Foldable mechanism for treadmills

• US 7,540,829 B1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Lin
• Original Assignee: Michael Lin
• Inventors: Chen, Ming Nan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US12/148,470
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/54
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

A foldable mechanism for treadmills includes two respective foldable sets and an operation bar is connected to the two foldable sets. Each foldable set has an operation member fixed to the upright frame corresponding thereto and the operation member has a groove defined in a side thereof. A periphery defining the groove includes multiple recesses. Two end plates each have a first end fixed to one of two ends of the operation bar and the other end of each end plate is pivotably connected to the foldable set corresponding thereto. An engaging member extends from the first end of each end plate and is movably inserted into the groove of the operation member. When pivoting the upright frames toward the horizontal frame of the treadmill by pivoting the operation bar, the engaging members are engaged with one of the recesses in different folded positions.

Claims

1. A treadmill comprising:

a horizontal frame having an endless belt rotatably connected thereto and two foldable mechanisms connected to respective sides of the horizontal frame, two upright frames pivotably connected to the two foldable mechanisms, a handle and a control panel connected between the two upright frames;

the two foldable mechanisms including two respective foldable sets and an operation bar connected to the two foldable sets, each foldable set having an operation member which is fixed to the upright frame corresponding thereto, the operation member having a groove defined in a side thereof and a periphery defining the groove including multiple recesses, and

two end plates each having a first end fixed to one of two ends of the operation bar and a second end of each end plate pivotably connected to the foldable set corresponding thereto, a connection rod extending from the second end of each end plate and fixed to one of two side plates which are fixed to the treadmill, each side plate having a curved slot, an engaging member extending from the first end of each end plate and movably inserted into the groove of the operation member, the engaging member extending through the curved slot of each side plate and engaged with one of the recesses.

2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein each engaging member is a bearing.

3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal frame includes two elongate frames and two stop members extend from two distal ends of the two elongate frames, the two operation members each have a side being in contact with the stop member when the two upright frames are positioned at operation position.

4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation bar is supported on the ground at an angle when the folded treadmill is in upright position.

5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 4, wherein two pads extend from a board between the two foldable sets and are in contact with the ground when the operation bar is supported on the ground.