Displacement detector of a shock absorption unit for a treadmill

• US 6,719,669 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2003
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leao Wang, Peter Wu
• Original Assignee: Leao Wang, Peter Wu
• Inventors: Wang, Leao, Wu, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/410,815
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54
• 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 22/0207 having shock absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances

Abstract

A treadmill having two handgrip frames, a base frame and a deck frame includes a displacement detector of a shock absorption unit. A cantilever has one end pivotably connected to the lower portion of each of the handgrip frames and the other end pivotably connected to the deck frame. A displacement detector and an adjustable cushioning apparatus with a driving motor are interposed between each connecting arm of the handgrip frame and each cantilever for adjusting the cushioning force. The displacement detector having a cable, a guide roller, a large gear, a small gear and an optical disk is installed at bottom end of the adjustable cushioning apparatus. The optical disk and the small gear are received on a shaft. An optical detector is mounted near one side of the optical disk. The cable with one end fixed at the connecting arm of the handgrip frame extends around the guide roller and the large gear and is secured to the other end to the base frame.

Claims

1. A treadmill having a base frame, a handgrip frame extending upwardly from both sides at front end of the base frame with an electronic control panel mounted thereon and a deck frame with a running belt movably mounted thereon, comprising:

a) a plurality of cantilevers each having one end pivotably connected to the lower portion of the handgrip frames and the other end pivotably connected to the deck frame;

b) a plurality of adjustable cushioning apparatus each interposed between a connecting arm of the handgrip frame and one of the cantilevers for adjusting the cushioning force in accordance with different forces acting on the deck frame; and

c) a plurality of displacement detectors each installed at bottom end of the adjustable cushioning apparatuses.

2. The treadmill of claim 1 wherein the adjustable cushioning apparatus with a driving motor comprising:

a) a motor shaft gear and an adjustment gear so that the driving motor of the adjustable cushioning apparatus brings the adjustment gear in rotation through the motor shaft gear whereby the rotation of the adjustment gear enables the adjustment of the cushioning force provided by the adjustable cushioning apparatus;

b) a coupling control element disposed on the adjustment gear and movable therewith; and

c) a plurality of micro-switches for automatically shutting down the driving motor when the control element contacts either of the micro-switches whereby an effective restriction of the adjusting travel caused by the driving motor is attainable.

3. The treadmill of claim 1 wherein the displacement detector comprising:

a) a guide roller;

b) a large gear;

c) a small gear;

d) an optical disk installed at bottom end of the adjustable cushioning apparatus wherein the optical disk and the small gear are received on an identical shaft; and

e) a cable with one end fixed at the connecting arm of the handgrip frame extending around the guide roller and the large gear and secured to the other end to the base frame.