Engaging mechanism for a folding apparatus of a treadmill

• US 7,717,829 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leao Wang
• Original Assignee: Leao Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Leao
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/962,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20090163326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 482/54, 482/51
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

The invention relates to an engaging mechanism for a folding apparatus of a treadmill that is adapted to apply a proper engaging force to a positioning plate fixed at the bottom of the internal side of the handrail assembly such that an unexpected false pushing action caused by the driving behavior of a slope adjusting support by the lifting motor is prevented when the platform frame of the treadmill is moved in a horizontal operational position.

Claims

1. A folding apparatus of a treadmill having a platform frame with a transmission motor at one side thereof for driving a continuous moving belt into rotation by use of a transmission belt, a front roller, and a rear roller, a lifting motor being employed to move an adjusting support upward and downward for adjusting the supporting angle of the platform frame, two connection pins being disposed at both sides of the platform frame, respectively, for pivotally coupling a handrail assembly and a rear support, respectively,

wherein a slide pusher, to which a pneumatic cylinder applies a pushing force, is interposed between a first and a second strengthening bar while the other end of the slide pusher is pivotally connected to the rear support, whereupon a coupling rod is interposed between the rear support and the handrail assembly;

accordingly, the handrail assembly may be folded up by the coupling rod in cooperation with a crossbar; and

wherein an engaging mechanism is disposed at the bottom of a strengthening bar of the platform frame such that the engaging mechanism applies a proper engaging force to a positioning plate fixed at the bottom of the internal side of the handrail assembly when the platform frame is brought in a horizontal application position, whereby any unexpected false pushing action is avoided when the lifting motor and the adjusting support are employed to adjust the exercise slope.

2. A folding apparatus of a treadmill having a platform frame with a transmission motor at one side thereof for driving a continuous moving belt into rotation by use of a transmission belt, a front roller, and a rear roller, a lifting motor being employed to move an adjusting support upward and downward for adjusting the supporting angle of the platform frame, two connection pins being disposed at both sides of the platform frame, respectively, for pivotally coupling a handrail assembly and a rear support, respectively,

wherein a slide pusher, to which a pneumatic cylinder applies a pushing force, is interposed between a first and a second strengthening bar while the other end of the slide pusher is pivotally connected to the rear support, whereupon a coupling rod is interposed between the rear support and the handrail assembly;

accordingly, the handrail assembly may be folded up by the coupling rod in cooperation with a crossbar;

wherein an engaging mechanism is disposed at the bottom of a strengthening bar of the platform frame such that the engaging mechanism applies a proper engaging force to a positioning plate fixed at the bottom of the internal side of the handrail assembly when the platform frame is brought in a horizontal application position;

wherein the engaging mechanism consists of an operating lever, an elongated coupling lock piece, an quadruple connecting mechanism, two protruding studs and two elastic elements, and wherein an external member of the protruding studs is engaged into a first insertion hole of the positioning plate in place when the platform frame is brought in a horizontal application position;

wherein the quadruple connecting mechanism consists of four connecting rods which are pivotally coupled together, and wherein when the coupling lock piece is pulled by the operating lever, a pivot joint of the quadruple connecting mechanism is pulled in such a way that the quadruple connecting mechanism is brought into a contracting shape distortion state, and wherein the protruding studs are attached to a pulled portion at an opposing end of the quadruple connecting mechanism so that the protruding studs are laterally shifted toward the internal side of the platform frame due to the contracting deformation of the quadruple connecting mechanism, and the external member can be disengaged from the first insertion hole of the positioning plate;

accordingly, the platform frame may be lifted upwards in a folded position; and

wherein the quadruple connecting mechanism is returned back to the original position under the influence of the resilience of the elastic elements when the platform frame is lowered from the upright folded position to the horizontal application position such that the external members of the protruding studs are engaged into the first insertion holes of the positioning plates in place.

3. The engaging mechanism for a folding apparatus of a treadmill as claimed in claim 2 wherein a second insertion hole is formed in the positioning plate, and wherein the external member of the protruding stud can also be automatically engaged into the second insertion hole when the platform frame is brought into the upright folded position such that an unexpected rollover of the platform frame can be prevented.