U.S. patent application number 16/992886 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-18 for treadmill with front and rear incline mechanisms.
The applicant listed for this patent is ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.. Invention is credited to William T. Dalebout, Michael Olson.
Application Number | 20210046353 16/992886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005020616 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-18 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20210046353 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dalebout; William T. ; et
al. |
February 18, 2021 |
TREADMILL WITH FRONT AND REAR INCLINE MECHANISMS
Abstract
A treadmill includes a front lift mechanism and a rear lift
mechanism. The treadmill simulates an uphill grade by lifting the
front lift mechanism to lift the front of an exercise deck of the
treadmill. The treadmill simulates cresting a hill by lifting a
rear end of the treadmill after the front end is lifted. A downhill
grade is simulated by lowering the front end of the treadmill after
the rear end is lifted.
Inventors: |
Dalebout; William T.; (North
Logan, UT) ; Olson; Michael; (Providence,
UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. |
Logan |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005020616 |
Appl. No.: |
16/992886 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62887398 |
Aug 15, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0235 20130101;
A63B 22/0023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00; A63B 22/02 20060101 A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A method for operating a treadmill, comprising: increasing an
incline of an exercise deck from a first deck angle to a second
deck angle by actuating a front incline mechanism; after increasing
the incline of the exercise deck from the first deck angle to the
second deck angle, decreasing the incline of the exercise deck from
the second deck angle to a third deck angle by actuating a rear
incline mechanism; and after decreasing the incline, further
decreasing the incline of the exercise deck from the third deck
angle to a fourth deck angle by retracting the front incline
mechanism, wherein the fourth deck angle is less than
0.degree..
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing the incline
of the exercise deck from the fourth deck angle to a fifth deck
angle by retracting the rear incline mechanism after further
decreasing the incline.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fifth deck angle is
0.degree..
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the fifth deck angle is the same
as the first deck angle.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first deck angle is
0.degree..
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the third deck angle is
0.degree..
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third deck angle is parallel
to the first deck angle.
8. A method for operating a treadmill, comprising: raising a front
end of an exercise deck with a front incline mechanism from a first
front end height to a second front end height; after raising the
front end, raising a rear end of the exercise deck with a rear
incline mechanism from a first rear end height to a second rear end
height; and after raising the rear end, lowering the front end of
the exercise deck with the front incline mechanism from the second
front end height to a third front end height.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second front end height is
the same as the second rear end height.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the third front end height is
lower than the second rear end height.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising lowering the rear end
of the exercise deck with the rear incline mechanism from the
second rear end height to a third rear end height after lowering
the front end of the treadmill.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the third front end height is
the same as the third rear end height.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first front end height is
the same as the third front end height and the first rear end
height is the same as the third rear end height.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first front end height, the
third front end height, the first rear end height and the third
rear end height are all the same.
15. The method of claim 8, wherein a lift rate for the rear end
height is non-zero for an entirety of a workout.
16. A treadmill, comprising: an exercise deck including a frame on
a bottom of the exercise deck, the frame including a front end and
a rear end; a front base rotationally connected to the front end of
the frame; a rear base rotationally connected to the rear end of
the frame; a front pulley connected to the exercise deck; a rear
pulley connected to the exercise deck; a tread belt strung around
the exercise deck from the front pulley to the rear pulley; a drive
motor configured to rotate the front pulley such that the front
pulley rotates the tread belt across a top of the exercise deck
from the front pulley to the rear pulley; a front lift mechanism
including a front lift motor attached to the front end of the
frame, the front lift motor extending and retracting a front
extension member connected to the front base, wherein when the
front extension member is extended, the front base rotates and
lifts the front end of the frame; and a rear lift mechanism
including a rear lift motor attached to the rear end of the frame,
the rear lift motor operating a rear extension member, wherein when
the rear extension member is extended, the rear base rotates and
lifts the rear end of the frame.
17. The treadmill of claim 16, wherein the treadmill is supported
on a support surface by the front base and the rear base.
18. The treadmill of claim 16, wherein the frame includes a first
beam, a second beam parallel to the first beam, a front support
member between the first beam and the second beam at the front end
of the frame, and a rear support member between the first beam and
the second beam at the rear end of the frame, and wherein the front
lift motor is attached to the frame at the front support member and
the rear lift motor is attached to the frame at the rear support
member.
19. The treadmill of claim 16, wherein the front lift motor extends
and retracts the front extension member independent of a height of
the rear end of the frame.
20. The treadmill of claim 16, wherein the front extension member
lifts the front end of the frame with a maximum front lift and the
rear extension member lifts the rear end of the frame with a
maximum rear lift, the maximum front lift being the same as the
maximum rear lift.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent
application No. 62/887,398 entitled "TREADMILL WITH FRONT AND REAR
INCLINE MECHANISMS" filed Aug. 15, 2019, which application is
herein incorporated by reference for all that it discloses.
BACKGROUND
Background and Relevant Art
[0002] Many people like to exercise indoors on exercise equipment.
Some exercise equipment attempts to simulate or mimic the
conditions of an outdoor exercise. Treadmills often include incline
mechanisms that change the incline of an exercise deck on a
treadmill by raising or lowering portions of the exercise deck.
This may simulate uphill or downhill grades of an outdoor path.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] In some embodiments, a method for operating a treadmill
includes increasing an incline of an exercise deck from a first
deck angle to a second deck angle by extending a front incline
mechanism. The method includes, after increasing the incline of the
exercise deck, decreasing the incline of the exercise deck from the
second deck angle to a third deck angle by extending a rear incline
mechanism. After decreasing the incline, further decreasing the
incline of the exercise deck from the third deck angle to a fourth
deck angle by retracting the front incline mechanism. The fourth
deck angle is less than 0.degree..
[0004] In other embodiments, a method for operating a treadmill
includes raising a front end of an exercise deck with a front
incline mechanism from a first front end height to a second front
end height. After raising the front end, the method includes
raising a rear end of the exercise deck with a rear incline
mechanism from a first rear end height to a second rear end height.
After raising the rear end, the method includes lowering the front
end of the exercise deck with the front incline mechanism from the
second front height to a third front end height.
[0005] In yet other embodiments, a treadmill includes an exercise
deck including a frame on a bottom of the exercise deck. The frame
includes a front end and a front base is rotationally connected to
the front end. The frame further includes a rear base connected to
a rear end of the frame. A tread belt is strung between a front
pulley and a rear pulley, and a drive motor rotates the front
pulley to rotate the tread belt. A front lift mechanism is attached
to the front end of the frame and rotates the front base. A rear
lift mechanism is attached to the rear end of the frame and rotates
the rear base.
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described below in the detailed
description. This summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0007] Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the
disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and
in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by
the practice of such embodiments. The features and advantages of
such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of the
instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims. These and other features will become more fully
apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may
be learned by the practice of such embodiments as set forth
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited
and other features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more
particular description will be rendered by reference to specific
implementations thereof which are illustrated in the appended
drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been
designated by like reference numbers throughout the various
accompanying figures. While some of the drawings may be schematic
or exaggerated representations of concepts, at least some of the
drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that the drawings
depict some example implementations, the implementations will be
described and explained with additional specificity and detail
through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1-1 is a perspective view of a treadmill, according to
at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 1-2 is a bottom view of the treadmill of FIG. 1-1,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front lift mechanism,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rear lift mechanism,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 4-1 is a side view of a treadmill in a neutral
configuration, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 4-2 is another side view of the treadmill of FIG. 4-1
in an uphill configuration, according to at least one embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 4-3 is another side view of the treadmill of FIG. 4-1
in a hillcrest configuration, according to at least one embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4-4 is another side view of the treadmill of FIG. 4-1
in a downhill configuration, according to at least one embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 5-1 is a schematic view of a treadmill, according to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 5-2 is another schematic view of the treadmill of FIG.
5-1 in an uphill configuration, according to the embodiment of FIG.
5-1;
[0019] FIG. 5-3 is another schematic view of the treadmill of FIG.
5-1 in a hillcrest configuration, according to the embodiment of
FIG. 5-1;
[0020] FIG. 5-4 is another schematic view of the treadmill of FIG.
5-1 in a downhill configuration, according to the embodiment of
FIG. 5-1;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a representation of a method for operating a
treadmill, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is another representation of a method for operating a
treadmill, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] This disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for
operating a treadmill to simulate cresting a hill. When operating a
treadmill, a user may desire to simulate walking or running up a
hill. Treadmills often include lift motors that lift a front
portion of an exercise deck up to increase the incline of the
exercise deck, which simulates walking or running up a hill. A user
may also desire to simulate walking or running down a hill. In some
situations, the front portion of the exercise deck of the treadmill
may be lowered below a rear portion of the exercise deck to create
a decline, which simulates walking or running down a hill. However,
the physical sensation of cresting a hill may not be fully
simulated simply by lowering the front end of the exercise deck.
Raising the back of the exercise deck while the front of the
exercise deck is raised may simulate cresting a hill more fully
than only lowering the front of the exercise deck. This may improve
the exercise experience for the user by allowing the user to
simulate the physical sensation of cresting a hill.
[0024] FIG. 1-1 is a perspective view of a representation of a
treadmill 100, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure. The treadmill 100 includes an exercise deck 102. A
tread belt 104 is strung or wrapped around the exercise deck 102
from a front pulley 106 to a rear pulley 108. A drive motor located
in a housing 110 is connected to the front pulley 106 to rotate the
front pulley 106. As the front pulley 106 rotates, the front pulley
106 rotates the tread belt 104 from the front pulley 106 to the
rear pulley 108 across the exercise deck 102, or from a front end
112 to a rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102. The treadmill 100
includes posts 116 that support a console 118. The console 118 may
display exercise information, include exercise controls, house a
processor for exercise programs, and so forth.
[0025] The treadmill 100 includes a front lift mechanism 120 at the
front end 112 of the exercise deck 102 and a rear lift mechanism
122 at the rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102. The front lift
mechanism 120 is configured to lift the front end 112 of the
exercise deck 102. With the front end 112 lifted, the user may walk
or run on the treadmill 100 on an incline, or "uphill." The rear
lift mechanism 120 is configured to lift the rear end 114 of the
exercise deck 102. With the rear end 114 lifted, the user may walk
or run on the treadmill 100 on a decline, or "downhill." In some
embodiments, the front lift mechanism 120 and the rear lift
mechanism 122 may be independently operated. In other words, the
front lift mechanism 120 may raise and lower the front end 112
regardless of the height of the rear end 114, and the rear lift
mechanism 122 may raise and lower the rear end 114 regardless of
the height of the front end 112. Furthermore, the front lift
mechanism 120 may actuate while the rear lift mechanism 122 is
actuating or while the rear lift mechanism 122 is not actuating,
and the rear lift mechanism 122 may actuate while the front lift
mechanism 120 is actuating or while the front lift mechanism 120 is
not actuating.
[0026] FIG. 1-2 is a representation of the bottom of the treadmill
100 of FIG. 1-1. The exercise deck 102 includes or is supported by
a frame 124 underneath the exercise deck 102. In the embodiment
shown, the frame 124 includes a first beam 126-1 and a second beam
126-2, the first beam 126-1 and the second beam 126-2 being
parallel and each extending longitudinally along the exercise deck
102. The front lift mechanism 120 is located at the front end 112
of the exercise deck 102 and the rear lift mechanism 122 is located
at the rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102.
[0027] The front lift mechanism 120 includes a front lift motor
128. The front lift motor 128 is connected to the frame 124 with a
front support member 130 extending between the first beam 126-1 and
the second beam 126-2. The front support member 130 may be located
at the front end 112, or closer to the front end 112 than the rear
end 114 of the exercise deck 102. Thus, the front lift motor 128
may be located at the front end 112, or closer to the front end 112
than the rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102.
[0028] The front lift mechanism 120 further includes a front base
131 rotationally connected to the frame 124 at a front pivot 133. A
front extension member 132 extends from the front lift motor 128 to
the front base 131. The front lift motor 128 causes the front
extension member 132 to expand or retract. As the front extension
member 132 expands, the front base 131 rotates about the front
pivot 133 and lifts the front end 112 of the exercise deck 102.
[0029] The front lift motor 128 may be connected to the front
support member 130 with a rotational connection. In this manner, as
the front base 131 rotates, the front lift motor 128 may rotate to
keep the front extension member 132 straight and directed toward
the front base 131.
[0030] The rear lift mechanism 122 includes a rear lift motor 134.
The rear lift motor 134 is connected to the frame 124 with a rear
support member 136 extending between the first beam 126-1 and the
second beam 126-2. The rear support member 136 may be located at
the rear end 114, or closer to the rear end 114 than the front end
112 of the exercise deck 102. Thus, the rear lift motor 134 may be
located at the front end 112, or closer to the front end 112 than
the rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102.
[0031] The rear lift mechanism 122 further includes a rear base 138
rotationally connected to the frame 124 at a rear pivot 140. A rear
extension member 142 extends from the rear lift motor 134 to the
rear base 138. The rear lift motor 134 causes the rear extension
member 142 to expand or retract. As the rear extension member 142
expands, the rear base 138 rotates about the rear pivot 140 and
lifts the rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102.
[0032] The rear lift motor 134 may be connected to the rear support
member 136 with a rotational connection. In this manner, as the
rear base 138 rotates, the rear lift motor 134 may rotate to keep
the rear extension member 142 straight and directed toward the rear
base 138.
[0033] The front extension member 132 and the rear extension member
142 may be any extension member. For example, the front extension
member 132 and the rear extension member 142 may be a hydraulic
piston, a pneumatic piston, a worm gear, a screw gear, a linear
motor, a solenoid, or any other type of extension member. In some
embodiments the front extension member 132 may be the same as the
rear extension member 142. In some embodiments, the front extension
member 132 may be different from the rear extension member 142.
[0034] In the embodiment shown, the front lift motor 128 and the
rear lift motor 134 are different motors. In this manner, the front
lift motor 128 may operate independent of the rear lift motor 134,
and the rear lift motor 134 may operate independent of the front
lift motor 128. This may provide the treadmill 100 with a variety
of different incline simulations and permutations, which may help
to simulate an outdoor path. Simulating an outdoor path may improve
the exercise experience for the user.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a representation of a front lift mechanism 220,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The
front lift mechanism 220 includes a front base 231 having a front
pivot connection 233 that connects to a pivot connection on the
frame (e.g., front pivot 133 on the frame 124 of FIG. 1-2). A front
lift motor 228 extends and retracts a front extension member 232.
The front extension member 232 is rotatably connected to a front
push member 244. The front push member 244 is connected to the
front base 231 such that as the front extension member 232 pushes
on the front push member 244, the front push member 244 causes the
front base 231 to rotate about the front pivot connection 233. This
may cause a front end of an exercise deck (e.g., exercise deck 102
of FIG. 1-1) to raise, which may simulate an uphill outdoor path on
the treadmill.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a representation of a rear lift mechanism 322,
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The
rear lift mechanism 322 includes a rear base 338 having a rear
pivot connection 340 that connects to a pivot connection on the
frame (e.g., rear pivot 140 on the frame 124 of FIG. 1-2). A rear
lift motor 334 extends and retracts a rear extension member 342.
The rear extension member 342 is rotatably connected to a rear push
member 346. The rear push member 346 is connected to the rear base
338 such that as the rear extension member 342 pushes on the rear
push member 346, the rear push member 346 causes the rear base 338
to rotate about the rear pivot connection 340. In the embodiment
shown, the rear push member 346 is connected to the rear base 338
at or on the rear pivot 140. This may cause a rear end of an
exercise deck (e.g., exercise deck 102 of FIG. 1-1) to raise, which
may simulate a downhill path on the treadmill.
[0037] FIG. 4-1 is a representation of a side view of a treadmill
400 in a lowered or a neutral orientation, according to at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the neutral
configuration, both the front base 431 and the rear base 438 are
retracted or lowered. In other words, the front lift mechanism 420
is retracted and the rear lift mechanism 422 is retracted. In the
neutral configuration, the exercise deck 402 is flat or level,
which may simulate a flat path. In the neutral configuration, the
exercise deck 402 has a deck angle of 0.degree..
[0038] FIG. 4-2 is a representation of a side view of the treadmill
400 of FIG. 4-1 in an uphill or inclined configuration, according
to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the
inclined configuration, the front end 412 of the exercise deck 402
is raised higher than the rear end 414. To raise the front end 412,
the front base 431 is rotated about the front pivot 433. Rotating
the front base 431 may push the front end 412 up. To facilitate
rotating of the front base 431, one or more wheels 448 are attached
to a contact edge 450 of the front base 431. This may allow the
contact edge 450 to move smoothly along a support surface so that
the position of the treadmill 400 on the support surface does not
change.
[0039] In the embodiment shown, the rear end 414 is fully retracted
or lowered. However, the treadmill 400 is in the inclined
configuration whenever the front end 412 is higher than the rear
end 414. In this manner, the inclined configuration simulates an
uphill or an inclined outdoor path. When raising the front end 412,
the exercise deck simulates the start of a hill, or an increase in
the slope of a hill. This may improve the exercise experience by
allowing a user to simulate an outdoor path.
[0040] FIG. 4-3 is a representation of a side view of the treadmill
400 of FIG. 4-1 in a hillcrest or hilltop configuration, according
to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the
hillcrest configuration, the front end 412 of the exercise deck 402
is raised by the same amount as the rear end 414. In other words,
both the front base 431 and the rear base 438 are rotated relative
to the front pivot 433 and the rear pivot 440, respectively.
Rotating the rear base 438 may push the rear end 414 up. A rear
contact edge 452 may be configured to stay in one place as the rear
base 438 is rotated. Because the front base 431 includes one or
more wheels 448, as the rear base 438 is rotated, the front base
431 may shift along the wheels 448. In this manner, the treadmill
400 may stay in one location while raising or lowering either the
front end 112 or the rear end 114. This may improve the stability
of the treadmill 400 and help to prevent the treadmill 400 from
moving about during operation, which may cause injury to people
and/or damage to objects or structures.
[0041] In some embodiments, the treadmill 400 may change from the
inclined configuration to the hillcrest configuration by raising
the rear end 414 while the front end 412 is lifted. This may help
to simulate cresting the top of a hill. To a user, reducing the
uphill incline of the exercise deck 402 by lowering the front end
412 may not physically or visually feel the same as raising the
rear end 414 to reduce the uphill incline. Reducing the uphill
incline by raising the rear end 414 mimics the structure of a hill,
and may help a user to feel as though he or she is on an outdoor
path. Furthermore, visually, raising the rear end 414 to simulate
cresting a hill may help the user to feel as though he or she has
reached the top of a hill. Simulating cresting the hill may further
improve the exercise experience for the user by improving his or
her sense of accomplishment of climbing a hill.
[0042] FIG. 4-4 is a representation of a side view of the treadmill
400 of FIG. 4-1 in a downhill or declined configuration, according
to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the
downhill configuration, the rear end 414 of the exercise deck 402
is raised higher than the front end 412. To raise the rear end 414,
the rear base 438 is rotated about the rear pivot 440. Raising the
rear end 414 of the exercise deck 402 may simulate a downhill or a
declined path. This may improve the exercise experience for the
user by exercising different muscles than walking or running on an
incline and by providing variety for the user.
[0043] In the embodiment shown, the front end 412 is fully
retracted or lowered. However, the treadmill 400 is in the downhill
configuration whenever the rear end 414 is higher than the front
end 412. To increase the incline (e.g., decrease the decline),
either the front end 412 may be raised or the rear end 414 may be
lowered. This may simulate reaching the bottom of a hill, which may
further improve the exercise experience by simulating an outdoor
path.
[0044] FIG. 5-1 is a schematic representation of a treadmill 500 in
the neutral orientation, according to at least one embodiment of
the present disclosure. The treadmill 500 includes an exercise deck
502 with a front end 512 and a rear end 514. In the neutral
orientation, the front end 512 is located above a support surface
554 with a front end height 556-1 and the rear end 514 is located
above the support surface 554 with a rear end height 558-1. In the
neutral orientation, the front end height 556-1 and the rear end
height 558-1 are the same. Furthermore, in the neutral orientation,
the front end height 556-1 and the rear end height 558-1 are
minimized, or at their lowest values. In the neutral orientation,
the exercise deck 502 has a deck angle of 0.degree..
[0045] During operation, the treadmill 500 may raise the front end
512 to the inclined or uphill orientation shown in FIG. 5-2. In the
uphill orientation, the front end 512 is raised to a front end
height 556-2 that is greater than the rear end height 558-2 of the
rear end 514. Raising the front end 512 includes increasing the
deck angle 560-2. In other words, the exercise deck 502 has a deck
angle 560-2 that is greater than 0.degree.. For example, the
exercise deck may have a deck angle 560-2 of 0.degree., 5.degree.,
10.degree., 15.degree., 20.degree., 25.degree., 30.degree., or any
value therebetween.
[0046] After the front end 512 of the exercise deck 502 has been
raised (or the deck angle 560-2 has been increased), the rear end
514 of the exercise deck 502 may be raised to the crested or
hilltop orientation shown in FIG. 5-3. In the hilltop orientation,
the front end height 556-3 is the same as the rear end height
558-3, and the deck angle is 0.degree.. Furthermore, in the
hillcrest orientation, the front end height 556-3 and the rear end
height 558-3 are greater than the front end height 556-1 and the
rear end height 558-1 of the neutral orientation. By raising the
rear end 514 of the exercise deck 502 after the incline of the
exercise deck has been increased, the treadmill 500 may simulate
the cresting of a hill, which may improve the exercise experience
for the user.
[0047] After the rear end 514 has been raised to the hillcrest
orientation, the front end 512 may be lowered to the decline or
downhill orientation shown in FIG. 5-4. In this manner, the
treadmill 500 may simulate running over the top of a hill and down
the downhill side of the hill. In the downhill orientation, the
rear end 514 is higher than the front end 512. In other words, the
rear end height 558-4 is greater than the front end height 556-4.
The deck angle 560-4 is negative, which may simulate a downhill
path. In this manner, the exercise experience may be improved by
simulating an uphill path that then travels down the hill. After
the front end 512 has been lowered, the rear end 514 may be lowered
back down to the neutral orientation shown in FIG. 5-1 and the
cycle may be repeated.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a representation of a method 662 for operating a
treadmill. The method 662 includes increasing an incline of an
exercise deck from a first deck angle to a second deck angle by
extending a front incline mechanism at 664. In some embodiments,
the first deck angle may be the deck angle of a neutral
orientation, and may be 0.degree.. In some embodiments, the first
deck angle may be greater than 0.degree., and increasing the deck
angle may include increasing the deck angle from a value greater
than 0.degree. to a value still greater than 0.degree..
[0049] After the incline of the exercise deck is increased from the
first deck angle to the second deck angle, the method 662 includes
decreasing the incline of the exercise deck from the second deck
angle to a third deck angle at by extending a rear incline
mechanism at 666. The third deck angle may be 0.degree.. In this
manner, the deck angle may be reduced from the second deck angle,
which is greater than 0.degree., to the third deck angle which is
0.degree.. By raising the rear of the exercise deck, this may
simulate cresting a hill.
[0050] After the incline is decreased to the third deck angle, the
method 662 includes further decreasing the incline of the exercise
deck from the third deck angle to a fourth deck angle by retracting
the front incline mechanism at 668. The fourth deck angle is less
than 0.degree.. In other words, the fourth deck angle is negative,
or on a decline. This may simulate the transition from a hillcrest
to downhill, which may improve the exercise experience for the user
by simulating an outdoor path.
[0051] The method 662 may further include increasing the incline of
the exercise deck from the fourth deck angle to a fifth deck angle
by retracting the second incline mechanism. The fifth deck angle
may be 0.degree.. In other words, the fifth deck angle may be the
same as the first deck angle. This may further simulate a path that
transfers from a downhill grade to a neutral grade, which may
improve the exercise experience for the user by simulating the
bottom of a hill.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a representation of a method 770 for operating a
treadmill, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure. The method 770 includes raising a front end of an
exercise deck with a front incline mechanism from a first front end
height to a second front end height at 772. A rear end of the
exercise deck may be lower than the front end of the exercise
deck.
[0053] After raising the front end, the method 770 may include
raising the rear end of the exercise deck with a rear incline
mechanism from a first rear end height to a second rear end height
at 774. In some embodiments, the second rear end height is the same
as the first rear end height. This may simulate cresting the top of
a hill and the flat path at the top of the hill. This may improve
the exercise experience for the user by simulating an outdoor
path.
[0054] After raising the rear end, the method 770 includes lowering
the front end of the exercise deck with the front incline mechanism
from the second front end height to a third front end height at
776. The third front end height is less than the second rear end
height. In this manner, the exercise deck has a decline, or a
negative deck angle. This may simulate a downhill grade. This may
improve the exercise experience for the user by more fully
simulating an outdoor path.
[0055] After lowering the front end of the exercise deck, the rear
end may be lowered from a second rear end height to a third rear
end height. The third rear end height may be the same as the third
front end height. Thus, the exercise deck may have a neutral
orientation, or a deck angle of 0.degree.. This may simulate
transitioning from a downhill grade to a neutral grade.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0056] When operating a treadmill, a user may desire to simulate
walking or running up a hill. Treadmills often include lift motors
that lift a front portion of an exercise deck up to increase the
incline of the exercise deck. A user may also desire to simulate
walking or running down a hill. In some situations, the front
portion of the exercise deck of the treadmill may be lowered to
simulate a decline. Conventional treadmills change the incline of
the exercise deck by raising or lowering the front of the exercise
deck. Raising the back of the exercise deck while the front of the
exercise deck is raised may simulate cresting a hill more fully
than only lowering the front of the exercise deck. This may improve
the exercise experience for the user by allowing the user to
simulate an outdoor path.
[0057] A treadmill includes an exercise deck. A tread belt is
strung or wrapped around the exercise deck from a front pulley to a
rear pulley. A drive motor located in a housing is connected to the
front pulley to rotate the front pulley. As the front pulley
rotates, the front pulley rotates the tread belt from the front
pulley to the rear pulley across the exercise deck, or from a front
end to a rear end of the exercise deck. The treadmill includes
posts that support a console. The console may display exercise
information, include exercise controls, house a processor for
exercise programs, and so forth.
[0058] The treadmill includes a front mechanism at the front end of
the exercise deck and a rear lift mechanism at the rear end of the
exercise deck. The front lift mechanism is configured to lift the
front end of the exercise deck. With the front end lifted, the user
may walk or run on the treadmill on an incline, or "uphill." The
rear lift mechanism is configured to lift the rear end of the
exercise deck. With the rear end lifted, the user may walk or run
on the treadmill on a decline, or "downhill." In some embodiments,
the front lift mechanism and the rear lift mechanism may be
independently operated. In other words, the front lift mechanism
may raise and lower the front end regardless of the height of the
rear end, and the rear mechanism may raise and lower the rear end
regardless of the height of the front end. Furthermore, the front
lift mechanism may actuate while the rear lift mechanism is
actuating or while the rear lift mechanism is not actuating, and
the rear lift mechanism may actuate while the front lift mechanism
is actuating or while the front lift mechanism is not
actuating.
[0059] The exercise deck includes or is supported by a frame
underneath the exercise deck. In the embodiment shown, the frame
includes a first beam and a second beam, the first beam and the
second beam being parallel and each extending longitudinally along
the exercise deck. The front lift mechanism is located at the front
end of the exercise deck and the rear lift mechanism is located at
the rear end of the exercise deck.
[0060] The front lift mechanism includes a front lift motor. The
front lift motor is connected to the frame with a front support
member extending between the first beam and the second beam. The
front support member may be located at the front end, or closer to
the front end than the rear end of the exercise deck. Thus, the
front lift motor may be located at the front end, or closer to the
front end than the rear end of the exercise deck.
[0061] The front lift mechanism further includes a front base
rotationally connected to the frame at a front pivot. A front
extension member extends from the front lift motor to the front
base. The front lift motor causes the front extension member to
expand or retract. As the front extension member expands, the front
base rotates about the front pivot and lifts the front end of the
exercise deck.
[0062] The front lift motor may be connected to the front support
member with a rotational connection. In this manner, as the front
base rotates, the front lift motor may rotate to keep the front
extension member straight and directed toward the front base.
[0063] The rear lift mechanism includes a rear lift motor. The rear
lift motor is connected to the frame with a rear support member
extending between the first beam and the second beam. The rear
support member may be located at the rear end, or closer to the
rear end than the front end of the exercise deck. Thus, the rear
lift motor may be located at the front end, or closer to the front
end than the rear end of the exercise deck.
[0064] The rear lift mechanism further includes a rear base
rotationally connected to the frame at a rear pivot. A rear
extension member extends from the rear lift motor to the rear base.
The rear lift motor causes the rear extension member to expand or
retract. As the rear extension member expands, the rear base
rotates about the rear pivot and lifts the rear end of the exercise
deck.
[0065] The rear lift motor may be connected to the rear support
member with a rotational connection. In this manner, as the rear
base rotates, the rear lift motor may rotate to keep the rear
extension member straight and directed toward the rear base.
[0066] The front extension member and the rear extension member may
be any extension member. For example, the front extension member
and the rear extension member may be a hydraulic piston, a
pneumatic piston, a worm gear, a screw gear, a linear motor, a
solenoid, or any other type of extension member. In some
embodiments the front extension member may be the same as the rear
extension member. In some embodiments, the front extension member
may be different from the rear extension member.
[0067] The front lift motor and the rear lift motor may be
different motors. In this manner, the front lift motor may operate
independent of the rear lift motor, and the rear lift motor may
operate independent of the front lift motor. This may provide the
treadmill with a variety of different incline simulations and
permutations, which may help to simulate an outdoor path.
Simulating an outdoor path may improve the exercise experience for
the user.
[0068] The front lift mechanism includes a front base having a
front pivot connection that connects to a pivot connection on the
frame. A front lift motor extends and retracts a front extension
member. The front extension member is rotatably connected to a
front push member. The front push member is connected to the front
base such that as the front extension member pushes on the front
push member, the front push member causes the front base to rotate
about the front pivot connection. This may cause a front end of an
exercise deck to raise, which may simulate an uphill outdoor path
on the treadmill.
[0069] The rear lift mechanism includes a rear base having a rear
pivot connection that connects to a pivot connection on the frame.
A rear lift motor extends and retracts a rear extension member. The
rear extension member is rotatably connected to a rear push member.
The rear push member is connected to the rear base such that as the
rear extension member pushes on the rear push member, the rear push
member causes the rear base to rotate about the rear pivot
connection. In the embodiment shown, the rear push member is
connected to the rear base at or on the rear pivot. This may cause
a rear end of an exercise deck to raise, which may simulate a
downhill path on the treadmill.
[0070] In a neutral configuration, both the front base and the rear
base are retracted or lowered. In other words, the front lift
mechanism is retracted and the rear lift mechanism is retracted. In
the neutral configuration, the exercise deck is flat or level,
which may simulate a flat path.
[0071] In an inclined configuration, the front end of the exercise
deck is raised higher than the rear end. To raise the front end,
the front base is rotated about the front pivot. Rotating the front
base may push the front end up. To facilitate rotating of the front
base, one or more wheels are attached to a contact edge of the
front base. This may allow the contact edge to move smoothly along
a support surface so that the position of the treadmill on the
support surface does not change.
[0072] The rear end may be fully retracted or lowered. However, the
treadmill is in the inclined configuration whenever the front end
is higher than the rear end. In this manner, the inclined
configuration simulates an uphill or an inclined outdoor path. When
raising the front end, the exercise deck simulates the start of a
hill, or an increase in the slope of a hill. This may improve the
exercise experience by allowing a user to simulate an outdoor
path.
[0073] In a hillcrest configuration, the front end of the exercise
deck is raised by the same amount as the rear end. In other words,
both the front base and the rear base are rotated relative to the
front pivot and the rear pivot, respectively. Rotating the rear
base may push the rear end up. A rear contact edge may be
configured to stay in one place as the rear base is rotated.
Because the front base includes one or more wheels, as the rear
base is rotated, the front base may shift along the wheels. In this
manner, the treadmill may stay in one location while raising or
lowering either the front end or the rear end. This may improve the
stability of the treadmill and help to prevent the treadmill from
moving about during operation, which may cause injury to people
and/or damage to objects or structures.
[0074] In some embodiments, the treadmill may change from the
inclined configuration to the hillcrest configuration by raising
the rear end while the front end is lifted. This may help to
simulate cresting the top of a hill. To a user, reducing the uphill
incline of the exercise deck by lowering the front end may not feel
the same as raising the rear end to reduce the uphill incline.
Reducing the uphill incline by raising the rear end mimics the
structure of a hill, and may help a user to feel as though he or
she is on an outdoor path. Furthermore, visually, raising the rear
end to simulate cresting a hill may help the user to feel as though
he or she has reached the top of a hill. Simulating cresting the
hill may further improve the exercise experience for the user by
improving his or her sense of accomplishment at climbing a
hill.
[0075] In a downhill configuration, the rear end of the exercise
deck is raised higher than the front end. To raise the rear end,
the rear base is rotated about the rear pivot. Raising the rear end
of the exercise deck may simulate a downhill or a declined path.
This may improve the exercise experience for the user by exercising
different muscles than walking or running on an incline and by
providing variety for the user.
[0076] The treadmill may be in the downhill configuration whenever
the rear end is higher than the front end. To increase the incline
(e.g., decrease the decline), either the front end may be raised or
the rear end may be lowered. This may simulate reaching the bottom
of a hill, which may further improve the exercise experience by
simulating an outdoor path.
[0077] In some embodiments, a change in incline from the uphill
orientation to the downhill orientation may engage different
stabilizer muscles. For example, an incline may engage stabilizer
muscles in the feet, legs, and core associated with walking or
running up a hill. Similarly, a decline may engage stabilizer
muscles in the feet, legs, and core associated with walking or
running down a hill. Engaging and exercising stabilizer muscles may
improve overall fitness, reduce the likelihood of injury, and help
to recover from injury.
[0078] In some embodiments, the treadmill may transition between
the uphill and downhill configurations smoothly. In other words,
one or both of the front incline mechanism and the rear incline
mechanism may be continuously operating. In this manner, when the
rear incline mechanism decreases the incline to crest the hill, the
front incline mechanism may immediately begin further decreasing
the incline to begin a downhill configuration. This may provide the
user with a heal kick. In other words, the rear end of the exercise
deck may impart some momentum to the user at the crest of the hill
and the transition from the uphill configuration to the downhill
configuration. This heal kick may engage stabilizer muscles in the
user's feet, legs, and core. This may further improve the exercise
experience by exercising muscles that may otherwise be ignored.
[0079] In some embodiments, at least one of the front lift
mechanism (and the front lift motor) and the rear lift mechanism
(and the rear lift motor) may be constantly operating. In this
manner, the incline of the treadmill may be constantly changing.
Outdoor paths are not perfectly flat, and constantly changing the
incline of the treadmill by operating one or both of the front lift
mechanism and the rear lift mechanism may therefore more fully
simulate exercising outdoors. In this manner, rear end of the
treadmill may be constantly moving or operating. In some
embodiments, the rear lift mechanism may be constantly operating
during a workout. In some embodiments, the front lift mechanism may
be constantly operating during a workout. In some embodiments, both
the front and the rear lift mechanisms may be constantly operating
during a workout.
[0080] In some embodiments, the front lift mechanism and the rear
lift mechanism may actuate when the tread belt is moving. In other
words, the incline of the exercise deck may be changed between the
neutral orientation, to the uphill orientation, and the downhill
orientation while the tread belt is moving. In some embodiments,
the height of the rear end of the exercise deck and/or the height
of the front end of the exercise deck may be changing continuously
during a workout. In some embodiments, raising and lowering of the
front end of the exercise deck and/or raising and lowering the rear
end of the exercise deck may occur at a lift rate that is non-zero.
In some embodiments, the lift rate may be non-zero for one or both
of the front end and the rear end of the exercise deck for an
entirety of a workout. In some embodiments, the lift rate may be
0.5.degree. per second, 1.0.degree. per second, 1.5.degree. per
second, 2.0.degree. per second, 2.5.degree. per second, 3.degree.
per second, 3.5.degree. per second, 4.degree. per second,
4.5.degree. per second, 5.0.degree. per second, 5.5.degree. per
second, 6.0.degree. per second, 6.5.degree. per second, 7.0.degree.
per second, 7.5.degree. per second, 8.0.degree. per second,
8.5.degree. per second, 9.0.degree. per second, or any value
therebetween. Different lift rates may improve the exercise
experience by allowing the user to change how quickly a hill is
started, finished, or crested, which may engage different
stabilizer muscles and have a different feel.
[0081] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure
are described herein. These described embodiments are examples of
the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to
provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all
features of an actual embodiment may be described in the
specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of
any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design
project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made to
achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary
from one embodiment to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated
that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming,
but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design,
fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the
benefit of this disclosure.
[0082] The articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that
there are one or more of the elements in the preceding
descriptions. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be
understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as
excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also
incorporate the recited features. For example, any element
described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinable
with any element of any other embodiment described herein. Numbers,
percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to
include that value, and also other values that are "about" or
"approximately" the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present
disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly
enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the
stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired
result. The stated values include at least the variation to be
expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may
include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or
within 0.01% of a stated value.
[0083] A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in
view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and
that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to
embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions,
including functional "means-plus-function" clauses are intended to
cover the structures described herein as performing the recited
function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the
same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same
function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to
invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any
claim except for those in which the words `means for` appear
together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and
modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and
scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
[0084] The terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" as
used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that
still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For
example, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially"
may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less
than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of
a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any
directions or reference frames in the preceding description are
merely relative directions or movements. For example, any
references to "up" and "down" or "above" or "below" are merely
descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related
elements.
[0085] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The
described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated
by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.
Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
* * * * *