Tray for exercise treadmill

Abstract

A tray adapted to mount to the hand rails of a piece of exercise equipment such as a treadmill. The tray may be adjustable in height and may be set at different angles. The tray may mount to the treadmill hand rails using a clam shell type interface.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of indoor fitness machines, and more specifically to tray for using while exercising on a treadmill.

2. Description of Related Art

With the busy pace of many working person's daily schedules, one is often unable to find the time to exercise. However, exercise is an important aspect of daily life for many working people. A treadmill is a common way in which one can exercise, either at home, in the office, or at the gym. Often, a television is supported from the ceiling in an area of the gym where many treadmills are being used, allowing those exercising to multi-task at least to the level of watching television while exercising.

The mere watching of television may not be sufficient for many of today's active workforce members. They may seek to layer work related activities onto their exercise regimen. An example of addressing this issue is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,894 to Mesloh. The apparatus allows for the browsing of reading material while working out a piece of fitness equipment. The apparatus is designed to reside upon the floor adjacent to the sides of the fitness equipment and present a browsing platform in front of the user for the angular support of reading material.

Another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,701 to Edelson, in which a portable exercise desk is disclosed. Once again, the apparatus is adapted to reside upon the floor adjacent to the sides of the fitness equipment.

What is called for is a support for work materials, including the support of a laptop computer, that can be securely fastened to a treadmill and other similar exercise equipment.

SUMMARY

A tray surface adapted to mount to a piece of exercise equipment such as a treadmill. The tray may be adjustable in height and may be set at different angles. The tray may mount to the treadmill hand rails using a clam shell type interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with a tray mounted to an exercise treadmill according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a tray according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tray according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tray according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rail bracket and lower bracket guide according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-B are illustrative examples of intermediate brackets according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rail bracket attached to a hand rail according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates adjustable tray brackets according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise system 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. A tray system 101 is mounted upon the hand rails 104 of an exercise apparatus 102, which may be a treadmill or other type of exercise apparatus. The position of the tray system 101 may be adjusted vertically in some embodiments. The angle of the tray portion of the tray system 101 relative to horizontal may be adjusted in some embodiments. A personal computer 103 or other device or material may be placed upon the tray by the user while exercising on the exercise apparatus 102. The user may adjust the position of the tray such that the user may utilize the tray system 101, and any device or materials placed upon it, while exercising. The attachment of the tray system 101 to the handrails 104 allows the tray system 101 to be securely fastened to the exercise treadmill 102 without physically interfering with any forward mounted electronics, such as a control panel, on the exercise treadmill itself.

In some embodiments, the handrails 104 are horizontal to the ground. In some embodiments, the hand rails of the exercise apparatus 102 are at other angles relative to the ground. In some embodiments, the tray system 101 is adjustable and may be attached to hand rails that are set at differing angles, and that are of different types of cross-sectional profiles.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tray system 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention. A tray 201 sits atop the tray system and is substantially planar. In some embodiments, the tray 201 has two tray brackets 202 that extend out from the underside of the tray 201. The tray brackets 202 provide for physical attachment of other mounting hardware to the tray 201. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 are relatively thin brackets which extend out perpendicularly from the bottom of the tray 202 at approximately equal distances from the centerline of the tray 201. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 right angle brackets. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 are adjustably fastened to intermediate brackets 204 which provide an adjustable link to the rail brackets 205.

In some embodiments, the tray brackets are integrally formed into the tray. In some embodiments, the tray brackets are fastened to the tray with rivets, threaded fasteners, adhesives, or other fastening devices. In some embodiments, the tray brackets are adjustable such that the distance between the tray brackets may be adjusted to adapt to the distance between the handrails of the exercise apparatus.

In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 are fastened to the intermediate brackets 204 with upper fasteners 203. The intermediate brackets 204 are fastened to the rail brackets 205 with lower fasteners 206. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 are held to the intermediate brackets 204 with the friction imparted by the tension in the upper fasteners 203. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 are held to the intermediate brackets 204 with a tongue in groove mating setup which keys the tray 201 angle relative to the intermediate brackets 204. The tongue in groove setup is then held in place with the upper fasteners 203. In some embodiments, the intermediate brackets 204 are adjustable with regard to their side angle relative to the tray 201 in one axis 230 while maintaining a substantially right angle to the tray when the tray is viewed from the front or the back. The rotation axis 230 is substantially parallel to the tray 201. The rotation axis is substantially parallel to the principal axis of the tray. In some embodiments, the tray brackets are fastened to the intermediate brackets with the use of a threaded fastener or pin which has a primary axis that is substantially parallel to the plane of the tray. In such embodiments, the intermediate brackets may be adjustable with regard to their angle to the tray as they rotate about the axis of the fastener or pin.

In some embodiments, the rail brackets 205 are held to the intermediate brackets 204 with lower fasteners 206. In some embodiments, the rail brackets 205 are held to the intermediate brackets 204 with the friction imparted by the tension in the lower fasteners 206. In some embodiments, the rail brackets 205 are held to the intermediate brackets 204 with a tongue in groove mating setup which keys the intermediate brackets 204 vertical position and/or angle relative to the rail brackets 205. The tongue in groove setup is then held in place with the lower fasteners 206. In some embodiments, the vertical position of the intermediate brackets 204 is held with the use of a pin assembly which alterably pins the vertical position of the intermediate brackets 204 relative to the rail brackets 205. In some embodiments, the vertical position of the intermediate brackets 204 relative to the rail brackets 205 is adjustable with the use of a pinion on the rail brackets 205 and a mating rack gear on the intermediate brackets 204. In some embodiments, the horizontal spacing of the rail bracket centerlines is 26.5 inches.

In some embodiments, the tray system is not adjustable. The spacing of the brackets and the height of the brackets may be set during manufacture. For example, substantially all of the tray system may be formed in a single molding process, or may consist of fewer parts that are bonded together or otherwise attached.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a tray 301 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tray 301 has a principal axis 330 which extends from side to side. In some embodiments, the tray 301 has tray plate 304 with a tray rim 303 around the periphery of the tray plate 304. The tray rim 303 may be perpendicular to the tray plate 304. A tray pad 302 may reside within the tray rim 303 on the upper surface of the tray plate 304. The tray pad 302 may be made of rubberized material such that the top surface 305 of the tray pad 302 affords some shock protection, vibration isolation, non-slip surface, or a combination of these and other features. The tray rim 303 also may act as a safety feature to prevent an item such as a personal computer being used on the tray from being knocked from the tray top surface.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rail bracket 401 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The rail bracket 401 has an internal surface 402 which is approximately cylindrical in shape. The internal surface 402 of the rail bracket 401 may form a half or partial cylinder in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the cylinder diameter is 2 inches. In some embodiments, the rail bracket may have an internal surface that has other cross-sectional profiles. For example, the internal surface of the rail bracket may be formed in the shape of a half or partial ellipse, a half or partial square or rectangle, or other shape. The rail bracket may have a boss 403 with a protruding stud 404. The protruding stud 404 is adapted to pass through the intermediate bracket. The lower fasteners attach to the protruding stud, capturing the intermediate bracket. The bracket support 406 is adapted to set the angle of the intermediate bracket relative to the rail bracket 401. The bracket support 406 as shown in FIG. 5 has been rotated 180 degrees along its long axis for clarity of view. A ridge 405 on the boss 403 aligns with grooves 408 allowing for setting a variety of preset angles. The protruding stud 404 goes through the hole 407 in the bracket support. The intermediate support and bracket support are captured on the protruding stud by the lower fastener. A similar ridged keying aspect is present on the other side of the bracket support 406 for locking into the grooves 464 in the intermediate support 461 in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, there may be a keyed rail support used at both the top end and the bottom end of the intermediate support. In some embodiments, there may be a keyed bracket support used at just the top end of the intermediate support. In some embodiments, there may be a keyed bracket support used at just the bottom end of the intermediate support. In some embodiments, a different type of attachment feature may be used.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate intermediate supports according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, an intermediate support 450 may have an elongated slot 452 along some or most of the centerline of its long axis. A star groove pattern 453 is located at the second end as an attachment point for the rail bracket. The ends 451 of the intermediate bracket 450 may be rounded. In some embodiments, an intermediate support 460 may have an elongated slot 463 along some or most of the centerline of its long axis, along with key slots 464 located along and perpendicular to the long axis of the bracket. The attach point to the rail brackets may be a simple through hole in some embodiments. The ends 461 of the intermediate bracket 460 may be rounded.

FIG. 7 illustrates the attachment of a rail bracket 480 to the hand rail 483 of a piece of exercise equipment according to some embodiments of the present invention. The rail bracket 480 has been aligned with the hand rail 483 and the inner surface to the rail bracket 480 mates with the outer shape and dimension of the hand rail 483. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the rail bracket is a partial or half cylinder. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the rail bracket is of another profile. Straps 482 may be used to secure the rail bracket 480 to the hand rail 483. In some embodiments, the straps are hook and loop fasteners. In some embodiments, a bottom bracket may be used in a clam shell fasten to fasten the rail bracket to the hand rail. In some embodiments, the bottom bracket may be of an interior profile that mates with the bottom portion of the hand rail of the exercise apparatus. The bottom bracket may be held to the rail bracket with straps in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the bottom bracket may be fastened to the rail bracket using threaded or other fasteners.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 8, the tray brackets 802, 803 are laterally adjustable such that the spacing between the brackets may be varied. This may allow for the spacing to be tailored to the spacing between the hand rails of the exercise apparatus upon which the tray system is to be attached. The tray 801 is shown with its bottom surface facing the viewer. The tray brackets 802, 803 have slots 804 which allow the tray brackets 802, 803 to be moved along the axis of the slots 804. Tighteners 805 fasten the tray brackets after they have been moved to the desired position. The ends 806, 807 of the tray brackets 802, 803 are adapted to be fastened to the intermediate brackets. In some embodiments, there are two slots in each of the tray brackets. In some embodiments, both of the tray brackets have slots.

The adjustment of the spacing between the ends 806, 807 of the tray brackets allows for adaptation to different spacings of handrails of the exercise apparatus to which the tray system is fastened.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a tray portion;

a first support bracket, said first support bracket adjustably fastened to said tray portion;

a second support bracket, said second bracket adjustably fastened to said tray portion;

a first lower attachment portion, said first lower attachment portion adjustably fastened to said first support bracket; and

a second lower attachment portion, said second lower attachment portion adjustably fastened to said second support bracket,

wherein said first and said second lower attachment portions comprise a partial cylinder adapted to mount to a cylindrical rail

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tray portion is substantially flat.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said tray portion comprises:

a raised rim; and

a substantially flat portion within the periphery of said raised rim.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said substantially flat portion comprises a padded top surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tray portion comprises:

a tray; and

a first and a second tray bracket,

said first and said second tray brackets protruding from the bottom of said tray portion, said first and said second tray brackets being the fastening point for said first and said second support portions.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first support bracket and said second support bracket are adjustably fastened such that said first support bracket and said second support bracket maintain substantially a right angle relative to the bottom of said tray in one axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first and said second tray bracket are adjustably fastened to the bottom surface of said tray.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first and said second tray bracket are adjustably fastened such that the lateral spacing between said first and said second tray bracket may be adjusted.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and said second support brackets comprise substantially flat brackets, said flat brackets comprising a first end and a second end.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first ends of said support brackets are adjustably fastened to said tray brackets.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second ends of said support brackets are adjustably fastened to said first and said second lower attachment portions.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the partial cylinders of said first and said second attachment portions principal axes substantially parallel to the plane of said tray portion.

13. An adjustable tray system comprising:

a tray, said tray having a top surface and a bottom surface, said tray having a principal axis;

a first tray bracket; said first tray bracket fastened to said bottom surface of said tray;

a second tray bracket; said second tray bracket fastened to said bottom surface of said tray;

a first support bracket, said first support bracket adjustably fastened to said first tray bracket to allow rotation around a first axis, wherein said first axis is substantially parallel to said principal axis;

a second support bracket, said second support bracket adjustably fastened to said second tray bracket to allow rotation around a second axis, wherein said second axis is substantially parallel to said principal axis;

a first lower attachment bracket, said first lower attachment portion adjustably fastened to said first support bracket; and

a second lower attachment bracket, said second lower attachment portion adjustably fastened to said second support bracket.

14. The adjustable tray system of claim 13 wherein said first axis and said second axis are coaxial.

15. The adjustable tray system of claim 14 wherein said first tray bracket and said second tray bracket are adjustably fastened to said tray.

16. The adjustable tray system of claim 15 wherein said first tray bracket and said second tray bracket are adjustable such their spacing along said first axis may be varied.

17. The adjustable tray system of claim 14 wherein said first lower attachment bracket is rotatably adjustable around an axis parallel to said first axis, and wherein said second lower attachment bracket is rotatably adjustable around an axis parallel to said second axis.

18. A system for exercising comprising:

an exercise machine, said exercise machine comprising a first handrail and a second handrail, said first and said second handrails positioned in approximately parallel positions on each side of a user position, said first and said second handrails comprising a first geometric cross-section;

a tray portion;

a first support bracket, said first support bracket adjustably fastened to said tray portion;

a second support bracket, said second support bracket adjustably fastened to said tray portion;

a first lower attachment portion; and

a second lower attachment portion,

wherein said first and said second lower attachment portions comprise an internal mounting surface adapted to mount to said first geometric cross-section.

19. The system of claim 10 wherein said tray portion is substantially flat

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said tray portion comprises:

a raised rim; and

a substantially flat portion within the periphery of said raised rim.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said substantially flat portion comprises a padded top surface.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein said tray portion comprises

a tray; and

a first and a second tray bracket;

said first and said second tray brackets protruding from the bottom of said tray portion, said first and said second tray brackets being the fastening point for said first and said second support brackets.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said first and said second tray bracket are adjustably fastened to the bottom surface of said tray.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said first and said second support brackets comprise substantially flat brackets, said flat brackets comprising a first end and a second end.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the first ends of said supports brackets are adjustably fastened to said tray brackets.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the second ends of said support brackets are adjustably fastened to said first and said second lower attachment portions.