Dual treadmill exercise device having a single rear roller

• US 20050233864A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Crawford, Douglas A., Smith, Bradley J., Trevino, Richard W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,704,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• 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 22/0214 between the belt supporting deck and the frame
• 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 22/0292 separate for each leg, e.g. dual deck

Abstract

The present invention provides an exercise device that generally includes two treadles pivotally connected with a frame so that the treadles may pivot up and down about an axis. Each treadle includes a tread belt that provides a moving surface like a treadmill. Each tread belt is supported by a front roller and a rear roller, which is common to both treadles. The treadles are interconnected to provide an alternating upward and downward movement relative to each other. Opposing end portions of the rear roller are rotatably supported at the rear end of the frame. Outer sides of rear end portions of the treadles are rotatably supported by the outer end portions of the rear roller, and inner sides of rear end portions of the treadles are coupled with the frame through an inner support structure that defines a virtual pivot.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a first roller including a cylindrical hollow tube having a first end portion and a second end portion, a first cap end connected with the first end portion, and a second cap end connected with the second end portion, the first cap end and the second cap end rotatably supported by the frame;

a first treadle assembly including a second roller and a first endless belt in rotatable engagement with the second roller and the first roller, the first treadle assembly arranged to pivot relative to the frame; and

a second treadle assembly including a third roller and a second endless belt in rotatable engagement with the third roller and the first roller, the second treadle assembly arranged to pivot relative to the frame.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein:

the first cap end comprises a first cylindrical portion connected with a first cap portion, and a first extension connected with the first cap portion;

wherein the second cap end comprises a second cylindrical portion connected with a second cap portion, and a second extension connected with the second cap portion; and

wherein the first extension and the second extension are rotatably supported by the frame.

3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein:

the first treadle assembly is pivotally supported by the first extension; and

the second treadle assembly is pivotally supported by the second extension.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one stud connected with the frame;

a first bracket connected with the first treadle assembly and having at least one first slot adapted to receive the at least one stud;

a second bracket connected with the second treadle assembly and having at least one second slot adapted to receive the at least one stud; and

wherein the at least one first slot slides along the at least one stud as the first treadle pivots relative to the frame, and wherein the at least one second slot slides along the at least one stud as the second treadle pivots relative to the frame.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the at least one first slot and the at least one second slot are arcuate.

6. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein

the at least one stud comprises a forward stud and a rear stud;

the at least one first slot comprises a first forward slot and a first rear slot; and

the at least one second slot comprises a second forward slot and a second rear slot.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising:

an interconnection assembly operably coupled with the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first resistance element operably coupled between the first treadle assembly and the frame; and

a second resistance element operable coupled between the second treadle assembly and the frame.

9. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a first roller including a cylindrical hollow tube having a first end portion and a second end portion, a first cap end connected with the first end portion, and a second cap end connected with the second end portion, the first cap end and the second cap end rotatably supported by the frame;

a first treadle assembly including a second roller and a first endless belt in rotatable engagement with the second roller and the first roller;

a second treadle assembly including a third roller and a second endless belt in rotatable engagement with the third roller and the first roller; and

wherein the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly are pivotally supported by the first roller.

10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein:

the first cap end comprises a first cylindrical portion connected with a first cap portion, and a first extension connected with the first cap portion;

wherein the second cap end comprises a second cylindrical portion connected with a second cap portion, and a second extension connected with the second cap portion; and

wherein the first extension and the second extension are rotatably supported by the frame.

11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein:

the first treadle assembly is pivotally supported by the first extension; and

the second treadle assembly is pivotally supported by the second extension.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the first roller includes a first annular channel and a second annular channel;

and

wherein the first treadle assembly is pivotally connected with the first annular channel and the second treadle assembly is pivotally connected with the second annular channel.

13. The exercise device of claim 9, further comprising:

an interconnection assembly operably coupled with the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly.

14. The exercise device of claim 9, further comprising:

a first resistance element operably coupled between the first treadle assembly and the frame; and

a second resistance element operable coupled between the second treadle assembly and the frame.

15. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a first roller rotatably supported by a first axle end and a second axle end, the first axle end coupled with the frame through an adjustable axle support;

a first treadle assembly including a second roller and a first endless belt in rotatable engagement with the second roller and the first roller, the first treadle assembly arranged to pivot relative to the frame; and

a second treadle assembly including a third roller and a second endless belt in rotatable engagement with the third roller and the first roller, the second treadle assembly arranged to pivot relative to the frame.

16. The exercise device of claim 15, the adjustable axle support comprising:

an axle cradle connected with the frame;

a bolt having threadedly engaged with the first axle end, the bolt having a head end and a distal end engaging the axle cradle; and

wherein turning the head end of the bolt moves the first axle end in a first direction relative to the axle cradle.

17. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction relative to the axle cradle.

18. The exercise device of claim 15, further comprising:

an interconnection assembly operably coupled with the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly.

19. The exercise device of claim 15, further comprising:

a first resistance element operably coupled between the first treadle assembly and the frame; and

a second resistance element operable coupled between the second treadle assembly and the frame.

20. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a first roller rotatably supported by the frame defining a first axis of rotation;

a first treadle assembly including a second roller and a first endless belt in rotatable engagement with the second roller and the first roller, the first treadle assembly arranged to pivot relative to the frame about a first pivot axis;

a second treadle assembly including a third roller and a second endless belt in rotatable engagement with the third roller and the first roller, the second treadle assembly arranged to pivot relative to the frame about the first pivot axis; and

wherein the first axis of rotation is offset from the first pivot axis.

21. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the first axis of rotation is below the first pivot axis.

22. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the first axis of rotation is rearward of the first pivot axis.

23. The exercise device of claim 20, further comprising:

an interconnection assembly operably coupled with the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly.

24. The exercise device of claim 20, further comprising:

a first resistance element operably coupled between the first treadle assembly and the frame; and

a second resistance element operable coupled between the second treadle assembly and the frame.