Abstract:
A treadmill ( 10 ) includes a frame ( 12 ) on which are rotatably mounted first and second transverse roller assemblies ( 14, 16 ). An endless belt ( 18 ) is trained around the roller assemblies. A deck ( 20 ) is supported between the upper run of the belt and the frame by a plurality of rectilinear-shaped elastic cushions  100  that are reversibly deformable under the load imposed on a deck by the footplant of the treadmill user. The cushions  100  are not of uniform cross-section; rather, one or both of the ends of the cushions are relieved so as to present a nominally reduced cross-sectional area against the frame and/or deck. As the cushion is compressed from the load imposed on the deck, the cross-sectional area of the cushion providing resistance to further deformation/deflection of the cushion increases thereby increasing the resistance or stiffness of the cushion to further deformation and thus further travel of the treadmill deck ( 20 ) towards the frame ( 12 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/203,651, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to cushions for exercise devices having a deck supported by a frame of the exercise device, and more particularly to exercise treadmills having a deck supported by the frame of the treadmill.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Conventional treadmills typically include a first and second roller assemblies rotatably mounted across opposite ends of a frame. An endless belt is trained about the roller assemblies. The upper run of the belt is supported by and slides over a deck disposed between the frame and the upper run of the belt.  
           [0004]    Exercise treadmills now commonly seek to cushion, at least somewhat, the shock loads imposed on the exerciser&#39;s feet during walking or running on the treadmill. In some of these treadmills, the deck is mounted on the frame using a shock absorbing mechanism. Such shock absorbing mechanisms may involve placing blocks or pads of elastic material or springs between the deck and the frame to seek to absorb the shock and reduce impact loads on the runner. However, many of these designs do not perform equivalently for exercisers of differing weights. Elastic blocks, pads or springs sized to deform sufficiently under the impact of an exerciser of relatively low weight may not sufficiently absorb the impact resulting from the foot plant of a larger, heavier person. Similarly, if the elastic blocks, pads or springs are of sufficient size and stiffness to adequately cushion and protect a heavier exerciser, they may not compress sufficiently under the weight of a lighter-weight exerciser, and therefore not provide sufficient cushioning for such smaller exercisers.  
           [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for treadmill cushions that provide adequate cushioning for exercisers of a wide range of weights.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides an exercise treadmill, including the frame, first and second roller assemblies rotatably mounted on the frame, and an endless belt trained about the first and second roller assemblies. The exercise treadmill include a deck disposed between the frame and the upper run of the belt. Elastomeric cushions or spring members are disposed between the deck and the frame for supporting the deck spaced from the frame. Elastomeric cushions reversibly deform to resist deflection of the deck toward the frame when an exerciser strides on the belt, with the resistance provided by the elastomeric cushions being related to the deflection of the deck.  
           [0007]    In a further aspect of the present invention the elastomeric spring members are configured so that the cross-sectional area of the cushions increases from one or both ends in the direction towards the opposite end. Such a change in cross-sectional area of the end portions of the cushions occurs along a predetermined length of the cushion.  
           [0008]    In a further aspect of the present invention, the intersection of one or both of the end portions of the cushion with the exterior surface of the cushion is relieved; for example, by radiusing, chamfering, or beveling.  
           [0009]    In a further aspect of the present invention, an aperture extends into the cushion from the first and/or second end portions of the cushion, and a retainer projects from one or both of the frame and deck to closely engage within the aperture(s) for retention of the cushion.  
           [0010]    In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the shape of the aperture(s) of the cushion is selected from a group consisting of round, oblong, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal. Also in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the retainer may be circular, oval, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 provides a pictorial view of a standard treadmill known in the art provided for illustrative purposes.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional detailed view of a treadmill cushion installed in one embodiment of a standard treadmill.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the treadmill cushion shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a top view of the treadmill cushion shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a chart depicting the relationship between load and deflection for two embodiments of the treadmill cushion constructed in accordance with the present invention and a treadmill cushion in which neither intersection between the sidewall and the ends is relieved.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a top view of a second embodiment of a treadmill cushion constructed according to the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates one non-limiting example of a treadmill  10  known in the art. While an embodiment of a treadmill is supplied in this application for illustrative purposes, it should be apparent that alternate treadmill configurations utilizing treadmill cushions are also within the scope of the claimed invention. The treadmill  10  in FIG. 1 includes a frame  12  having longitudinal side members  24  and  26 . At the opposite ends of the frame  12 , are transversely mounted a forward roller assembly  14  and a rear roller assembly  16 . An endless belt  18  is trained about the forward roller assembly  14  and the rear roller assembly  16 . A deck  20  is disposed between the upper run of the belt  18  and the frame  12 . The deck  20  is supported by a plurality of treadmill cushions  100  which may be positioned between the deck  20  and the frame  12 . When an individual exercises on the treadmill  10 , the plurality of cushions  100  located between the frame  12  and the deck  20  compress to absorb and/or dampen the impact load imposed on the exerciser&#39;s feet at foot plant.  
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the treadmill cushions  100  may each be held in place by at least one pin or stud  62  or other type of retainer. FIG. 2 illustrates one non-limiting example of a possible configuration of a cushion retainer utilizing a stud  62  to retain the cushions  100 . While an embodiment of a cushion retainer is supplied in this application for illustrative purposes, it should be apparent that alternate cushion retainer configurations are also within the scope of the claimed invention. As one non-limiting example of another cushion retainer, multiple studs could retain a single cushion. As another non-limiting example of a cushion retainer, recesses could be formed in the deck  20  and/or in the frame  12 , such that the cushion  100  may be received in and held in place by either recess.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 2, each stud  62  includes an upper threaded portion  64  and a lower non-threaded portion  66 . An annular flange  68  is formed on the stud  62  between the upper threaded portion  64  and the lower non-threaded portion  66 . The upper threaded portion  64  of each stud  62  is threaded into the underside of the deck  20  until the flange  68  bears against the underside of the deck  20 . To prevent the flange  68  from interfering with the proper functioning of the cushions  100 , it is preferable to have the flange  68  received into a shallow recess in the underside of the deck  20  and/or have the flange  68  appropriately shaped and sized large enough such that the entire top surface of the cushion  100  bears against the flange  68 . The non-threaded portion  66  of the stud  62  thus projects substantially orthogonally downward from the underside of the deck  20 .  
         [0022]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a hole  200  approximately centered on the central axis  52  is formed through each cushion  100  in one embodiment of the invention. A plurality of spaced apertures  76  may be formed through the top side  60  of each longitudinal side member  24  and  26  of the frame  12  at locations corresponding to the positioning of the cushions  100 . A grommet or bushing  78  may be installed within each aperture  76  to serve as a guide for the stud  62 . As shown in FIG. 2, the internal diameter of the sleeve portion  82  of each bushing  78  is preferably slightly larger than the external diameter of the lower non-threaded portion  66  of each stud  62 . The bushings  78  are preferably formed from a substantially rigid, low-friction material, such as a polyamide plastic.  
         [0023]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the deck  20  of the treadmill  10  is preferably not rigidly connected to the frame  12 , and is at least partially supported above the frame  12  by the cushions  100 . The studs  62  may act as guide members to prevent undesirable movement of the deck  20  in the forward and aft and side-to-side directions, but do not provide a rigid interconnection between the deck  20  and frame  12 . When an exerciser lands on the belt  18  of the treadmill  10 , the deck  20  is deflected downwardly toward the frame  12 , this deflection being resisted by compression of the cushions  100 . The cushions  100  act to absorb the shock load caused by the impact of the exerciser&#39;s feet on the deck. After each impact of an exerciser on the treadmill deck  20 , the cushions  100  preferable are capable of returning to their initial configuration before the next footfall.  
         [0024]    The structure of one embodiment of the cushion  100  will now be described while referring specifically to FIGS. 3, 4 and  6 . FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal cross-section of a cushion  100  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The cushion  100  includes a top end  110 , bottom end  120 , and an external sidewall  130 . The cushion  100  is illustrated as being generally cylindrical in form. However, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that numerous shapes extended over a predetermined distance can yield an acceptable form. Therefore, many rectilinear or other shapes can substitute for the cylindrical shape shown and fall within the scope of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the outside sidewall  130  of the cushion  100  has a length measured along the longitudinal axis of between about 1.0 and 2.5, and preferably about  1 . 5  inches.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 illustrates a transverse cross-section of one preferred embodiment of the cushion  100 . In the cross-section shown in FIG. 4, the cushion  100  is illustrated as generally circular in shape; however, as mentioned above, many other shapes such as oval, polygonal, or free form, can serve for the purpose of the present invention and are also within the scope of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the width or diameter of the cushion ranges from about between 1.30 inches to 2.00 inches, and is preferably about 1.40 inches.  
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a hole  200  extends longitudinally through, or at least partially through, the longitudinal center of cushion  100 . In the preferred embodiment, the hole  200  preferably has a cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the stud  62  to receive the stud therein. While a single hole  200  is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a plurality of holes may be substituted for the single hole  200 , and is within the scope of the present invention. Cushion  100  may be designed to receive more than one stud  62  or other retention mechanism or member(s) designed to maintain the position of the cushion  100  relative to the frame  12  and/or deck  20 . Furthermore, the hole  200  need not necessarily extend through the entire length of the cushion  100 . Cushion  100 , including a hole or plurality of holes that extends only through a portion of the length/height of cushion  100  along its longitudinal axis, is also within the scope of the invention.  
         [0027]    As depicted in FIG. 4, in lateral cross-section the hole  200  can be generally triangular in shape. However, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that alternate shapes capable of receiving the stud  62  are also within the scope of the invention. For example, the hole  200  in cross-section can also be circular (see FIG. 6), oval, oblong, elliptical, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.  
         [0028]    While the stud  62  preferably may have a generally circular cross-sectional shape, the cross-sectional shape of the stud  62  need not be circular. As a non-limiting example, the cross-sectional shape of the stud  62  could be oval, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any polygonal shape, or other shape.  
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment, the hole  200  preferably has a different cross-sectional shape than the cross-sectional shape of the stud  62 . Furthermore, it is preferable that when the stud  62  is placed inside the hole  200 , at lease one gap exists between the inside wall  150  and the stud  62  to reduce or eliminate the generation of adhesion or suction forces between the stud  62  and the inside wall that can cause the cushion  100  to move longitudinally relative to the stud  62  and perhaps become disengaged from the stud.  
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the juncture between one or both of the ends of the cushion and its outside wall  130  and/or inside wall  150  may be radiused, beveled, chamfered, or otherwise relieved. In FIG. 3 the intersection between the outside wall  130  and the top end  110  of the cushion  100  is radiused. However, the intersection between the outside wall and the top end  110  and/or bottom end  120  of the cushion  100  could also be radiused, beveled, or chamfered. Additionally, the intersection between the inside wall  150  of the cushion  100  and the top end  110  and/or bottom end  120  could also be radiused, beveled, chamfered, or otherwise relieved.  
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the extent of the radiusing, beveling, chamfering, or other relieving employed may be within a range of between approximately 10% and 30% and preferably may be approximately 16.6% of the length of the cushion  100  along its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the size of the radiusing, beveling, chamfering, or other relieving employed is preferably within a range of between approximately 10% and 30% and preferably approximately 18% of the diameter or width of the cushion  100  along its transverse axis.  
         [0032]    Radiusing, beveling, and chamfering are non-limiting methods of reducing the cross-sectional area of the cushion  100  at its top  110  or bottom  120  portions. Consequently the cushion  100  has a slightly greater cross-sectional area spaced from its top  110  and/or bottom  120  end than at the ends themselves.  
         [0033]    Downward deflection of the deck  20  toward the frame  12  results in axial compression of the cushions  100 . When the cushion  100  is being initially compressed, the resistance to compression of the cushion  100  varies because of the reduction of cross-sectional area at the top  110  and/or bottom  120  ends of the cushion  100 . As the compression of the cushion  100  increases, the surface area of contact available to resist further compression or deflection increases between the cushion  100  and the deck  20  and/or frame  12  at the end(s) of the cushion  100  that has/have been radiused, beveled, chamfered, or otherwise relieved.  
         [0034]    The chart in FIG. 5 shows the deflection of three cushions when load is applied. The three cushions include: 1) a cushion not radiused or otherwise relieved on either intersection between the sidewall and the ends of the cushion; 2) a cushion radiused on one of the intersections between the outside sidewall  130  and one end of the cushion in accordance with the present invention; and 3) a cushion radiused on both intersections between the outside sidewall  130  and both ends of the cushion in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0035]    The stiffness of each cushion can be calculated for each level of load by dividing the load by the deflection. Referring to FIG. 5, the stiffness of the cushion without any radiusing remains approximately constant as load is applied. (In FIG. 5, the abscissa [deflection magnitude] is shifted 0.1 inch to the right). However, the stiffness of the cushion with radiusing on one of the intersections between the outside sidewall and one end of the cushion varies as the load is applied to the cushion. In some embodiments of the cushion  100 , radiusing one of the intersections between the sidewall and one end of the cushion has been found to produce two different stiffnesses per unit deflection of the cushion. For example, when one such cushion is compressed about one third inch, the cushion exhibits a stiffness that is about 55 percent of the stiffness that occurs as the cushion is further compressed.  
         [0036]    Still referring to FIG. 5, radiusing both intersections between the outside sidewall  130  and both ends of the cushion  100  may further affect the relationship between load and deflection. According to FIG. 5, radiusing both intersections has been found to produce more than two different stiffnesses per unit deflection of the cushion  100 . One change in stiffness may occur at approximately 0.20 inch of deflection. A second change in stiffness may occur at approximately 0.35 inch of deflection. A third change in stiffness may occur at approximately 0.55 inch of deflection.  
         [0037]    The chart in FIG. 5 also shows that radiusing one or more ends on the cushion results in lesser deflection of the cushion per unit load applied to the cushion for loads greater than approximately 75 pounds.  
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment the cushion  100  is constructed of a suitably elastic material such as urethane. Other materials could include natural rubber, nitrile and polychloroprene rubbers. In the preferred embodiment the material has a hardness ranging from approximately 30 durometer shore A to 60 durometer shore A and is preferably within the range of approximately 37 durometer shore A to 43 durometer shore A.  
         [0039]    A further preferred embodiment to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein the cushion  100 ′ is illustrated as being similar in construction to cushion  100 , described above, but with the center hole extending longitudinally through the cushion being round in cross-section rather than triangular as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In all other respects, the cushion  100 ′ is constructed the same as cushion  100 .  
         [0040]    While preferred embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.