TREADMILL
A treadmill includes a tread platform and a tread platform support with a foot rail pivotally connected to the tread platform and selectively set between a first position and a second position to support the tread platform in a standing posture. When the tread platform support is set in the first position, a strut device of the tread platform and swivel casters of the tread platform support are stopped at the ground to hold the treadmill vertically and positively on the ground. When the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters are attached to the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction. Further, the user can step one leg on the foot rail to shift the position of the tread platform support steadily and safely.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to treadmills and more particularly, to such a treadmill, which is safe in use, and can be erected and steadily positioned on the ground in a standing position when not in use, or easily moved on the ground by means of directional rollers and swivel casters.
2. Description of the Related Art
Treadmill is an exercising apparatus popularly seen in households and sport gyms. To facilitate delivery, a treadmill may be equipped with two directional rollers at the front side of the tread platform. When the rear side of the tread platform is lifted and set in an inclined or erected standing position, the directional rollers are attached to the ground, allowing the treadmill to be moved on the ground to a particular place. However, since the direction rollers can only be rotated forwards and backwards in one direction, the user must employ much effort to lift or rotate the treadmill when it is needed to change the moving direction during movement of the treadmill. This manner is inconvenient and takes tremendous strength.
To solve the aforesaid problem, some manufacturers have directional rollers and swivel casters be installed in a treadmill. By means of the all-direction steering characteristic of swivel casters, the treadmill can easily be changed to a different direction during movement. However, a conventional treadmill equipped with directional rollers and swivel casters has the drawbacks of complicated mechanical design and low level of safety. For example, Taiwan Utility Application No. 093221199 discloses a treadmill with universal casters. According to this design, two directional pulleys are provided at a front floor tube at a tread platform support, and a collapsible swivel caster set is provided at a rear floor tube at the tread platform support. However, when going to shift the swivel caster set from a collapsed condition away from the ground to an operative condition in contact with the ground, the user must lift the rear floor tube from the ground. At this time, the whole treadmill is kept in an inclined condition with the directional pulleys attached to the ground. Under this condition, the treadmill may fall to the ground accidentally.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a treadmill, which is safe in use, and can be erected and steadily positioned on the ground in a standing position when not in use, or easily moved on the ground by means of directional rollers and swivel casters.
To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a treadmill comprises a tread platform and a tread platform support with a foot rail pivotally connected to the tread platform and selectively set between a first position and a second position to support the tread platform in a standing posture. When the tread platform support is set in the first position, a strut device of the tread platform and swivel casters of the tread platform support are stopped at the ground to hold the treadmill vertically and positively on the ground. When the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters are attached to the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction.
Thus, when the rack frame of the tread platform support is biased relative to the base frame and positioned in the first position, the strut device is stopped against the ground, and therefore the treadmill stands steadily on the ground. When the rack frame of the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters support the treadmill on the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction.
Further, when shifting the tread platform support between the first position and the second position, the user can step one leg on the foot rail of the tread platform support, enabling the position of the tread platform support to be shifted steadily and safely and preventing treadmill falling risk as see in the prior art design during adjustment of the position of swivel casters.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support comprises two swivel casters. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support comprises one single swivel caster. In other words, either of the aforesaid two arrangements can achieve the effects of the present invention. Further, the number of the swivel caster is not limited to 1 or 2.
Preferably, the base frame of the tread platform comprises at least one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch. The rack frame of the tread platform support comprises at least one coupling end portion. The tread platform support further comprises at least one pivot bolt inserted through the at least one pivot holder and the at least one coupling end portion of the rack frame to pivotally connect the rack frame to the tread platform, and at least one lock pin affixed to the at least one coupling end portion of the rack frame and selectively engaged into one of the first locating notch and the second locating notch of the at least one pivot holder to lock the rack frame to the tread platform in one of a first position and a second position.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the base frame of the tread platform comprises two pivot holders each defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; the rack frame of the tread platform support comprises two coupling end portions, two pivot bolts and two lock pins. In another embodiment of the present invention, the base frame of the tread platform comprises one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; the rack frame of the tread platform support comprises one coupling end portion, one pivot bolt and one lock pin. In other words, either of the aforesaid two arrangements can achieve the effects of the present invention, and the number of each related component is not limited to 1 or 2.
Preferably, the coupling end portion of the rack frame comprises an elongated slot; the pivot bolt is inserted through the pivot holder and the elongated slot of the coupling end portion to pivotally connect the rack frame to the tread platform for enabling the tread platform support be moved axially along the elongated slot relative to the pivot holder of the base frame.
Preferably, the treat platform support further comprises a spring member connected to the lock pin and adapted for imparting a pressure to the lock pin toward the pivot holder to force the lock pin into one of the first locating notch and the second locating notch.
Preferably, the rack frame comprises a transverse rod forming the foot rail.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the strut device comprises two strut rods. Each strut rod has a fixed end connected to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, and a free end for stopping against the ground. The treadmill further comprises a handrail frame. The strut device is not limited to the design of the two strut rods. For example, the strut device can be formed of a block member or rod member directly affixed to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, or a protrusion formed integral with and protruded from the front end portion of the base frame.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the handrail frame comprises two pivot portions pivotally connected to the front end portion of the base frame and affixed with the fixed ends of the strut rods. Thus, the strut rods of the strut device are indirectly connected to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform by means of the pivot portions of the handrail frame. Alternatively, the strut device can also be directly affixed to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, achieving the same effects, i.e., the connection between the strut device and the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform is not limited to the disclosed indirection connection design.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at the front end portion of the base frame, and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of the base frame. The front foot members and the rear foot members protrude over a bottom side of the base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of the strut rods and the directional rollers be kept away from the ground when the tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of the base frame face toward the ground. Thus, when the treadmill is set in a horizontal condition for use, the tread platform can be steadily supported on the ground.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure.
At first, it must be noted that, in the whole detailed description and claims of the invention, the description of “one component connected to, pivoted to, or mounted at another component” means that the component is connected to, pivoted to or mounted at another component directly, or directly through other means. Further, for a further understanding of the objects, features and advantages of the present invention, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings and specification.
Referring to
The handrail frame 20 comprises two upright bars 22, and a treadmill console 24 pivotally mounted at the top side of the upright bars 22. Each upright bar 22 comprises a pivot portion 22a located on the bottom end thereof and pivotally connected to the tread platform 30 in such a manner that the upright bar 22 can be selectively set between an extended operative position shown in
Further, the tread platform 30 comprises a base frame 32, two front foot members 33, two rear foot members 34, a strut device 35, and two directional rollers 36.
The base frame 32 comprises opposing front end portion 32a and rear end portion 32b. The front foot members 33 and the rear foot members 34 are respectively mounted at the front end portion 32a and rear end portion 32b, and protruding over a bottom side 32c of the base frame 32. When the tread platform 30 is set in horizontal, as shown in
In this embodiment, the strut device 35 is formed of two strut rods 35a. However, in actual application, the strut device 35 can be formed of other components, for example, one or two block members. Each strut rod 35a has a fixed end 35b pivotally connected to the pivot portion 22a of one upright bar 22 of the handrail frame 20, and a free end 35c for stopping against the ground. Thus, the two strut rods 35a are indirectly coupled to the front end portion 32a of the base frame 32 of the tread platform 30 by means of the pivot portions 22a of the upright bars 22 of the handrail frame 20. Further, as shown in
Further, the two directional rollers 36 are respectively bilaterally mounted at the bottom side of the front end portion 32a of the base frame 32 of the tread platform 30. The so-called “directional rollers” means that the rollers can only be rotated forwards and backwards in one particular direction, for example, the two directional rollers 36 can simply be rotated in direction toward the front side or back side of the treadmill 10.
Further, the tread platform support 40 comprises a rack frame 42, two swivel casters 43, two pivot bolts 44, two lock pins 45, two spring members 46, and two screw nuts 47.
The rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40 comprises two support rods 42a, and two transverse rods 42b and 42c connected between the two support rods 42a at different elevations. Each support rod 42a comprises a coupling end portion 42d disposed at the top side thereof, an elongated slot 42e longitudinally formed in the coupling end portion 42d, and a through hole 42f transversely formed in the coupling end portion 42d below the elongated slot 42e. Further, the transverse rod 42c that is disposed relatively closer to the ground has a certain length and works as a foot rail.
Further, the swivel casters 43 are respectively mounted at the bottom ends of the support rods 42a. The so-called “swivel caster” means the caster is rotatable in any direction, i.e., the swivel casters 43 can be turned about a first axis line S1 as well as a second axis line S2, as shown in
When assembling the tread platform support 40, tightly and respectively press-fit the two lock pins 45 into the through holes 42f of the coupling end portions 42d of the respective two support rods 42a, and then respectively insert the coupling end portions 42d of the two support rods 42a of the two pivot holders 32d of the base frame 32, and then respectively insert the pivot bolts 44 into the through holes 32e of the pivot holders 32d and the elongated slots 42e of the coupling end portions 42d of the two support rods 42a, and then thread the two screw nuts 47 onto the pivot bolts 44. Thus, the rack frame 42 is pivotally connected to the tread platform 30, and the tread platform support 40 can be moved axially along the elongated slots 42e of the coupling end portions 42d of the two support rods 42a relative to the two pivot holders 32d of the base frame 32.
Thus, when the rack frame 42 is biased relative to the pivot holders 32d of the base frame 32, the lock pins 45 can be selectively engaged into the first locating notches 32f or second locating notches 32g of the pivot holders 32d of the base frame 32 to lock the rack frame 42 to the base frame 32 in a first position P1 shown in
After explanation of the structural features of the component parts of the treadmill 10 and their connection relationship, the operation of the treadmill 10 will be described hereinafter.
As shown in
When the user is going to erect the treadmill 10 or to move the treadmill 10 to another place, turn the handrail frame 20 from the extended operative position shown in
As shown in
Further, if the user wishes to move the treadmill 10 under this condition, the user can step one leg on the transverse rod 42c of the rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40 and push the base frame 32 with the hands to force the lock pins 45 away from the respective first locating notches 32f against the spring force of the spring members 46, and then slightly tilt the base frame 32 to let the tread platform support 40 bias relative to the base frame 32, enabling the lock pins 45 to be respectively engaged into the second locating notches 32g, and therefore the tread platform support 40 is locked in the second position P2 (see
As stated above, when the treadmill 10 is not in use, it can be held in a vertical standing posture (see
In the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support 40 is equipped with two swivel casters 43, however, this arrangement is not a limitation.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A treadmill, comprising:
- a tread platform comprising a base frame, a strut device connected to a front end portion of said base frame, and two directional rollers mounted at said front end portion of said base frame; and
- a tread platform support comprising a rack frame and at least one swivel caster mounted at said rack frame, said rack frame being pivotally connected to said base frame of said tread platform and selectively set between a first position and a second position to support said tread platform in a standing posture, said rack frame comprising a foot rail disposed near the ground;
- wherein when said rack frame is in said first position, said strut device of said tread platform and said at least one swivel caster of said tread platform support are attached to the ground and said direction rollers of said tread platform are kept away from the ground; when said rack frame is in said second position, said directional rollers of said tread platform and said at least one swivel caster of said tread platform support are attached to the ground and said strut device is kept away from the ground.
2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame of said tread platform comprises at least one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; said rack frame of said tread platform support comprises at least one coupling end portion; said tread platform support further comprises at least one pivot bolt inserted through said at least one pivot holder and said at least one coupling end portion of said rack frame to pivotally connect said rack frame to said tread platform, and at least one lock pin affixed to said at least one coupling end portion of said rack frame and selectively engaged into one of said first locating notch and said second locating notch of said at least one pivot holder to lock said rack frame to said tread platform in one of a first position and a second position.
3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one coupling end portion of said rack frame each comprises an elongated slot; said at least one pivot bolt is respectively inserted through said at least one pivot holder and the elongated slot of said at least one coupling end portion to pivotally connect said rack frame to said tread platform for enabling said tread platform support be moved axially along said elongated slot relative to said at least one pivot holder of said base frame.
4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein said treat platform support further comprises at least one spring member connected to said lock pin and adapted for imparting a pressure to said at least one lock pin toward said at least one pivot holder to force said at least one lock pin into one of said first locating notch and said second locating notch.
5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rack frame comprises a transverse rod forming said foot rail.
6. The treadmill as claimed in claim 5, wherein said strut device comprises two strut rods, each said strut rod comprising a fixed end connected to said front end portion of said base frame of said tread platform and a free end for stopping against the ground; the treadmill further comprises a handrail frame, said handrail frame comprising two pivot portions pivotally connected to said front end portion of said base frame and affixed with the fixed ends of said strut rods; said tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at said front end portion of said base frame and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of said base frame, said front foot members and said rear foot members protruding over a bottom side of said base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of said strut rods and said directional rollers be kept away from the ground when said tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of said base frame face toward the ground.
7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strut device comprises two strut rods, each said strut rod comprising a fixed end connected to said front end portion of said base frame of said tread platform and a free end for stopping against the ground.
8. The treadmill as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a handrail frame, said handrail frame comprising two pivot portions pivotally connected to said front end portion of said base frame; the fixed ends of said two strut rods are respectively affixed to said pivot portions of said handrail frame.
9. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8, wherein said tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at said front end portion of said base frame and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of said base frame, said front foot members and said rear foot members protruding over a bottom side of said base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of said strut rods and said directional rollers be kept away from the ground when said tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of said base frame face toward the ground.
10. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at said front end portion of said base frame and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of said base frame, said front foot members and said rear foot members protruding over a bottom side of said base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of said strut rods and said directional rollers be kept away from the ground when said tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of said base frame face toward the ground.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 12, 2012
Publication Date: Sep 12, 2013
Inventors: Ming-Nan CHEN (ChangHua County), Hsuan-Fu Huang (ChangHua County)
Application Number: 13/494,645
International Classification: A63B 22/02 (20060101);