Running machine

• US 5,385,519 A
• Filed: 04/19/1994
• Issued: 01/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chi-Hsueh Hsu, Chih-Yes Shyu, Jong-Yes Shyu
• Original Assignee: Chi-Hsueh Hsu, Chih-Yes Shyu, Jong-Yes Shyu
• Inventors: Hsu, Chi-Hsueh, Shyu, Jong-Yes, Shyu, Chih-Yes
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US08/229,706
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: 482/900, 482/901, 482/902, 482/51, 482/52, 482/53, 482/54, 482/57, 482/74
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• 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 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

A running machine is provided. The machine includes a base consisting of a flat upper plate and flat lower plate, a plurality of roller shafts provided laterally and spaced above the upper plate. An endless belt moves around the roller shafts by means of a motor. Four lifts are provided between the upper plate and the lower plate at the respective four corners thereof, to incline the upper plate. A computer for controlling the motor and the lifts is also provided. The computer controls the motor and lifts according to a program provided on a disk recorded with a program of various conditions of a rod. A visual-acoustic mask is connected to the computer, and includes a screen and a speaker to present images and sounds according to the program to a user wearing the mask while running on the belt for exercise.

Claims

1. A running machine, comprising:

a flat lower plate member having a rectangular contour;

an upper plate member disposed in spaced vertical relationship with said lower plate member;

a plurality of laterally extending roller shafts rotatively coupled to said upper plate member in spaced parallel relationship;

an endless belt disposed around said plurality of roller shafts;

a motor disposed adjacent a front portion of said upper plate member and drivingly coupled to at least one of said plurality of roller shafts for providing displacement of said endless belt thereon;

means for displacing said upper plate member relative to said lower plate member, said displacement means including four electrically operated lifts disposed between said upper plate member and said lower plate member, each of said lifts having a first end coupled to said lower plate member adjacent a respective corner thereof and having an opposing second end coupled to said upper plate member;

a bellows having one end encompassing a perimeter portion of said upper plate member and an opposing other end encompassing a perimeter portion of said lower plate member;

a computer electrically coupled to said motor and each of said four electrically operated lifts for controlling a speed of said motor and displacement of each of said lifts responsive to predetermined program; and

,

a visual-acoustic mask electrically coupled to said computer for providing visual and acoustic stimuli to a user, said visual-acoustic mask including a display screen for displaying images thereon and a pair of speakers for providing sounds associated with said images, wherein said computer coordinates changes in said lifts and motor with said images and said sounds to simulate a predetermined running environment.