Treadmill conversion resistance training apparatus

• US 7,985,166 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2009
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avero Fitness, LLC
• Original Assignee: Avero Fitness, LLC
• Inventors: Dixon, Douglas G., Farnsworth, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/506,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20100016127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 482/52, 482/54, 482 57- 65, 482/139, 482/148, 482/51, 482/126, 482/121, 482/70, 482/904
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0435 One or both ends being anchored to a rotating element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• 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 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

A treadmill conversion resistance training apparatus includes mirror-image left and right attachments for attaching to treadmill vertical support columns, each attachment having a vertical mounting bracket removably attachable to a vertical support column; a translation member rotatingly connectable to the vertical mounting bracket at a translation axis; resistance straps removably connectable between the translation member and the mounting bracket; a handle connectable to the translation member and lockable at selected angles; wherein, the treadmill to continues to function as an treadmill while the apparatus is attached. A treadmill conversion apparatus includes a handle having an articulation joint lockable at selectable angles. A treadmill conversion apparatus includes a handle joint having adjustable resistance portion.

Claims

1. A treadmill conversion resistance training apparatus for a treadmill having left and right vertical support columns, said apparatus comprising mirror-image left and right attachments for attaching to said treadmill left and right vertical support columns, each of said attachments comprising:

a vertical mounting bracket removably attachable to a treadmill vertical support column;

a translation member rotatingly connectable to said vertical mounting bracket at a translation axis;

an elongated handle having a first end and a distal user-engageable second end, said handle connected to said translation member proximal to said first end and lockable to said translation member at selected angles relative to said translation member, such that said handle is pivotable about said translation axis in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the front-to-back axis of said treadmill;

one or more resistance straps removably connectable between said translation member and said vertical mounting bracket;

wherein, said apparatus allows said exercise treadmill to continue to function as an exercise treadmill while said apparatus is attached to said exercise treadmill.

2. A conversion apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said handle includes an articulation joint parallel with said translation member lockable at selectable angles.

3. A conversion apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said articulation joint includes adjustable resistance means.

4. A treadmill conversion resistance training apparatus, said treadmill including a forward end and an aft end, a treadway, and left and right vertical support columns, wherein said system includes mirror-image left-side and right-side attachments for attaching to said treadmill left and right vertical support columns, respectively, each of said attachments comprising:

a vertical mounting bracket removably attachable around one of said treadmill vertical support columns, said vertical mounting bracket having opposing first and second bracket pieces, each of said first and second bracket pieces having a bottom edge, a top edge, a substantially “

U”

-shaped transverse cross-section including first and second extensions and a connecting bridge portion, and wherein said “

U”

-shaped cross-section forms an interior surface and an exterior surface;

at least one clamping bolt engaging said first and second mounting bracket pieces;

one or more retaining straps for bracing said vertical mounting bracket to said vertical support column;

a resistance strap bottom anchors projecting outwardly from the exterior surface of said mounting bracket first piece, said anchor located proximal to said bottom edge of said vertical mounting bracket;

a translation member comprising;

a central mounting hole, a plurality of handle indexing holes distributed radially around said central mounting hole at selected angular offsets for indexed positioning of a handle, and a resistance strap connection point radially distal from said central mounting hole;

a handle comprising;

an elongated shaft extending from a first connection end to a second grip end, a first handle mounting hole disposed proximal to said handle connection end, a second handle mounting hole disposed distally from said first handle mounting hole toward said handle grip end, wherein the distance between said first and second handle mounting holes matches the radial distance between said center mounting hole and said plurality of handle index holes of said translation wheel, and further wherein a portion of said handle near said second end is rounded to provide a hand grip;

an axel means disposed proximal to said top edge and extending through said translation member central mounting hole and handle first mounting hole;

a removable handle index pin for selectively locking said handle to said translation member through said handle second mounting hole and a selected handle index hole, such that said handle and said translation wheel rotate collectively about said axel means; and

,

a plurality of incremental resistance straps, each of said resistance straps connectable at a first end to said resistance strap anchor and at a second end to said resistance strap connection point;

wherein, said apparatus allows said exercise treadmill to continue to function as an exercise treadmill while said apparatus is attached to said exercise treadmill.

5. The treadmill conversion apparatus of claim 4, wherein said axel means comprises:

an axel bolt extending through said mounting bracket first piece, translation member central mounting hole, and handle first mounting hole.

6. The treadmill conversion apparatus of claim 4, wherein said axel means comprises:

an axel post extending outwardly from said mounting bracket first piece, said axel post having an axial center through hole, a rotational bearing mounted to said axel post, a center bolt, and a center bolt locking nut;

wherein said translation member is rotatingly attachable to said axel post over said bearing, thereby engaging said bearing, and said center bolt extends through said center through hole and said handle first mounting hole and engages said center bolt locking nut.

7. The treadmill conversion apparatus of claim 4, further including a portable exercise bench able to fit over said treadmill treadway.

8. The treadmill conversion apparatus of claim 7, wherein said bench is collapsible for storage.

15. A treadmill conversion apparatus as in claim 4, further comprising, wherein said resistance strap connection point is selectable from said plurality of handle indexing holes.

9. A treadmill conversion resistance training apparatus for converting an exercise treadmill for strength training, said treadmill having left and right vertical support columns and a treadway, said conversion apparatus comprising left and right resistance attachments removably attachable to said treadmill left and right vertical columns, wherein each of said resistance attachments includes:

a mounting bracket removably attachable to a treadmill vertical support column;

a translation member removably attachable to said mounting bracket and rotatable about a translation axis in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the front-to-back axis of said treadmill;

an articulated handle having a elongated first and a second parts and an articulation joint parallel with said translation member connecting said first and second parts, said handle second part having a hand grip distal from said articulation joint, wherein said handle first part is lockingly connectable to said translation member at adjustable angles to said translation member, and further wherein said articulation joint includes means for locking said handle second part at a selectable angle to said handle first part; and

,

one or more resistance straps connectable between said translation member and said mounting bracket.

10. A treadmill conversion apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said handle articulation joint further includes adjustable rotational resistance means.

11. A treadmill conversion apparatus as in claim 9 or 10, further comprising a bench able to fit over said treadmill treadway.

12. A treadmill conversion apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said handle articulation joint adjustable resistance means comprises one or more friction disks.

13. A treadmill conversion apparatus as in claim 9, wherein each of said mounting brackets comprises first and second opposing bracket pieces matable around a vertical column of said treadmill.

14. A treadmill conversion apparatus as in claim 9, wherein each of said resistance attachments further includes one or more retaining straps connectable around said mounting bracket.