Exercise device

• US 7,717,830 B1
• Filed: 10/01/2009
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dynamic Fitness Equipment, LLC
• Original Assignee: Dynamic Fitness Equipment, LLC
• Inventors: Charniga, Andrew-Bud, Hiskia, Genadi
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow; Steve R
• Application Number:
  US12/571,874
• Time in Patent Office: 229 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482 70- 71, 482/148, 482/907, 482/92, 601/26
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0028 the movement path being non-parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane, e.g. support elements moving at an angle to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0038 One foot moving independently from the other, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• 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 22/0285 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

An exercise device includes a support frame and a running platform supported by the support frame. The support frame includes a front, a rear, a left side, and a right side and defines a horizontal plane having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The running platform includes at least one support member extending longitudinally between the front and the rear of the support frame. A left track and a right track are each rotatably connected to the at least one support member and the support frame for lateral rotation. The left track and the right track are each operable between a horizontal position and an inclined position. The left and right tracks are substantially parallel to the horizontal plane in the horizontal position and are laterally rotated relative to the horizontal plane in their respective inclined positions.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a support frame having a front, a rear, a left side, and a right side, the support frame defining a horizontal plane having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; and

a running platform supported by the support frame, the running platform including at least one support member extending longitudinally between the front and the rear of the support frame and disposed between the left and the right sides of the support frame, a left track and a right track rotatably connected to the at least one support member and the support frame for lateral rotation, wherein the left and right tracks include left and right running surfaces continuously movable about respective left and right tracks, wherein the left track and the right track are each operable between a horizontal position and an inclined position, the left and right tracks substantially parallel to the horizontal plane in the horizontal position, the left and right tracks being laterally rotated relative to the horizontal plane in their respective inclined positions.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the left and right tracks are each independently rotatable.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the left and right tracks are angled from the horizontal plane of the support frame to the same degree but in opposite directions in their respective inclined positions.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the left track includes a first edge rotatably connected to the support frame and a second edge rotatably connected to the at least one support member, wherein the right track includes a third edge rotatably connected to the at least one support member and a fourth edge rotatably connected to the support frame, wherein the at least one support member includes a front end portion extending to a rear end portion along a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal plane of the support frame.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the at least one support member is fixedly connected to the support frame via the front and rear end portions, and wherein the first edge of the left track and the fourth edge of the right track are movably connected to the support frame, the first and fourth edges movable up and down relative to the horizontal plane to move the left and right tracks between the horizontal and their respective inclined positions.

6. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the at least one support member is movably connected to the support frame via the front and rear end portions, wherein the at least one support member is movable up and down relative to the horizontal plane of the support frame, and wherein the first and fourth edges are rotatably connected to the support frame, to move the left and right tracks between the horizontal position and their respective inclined positions.

7. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the first and fourth edges include at least one pivot member for pivotally connecting respective left and right tracks to the at least one support member.

8. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein each of the left and right sides of the support frame includes at least one hinge member for hingedly connecting the first edge of the left track to the left side of the support frame and the fourth edge of the right track to the right side of the support frame.

9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein each of the left and right tracks includes a pivot rod attached thereto, wherein the at least one hinge member includes a mounting portion secured to one of the left and right sides of the support frame and extending therefrom to a pivot receiving member, the pivot receiving member defining a pivot axis parallel to the central axis of the at least one support member, the pivot receiving member including an opening formed therethrough for receiving the pivot rod, wherein the pivot rod is slidable within the opening in a first direction and rotatable about the pivot axis in a second direction.

10. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the distance between the first edge of the left track and the left side of the support frame and the distance between the fourth edge of the right track and the right side of the support frame are adjustable to maintain the distance between the second edge of the left track and the third edge of the right track as the left and right tracks are moved relative to the horizontal plane to vary the inclination thereof.

11. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein each of the front and the rear of the support frame includes a beam including a rail and a slide member slidably positioned thereon, the at least one support member connected to the slide members via the front and rear end portions, wherein the slide member is movable along the rail in a vertical direction to move the at least one support member and vary the inclination of the left and right tracks relative to the horizontal plane of the support frame.

12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the left and right tracks include left and right running surfaces continuously movable about respective left and right tracks, wherein each of the left and right running surfaces includes a plurality of tread links pivotally connected together.

13. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one support member includes only one support member, the left and right tracks being pivotally connected to the same support member.

14. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one support member includes two support members, the left track pivotally connect to one of the two support members and the right track pivotally connected to the other of the two support members.