Folding device for treadmills
A foldable treadmill includes a base and a rectangular frame has an end pivotably connected to the base. An endless belt is reeved through rollers connected to the frame. A folding device is connected between the base and the frame and includes two guide members connected to base and each guide member has an L-shaped groove. A U-shaped frame is connected to the base and has two legs, each leg has a first pivot and a second pivot, both of which are movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves of the two guide members. A support device is connected between the base and an underside of the frame so as to assist the frame to be folded relative to the base. The pivots are moved within the L-shaped grooves to guide the pivoting action of the frame.
The present invention relates to a folding device for folding the frame relative to the base of treadmills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFIGS. 9 to 11 show two conventional treadmills and each treadmill has a base 60(70), a frame 62(72) and a folding device 63(73). The folding device 63(73) includes link assembly 64(74) connected between the posts 61(71) and the frame 62(72). When the power is transferred to the link assembly 64(74), the frame 62(72) is pivoted toward the posts 61(71) relative to the base 60(70) so as to be the folded status which occupies less space and is convenience for storage.
Another conventional treadmill having a folding device is shown in
However, the conventional folding devices include too many parts which require a lot of time to assemble and have higher manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a foldable treadmill comprising a base and a rectangular frame which has an end pivotably connected to the base. An endless belt is connected to the frame. A folding device is connected between the base and the frame and includes two guide members which are connected to two extensions of the base. Each guide member has an L-shaped groove composed of a first groove and a second groove. A U-shaped frame is connected between the two extensions of the base and has two legs, each leg has a first pivot and a second pivot. The first and second pivots are movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves of the two guide members. A support device is connected between the base and an underside of the frame.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a folding device for a treadmill wherein the folding device includes a simple structure and less number of parts.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
A rectangular frame 20 has an end pivotably connected between the two extensions of the base 10 and a transmission unit 22 is connected to the frame 20. The transmission unit 22 includes rollers (not shown), a driving device 24 for driving the rollers and an endless belt 23 which reeves through the rollers. The driving device 24 is electrically connected to the control unit 13. The other end of the frame 20 includes two caster units 25.
A folding device 30 is connected between the base 10 and the frame 20 and including two guide members 31 which are connected to the two extensions of the base 10. Each guide member 31 has an L-shaped groove 32 which is composed of a first groove 321 and a second groove 322. The guide members 31 can be two blocks or the guide members 31 can be directly embedded into the two extensions of the base 10. A U-shaped frame 33 is connected between the two extensions of the base 10 and has two legs. Each leg has a first pivot 34 and a second pivot 35, the first and second pivots 34, 35 can be two rods and movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves 32 of the two guide members 31.
A lifting device 40 includes an H-shaped frame including two side rods 41 and a transverse bar 42. The two side rods 41 are pivotably connected between the U-shaped frame 33 and a front bar 21 of the frame 20. The lifting device 40 further includes a motor 43 which has one end pivotably connected to the frame 20 and the other end of the motor 43 is pivotably connected to the U-shaped frame 33. An end of the motor 43 is pivotably connected to two curve plates 211 on the front bar 21 of the frame 20, and the other end of the motor 43 has a threaded rod 431 which is pivotably connected to two lugs 331 on the U-shaped frame 33.
A support device 50 is connected between the base 10 and an underside of the frame 20. The support device 50 includes a pneumatic cylinder pivotably connected to the frame 20 and the pneumatic cylinder includes a threaded rod 51 which is pivotably connected to the underside of the frame 20.
Referring to
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, when the frame 20 is located in horizontal position, the first and second pivots 34, 35 are located in the first groove 321. When the frame 20 is pivoted about the guide members 31 to upright position, the two pivots 34, 35 are moved in the first and second grooves 321, 322. When the frame 20 is pivoted to the upright position, the two pivots 34, 35 are located in the second groove 322.
While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A foldable treadmill comprising:
- a base having two extensions and two posts extending from the base, a control unit connected between the two posts;
- a rectangular frame having an end pivotably connected between the two extensions of the base and a transmission unit connected to the frame, the transmission unit having an endless belt;
- a folding device connected between the base and the frame and including two guide members which are connected to the two extensions of the base, each guide member having an L-shaped groove which is composed of a first groove and a second groove, a U-shaped frame connected between the two extensions of the base and having two legs, each leg having a first pivot and a second pivot, the first and second pivots movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves of the two guide members, and
- a support device connected between the base and an underside of the frame.
2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lifting device is connected between the base and the end of the frame, the lifting device includes a motor which has one end pivotably connected to the frame and the other end of the motor is pivotably connected to the U-shaped frame.
3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lifting device includes an H-shaped frame including two side rods and a transverse bar, the two side rods are pivotably connected between the U-shaped frame and a front bar of the frame.
4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein an end of the motor is pivotably connected to two curve plates on the front bar of the frame, the other end of the motor has a threaded rod which is pivotably connected to the U-shaped frame.
5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a driving device is connected to the frame and electrically connected to the control unit.
6. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide members each are a block.
7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support device includes a pneumatic cylinder pivotably connected to the frame and the pneumatic cylinder includes a threaded rod which is pivotably connected to the underside of the frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 26, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2007
Inventor: Ming-Fu Chou (Taichung City)
Application Number: 11/211,662
International Classification: A63B 22/02 (20060101);