Locking device to lock a collapsible treadmill deck in a folded position

• US 7,004,887 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Forhouse Corporation
• Original Assignee: Forhouse Corporation
• Inventors: Chiang, Tzu-Peng, Chu, Shih-Huang, Pan, Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/789,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20050192163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482/908, 297/411.36, 248/188.2, 248/188.5, 108/146
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

Abstract

A treadmill includes a base assembly, a collapsible treadmill deck and a locking device that includes a telescopic tube and a latch. The telescopic tube supports the treadmill deck in a folded position and includes an inside tube and an outside tube. The outside tube has a pawl hole and a bottom end pivotally mounted to the base assembly. The inside tube is telescopically mounted in the outside tube and has an outside end pivotally mounted on the treadmill deck and multiple positioning holes aligned with the pawl hole. The latch includes a stationary bracket fastened on the outside tube and a pivot pawl pivotally mounted on the stationary bracket. The pivot pawl has an inside end extended into the pawl hole to engage one of positioning holes to interlock the inside tube with the outside tube to firmly hold the folded treadmill deck in position.

Claims

1. A locking device for a treadmill having a collapsible treadmill deck and a base assembly to lock the collapsible treadmill deck in a folded position relative to the base assembly and the locking device comprising:

a telescopic tube to support the collapsible treadmill deck in the folded position and comprising

an outside tube having an exterior periphery, a top end with an opening, a bottom end to be pivotally mounted to the base assembly and a pawl hole defined through the exterior periphery; and

an inside tube telescopically mounted in the outside tube and having an inside end telescopically mounted in the opening at the top end of the outside tube, an outside end to be pivotally mounted on the collapsible treadmill deck and at least one positioning hole aligned with the pawl hole; and

a latch interlocking the inside tube with the outside tube in position as the treadmill deck is folded up to the folded position and the latch comprising

a stationary bracket fastened on the exterior periphery of the outside tube and corresponded to the pawl hole; and

a pivot pawl pivotally mounted on the stationary bracket and having an inside end extended into the pawl hole to engage one of the at least one positioning hole to interlock the inside tube with the outside tube.

2. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot pawl further has a through hole, a transverse groove and an inclined surface, and the transverse groove and the inclined surface are formed at the inside end of the pivot pawl;

the stationary bracket comprises a stationary base with a top and two sides, and a side wall formed upward at one of the sides, protruded from the top of the stationary base and having a top, two opposite sides and a transverse elongated hole defined through the sides of the side wall; and

the latch further comprises

a movable pawl bracket movably mounted on the stationary bracket and comprising

a sliding base slidably mounted on the top of the stationary base of the stationary bracket and having a top and a side; and

a guiding side wall protruded vertically from the top at the side of the sliding base and having two sides and a pin hole defined through the sides of the guiding side wall and aligned with the transverse elongated hole in the stationary bracket;

a connecting pin connecting the movable bracket to the stationary bracket and comprising

a shank having a distal end, a proximal end and an annular groove formed at the proximal end, and the proximal end extended into the transverse elongated hole in the stationary bracket and the pin hole in the movable bracket, and extended out of the through hole of the pivot pawl; and

an enlarged head formed integrally at the distal end of the connecting pin;

a torsional spring mounted on the shank of the connecting pin between the pivot pawl and the guiding side wall of the movable bracket to provide a restitution force to pivot the pivot pawl; and

a clamp attached to the annular groove of the shank to hold the pivot pawl with the connecting pin.

3. The locking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the stationary bracket further has a stationary spring holder protruded from one of the sides of the side wall;

the movable bracket further has a movable spring holder protruded from one of the sides of the guiding side wall; and

the latch further comprises a restitution spring attached to the stationary spring holder and the movable spring holder.

4. The locking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side wall of the stationary bracket further has a hook formed at the top and bent toward the stationary base at one of the sides of the side wall, and the guiding side wall is slidably held by the hook and further has an outside end and a grip formed at the outside end of the guiding side wall.

5. The locking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the side wall of the stationary bracket further has a hook formed at the top and bent toward the stationary base at one of the sides of the side wall, and the guiding side wall is slidably held by the hook and further has an outside end and a grip formed at the outside end of the guiding side wall.

6. The locking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clamp is a C-clamp.

7. The locking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the clamp is a C-clamp.

8. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary bracket comprises a stationary base and a side wall protruded from the stationary base;

and

the latch further comprises

a connecting pin mounted on the side wall to pivotally hold the pivot pawl;

a torsional spring mounted on the connecting pin between the side wall and the pivot pawl; and

a pivotal handle attached to the pivot pawl to pivot the inside end of the pivot pawl out of the engaged one of the at least one positioning hole.

9. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary bracket comprises a stationary base and a side wall protruded from the stationary base;

and

the latch further comprises

a connecting pin mounted on the side wall to pivotally hold the pivot pawl;

a torsional spring mounted on the connecting pin between the side wall and the pivot pawl; and

a pulling cord attached to the pivot pawl to pivot the inside end of the pivot pawl out of the engaged one of the at least one positioning hole.