US5382207A — Exercise treadmill

Claim 1

Independent Claim 174 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, longitudinal frame member means for providing longitudinal support, and at least two longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers; means for rotating one of said pulleys; an endless, movable surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said movable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising; and support means for providing support for the upper run of said movable surface including a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said upper run, said deck member underlying substantially the entire exercise surface, and a plurality of sets of at least two resilient support members secured between said deck member and said crossmembers, said sets being arranged substantially parallel to the pulleys effective to permit said deck member to flex downwardly in response to the impact of the user's feet on said exercise surface.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 174 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, longitudinal frame member means for providing longitudinal support, and at least two longitudinally spaced-apart crossmembers; means for rotating one of said pulleys; an endless, movable surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said movable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising; and support means for providing support for the upper run of said movable surface including a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said upper run, said deck member underlying substantially the entire exercise surface, and a plurality of sets of at least two resilient support members secured between said deck member and said crossmembers, said sets being arranged substantially parallel to the pulleys effective to permit said deck member to flex downwardly in response to the impact of the user's feet on said exercise surface.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 19 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 1 wherein one set of said resilient support members has a generally elliptical configuration.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein one set of said resilient support members has a generally cylindrical configuration.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The treadmill of claim 3 wherein one end of said cylindrical resilient support member is disposed to said deck member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The treadmill of claim 2 wherein the major axis of said elliptical resilient support member substantially parallels said exercise surface.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The treadmill of claim 2 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane and polyester.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from a mixture of elastomeric materials selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane and polyester.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from polyphenylene oxide.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein said elliptical resilient support members have a free, uncompressed height in the range of about 1.50 inches to about 3 inches.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein said elliptical resilient support members have an uncompressed diameter in the range of about 1.5 inches to 3 inches.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein said elliptical resilient support members have a compressed height in the range of about 0.5 inches to 2 inches.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 2 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from a material having a hardness in the range of about shore 30A to about shore 55A.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 1 wherein one set of said resilient support members has a generally cylindrical configuration.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The treadmill of claim 13 wherein one end of said cylindrical resilient support member is disposed to said deck member.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 1, wherein said two rotatable pulleys are plastic pulleys having an end diameter in the range of about seven to nine inches.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 15 wherein said pulleys are constructed from a plastic selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene oxide, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyester, and polypropylene.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 15 wherein said pulleys have a cambered configuration including a substantially cylindrical-shaped center portion with conical ends and further including a separate end cap secured to one end of said conical ends.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 45 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 17 wherein said rotating means includes a motor and a gear belt operatively connected to said motor and wherein one of said pulleys includes a sprocket molded on one of said end caps and operatively engaged with said gear belt.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 59 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 1 wherein a first and a second of said sets of said resilient support members are located at each end of said deck member and a third and fourth of said sets of said resilient support members are spaced apart along the length of said deck member intermediate of said first and second sets.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 38 words

The Exercise treadmill of claim 14 wherein the resilient support members in said first and second sets have a generally cylindrical configuration and the resilient support members in said third and fourth sets have a generally elliptical configuration.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 103 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other; means for rotating one of said pulleys; an endless, moveable surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated; and support means for providing support for the upper run of said moveable surface including a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said upper run, said deck member having a crowned portion crowned substantially upward between the front and rear of said exercise treadmill.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 103 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other; means for rotating one of said pulleys; an endless, moveable surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated; and support means for providing support for the upper run of said moveable surface including a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said upper run, said deck member having a crowned portion crowned substantially upward between the front and rear of said exercise treadmill.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 175 words

An exercise device for providing an endlessly movable exercise surface comprising: an exercise treadmill having two rotatable pulleys substantially parallel to each other and an endless moveable exercise surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said moveable exercise surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated and providing a surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising; means for sensing the lateral position of said moveable exercise surface on said pulleys; and means for correcting the lateral position of said moveable exercise surface on said pulleys including pivoting means for pivoting one end of one of said pulleys in a longitudinal direction where said pivoting means includes a first pivot block capable of pivoting movement about a vertical axis into which one end of said pulley to be rotated is rotatable mounted, and a second block into which the other end of said pulley to be rotated is rotatably mounted, and further including means for moving said second block through said longitudinal direction.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 175 words

An exercise device for providing an endlessly movable exercise surface comprising: an exercise treadmill having two rotatable pulleys substantially parallel to each other and an endless moveable exercise surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said moveable exercise surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated and providing a surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising; means for sensing the lateral position of said moveable exercise surface on said pulleys; and means for correcting the lateral position of said moveable exercise surface on said pulleys including pivoting means for pivoting one end of one of said pulleys in a longitudinal direction where said pivoting means includes a first pivot block capable of pivoting movement about a vertical axis into which one end of said pulley to be rotated is rotatable mounted, and a second block into which the other end of said pulley to be rotated is rotatably mounted, and further including means for moving said second block through said longitudinal direction.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 117 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: endless belt means including two rotatable pulleys substantially parallel to each other and an endless belt looped around said pulleys, said belt being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated for providing a movable exercise surface; a support deck located below a portion of said belt means for limiting the downward deflection of the exercise surface; a treadmill frame having longitudinal and lateral frame members; and a plurality of sets of at least two vertically oriented cylindrical elastomeric deck support members fastened between said deck and said frame for allowing the deck to move in the longitudinal and lateral horizontal directions and for limiting movement of said deck in the vertical direction.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 117 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: endless belt means including two rotatable pulleys substantially parallel to each other and an endless belt looped around said pulleys, said belt being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated for providing a movable exercise surface; a support deck located below a portion of said belt means for limiting the downward deflection of the exercise surface; a treadmill frame having longitudinal and lateral frame members; and a plurality of sets of at least two vertically oriented cylindrical elastomeric deck support members fastened between said deck and said frame for allowing the deck to move in the longitudinal and lateral horizontal directions and for limiting movement of said deck in the vertical direction.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

The treadmill of claim 23 wherein said cylindrical support members are from 0.5 to 3 inches in uncompressed height and substantially formed from a rubber or an elastomeric material.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

The treadmill of claim 24 wherein at least one said cylindrical support member includes an axially oriented threaded aperture for receiving a support deck securing screw.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 31 words

The treadmill of claim 24 wherein at least one said cylindrical support member includes an axially directed threaded member for threadably mounting the support member to one of said frame members.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 31 words

The treadmill of claim 24 wherein said support deck is rectangular and has four corners, and wherein at least one cylindrical support member is located near each corner of the deck.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 23 further including a plurality of elliptical resilient support members secured between said support deck and said frame.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 28 words

The treadmill of claim 28 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane and polyester.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 28 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from a mixture of elastomeric materials selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane and polyester.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 28 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from polyphenylene oxide.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 28, wherein said elliptical resilient support members have a free, uncompressed height in the range of about 1.50 inches to about 3 inches.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 26 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 28 wherein said elliptical resilient support members have an uncompressed diameter in the range of about 1.5 inches to 3 inches.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 26 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 28 wherein said elliptical resilient support members have a compressed height in the range of about 0.5 inches to 2 inches.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 31 words

The exercise treadmill of claim 28 wherein said elliptical resilient support members are constructed from a material having a hardness in the range of about shore 30A to about shore 55A.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 124 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two substantially parallel, rotatable pulleys and at least two longitudinally spaced apart cross-members; an endless, moveable surface looped around said pulleys to provide an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising, said moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated; a deck for supporting said exercise surface from below when a user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck underlying substantially the entire length of said exercise surface; and a plurality of non-inflatable, elastomeric support members effective to permit said deck to flex downwardly in response to the impact of the user's foot on said exercise surface, said support members being secured between said deck and said crossmembers.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 124 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two substantially parallel, rotatable pulleys and at least two longitudinally spaced apart cross-members; an endless, moveable surface looped around said pulleys to provide an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising, said moveable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated; a deck for supporting said exercise surface from below when a user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck underlying substantially the entire length of said exercise surface; and a plurality of non-inflatable, elastomeric support members effective to permit said deck to flex downwardly in response to the impact of the user's foot on said exercise surface, said support members being secured between said deck and said crossmembers.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 170 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, and two laterally spaced apart longitudinal support members; means for rotating one of said pulleys; an endless, moveable surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said movable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising; a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said upper run; a first plurality of elastomeric support members aligned with a first of said longitudinal support members and positioned intermediate of said pulleys; and a second plurality of elastomeric support members aligned with a second of said longitudinal support members and positioned intermediate of said pulleys; wherein said elastomeric support members are secured between said frame and said deck to permit said deck to flex downwardly in response to the impact of the user's feet on said exercise surface.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 170 words

An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame structure including two rotatable pulleys, said pulleys being positioned substantially parallel to each other, and two laterally spaced apart longitudinal support members; means for rotating one of said pulleys; an endless, moveable surface looped around said pulleys to form an upper run and a lower run, said movable surface being rotated when one of said pulleys is rotated, and providing an exercise surface on which a user can walk or run while exercising; a deck member secured beneath at least a portion of said upper run; a first plurality of elastomeric support members aligned with a first of said longitudinal support members and positioned intermediate of said pulleys; and a second plurality of elastomeric support members aligned with a second of said longitudinal support members and positioned intermediate of said pulleys; wherein said elastomeric support members are secured between said frame and said deck to permit said deck to flex downwardly in response to the impact of the user's feet on said exercise surface.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 58 words

The treadmill of claim 37 wherein said first plurality of elastomeric support members includes at least two of said first elastomeric support members spaced apart along said first longitudinal support member and wherein said second plurality of elastomeric support members includes at least two of said second elastomeric support members spaced apart along said second longitudinal support member.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 136 words

The treadmill of claim 37 wherein a first one of said first plurality of elastomeric support members and a first one of said second plurality of said second elastomeric support members are located at a first end of said deck member, a second one of said first plurality of elastomeric support members and a second one of said second plurality of elastomeric support members are located at a second end of said deck member, a third one of said plurality of said first plurality of elastomeric support members is located intermediate of said first one and second one of said first plurality of elastomeric support members, and a third one of said second plurality of elastomeric support members is located intermediate of said first one and second of said second one plurality of elastomeric support members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-01-16	1998-07-18	1999-01-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-01-16	2002-07-18	2003-01-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-01-16	2006-07-18	2007-01-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exercise treadmill

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