Suspension system for exercise apparatus
First Claim
1. An exercise treadmill comprising:
- (a) a frame;
(b) first and second roller assemblies rotatably mounted on the frame;
(c) an endless belt trained around the first and second roller assemblies;
(d) a deck disposed between the frame and the upper run of the endless belt, the deck having a first end portion and a second end portion;
(e) a pivot connection to pivotally connect the second end portion of the deck to the frame to enable the second end portion of the deck to pivot about an axis generally transversely to the length of the deck, the pivot connection vertically supporting the second end portion of the deck and simultaneously supporting the deck for pivotal movement relative to the frame; and
(f) at least one elongated spring disposed between the frame and the deck at a location between the first and second end portions of the deck to absorb loads imparted on deck by the exerciser, the spring being disposed so that the length of the spring is generally parallel to the plane of the deck.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A treadmill (10) includes a frame on which are mounted transverse forward and rearward roller assemblies (14, 16). An endless belt (18) is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies. A deck (20) is positioned between the upper run of the belt and the frame. The rearward portion of the deck (20) is mounted to the frame by a pivot connection (24) to allow pivoting of the deck about an axis transversely to the length of the deck. Elongate springs (26) of adjustable stiffness are mounted either along the sides of the frame to underlie the side margins of the deck, or transversely of the deck, to support the deck in conjunction with the pivot connection (24) and to absorb impact loads imparted on the deck by the user.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. An exercise treadmill comprising:
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(a) a frame; (b) first and second roller assemblies rotatably mounted on the frame; (c) an endless belt trained around the first and second roller assemblies; (d) a deck disposed between the frame and the upper run of the endless belt, the deck having a first end portion and a second end portion; (e) a pivot connection to pivotally connect the second end portion of the deck to the frame to enable the second end portion of the deck to pivot about an axis generally transversely to the length of the deck, the pivot connection vertically supporting the second end portion of the deck and simultaneously supporting the deck for pivotal movement relative to the frame; and (f) at least one elongated spring disposed between the frame and the deck at a location between the first and second end portions of the deck to absorb loads imparted on deck by the exerciser, the spring being disposed so that the length of the spring is generally parallel to the plane of the deck. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An exercise treadmill, comprising:
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(a) a frame; (b) first and second roller assemblies rotatably mounted on the frame; (c) an endless belt trained about the first and second roller assemblies; (d) a deck disposed between the frame and the upper run of the endless belt, the deck having a first end portion and a second end portion; (e) a pivot connection to pivotally connect the second end portion of the deck to the frame to pivot about an axis extending generally transversely to the length of the frame, the pivot connection supporting the second end portion of the deck in the direction toward and away from the upper run of the endless belt and also supporting the deck for pivotal movement relative to the frame; and (f) at least one elongated spring extending lengthwise of the deck and disposed between the frame and the deck at a location between the first end portion of the deck and the pivot connection to support the deck relative to the frame in cooperation with the pivot connection, to absorb loads imparted on the deck by the exerciser and to resist movement of the deck toward the frame when an exerciser strides on the belt. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification