Energy absorbing system for exercise equipment

• US 6,623,407 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Krull, Pat J. Novak
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull, Pat J. Novak
• Inventors: Novak, Pat J., Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/754,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20010024998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• 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 22/0228 with variable resilience

Abstract

An exercise device has a variable amount of energy absorbing material disposed in series between a body supporting member and an underlying floor surface.

Claims

1. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a base designed to rest upon a floor surface;

a deck mounted on the base;

an endless tread disposed about the deck; and

a means for disposing a variable amount of energy absorbing material in series between the deck and the floor surface, wherein the energy absorbing material is a strip of resilient material, and the means includes at least one roller rotatably mounted on the deck and resting on top of the strip.

2. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the at least one roller is selectively movable along the strip.

3. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the strip has first and second portions with different resiliency characteristics.

4. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the means further includes another roller rotatably mounted on the deck and selectively resting on top of the strip.

5. The treadmill of claim 4, wherein the another roller is selectively movable linearly relative to the strip.

6. The treadmill of claim 4, wherein the another roller is selectively rotatable between distinct orientations relative to the strip.

7. A method of absorbing energy associated with exercise on a treadmill, comprising the steps of:

providing a base designed to rest upon a floor surface;

mounting a deck on the base;

disposing an endless tread about the deck;

providing an energy absorbing material, wherein the energy absorbing material is provided as a strip of resilient material on the base; and

allowing a user to adjust how much of the energy absorbing material is disposed in series between the deck and the floor surface, wherein the user is allowed to adjust at least one point of contact between the deck and the strip.

8. A method of absorbing energy associated with exercise on a treadmill, comprising the steps of:

providing a base designed to rest upon a floor surface;

mounting a deck on the base;

disposing an endless tread about the deck;

providing an energy absorbing material, wherein the energy absorbing material is provided as a strip of resilient material on the base;

rotatably mounting a roller on the deck; and

allowing a user to adjust how much of the energy absorbing material is disposed in series between the deck and the floor surface, wherein the user is allowed to selectively move the roller along the strip.