GB2291361A - Exercise treadmill - Google Patents

Abstract

An exercise treadmill has its supporting surfaces made from a plurality of stretch able belts so arranged that a person using the treadmill may accelerate smoothly to full speed (or decelerate smoothly) because each succeeding sector of the belt surface is moving at a faster/slower rate (for example using the mechanism of US 2,769,522). The treadmill may be provided with fixed hurdles (Fig. 5) or hurdles that are synchronised with the belt movement (Fig. 6). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO TREADMILL This invention relates to improvements regarding treadmill which are popular gymnasium equipments used as walking and jogging devices.The operating mechanism of most equipment is provided by two rollers which are situated at both ends of such a system and these are made to operate by a power driven motor.

Before this invention,treadmill travel at pre-determined initial speed of say X miles per hour and there are means of further automation of increases in speed say of 3X AND 5X miles per hour.Safety regarding mounting and demounting such apparatus have been widespread and the industry has responded to this by the use of hand support bars to reduce the incovenience experienced as a result of sPeed changes either on mounting and demounting or on progressive changes in the rate of travel involving either increases or decreases in speed.It is the aim of this invention to describe a method that provides a solution to this problem and other improvements that are explained as part of this invention It is the essence of this present invention to claim the use of the method as described in US patent 2769522 of Nov. 6, 1956 relating to conveyor and stretching means,for its application relating to the problem associated with treadmill as described above.We believe that under the terms of the european patent law especially Article 69 EPC relating to the new use/purpose for a particular method, this is possible as the new purpose we refer to here,is the use of the method for gymnasium/sporting equipment and not transportation.

By the application of this method,treadmill will be driven by multirollers.Each roller operating or travelling at different speed such that there is a successive increase in speed of 50% relative to adjoining roller.There is thus provided an area of mounting of lower speed which is driven by a roller rotating at say X m.p.h. and progressively, each roller adjacently connected to this, are made to operate at a higher speed of multiple X either throughout the system or until a point, as described elsewhere as part of this invention,where connection to a treadmill of the OLD school, operating on two rollers is advocated, this revolves around one of the applicasion of this invention.In this application of the technology, it is proposed that a stationary hurdle (see below) be present at the point of connection to signifv the end of the NEW and beginning of the OLD and to avoid any surface discontinuity that might-occur between the NEW and the OT,n.The NEW and the OLD as used here refers to the use of multi-rollers and dual rollers respectively.In such cases,the OLD will be made to operate at a speed greater than the last speed at which the last roller of the multi-rollers operates.

Another embodiment of this present invention relates to the introduction of a number of mobile and/or immobile hurdle in combination with the traditional treadmill.The hurdle structure either been the same as usefl by athletes or modified as shown in the accompanying diagrams.Such hurdles been powered by the either the same mechanism as the treadrfll or a separate adjoining mechanism.It is the aim of the inventor to make the apparatus as accessible to a wide range of ase-grouDs and as such,the hurdle is made capable of been reduced to certain heights as shown in the accompanying diagram.

The mechanism proposed for the mobility of the hurdle is by means of a chain-link as indicated also in the accompanying diagram, such chain revolving around static modified structures whose modification is dependent on type of chain to be used.

This invention also relates to the modification of the above described equipment as a multi-track equipment or further modification for use by more than one user.Such equipment making use of either a number of hurdle driven by a chain and/or a number of hurdle driven by two chains, each chain located on either side of the treadmill.

It is envisaged that with this technology, a number of applications will be possible with advantages over current marketed products relating to the above field.If we look at the possibilities in terms of NEW and OLD school as relating to the use of the method we propose and what already exist on the market at the moment respectively, then there are a number of possibilities including: SINGLE CHAIN COMBINATION: 1.OLD WITH STATIONARY HURDLE(S) 2.NEW WITH STATIONARY HURDLE(S) 3.OLD WITH MOBILE HURDLE(S) 4.NEW WITH MOBILE HURDLE(S) 5.PART OLD AND PART NEW WITH STATIONARY HURDLE(S) 6.PART OLD AND PART NEW WITH MOBILE HURDLE(S).

DOUBLE CHAINS COMBINATION: This refers to the use of two chain links situated on either side of a treadmill in providing a complete hurdling means and with this, a number of applications are also possible as in line with the single chain combination.The result is another SIX APPLICATION LINES.

In the accompanying drawings which are more or less diagrammatic: Fig. 1 is a view of an incomplete hurdle means comprising a vertical part which is hinged (not shown) to an horizontal part.

Fig. 2 is a view of two structure of fig. 1 of shorter horizontal part coming together to form a complete hurdle means.

Fig. 3 is a view of a reducible length hurdle means with spring attached encashment (not shown) for this purpose inserted in a purposely created space within a chain-linke9. body for its mobility.

Fig. 4 is a view of structure capable of revolving the chain in fig. 3 Fig. 5 is a view of a treadmill using part multi-rollers' and part dual rollers' mechanism with a stationary hurdle means situated around such position to signify the change to a uniform speed driven section.

Fig. 6 is an overhead view showing a chain-link driven hurdle means capable of being used as a treadmill on both sides which the hurdle rotates.

Fig. 7 is a view showing how structure similar to that of fig. 6 can be modified to provide a complete hurdling means or even multi-traGk treadmill (not shown) by the application of the principle used in fig. 6 Fig. 8 is an overhead view of a treadmill using stationary hurdle means indicated by horizontal lines.

Claims (7)

1. A treadmill adapted to gradually decrease its initial speed comprising, a plurality of driven pulley drums having parallel axes and being spaced at predetermined intervals along said belt, a series of endless narrow stretchable elastic V belts mounted on and extending, from each said drum to the next successive drum only, the drums which are intermediate the end drums of said plurality of drums being common to 'belts of the successive series of endless belts, said endless belts being closely spaced laterally of said treadmill, said endless belts of adjacent said series being disposed on their common drums in alternate relation so as to provide a continuous conveying surface, means for driving each successive drum at a decreased its speed from one drum t another and the endless belts have the same speed on their common drums.

2. A treadmill adapted te gradually increase its initial speed comerisinq, a plurality of driven pulley drums having parralel axes and being spaced at predetermined intervals along said belt; a series of endless narrow stretchable elastic V belts mounted on and extending from each said drum to the next successive drum only. the drums which are intermeJiste the end drums of said plurality of drums benin common to the belts of the next successive series of endless belts, said endless belts being spaced laterally of said treadmill a distance that provides adequate support for persons standing on the endless belts; said endless endless belts of adiacent series beina disposed on their common drums in alternate relation so as to provide a continous treadmilling surface, means for driving each successive drum at an increased surface speed whereby each series of endless belts gradually increases its speed from one drum to another and the endless belts have the same speed on their common drums.

3. Treadmill means including spaced driven pulleys, a plurality of elastic belts mounted in parralel relation on and driven by said pulleys to provide an upwardly facing load supporting suface, said pullets being spaced apart a sufficient surface to impert suitable driving ter,slon between said belts and said pulleys, means independent of said said belt for driving said pulleys at surface speeds differina a predetermined amount from each other whereby said belts are stretched a predetermined amount in their course from one pulley to the other and substantially un-stretched in the return course.

4. Treadmill means including a pair of spaced driven pulleys mounted to be rotatable about parallel axes, a plurality of elastic belts engaged with said pulleys to be driven thereby and parallel to one another to provide an upwardly facing load supporting surface, said pulleys being spaced apart a sufficient distance to impart suitable driven tension between said belts and said pulleys, means independent of said belts for rotating said pulleys about their respective axes at surface speeds. differing a predetermined amount from each other whereby said belts are stretched a pre etermined amount in their course from one pulley to the other and substantially - unstretched in the return course.

5. Treadmill means whereby the system is driven by multi-rollers' or part multi-rollers' and part dual rollers' mechanism as explained as part of this invention, the introduction of a number cf mobile and/or immobile hurdle or hurdle-like means to a treadmill as described as part of this invention such hurdle or hurdle-like means been powered by the same mechanism as the treadmill or a separate adjoining means or mobility of such a hurdling means provided by means of one or more chain-links revolving around stationary modified or unmodified structures, modification dependent on type of chain used, such hurdling means height capable of being reduced to suit a range of people of varymg height, and any modification to such treadmill as described as part of this invention to make it adaptable for usage by more than one person or adaptation resulting in a multi-track treadmill.This invention also relates to dual-rollers driven treadmill making use of hurdle means as described as part of this invention.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

6. Treadmill means as claimed in 5. above whereby the hurdling means carried in a chain-link are made to revolve around a structure as described as part of this invention, such structure rotated by means of an electrically driven motor.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

7. Treadmill means as claimed in 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 whereby roller-type of belts supports closely spaced ball-bearing rollers, the use of balancing means between such rollers and rollers as specified anywhere as part of this invention, to provide a continous treadable surface.