Treadmill
An improved treadmill is provided that includes a base frame, a platform and an endless belt. The treadmill in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the platform includes a cushioning pad with a thickness ranging from 1 to 10 mm and is stuck to a top surface thereof, and that a smooth wear-resisting layer is attached to a top surface of the cushioning pad in such a manner that the wear-resisting layer and the cushioning pad are fitted to form a whole and the wear-resisting layer is interposed between the endless belt and the cushioning pad for providing more comfort and reducing the exercise injuries to a minimal extent.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an improved treadmill, and more particularly, to a cushioning pad disposed on a top surface of a platform or embedded therein for providing a sufficient cushioning comfort and reducing noise and exercise injuries to a minimal extent during an exercise session.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nowadays, most of the modern people living under stress have little time to take exercise. So, indoor exercise apparatuses become very popular. The treadmill is one of the most popular fitness apparatuses.
One conventional treadmill includes a platform extending between opposing sides of a base frame for supporting an endless belt. However, the platform is made of hard material and doesn't provide the cushioning elasticity. So, walking on the platform that is as hard as a concrete floor is very uncomfortable. Moreover, a great noise will be made. In addition, walking on the platform will easily transfer the reactive force to the feet of the operator, thereby causing unnecessary exercise injuries.
To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, a treadmill with cushioning means has been developed. TW 360064 teaches a treadmill with a cloth positioned on the endless belt for increasing the softness of thereof and providing the comfort for the bare-footed walking on the treadmill. However, this kind of configuration will adversely affect the endless movement of the endless belt.
A further treadmill, as shown in
It is a primary object of the invention to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an improved treadmill that provides more comfort in use and won't subject operators to exercise injuries.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved treadmill that can reduce noise to a minimal extent.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved treadmill that is smoothly operable for prolonging the service life thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and its accompanying drawings of which:
First of all, referring to
A cushioning pad 20 is interposed between the platform 14 and the endless belt 13. The cushioning pad 20 is made of elastic material which is selected from a group that consists of Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foaming material, Polyurethane (PU) foaming material and rubber. Moreover, the thickness of the cushioning pad 20 ranges from 1 to 10 mm for offering a superb cushioning and providing maximal protection against shock. Therefore, the operator also feels comfortable and won't be subjected to exercise injuries even when he walks or runs barefoot on the treadmill. A result after several tests comes out that the cushioning effect is not evident if the cushioning pad 20 has a thickness lower than 1 mm. Meanwhile, the feet sink too much when the cushioning pad 20 is too thick. So, the cushioning pad 20 has difficulty in restoring itself back to its original state. Consequently, it's preferable that the thickness of the cushioning pad 20 is maintained within 10 mm.
Moreover, the cushioning pad 20 is subjected to wearing action and has a rough surface for increasing the frictional force. So, a wear-resisting layer 21 may be disposed on the cushioning pad 20 after the cushioning pad 20 is secured to a top surface of the platform 14 (see
In addition, as shown in
By use of the above mentioned configuration that one or two cushioning pads 20 are disposed on the platform 14 or embedded therein, an increased cushioning can be achieved to allow for an excellent comfort during the exercise sessions. Meanwhile, the exercise injuries can be reduced to a minimal extent.
The invention has a simple configuration, effectively solve the problem of great noise during the operation of the conventional treadmill and provide the exercise comfort for the barefooted walking or jogging. Accordingly, the invention can provide the operator with a safer comfort in taking exercise on the treadmill.
Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7. A treadmill comprising:
- a) a base frame having elongated bars longitudinally extending parallel to each other at two sides thereof;
- b) a platform extending between the opposing elongated bars;
- c) a roller positioned at a rear end of the elongated bars;
- d) an endless belt engaging the roller for an endless movement on the platform;
- e) a first cushioning pad with a thickness ranging from 1 to 10 mm disposed on the platform; and
- f) a smooth wear-resisting layer overlaying a top surface of the first cushioning pad to be interposed between the endless belt and the first cushioning pad,
- wherein the platform includes:
- i. a lower plate affixed to the elongated bars;
- ii. a second cushioning pad overlaying the lower plate; and,
- iii. an upper plate interposed between the first cushioning pad and the second cushioning pad.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 11, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 14, 2006
Inventor: Ping-Hui Huang (Taiping City)
Application Number: 11/076,906
International Classification: A63B 22/02 (20060101);