Treadmill

• US 7,544,153 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2006
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Bradley J., Trevino, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/463,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20070054780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 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 support frame having a base;

a motor frame pivotally attached to the support frame along a first pivot line;

a base frame having a support bed, the base frame being pivotally attached to the motor frame along a second pivot line spaced from the first pivot line; and

an elevation motor having an extension arm, the elevation motor being attached to the motor frame and to the base of the support frame, wherein as the extension arm extends, an incline of the support bed of the base frame changes and the second pivot line translates relative to the base of the support frame as the incline of the support bed of the base frame changes.

2. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the base frame pivots from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration about the second pivot line.

3. The treadmill of claim 2, 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.

4. The treadmill of claim 2, 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.

5. The treadmill of claim 2, 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.

6. The treadmill of claim 5, wherein the at least one wheel is raised above a bottom surface of the base of the support frame.

7. The treadmill of claim 2, wherein the base frame further comprises a means for securing the base frame.

8. The treadmill of claim 7, wherein the means for securing the base frame comprises a hook to selectively engage the support frame.

9. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the motor frame has a front end and a rear end, the first pivot line being at the front end of the motor frame, and the second pivot line being at the rear end of the motor frame.

10. A treadmill comprising:

a support frame having a base;

a motor frame pivotally attached to the support frame along a first pivot line; and

a base frame pivotally attached to the motor frame along a second pivot line spaced from the first pivot line, wherein the base frame pivots relative to the motor frame from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration about the second pivot line and the second pivot line translates relative to the base of the support frame as an incline of the support bed of the base frame changes.

11. The treadmill of claim 10, 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.

12. The treadmill of claim 10, 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.

13. The treadmill of claim 10, 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.

14. The treadmill of claim 13, wherein the at least one wheel is raised above a bottom surface of the base of the support frame.

15. The treadmill of claim 10, wherein the base frame further comprises a means for securing the base frame.

16. The treadmill of claim 15, wherein the means for securing the base frame comprises a hook to engage the support frame.

17. The treadmill of claim 10, wherein the motor frame has a front end and a rear end, the first pivot line being at the front end of the motor frame, and the second pivot line being at the rear end of the motor frame.

18. A treadmill comprising:

a support frame having a base;

a base frame including a support bed;

a motor frame including a first portion pivotally attached adjacent to an end of the base frame and a second portion pivotally attached to the support frame; and

an elevation motor including an extension arm attached to the motor frame and to the base of the support frame, wherein as the extension arm moves, an incline of the support bed of the base frame changes and a pivot line defined by the attachment of the first portion of the motor frame to the base frame translates relative to the base of the support frame as the incline of the support bed of the base frame changes.

19. The treadmill of claim 18, wherein the incline of the support bed changes by the base frame pivoting relative to the motor frame.

20. A treadmill comprising:

a support frame having a base;

a motor frame pivotally attached to the support frame along a first pivot line;

a base frame having a support bed, the base frame being pivotally attached to the motor frame along a second pivot line spaced from the first pivot line; and

an elevation motor having an extension arm, the elevation motor being attached to the motor frame and to the base of the support frame, wherein as the extension arm extends the motor frame pivots around the first pivot line and the base frame pivots around the second pivot line and the second pivot line translates relative to the base of the support frame as the incline of the support bed of the base frame changes.