COLLAPSIBLE TREADMILL

Abstract

A collapsible treadmill is composed of a chassis having two support members in no contact with the ground; a main frame having an endless belt rotatable along a closed path; a folding device having a lifting frame, the lifting frame having two first lateral frames spaced from each other and two second lateral frames spaced from each other, the lifting frame having a rear end pivotably attached to the main frame and two active pivoting members formed at a front end thereof and contacting against the support members; two linking-up members having front ends connected with the active pivoting members and rear ends connected with the chassis; and two limiters mounted to the chassis and defining a limited space with the support members for limiting the space within which the active pivot members can act.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a treadmill, and more particularly, to a collapsible treadmill.

2. Description of the Related Art

To allow convenient storage of a treadmill, the commercially available treadmill is collapsible. For example, referring to FIGS. 1-2, a conventional collapsible treadmill 10 disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,453 is composed of a support structure 11 put on the ground, two upright members 12 extending toward a top end thereof from the support structure 11, and a tread base 14 pivotably attached to respective inner sides of the two upright members 12 via two base axes separately. The tread base 14 includes a first section 14A and a second section 14B located reversely relative to the first section 14A.

When it is intended to collapse the tread base 14, apply an upward force to the second section 14B to turn the first section 14A on the two base axes 13. In other words, the tread base 14 is moved upward to a collapsed position from an operational position. The treadmill 10 can though function as collapsing the tread base 14, but it still has the following drawbacks.

1. Where the tread base 14 is pivoted must be close to an end portion 14C and there is none of any connecting member between the tread base 14 and the support structure 11. When the tread base 14 is turned upward, an inertial force can be generated and applied to the upright members 12 and the support structure 11, so the support structure is subject to shake.

2. When a user is jogging or running on the tread base 14, the whole weight of the user and the tread base is supported by the two base axes 13 to easily result in fatigue and deformation of the two base axes 13 to further affect the long-term rotational and folding smoothness of the tread base 14.

Although Taiwan Pat. No. 1234471 disclosed an improvement on the aforesaid prior art, the improved structure has numerous components and it is complicated to assemble them, so the product cost is higher to be unfavorable to commercial competition, thus needing further improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible treadmill, which platform is highly stable and which folding structure is simple and practicable.

The foregoing objective of the present invention is attained by the collapsible treadmill composed of a chassis, two support members, a standing post, a main frame, a folding device, and two limiters. The chassis includes two lateral bars spaced from each other and each having a first end portion and a second end portion reversely located relative to the first end portion. Each of the support members is mounted close to the first end portion of one of the two lateral bars and does not contact the ground. The standing post is connected to the chassis, extending toward the top end of the treadmill. The main frame includes two lateral frames, a frame body, and an endless belt. The two lateral frames are spaced from each other and each have a first section and a second section arranged reversely relative to the first section. The frame body is formed of at least one fastening bar fixedly connected between the two lateral frames. The endless belt is provided with two (front and rear) ends put inside the frame body for rotation along a closed path. The folding device includes a lifting frame having two first lateral frames spaced from each other and two second lateral frames spaced from each other. A rear end of the lifting frame is pivotably attached to the main frame. The lifting frame has two active pivot members formed at a front end thereof and contacting against the two support members separately. Respective front ends of two linking-up members are connected with the active pivot members separately. Respective rear ends of the two linking-up members are connected with the two lateral bars separately. The two limiters are mounted inside the chassis and define a limited space with the support members for limiting the space within which the active pivot members can act.

Therefore, the platform of the present invention can be preferably stable and the folding structure of the same can be simple and practicable because the lifting frame is mounted to the support members via the two active pivot members, the two linking-up members are mounted to the chassis, and the limiters have anti-run function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the conventional treadmill under operational status.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the conventional treadmill under collapsed status.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the instrument unit is not shown.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the instrument unit is not shown and one lateral bar of the main frame is hidden.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, illustrating that the treadmill is partially collapsed.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 5, illustrating that the treadmill is fully collapsed.

FIG. 8 is another side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the platform is being lifted.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, illustrating that the platform is lifted.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, illustrating that the treadmill is partially collapsed.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 10, illustrating that the treadmill is fully collapsed.

FIG. 13 is another side view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the platform is being lifted.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13, illustrating that the platform is lifted.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the front ends of the linking-up members are acentrically connected with the active pivot members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First of all, note that the relative positions, like “top” and “bottom”, set forth in the following paragraphs are defined based on the user's operational orientation and identical or similar elements in different preferred embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4, a collapsible treadmill 2 constructed according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is composed of a chassis 20 placed on a support surface (e.g. ground), a set of standing posts 30 mounted to a front end of the chassis 20 and extending toward a top end of the collapsible treadmill 2, a main frame 40 connected with a platform 50, and a folding device 60 connected between the chassis 20 and the main frame 40. The detailed descriptions and operations of these elements as well as their interrelations are recited in the respective paragraphs as follows.

The chassis 20 includes two lateral bars 21 spaced from each other, two connection bars 22 fixedly connected between the two lateral bars 21, and two support members 23 mounted to two lateral ends of the two connection bars 22 and close to the front end of the chassis 20. The chassis 20 further includes conventional components at a rear end thereof, such as a pair of rollers 25, a hydraulic cylinder 26, and a retractable bar assembly 27. A receiving space is formed inside the chassis 20.

The standing post 30 includes a set of instrument units 32 mounted to a top end thereof.

The main frame 40 includes a front section extending into the receiving space of the chassis 20 and connected with a platform 50. The main frame 40 includes two lateral frames 41, each of which is formed of a first section 411 and a second 412 arranged reversely relative to and spaced from the first section 411, a frame body formed of three fastening bars 42 fixedly connected between the two lateral frames 41, and an endless belt having a front end and a rear end, which are placed inside the frame body, and being rotatable along a closed path.

In practice, in the first preferred embodiment, an electric motor (not shown) is installed onto a front end of the main frame 40 for driving rotation of the endless belt 44

The folding device 60 further includes a linear actuator 61, a lifting frame 63, two active pivot members 65, two linking-up members 67, and two limiters 70. The linear actuator 61 is mounted onto the main frame 40 and has a lifting pipe 611, the length of which is retractable. The lifting frame 63 is formed of two first lateral frames 631 spaced from each other, two second lateral frames 63 spaced from each other, and two fastening bars 633 fixedly connected between the second lateral frames 632. The fastening bars 633 are connected with the lifting pipe 611 to enable the lifting frame 63 to be hauled by the lifting pipe 611 for elevation-angle lifting motion. The lifting frame 63 has a rear end pivotably attached to the main frame 40 and a front end thereof contacting against the support member 23 via two active pivot members 65. In this embodiment, each of the two active pivot members 65 is, but not limited to, a wheel and a pivotal center on which the active pivot members 65 and the lifting frame 63 are connected protrudes from a front end surface of the first section of the main frame 40.

Each of the two linking-up members 67 has a front end connected coaxially with one of the active pivot members 65 and a rear end connected with one of the lateral bars 21. Each of the two limiters 70 includes a combination portion 701 and a stop portion 702. Each of the stop portions is located on one of the active pivot members 65, extending forwardly and downwardly toward a front end of the treadmill slantingways.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, when it is intended to collapse the main frame 40 or the platform 50, the two active pivot members 65 can function as respective folding points. The two active pivot members 65 are connected with the lifting frame 63 and hauled by the linking-up members 67 to the chassis 20, so the two active pivot members 65 will be confined within the support members 23 of the chassis 20 separately to be movable within the very small range. When the main frame 40 or the platform 50 pivots on the two active pivot members 65, the two active pivot members 65 may be pulled upward by an inertial force; meanwhile, stopped by the two limiters 70, the two active pivot members 65 can be prevented from disengagement from the support members 23 separately. Thus, the platform 50 can be successfully collapsed.

Referring to FIGS. 8-9, when it is intended for the main frame 40 or the platform 50 to lift the elevation angle, the linear actuator 61 can apply an upward force to the lifting frame 53 in such a way that the two active pivot members 65 are forced to contact against the support members 23 and the counterforce will lift the front end of the main frame 40 or the platform 50.

Referring to FIG. 10, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is different from the first preferred embodiment of the present invention as recited thereinafter. A spacer 80 is further mounted to a front section of the chassis 20 and a limiting member 85 includes an upper end connected with the main frame 40. The limiting member 85 is provided with an elongated slot 86 formed on a lower section thereof and having an upper limit 861 and a lower limit 862 for limited movement of the limiting member 85 along the elongated shot 86 between the upper and lower limits 861 and 862. When it is intended to collapse the main frame 40 or the platform 50, the two active pivot members 65 function as respective folding points. Connected with the lifting frame 63, the two active pivot members 65 are also hauled to the chassis 20, so the two active pivot members 65 are confined inside the support member 23 to be movable within the support member 23. Referring to FIGS. 11-12, when the main frame 40 or the platform 50 pivots on the two active pivot members 65; the two active pivot members 65 may though be pulled upward but the lower limit is confined by the spacer 80 to prevent the two active pivot members 65 from disengaging from the support member 23 to successfully complete the folding operation. In other words, the limiters 70 of the first embodiment have the anti-run function identical to that of the limiting member 85 of the second embodiment, so if the present invention is actually manufactured, the set of the limiters and the active pivoting members or the set of the limiting member and the spacer can be selectively adopted.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14, when it is intended to lift the elevation angle of the main frame 40 or the platform 50, the linear actuator 61 applies a downward force to the lifting frame 63 and the two active pivot members 65 are forced to contact against the support member 23, so the counterforce will lift the front end of the main frame 40 or of the platform 50.

Referring to FIG. 15, in a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the relationship of connection between the linking-up member 67 and the active pivoting member 65 is interchangeable as recited thereinafter. The front ends of the linking-up members 67 can be acentrically connected with the active pivoting members separately in such a way that the active pivoting members 65 are movable forwardly and backwardly for a small distance and thus the platform 50 can be successfully collapsed likewise.

In conclusion, the new-type lifting frame 63 of the folding device 60 of the present invention works with the two active pivoting members 65 and the two linking-up members 67, which are mounted to the chassis 20, in coordination with the anti-run function of the limiter 70 or the spacer 80 and the limiting member 85, so the platform 50 is structurally very firm and the folding device 60 thereof is structurally simple and practicable.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific preferred embodiments thereof, it is in no way limited to the specifics of the illustrated structures but changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible treadmill comprising:

a chassis having two lateral bars and two support members, the two lateral bars being spaced from each other and each having a first end portion and a second end portion arranged reversely relative to the first end portion, the two support members being mounted close to the first end portions of the two lateral bars respectively and having no contact with the ground;

a standing post connected to the chassis and extending toward a top end of the treadmill;

a main frame having two lateral frames, a frame body, and an endless belt, the two lateral frames being spaced from each other and each having a first section and a second section arranged reversely relative to the first section, the frame body being formed of at least one fastening bar fixedly connected between the two lateral frames, the endless belt having a front end and a rear end, which are placed inside the frame body, for rotation along a closed path; and

a folding device having a lifting frame, two linking-up members, and two limiters, the lifting frame having two first lateral frames spaced from each other and two second lateral frames spaced from each other, the lifting frame having a rear end pivotably attached to the main frame, two active pivoting members being mounted to a front end of the lifting frame and contacting against the support members, each of the two linking-up members having a front end connected with one of the active pivoting members, each of the two linking-up members having a rear end connected with one of the lateral bars, the two limiters being mounted inside the chassis and defining a limited space with the support members for limiting the space within which the active pivoting members can act.

2. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises two connection bars fixedly connected between the two lateral bars; the two support members are mounted to two lateral ends of the connection bars respectively and close to a front end of the chassis.

3. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the two linking-up members comprises a front end coaxially connected with one of the active pivoting members and a rear end thereof connected with the two lateral bars of the chassis.

4. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the two linking-up members comprises a front end acentrically connected with the two active pivoting members and a rear end thereof connected with the two lateral bars of the chassis, the active pivoting members being movable forwardly and backwardly inside the support members respectively when the platform is being collapsed.

5. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the limiters comprises a spacer and a limiting member, the limiting member having an upper end connected with the main frame, an elongated slot formed on a lower section of the limiting member, the elongated slot having an upper limit and a lower limit for limited movement of the spacer between the upper limit and the lower limit.

6. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the limiters comprises a combination portion and a stop portion located above the active pivoting member.

7. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 6, wherein each of the stop portions of the limiters is inclined forwardly and downwardly toward a front end of the treadmill.

8. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 1, wherein a pivotal center on which the active pivot members and the lifting frame are connected protrudes from a front end surface of the first section of the main frame.

9. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 8, wherein each of the active pivoting members is a wheel.

10. The collapsible treadmill as defined in claim 1, wherein the folding device comprises a linear actuator mounted onto the main frame and having a lifting pipe, the length of which is retractable, the lifting pipe being connected with the lifting frame, the lifting frame being adapted for being hauled by the linear actuator for elevation-angle lifting motion.