim 18, wherein the lateral belt drive
assembly comprises a motor in communication with a plurality of
drive roller units; each drive roller unit comprising a drive
frame, a drive wheel, and a plurality of gears for operating the
drive wheel; wherein the position of the drive wheel relative to
the lateral belt drive units is determined based on the direction
data.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment and,
more particularly, to a multi-directional exercise platform that
allows a person to walk in any direction while the platform
maintains the person generally in a center position. In other
words, a user may walk on the platform in the manner of a treadmill
with sensors determining a direction of movement and actuating
respective belt assemblies as necessary to generally maintain the
user's position on the platform.
[0002] A treadmill is a common exercise device has a movable track
that moves continuously as a person walks in a forward direction on
the track. In other words, a treadmill is essentially a conveyor
belt moving toward the person walking thereon. The track is movable
in this singular direction and the user must conform to walking in
a linear manner toward the oncoming track. The user is confined to
walking a straight line and is prevented from moving in selected
non-linear directions as he would if walking naturally outdoors in
an open area (e.g. a park) or on a running track. In addition, the
speed of a treadmill is typically manually adjusted rather than
automatically adjusted based on the speed of a user.
[0003] Various devices have been proposed in the art for treadmills
that provide omni-directional functionalities, such as CA 2263592.
The '592 patent includes a control means physically or
electronically connected to a user that is configured to determine
the user's position and orientation. Although assumably effective
for its intended purpose, the '592 patent does not allow complete
freedom to walk and move in any direction unimpeded by connection
to a control means and does not determine a velocity of movement in
the direction of movement.
[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a multi-directional
exercise platform that allows a person to walk in any direction
while the platform maintains the person generally in a center
position. Further, it would be desirable to have a
multi-directional exercise platform that includes a drive roller
gear motor and assemblies to rotate individual belt units around a
track when a user is walking in a direction parallel to the track
and that rotates the belt units laterally across the track when a
user is walking in a direction perpendicular to the track and that
operates the belt units both around and across the track when the
user is oriented partially parallel and partially perpendicular
relative to the track. In addition, it would be desirable to have a
multi-directional exercise platform that includes at least one
sensor for determining the position and velocity of a user on the
track.
SUMMARY
[0005] A multi-directional exercise platform according to the
present invention includes a frame, a lateral belt drive assembly,
a lateral belt assembly circulation track supported by the frame,
and a lateral belt assembly movably secured to the lateral belt
assembly circulation track. At least one sensor is configured to
obtain direction and velocity data. The lateral belt drive assembly
includes a plurality of lateral belt units. The lateral belt drive
assembly is configured to cause rotation of the lateral belt
assembly around the lateral belt assembly circulation track
according to the direction data obtained by the sensor. A
processor, memory, and program instructions may be in data
communication with the sensor for determining an operator's
position and, subsequently, movement of the lateral belt drive
assembly.
[0006] A general object of the present invention is to provide a
multi-directional exercise platform that enables a user to walk in
any direction atop the platform while being maintained in a general
center area thereon.
[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a
multi-directional exercise platform, as aforesaid, having one or
more sensors configured to determine a present direction and
velocity of a user on the platform and to communicate direction and
velocity data to respective motors and belt movement
assemblies.
[0008] Still another object of this invention is to provide a
multi-directional exercise platform, as aforesaid, that does not
impede or restrict movements of a user with manually connected
controllers.
[0009] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
multi-directional exercise platform, as aforesaid, that rotates
individual belt units around a track when a user is walking in a
direction parallel to the track.
[0010] A further object of this invention is to provide a
multi-directional exercise platform, as aforesaid, that rotates the
belt units laterally across the track when a user is walking in a
direction perpendicular to the track.
[0011] A still further object of this invention is to provide a
multi-directional exercise platform, as aforesaid, that operates
the belt units both around and across the track when the user is
oriented partially parallel and partially perpendicular relative to
the track.
[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of
illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-directional exercise
platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise platform as in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise platform as in
FIG. 1 with the individual sections removed for clarity;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an end view of the exercise platform as in FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise platform as in FIG.
3;
[0018] FIG. 6a is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a
lateral belt drive assembly removed from the platform of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 6b is a side view of the lateral belt drive assembly as
in FIG. 6a;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lateral belt drive assembly
as in FIG. 6a;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an isolated exploded view of a drive unit removed
from the lateral belt drive assembly shown in FIG. 6b;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a drive unit removed from
the lateral belt drive assembly shown in FIG. 6b;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view of the drive unit as in FIG. 9;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a belt section of a lateral
belt assembly illustrated with a drive roller assembly in one
configuration;
[0025] FIG. 11A is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a drive
roller assembly taken from FIG. 11;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a belt section of a lateral
belt assembly as in FIG. 11 illustrated with a drive roller
assembly in another configuration;
[0027] FIG. 12A is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a drive
roller assembly taken from FIG. 12;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a belt section of a lateral
belt assembly as in FIG. 12 illustrated with a drive roller
assembly in still another configuration;
[0029] FIG. 13A is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a drive
roller assembly taken from FIG. 13;
[0030] FIG. 14A is a side view of the lateral belt assembly as in
FIG. 11;
[0031] FIG. 14B is an end view of the lateral belt assembly as in
FIG. 14A;
[0032] FIG. 14C is a section view taken along line 14C-14C of FIG.
14B;
[0033] FIG. 14D is a section view taken along line 14D-14D of FIG.
14B;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exercise system
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] A multi-directional exercise platform according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 1-15 of the accompanying drawings. The
exercise platform 1000 includes a frame 1100, a lateral belt drive
assembly 1200, a lateral belt assembly circulation track 1300, a
lateral belt assembly 1400, and operator position and velocity
sensors 1500. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the platform 1000,
and in particular the lateral belt assembly 1400. FIG. 2 shows the
platform 1000 from the side, showing the lateral belt drive
assembly 1400.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 3, the frame 1100 includes vertical
support members 1110, horizontal support members 1120, and track
stabilizers 1130. The horizontal support members 1120 may be
suspended a vertical distance V above the ground in order to allow
the lateral belt assembly 1400 to rotate fully around the track
1300. As is discussed in greater detail below, the horizontal
support members 1120 support the lateral belt assembly circulation
track 1300 and the lateral belt drive assembly 1200 via the lateral
belt assembly drive frame 1250. Track stabilizers 1130 may attach
to the horizontal support members 1120 and may be secured between
the circulation track 1300 and the lateral belt assembly drive
frame 1250 to hold the track 1300 in place. The track stabilizers
1130 may be any support that is sufficient to maintain the track in
the position necessary for operation of the platform 1000. Sensors
1500 may be secured to the tops of the vertical support members
1110 such that they can determine the direction and velocity of an
operator on the exercise platform 1000.
[0037] FIGS. 6-7 illustrate the lateral belt drive assembly 1200.
The assembly 1200 drives the operation of the lateral belt assembly
1200 around the track 1300 and may be equipped with a set of motors
1210a, 1210b, a drive roller chain 1220, a drive roller unit
position shaft 1230, and a plurality of drive roller units 1240
housed inside of a lateral belt assembly drive frame 1250. The
lateral belt assembly drive frame 1250 may be rigidly attached to
the machine frame 1100 for holding the roller units 1240 in
place.
[0038] FIGS. 8-10 show an exemplary embodiment of a drive roller
unit 1240. With reference to FIG. 8 which shows an exploded view of
a drive roller unit 1240, each unit 1240 may have a frame bracket
1241, a drive position worm gear assembly 1242, a drive wheel chain
drive sprocket 1243, a wheel position bushing 1244, a wheel
position drive shaft 1245, a drive position bushing 1246, and a
housing 1247 for accommodating a drive wheel 1248 and a plurality
of gears 1249 for rotating the drive wheel 1248. The underside of
the frame bracket 1241 may be equipped with the drive position worm
gear assembly 1242 which may include a worm 1242a that meshes with
a worm gear 1242b, which has a hollow center. The wheel drive shaft
1245 extends through the hollow center and the drive wheel chain
drive sprocket 1243 is secured at the top, as shown in FIG. 9. The
wheel position bushing 1244 is thus engaged inside of the drive
position worm gear 1242b such that operation of the worm gear 1242b
causes the housing 1247 to rotate, as described in greater detail
below. The drive position busing 1246 is pressed into the frame
bracket 1241, thus securing the housing 1247 to the frame 1241.
[0039] The drive wheel 1248 may be located between arms 1247a,
1247b of the housing 1247 via a pin that extends through a hole in
the center of the drive wheel 1248 and is secured at each end to
the arms 1247a, 1247b so that the drive wheel 1248 can freely
rotate on the pin. The gears 1248 inside the housing 1247 work in
conjunction with a drive roller gear motor 1210a to turn the drive
wheel 1248 as discussed below. The drive wheel 1248 may be a
compressible urethane wheel that drives the lateral belt 1410 via
friction. However, other materials may be acceptable.
[0040] The lateral drive belt assembly 1200 may be comprised of a
plurality of drive roller units 1240, and it may be such that a
drive roller unit 1240 is provided for each individual lateral belt
section 1410 that is secured along the top of the circulation track
1300. FIG. 6 illustrates a lateral drive belt assembly 1200 having
nine drive roller units 1240, though more or less may be
appropriate. Each of the drive roller units 1240 may be secured in
the lateral drive frame 1250 via the frame bracket 1241 as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 6A. The roller units 1240 may be positioned such that a
drive roller unit position shaft 1230 can extend lengthwise through
the worm 1242a of each of the roller units 1240. One end of the
shaft 1230 may be attached to a drive roller position gear motor
1210b which operates to rotate the shaft 1230 in response to
movement of an operator. As will be discussed in greater detail
below, the shaft 1230 causes the worm 1242a to rotate, and as the
worm 1242a rotates, the worm gear 1242b rotates, causing the
housing 1247 to rotate the drive wheel 1248 into the correct angle
position.
[0041] The drive roller chain 1220 (shown in FIG. 7) may be
provided for operation of the drive rollers 1248. The chain 1220
may be linked between each of the roller units 1240 as illustrated
in FIG. 7 to allow for uniform rotation of the drive wheels 1248 of
each of the roller units 1240. The chain 1220 may be wound around
the drive wheel chain drive sprocket 1243a and the wheel drive
idler sprocket 1243b (shown in FIG. 9). The drive roller chain 1220
may be further attached to the drive roller gear motor 1210a which,
in operation, causes the chain to rotate thereby resulting in
rotation of the drive wheels 1248. Although reference is made
herein to a chain, it shall be understood that the chain may be
replaced by any appropriate means for operating the drive rollers
1248 such as a cable, belt, et cetera, and that "chain" is used
herein to encompass these other force-transfer devices as well.
[0042] As has already been described and is discussed in more
detail below, as the sensors 1500 may be configured to determine a
change in the position and velocity of an operator. The sensors
1500 may be communication with the drive roller gear motor 1210a
and the drive roller position gear motor 1210b. As the sensors 1500
sense a change in the direction and/or velocity of an operator, the
drive position gear motor 1210b may cause the drive roller units
position shaft 1230 to rotate thus causing a shift in the position
of the drive wheels 1248. Movement of the operator as sensed by the
sensors 1500 may further cause the drive roller gear motor 1210a to
operate the drive roller chain 1220 thus causing rotation of the
drive wheels 1248. Operation of the drive roller assembly 1240 in
conjunction with the sensors 1500 is described in detail below with
respect to FIG. 15 and according to an example.
[0043] The lateral belt assembly circulation track 1300 may be a
generally ovular track for guiding the lateral belt assembly 1400
around the lateral belt drive assembly 1200. The track may be
secured to track stabilizers 1130 at the top and bottom to prevent
the track from shifting as the lateral belt assembly travels along
the track 1300. The track 1300 may be equipped with grooves for
receiving the track rollers 1450 of each lateral belt section
1410.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 14, the lateral belt assembly 1400
includes a plurality of belt sections 1410 and means for securing
the belt sections 1410 to each other. Each belt section 1410 may
include a platform 1415, a belt 1420, belt rollers 1430, a center
drive 1440, a lateral belt link cable clamp 1450, and a track
roller 1460. The platform 1415 may be generally rectangular and
configured to provide structural support for the operator. The
lateral ends of the platform 1415 may be equipped with
freely-rotating belt rollers 1430, which may be secured to the ends
of the platform 1415 via a pin connection, wherein the pin is
inserted through a hole in the center of the roller 1430, and each
end of the pin is secured to either side of the platform 1415. The
platform 1415 may further include a center drive 1430. The center
drive may include a plurality of pulleys 1441 for enabling movement
of the conveyor belt 1420 in either direction. Additionally, the
center drive 1430 may allow for the length of the belt 1420 to be
easily modified.
[0045] The belt 1420 may be stretched around a top side of the
platform 1415 and the belt rollers 1430, and through the center
drive, as shown in FIG. 14b. The belt 1420 and rollers 1430 may be
"V-Guide" for proper tracking as illustrated in FIG. 14a. The
platform 1415 may be further equipped with walls 1470 which may
attach onto the elongated sides of the platform 1415 thus hiding
and protecting the belt 1420.
[0046] The lateral belt link cable clamp 1450 may be secured to an
underside of the platform 1415 at a position generally
corresponding to the lateral belt assembly circulation track 1300.
Track rollers 1460 may be secured to one side of the clamp 1440 via
a pin inserted through the center of the roller and secured to the
clamp such that the roller 1450 can freely rotate without falling
off the end of the pin. Multiple clamps 1440 and rollers 1450 may
be provided per belt section 1410 as may be required by the size of
the exercise platform 1000. The rollers 1450 may be configured to
fit within the grooves defined in the circulation track 1300 such
that the belt section 1410 can travel along the entirety of the
track 1300 without falling off.
[0047] The belt sections 1410 may be linked together via a cable
1470 (FIG. 2), for example, to maintain consistent space between
the belt sections 1410 and to further prevent the individual
sections 1410 from separating from the track 1300. Alternately, the
belt sections 1410 may be unlinked, or individual links may be
provided between two belt sections 1410. Instead of a cable, other
means for attaching the belt sections 1410 may be provided, such as
a chain, belt, individual links, et cetera. FIG. 15 illustrates a
system 3000 incorporating the sensors 1500 and motors 1210 of the
current invention. The system 3000 may include an interface unit
3004 and sensors 1500 in data communication over a network 3002.
The interface unit 3004 may include a communication device 3005, a
processor 3008, an output device 3014, and non-transitory computer
memory 3010 having programming 3012.
[0048] The output device 3014 may be any appropriate device,
whether now existing or later developed, for presenting data from
the processor 3008. In this case, the output device 3014 may be the
motors 1210. The communication device 3006 may be any device,
whether now known or later developed, that allows the system 3000
to communicate with the network 3002. For example, the
communication device 3006 may be a switch, wireless router, wired
modem, et cetera. The network 3002 may be the World Wide Web, a
private or local network, or a cellular network, for example.
[0049] The interface unit 3004 may be, for example, a computer or
smart phone associated with a monitoring system that controls power
to the motors 1210. Alternately, the interface unit 3004 may be
contained as a part of the motor 1210.
[0050] The sensors 1500, as described above, may be located on the
vertical support members 1110 of the frame 1100. The sensors 1500
may include a transmitter 3018, a processor 3020, and
non-transitory memory 3022 having programming 3024. Optionally, the
processor 3020, memory 3022, and programming 3024 may be separate
from the sensor 1500.
[0051] Operation of the invention may be further understood by
means of an example. In use, an operator stands on the platform
1000 and begins to move in whatever direction he wishes. The
sensors 1500 determine the direction and velocity of the operator's
movements and may communicate this information over the network to
the interface unit 3004, which may be contained within the motors
1210 as described above. Based on the information received, the
processor causes the one or both of the motors 1210 to begin to
turn.
[0052] If the sensors 1500 determined that the operator is moving
in a direction parallel to the track 1300, the drive roller gear
motor 1210a is engaged. The motor 1210a turns the chain 1220, which
is attached to the sprockets 1243 as described above. The rotation
of the sprockets 1243 causes the wheel drive shaft 1245 to rotate,
which turns the gears 1249, resulting in rotation of the wheels
1248. The rotation of the wheels 1248 causes the individual belt
units 1410 to rotate around the track 1300. In this scenario, the
drive roller position gear motor 1210b is disengaged, because the
drive wheels 1248 are positioned parallel to the track 1300. This
is illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0053] If the sensors 1500 determine that the operator is moving
perpendicular to the track 1300 (or movement of the operator has
changed so that the operator is moving perpendicular to the track),
the movement of the operator engages the belt 1420, causing the
belt 1420 to rotate around the belt rollers 1460. In this scenario,
operation of the drive roller gear motor 1210a and the drive roller
position gear motor 1210b is unnecessary because the movement of
the belt 140 around the belt rollers 1460 is sufficient to keep the
operator centered on the platform 1000.
[0054] Finally, if the sensors 1500 determine that the operator is
moving at an angle, the sensors 1500 determine the exact angle of
movement, which is communicated to the drive roller gear motor
1210a and the drive roller position gear motor 1210b. The drive
roller position gear motor 1210b engages the shaft 1230 thus
rotating the worm 1242a. This turns the worm gear 1242b, which
turns the wheel position bushing 1244, thus rotating the position
of the drive wheel 1248. The motor 1210b rotates the shaft 1230 in
an exact amount necessary to position the wheel 1248 at an angle
equal to the direction in which the operator is moving. Three
different positions of the wheel 1248 are illustrated in FIGS.
11-13.
[0055] At the same time, the sensors 1500 communicate to the drive
roller gear motor 1210a causing rotation of the wheel 1248, thus
causing the lateral belt assembly 1400 to rotate around the track
1300 as described above. Still at the same time, the belt 1420
rotates around the rollers 1420. Therefore, movement in all three
directions maintains the operator in a central position atop the
platform 1000.
[0056] Many different arrangements of the various components
depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the
intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative
embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that
do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop
alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements
without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further,
it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are
of utility and may be employed within the scope of the disclosure.
Further, various steps set forth herein may be carried out in
orders that differ from those set forth herein without departing
from the scope of the present methods. This description shall not
be restricted to the above embodiments.
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