Patent ID: 7507187
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A treadmill, comprising: a frame: a deck assembly supported by the frame, the deck assembly including a longitudinally extending deck, at least first and second rollers, and a belt positioned about the deck and the first and second rollers; at least one deck deflection sensor coupled to the deck, the deck deflection sensor being a contactless displacement sensor including an electrical intermediate device and a non-cylindrical arrangement of transmit and receive windings; a control system operably coupled to the at least one deck deflection sensor, wherein at least one deck deflection sensor is a plurality of spaced apart deck deflection sensors, wherein each deck deflection sensor produces a signal representative of the deflection of a separate region of the deck, and wherein the control stem is configured to process the signals from the deck sensors and to differentiate between the deck sensors, wherein the control system is configured to determine specific operating characteristics of a user of the treadmill based upon the signals from the deck deflection sensors from the separate regions of the deck; and a drive assembly coupled to one of the rollers and the control system, wherein the control system sends a speed signal to the drive assembly to adjust the speed of the belt based upon at least one operating characteristic of the user.