Exercise treadmill having a simulated cobblestone running surface

• US 7,510,511 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volker von Detten
• Original Assignee: Volker von Detten
• Inventors: von Detten, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US11/484,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20080009396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 482/54, 198/388, 198/459.5
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1284 using own weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1695 Enhanced pressure effect, e.g. substantially sharp projections, needles or pyramids
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 without substantial movement between the skin and the device
• 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 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/00 Exercising combined with therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16

Abstract

An endless belt for a common exercise treadmill is made of a rubber like material having interwoven a fabric of fine steel mesh or nylon fabric leaving a smooth finish at upper and lower extremity over entire length and width thereof. An array of through holes penetrating said endless belt across the entire width and length thereof is to provide for fastening elements to be capable to affix prefabricated objects the like of simulated cobblestones of various size and configuration to the upper extremity of said endless belt and to be in contiguous fashion with lower extremity of simulated cobble stone.

Claims

1. An endless running surface tread for use with a treadmill including a frame with a pair of substantially parallel pulleys at each end of said frame with said endless running surface thread extending between and partially encircling said pair of pulleys, and a support panel situated below the upper portion of said endless running surface thread, comprising:

An endless belt having a sufficient thickness and provided with a plurality of mounting holes there through;

A plurality of eyelets affixed within said mounting holes and each said eyelet configured in dimension not to protrude lower extremity of said endless belt;

A plurality of simulated cobble stones, each said cobble stones having a blind hole centered at the lower extremity thereof and said blind hole having a thread;

A counter bore in coaxial alignment to said blind hole with said counter bore situated at the lower extremity of said simulated cobble stone;

A plurality of fastening elements, each said fastening element including a circular and threaded column ending upwardly from a bottom portion, wherein said bottom portion and circular column is dimensioned for insertion through and mating to a respective said eyelet, and

whereby said plurality of simulated cobble stones are being disposed over the said plurality of mounting holes at the upper extremity of said endless belt and secured thereto by a plurality of lock washers in combination with inserting said circular column of said fastening element from said lower extremity of said endless belt through said eyelet and through said lock washer and threading said circular column into said blind hole of said simulated cobble stone;

whereby said plurality of cobble stones are arranged on a majority of the endless belt surface.

2. The endless running surface tread of claim 1 further including said plurality of simulated cobble stones wherein the upper portion thereof comprises a rounded and convex configuration whereas the lower extremity comprises a horizontal surface without slope, tilt or curvature respectively.

3. The endless running surface tread of claim 1 further including said plurality of simulated cobble stones wherein said lock washer is disposed into said counter bore.

4. The endless running surface tread of claim 1 further including said plurality of lock washers comprising a split washer providing means for exerting pressure onto said eyelet and said counter bore respectively thereby preventing loosening of said fastening element.

5. The endless running surface tread of claim 4 further including said plurality of mounting holes thereof arranged in a plurality of rows at equal intervals thereby providing means for mounting said simulated cobble stones of various size in circumference.