Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Treadmill for foot travel
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-04
2003-07-15
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Treadmill for foot travel
Reexamination Certificate
active
06592496
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to an ascending/descending and folding structure for running exerciser. The inclination of the running board can be electrically adjusted and the running board can be electrically folded. In the case that there is no power supply, a user can directly manually turn the running board upward and fold the running board.
FIG. 13
shows a conventional running exerciser including a base seat
50
and a running board frame
51
pivotally mounted on the base seat
50
. Opposite caster supports
52
are pivotally mounted on rear end of the running board frame
51
. A linking mechanism
53
is drivingly connected between the caster supports
52
and the base seat
50
. The linking mechanism
53
via a motor
531
is pivotally mounted on the base seat
50
. The motor
531
serves to drive a threaded rod
532
.
The motor
531
drives the threaded rod
532
to operate the caster supports
52
at rear end of the running board frame
51
and thus change the inclination thereof. When a user desires to fold the running board frame
51
to reduce the occupied room, the user must manually turn the running board frame
51
upward as shown in FIG.
14
. The running board frame
51
is quite heavy so that such procedure is very unsuitable for those having insufficient strength, such as an old man and a rehabilitated patient.
FIG. 15
shows another type of running exerciser in which a driving motor (not shown) is mounted on the base seat
60
for driving the running belt to revolve. A folding unit is disposed under the running board frame
61
. The folding unit includes a motor
62
for driving a threaded rod
621
to rotate. In addition, an inclination unit is provided for driving the running board frame
61
to adjust the inclination. The inclination unit has another motor (not shown) mounted on the base seat
60
. The motor drives a telescopic rod
63
which is linked with the caster supports
64
under the running board frame
61
. Accordingly, the inclination of the running board frame
61
can be adjusted.
The above structure is able to electrically adjust the inclination of the running board frame and fold the running board frame as shown in FIG.
16
. The structure includes two motors respectively for driving the caster supports
64
to change the inclination of the running board frame
61
and for folding the running board frame
61
. In addition, the structure further includes a motor for driving the running belt. Therefore, the structure totally has three motors so that the cost for the structure is high. Moreover, the structure further includes reducing gear case, threaded rod, etc. so that the structure is relatively complicated. Furthermore, such structure lacks function of manual folding. In case there is no power supply, the user will be unable to fold the running board frame and the running exerciser will occupy much room.
FIG. 17
shows still another type of conventional running exerciser in which a motor
72
is disposed on a pivot section of the running board
70
and the rail
71
. The motor
72
serves to drive a threaded rod
73
to rotate. One end of the threaded rod
73
is pivotally connected with a pivot point
74
. When the threaded rod
73
is driven by the motor
72
, the threaded rod
73
pushes the pivot point
74
to fold the running board
70
.
The above structure includes one single motor
72
for driving the running board
70
to electrically fold the same as shown in FIG.
18
. Moreover, in case there is no power supply, the running board
70
can be manually folded. However, the force arm for the motor
72
to drive the threaded rod
73
is shorter, while the force arm from the running board
70
to the pivot point
74
is longer. Therefore, the load between the motor
72
and the threaded rod
73
is greater and the motor
72
is likely to damage. Furthermore, it is necessary to use a motor
72
with greater power so that the cost is relatively high. In addition, there is little space below the running board
70
. In the case that a larger motor is used, the space will be insufficient to receive the motor. Also, such structure is unable to electrically change the inclination of the running board. An additional motor is required for achieving such function. This also increases the cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an ascending/descending and folding structure for running exerciser. The running board frame is connected with a linking mechanism and driven thereby. A telescopic tube assembly of a supporting device is telescoped so as to move the caster support back and forth for adjusting the inclination of the running board. By means of rotating a threaded rod, a long sleeve of the inking mechanism is telescoped into a short sleeve, whereby the running board frame is turned upward. Therefore, the running board can be electrically folded. In the case that there is no power supply, a user can directly manually turn the running board upward and fold the running board.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6042515 (2000-03-01), Wang
patent: 6193634 (2001-02-01), Hurt
patent: 6261209 (2001-07-01), Coody
LandOfFree
Ascending/descending and folding structure for running... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ascending/descending and folding structure for running..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ascending/descending and folding structure for running... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3080072