U.S. patent application number 16/582056 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-26 for cushioning mechanism for a treadmill.
The applicant listed for this patent is True Fitness Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jared M. Kueker.
Application Number | 20200094105 16/582056 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69883027 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200094105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kueker; Jared M. |
March 26, 2020 |
CUSHIONING MECHANISM FOR A TREADMILL
Abstract
A cushioning system for an exercise device such as a treadmill,
and particularly a slat treadmill, that utilizes a springboard
effect in mounting the tread deck to provide cushioning to the
running surface.
Inventors: |
Kueker; Jared M.; (St.
Charles, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
True Fitness Technology, Inc. |
O'Fallon |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69883027 |
Appl. No.: |
16/582056 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62736277 |
Sep 25, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0221 20151001;
A63B 22/0285 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A running deck for a treadmill comprising: a support structure
having a first belt roller disposed toward a first end thereof and
a second belt roller disposed toward a second opposing end thereof;
a roller frame including a plurality of roller bearings and
disposed between said first belt roller and said second belt
roller; a continuous belt disposed around said first belt roller
and said second belt roller and rolling on said roller bearings; a
hinge support disposed toward said first end of said support
structure and rotationally coupling said roller frame to said
support structure; and a compression support disposed toward said
second end of said support structure; wherein, when a force is
applied to said continuous belt rolling on said roller bearings,
said roller frame rotates at said hinge support compressing said
compression support.
2. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said support structure
comprises sidewalls.
3. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said continuous belt
comprises a plurality of connected slats.
4. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said continuous belt
comprises a fabric belt.
5. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said first belt roller
comprises a toothed cog.
6. The running deck of claim 5 wherein said second belt roller
comprises a toothed cog.
7. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said compression support
comprises a mechanical spring.
8. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said compression support
comprises an electromagnet.
9. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said first end comprises a
front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon.
10. The running deck of claim 1 wherein said second end comprises a
front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon.
11. A treadmill comprising: a running deck comprising: a first belt
roller and a second belt roller disposed toward opposing ends of
said running deck; a roller frame including a plurality of roller
bearings and disposed between said first belt roller and said
second belt roller; a continuous belt disposed around said first
belt roller and said second belt roller and rolling on said roller
bearings; a hinge support disposed toward said first end of said
support structure and rotationally coupling said roller frame to
said support structure; and a compression support disposed toward
said second end of said support structure; a support frame; and a
control panel; wherein, when a force is applied to said continuous
belt rolling on said roller bearings, said roller frame rotates at
said hinge support relative to said support frame and compresses
said compression support;
12. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said support structure
comprises sidewalls.
13. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said continuous belt
comprises a plurality of connected slats.
14. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said continuous belt
comprises a fabric belt.
15. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said first belt roller
comprises a toothed cog.
16. The treadmill of claim 15 wherein said second belt roller
comprises a toothed cog.
17. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said compression support
comprises a mechanical spring.
18. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said compression support
comprises an electromagnet.
19. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said first end comprises a
front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon.
20. The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said second end comprises a
front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/736,277, filed Sep. 25, 2018, the
entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This disclosure relates to cushioning systems for exercise
devices, such as treadmills. Specifically, the cushioning system is
intended for a slat treadmill or similar treadmill which utilizes
rollers in the support for the tread belt.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Today's conventional treadmills typically operate by
employing a motor to rearwardly drive an endless belt upon which
the user runs, walks, or otherwise engages in ambulatory leg
movement, generally in a direction opposing the motion of the belt.
As the user is moving in opposition to the belt, the user therefore
"moves" in order to remain in place. Generally, a user of a
conventional treadmill is able to vary the speed of the treadmill
to obtain a desired level of workout by increasing the speed of the
motor to accelerate the speed of the belt and increase their
necessary movement speed. Alternatively, the user can make the
workout more difficult by increasing the incline to simulate moving
uphill. More sophisticated motorized treadmills, such as those
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,504, the entire disclosure of
which is herein incorporated by reference, automatically adjust the
speed and incline of the treadmill to control the heart rate of the
user during the exercise.
[0004] Conventional treadmills of this type function to exercise
the user's cardiovascular system (cardio exercise) and, to some
extent, the skeletal muscles of the lower body. However, these
types of treadmills, while simulating the exertion of walking or
running, do not actually exercise the user in the same way a user
exercises when actually running or walking. To provide a different
type of motion and attempt to fill this gap, there are also
treadmills which do not use a motor to supply the belt's rotary
motion. In many cases, these do not actually use a belt at all but
use a series of rollers and a "slat-type" conveyor in the form of a
chain belt. These types of machines rely on the user of the
treadmill to provide their own locomotion which is then imparted to
the belt and rollers. To allow for continuous in-place motion,
self-powered or "motorless" treadmills traditionally are designed
to support the endless belt on some incline such that the belt
rotates rearwardly as a result of the weight and forward stride of
the user overcoming belt friction. In effect, these types of
treadmills add some resistance to the walking or running motion
through the use of the internal friction of the components and the
need for the user to utilize their leg muscles to propel the belt
or chain.
[0005] While they are often self-powered, "slat" treadmills can be
motorized. However, they will still conventionally utilize conveyor
chains formed from a plurality of slats instead of a single endless
belt and that presents some unique design problems. In a typical
slat treadmill, the slats are built from aluminum "T" shaped pieces
that are overmolded by rubber or another high grip and compactable
surface and then connected to each other by being secured onto a
belt at the edge of the slats. Typical belts for slat treadmills
comprise two portions. The first portion of a typical belt may
include features designed to interface with a cog (or other
rotation-assisting means known in the art) at both ends of the
frame until the slats from a continuous loop in order to facilitate
the rotation of the belt. The first section may be formed towards
the end of the belt that is closest to the exterior of the slat
treadmill. The second portion of a typical belt may include a flat,
or relatively featureless, portion that interfaces with an idler
wheel. The communication between the second portion of the typical
belt and the idler wheel may assist the slat treadmill in reducing
vibrations communicated between the frame and the loop of slats and
in reducing stress imparted on the cog teeth from the belt. At the
ends of the frame, this loop rolling around the cog helps to
control the speed of the user and control the tension to make sure
that the belt or chain does not slip.
[0006] Between these cogs at the ends of the frame, there are
commonly one or two rows of small roller bearings often toward the
edges of the slats which provide the support for the slats on the
tread deck. These rollers both allow the conveyor chain to move
freely and also provide enough support so that there little to no
deflection of the slats when a user runs on the tread surface.
[0007] Slat treadmills often utilize roller components which are
designed to move with relatively little resistance. Thus, the tread
deck is generally formed of a number of independent roller bearings
comprising generally cylindrical rollers. These rollers are
commonly mounted on axles utilizing ball bearings or other low
friction connections so that they readily rotate. In this way a
user standing on the belt and pushing it into the tread deck does
not create substantial friction between the tread deck and the belt
which they would have to overcome as they begin to exercise.
Instead, the relatively heavy and potentially high friction belt is
supported on a surface of highly rotatable bearing supports and
turns quite easily.
[0008] While this provides for a reduction of friction when the
slats are rotated about the main rollers, the frames supporting the
rollers are typically rigidly mounted to the rest of the frame of
the treadmill. This structure provides virtually no softness in the
unit as rigid slats are in contact with rigid roller bearings
rigidly mounted to a frame which is positioned on the rigid floor
surface the treadmill is resting on. This creates an extremely firm
feeling machine which can cause discomfort while running.
[0009] In addition to discomfort, the firmness of the machine can
present a possibility of injury. In typical treadmills that utilize
slats and rollers, the treadmill behaves more like the ground than
a typical treadmill deck of a motorized treadmill. Further, the
rigid structure of the slats and rollers creates a surface more
like running on concrete or asphalt as opposed to running on modern
track surfaces or grass. It is well establishes that the pounding
of the feet hitting such a rigid surface can cause injury such as
to joints in the knees or hips which can make such treadmills
unsuitable for a wide array of users. This means that while
non-motorized slat-type treadmills can provide for a specific type
of workout more like that provided by actual running, the workout
often includes many of the detriments and not just the positives
resulting in a machine which can be difficult to use
effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The following is a summary of the invention, which should
provide to the reader a basic understanding of some aspects of the
invention. This summary is not intended to identify critical
elements of the invention or in any way to delineate the scope of
the invention. The sole purpose of this summary is to present in
simplified text some aspects of the invention as a prelude to the
more detailed description presented below.
[0011] Because of these and other problems in the art, discussed
herein is a cushioning system for a treadmill, and particularly a
slat treadmill, that utilizes a springboard effect in mounting the
tread deck to provide cushioning to the running surface.
[0012] Described herein, among other things, is a running deck for
a treadmill comprising: a support structure having a first belt
roller disposed toward a first end thereof and a second belt roller
disposed toward a second opposing end thereof; a roller frame
including a plurality of roller bearings and disposed between the
first belt roller and the second belt roller; a continuous belt
disposed around the first belt roller and the second belt roller
and rolling on the roller bearings; a hinge support disposed toward
the first end of the support structure and rotationally coupling
the roller frame to the support structure; and a compression
support disposed toward the second end of the support structure;
wherein, when a force is applied to the continuous belt rolling on
the roller bearings, the roller frame rotates at the hinge support
compressing the compression support.
[0013] In an embodiment of the running deck, the support structure
comprises sidewalls.
[0014] In an embodiment of the running deck, the continuous belt
comprises a plurality of connected slats.
[0015] In an embodiment of the running deck, the continuous belt
comprises a fabric belt.
[0016] In an embodiment of the running deck, one or both of the
first belt roller and the second belt roller comprises a toothed
cog.
[0017] In an embodiment of the running deck, the compression
support comprises a mechanical spring.
[0018] In an embodiment of the running deck, the compression
support comprises an electromagnet.
[0019] In an embodiment of the running deck, the first end
comprises a front end of the treadmill relative to a user walking
thereon.
[0020] In an embodiment of the running deck, the second end
comprises a front end of the treadmill relative to a user walking
thereon.
[0021] There is also described herein, an embodiment of a treadmill
comprising: a running deck comprising: a first belt roller and a
second belt roller disposed toward opposing ends of the running
deck; a roller frame including a plurality of roller bearings and
disposed between the first belt roller and the second belt roller;
a continuous belt disposed around the first belt roller and the
second belt roller and rolling on the roller bearings; a hinge
support disposed toward the first end of the support structure and
rotationally coupling the roller frame to the support structure;
and a compression support disposed toward the second end of the
support structure; a support frame; and a control panel; wherein,
when a force is applied to the continuous belt rolling on the
roller bearings, the roller frame rotates at the hinge support
relative to the support frame and compresses the compression
support;
[0022] In an embodiment of the treadmill, the support structure
comprises sidewalls.
[0023] In an embodiment of the treadmill, the continuous belt
comprises a plurality of connected slats.
[0024] In an embodiment of the treadmill, the continuous belt
comprises a fabric belt.
[0025] In an embodiment of the treadmill, at least one of the first
belt roller and second belt roller comprises a toothed cog.
[0026] In an embodiment of the treadmill, the compression support
comprises a mechanical spring.
[0027] In an embodiment of the treadmill, the compression support
comprises an electromagnet.
[0028] In an embodiment of the treadmill, the first end comprises a
front end of the treadmill relative to a user walking thereon.
[0029] In an embodiment of the treadmill, the second end comprises
a front end of the treadmill relative to a user walking
thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of
running deck for a slat treadmill exercise machine including a
cushioning system as contemplated herein.
[0031] FIG. 2 provides a side view of the rear of the embodiment of
FIG. 1 with the outer frame removed showing the roller frame with
the slats thereon.
[0032] FIG. 3 provides a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with
the outer frame removed showing the roller frame and cushion
support relative positioning.
[0033] FIG. 4 depicts a detail of the rotational connection toward
the rear of the exercise machine of FIG. 3.
[0034] FIG.5 depicts a detail view of the cushioning support toward
the front of the exercise machine of FIG. 3.
[0035] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
3.
[0036] FIG. 7 depicts a cut-through image of an embodiment of a
treadmill including an embodiment of a running deck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0037] It should be recognized that the disclosure herein is
focused on treadmills which utilize a running belt formed of
individual slats (a conveyor chain) interacting with a continuous
belt to provide the exercise as this is the device primarily
pictured in the FIGS. While this is a valuable exemplary
embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that
such structure is by no means required and the treadmill may use
other kinds of belts such as continuous fabric belts or pure
conveyor chains. Further, the systems and method discussed herein
are also not limited to treadmills. Other types of exercise
machines, and particularly those that utilize an endless belt of
any form, can utilize the cushioning systems discussed herein.
[0038] FIG. 1 provides an embodiment of a running deck (101) of a
slat treadmill. The running deck (101) comprises a treadmill chain
or belt (111) which is accessible to a user on the running surface
(105) thereof The belt (111) is generally positioned between two
sidewalls (115) or other support structure which provide for the
user to have a place to step on and off the belt (111). These
sidewalls (115) also provide for user safety enclosing the moving
components supporting and operating the belt (111) from the user
and typically are stationary components generally formed as part of
the treadmill's support frame. Typically, a user of the running
deck (101) will be running or walking toward the right side of the
page and this orientation will be maintained throughout the FIGS.
However, the orientation of the user is by no means required or
fixed and the running deck (101) may be used with either end as the
front or rear.
[0039] The running deck (101) will typically be attached to
additional frame components (700) to form the resultant treadmill
(100) as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7. These additional frame
components (700) may be the typical components of treadmills (100)
such as, but not limited to, the floor stand (171), riser (173),
and hand grips (175). Further, depending on the particular
treadmill design being used, components such as arm drives, lift
mechanisms (177), support feet (191), and a motor and/or brake
(179) may also be present to provide functionality and usability to
treadmills and other exercise machines.
[0040] There will also generally be attached to the treadmill (101)
a control system (181), which is connected to a user interface. The
user interface may be as simple as dials or buttons, or may be more
complex, including touch-activated screens and other computer-like
interface features. When a user pushes buttons on the interface or
the screen, electrical signals are sent to electrical components of
the system such as sensors or motors to control incline, speed,
resistance, or other aspects of the running deck (101) or to
control other aspects of the treadmill (100).
[0041] FIGS. 2-6 provide views of the running deck (101) of FIG. 1
with the sidewalls (115) removed to show internal components. The
roller frame (121) is within the loop formed by the continuous belt
(111). The belt (111) comprises a plurality of slats (113) upon
which the user will run which will generally be attached to an
underlying continuous loop of material (123) which serves to
provide friction between the slats (113) and the first and second
belt rollers (107) and (109). The attachment between the belt (111)
and the loop (123) may be considered generally permanent, such as
through the use of adhesives, or the parts may be readily separable
such as, for instance, if they are simply connected together via a
high friction surface. The loop (123) allows for the belt (111) to
be given direction and motion by the two belt rollers (107) and
(109) with one attached toward each of the opposing ends of the
running deck (101). While the present embodiment provides for
frictional connection belt rollers (107) and (109), in an
alternative embodiment, the first and second belt rollers (107) and
(109) may either or both be replaced by toothed cogs. Depending on
embodiment, the slat treadmill may be motorized with a motor (179)
around location (129) driving the second (front) belt roller (109)
and/or a motor (179) around location (127) driving the first (rear)
belt roller (107). Alternatively, the slat treadmill may be user
powered and not include any motors.
[0042] The roller frame (121) will generally include a plurality of
roller bearings (131) which serve to support the belt (111). While
the belt (111) will generally be tensioned via the rollers (107)
and (109), it should be recognized that a user moving on the belt
(111) between the rollers (107) and (109) will generally cause the
belt (111) to deflect inward toward and potentially between the
rollers (107) and (109) at least some amount and regardless of the
amount of tension applied to the belt (111). To avoid damage to the
belt (111) or rollers (107) and (109) and to provide sufficient
stiffness to the belt (111) to keep the user from sagging into it,
the plurality of roller bearings (131) will generally serve to
provide a relatively rigid surface that supports the belt (111) as
it is passing over the roller frame (121). A user will generally be
expected to walk, run, or otherwise engage in ambulatory movement
on the belt (111) when it is above the roller frame (121).
Therefore, the combination of the roller frame (121) and the
plurality of roller bearings (131) will serve to support the user's
mass and inhibit deformation of the belt (111) during exercise.
[0043] As can be seen in the FIGS, the connection between the belt
(111) and the roller bearings (131) is generally quite rigid. While
the loop (123) can provide for some cushioning, such as, but not
limited to, by being made of a rubber or similar material, the
interface between the rigid structure of the slats (113) and the
roller bearings (131) will generally result in a fairly rigid
surface (105). Further, while the running deck (101) may be
supported by further components relative to the floor, the running
deck (101) itself will also be of generally rigid construction.
[0044] In order to provide for a cushioning effect to the running
deck (101), the roller frame (121) is provided with a cushioning
system. The cushioning system generally comprises two connections
for interconnecting the roller frame (121) with the primary
structure of the running deck (101). Typically, the cushioning
system components will be mounted on shelves (211) and (213) which
may be rigidly attached to the sidewalls (115). In this way the
shelves (211) and (213) are part of the rigid structure of the
running deck (101), but will allow the roller frame (121) to
partially or completely "float" relative to the rest of the support
frame of the treadmill.
[0045] The cushioning system in the depicted embodiment works in
the way of a springboard. Specifically the shelf (213) toward the
first end or rear of the roller frame (121) includes a hinge
support (203) while the shelf (211) toward the second end or front
of the roller frame (121) includes a compression support (201).
Together, these elements allow for the roller frame (121) to have
some bounce which can provide for a softer feel when walking on the
belt (111).
[0046] FIG. 4 provides a more detailed view of the hinge support
(203). The hinge support (213) will generally be rigidly connected
to the shelf (213) and will commonly be in the form of a bracket
(223) or something similar. The bracket (223) includes a rotational
pin (233) positioned through a hole (243) in the bracket (223). The
pin (233) then continues either through a corresponding hole in the
roller frame (121) or may be attached to the roller frame (121) in
a more rigid fashion. Regardless of connection, the roller frame
(121) is allowed to rotate relative to the bracket (223) about an
axis of the pin (233) with the pin (233) moving within the hole
(243) and/or the corresponding hole in the roller frame (121).
[0047] It should be apparent that FIG. 4 provides only a single
embodiment of a hinge support (203) and in alternative embodiments,
the hinge support (203) can comprise alternative forms of hinge.
The primary structure of the hinge support (203) can be, depending
on embodiment, any structure which allows for the roller frame
(121) to rotate, tilt, or flex relative to the more rigid support
elements of the treadmill such as, but not limited to, the side
walls (115). Further, while FIG. 4 shows that the point of rotation
(and thus the hinge point) with the more rigid structures of the
support frame is located within the loop of the belt (111) and
under the roller frame (121), this is not required and in
alternative embodiments, the point of rotation may be positioned
outside the belt (111) loop including, without limitation, above
it, below it, to the side, to the rear, or to the front.
[0048] Further, while the hinge support (203) is also shown as
located in the back half of the treadmill (that is between the rear
roller (107) and the midpoint of the roller frame (121)) this is
also not required and the hinge support (203) may be positioned
anywhere that allows for the roller frame (121) to at least
partially rotate relative to the support frame of the
treadmill.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a more detail view of the front shelf (211) and
the compression support (201). The compression support (201) also
generally comprises a bracket (221). However, in this case the
bracket (221) is rigidly attached to the roller frame (121) instead
of the shelf (211). The bracket (221) is then attached via a spring
(231) or similar device to the shelf (211). The spring (231) will
generally be in the form of a coiled compression spring where the
spring (231) will naturally rest in a biased position where a force
is required to compress the coils closer together. However, one of
ordinary skill will understand that any type of spring or other
mechanism may be used where a force is to move the bracket (221)
toward the shelf (211) is resisted by the biasing force of the
spring (231). Thus, the spring (231) can include, but is not
limited to, any form of mechanical spring, electromagnetic spring
(including the use of electromagnetic fields), chemical spring,
hydraulic or pneumatic spring, or any similar type of mechanism or
combination of mechanisms. Further, while the motion against the
compression support (201) contemplated herein is referred to as
"compression", one of ordinary skill in the art would readily
understand that the compression support (201) could be constructed
in a manner that the compression support resisted the identical
force with an extension and, therefore, reference to the
compression support (201) in no way requires it to "compress" to
resist motion, merely that it resist or bias against motion which
would be compression of the compression support (201) in a specific
embodiment.
[0050] Further as with the hinge support (203), while FIG. 5 shows
that the compression support (201) is located within the loop of
the belt (111) and under the roller frame (121), this is not
required and in alternative embodiments, the point of rotation may
be positioned outside the belt (111) loop including, without
limitation, above it, below it, to the side, to the rear, or to the
front. Further, as with the hinge support (203), while the
compression support (201) is shown as located in the front half of
the treadmill device (that is between the front roller (107) and
the midpoint of the roller frame (121)) this is also not required
and the compression support (201) may be positioned anywhere that
allows for the roller frame (121) to rotate relative to the support
frame of the device.
[0051] In operation, the treadmill will generally operate as
follows. A user will be positioned on the surface (105) of the belt
(111) and will be running, walking, or otherwise ambulating on the
belt. As the user steps forward, their front foot will generally
hit forward of their rear foot and will commonly land in the front
half of the tread deck (101). The impact of their foot on the belt
(111) will be transmitted through the belt (111) and into the
roller frame (121) via the rollers (131). The front portion of the
roller frame (121) will therefore be depressed in the manner of a
lever about the pin (233) causing the spring (231) to compress. The
depression of the roller frame (121) is resisted by the damping
force of the spring (231) and preferably the spring (231) will not
fully compress under the impact.
[0052] Once the footfall has been completed, the user will transfer
their weight to the front foot and lift their rear. However, while
this is occurring, the movement of the belt (111) rearward will
move the users foot away from the compression support (201) and
toward the hinge support (203). This movement means that the user
is supplying less force on the roller frame (121) in the front half
of the roller frame and the torque on the roller frame (121) will
generally be reduced even while their weight is being transferred
to their front foot increasing the force at that location. The
biasing force of the spring (231) will, therefore, begin to return
the roller frame (121) back to its initial position, which is
generally horizontal relative to the floor unless the tread deck
(101) has been purposefully inclined at which time it would push
toward such purposeful incline. This will allow the spring (231) to
decompress and be ready to compress in response to the next
footfall.
[0053] While the above has contemplated that the compression
support (201) be located in the front of the tread deck (101) this
is by no means required and the compression support (201) may be
positioned in any manner commensurate with supplying the resisted
rotation of the roller frame (121) about the pin (233). For
example, the compression support (201) may comprise a leaf spring
positioned under the entire length of the roller frame (121) or may
comprise a pneumatic cylinder extending from the hinge support
(203) to the bracket (221) where the resistance is provided by the
cylinder resisting extension.
[0054] In other embodiments, the compression support (201) and
hinge support (203) may be combined into a single support having
both functionalities or may be eliminated as separate structures
and the roller frame (121) may actually be positioned to provide
the functionality through its own flexibility or through the
flexibility of a connection between the roller frame (121) and
other elements of the support frame. In such an embodiment, the
roller frame (121) may be rigidly attached to the support frame at
a rearward point such as the location of the hinge support in FIG.
4. The opposing end of the roller frame (121) may then be
unsupported and allowed to float, possibly within a constrained
area. In this embodiment, the springboard effect is provided solely
by the bending and flexing of the roller frame (121) and/or the
connection between the roller frame (121) and remaining components.
The roller frame (121) in such an embodiment, may be constructed of
a material with a desired degree of flexibility to provide a
compatible surface for an average mass user so as to provide for
some "bounce" without having too much flexibility which may be
jarring to the user.
[0055] Still further, while it is generally preferred that the
roller frame (121) be supported by a hinge support (203) at one end
and a compression support (201) at the other, it should be
recognized that this is simply for mechanical simplicity. In an
alternative embodiment, the roller frame (121) may actually be
attached by two or more compression supports (201) located at
different points under the roller frame (121) which can provide
additional cushioning based on specifically where footfalls
occur.
[0056] The qualifier "generally," and similar qualifiers as used in
the present case, would be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art to accommodate recognizable attempts to conform a device to
the qualified term, which may nevertheless fall short of doing so.
This is because terms such as "sphere" are purely geometric
constructs and no real-world component is a true "sphere" in the
geometric sense. Variations from geometric and mathematical
descriptions are unavoidable due to, among other things,
manufacturing tolerances resulting in shape variations, defects and
imperfections, non-uniform thermal expansion, and natural wear.
Moreover, there exists for every object a level of magnification at
which geometric and mathematical descriptors fail due to the nature
of matter. One of ordinary skill would thus understand the term
"generally" and relationships contemplated herein regardless of the
inclusion of such qualifiers to include a range of variations from
the literal geometric meaning of the term in view of these and
other considerations.
[0057] While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a
description of certain embodiments, including those that are
currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed
description is intended to be illustrative and should not be
understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would
be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments
other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the
present invention. Modifications and variations of the described
embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention.
[0058] It will further be understood that any of the ranges,
values, properties, or characteristics given for any single
component of the present disclosure can be used interchangeably
with any ranges, values, properties, or characteristics given for
any of the other components of the disclosure, where compatible, to
form an embodiment having defined values for each of the
components, as given herein throughout. Further, ranges provided
for a genus or a category can also be applied to species within the
genus or members of the category unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *