Treadmill with foldable support unit

• US 6,682,460 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2001
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter K.C. Lo
• Original Assignee: Peter K.C. Lo
• Inventors: Liao, Pendy, Lo, Peter K. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US09/947,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482/908
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

A treadmill includes a tread base with a first foot unit disposed at a front end of the tread base, and a pair of rear links having front ends pivotally connected to the tread base rearwardly of the first foot unit and rear ends provided with a second foot unit. The rear links are pivotal relative to the tread base to move the second foot unit towards and away from the tread base. A console assembly includes a pair of posts extending upward from and pivoted to the tread base, and a console panel attached to top ends of the posts. A pair of coupling arms have front and rear ends respectively connected to the posts and the rear links.

Claims

1. A treadmill which can be folded to an inoperative position and unfolded to an operative position, comprising:

a tread base having a front end, and a first foot unit disposed at said front end;

a pair of rear links having front ends pivotally connected to said tread base about a first pivot axis posterior to said first foot unit, and rear ends provided with a second foot unit, said rear links being pivotal relative to said tread base to move said second foot unit towards said tread base when the treadmill is at the operative position and away from said tread base when the treadmill is at the inoperative position;

a console assembly including a pair of posts extending upward from said tread base adjacent said front end of said tread base and pivoted to said tread base respectively at left and right sides of said tread base about a second pivot axis, and a console panel attached to top ends of said posts; and

a pair of coupling arms having front ends respectively connected to said posts and rear ends respectively connected to said rear links between said front and rear ends of said rear links.

2. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said second pivot axis is located above said tread base when the treadmill is at the operative position, said posts having bottom ends provided with a third foot unit, said third foot unit extending at said left and right sides of said tread base to a level lower than said second pivot axis and higher than said first foot unit when the treadmill is at the operative position.

3. The treadmill according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of pivot bearings which have mounting sections fixed to said tread base, and pivot sections extending upward from said mounting sections when the treadmill is at the operative position, said second pivot axis passing through said pivot sections above said tread base.

4. The treadmill according to claim 2, wherein said tread base further includes a pair of pivot supports which project downward from said tread base at said left and right sides of said tread base, said front ends of said rear links being respectively pivoted to said pivot supports.

5. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein said first foot unit includes a pair of front links having rear ends respectively and pivotally connected to said pivot supports about said first pivot axis, said front links extending forwardly from said first pivot axis and further having front ends formed with foot bottoms adapted to contact a support surface for placement of the treadmill, said front links being pivotal relative to said tread base so as to move towards and away from said tread base.

6. The treadmill according to claim 5, further comprising a retention unit interconnecting said tread base and said front links, said retention unit being extendible to move said front links away from said tread base and retractable to move said front links toward said tread base.

7. The treadmill according to claim 6, wherein said retention unit includes an internally threaded tube, a threaded rod inserted into said tube, and a drive unit to drive said rod to move into or out of said tube.

8. The treadmill according to claim 7, further comprising a locking unit disposed between said front and rear links for locking relative movement between said front and rear links when the treadmill is at the inoperative position.

9. The treadmill according to claim 2, wherein said coupling arms are connected detachably to said rear links.

10. The treadmill according to claim 2, further comprising lift unit which interconnects said tread base and said rear links, said lift unit being extendible to move said rear links away from said tread base and retractable to move said rear links toward said tread base.