Motorless Treadmill with Large Flywheel

Abstract

A motorless exercise treadmill has a flywheel of 7 to 10 inches radius, weighing 40 to 60 pounds. The flywheel provides a fluid motion for the belt when the brake system is engaged and smooth transition through increasing or decreasing speeds. Inclination of the treadmill is fixed at 9 to 20 degrees, which accommodates the large size of the flywheel. Handle and other attachments of different designs are provided so the user can exercise in various positions with various resistance levels for developing specific leg, core, arm and other muscles, not normally achievable on a treadmill.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the full benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/782,998 filed Mar. 14, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application 61/858,854 filed Jul. 26, 2013, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to exercise treadmills. In particular, it relates to motorless treadmills—that is, treadmills powered by the user. Handle and other attachments of different designs are provided so the user can exercise in various positions with various resistance levels for developing specific leg, core, arm and other muscles. A large flywheel of a particular design is arranged to provide a fluid motion for the belt when the brake system is engaged and smooth transition through increasing or decreasing speeds. Inclination of the treadmill is fixed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, treadmills are powered by a motor and are used mainly for aerobic (cardiac) exercise such as walking and running, but provide little or no possibility of simultaneous specific or varied muscle strengthening regimes with resistance training. Some elliptical machines are designed to strengthen leg muscles, but must be further equipped if they are to exercise the arms, upper body and other muscles. Equipping an exercise machine of any kind with a motor adds significant cost, operating expense, liability, and limited mobility. The art is in need of an affordable highly versatile exercise machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a manually powered inclined treadmill with various levels of resistance. The conventional motor is replaced with a large heavy weighted flywheel, obviating the expense and maintenance necessitated by a motor. The motor is replaced with a 40-60 pound flywheel having a large diameter and other attributes explained below, which captures the energy of the belt motion. The flywheel keeps the belt in motion, and maintains a fluid motion through transitions of resistance and speed. A brake effect may be applied to the flywheel at the discretion of the user. The brake system when applied creates resistance on the flywheel, enabling the user to enhance a strength profile. The resistance to the flywheel is applied incrementally, affording the user with a wide range of resistance levels. In order to generate the desired moment of inertia, the large diameter flywheel must contain a high percentage of its mass, or weight, toward its outer edge. Since the user must use muscle power entirely to move the inclined belt and the treadmill can have various levels of resistance applied, he or she simulates actual incline climbing more effectively than when the belt is powered by a motor, burning more calories and effecting greater muscle stimulation.

The motorless, inclined treadmill is designed to be a crossover between (that is, to incorporate the benefits of) an inclined treadmill and an elliptical. It offers the cardio benefits of a treadmill motion with the muscle stimulation of elliptical, while enabling variable resistance levels and facilitating arm, shoulder and upper body muscle development as well as providing significant leg muscle challenges. It is equipped with multiple vertical and horizontal hand stations so the user can position himself or herself into various postures simulating an elliptical motion, a football sled, or other regimes not readily available with other types of exercise machines.

Solidly attached to the frame of my treadmill is an elongated socket adapted to receive elongated stems or shafts for a variety of handles and pressure surfaces which may be used at different heights and with a wide variety of speed and resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exerciser on the treadmill using an arm rest attachment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exercise position on the treadmill different from that of FIG. 1, employing a different front attachment.

FIG. 3 shows the treadmill equipped for using the shoulders to push.

FIG. 4 shows a front attachment that facilitates a forward leaning position, enabling a longer stride.

FIG. 5 shows the braking device.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing speed change of the perimeter weighted treadmill over a single stride at different speeds and at various inclinations.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing force required to maintain a constant speed at various inclinations.

FIGS. 8a to 8f illustrate the treadmill with separated attachments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, the treadmill is seen to have a continuous treadmill belt 1 forming a treadmill exercise surface 2 and supported by front roller 3 and back roller 4, which are mounted in frame 5. Exercise surface 2 of treadmill belt 1 rides on a support surface (not shown) as is known in the art. Frame 5 rests on feet 14. Attachment support socket 6 is fixed to the front of frame 5. Attachment socket 6 is hollow and may be cylindrical or define a square or other cross section in order to receive snugly the stem 7 of an accessory positioner 8. Accessory positioner 8 has a particular shape and configuration, in this case including an arm rest portion 15, but other, interchangeable, accessory positioners may have different shapes and configuration as will be explained below. Attachment socket 6 is provided with holes 9 so that pins 10 can pass through them and through complementary holes 11 on stem 7 and similar stems for other accessory positioners. As depicted in FIG. 1, user 16 is resting her arms on arm rest portion 15 of accessory positioner 8 and grasps handles 17. She is thus able to exert significant forward thrust on the treadmill exercise surface 2. Front roller 3 is turned by the treadmill belt 1 and, since flywheel 12 is fixed to front roller 3, the flywheel 12 will rotate in a clockwise direction, as depicted. The significant moment of inertia of the perimeter weighted flywheel soon assures a smooth continuous movement of the treadmill belt 1. User 16 is able to regulate the application of resistance to flywheel 12 by manipulating resistance control 13 at any time.

Flywheel 12 is a perimeter weighted flywheel fixed to rotate with front roller 3, the flywheel 12 having a radius of 7 to 10 inches and a mass of 40 to 60 pounds; in this case, it has a radius of 8inches and a mass of 55 pounds.

For a flat disc of any thickness and even weight distribution, there is a constant relationship between the peripheral weight and the total weight. In Table 1, the relationship is laid out:

Table 1—percent of weight in the periphery of a disc flywheel of evenly distributed weight, measured at various distances from the center, where r is the radius:

Outside 0.6r: 64%

Outside 0.7r: 51%

Outside 0.8r: 36%

Outside 0.9r: 19%

These percentages are true for a flywheel having evenly distributed weight of any radius, but my invention calls for a radius of 7 to 10 inches. This means, for example, that a plain, evenly distributed mass flywheel of my minimum radius 7 will have 51% of its weight in the area outside 4.9 inches radius (0.7r). At my maximum radius of 10 inches (as with a 7 inch disc), all of the above percentages apply. My criteria also call for a mass of 40 to 60 pounds for the flywheel as a whole. Thus a 55 pound, 8 inch flywheel will have 0.36×55, or 19.8, pounds in the area defined by the outside (near the edge) 1.6 inches of radius; of course it will satisfy all the other percentages of Table 1 also. A flywheel of less than 7 inches radius will not have any mass at all that far from its rotation center.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that flywheels need not be plain, evenly distributed discs. For example, they may be hollowed out in the center or thin in various patterns, or may be completely open in certain areas to define spokes or spoke-like members. Such types of construction which may tend to reduce the amount of weight near the center of the flywheel relative to that near the perimeter are useful in my invention, so long as the total weight and radius criteria are met. The flywheel should not be of a shape or construction which distributes weight with an uneven bias toward the center of the flywheel; it must be at least evenly distributed or perimeter weighted. By “perimeter weighted” is meant that the average of the centers of gravity for all radii is located farther toward the perimeter than 0.5r, where r is the radius—that is, the flywheel may have an uneven bias of weight toward the periphery.

Persons skilled in the art will also recognize that the rollers or spindles on which the belt turns also have a modest flywheel effect. As discussed above, flywheel 12 is attached or fixed directly onto front roller 3 so they turn together. Although the roller 3 has a modest flywheel effect, my criteria for the flywheel do not consider it, nor do they consider that the center of the flywheel may be open—that is, completely absent—so the end of front roller 3 can be inserted into it as shown. Thus, a flywheel meeting my criteria of 40 to 60 pounds and having a radius of 7 to 10 inches will include such a flywheel.

The flywheel 12 may be in the form and placement illustrated or may be split into two perimeter weighted flywheel parts, one on each end of front roller 3, each having a radius of 7 to 10 inches and each having half of a total of 40 to 60 pounds. I consider this arrangement a single flywheel. In either case—whether the flywheel 12 is on one end of the roller or two, as shown or split, with one part on each end of front roller 3, its large diameter is accommodated by the overall inclination of the treadmill. As indicated by the difference in length between front legs 18 and rear legs 19, frame 5 and treadmill surface 2 are maintained at an angle from 9 to 20 degrees. In the case of FIG. 1, the angle is 12 degrees, as an angle of 11 to 13 degrees is preferred. Side rails 20 are an optional safety feature.

In FIG. 2, unlike the stance of the user in FIG. 1, the exerciser assumes a more upright position but grasps handles 21 of attachment 22 which has been inserted into support socket 6, secured by pins 10. Resistance control 13 of FIG. 1 has been replaced by knob 30 for varying resistance on flywheel 12, as will be further explained with reference to

FIG. 5. Otherwise the treadmill is identical to the one depicted in FIG. 1, comprising frame 5, treadmill belt 1, and flywheel 12. Front legs 18 and rear legs 19 are of different lengths in order to provide a slope of 11 degrees for the treadmill surface 2.

In FIG. 3, the basic treadmill is also similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, comprising frame 5, treadmill belt 1, and flywheel 12. In this case, however, front legs 18 and rear legs 19 are of different lengths in order to provide a slope of 13 degrees for the treadmill surface 2. But also, attachment support 25 holds a crosspiece 26 to which are attached two reinforced pads 27 adapted for contact with the user's shoulders. Handles 28 in this case extend downwardly and outwardly so the user can exert part of his strength on them if desired. Insert 29 snugly receives attachment support 25 at its upper end. Handles 28 are welded or otherwise firmly attached to insert 29, which fits into attachment socket 6 in a manner similar to the way stem 7 fits into attachment socket 6 in FIG. 1. With an appropriate resistance adjustment applied through brake bracket 13, the resultant “uphill” exertion simulates a football exercise device. It should be noted that, since the treadmill does not require electricity, it may be placed on an athletic field or anywhere remote from an electrical outlet.

The user in FIG. 4 has chosen to employ insert 29 and its handles 28 without using attachment support 25 or the reinforced pads 27 of FIG. 3. She assumes a more forward leaning posture than the user in FIG. 3, pushing only on the handles 28, and is able to take longer strides than the user in FIG. 3, who has chosen to exert the most force on reinforced pads 27. The treadmill of FIG. 4 is otherwise similar to the treadmills of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, comprising treadmill belt 1, frame 5, and flywheel 12. The fixed inclination of the treadmill in FIG. 4 is 12 degrees.

Since it is an object of the invention to eliminate the expense of a motor, it is important to understand the effect of the fixed, rather steep, inclination of the treadmill. Not having a motor, there is no way to change the inclination of the treadmill using external power. Of course, one can simply prop up the front of the treadmill by placing a temporary platform under front legs 18 if additional slope is desired. The invention does not require a variable slope, but if for some reason one would want to incorporate a motor to vary the slope, it could be accommodated without changing the basic relationship between the size of the flywheel and the slope of the treadmill.

As indicated elsewhere herein, the flywheel should have an outside diameter of 14 to 20 inches, and therefore the front of the treadmill must be high enough for it to turn freely. As also indicated elsewhere, its mass should be within a range of 40 to 60 pounds. Some of the effects of the heavy large-diameter, perimeter weighted, flywheel are shown in the graphs in FIGS. 6 and 7. They are based on an arbitrarily selected value of 24.5 kg (54.2 pounds) for the flywheel assumed to be concentrated entirely in the form of a torus. Where the radius of the torus from its center to the middle of the ring on the other side is 0.2285 meter (9 inches) and the radius within the torus body, or tube, is assumed to be zero, applying the formula I=½mr² where r is the radius of the torus (taken from its center to the center of the cross section of the torus tube, which is assumed to have a radius of zero), and m is the mass of the torus, yields a mass moment of inertia I=0.64. This number is used to develop the information in the following paragraphs.

The exponential effect of the deliberately chosen long radius of the flywheel results in an aggressive inertia. The inertia created by the large perimeter weighted flywheel allows the tread belt to move smoothly under heavy resistance by the braking system. If such inertia is not created then the user would experience a stop and start action of the tread belt while under resistance by the braking system.

In a sense, all treadmills have fly wheels, motorized and non motorized. Even where there is no device called a flywheel, the rollers or spindles on which the belt turns store a certain amount of energy as they are turned. It is a natural function of moving the tread belt. But the previous designs of the flywheels have been much smaller and weights are typically in the range of 10 to 18 pounds in wheels of smaller dimensions. My design is much different. The size and weight differs but the function is the key. My flywheel is designed to distribute a significant weight at longer distances from the center and generally more than half way to the edge, a technique which may be called “perimeter weighting.” The perimeter weighting, size of the OD (outside diameter) and heavy weight all contribute to the principle of aggressive inertia which I employ. The aggressive inertia drives the tread belt in a way similar to a motorized driven unit. No other treadmill employs my principle of aggressive inertia and perimeter weighting.

In FIG. 5, the mechanism of the brake is shown. Brake base 40 is mounted on pivot 41 and is integral to plate 42 through which an elongate screw 43 passes. Brake pad 44 lines the concave surface of brake base 40. Brake base 40 and brake pad 44 are positioned in relation to pivot 41 and plate 42 so that the end of brake pad 44 nearest pivot 41 touches or almost touches the perimeter surface of flywheel 12. The shaft 45 of elongate screw 43 passes through bracket 13 and terminates in knob 30 when the brake is not actuated. Bracket 13 and pivot 41 are fastened securely to frame 5 (not shown) in any suitable manner. Flywheel 12 is fixed to front roller 3 as indicted in FIG. 1. To apply resistance to the flywheel 12, the user turns knob 30 clockwise to elevate plate 42, which causes brake base 40 to urge brake pad 44 into increasing contact with flywheel 12. Elongate screw 43 is made so that ten complete clockwise rotations of knob 30 will fully apply brake pad 44 to flywheel 12. The amount of resistance generated is generally directly related to the turns of the knob 30. Resistance is reduced by turning the knob 30 counterclockwise. Brake pad 44 may be made of any suitable material offering some resilience and able to tolerate the friction generated.

The effect of the aggressive inertia is graphically illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows the percentage of speed change for a single stride at two different speeds (a typical walking speed and a typical running speed), over a wide range of slope. One important thing to note here is what happens when the deck is inclined at a slope steeper than 8.5 degrees, as in the present invention. Basically, gravity is now assisting the user to the point where the flywheel urges the belt to speed up. However, the calculations of the graph are based only on the flywheel and a hypothetical user. There is also present an inherent “drag” from the contact of the belt on the rollers, the contact of the user's feet on the belt (and the support surface under it), and the belt tension both with and without the effect of the user's weight. The user can easily achieve an equilibrium between the motion of the belt and the force of his or her own stride, which can still vary over a wide range of speed with or without application of the brake. The user can, of course, hold onto the handles 17, 28 or others, and/or can grasp side rails 20, while modifying his or her stride if desired or deemed necessary; the user may also simply step on the stationary sides of frame 5 next to the belt at any time.

The data for FIG. 6 were calculated using an average body weight of 175 pounds and speeds of 3 miles per hour walking and 8 miles per hour running. Note that the inclination angle affects the percent change of speed more dramatically at a walking speed than it does at a running speed. This may seem counterintuitive, but the running speed value is higher to begin with. The user will find that, with or without the appropriate application of the braking mechanism, the belt motion will nevertheless be both challenging and smooth. At a fixed slope of 12 degrees, for example, the flywheel and braking mechanism are designed to provide a full range of resistance and speeds.

FIG. 7 shows graphically the additional force required to maintain a constant speed over the course of one stride, once the treadmill has achieved the desired speed. Positive values indicate additional force needed from the user; negative values indicate that additional belt resistance is needed, Note that deck angles higher than 8.5 degrees again show the need for additional resistance. Steady resistance is easily provided by the brake system. Again, the calculations do not include factors of friction from the belt or other sources.

The versatility of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 8f. The basic treadmill comprising frame 5, treadmill belt 1, and flywheel 12 is seen without attachments in FIG. 8a. Attachment socket 6 is empty, ready for one of the attachments, but it is not necessary for a user to install one. Lift handles 50 and rollers 51 are provided so the treadmill can readily be moved. FIG. 8a shows knob 30 for controlling resistance by means of elongated screw 43 as shown in FIG. 5, but it may be replaced by levered resistance control 13 (FIG. 8b) as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the attachments shown in FIGS. 8c, 8d, and 8e has a stem 7 sized for secure insertion into attachment socket 6 and adjustable for height using pins 10. FIG. 8d shows a sled pad attachment. FIG. 8e is a forearm attachment having an arm rest portion 15. The shoulder harness attachment of FIG. 8c in this case has an intermediate collar 60 for handles 28. The steer's horn attachment of FIG. 8f has an elongated socket 61 able to receive and fasten onto a shaft (not shown) extending from attachment socket 6. Other types of attachments may be designed and easily attached to the treadmill.

This unit is eco-friendly, requires no external power and is made of recycled steel. The incline is fixed at an optimal position for cardio and muscle development. It has a wide range of resistance, features a raised textured belt surface, and includes various front hand stations (attachments) that are adjustable to suit the user, particularly as to height.

Thus it is seen that my invention includes a motorless treadmill comprising (a) a frame, (b) a high front roller and a low rear roller held by the frame, (c) a continuous treadmill belt in contact with the front and rear rollers, the treadmill belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface in contact with the rollers, the rollers and the treadmill belt defining an exercise surface inclined at a fixed angle of 9 to 20 degrees from the low rear roller to the high front roller, (d) a flywheel fixed to the front roller, the flywheel having a radius of 7 to 10 inches and a perimeter weighted mass of 40 to 60 pounds.

My invention also includes a motorless treadmill comprising (a) a treadmill frame including a front end and a rear end, the frame including a treadmill belt, a front roller on the front end, and a rear roller on the rear end, the front and rear rollers for enabling the treadmill belt to turn, the treadmill frame including at least one front support member fixedly elevating the front roller at an angle of 9 to 20 degrees from the rear roller, (b) an elongate socket fixed to the front end of the frame, the socket being adapted to receive and fix a shaft of one or more interchangeable handles for grasping by a user to assume a variety of positions and apply a variety of muscles by a user, and (c) a perimeter weighted flywheel fixed to the front roller, the perimeter weighted flywheel having a mass of 40 to 60 pounds.

And, in another aspect, my invention includes a motorless treadmill having a fixed inclination of 9 to 20 degrees comprising (a) a frame including a socket for receiving an accessory shaft, and (b) a plurality of accessory shafts adapted to fit securely in said socket and having handles deployed in various orientations.

Claims

1. A motorless treadmill comprising (a) a frame, (b) a high front roller and a low rear roller held by said frame, (c) a continuous treadmill belt in contact with said front and rear rollers, said treadmill belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface in contact with said rollers, said rollers and said treadmill belt defining an exercise surface inclined at a fixed angle of 9 to 20 degrees from said low rear roller to said high front roller, (d) a flywheel fixed to said front roller, said flywheel having a radius of 7 to 10 inches and a perimeter weighted mass of 40 to 60 pounds.

2. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 wherein said fixed angle of inclination is in the range of 11 to 13 degrees.

3. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 including a brake operable by a user on said treadmill, said brake including a brake pad for contacting said flywheel.

4. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 wherein said mass of said flywheel is 45 to 55 pounds,

5. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 wherein said flywheel includes a brake for said flywheel, said brake including a brake pad adapted to contact said flywheel and a screw adapted to move said brake pad.

6. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 wherein said flywheel is directly attached to said front roller so as to rotate with said front roller.

7. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 wherein said flywheel has two parts, said parts attached to opposite ends of the front roller, each part thereof having a radius of at least 7 inches, said parts each having a mass of at least 20 pounds.

8. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 including an elongated socket mounted on the front of said frame, said elongated socket adapted to receive and fix a shaft of one or more interchangeable accessory positioners.

9. The motorless treadmill of claim 1 wherein said frame includes stationary shoulders next to said exercise surface.

10. A motorless treadmill comprising (a) a treadmill frame including a front end and a rear end, said frame including a treadmill belt, a front roller on said front end, and a rear roller on said rear end, said front and rear rollers for enabling said treadmill belt to turn, said treadmill frame including at least one front support member fixedly elevating said front roller at an angle of 9 to 20 degrees from said rear roller, (b) an elongate socket fixed to the front end of said frame, said socket being adapted to receive and fix a shaft of one or more interchangeable handles for grasping by a user to assume a variety of positions and apply a variety of muscles by a user, and (c) a perimeter weighted flywheel fixed to said front roller, said perimeter weighted flywheel having a mass of 40 to 60 pounds.

11. The motorless treadmill of claim 10 fixed at an incline between 11 and 13 degrees and wherein said flywheel has a radius 7 to 10 inches.

12. The motorless treadmill of claim 10 including side rails mounted on the sides of said frame.

13. The motorless treadmill of claim 10 including a screw operated brake pad for said flywheel.

14. A motorless treadmill having a fixed inclination of 9 to 20 degrees comprising (a) a frame including a socket for receiving an accessory shaft, and (b) a plurality of accessory shafts adapted to fit securely in said socket and having handles deployed in various orientations.

15. The motorless treadmill of claim 14 including a flywheel adapted to provide inertial energy to said treadmill, said flywheel having a radius of 7 to 10 inches and a perimeter weighted mass of 40 to 60 pounds.

16. The motorless treadmill of claim 14 wherein an accessory shaft (b) has an arm rest.