Fold-out treadmill

• US 6,350,218 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Hammer, Rodney, Hendrickson, Rick, Dalebout, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/470,605
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54
• 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 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

A fold-out treadmill includes a deck having a rear end that is attached to a stationary base. The deck has a front end, a rear end, and a continuous belt rotatably mounted thereon. The rear end of the deck is moveably attached to the base so as to enable the deck to be selectively rotated between an operational position in which the deck is positioned for operation by a user positioned thereon and a storage position in which the deck is positioned proximate to the handrail. The treadmill also includes a collapsible handrail that has a rear end attached to the deck and an opposing front end projecting above the front end of the deck when the deck is in the operational position. The handrail is configured such that when the deck is moved between the operational position and the storage position the handrail does not extend beyond the rear end of the base. The treadmill also includes a fold-out assembly movably connecting the rear end of the handrail to the deck so as to enable the front end of the handrail to project above the front end of the deck when the deck is in the operational position and to automatically collapse into a compact storage configuration when the deck is rotated into the storage position. The fold-out assembly is configured such that the handrail is repositioned by a combination of pivotal movement and linear translation relative to the deck as the deck is selectively rotated from the storage position into the operational position. The fold-out assembly comprises a leg and a slider assembly. The slider assembly is connected to the rear end of the handrail and is configured to allow linear translation of the handrail relative to the deck when the deck is selectively rotated between the storage position and the operational position.

Claims

1. A fold-out treadmill comprising:

(a) a base having a rear end and an opposing front end;

(b) a deck having a rear end, an opposing front end and an endless belt rotatably mounted thereon, said rear end of said deck being movably attached to said base;

(c) a handrail movably attached to said deck;

(d) said deck configured to be selectively rotated between an operational position in which said deck is positioned for use by a user positioned thereon, and a substantially vertical storage position in which said front end of said deck is positioned proximate to said handrail; and

(e) said handrail further being configured to fold into a compact storage configuration when said deck is moved from said operational position to said storage position and to unfold when said deck is moved from said storage position to said operational position such that said handrail extends above said front end of said deck when said deck is in said operational position, said handrail further being configured such that while said deck is being moved between said operational position and said storage position said handrail does not extend beyond said rear end of said base.

2. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 1, wherein said deck, said base, and said handrail define a footprint on a support surface when said deck is in said operational position and wherein said handrail and said deck remain entirely within said footprint as said deck is moved between said operational position and said storage position.

3. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fold-out means for attaching said handrail to said deck so as to enable said handrail to project above said deck when said deck is in said operational position and to collapse into said compact storage configuration when said deck is rotated into said storage position.

4. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 3, wherein said fold-out means comprises a fold-out assembly configured to movably connect said handrail to said deck so as to enable said handrail to project above said deck when said deck is in said operational position and to collapse into said compact storage configuration when said deck is rotated into said storage position.

5. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 4, wherein said fold-out assembly is configured such that said handrail is repositioned by pivotal movement as said deck is selectively repositioned from said storage position into said operational position.

6. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 1, further comprising an incline assembly attached to said deck, said incline assembly being configured to vary the inclination of said deck relative to a support surface while said deck is in said operational position.

7. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lift assistance assembly attached to said deck, said lift assistance assembly being configured to urge said deck to move from said operational position to said storage position.

8. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 7, wherein said lift assistance assembly comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

9. A fold-out fold-out treadmill comprising:

(a) a handrail having a rear end and a front end;

(b) a support structure comprising;

(i) a base having a rear end and an opposing front end; and

(ii) a deck having a front end, a rear end, and an endless belt rotatably mounted thereon, said rear end of said deck being moveably attached to said base so as to enable said deck to selectively rotate between an operational position in which said deck is positioned for operation by a user positioned thereon and a substantially vertical storage position in which said front end of said deck is positioned proximate to said handrail;

(c) fold-out means for connecting said rear end of said handrail to said support structure so as to enable said front end of said handrail to project above said front end of said deck when said deck is in said operational position and to automatically collapse into a compact storage configuration when said deck is in said storage position; and

(d) said handrail further being configured such that when said deck is moved between said operational position and said storage position said handrail does not extend beyond said rear end of said base.

10. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 9, wherein said fold-out means is configured such that said handrail is repositioned as said deck is selectively rotated from said storage position into said operational position.

11. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 10, wherein said fold-out means comprises:

(a) a leg having a proximal end rotatably attached to said rear end of said handrail and a distal end rotatably attached to said base, said proximal end of said leg and said rear end of said handrail being movably connected to said deck to allow said handrail to automatically collapse into a compact storage configuration when said deck is rotated from said operational position into said storage position; and

(b) slider means for allowing linear translation of said handrail relative to said deck.

12. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 9, wherein said base is capable of stably supporting the treadmill when said deck is in either said operational position or said storage position and when said deck is being repositioned therebetween.

13. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 12, wherein said base comprises a body and a stabilizer member attached thereto.

14. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 9, further comprising a pneumatic cylinder rotatably attached at one end thereof to said deck and the opposite end of the pneumatic cylinder being rotatably attached to said base.

15. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 9, wherein said handrail comprises:

(a) a pair of uprights movably connected to said deck, said pair of uprights being configured to project above said deck when said deck is in said operational position and to automatically collapse into substantial alignment with said deck when said deck is rotated into said storage position; and

(b) a pair of handles attached to said uprights.

16. A fold-out treadmill comprising:

(a) a handrail having a rear end and front end;

(b) a support structure comprising;

(i) a base having a rear and an opposing front end; and

(ii) a deck having a front end, a rear end, and an endless belt rotatably mounted thereon, said rear end of said deck being moveably attached to said base so as to enable said deck to selectively rotate between an operational position in which said deck is positioned for operation by a user positioned thereon and a substantially vertical storage position in which said front end of said deck is positioned proximate to said handrail;

(c) a fold-out assembly for connecting said rear end of said handrail to said support structure so as to enable said front end of said handrail to project above said front end of said deck when said deck is in said operational position and to automatically collapse into a compact storage configuration when said deck is in said storage position; and

(d) said handrail further being configured such that when said deck is moved between said operational position and said storage position said handrail does not extend beyond said rear end of said base.

17. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 16, wherein said fold-out assembly is configured such that said handrail is repositioned by a combination of pivotal movement and linear translation relative to said deck as said deck is selectively rotated from said storage position into said operational position.

18. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 16, wherein said fold-out assembly comprises:

(a) a leg having a proximal end rotatably attached to said rear end of said handrail and a distal end rotatably attached to said base, said proximal end of said leg and said rear end of said handrail being moveably attached to said deck to allow said handrail to automatically collapse into a compact storage configuration when said deck is rotated from said operational position into said storage position by a combination of rotational movement and linear translation relative to said deck; and

(b) a slider assembly connected to the rear end of said handrail, said slider assembly being configured to allow linear translation of said handrail relative to said deck when said deck is selectively rotated between said storage position and said operational position.

19. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 18, wherein said slider assembly comprises:

(a) an elongated bracket attached to said deck; and

(b) a slider attached to the rear end of said handrail, said slider being disposed in said elongated bracket allowing the second end of said handrail to translate linearly relative to said deck so as to make said handrail automatically collapse into a compact storage configuration when said deck is rotated into said storage position.

20. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 18, wherein said slider assembly comprises:

(a) a slider rod attached to said deck; and

(b) a slider connected to said rear end of said handrail, said slider being configured to cooperate with said slider rod so as to allow said handrail to translate linearly relative to said deck and so as to make said handrail automatically collapse into a compact configuration when said deck is rotated into said storage position.

21. A fold-out treadmill comprising:

(a) a base having a rear end and an opposing front end, said base configured to rest upon a support surface;

(b) a handrail having a rear end and a front end;

(c) a deck having a front end, a rear end, and an endless belt rotatably mounted thereon, said rear end of said deck being rotatably mounted to said base so as to enable said deck to selectively rotate between an operational position in which said deck is positioned for operation by a user positioned thereon, and a substantially vertical storage position in which said deck is rotated such that said front end of said deck is positioned proximate to said handrail;

(d) a fold-out assembly moveably connecting said rear end of said handrail to said deck so as to enable the front end of said handrail to project above the front end of said deck when said deck is in said operational position and to automatically collapse into a compact storage configuration when said deck is rotated into said storage position, said fold-out assembly further being configured such that said handrail is repositioned by a combination of pivotal movement and linear translation relative to said deck as said deck is selectively repositioned by pivotal movement from said storage position into said operational position; and

(e) said handrail further being configured such that when said deck is moved between said operational position and said storage position said handrail does not extend beyond said rear end of said base.

22. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 21, wherein said fold-out assembly comprises:

(a) an elongated support having an upper end rotatably attached to said handrail and a lower end rotatably attached to said deck;

(b) a leg having a proximal end attached to the rear end of said handrail and a distal end rotatably attached to said base, said distal end of said leg allowing said handrail to rotate relative to said deck while automatically collapsing into a compact storage configuration when said deck is rotated form said operational position into said storage position; and

(c) a slider assembly configured to allow linear translation of said handrail relative to said deck, said slider assembly being attached to the rear end of said handrail.

23. A fold-out treadmill as recited in claim 22, wherein said slider assembly comprises:

(a) an elongated slot formed in the side of said deck;

(b) a plurality of slider rods attached to the interior surface of said deck; and

(c) a slider connected to said rear end of said handrail, said slider being configured to cooperate with said plurality of slider rods to allow said handrail to translate linearly relative to said deck so as to make said handrail automatically collapse into a compact configuration when said deck is rotated into said storage position.