Shock absorption device of a running apparatus

• US 6,953,418 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wen-Ho Chen
• Original Assignee: Wen-Ho Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Wen-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US10/813,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20050227819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 482/26, 482/27, 482/30, 482/32, 482/51, 482/54, 482/77, 482/148, 482121-123, 482/129, 623/27, 446/486
• US Class Current: 482/51
• 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 22/0214 between the belt supporting deck and the frame

Abstract

A shock absorption device of a running apparatus is provided with a shock absorbing elastic member at the rear side thereof. The shock absorption device includes a foot pedal, a lifted base, a support frame and an elastic member. The lifted base is disposed under the foot pedal and the support frame is attached to the bottom of the lifted base. The elastic member is connected to the support frame with a pivotal shaft. When the user runs on the foot pedal, the foot pedal can be lifted an inclining angle with the lifted base rotating with respect to the pivotal shaft to mitigate an impact force caused by the elastic member so as to protect the knees and ankles from injury.

Claims

1. A shock absorption device for a running apparatus, the device comprising:

a support frame, being provided at a bottom side of a lifted base of a running apparatus that is resting on a support surface;

a cushion seat, being pivotably attached to a middle portion of the support frame via a pivotal shaft;

a support base having two upwardly protruding cylindrical openings, each with a first diameter, being provided at a distance below the cushion seat;

at least one slide rod, having an upper end and a lower end, being disposed in the cylindrical openings between and connecting with the support base and the cushion seat, and the slide rod being surrounded with a first elastic member respectively, the slide rod includes a member fixedly attached to said lower end wherein the member has a diameter that is larger than said cylindrical openings; and

and

a second elastic member having a dome shape, being provided at a bottom side of the support base, has a receiving space available for the slide rod moving in and out thereof;

whereby when the lifted base of the running apparatus is angularly elevated or lowered relative to the support surface, the pivotal shaft allows for the shock absorption device to maintain a substantially upright position such that an impact force on the lifted base can be mitigated more sensitively by the first and second elastic members.

2. The shock absorption device for of a running apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the cushion seat is provided with a soft pad member.