EXERCISE DEVICES, COMPONENTS FOR EXERCISE DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20090082176A1
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Taylor, Keith A., Cutler, Gordon L., Watterson, Eric S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,815,550 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 22/0221 on the frame supporting the rollers

Abstract

Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, an exercise device is provided in the form of a treadmill including a frame, a platform or deck, a continuous or circuitous belt surrounding the platform, and at least one columnar member coupled with e frame and extending generally upwards from the frame when the exercise device is in an intended operating orientation. A cushioning device is directly coupled to the columnar member and in contact with an underlying support surface. In one embodiment, the cushioning device may include a first end member coupled with the columnar member, a second end member in contact with the supporting surface, and one or more compression members disposed between the first end member and the second end member.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a platform;

a frame coupled with the platform and configured for placement over a supporting surface during intended use;

at least one columnar member coupled with the frame and extending upward from the frame when The exercise device is in an intended operating orientation;

at least one impact absorbing device being positioned between the supporting surface and an interconnection of the at least one columnar member and the frame.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one impact absorbing device is directly coupled to the at least one columnar member.

3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the at least one impact absorbing device is positioned and oriented to be in direct contact with the supporting surface during use of the exercise device.

4. The exercise device of claim 3, further comprising at least one roller coupled to the frame and a circuitous belt disposed about the at least one roller and the platform.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, further comprising a console coupled with the at least one columnar member.

6. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the at least one columnar member includes a first columnar member and a second columnar member, and wherein the at least one impact absorbing device includes a first impact absorbing device directly coupled with the first columnar member and a second impact absorbing device directly coupled with the second columnar member.

7. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the at least one impact absorbing device further comprises:

a first end member directly coupled with the at least one columnar member;

a second end member configured to engage the supporting surface; and

at least one compression member disposed between the first end member and the second end member.

8. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the at least one compression member is configured as a substantially annular body.

9. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the at least one compression member includes a coil spring.

10. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the at least one compression member includes a first compression member configured as a substantially annular body and a coil spring substantially coaxially disposed about the first compression member.

11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the first end member and the second end member are each formed of a material comprising polyvinylchloride (PVC) and wherein the first compression member is formed of a material comprising flexible PVC exhibiting a hardness of approximately 45 on a Shore A hardness scale.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the coil spring exhibits a spring constant of approximately 118 pounds per inch.

13. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the first end member includes a main body portion, a first protruding portion extending from a first side of the main body portion, a second protruding portion extending from a second, opposing side of the main body portion, a first groove adjacent the first protruding portion sized and configured to receive a portion of the at least one columnar member, and a second groove adjacent the second protruding portion sized and configured to receive a portion of the at least one compression member.

14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein the first protruding portion and the first groove are sized and configured to provide an interference fit with an end of the at least one columnar member.

15. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the second member includes a main body portion having a contoured end surface, a protruding portion extending from the main body portion generally opposite the contoured end surface, and a groove formed adjacent the protruding portion sized and configured to receive another portion of the at least one compression member.

16. The exercise device of claim 15, further comprising at least one fastening structure coupled with at least the first end and second end members of the at least one impact absorbing device.

17. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the first end member includes an opening extending therethrough, wherein the second member includes an opening extending thererthrough, and wherein at least a part of the fastening structure extends through the opening of the first end member and through the opening of the second end member.

18. The exercise device of claim 17, wherein the fastening structure includes a nut and a bolt.

19. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the at least one impact absorbing device is configured such that the first end member is displaced towards the second end member upon application of a force of a specified magnitude via the at least one columnar member.

20. An impact absorbing device configured for direct placement between a component of an exercise machine and a supporting surface, the device comprising:

a first end member configured to be directly coupled with a component of an exercise machine;

a second end member configured to engage the supporting surface;

a flexible core member having a substantially annular body disposed between the first end member and the second end member;

a coil spring disposed between the first end member and the second end member; and

a fastening structure coupled with at least a portion of the first end member and at least a portion of the second end member.

21. The impact absorbing device of claim 20, wherein the first end member and the second end member are each formed of a material comprising polyvinylchloride (PVC) and wherein the first compression member is formed of a material comprising flexible PVC exhibiting a hardness of approximately 45 on a Shore A hardness scale.

22. The impact absorbing device of claim 21, wherein the coil spring exhibits a spring constant of approximately 118 pounds per inch.

23. The impact absorbing device of claim 22, wherein the first end member includes a main body portion, a first protruding portion extending from a first side of the main body portion, a protruding portion extending from the main body portion, and a groove adjacent the protruding portion sized and configured to receive a portion of the core member and a portion of the coil spring.

24. The impact absorbing device of claim 23, wherein the second member includes a main body portion having a contoured end surface, a protruding portion extending from the main body portion generally opposite the contoured end surface, and a groove formed adjacent the protruding portion sized and configured to receive another portion of the core member and another portion of the coil spring.

25. The impact absorbing device of claim 24, wherein the first end member includes an opening extending therethrough, wherein the second member includes an opening extending therethrough, and wherein at least a part of the fastening structure extends through the opening of the first end member and through the opening of the second end member.

26. Method of cushioning an exercise device, the method comprising:

providing an exercise device having a platform, a frame and at least one columnar member coupled with the frame and extending generally upwards from the frame when the exercise is in an intended operating orientation;

disposing an impact absorbing device directly between the at least one columnar member and an underlying support surface;

applying a force to the platform;

transferring the force from the platform, through the columnar member and to the impact absorbing device.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein disposing an impact absorbing device directly between the columnar member and an underlying support surface further comprises:

directly coupling a first end member with the at least one columnar member;

coupling a flexible core member to the first end member;

coupling a second end member to the flexible core member; and

positioning the second end member on the underlying support surface.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising disposing a coil spring between the first end member and the second end member.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising positioning the coil spring circumferentially about the flexible core member.

30. The method according to claim 27, further comprising forming the flexible core member of a material comprising a flexible polyvinylebloride (PVC).

31. The method according to claim 27, further comprising forming the flexible core member to exhibit a hardness of approximately 45 on a Shore A hardness scale.

32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising configuring the coil spring wit a spring constant of approximately 118 pounds per inch.

33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising forming the first end member and the second end member from a material comprising PVC.

34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising coupling a fastening structure to the first end member and the second end member.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein coupling a fastening structure to the first end member and the second end member further includes extending a fastening structure through an opening in the first end member and through an opening through the second end member.

36. The method according to claim 28, wherein transferring the force from the platform, though the columnar member and to the impact absorbing device further comprises displacing the first end member towards the second end member and compressing the flexible core member and the coil spring between the first end member and the second end member.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising removing the applied force from the platform and returning the flexible core member and coil spring to a substantially uncompressed state.