Folding treadmill

• US 6,830,540 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: McKendrick, Matthew E., Plott, Matthew R., Watterson, Scott R., Dalebout, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/775,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20020103057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 including a support structure and a tread base pivotally mounted to the support structure. The tread base having a front portion and a rear portion rotatably coupled together by way of a folding mechanism that allows the rear portion to fold toward the front portion so that lower surfaces of the front and rear portions are substantially adjacent one to another. The folding mechanism can include a means for releasably locking the front portion to the rear portion to create a surface upon which a belt can move and upon which an individual can exercise. The treadmill can include a motion assembly that inclines and declines the tread base, while optionally causing the belt to rotate about two rollers mounted within the front portion and rear portion respectively.

Claims

1. A motorized treadmill, comprising:

(a) a support structure; and

(b) a tread base, having a first end and a second end, supported by the support structure, the tread base comprising (i) a first portion pivotally supported by the support structure at the first end and (ii) a second portion movably mounted to the first portion at a location of the tread base between the first end and the second end of the tread base, the second portion being moveable relative to the first portion.

2. A treadmill as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handrail slidably engaged with a support member of the support structure.

3. A treadmill as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for locking the first portion to the second portion.

4. A treadmill as recited in claim 1, further comprising a folding mechanism coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion to aid with pivoting of the second portion relative to the first portion.

5. A treadmill as recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a motion assembly, the motion assembly configured to incline and decline the tread base.

6. A treadmill as recited in claim 5, wherein the first portion is coupled to the motion assembly.

7. A treadmill as recited in claim 1, wherein the tread base comprises

(a) a front roller and a rear roller;

(b) a belt extending from the front roller and the rear roller; and

(c) a first deck and a second deck configured to support the belt.

8. A treadmill as recited in claim 7, wherein the tread base comprises a pad extending from the first portion to the second portion, the pad being configured to reduce frictional forces applied to the belt as a user exercises upon the treadmill.

9. A treadmill as recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a telescoping handrail.

10. A treadmill as recited in claim 9, wherein the handrail comprises first and second telescoping uprights that selectively move between desired incremental positions.

11. A treadmill comprising:

(a) a support assembly; and

(b) a tread base pivotally attached to the support assembly, the tread base being selectively moveable between (i) an operating position where the tread base has a first length defined by a distance between a first end and a second end of the tread base; and

(ii) a storage position where the tread base has a second length between the first end and the second end, the second length being less than the first length.

12. A treadmill as recited in claim 11, wherein the support assembly comprises a handrail, wherein the handrail is configured to slidably engage with a support member of the support assembly and move between the first height and a second height, the second height being less than the first height.

13. A treadmill as recited in claim 11, wherein the tread base comprises a first portion pivotally mounted to a second portion.

14. A treadmill as recited in claim 11, wherein the support assembly comprises a support structure and a motion assembly.

15. A treadmill as recited in claim 14, wherein the motion assembly comprises an incline member and an incline motor the incline motor being coupled to the support structure and the incline member.

16. A treadmill as recited in claim 11, wherein the tread base comprises a locking mechanism coupled to the support assembly, the locking mechanism being configured to maintain the handrail at a selected position relative to a support member of the support assembly.

17. A treadmill as recited in claim 11, wherein the tread base comprises a first portion and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion, further comprising a folding mechanism attached to the first portion and the second portion, the folding mechanism configured to rotatably couple the second portion to a distal end of the first portion.

18. A treadmill as recited in claim 17, wherein the folding mechanism comprises:

(a) means for pivoting the second portion substantially about the distal end of the first portion;

(b) means for preventing over rotation of the second portion substantially about the first portion as the second portion pivots; and

(c) means for releasably maintaining the second portion in a substantially planar relationship to the first portion when the tread base is in the operating position.

19. A treadmill as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for pivoting comprises a first member formed in the first portion and a second member formed in the second member, the first member and the second member being coupled by a pivot pin.

20. A treadmill as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for preventing comprises a stop coupled to the second portion, the stop being configured to engage with the means for releasably maintaining the second portion when the first portion and the second portion are in substantial planar relationship.

21. A treadmill as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for releasably maintaining the second portion comprises a spring latch configured to engage with the second portion when the second portion and the first portion are in substantial planar relationship.

22. A treadmill as recited in claim 11, wherein the tread base comprise a pad extending from a first portion to a second portion.

23. A treadmill as recited in claim 22, wherein the pad is fixably attached to the tread base by a spring mechanism allowing the pad to move as the tread base moves from the operating position and the storage position.

24. A treadmill as recited in claim 11, wherein the tread base comprises a first portion and a second portion pivotally mounted to the first portion, the first portion comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the second portion being pivotally mounted at the distal end of the first portion.

25. A treadmill as recited in claim 24, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise a first lower surface and a second lower surface, the second portion being configured to pivot about the distal end of the first surface such that the first lower surface is substantially adjacent the second lower surface.

26. A motorized treadmill, comprising:

(a) a support structure; and

(b) a tread base pivotally coupled to the support structure, the tread base comprising;

(i) a front portion pivotal relative to the support structure; and

(ii) a rear portion movably coupled to the front portion and movable relative to the front portion.

27. A treadmill as recited in claim 26, wherein the front portion and the rear portion comprise a front lower surface and a rear lower surface, the rear portion being configured to pivot about a distal end of the front portion such that the front lower surface is substantially adjacent to the rear lower surface.

28. A treadmill as recited in claim 26, wherein the support structure comprises a motion assembly and a handrail.

29. A treadmill as recited in claim 26, wherein the support structure comprises a telescoping handrail.

30. A treadmill comprising:

(a) a support structure; and

(b) a tread base coupled to the support structure, the tread base being selectively oriented in;

(i) an operational position where the tread base has a first length defined by a distance between a first end and a second end of the tread base;

(ii) a first storage position; and

(iii) a second storage position where the tread base has a second length that is different from the first length.

31. A treadmill as recited in claim 30, wherein:

(a) the support structure comprises a support member and a handrail; and

(b) the tread base is pivotally coupled to the support structure, the tread base comprising;

(i) a front portion pivotally coupled to the support structure; and

(ii) a rear portion pivotally coupled to the front portion.

32. A treadmill as recited in claim 30, wherein the front portion and the rear portion comprise a front lower surface and a rear lower surface, the rear portion being configured to pivot about a distal end of the front portion such that the front lower surface is substantially adjacent to the rear lower surface.

33. A treadmill as recited in claim 30, wherein the first length is the same length as the tread base in the operational position.

34. A treadmill as recited in claim 30, wherein the second length is smaller than the first length.

35. The treadmill as recited in claim 30, wherein the treadmill is motorized.