Treadmill

• US 7,455,626 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Bradley J., Trevino, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US10/039,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20030125165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,521 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 119/700
• 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 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/56 electrically folded and erected

Abstract

An articulating treadmill is disclosed that includes a support frame, a motor frame, and a base frame. The motor frame is pivotally attached to the support frame along a first pivot line, and the base frame is pivotally attached to motor frame along a second pivot line spaced from the first pivot line. The base frame pivots about the second pivot line from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, and vice versa. The treadmill includes an elevation motor having an extension arm. The elevation motor is attached between the motor frame and a base of the support frame. As the extension arm of the elevation motor extends or retracts, the incline of the treadmill support bed increases or decreases, respectively. The treadmill also includes an adjustable roller system.

Claims

1. A treadmill comprising:

(a) a support frame having a base;

(b) a motor frame attached to the support frame along a first pivot line; and

(c) a base frame attached to the motor frame, the base frame having;

(i) a roller mounted on an axle, the axle including a threaded recess being seated in at least one bushing, the bushing forming an axle extension and being disposed between the motor frame and the base frame to allow the motor and base frames to rotate relative to one another,

(ii) a threaded fastener extending through the bushing into the threaded recess of the axle, the threaded fastener being adapted to adjust the position of the roller by engaging with the threaded recess of the axle,

(iii) a support bed, and

(iv) a belt extending over the support bed and adapted to be driven by the roller;

wherein the axle is seated in a second bushing, and the belt urges the axle into the second bushing.

2. A treadmill comprising:

(a) a support frame having a base;

(b) a motor frame attached to the support frame along a first pivot line; and

(c) a base frame attached to the motor frame, the base frame having;

(i) a roller mounted on an axle, the axle including a threaded recess being seated in at least one bushing, the bushing forming an axle extension and being disposed between the motor frame and the base frame to allow the motor and base frames to rotate relative to one another,

(ii) a threaded fastener extending through the bushing into the threaded recess of the axle, the threaded fastener being adapted to adjust the position of the roller by engaging with the threaded recess of the axle,

(iii) a support bed, and

(iv) a belt extending over the support bed and adapted to be driven by the roller;

wherein the base frame pivots from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration about the first pivot line.

3. A treadmill comprising:

(a) a support frame having a base;

(b) a motor frame attached to the support frame along a first pivot line; and

(c) a base frame attached to the motor frame, the base frame having;

(i) a roller mounted on an axle, the axle including a threaded recess being seated in at least one bushing,

(ii) a threaded fastener extending through the bushing into the threaded recess of the axle, the threaded fastener being adapted to adjust the position of the roller by engaging with the threaded recess of the axle,

(iii) a support bed, and

(iv) a belt extending over the support bed and adapted to be driven by the roller;

wherein the base frame is pivotally attached to the motor frame along a second pivot line spaced from the first pivot line.

4. The treadmill of claim 3, wherein the base frame pivots from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration about the second pivot line.

5. The treadmill of claim 4, further comprising a pivot spring located along the second pivot line, and wherein the pivot spring is loaded when the base frame is in the unfolded configuration.

6. The treadmill of claim 4, further comprising a damper attached at a first end to the base frame and at a second end to the base of the support frame, wherein the damper resists a downward force when the base frame is being lowered from the folded configuration.

7. The treadmill of claim 4, wherein the base of the support frame has a front end and a rear end, the base further comprising at least one wheel located at the rear end of the base support.

8. The treadmill of claim 7, wherein the at least one wheel is raised above a bottom surface of the base of the support frame.

9. The treadmill of claim 4 wherein the base frame further comprises a means for securing the base frame.

10. The treadmill of claim 9, wherein the means for securing the base frame comprises a hook to engage the support frame.

11. The treadmill of claim 3, wherein the motor frame has a front end and a rear end, the first pivot line being along the front end of the motor frame, and the second pivot line being along the rear end of the motor frame.