Exercise treadmill

• US 6,923,746 B1
• Filed: 12/06/1999
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Lantz, Kenneth F., Szymczak, Eugene B., Minnich, Edward W., Kolomayets, George, Adams, Vincent C., Alexander, Donald James, Skowronski, Richard E., Totzke, Wade K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/455,959
• Time in Patent Office: 2,066 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 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0214 between the belt supporting deck and the frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch

Abstract

To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Claims

1. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing longitudinal structural support for said frame structure;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to a first of said pulleys;

an endless, moveable surface being rotated when said first pulley is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a deck member for supporting the weight of a human user secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface; and

a control panel secured to said frame structure and operatively connected to said motor for permitting the human user to control the speed of said endless movable surface;

at least one side rail secured to said frame structure; and

a deck support structure including at least two resilient support members, wherein at least a portion of said resilient support members are composed of elastomeric material, and wherein said resilient support members are laterally spaced and interposed in a lateral plane between said frame structure and said deck member and wherein each of said resilient support members are permanently secured in said lateral plane between said deck member and said frame structure so as to prevent longitudinal movement of all of said elastomeric material in said resilient support members with respect to said deck member and wherein said resilient support members support said deck member on said frame structure so as to permit said deck member to deflect downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface.

2. The exercise treadmill of claim 1 wherein at least two of said resilient support members are laterally spaced and secured to said frame structure proximate to one end of said deck member.

3. The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein each of said two resilient support members laterally spaced and secured to said frame structure proximate to said one end of said deck member are secured to said frame structure with at least one fasting member.

4. The exercise treadmill of claim 1 wherein at least two of said resilient support members are configured with a cross section having an aperture.

5. The exercise treadmill of claim 4 wherein said apertures are generally elliptical in shape.

6. The exercise treadmill of claim 4 wherein said apertures result in said resilient support members having a variable spring rate.

7. The exercise treadmill of claim 6 wherein said deck support structure additionally permits at least a limited longitudinal movement of one end of said deck member.

8. The exercise treadmill of claim 1 wherein said deck member includes a member composed substantially of wood and wherein said resilient support members abut said deck member.

9. The exercise treadmill of claim 1 wherein at least two of said resilient support members are secured to said frame structure and abut said deck member proximate to one end of said deck member and are effective to permit both said downward movement of said deck member and at least limited longitudinal movement of said one end of said deck.

10. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing longitudinal structural support for said frame structure;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to a first of said pulleys;

an endless, moveable surface being rotated when said first pulley is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a deck member for supporting the weight of a human user secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface; and

a control panel secured to said frame structure and operatively connected to said motor for permitting the human user to control the speed of said endless movable surface;

at least one side rail secured to said frame structure; and

a deck support structure including an array of longitudinally and laterally spaced elastomeric support members secured between said deck member and said frame structure wherein said elastomeric support members permit said deck to partially float on said frame structure so as to permit at least a portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame structure by compressing in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby resulting in lower impact loads on the user'"'"'s feet.

11. The exercise treadmill of claim 10 wherein said elastomeric members additionally absorb substantially all the longitudinal movement of said deck member resulting from resulting from the impact of the user'"'"'s feet on said deck member.

12. The exercise treadmill of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of said elastomeric support members are cylindrically shaped and are secured between said deck member and said frame structure and are effective to absorb the longitudinal movement of said deck member without additional structure secured between said frame structure and said deck member.

13. The exercise treadmill of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said elastomeric support members are configured such as to have a variable spring rate when compressed in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet.

14. The exercise treadmill of claim 13 wherein said elastomeric support members having a variable spring rate cooperate with said deck member to permit said deck to move downwardly such that the amount of incremental movement of said deck member decreases as the impact force of the user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface increases.

15. The exercise treadmill of claim 10 wherein said elastomeric support members have a uncompressed height in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 inches and have a compressed height in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 inches.

40. The exercise treadmill of claim 15, further comprising:

a first belt pulley and a second belt pulley, said first and second belt pulleys being rotatably attached to said frame structure, said motor being connected in torque transmitting relation with said first belt pulley, said endless belt extending over said first and second belt pulleys to provide a moveable exercise surface, whereby said first compressible support member is sufficiently resilient to permit a portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame structure in response to said impact force as a result of a human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface.

41. The exercise treadmill of claim 40, further comprising:

two or more of said compressible support members.

16. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing longitudinal structural support for said frame structure;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to a first of said pulleys;

an endless, moveable surface being rotated when said first pulley is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a deck member for supporting the weight of a human user secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface; and

a control panel secured to said frame structure and operatively connected to said motor for permitting the human user to control the speed of said endless movable surface;

at least one side rail secured to said frame structure; and

a deck support structure including at least one set of two elastomeric support members having a variable spring constant secured to said frame structure and abutting said deck so as to both permit said deck member to float on said frame structure and to permit said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame structure resulting from compression of said elastomeric support members in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby resulting in lower impact loads on the human user'"'"'s feet.

17. The exercise treadmill of claim 16 wherein said set of elastomeric support members are configured with a cross section having an aperture wherein said variable spring rate substantially results from said apertures.

18. The exercise treadmill of claim 17 wherein said set of elastomeric support members cooperate with said deck member to permit said deck to move downwardly such that the amount of incremental deflection of said deck member decreases as the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface increases.

19. The exercise treadmill of claim 18 wherein said deck member includes a member composed substantially of wood and wherein said elastomeric support members abut said deck member.

20. The exercise treadmill of claim 19 wherein said elastomeric members additionally absorb substantially all the longitudinal movement of said deck member resulting from the impact of the user'"'"'s feet on said deck member.

21. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure including a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members and at least two longitudinally spaced apart cross members correcting said longitudinal frame members, said frame structure having a first and second ends located at opposite ends of said longitudinal frame members;

a first belt pulley rotatably secured at the first end of said frame structure;

a second belt pulley rotatably secured at the second end of said frame structure and positioned substantially parallel to said first belt pulley;

an endless belt extending over said belt pulleys, thereby providing a moveable exercise surface;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to said first belt pulley;

a deck member having a first end and a second end and being located beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface; and

a first compressible support member substantially comprised of an elastomeric material secured to said frame structure and located underneath said deck member, wherein said first compressible support member supports at least a portion of said deck member on said frame structure and wherein said first compressible support member is sufficiently compressible to permit said portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to impact force of a human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface, and wherein said compressible support member has a variable spring rate.

22. The exercise treadmill of claim 21, wherein said compressible support member is secured to a cross member located beneath said deck member.

23. The exercise treadmill of claim 21, wherein said compressible support member is secured to a longitudinal frame member located beneath said deck member.

24. The exercise treadmill of claim 21, further comprising a second compressible support member secured to said frame structure underneath said deck member, said second compressible support member being spaced laterally from said first compressible support member.

25. The exercise treadmill of claim 24 wherein said first and second compressible support members are secured to said frame structure proximate to said first end of said deck member.

26. The exercise treadmill of claim 25, wherein said first and second compressible support members abut said deck member and permit a limited longitudinal movement of said first end of said deck member.

27. The exercise treadmill of claim 24, additionally including a third and a fourth compressible support member longitudinally spaced apart from said first and second compressible support members.

28. The exercise treadmill of claim 21, wherein each said compressible support member comprises an elastomeric material configured with a cross section having an aperture.

29. The exercise treadmill of claim 28, wherein each said aperture extends horizontally through said elastomeric material.

30. The exercise treadmill of claim 28, wherein said compressible support member is secured to said frame structure with at least one fastening member.

31. The exercise treadmill of claim 22, wherein each said compressible support member comprises an elastomeric material configured with a cross section having an aperture.

32. The exercise treadmill of claim 23, wherein each said compressible support member comprises an elastomeric material configured with a cross section having an aperture.

33. The exercise treadmill of claim 24, wherein each said compressible support member comprises an elastomeric material configured with a cross section having an aperture.

34. The exercise treadmill of claim 25, wherein said deck member is made from wood and is at least ⅝

ths of an inch in thickness.

35. The exercise treadmill of claim 26, wherein each said compressible support member comprises an elastomeric material configured with a cross section having an aperture.

36. The exercise treadmill of claim 27, wherein each said compressible support member comprises an elastomeric material configured with a cross section having an aperture.

37. The exercise treadmill of claim 21, wherein said variable spring rate results in approximate downward movement of said portion of said deck member according to a first relation y=400x for a first range of downward movement and a second relation y=640x−

96 for a second range of downward movement, where x represents the amount of downward movement in inches and y represents the impact force in pounds.

38. The exercise treadmill of claim 21, wherein said compressible support member has a uncompressed height of at least 1.5 inches and has a minimum compressed height of at least 0.5 inches.

39. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure;

at least one side rail secured to said frame structure;

an endless belt providing a moveable exercise surface;

a motor supported by said frame and operatively connected to said endless belt;

a deck member; and

a first compressible support member disposed in contact with said frame and said deck member to resiliently support said deck member in relation to said frame structure, said first compressible support member permitting a portion of said deck member to move relative to said frame in response to an impact force on said deck and said first compressible support member having a variable spring constant.

42. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure including a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members and at least two longitudinally spaced apart cross members connecting said longitudinal frame members, said frame structure having first and second ends located at opposite ends of said longitudinal frame members;

a first belt pulley rotatably secured to the first end of said frame structure;

a second belt pulley rotatably secured to the second end of said frame structure and positioned substantially parallel to said first belt pulley;

an endless belt extending over said belt pulleys, thereby providing a moveable exercise surface;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to said first belt pulley;

a deck member located beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface;

a first compressible support member substantially comprised of an elastomeric material secured to said frame structure and located underneath said deck member, wherein said first compressible support member supports at least a portion of said deck member on said frame structure, wherein said first compressible support member is sufficiently compressible to permit said portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to impact force of a human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface, and said compressible support member has a variable spring rate; and

an impact sensing mechanism operably contacting said deck.

43. The exercise treadmill of claim 42, wherein said impact sensing mechanism comprises a deflection arm attached to said frame and resiliently biased against a lower surface of said deck.

44. The exercise treadmill of claim 43, wherein said impact sensing mechanism further comprises a magnet attached to said deflection arm and located at a first position relative to said frame.

45. The exercise treadmill of claim 44, wherein magnet moves to a second position relative to said frame when said deck member under said exercise surface is impacted.

46. The exercise treadmill of claim 45, wherein said impact sensing mechanism further comprises a sensor rigidly secured to said frame adjacent said magnet, wherein said sensor detects a change in magnetic flux when said magnet moves between said first and said second positions.

47. The exercise treadmill of claim 46, further comprising a microprocessor operably connected to said sensor, wherein said microprocessor generates a display of impact information from said change in magnetic flux.

48. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure including a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members and at least two longitudinally spaced apart cross members connecting said longitudinal frame members, said frame structure having first and second ends located at opposite ends of said longitudinal frame members;

a first belt pulley rotatably secured to the first end of said frame structure;

a second belt pulley rotatably secured to the second end of said frame structure and positioned substantially parallel to said first belt pulley;

an endless belt extending over said belt pulleys, thereby providing a moveable exercise surface;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to said first belt pulley;

a belt position sensing mechanism operably contacting said endless belt;

a deck member located beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface; and

a first compressible support member substantially comprised of an elastomeric material secured to said frame structure and located underneath said deck member, wherein said first compressible support member supports at least a portion of said deck member on said frame structure, wherein said first compressible support member is sufficiently compressible to permit said portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to impact force of a human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface, and said compressible support member has a variable spring rate.

49. The exercise treadmill of claim 48, wherein said belt position sensing mechanism comprises a deflection arm attached to said frame and resiliently biased against an edge of said endless belt.

50. The exercise treadmill of claim 49, wherein said belt position sensing mechanism further comprises a magnet attached to said deflection arm at a first position relative to said frame.

51. The exercise treadmill of claim 50, wherein magnet moves to a second position relative to said frame when said endless belt moves laterally relative to said frame.

52. The exercise treadmill of claim 51, wherein said belt position sensing mechanism further comprises a sensor rigidly secured to said frame adjacent said magnet, wherein said sensor detects a change in magnetic flux when said magnet moves between said first and said second positions.

53. The exercise treadmill of claim 52, further comprising a microprocessor operably connected to said sensor and a pulley pivoting system operably connected to one of said pulleys and to said microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor causes said pulley pivoting system to maintain said endless belt in a desired position on said pulleys based on said change in magnetic flux.

54. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing longitudinal structural support for said frame structure;

a rotational means including a motor for rotating one of said pulleys;

an endless, moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface;

a microprocessor included in said treadmill and operatively connected to said motor, and programmed to allow a user to select the speed of said endless moveable surface;

a plurality of laterally spaced resilient support members interposed between said frame structure and said deck member;

said resilient support members being mounted on stationary portions of said frame structure so as to prevent longitudinal movement of said resilient support members;

said resilient support members supporting said deck member on said frame structure so as to permit at least a portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface;

at least a portion of said resilient support members being composed of an elastomeric material and abutting said deck member; and

said resilient support members having a variable spring rate, whereby said resilient support member compresses at a variable rate in response to the impact force of the user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface.

55. The exercise treadmill of claim 54 wherein said resilient support members additionally serve to limit said downward deflection.

56. An exercise treadmill, comprising:

a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing longitudinal structural support for said frame structure;

at least one side rail secured to said frame structure;

a rotational means including a motor for rotating one of said pulleys;

an endless, moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface;

a plurality of laterally spaced resilient support members interposed between said frame structure and said deck member;

said resilient support members being mounted on stationary portions of said frame structure so as to prevent longitudinal movement of said resilient support members;

said resilient support members supporting said deck member on said frame structure so as to permit at least a portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface;

at least a portion of said resilient support members being composed of an elastomeric material and abuting said deck member; and

said resilient support members having a variable spring rate, whereby said resilient support member compresses at a variable rate in response to the impact force of the user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface.

57. The exercise treadmill of claim 56 wherein said resilient support members additionally serve to limit said downward deflection.

58. A treadmill comprising:

a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other;

at least one side rail secured to said frame structure;

a motor for rotating one of said pulleys;

an endless, moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a plurality of resilient support members interposed between said frame structure and said deck member;

said resilient support members supporting said deck member on said frame structure so as to permit at least a portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of a user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface;

at least a portion of said resilient support members being composed of an elastomeric material; and

said resilient support members having a variable spring rate, whereby said resilient support members compress at a variable rate in response to the impact force of the user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface.

59. The exercise treadmill of claim 58 wherein said resilient support members additionally serve to limit said downward deflection.

60. A treadmill comprising:

a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other;

at least one side rail secured to said frame structure;

a motor for rotating one of said pulleys;

an endless, moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a plurality of resilient elastomers interposed between said frame structure and said deck member;

said resilient elastomers supporting said deck member on said frame structure so as to permit at least a portion of said deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of a user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface; and

said resilient elastomers having a variable spring rate, whereby said resilient elastomers compress at a variable rate in response to the impact force of the users feet on said exercise surface.

61. The exercise treadmill of claim 60 wherein said resilient elastomers additionally serve to limit said downward deflection.

62. An exercise treadmill structures comprising:

a frame structure having a plurality of structural elements including a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing structural support for said frame structure;

a first belt pulley rotatably secured to a first end of said frame structure;

a second belt pulley rotatably secured to a second end of said frame structure;

an endless belt extending over said belt pulleys providing a moveable exercise surface on which a human user can walk or run while exercising;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to said first belt pulley;

a deck member composed substantially of wood having a first end and a second end and extending parallel to said longitudinal members for supporting the weight of a human user secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface;

a first non-inflatable, compressible support member substantially comprised of an elastomeric material secured to said frame structure in a lateral plane beneath said deck member with respect to said frame structure and permanently secured to said frame structure so as to prevent longitudinal movement of at least a portion of said first compressible support member with respect to said deck member and wherein said elastomeric material in said first compressible support members serves to support at least a portion of a first portion of said deck member with respect to said frame structure and wherein said elastomeric material is additionally sufficiently compressible to permit said first portion of deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame structure in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby lowering impact loads on the user'"'"'s feet; and

a second non-inflatable, compressible support member substantially comprised of said elastomeric material secured to said frame structure spaced laterally apart from said first compressible support member in said lateral plane and permanently secured to said frame structure so as to prevent longitudinal movement of at least a portion of said second compressible support member and wherein said elastomeric material in said second compressible support member serves to support at least a portion of a second portion of said deck member with respect to said frame structure and wherein said elastomeric material is additionally sufficiently compressible to permit said second portion of deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby lowering impact loads on the user'"'"'s feet.

63. The exercise treadmill of claim 62 wherein said first and second support members are secured to said frame structure proximate to said first end of said deck member and permit said first end of said deck member to move downwardly in response to the impact of the user'"'"'s feet.

64. The exercise treadmill of claim 63 wherein said compressible support members are secured to said frame structure with at least one fastening member.

65. The exercise treadmill of claim 62 wherein said elastomeric material of said compressible support members is configured with a cross section having an aperture.

66. The exercise treadmill of claim 65 wherein apertures results in a variable rate of said downward movement of said portions of deck member according to a first relation y=400x for a first range of downward movement and a second relation y=640x−

96 for a second range of downward movement where x represents the amount of downward movement in inches and y represents the impact force in pounds.

67. The exercise treadmill of claim 65 additionally including a third and a fourth non-inflatable, compressible support member longitudinally spaced from said first and second compressible support members respectively wherein said third and fourth support members are configured with a cross section having an aperture.

68. The exercise treadmill of claim 65 wherein said apertures result in said resilient support members having a variable rate of compression.

69. The exercise treadmill of claim 63 wherein a portion of said elastomeric material of said first and second support members abut said deck member and additionally permit a limited longitudinal movement of said first end of said deck member.

70. An exercise treadmill structure, comprising:

a frame structure having a plurality of structural elements including and a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing structural support for said frame structure;

a first belt pulley rotatably secured to a first end of said frame structure,

a second belt pulley rotatably secured to a second end of said frame structure

an endless belt extending over said belt pulleys providing a moveable exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to said first belt pulley;

a deck member composed substantially of wood having a first end and a second end and extending parallel to said longitudinal members for supporting the weight of a human user secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface;

a first non-inflatable, compressible support member substantially comprised of an elastomeric material secured to said frame structure in a lateral plane beneath said deck member effective to support at least a first portion of said deck member with respect to said frame structure and wherein said elastomeric material in said first compressible support member is configure with an aperture extending in a general horizontal direction through said first compressible support member and wherein said elastomeric material in said first compressible support member supports said first portion of said deck member and wherein said elastomeric material is sufficiently compressible to permit said first portion of deck member to move downwardly, with a variable rate of downward movement, with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby lowering impact loads on the user'"'"'s feet; and

a second non-inflatable, compressible support member substantially comprised of said elastomeric material secured to said frame structure spaced laterally apart from said first compressible support member in said lateral plane effective to support at least a second portion of said deck member wherein said elastomeric material in said first compressible support member is configure with an aperture extending in a general horizontal direction through said first compressible support member and wherein said elastomeric material in said second compressible elastomeric support members supports said second portion of said deck member and wherein said elastomeric material is sufficiently compressible to permit said second portion of said deck member to move downwardly, with a variable rate of downward movement, with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby lowering impact loads on the user'"'"'s feet.

71. The exercise treadmill of claim 70 wherein said deck member is at least ⅝

ths of an inch in thickness.

72. The exercise treadmill of claim 71 wherein said variable rates of downward movement result in the approximate downward movement of said portions of said deck member according to a first relation y=400x for a first range of downward movement and a second relation y=640x−

96 for a second range of downward movement where x represents the amount of downward movement in inches and y represents the impact force in pounds.

73. The exercise treadmill of claim 70 wherein said compressible support members have a uncompressed height of at least 1.5 inches and have a compressed height of at least 0.5 inches.

74. The exercise treadmill of claim 70 wherein said elastomeric material has a hardness in the range of shore 30 A to 55 A.

75. An exercise treadmill structure, comprising:

a frame structure having a plurality of structural elements including a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing structural support for said frame structure;

a first belt pulley rotatably secured to a first end of said frame structure;

a second belt pulley rotatably secured to a second end of said frame structure;

an endless belt extending over said belt pulleys providing a moveable exercise surface on which a human user can walk or run while exercising;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to said first belt pulley;

a deck member composed substantially of wood having a first end and a second end and extending parallel to said longitudinal members for supporting the weight of a human user secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface; and

an array of longitudinally and laterally spaced compressible support members substantially comprised of an elastomeric material secured to said frame structure in a lateral plane beneath said deck member wherein said elastomeric material in said compressible support members serves to support at least a first portion of a said deck member with respect to said frame structure and wherein said elastomeric material is additionally sufficiently compressible to permit at least a portion of said first portion of deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby lowering impact loads on the user'"'"'s feet.

76. The exercise treadmill of claim 75 wherein at least a portion of said compressible support members are configured so as to offer a degree of resistance to said downward movement of said portion of said deck member that increases in proportion to the extent of downward travel of said portion of said deck member.

77. The exercise treadmill of claim 76 wherein said resistance results in the approximate downward movement of said portion of said deck member according to a first relation y=400x for a first range of downward movement and a second relation y=640x−

96 for a second range of downward movement where x represents the amount of downward movement in inches and y represents the impact force in pounds.

78. The exercise treadmill of claim 76 wherein at least a portion of said compressible support members are configured with an aperture resulting in said variable resistance.

79. The exercise treadmill of claim 75 wherein at least a portion of said compressible support members have a generally cylindrical configuration.

80. The exercise treadmill of claim 75 wherein said portion of said compressible support members are configured with a vertical aperture substantially aligned along the center line of said portion of said compressible support members.

81. The exercise treadmill of claim 80 wherein said portion of said compressible support members include a securing member extending upwardly from said frame structure through said apertures effective to secure said portion of said compressible support members with respect to said frame structure.

82. The exercise treadmill of claim 75 wherein a first two of said portion of said compressible support members have a generally cylindrical configuration are located proximate to a first end of said deck member and a second two of said portion of said compressible support members have a generally cylindrical configuration are located proximate to a second end of said deck member.

83. The exercise treadmill of claim 75 wherein a securing member extends upward from said frame structure through at least a portion of said compressible support members effective to prevent substantial lateral and longitudinal movement of said deck member with respect to said frame structure.

84. The exercise treadmill of claim 75 wherein said elastomeric material abuts said deck member and has a hardness in the range of shore 30 A to 55 A in at least a portion of said compressible support members.

85. An exercise treadmill structure, comprising:

a frame structure including a pair of spaced apart longitudinal frame members for providing longitudinal structural support for said frame structure and at least two longitudinally spaced apart cross members for providing lateral structural support for said frame structure;

a first belt pulley rotatably secured to a first end of said frame structure;

a second belt pulley rotatably secured to a second end of said frame structure;

an endless belt extending over said belt pulleys providing a moveable exercise surface on which a human user can walk or run while exercising;

a motor;

a transmission operatively connecting said motor to said first belt pulley;

a deck member composed substantially of wood having a first end and a second end and extending parallel to said longitudinal members for supporting the weight of a human user secured beneath at least a portion of said exercise surface; and

a compressible elastomeric support member, configured with a horizontal aperture, secured to one of said cross members and abutting said deck member wherein said compressible elastomeric support member serves to support at least a first portion of a said deck member with respect to said frame'"'"'structure and wherein said compressible elastomeric support member is additionally sufficiently compressible to permit at least a portion of said first portion of deck member to move downwardly with respect to said frame in response to the impact force of the human user'"'"'s feet on said exercise surface thereby lowering impact loads on the user'"'"'s feet.

86. The exercise treadmill of claim 85 wherein said aperture in said compressible elastomeric support member is effective to cause a variable rate of said downward movement of said deck member.

87. The exercise treadmill of claim 86 wherein said compressible elastomeric support member abuts said deck member and has a hardness in the range of shore 30 A to shore 55 A.