Speed control device of a treadmill

• US 6,733,423 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: P & F Brother Industrial Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alilife Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chang, Chih-Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US10/372,164
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• 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 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions

Abstract

A speed control device of a treadmill includes a transmitter, a receiver, a transmitter end circuit and a receiver end circuit. The transmitter serves to generate and transmit ultrasonic wave, while the receiver serves to receive reflected ultrasonic wave. The transmitter end circuit has an oscillating IC circuit and an analog-digital converting circuit. The oscillating IC circuit serves to oscillate the ultrasonic wave generated by the transmitter to high frequency. The analog-digital converting circuit serves to convert digital signal into analog signal. The receiver end circuit has an amplifying circuit and an analog-digital converting circuit. The amplifying circuit serves to amplify the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the receiver into high frequency. The analog-digital converting circuit serves to convert the reflected analog signal into digital signal.

Claims

1. A speed control device of a treadmill, said speed control device being arranged in a certain position on a controlling panel of the treadmill, said speed control device comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transmitter end circuit and a receiver end circuit, wherein:

the transmitter and the receiver are mounted on the controlling panel of the treadmill and directed to rear end of the treadmill, the transmitter serving to generate and transmit ultrasonic wave, while the receiver serving to receive reflected ultrasonic wave;

the transmitter end circuit is disposed in the controlling panel and connected with a CPU and the transmitter inside the controlling panel, the transmitter end circuit having an oscillating IC circuit and an analog-digital converting circuit, the oscillating IC circuit serving to oscillate the ultrasonic wave generated by the transmitter to high frequency, the analog-digital converting circuit serving to convert the digital signal of the CPU into analog signal; and

the receiver end circuit is disposed in the controlling panel and connected with the CPU and the receiver inside the controlling panel, the receiver end circuit having an amplifying circuit and an analog-digital converting circuit, the amplifying circuit serving to amplify the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the receiver into high frequency, the analog-digital converting circuit serving to convert the reflected analog signal into digital signal and send the signal to the CPU.

2. The speed control device of a treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are pivotally connected with a seat body fixed on a middle portion of the controlling panel, whereby the transmitter and the receiver have a certain pivot angle range so that the transmission and receiving of the transmitter and the receiver are limited to a certain height.

3. The speed control device of a treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the treadmill includes a base seat and a tread platform, two upward extending columns being respectively disposed on two sides of the base seat, a handle being disposed at top end of each column, the controlling panel being mounted between the two handles, a front end of the tread platform being mounted between the two columns of the base seat, a tread belt being disposed in the tread platform, the tread belt being driven by a power source to circularly rotate.

4. The speed control device of a treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein the treadmill includes a base seat and a tread platform, two upward extending columns being respectively disposed on two sides of the base seat, a handle being disposed at top end of each column, the controlling panel being mounted between the two handles, a front end of the tread platform being mounted between the two columns of the base seat, a tread belt being disposed in the tread platform, the tread belt being driven by a power source to circularly rotate.