Integrated folding mechanism of a treadmill

• US 7,569,000 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leao Wang
• Original Assignee: Leao Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Leao
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US11/968,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20090176627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/54, 482/148, 482/908
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

An integrated folding mechanism of a treadmill having a slide pusher supported by a pneumatic cylinder at the bottom of a platform frame thereof. In this way, the rear support may be pushed upward to bring the platform frame in a vertical stable folding position or in a flat ground-touching position when the platform frame is moved upward and downward. Meanwhile, a connecting rod is interposed between the rear support and the handrail assembly such that the handrail assembly can synchronously move with the platform frame in an extracted or an folded position.

Claims

1. A treadmill having an integrated folding mechanism, the treadmill comprising:

a platform frame adapted to rest on a horizontal support surface;

a transmission motor disposed at one side of the platform frame for driving a continuous moving belt into rotation by use of a transmission belt;

a front roller;

a rear roller;

a lifting motor being employed to move an adjusting support upward and downward for adjusting the incline angle of the platform frame relative to said support surface;

two connection pins being disposed on the platform frame to extend laterally from one side of the platform frame to the other side of the platform frame respectively, for pivotally coupling a handrail assembly and a rear support assembly, respectively to the platform frame;

first and second strengthening bars disposed on the platform frame to extend laterally from one side of the platform frame to the other side of the platform frame;

a slide pusher interposed between the connecting pins and the second strengthening bar and disposed on the platform frame;

a slide rail, supported by the first and second strengthening bars, provides sliding surfaces for said slide pusher, wherein one end of the slide pusher is pivotally connected to said rear support assembly;

a third strengthening bar, disposed on the platform frame, is pivotally coupled with a pneumatic cylinder at the bottom thereof in such a way that the other end of the pneumatic cylinder directly rests against a tail of the slide pusher;

a connecting rod interconnected between the rear support assembly and the handrail assembly such that the handrail assembly can synchronously move with the platform frame between a folded and an extended position; and

an engaging mechanism disposed at the bottom of a fourth strengthening bar, that is connected to the platform frame, wherein the engaging mechanism can be actuated to apply a proper engaging force to a positioning plate fixed at the bottom of the internal side of the handrail assembly when the platform frame is brought into a horizontal application position.

2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the engaging mechanism consists of an operating lever, an elongated coupling rod, a quadruple connecting mechanism, two protruding studs and two elastic elements;

wherein an external member of the protruding studs is engaged into an insertion hole of the positioning plate when the platform frame is brought into the horizontal application position;

wherein the quadruple connecting mechanism consists of four connecting rods which are pivotally coupled together, and when the elongated coupling rod is pulled by the operating lever, a pivot joint of the quadruple connecting mechanism is pulled in such a way that the quadruple connecting mechanism is brought into a contracting shape distortion state;

wherein the protruding studs are pivotally attached to a pulled portion at an opposing end of the quadruple connecting mechanism;

whereby the protruding studs are laterally shifted toward the internal side of the platform frame due to the contracting deformation of the quadruple connecting mechanism such that the external member of the protruding studs can be disengaged from the insertion hole of the positioning plate and the platform frame may be lifted upwards into a folded position.

3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein both sides of the bottom of the front end of the platform frame are provided with an end stop extending downwards, and the end stops rest against ground-touching rollers disposed at both ends of the adjusting support when the platform frame is moved into a horizontal position.

4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting support and the platform frame have a pivotal point independent of the pivotal point of the handrail connection to the platform frame.