Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partly supported by the plurality of bearings, where at least a portion of the running belt defines a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element. The safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a front rotatable element and a rear rotatable element coupled to a frame; a bearing assembly at least partially supporting one of the front or rear rotatable elements; and a running belt disposed about the front and rear rotatable elements. The bearing assembly includes a predefined low viscosity bearing fluid. The running belt defines a non-planar running surface. The running belt includes a first endless belt and a plurality of slats, each slat having a first side and a second side and coupled to the first endless belt. Each slat in the plurality of slats defines at least one aperture, and the at least one aperture is structured to receive a fastener to facilitate coupling to the first endless belt.

Abstract: A treadmill is provided according to various embodiments. The treadmill includes a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; an intermediate member coupled to the frame that is disposed intermediate the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element and coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element; a running belt disposed about the first and second rotatable elements, the running belt defining a non-planar surface; and a safety device coupled to the intermediate member. The safety device is operable to substantially prevent rotation of at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partly supported by the plurality of bearings, where at least a portion of the running belt defines a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element. The safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partly supported by the plurality of bearings, where at least a portion of the running belt defines a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element. The safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a rotatable element coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the rotatable element; and, a first element and a second element, both of which are coupled to the running belt. The running belt includes a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved. Further, one of the first and second elements and the running belt freely rotate in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame. However, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, the one of the first and second elements is substantially prevented from rotation relative to the frame to substantially prevent or resist rotation of the running belt relative to the frame.

Abstract: A treadmill is provided according to various embodiments herein. The treadmill includes a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; an intermediate member coupled to the frame that is disposed intermediate the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element and coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element or the second rotatable element; a running belt disposed about the first and second rotatable elements, the running belt defining a non-planar surface; and a safety device coupled to the intermediate member. The safety device is operable to substantially prevent rotation of at least one of the first rotatable element or the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element or the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a first rotatable element coupled to the frame; a second rotatable element coupled to the frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partly supported by the plurality of bearings, where at least a portion of the running belt defines a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element. The safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a first rotational direction and permit rotation of the at least one of the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A treadmill is provided according to various embodiments herein. The treadmill includes a frame; a front shaft coupled to the frame; a rear shaft coupled to the frame; and a running belt disposed about the front and rear shafts, wherein the running belt assumes at least a portion of a curved running surface, the curved running surface having a radius of curvature of approximately 88 to 138 inches.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a rotatable element coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the rotatable element; and, a first element and a second element, both of which are coupled to the running belt. The running belt includes a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved. Further, one of the first and second elements and the running belt freely rotate in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame. However, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, the one of the first and second elements is substantially prevented from rotation relative to the frame to substantially prevent or resist rotation of the running belt relative to the frame.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the plurality of bearings and adapted for rotational movement relative to the frame, the running belt having a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a braking system configured to selectively resist rotation of the running belt; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a front running belt pulley; a rear running belt pulley; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by at least one of the front running belt pulley and the rear running belt pulley, the running belt including a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a front running belt pulley; a rear running belt pulley; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by at least one of the front running belt pulley and the rear running belt pulley, the running belt including a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.

Abstract: A manual powered treadmill includes a frame; a front shaft assembly coupled to the frame; a rear shaft assembly coupled to the frame; an intermediate shaft coupled to the frame, the intermediate shaft is disposed intermediate the front shaft assembly and the rear shaft assembly; a running belt disposed about the front and rear shaft assemblies, the running belt defining at least a portion of a non-planar running surface; and a safety device coupled to the intermediate shaft. The safety device is operable to substantially prevent movement of the running belt in a first direction and to permit movement of the running belt in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the plurality of bearings and adapted for rotational movement relative to the frame, the running belt having a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a braking system configured to selectively resist rotation of the running belt; a support element coupled to the frame; and a safety device coupled to the running belt. The safety device is at least partly supported by the support element. The running belt freely rotates in a first direction of rotation relative to the frame, however, in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, engagement between the support element and at least a portion of the safety device substantially prevents rotation the running belt relative to the frame.

Abstract: A treadmill is provided according to various embodiments herein. The treadmill includes a frame; a front shaft coupled to the frame; a rear shaft coupled to the frame; and a running belt disposed about the front and rear shafts, wherein the running belt assumes at least a portion of a curved running surface, the curved running surface having a radius of curvature of approximately 88 to 138 inches.

Abstract: A manually powered treadmill includes a frame; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt at least partially supported by the plurality of bearings and adapted for rotational movement relative to the frame, the running belt having a running surface, at least a portion of which is curved; a braking system configured to selectively resist the rotational movement of the running belt; and a safety device coupled to the frame, wherein the safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of the running belt in a first direction and substantially permit rotation of the running belt in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided that includes a frame having a front end and a rear end positioned opposite the front end; a front shaft rotatably coupled to the frame proximate the front end; a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the frame proximate the rear end; a plurality of bearings coupled to the frame; a running belt supported by the plurality of bearings, wherein the running belt includes a curved running surface; and a safety device coupled to at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft, wherein the safety device is structured to substantially prevent rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in a first rotational direction while permitting rotation of the at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A manually operated treadmill is provided that includes a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a front shaft assembly rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end, a rear shaft assembly rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end, and a running belt disposed about the front and rear shaft assemblies, wherein the running belt defines a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run. The treadmill also includes an incline adjustment system movably coupled to the treadmill frame for moving at least one of the front end and the rear end relative to a support surface, wherein increasing a height of the front end relative to the rear end and the support surface increases a running speed that a user can achieve on the running belt.

Abstract: A treadmill is provided according to various embodiments herein. The treadmill includes a frame; a front shaft coupled to the frame; a rear shaft coupled to the frame; and a running belt disposed about the front and rear shafts, wherein the running belt assumes at least a portion of a curved running surface. The running belt includes: a first endless belt and a plurality of slats, each slat having a first side and a second side and coupled to the first endless belt, wherein each slat in the plurality of slats includes a user engagement surface provided on the first side of the slat and a rib positioned on the second side of the slat, wherein the rib extends away from the user engagement surface.