MANUAL TREADMILL AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A manually operated treadmill comprising:
- a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;
a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end;
a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end;
a running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft; and
a one-way bearing assembly coupled to at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft, wherein the one-way bearing assembly prevents rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in one direction and permits rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in the opposite direction to restrict rotation of the running belt in a single direction;
wherein the treadmill is configured to allow the user to manually control the speed of the running belt and to facilitate maintenance of a contour of the curved running surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A manually operated treadmill is provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame, a running belt including a contoured running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running belt to rotate about the front shaft and the rear shaft without the rotation of the running belt being generated by a motor, and a one-way bearing assembly configured to prevent rotation of the running surface of the running belt in one direction.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A manually operated treadmill comprising:
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a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end; a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end; a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end; a running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft; and a one-way bearing assembly coupled to at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft, wherein the one-way bearing assembly prevents rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in one direction and permits rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in the opposite direction to restrict rotation of the running belt in a single direction; wherein the treadmill is configured to allow the user to manually control the speed of the running belt and to facilitate maintenance of a contour of the curved running surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A manually operated treadmill comprising:
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a treadmill frame; a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame; a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame; a running belt including a contoured running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running belt to rotate about the front shaft and the rear shaft without the rotation of the running belt being generated by a motor; and a one-way bearing assembly configured to prevent rotation of the running surface of the running belt in one direction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A manually operated treadmill comprising:
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a frame supported on a substantially horizontal surface; a front shaft assembly supported by the frame and comprising; a front shaft; and at least one front running belt pulley supported by the front shaft; a rear shaft assembly supported by the frame a spaced distance from the front shaft and comprising; a rear shaft; and at least one rear running belt pulley supported by the rear shaft; a running belt supported at least in part by the front shaft assembly and the rear shaft assembly, the running belt including a front portion adjacent the front shaft assembly, a rear portion adjacent the rear shaft assembly, and a central portion intermediate the front portion and the rear portion, the front portion and the rear portion being positioned vertically higher than a lowest point found in the central portion to form a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may walk or run, wherein gravitational force acting upon weight of the user'"'"'s body on the running belt relative to the lowest point of the running belt causes rotation of the running belt, front shaft, and the rear shaft without the aid of a motor; and a one-way bearing assembly cooperating with one of the front shaft and the rear shaft to permit rotation of said one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in only one direction. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification