Cushioned treadmill

• US 8,012,068 B1
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hopeton C. Malcolm
• Original Assignee: Hopeton C. Malcolm
• Inventors: Malcolm, Hopeton C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow; Stephen
• Application Number:
  US12/970,096
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482/140, 482/23, 482/148
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0207 having shock absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance

Abstract

A cushioned treadmill is provided for cushioning impact between a runner'"'"'s feet and the treadmill platform. The cushioned treadmill includes a base and a platform coupled to the base. The platform has a first side and a second side. A belt assembly is coupled to and extends between the first side and the second side of the platform. The belt assembly includes a movable belt forming a running surface designed for supporting a user on the platform. A cushioning material is contained in a flexible bladder positioned in the platform beneath the running surface.

Claims

1. A treadmill assembly comprising:

a base;

a platform coupled to said base, said platform having a first side and a second side;

a belt assembly coupled to and extending between said first side and said second side of said platform, said belt assembly including a movable belt forming a running surface adapted for supporting a user on said platform; and

a flexible bladder a cushioning material contained in said flexible bladder, said bladder being positioned in said platform beneath said running surface for direct engagement with said running surface.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further including a drawer coupled to said first side of said platform, said bladder being positionable in said drawer, said drawer being slidable between an open position providing access to said bladder and a closed position wherein said bladder is positioned beneath said running surface.

3. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a track coupled to said drawer, said track extending along a length of said drawer; and

a roller assembly coupled to said track and extending across a bottom of said drawer, said roller assembly being movable along said track beneath said bladder to enhance even distribution of said cushioning material within said bladder.

4. The assembly of claim 3, further including a recess positioned in said bottom of said drawer, said recess extending transversely from an end of said track, said roller assembly being storable in said recess.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further including a motor operationally coupled to said belt assembly.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

a first support having a lower end coupled to said base, said first support extending upwardly from said base; and

a control panel coupled to said first support, said control panel being operationally coupled to said motor for controlling said belt assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further including a first fan coupled to said first support, said first fan being adapted for directing air towards the user while the user is supported on said platform.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said first fan is selectively removable from said first support.

9. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a slot in a top of said first support; and

a tab extending from a bottom of said first fan, said slot being insertable into said slot to support said first fan on said top of said first support in a stable position.

10. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a second support extending upwardly from said base; and

said control panel being coupled to said second support, said control panel extending between said first support and said second support.

11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a first handlebar extending outwardly from said first support, said first handlebar being positioned over said first side of said platform; and

a second handlebar extending outwardly from said second support, said second handlebar being positioned over said second side of said platform.

12. The assembly of claim 3, further including a handle extending from a distal end of said roller assembly relative to said track, said handle being structured for positioning adjacent to a forward edge of said bladder to slide along said forward edge of said bladder to facilitate manipulation of said roller assembly to move said roller assembly in said track.

13. The assembly of claim 10, further including a second fan coupled to said second support, said second fan being adapted for directing air towards the user while the user is supported on said platform.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said second fan is selectively removable from said second support.

15. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a slot in a top of said second support; and

a tab extending from a bottom of said second fan, said tab being insertable into said slot to support said second fan on said top of said second support in a stable position.

16. A treadmill assembly comprising:

a base;

a platform coupled to said base, said platform having a first side and a second side;

a belt assembly coupled to and extending between said first side and said second side of said platform, said belt assembly including a movable belt forming a running surface adapted for supporting a user on said platform;

a granular cushioning material contained in a flexible bladder, said bladder being positioned in said platform beneath said running surface;

a drawer coupled to said first side of said platform, said bladder being positionable in said drawer, said drawer being slidable between an open position providing access to said bladder and a closed position wherein said bladder is positioned beneath said running surface;

a track coupled to said drawer, said track extending along a length of said drawer;

a roller assembly coupled to said track and extending across a bottom of said drawer, said roller assembly being movable along said track beneath said bladder to enhance even distribution of said cushioning material within said bladder;

a handle extending from a distal end of said roller assembly relative to said track, said handle being structured for positioning adjacent to a forward edge of said bladder to slide along said forward edge of said bladder to facilitate manipulation of said roller assembly to move said roller assembly in said track;

a recess positioned in said bottom of said drawer, said recess extending transversely from an end of said track, said roller assembly being storable in said recess;

a motor operationally coupled to said belt assembly;

a first support having a lower end coupled to said base, said first support extending upwardly from said base, said first support having an angled medial section and a top;

a second support having a lower end coupled to said base, said second support extending upwardly from said base, said second support having an angled medial section and a top;

a control panel operationally coupled to said motor for controlling said belt assembly, said control panel being coupled to said first support and said second support, said control panel extending between said angled medial section of said first support and said angled medial section of said second support;

a first fan coupled to said first support, said first fan being adapted for directing air towards the user while the user is supported on said platform, first fan is selectively removable from said first support;

a slot in said top of said first support;

a tab extending from a bottom of said first fan, said tab extending from said bottom of said first fan being insertable into said slot in said top of said first support to support said first fan on said top of said first support in a stable position;

a second fan coupled to said second support, said second fan being adapted for directing air towards the user while the user is supported on said platform, said second fan being selectively removable from said second support;

a slot in said top of said second support;

a tab extending from a bottom of said second fan, said tab on said bottom of said second fan being insertable into said slot of said second support to support said second fan on said top of said second support in a stable position;

a first handlebar extending outwardly from said first support, said first handlebar being positioned over said first side of said platform; and

a second handlebar extending outwardly from said second support, said second handlebar being positioned over said second side of said platform.