Treadmill Patents (Class 119/700)
  • Patent number: 11938369
    Abstract: A treadmill with an anti-entrapment function allows a user to stand on the treadmill and includes a running unit, a control unit, and a sensing unit. The running unit includes two lateral bases, a driving roller, a driven roller, and a running belt. Each lateral base has a bottom end portion. The sensing unit includes a guard bar pivotally provided at the bottom end portions and at least one sensing member. When the user is accidentally pulled into the gap between the running belt and one of the lateral bases, the guard bar will be subjected to an external force and thus rotated downward about a rotation axis, thereby driving the at least one sensing member to send a warning signal to the control unit, in order for the control unit to control the rotation speed of the driving roller accordingly, lest the user be pulled deeper into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Tu Li, Ssu-Shun Yang
  • Patent number: 11931311
    Abstract: A hydrotherapy apparatus comprises a tank, the tank comprising a panel arranged to form a wall of the tank, and an inner frame arranged to have the panel mechanically fixed to an outer side thereof, without bonding, so as to form a watertight seal. The inner frame may comprise a lower portion in a base region of the tank and two struts extending upward therefrom. The tank may further comprise a lower fixing section arranged to be mechanically connected to an outer surface of the lower portion of the inner frame, with a lower edge region of the panel therebetween, and two side fixing sections extending upward and each arranged to be mechanically connected to an outer surface of a respective strut of the struts of the inner frame, with a respective side edge region of the panel therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Syspal Limited
    Inventors: Christopher John Truman, Paul Easton Preece
  • Patent number: 11627722
    Abstract: Proposed is a pet exercise apparatus including a rotary body which is formed in an erected cylindrical shape, has at least one open side surface, and is disposed to be rotatable, so as to stimulate a pet's curiosity and induce spontaneous exercise thereof without harming the pet's emotions or health. The rotary body includes a tube and a movable ball. The tube has a transparent tubular shape, is partially filled with liquid, and is disposed along the inner circumference thereof. The movable ball is positioned near the surface of the liquid filling the tube. The rotary body rotates according to the movement of the pet who chases after the movable ball, so that the position of the movable ball is changed by a change in the position of the surface of the liquid so as to continuously stimulate the pet's curiosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: CAM Corp.
    Inventor: Jin Tae Moon
  • Patent number: 11589551
    Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a device in which a pet stroller comprises at least three wheels, a battery, a motor, and a treadmill. The treadmill is positioned inside of the stroller and has a belt upon which an animal walk and run. The battery is configured to power the motor, and in at least some contemplated embodiments, movement of one or more of the wheels of the stroller can be used to directly move the belt of the treadmill, and/or indirectly power the belt by providing power to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: John Bishop
  • Patent number: 11510395
    Abstract: A treadmill may include two separate left and right belts rotating around two sets of rollers, four legs having an adjustable height via air suspension to customize an inclination of the treadmill, a thermoelectric assembly, a fragrance assembly having a rotating fragrance cartridge to emit various smells toward a user of the treadmill, a display on which exercise programs are played, and an attachment module having a dispensing tray on which treats are dispensed. A handle of the treadmill may have a sensor to sense a height and front-rear position, and a belt divider provided between the left and right belts may have position or proximity sensors to sense a left-right position. An inclination of the treadmill may be automatically adjusted according to positions detected by the sensors, and the fragrance assembly, attachment module, and inclination may be automatically operated in accordance with an exercise program played on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunsun Yoo, Joo-Gyeom Kim, Jaehung Chun
  • Patent number: 11503808
    Abstract: A treadmill may include two separate left and right belts rotating around two sets of rollers, four legs having an adjustable height via air suspension to customize an inclination of the treadmill, a thermoelectric assembly, a fragrance assembly having a rotating fragrance cartridge to emit various smells toward a user of the treadmill, a display on which exercise programs are played, and an attachment module having a dispensing tray on which treats are dispensed. A handle of the treadmill may have a sensor to sense a height and front-rear position, and a belt divider provided between the left and right belts may have position or proximity sensors to sense a left-right position. An inclination of the treadmill may be automatically adjusted according to positions detected by the sensors, and the fragrance assembly, attachment module, and inclination may be automatically operated in accordance with an exercise program played on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunsun Yoo, Joo-Gyeom Kim, Jaehung Chun
  • Patent number: 11429252
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing user interfaces associated with physical activities. The user interface displays a scrollable list of affordances associated with physical activities. The affordances may contain physical activity and heart rate information. A user can launch a physical activity tracking function or an interface to change a workout metric using an affordance. Users can also control the music that is played in response to selecting a workout. Further, the interface can be used to compose a reply message to a received message that contains workout information. The interfaces can show a graph that includes heart data when the user's heart rate meets a heart rate alert criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aled Hywel Williams, Gary Ian Butcher, Taylor G. Carrigan
  • Patent number: 11202441
    Abstract: A pet exercise apparatus includes: a base module; a running module which has an exercise space formed therein in an axial direction and an inner circumferential surface or outer circumferential surface rotatably coupled to the base module; and an LED module provided in the base module or the running module to irradiate LED light to the exercise space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Dae-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 10940361
    Abstract: An aquatic exercise system may include a water tank including a watertight entrance that may allow a user enter and exit the water tank. The aquatic exercise system may further include a vertical watertight gate that may be disposed within the water tank and divide an interior of the water tank into a first tank portion and a second tank portion, a treadmill assembly that may be disposed within the second tank portion, and a water circulation mechanism that may be connected in fluid communication with the first tank portion and the second tank portion and transfer the water between the first tank portion and the second tank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: TARAHANE FANNAVARIHAYE TEBBI MATIN
    Inventors: Amir Hossein Matin, Seyed Masoud Esmailzadeh Milany
  • Patent number: 10835776
    Abstract: A passive-type treadmill is disclosed which includes a closed-loop belt rolling around two spaced apart rollers for providing a running platform, a first and a second handrail parallel to each other and extended upward angling to a surface of the closed-loop belt at larger than 45 degrees, and a towel rack having at least a first and a second clip for stretching a towel between the first and the second handrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Peigen Jiang
  • Patent number: 10709110
    Abstract: An animal exercise device is described in the form a rotating wheel, generally cylindrical in form, open on one face for an animal to enter and exit, and solidly closed on the other face, which also provides a bearing for rotation. The wall and closed face are solid to avoid injury to an animal. The wheel's axis of rotation is at an angle from horizontal. The inside surface of the wall comprises spaced ridges for gripping by the animal's toes or feet. A contrasting marking on the outside surface of the wall aids vision-based rotation measurement. Embodiments are supported solely through the bearing and have no rotation drive other than use by an animal. Methods of use include automated measurement, using equipment external to the cage, of animal health and use in a multihoused cage where unique animal ID is associated with wheel use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Vium Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Harada, Laura Schaevitz, Kyle Howard Heath, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix
  • Patent number: 10582698
    Abstract: The invention is a device for exercising a pet. One embodiment of the invention is a combination of a treadmill and control configured to motivate a pet to use the treadmill responsive to motivation provided to the pet in the form of visual, audio, aromatic, and/or food rewards. Another embodiment of the invention is a device having a motivation control system configured to be secured to and/or adjacent to a separate treadmill, with the device controlling operation of the treadmill and the motivational control system providing appropriate motivation to the pet to use the treadmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: Dillon Rice
  • Patent number: 10493349
    Abstract: Display on exercise device. In one embodiment, an exercise device includes a frame, a movable engagement surface connected to the frame and movable in the performance of an exercise, and a display located adjacent to or below at least a portion of the movable engagement surface relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Patent number: 10328303
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed. The treadmill can be constructed with no obstructing front rails, with one or more side rails, and/or with a structural flat or ramped surface at the front allowing the user to exercise with unconstrained motion. The treadmill can further include one or more accommodations to help the user stay safe, remain longitudinally centered, and/or adjust speed with controls built into the treadmill, or automatically based on body position relative to sensors built into the side rails. The treadmill belt may be motor driven, or be user driven and dynamically moderated by resistance. The treadmill configuration can be utilized to provide a virtualized exercise experience for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Jordan Frank
  • Patent number: 10220249
    Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame having two sides each provided with two sprockets, two slide rails mounted on the two sides of the frame, two chains engaging with the two sprockets at the two sides of the frame respectively and corresponding to the two slide rails respectively, a plurality of elongate board mounted between the two chains, and a plurality of rollers mounted on each of the two chains. Each of the elongate board has two ends each provided with a connecting member connected with one of the two chains. The rollers on each of the two chains rest on one of the two slide rails. Thus, when the two chains are rotated, the rollers on each of the two chains slide on one of the two slide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: High Spot Health Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yen-Chi Chuang
  • Patent number: 9980465
    Abstract: An exercise equipment exercise equipment that can readily switch arrangement of a person exercise apparatus and a dog exercise apparatus between the state where a person and a dog run facing each other and/or the state where the person and the dog run side by side. The person exercise apparatus includes a frame, a crank mechanism having a crank shaft rotatably supported by the frame, a crank coupled to the crank shaft, and a pedal rotatably supported by the crank, and a joint rotatingly driven by the crank mechanism. An annular travelling belt travels with a dog, a roller drives the travelling belt, and a transmission mechanism transmits rotational motion of the joint to the roller An input shaft is aligned with a rotary shaft of the joint with respect to a mounting face of the exercise equipment. A coupling mechanisms is detachably engageable with the joint at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DOGGYMAN H. A. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akio Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9901076
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for providing a double bearing, not noisy, injection molded rotatable exercise wheels for small animals, including marsupium's such as sugar gliders, as well as mice, rats, gerbils and dwarf hamsters, and the like, with no exposed mounting hardware. The exercise wheels can have a netted running surface which safely holds animals in the wheels, and allows for waste to fall out from the wheels. The wheel can be supported by a U shaped stand over a flat surface. The wheel can be attached to an inside of a cage by a cross mount having hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Atticworx, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Tucker, Anita R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 9782659
    Abstract: A walking training system according to the present invention includes a belt conveyor on which a trainee walks, a frame, a sensor, and a control device. The frame, positioned on both sides of the belt conveyor, allows an assistant to place each of the feet thereon. The sensor measures the presence state of a foot on the frame. The control device determines whether there are three or more feet on the frame based on the measurement result of the sensor and, if it is determined that there are three or more feet, performs abnormal-time control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seisuke Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9694234
    Abstract: A treadmill includes an exercise deck, and a tread belt on the exercise deck having multiple slats. At least one slat of the multiple slats has a first rod end and a second rod end protruding from the slat. A first track is defined in a first side of the exercise deck and a second track is defined in a second side of the exercise deck. The first track receives and guides the first rod end, and the second track receives and guides the second rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Dalebout, Gaylen Ercanbrack
  • Patent number: 8900101
    Abstract: A treadmill has an endless belt and a housing supporting movement of the endless belt along the housing. The housing has a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality vertical channels extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. Posts are vertically movable in the vertical channels. The posts are secured in a selected position in the vertical channels, with an upper portion of a selected length extending above the top surface and, if desired, a lower portion of a selected length extending below the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventors: Anne Stack, Lucien Dnestrianschii, Joseph Marcos, Patricia Dickson
  • Patent number: 8794648
    Abstract: A mobile treadmill and a method for powering the mobile treadmill are disclosed. The mobile treadmill includes a trailer, a conveyor, a drive system, and a disconnect. Further, the mobile treadmill is powered by its linear movement on the ground. When the mobile treadmill is moved, wheels on the trailer rotate. The drive system is coupled to one of the wheels and transfers the power from the rotation of the wheel to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Heron Sales & Marketing Co.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Woelfel, Karl R. Heinze
  • Patent number: 8454480
    Abstract: To support a deck of an exercise treadmill one or more arcuate leaf springs are used in a deck support structure. The leaf springs can be made of a single member of elastomeric material. An adjustment mechanism can be used to changed the radius of the leaf springs in order to vary spring rates of the leaf springs. Where a number of different leaf springs are used, the adjustment mechanism can be used to adjust the spring rates of different springs independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Molter, Yury Galperin, Rachel L. A. Buckley, Juliette C. Daly
  • Publication number: 20120242256
    Abstract: An animal exercise wheel is illuminated by LEDs connected to a battery via a reed switch. A magnet actuates the reed switch when an animal begins to rotate the wheel. The LEDs flash with the frequency of rotation of the animal wheel or continuously. As long as the wheel rotates, the magnet continues to actuate the reed switch, which resets a counter. When the wheel stops and the reed switch is no longer actuated, the counter counts a predetermined time, and terminates the illumination of the LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Austin J. Forest
  • Patent number: 8161913
    Abstract: Couplable first and second hemispheres form a hollow spherical chamber. An opening in one of the hemispheres has a door movable between a closed and an open position. The top of a base is in a concave configuration with a radius of curvature essentially equal to the radius of curvature of the spherical chamber and forms a recipient surface for receiving and rotatably supporting the spherical chamber. An animal within the spherical chamber may walk and run in place for exercising in a relatively restricted space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Michael K. Barfield
  • Patent number: 8069822
    Abstract: A pet exercise wheel assembly having a light-emitting device includes an exercise wheel made of a material pervious to light. The exercise wheel has a tapered sleeve projecting from a center of the exercise wheel and is axially formed with a penetrating channel. A light-emitting device has a casing coupled to the tapered sleeve of the exercise wheel. The light-emitting device has a circuit board formed with a central hole and provided with at least a lamp, a battery, a rocker switch, and an IC chip that are electrically connected with each other, with the lamp exposed at an exterior of the casing. Thereby, rotation of the exercise wheel drives the light-emitting device to rotate, so that the rocker switch in the light-emitting device is rocked to close a loop of the circuit board, thus causing the lamp to blink and provide a visual entertaining effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ying Yeeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Kuan Ho
  • Patent number: 7914420
    Abstract: Sensing applications for exercise machines are described. An example sensing application for profiling a workout session of an exercise machine comprises selecting at least one workout parameter or inputting at least one physical characteristic of a user and operating the exercise machine in compliance with the at least one workout parameter selected. The method further comprising reading output signal values from a sensor in which the output signals are generated by a user impact to the exercise machine during the exercise session and processing the output signals. The method further comprising determining workout matrices to profile the exercise session using the processed output signals and providing feedback information based on the workout matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Juliette C. Daly, Casparus Cate, Glenn Allen DeYoung
  • Publication number: 20100326366
    Abstract: A tread mill is disclosed. The tread mill includes a lower frame to which a belt track rotated by a motor is mounted, a pair of support frames erected on an end of the lower frame in such a way as to be spaced apart from each other, and a hand rail attached to each of the support frames. The tread mill includes a harness unit for supporting a body of a pet, and a support unit removably coupled to the hand rail to support the harness unit such that the pet remains on the belt track. Such a construction allows a person or a pet to exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Hong Jae Park
  • Patent number: 7854690
    Abstract: An articulating treadmill is disclosed that includes a support frame, a motor frame, and a base frame. The motor frame is pivotally attached to the support frame along a first pivot line, and the base frame is pivotally attached to motor frame along a second pivot line spaced from the first pivot line. The base frame pivots about the second pivot line from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, and vice versa. The treadmill includes an elevation motor having an extension arm. The elevation motor is attached between the motor frame and a base of the support frame. As the extension arm of the elevation motor extends or retracts, the incline of the treadmill support bed increases or decreases, respectively. The treadmill also includes an adjustable roller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Trevino, Bradley J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7770539
    Abstract: An exercise wheel is configured to support canines and provide an apparatus that will enable the canine to exercise within a confined space. The exercise wheel is supported on a three bearing stance that can be configured in a freestanding configuration or in a configuration that is mounted to the exterior wall of a dog kennel. In the mounted configuration, the dog will have an unrestricted access to exercise without leaving the confinement provided by the dog kennel. The exercise wheel is freely rotatable from a frame affixed to the kennel wall with a gap between the wheel periphery and the kennel wall being covered by a plastic seal. The circumferential periphery of the exercise wheel is formed of wire mesh to allow waste and debris to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: GoPet, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond G. Zimmerman, Aaron Burkholder
  • Publication number: 20100175634
    Abstract: A pet treadmill includes a power source for outputting a drive power. An exercise platform is laterally connected to the power source. The exercise platform includes a longitudinally main from stably disposed on a supporting ground, multiple supports secured on a bottom of the main frame to make the main frame being separated from the supporting ground, a support platform mounted within the main frame for enhancing the structure of the main frame, two driven axles transversely and rotatably mounted to two opposite ends of the main frame, and an endless strap coiled the two driven axle and surround the support, wherein a corresponding one of the two driven axle is driven by the manual power source to operate the endless strap, on which the pet imitates a jog action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Chih-Yin Chang, Sheng-Chao Shih
  • Patent number: 7654229
    Abstract: A treadmill-like device for exercising large animals such as dairy cows. The large animal exercising device includes a hoof abrasion system and treadmill cleaning or flushing system. The exercise device of the invention can also include a cow identification reader for recovering information off of a data storage or identification device attached to the cow, with such information potentially including exercise pace and duration as well as animal routing information after an exercise session is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Arlan R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7544153
    Abstract: An articulating treadmill is disclosed that includes a support frame, a motor frame, and a base frame. The motor frame is pivotally attached to the support frame along a first pivot line, and the base frame is pivotally attached to motor frame along a second pivot line spaced from the first pivot line. The base frame pivots about the second pivot line from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, and vice versa. The treadmill includes an elevation motor having an extension arm. The elevation motor is attached between the motor frame and a base of the support frame. As the extension arm of the elevation motor extends or retracts, the incline of the treadmill support bed increases or decreases, respectively. The treadmill also includes an adjustable roller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Trevino, Bradley J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7536977
    Abstract: An Animal Exercising Apparatus comprising a treadmill and a detachable cage providing a dog or other animal with indoor exercise. The treadmill provides a parallelepiped platform having a hollow interior base, a raised dish platform having a dish, and a conveyor pulley system located within the interior base. The conveyor pulley system provides a continuous conveyor belt disposed over, around and in direct contact with first rollers and a second roller rotatably attached to opposite ends of the interior base, and a motor assembly for rotating the first rollers, thereby causing the conveyor belt to rotate around the first and second rollers. The detachable cage having a door with a latch prevents escape from or invasion by another animal into the treadmill and provides for easy cleaning. The dish allows an animal to drink or eat while exercising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventor: Earl M. Williams
  • Patent number: 7507187
    Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame, a deck assembly, at least one deck deflection sensor, and a control system. The deck assembly is supported by the frame. The deck assembly includes a longitudinally extending deck, at least first and second rollers, and a belt positioned about the deck and the first and second rollers. The deck deflection sensor is coupled to the deck. The deck deflection sensor is a contactless displacement sensor including an electrical intermediate device and an aerial. The control system is operably coupled to the at least one deck deflection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, Rodney P. West, Victor Pipinich
  • Publication number: 20080141946
    Abstract: A light-weight animal exercise wheel includes an inside track, a back portion and a connecting portion. A connector can connect to either a removable base or a bracket that can be attached to a fixed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Sharon D. Kalani
  • Patent number: 7299767
    Abstract: A housing for small pet animals includes a pedestal portion 1, a fixing side plate 3 uprightly attached to the pedestal portion 1, an activity wheel 5 with one side opened toward the fixing side plate 3 and the other side closed by closing members 52c. The wheel 5 is disposed above the pedestal portion 1 with the one side closed by the fixing side plate 3. The housing further includes a housing equipment immovably attached to the fixing side plate 3 and disposed in a housing space surrounded by the fixing side plate 3 and the activity wheel 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi Kogyosho
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Tominaga, Robert C. Krause, Hikaru Nakagawa, Kozo Sakai, Keqian You
  • Patent number: 7229387
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill. The apparatus includes a diverting apparatus, consisting of a conducting piece, a conductive strip and a connection bolt. The diverting apparatus is mounted on the surface of the platform without influencing the smooth rotation of the continuous belt for carrying off the static electricity produced by friction within a walking area of the treadmill by providing a direct grounding path through the connection of the other end of the conductive strip to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Wu, Leao Wang
  • Patent number: 7051680
    Abstract: The invention relates to an animal keeping device comprising a floor (1), a tending device and a drive means (4) for the tending device. The tending device may be intended for cleaning or feeding. The purpose of the invention is to automate this work in a cost-effective manner. In accordance with the invention the floor (1) is vertically movable for the absorption of energy and is provided with energy-absorbing means (5) arranged to take up energy generated when an animal (2), due to its movement, subjects the floor to dynamic loading (F). The dynamic loading effects vetical movement of the floor (1). The energy-absorbing means (5) is arranged to provide the drive means (4) with energy. The invention also relates to a method for animal keeping wherein tending is performed using the device claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Tommy Lindvall
  • Patent number: 6899686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and analyzing the gait of an animal is provided. The apparatus can take the form of a gait imaging system. The system includes a movable belt track upon which a subject can ambulate. An imaging device is disposed below the belt track to record contact between at least one limb of the subject and the belt track. The subject can ambulate along the belt track in a substantially stationary location above the imaging device as the belt track moves, and the imaging device can record the contact by the subject. A method of recording a gait of an ambulating subject is also provided. The method includes locating the subject on a movable belt track. The subject is motivated to ambulate along the movable belt track at about the same rate as the movable belt track, while the belt track is moving, such that the location of the subject does not substantially change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: The CuraVita Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hampton, José Manuel Otero, Stephanie Praster
  • Patent number: 6880487
    Abstract: A robotic system and method for locomotion assessment and training of a mammal, exemplified by a rodent. A neurologically impaired animal is suspended over a moving surface in a harness, and the animal's hindlimbs are connected to robotic arms that apply force to the hindlimbs or measure limb movement characteristics. The moving surface can be a physical or virtual surface. A single robotic mechanism comprising two robotic arms can simultaneously apply force, measure limb movement, and provide a virtual surface. Manual or automatic adjustment of load support allows the mammal to step at varying body weight loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: David J. Reinkensmeyer, Wojciech Timoszyk, Nikolas London, Ray D. de Leon, V. Reggie Edgerton
  • Patent number: 6837186
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a computerized treadmill 24 for dogs or other animals 12 wherein the treadmill is enclosed within transparent structural walls 16 having a door 28 hingedly 30 attached thereto to allow the dog to enter and exit for exercise. An overhead adjustable bar 18 is included for attaching a lease 38 thereto. A control console 20 is provided to allow the user 22 to set the parameters for the dog's 12 exercise session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Kazuto Terao
  • Patent number: 6789508
    Abstract: Disclosed is a small animal exercise device, suitable for allowing a small rodent or other small and trainable animal to be domesticated, and confined in a relatively small space while enjoying the benefits of exercise that accrue to mammals of all kinds. The exercise device includes a dish, a stand and a connecting assembly. The dish provides an effectively large and safe exercise surface, while physically fitting into the confined environment or small enclosure for small animals such as rodents and the like. The dish has an outer periphery and a raceway having a solid surface adjacent the periphery. The dish is rotatably connected to a stand, which elevates the dish above the horizontal surface upon which the stand rests, to allow the dish to rotate freely during rodent or other small animal exercise. The connecting assembly, includes among other things, a bearing assembly which fixedly, but rotatably connects the dish to the stand, more particularly, the distal end of the stand defines a bearing shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Martin Philip Hull
  • Publication number: 20040134445
    Abstract: The invention relates to an animal keeping device comprising a floor (1), a tending device and a drive means (4) for the tending device. The tending device may be intended for cleaning or feeding. The purpose of the invention is to automate this work in a cost-effective manner. In accordance with the invention the floor (1) is vertically movable for the absorption of energy and is provided with energy-absorbing means (5) arranged to take up energy generated when an animal (2), due to its movement, subjects the floor to dynamic loading (F). The dynamic loading effects vetical movement of the floor (1). The energy-absorbing means (5) is arranged to provide the drive means (4) with energy. The invention also relates to a method for animal keeping wherein tending is performed using the device claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Tommy Lindvall
  • Patent number: 6746375
    Abstract: Hydrotherapy apparatus is described comprising a tank for containing water and having a moving belt above the tank floor for the user to walk upon, the tank having a door which when raised seals the tank and when lowered forms a ramp to enable the user to enter the tank onto the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventors: Bradley Russell Smith, Catherine Elizabeth Smith
  • Patent number: 6736760
    Abstract: A footplate for use in a treadmill is disclosed having a plurality of mounting holes in a longitudinal top channel thereof for the mounting of fastening elements to fixedly secure the footplate to one longitudinal side rail of the treadmill, keeping the planar bottom wall of the footplate closely supported on the flat top surface of the longitudinal side rail of the treadmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Kuo-Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 6722316
    Abstract: A dog is exercised on a conventional a treadmill by locating the dog on the treadmill by providing a support base mounted on the ground underneath the base of the treadmill and held in place by the base of the treadmill and an upstanding support member extending from the support base at the front end of the treadmill, and confining the dog within an enclosure supported in cantilever manner by the support member and extending rearwardly therefrom so as to be supported by the support member over the walking surface such that the dog is positioned within the enclosure on the walking surface. The enclosure has a front wall and side walls extending from a bottom edge close the walking surface and within the side edges thereof to a height above the dog to restrict its vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: John G. Joycey, David Joycey
  • Publication number: 20040060521
    Abstract: A dog is exercised on a conventional a treadmill by locating the dog on the treadmill by providing a support base mounted on the ground underneath the base of the treadmill and held in place by the base of the treadmill and an upstanding support member extending from the support base at the front end of the treadmill, and confining the dog within an enclosure supported in cantilever manner by the support member and extending rearwardly therefrom so as to be supported by the support member over the walking surface such that the dog is positioned within the enclosure on the walking surface. The enclosure has a front wall and side walls extending from a bottom edge close the walking surface and within the side edges thereof to a height above the dog to restrict its vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: John G. Joycey, David Joycey
  • Patent number: 6668759
    Abstract: A bird activity device, kit and associated method is disclosed for use in allowing birds to perch onto the device. The device comprises: an axle; a suspending device; an internal carousel; and an external carousel. The suspending device is attached to the axle and is for suspending the axle of the device in a substantially horizontal alignment. The internal carousel is pivotally attached to the axle. The external carousel is pivotally attached to the axle, wherein the external carousel envelopes the internal carousel. The kit comprises an axle; a suspending device; an internal carousel; and an external carousel and an attachable toy. The method comprises the steps of affixing, allowing, clamping, clipping, connecting, latching, obtaining, screwing, sliding, and slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Lonnie R. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 6578526
    Abstract: Disclosed is a small animal exercise device, suitable for allowing a small rodent or other small and trainable animal to be domesticated, and confined in a relatively small space while enjoying the benefits of exercise that accrue to mammals of all kinds. The exercise device includes a dish, a stand and a connecting assembly. The dish provides an effectively large and safe exercise surface, while physically fitting into the confined environment or small enclosure for small animals such as rodents and the like. The dish has an outer periphery and a raceway having a solid surface adjacent the periphery. The dish is rotatably connected to a stand, which elevates the dish above the horizontal surface upon which the stand rests, to allow the dish to rotate freely during rodent or other small animal exercise. The connecting assembly, includes among other things, a bearing assembly which fixedly, but rotatably connects the dish to the stand, more particularly, the distal end of the stand defines a bearing shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Philip Hull
  • Patent number: 6412443
    Abstract: A small animal activity device having at least two play elements at opposite ends of a pivoting arm and a hollow support member which provides access to the play elements for physically and mentally stimulating small animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Prevue Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Miller