Inclining treadmill with magnetic braking system
First Claim
1. A selectively inclining treadmill apparatus which supports a user ambulating thereon, the selectively inclining treadmill apparatus comprising:
- a treadbase adapted to selectively incline, the treadbase comprising;
a treadbase frame;
an endless belt mounted on the treadbase frame, wherein the endless belt is configured such that a user may ambulate thereon;
a flywheel linked to the treadbase frame; and
a braking system adapted to regulate the speed of the endless belt, the braking system comprising a magnetic member adapted to move between a first position with respect to the flywheel and a second position that is closer to the flywheel than the first position, wherein the magnetic member is positioned adjacent to the outer circumference of the flywheel, and wherein the magnetic member moves parallel to the axis of rotation of the flywheel between the first position and the second position.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
228 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A selectively inclining treadmill apparatus which supports a user ambulating thereon, the selectively inclining treadmill apparatus comprising:
a treadbase adapted to selectively incline, the treadbase comprising; a treadbase frame; an endless belt mounted on the treadbase frame, wherein the endless belt is configured such that a user may ambulate thereon; a flywheel linked to the treadbase frame; and a braking system adapted to regulate the speed of the endless belt, the braking system comprising a magnetic member adapted to move between a first position with respect to the flywheel and a second position that is closer to the flywheel than the first position, wherein the magnetic member is positioned adjacent to the outer circumference of the flywheel, and wherein the magnetic member moves parallel to the axis of rotation of the flywheel between the first position and the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 30)
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9. A selectively inclining treadmill apparatus which supports a user ambulating thereon, the selectively inclining treadmill apparatus comprising:
a treadbase adapted to selectively incline, the treadbase comprising; a treadbase frame having a flywheel linked thereto; an endless belt mounted on the treadbase, wherein the endless belt is configured such that a user may ambulate thereon; and a braking system adapted to regulate the speed of the endless belt, the braking system comprising a magnetic member mounted on a lead screw, the magnetic member being adapted to move between a first position with respect to the flywheel and a second position that is closer to the flywheel than the first position when the lead screw is rotated about a longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 29)
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15. A selectively inclining treadmill apparatus which supports a user ambulating thereon, the selectively inclining treadmill apparatus comprising:
a treadbase adapted to selectively incline, the treadbase comprising; a treadbase frame having a flywheel coupled thereto; an endless belt mounted on the treadbase frame, wherein the endless belt is configured such that a user may ambulate thereon; and a braking system adapted to regulate the speed of the endless belt, the braking system comprising a magnetic member mounted on a lead screw and a guide rod, the magnetic member being adapted to move between a first position with respect to the flywheel and a second position that is closer to the flywheel than the first position, and wherein movement between the first position and the second position is along a length of the lead screw. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 31, 32)
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21. A selectively inclining treadmill apparatus which supports a user ambulating thereon, the selectively inclining treadmill apparatus comprising:
a treadbase adapted to selectively incline, the treadbase comprising; a treadbase frame; an endless belt mounted on the treadbase frame, wherein the endless belt is configured such that a user may ambulate thereon; a flywheel linked to the treadbase frame; and a braking system adapted to regulate the speed of the endless belt, the braking system comprising a magnetic member adapted to move between a first position with respect to the flywheel and a second position that is closer to the flywheel than the first position, wherein the magnetic member moves between the first position and the second position on a lead screw. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33)
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28. A selectively inclining treadmill apparatus which supports a user ambulating thereon, the selectively inclining treadmill apparatus comprising:
a treadbase adapted to selectively incline, the treadbase comprising; a treadbase frame; an endless belt mounted on the treadbase frame, wherein the endless belt is configured such that a user may ambulate thereon; a belt motor coupled to the treadbase frame and configured to drive the endless belt; a flywheel coupled to the belt motor; a braking system adapted to regulate the speed of the endless belt, the braking system comprising a magnetic member adapted to move between a first position with respect to the flywheel and a second position that is closer to the flywheel than the first position; and control circuitry adapted to monitor the amount of current used by the belt motor to drive the endless belt, wherein the control circuitry is adapted to move the magnetic member between the first position and the second position when the current used by the belt motor decreases.
Specification