Patent US5433679A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5433679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Exercise treadmill and method
Assignee: Toyoda Koki KK
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Filing: 1993-11-05
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Granted: 1995-07-18
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Expires: 2013-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes means for lubricating the endless belt treadmill components. In each embodiment, a lubricant is applied to either the inner surface of the treadmill belt or to the treadmill support deck, thereby reducing the treadmill belt to support deck friction. The applied lubricants can be either solid aerosol or liquid in form, and can be dispersed as a function of treadmill operating time, treadmill belt distance traversed or in response to a measured parameter indicative of belt to deck friction. Additionally, methods are disclosed for lubricating treadmills to reduce belt to deck friction.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene B. Szymczak
- 👤 Vincent C. Adams
- 👤 Teng-Ywe E. Hong
- 👤 Kenneth E. Lantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G45/00; B65G45/02; A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/02; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame section; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; deck means having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck means located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck means having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means for applying a lubricant to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface and said deck means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame section; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; deck means having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck means located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck means having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means for applying a lubricant to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface and said deck means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The treadmill of claim 1 further comprising control means for selectively applying said lubricant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The treadmill of claim 2 wherein said control means selectively applies said lubricant according to a predetermined schedule.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The treadmill of claim 2 further comprising sensing means for measuring a parameter representative of the friction between said belt means and said deck means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The treadmill of claim 4 wherein said control means selectively applies said lubricant in response to said parameter measured by said sensor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The treadmill of claim 5 wherein said control means includes calculating means for calculating when to apply said lubricant in response to said measured parameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
225 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upper belt run located above a lower belt run for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; a deck having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said upper run for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface of said upper run, said deck having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and a lubrication system for applying a lubricant to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface of said upper run and said deck, said lubrication system including a reservoir for storing said lubricant, a pump for withdrawing said lubricant from said reservoir and for applying said lubricant to said belt and control means for selectively applying said lubricant to said belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
225 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upper belt run located above a lower belt run for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; a deck having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said upper run for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface of said upper run, said deck having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and a lubrication system for applying a lubricant to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface of said upper run and said deck, said lubrication system including a reservoir for storing said lubricant, a pump for withdrawing said lubricant from said reservoir and for applying said lubricant to said belt and control means for selectively applying said lubricant to said belt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The treadmill of claim 7 wherein said lubrication system includes a nozzle for directing the application of said lubricant onto said belt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The treadmill of claim 8 wherein said lubricant is a liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The treadmill of claim 9 wherein said lubricant is applied to said lower belt run.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The treadmill of claim 9 wherein said liquid lubricant is a suspension.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said liquid lubricant is a paraffin wax suspended in aqueous solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The treadmill of claim 11 wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The treadmill of claim 9 wherein said lubricant is in a sprayable form and wherein said pump and reservoir are an aerosol spray can.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The treadmill of claim 14 further comprising a spray shield for limiting the application of sprayed lubricant to said belt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The treadmill of claim 15 wherein said lubricant is applied to said lower belt run.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
225 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upper belt run located above a lower belt run for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; a deck having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said upper run for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface of said upper run, said deck having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and a lubrication system for applying a lubricant to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface of said upper run and said deck, said lubrication system including a reservoir for storing said lubricant, pump means for withdrawing said lubricant from said reservoir and for applying said lubricant to said deck and control means for selectively applying said lubricant to said deck.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
225 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upper belt run located above a lower belt run for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; a deck having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said upper run for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface of said upper run, said deck having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and a lubrication system for applying a lubricant to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface of said upper run and said deck, said lubrication system including a reservoir for storing said lubricant, pump means for withdrawing said lubricant from said reservoir and for applying said lubricant to said deck and control means for selectively applying said lubricant to said deck.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The treadmill of claim 17 wherein said lubrication system includes a nozzle for directing the application of said lubricant to said deck.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The treadmill of claim 18 wherein said lubricant is a liquid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The treadmill of claim 19 wherein said liquid lubricant is a suspension.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The treadmill of claim 20 wherein said liquid lubricant is a paraffin wax suspended in aqueous solution.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The treadmill of claim 20 wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The treadmill of claim 22 wherein said peristaltic pump is a dual pump and wherein said dual pump feeds a pair of nozzles, each nozzle directing lubricant to different portions of said deck.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The treadmill of claim 18 wherein said nozzle is located within an applicator bar mounted laterally with respect to said belt means, said applicator bar providing a smooth surface for contacting said belt means as said belt means rotates toward said applicator bar.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The treadmill of claim 24 wherein said applicator bar includes a surface downwardly inclined toward an oncoming exercise surface of said belt means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: endless belt means for providing a continuously moving exercise surface, said belt having an upper belt run located above a lower belt run; a deck located below said upper run for supporting said surface from below when a treadmill user's foot impacts said upper run; and a lubrication bar for imparting wax to said belt as said belt rotates past said bar.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: endless belt means for providing a continuously moving exercise surface, said belt having an upper belt run located above a lower belt run; a deck located below said upper run for supporting said surface from below when a treadmill user's foot impacts said upper run; and a lubrication bar for imparting wax to said belt as said belt rotates past said bar.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The treadmill of claim 26 wherein said lubrication bar is cylindrical in shape and is rotatably mounted adjacent said upper belt run.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The treadmill of claim 27 further comprising control means for controllably rotating said lubrication bar.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The treadmill of claim 28 wherein said bar includes ratchet means for incrementally controlling the rotation of said bar.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for lubricating an exercise treadmill, said exercise treadmill comprising a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; a supporting deck having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface of said upper run, said deck having sufficient strength to support the user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means having a reservoir for storing a lubricant, pump means for withdrawing said lubricant from said reservoir and for applying said lubricant to said deck and control means for selectively applying said lubricant to said deck, said method comprising the steps of: determining when to selectively lubricate the exercise treadmill by said control means; and applying a lubricant by said pump means for reducing friction between said belt means and said deck.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for lubricating an exercise treadmill, said exercise treadmill comprising a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; a supporting deck having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface of said upper run, said deck having sufficient strength to support the user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means having a reservoir for storing a lubricant, pump means for withdrawing said lubricant from said reservoir and for applying said lubricant to said deck and control means for selectively applying said lubricant to said deck, said method comprising the steps of: determining when to selectively lubricate the exercise treadmill by said control means; and applying a lubricant by said pump means for reducing friction between said belt means and said deck.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said lubrication determining step includes the steps of presetting a point in time for lubrication, measuring elapsed treadmill operating time, and comparing the preset time to the elapsed time to determine when to apply said lubricant.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said lubrication determining includes the steps of presetting a treadmill belt distance travelled, measuring the distance travelled, and comparing the measured distance to the preset distance to determine when to apply said lubricant.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said lubrication determining step includes measuring a parameter indicative of belt to deck friction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
182 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; deck means having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck means having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means for automatically and periodically applying a lubricant to said belt means to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface and said deck means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
182 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; deck means having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck means having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means for automatically and periodically applying a lubricant to said belt means to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface and said deck means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
182 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; deck means having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck means having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means for automatically and periodically applying a lubricant to said deck means to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface and said deck means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
182 words
An exercise treadmill, comprising: a frame means having two generally longitudinal frame sections, wherein one ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to a front frame section and the other ends of said two generally longitudinal frame sections connected to an end frame sections; pulley means mounted on the front and end frame sections of said frame means; endless belt means mounted on said frame means and said pulley means, said belt means having an upwardly exposed operative section for providing a continuously moving exercise surface on which an adult human user can run while exercising; deck means having front and rear ends extended along said frame means, said deck located below and underlying said exercise surface for supporting said exercise surface from below when the adult human user's foot impacts said exercise surface, said deck means having sufficient strength to support the adult human user when the user runs on said exercise surface; and lubricating means for automatically and periodically applying a lubricant to said deck means to reduce friction between said impacted exercise surface and said deck means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |