Abstract: The present invention relates in general to roller assembly apparatuses, and specifically to roller assembly apparatuses used in treadmills. An embodiment of the invention includes a roller apparatus, comprising: a shaft with raised surfaces on each end, a rotatable tube disposed around a portion of the shaft, and bearing assemblies. The bearing assemblies are disposed between the raised surfaces of the shaft and the rotatable tube such that the inner surfaces of the bearing assemblies contact the raised surfaces which allows the inner surfaces of the bearing assemblies to rotate on the raised surfaces, thus eliminating forces on the inner surfaces of the bearing assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to roller assembly apparatuses, and specifically to roller assembly apparatuses used in treadmills. An embodiment of the invention includes a roller apparatus, comprising: a shaft with raised surfaces on each end, a rotatable tube disposed around a portion of the shaft, and bearing assemblies. The bearing assemblies are disposed between the raised surfaces of the shaft and the rotatable tube such that the inner surfaces of the bearing assemblies contact the raised surfaces which allows the inner surfaces of the bearing assemblies to rotate on the raised surfaces, thus eliminating forces on the inner surfaces of the bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A treadmill folds for storage and includes a main frame structure, a pivoting frame, a resisting mechanism, an articulating structure, and an articulating mechanism. The pivoting frame pivotally mounts to the main frame structure along a main pivot axis such that a user may pivot the pivoting frame between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position. The pivoting frame supports a conveyor. The resisting mechanism applies a torsional resisting moment to the pivoting frame. The resisting moment opposes a moment which gravity induces on the pivoting frame. Upon moving the pivoting frame between the vertical position and the horizontal position, the articulating mechanism automatically articulates the articulating structure between a stored, retracted position and an extended position which stabilizes the treadmill.