EXERCISE TREADMILL WITH INCLINATION CONTROLLED CHAIR MOUNTED THEREON

• US 3,870,297 A
• Filed: 02/19/1974
• Issued: 03/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boyd B. Elder
• Original Assignee: Boyd B. Elder
• Inventors: Elder, Boyd B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oechsle, Anton O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stouffer, R. T.
• Application Number:
  US05/443,623
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 272/58,69
• US Class Current: 482/7
• 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 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia

Abstract

An exercise treadmill is provided for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, which includes, among other features, an eddy-current, variable speed drive to obtain a belt speed range from zero to maximum speed, and a differential drive through a slip clutch to the two rollers imparting motion to the belt. Safety of the subject is enhanced by an electrically non-conductive coating on the handrails to eliminate any possibility of grounding electricity through the patient'"'"''"'"'s body. Incorporation of a chair as an integral part of the assembly assures a rest place in appropriate proximity to the walking surface. The treadmill walking surface is positioned and maintained at the desired inclination with minimum apparatus load by virtue of locating the fulcrum at approximately the center-of-gravity. The inclination is displayed on a remote control panel which also provides the capability of controlling all functions of the unit. Regardless of what inclination the treadmill walking surface is positioned at, the chair positioned proximate thereto is, in one embodiment thereof, maintained level with the floor on which the treadmill is supported.

Claims

1. A treadmill for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and the like, including:

a base;

a frame pivotally mounted on said base;

a pair of rollers mounted on said frame in spaced and parallel relationship;

platform means interposed between said rollers and mounted on said frame to define a walking surface;

an endless belt looped around said rollers and over said platform means;

a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to said belt;

an inclination control mechanism coupled to said frame including means to change the inclination of the walking surface relative to said base;

a chair mounted on the frame adjacent said belt and to one said thereof; and

a linkage mechanism coupled to the chair and to the frame including means for controlling the inclination of said chair as the inclination of the walking surface is changed, so that an established relationship between the plane of the seat of the chair and the base remains the same regardless inclination of the walking surface relative to the base.