Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods

• US 7,815,550 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Taylor, Keith A., Cutler, Gordon L., Watterson, Eric S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roland; Daniel F
• Application Number:
  US11/862,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20090082176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 482/54, 482/51, 482/57, 482/69, 482/900, 482/904, 119/700
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 22/0221 on the frame supporting the rollers

Abstract

Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, an exercise device is provided in the form of a treadmill including a frame, a platform or deck, a continuous or circuitous belt surrounding the platform, and at least one columnar member coupled with e frame and extending generally upwards from the frame when the exercise device is in an intended operating orientation. A cushioning device is directly coupled to the columnar member and in contact with an underlying support surface. In one embodiment, the cushioning device may include a first end member coupled with the columnar member, a second end member in contact with the supporting surface, and one or more compression members disposed between the first end member and the second end member.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a platform;

a circuitous belt disposed about the platform;

a frame coupled with the platform and configured for placement over a supporting surface during intended use;

at least one columnar member coupled with the frame and extending upward from the frame when the exercise device is in an intended operating orientation;

a console coupled with the at least one columnar member;

at least one impact absorbing device configured to absorb an impact force applied by a user while exercising on the exercise device, the at least one impact absorbing device being positioned between the supporting surface and an interconnection of the at least one columnar member and the frame, wherein the at least one impact absorbing device comprises;

a first end member directly coupled with the at least one columnar member;

a second end member configured to directly engage the supporting surface; and

at least one compression member disposed between and in contact with each of the first end member and the second end member;

wherein, upon application of the impact force, the first end member is displaced toward the second end member.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising at least one roller coupled to the frame and wherein the circuitous belt is disposed about the at least one roller and the platform.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one columnar member includes a first columnar member and a second columnar member, and wherein the at least one impact absorbing device includes a first impact absorbing device directly coupled with the first columnar member and a second impact absorbing device directly coupled with the second columnar member.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression member is configured as a substantially annular body.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression member includes a coil spring.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression member includes a first compression member configured as a substantially annular body and a coil spring substantially coaxially disposed about the first compression member.

7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the first end member and the second end member are each formed of a material comprising polyvinylchloride (PVC) and wherein the first compression member is formed of a material comprising flexible PVC exhibiting a hardness of approximately 45 on a Shore A hardness scale.

8. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the coil spring exhibits a spring constant of approximately 118 pounds per inch.

9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first end member includes a main body portion, a first protruding portion extending from a first side of the main body portion, a second protruding portion extending from a second, opposing side of the main body portion, a first groove adjacent the first protruding portion sized and configured to receive a portion of the at least one columnar member, and a second groove adjacent the second protruding portion sized and configured to receive a portion of the at least one compression member.

10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the first protruding portion and the first groove are sized and configured to provide an interference fit with an end of the at least one columnar member.

11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the second member includes a main body portion having a contoured end surface, a protruding portion extending from the main body portion generally opposite the contoured end surface, and a groove formed adjacent the protruding portion sized and configured to receive another portion of the at least one compression member.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, further comprising at least one fastening structure coupled with at least the first end and second end members of the at least one impact absorbing device.

13. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the first end member includes an opening extending therethrough, wherein the second member includes an opening extending therethrough, and wherein at least a part of the fastening structure extends through the opening of the first end member and through the opening of the second end member.

14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein the fastening structure includes a nut and a bolt.

15. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one impact absorbing device is configured such that the first end member is displaced towards the second end member upon application of a force of a specified magnitude via the at least one columnar member.