US4984810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treadmill
Assignee: Stearns and McGee
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Filing: 1989-07-13
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Granted: 1991-01-15
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Expires: 2009-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A treadmill is disclosed having a belt system carried by a platform structure. The platform structure is pivotally mounted at its rear end to a base structure. The platform is supported at its forward end by a shock absorber/spring system which provides a damped resilient response of the belt and platform when a person's foot lands during running or walking. Carrying the belt system by the platform structure enables the endless belt of the belt system to be maintained closely above the platform even when a runner's foot lands on it with heavy impact. The support of the platform immediately below the belt eliminates lateral slack in the belt which could possibly result in injury to a walker or runner due to an uneven landing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Stearns
- 👤 John K. McGee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:15
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/02; A63B22/0207; A63B22/0221; A63B22/0015; A63B22/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
An exercise treadmill comprising a base having forward and rear ends, pivot means disposed near the rear end of said base, a belt system including forward and rear rollers and an endless belt placed about said rollers, said belt having an upwardly exposed operative section and a downwardly exposed return section, a belt support platform structure having forward and rear ends, said platform structure disposed between said upwardly exposed operative section and said downwardly exposed return section of said belt system, said platform structure including a decking member operably arranged such that said operative section of said belt slides over said decking member when said belt system is in operation, said decking member providing support to a runner's foot as it lands on said upwardly exposed operative section of said belt, said platform structure including forward connection member means connected to said forward end of said decking member for carrying said forward roller of said belt system, said platform structure including rear connection member means connected to said pivot means for pivotally carrying said platform structure with respect to said rear end of said base, means for mounting said rear roller of said belt system to said base near the rear end of said platform structure, and shock absorbing platform support means including in combination a spring means and a separate damping means operable between said forward member connection means and said base for supporting said platform structure and aid belt system and reducing impact forces of a runner while running on said operative section of said belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
An exercise treadmill comprising a base having forward and rear ends, pivot means disposed near the rear end of said base, a belt system including forward and rear rollers and an endless belt placed about said rollers, said belt having an upwardly exposed operative section and a downwardly exposed return section, a belt support platform structure having forward and rear ends, said platform structure disposed between said upwardly exposed operative section and said downwardly exposed return section of said belt system, said platform structure including a decking member operably arranged such that said operative section of said belt slides over said decking member when said belt system is in operation, said decking member providing support to a runner's foot as it lands on said upwardly exposed operative section of said belt, said platform structure including forward connection member means connected to said forward end of said decking member for carrying said forward roller of said belt system, said platform structure including rear connection member means connected to said pivot means for pivotally carrying said platform structure with respect to said rear end of said base, means for mounting said rear roller of said belt system to said base near the rear end of said platform structure, and shock absorbing platform support means including in combination a spring means and a separate damping means operable between said forward member connection means and said base for supporting said platform structure and aid belt system and reducing impact forces of a runner while running on said operative section of said belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The treadmill of claim 1 wherein said platform support means includes spring means connected between said base and said forward end of said platform structure, and said separate damping means connected between said base and said forward end of said platform structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The treadmill of claim 1 wherein said platform support means includes on each lateral side of the forward end of said platform structure a spring connected between said base and said platform and said separate damping means connected between said base and said platform structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The treadmill of claim 1 further comprising powered means for rotating said rear roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The treadmill of claim 4 wherein said powered means comprises, a drive motor mounted on said base; and drive train means interconnecting said motor and said rear roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The treadmill of claim 1 further comprising powered means for rotating said forward roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The treadmill of claim 6, wherein said powered means comprises, a drive motor mounted on said base, and drive train means interconnecting said drive motor with said forward roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising, powered means for rotating one of the forward or rear rollers, said powered means including, a drive motor mounted on said base, and a drive train system interconnecting said drive motor and the driven roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising, elevation means for elevating the forward end of the exercise treadmill to position said endless belt at a desired angle of inclination wherein said elevation means are mounted on said forward end of said base and are extendable downwardly to elevate the forward end of the base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
195 words
An exercise treadmill comprising a base, a belt system including forward and rear rollers and an endless belt placed about said rollers, said belt having an upwardly exposed operative section and a downwardly exposed return section, a belt support platform structure having forward and rear ends, said platform structure disposed between said upwardly exposed operative section and said downwardly exposed return section, said platform structure including a decking member operably arranged such that said operative section of said belt slides over said decking member when said belt system is in operation, said decking member providing support to a runner's foot as it lands on said upwardly exposed operative section of said belt, said platform structure carrying said forward and rear rollers of said belt system, supporting means for pivotally supporting said platform structure to said base near the rear end, and shock absorbing platform support means including a spring means and a discrete damping means, said platform support means connected between said forward end of said platform structure and said base for supporting said platform and said belt system and reducing impact forces of a runner while running on said operative section of said belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
195 words
An exercise treadmill comprising a base, a belt system including forward and rear rollers and an endless belt placed about said rollers, said belt having an upwardly exposed operative section and a downwardly exposed return section, a belt support platform structure having forward and rear ends, said platform structure disposed between said upwardly exposed operative section and said downwardly exposed return section, said platform structure including a decking member operably arranged such that said operative section of said belt slides over said decking member when said belt system is in operation, said decking member providing support to a runner's foot as it lands on said upwardly exposed operative section of said belt, said platform structure carrying said forward and rear rollers of said belt system, supporting means for pivotally supporting said platform structure to said base near the rear end, and shock absorbing platform support means including a spring means and a discrete damping means, said platform support means connected between said forward end of said platform structure and said base for supporting said platform and said belt system and reducing impact forces of a runner while running on said operative section of said belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The treadmill of claim 10 wherein: said spring means includes a spring on each lateral side of the forward end of said platform structure; and said damping means includes a damper on each lateral side of the forward end of said support platform structure connected between said base and said platform structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The treadmill of claim 10 further comprising, motor means for rotatably driving one of the forward or rear rollers of said belt system, said motor means comprising a drive motor mounted on said base; and drive train means interconnecting the motor and the driven roller of said belt system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The treadmill of claim 10 further comprising, elevation means for elevating the forward end of the exercise treadmill to position said endless belt at a desired angle of inclination wherein said elevation means are mounted on said forward end of said base and are extendable downwardly to elevate the forward end of the base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
222 words
An exercise treadmill comprising, a base, a belt system including forward and rear rollers and an endless belt placed about said rollers, said belt having an upwardly exposed operative section and a downwardly exposed return section, a belt support platform structure having forward and rear ends, said platform structure disposed between said upwardly exposed operative section and said downwardly exposed return section of said endless belt, said platform structure including a substantially smooth decking structure at least partially underlying said operative section of said belt, said decking structure operably arranged with respect to said endless belt such that said operative section of said belt slides over said decking member when said belt system is in operation, said decking member providing support to a runner's foot as it lands on said upwardly exposed operative section of said belt, said platform structure carrying said forward roller of said belt system, supporting means for pivotally supporting said platform structure to said base near the rear end, and means connected to said base for supporting said belt support platform structure near its front end with spring and damping elements which, in combination with the mass of said platform structure, impart a damped response of the belt support platform structure in response to impact forces of a runner while running on said operative section of said belt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
222 words
An exercise treadmill comprising, a base, a belt system including forward and rear rollers and an endless belt placed about said rollers, said belt having an upwardly exposed operative section and a downwardly exposed return section, a belt support platform structure having forward and rear ends, said platform structure disposed between said upwardly exposed operative section and said downwardly exposed return section of said endless belt, said platform structure including a substantially smooth decking structure at least partially underlying said operative section of said belt, said decking structure operably arranged with respect to said endless belt such that said operative section of said belt slides over said decking member when said belt system is in operation, said decking member providing support to a runner's foot as it lands on said upwardly exposed operative section of said belt, said platform structure carrying said forward roller of said belt system, supporting means for pivotally supporting said platform structure to said base near the rear end, and means connected to said base for supporting said belt support platform structure near its front end with spring and damping elements which, in combination with the mass of said platform structure, impart a damped response of the belt support platform structure in response to impact forces of a runner while running on said operative section of said belt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The treadmill of claim 14 wherein said spring and damping elements are discrete.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The treadmill of claim 15 further including means for mounting said rear roller of said belt system to said base near the rear end of said platform structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The treadmill of claim 15 further including means for mounting said rear roller of said belt system to said belt support platform structure near its rear end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-14 | 1994-07-16 | 1995-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-14 | 1998-07-16 | 1999-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-14 | 2002-07-16 | 2003-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |