FOLDABLE TREADMILL

• US 20090005224A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Fenster, Mrako A., Davis, Christopher P., Pyles, Nathan
• Granted Patent: US 8,182,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0257 Mechanical systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/00 Space saving
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/56 electrically folded and erected

Abstract

A foldable treadmill comprising a base bracket, a deck coupled to the base bracket for moving between a use position and a stored position, a support post extending upwardly and movably coupled to the deck, and a handle pivotally connected to the support post. A handle linkage can be coupled to the handle, and a lifting device can be coupled between the base bracket and the handle linkage for moving the handle when the deck is being moved. In one embodiment, the lifting device includes a support rod coupled to the support post and a deck rod coupled between the base bracket and the support rod. In this embodiment, the support rod has a first portion slidably coupled to the deck and another portion coupled to the handle linkage. The treadmill can further include a control panel movably coupled to the top portion of the support post. Preferably, a link bar is coupled between the control panel and the handle for moving the control panel when the deck is being moved.

Claims

1. A foldable treadmill, comprising:

a base bracket adapted to rest on a surface;

a deck coupled to the base bracket for moving between a use position and a stored position;

at least a support post extending upwardly and movably coupled to the deck;

a handle assembly having at least a handle pivotally connected to the support post and a handle linkage coupled to the handle; and

a lifting device coupled between the base bracket and the handle linkage for moving the handle toward the support post when the deck is being moved from the use position to the stored position.

2. The foldable treadmill of claim 1, wherein the lifting device includes a support rod coupled to the support post, the support rod having a first portion slidably coupled to the deck and another portion coupled to the handle linkage, and a deck rod coupled between the base bracket and the support rod.

3. The foldable treadmill of claim 2, the deck further comprising a sliding slot mounted thereto, the first portion of the support rod being moved within the sliding slot.

4. The foldable treadmill of claim 1, further comprising a control panel movably coupled to the top portion of the support post.

5. The foldable treadmill of claim 4, further comprising a link bar coupled between the control panel and the handle for moving the control panel when the deck is being moved from the use position to the stored position.

6. The foldable treadmill of claim 5, wherein the control panel is substantially parallel with the deck when the deck is in the stored position.

7. The foldable treadmill of claim 1, wherein the support post includes a central opening and the handle linkage is positioned within the central opening.

8. The foldable treadmill of claim 7, wherein the support post includes a handle receiving slot, the handle being positioned within the handle receiving slot when the deck is in the stored position.

9. The foldable treadmill of claim 1, wherein the handle is substantially parallel with the deck when the deck is in the stored position.

10. A foldable treadmill, comprising

a base bracket adapted to rest on a surface;

a deck coupled to the base bracket for moving between a use position and a stored position;

at least a support post extending upwardly and movably coupled to the deck;

a handle assembly having at least a handle pivotally coupled to the support post and a handle linkage coupled to the handle;

a support rod coupled to the support post, the support rod having a first portion slidably coupled to the deck and another portion coupled to the handle linkage; and

a deck rod coupled between the base bracket and the support rod, wherein the handle is substantially parallel with the deck when the deck is in the stored position.

11. A foldable treadmill, comprising:

a base bracket coupled to a substantially vertical surface;

a deck operationally coupled to the base bracket for moving between a use position and a substantially vertical stored position;

at least a support post extending upwardly and coupled to the deck; and

at least one handle pivotally coupled to the support post

12. The foldable treadmill of claim 11, wherein the at least one handle is substantially parallel with the deck when the deck is in the stored position.

13. The foldable treadmill of claim 11, further comprising a support rod coupled to the support post, the support rod having a first portion slidably coupled to the deck and another portion coupled to a portion of the at least one handle, such that moving the deck between a use position and a stored position causes the handle to move between a use position and a stored position.

14. The foldable treadmill of claim 11, further comprising a control panel movably coupled proximate the top portion of the support post.

15. The foldable treadmill of claim 12, wherein the control panel is substantially parallel with the deck when the deck is in the stored position.

16. The foldable treadmill of claim 11, further comprising a secondary link pivotally coupled to the base bracket at a first pivot axis, the secondary link also pivotally coupled to the deck at a parallel second pivot axis.

17. The foldable treadmill of claim 16, wherein the secondary link can pivot about the first pivot axis to raise or lower the position of the second pivot axis.