Laterally tilting treadmill deck

A treadmill includes a running deck. The running deck includes a front portion, a rear portion connected to the front portion by a first side and a second side, a tread belt surrounding the front portion and the rear portion, a motor to drive movement of the tread belt, and an actuator that cause the running deck to tilt laterally towards either the first side or the second side to form a lateral tilt angle in response to a tilt command.

BACKGROUND

Aerobic exercise is a popular form of exercise that improves one's cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and providing other benefits to the human body. Aerobic exercise generally involves low intensity physical exertion over a long duration of time. Typically, the human body can adequately supply enough oxygen to meet the body's demands at the intensity levels involved with aerobic exercise. Popular forms of aerobic exercise include running, jogging, swimming, and cycling among others activities. In contrast, anaerobic exercise typically involves high intensity exercises over a short duration of time. Popular forms of anaerobic exercise include strength training and short distance running.

Many choose to perform aerobic exercises indoors, such as in a gym or their home. Often, a user will use an aerobic exercise machine to have an aerobic workout indoors. One type of aerobic exercise machine is a treadmill, which is a machine that has a running deck attached to a support frame. The running deck can support the weight of a person using the machine. The running deck incorporates a conveyor belt that is driven by a motor. A user can run or walk in place on the conveyor belt by running or walking at the conveyor belt's speed. The speed and other operations of the treadmill are generally controlled through a control module that is also attached to the support frame and within a convenient reach of the user. The control module can include a display, buttons for increasing or decreasing a speed of the conveyor belt, controls for adjusting a tilt angle of the running deck, or other controls. Other popular exercise machines that allow a user to perform aerobic exercises indoors include ellipticals, rowing machines, stepper machines, and stationary bikes to name a few.

One type of treadmill is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0220427 issued to Darren C. Ashby, et al. In this reference, an exercise system includes one or more exercise devices that communicate via a network with a communication system. The communication system stores and/or generates exercise programming for use on the exercise device. The exercise programming is able to control one or more operating parameters of the exercise device to simulate terrain found at a remote, real world location. The exercise programming can include images/videos of the remote, real world location. The control signals and the images/videos can be synchronized so that a user of the exercise device is able to experience, via the changing operating parameters, the topographical characteristics of the remote, real world location as well as see images of the location. Another type of treadmill is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0209393 issued to Bradley A. Crater, et al.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a treadmill includes a running deck. The running deck includes a front portion, a rear portion connected to the front portion by a first side and a second side, a tread belt surrounding the front portion and the rear portion, a motor to drive movement of the tread belt, and a chassis that supports the running deck. The chassis includes a central axle along a length of the running deck and a base that support the chassis where the actuator is connected to both the chassis and the base. At least one actuator causes the running deck to incline longitudinally in response to an incline command and to simultaneously tilt laterally by rotating the chassis about the central axle towards either the first side or the second side to form a lateral tilt angle in response to a tilt command.

The actuator may be positioned to adjust a first elevation of the first side of the running deck.

The actuator may be positioned to adjust a second elevation of the second side of the running deck.

The running deck may elevate the front portion to position the running deck at a positive lengthwise slope in response to a slope command.

The running deck may elevate the rear portion to position the running deck at a negative lengthwise slope in response to a slope command.

The actuator may create the lateral tilt angle while the motor drives the tread belt in response to the tilt command.

The treadmill may include a processor and memory. The memory may include programmed instructions executable by the processor to elevate the first side or the second side to create the lateral tilt angle by sending the tilt command.

The instructions may be executable by the processor to simulate a real world route on the treadmill.

The instructions may be executable by the processor to create the lateral tilt angle while simulating the real world route.

The instructions may be executable by the processor to create the lateral tilt angle while elevating the front portion of the running deck.

The instructions may be executable by the processor to create the lateral tilt angle while elevating the rear portion of the running deck.

In one embodiment, a treadmill includes a running deck. The running deck includes a front portion, a rear portion connected to the front portion by a first side and a second side, a tread belt surrounding the front portion and the rear portion, a motor to drive movement of the tread belt, and an actuator that cause the running deck to tilt laterally towards either the first side or the second side to form a lateral tilt angle in response to a tilt command. The treadmill further includes a chassis that supports the running deck and a base that support the chassis. The actuator is connected to both the chassis and the base causes the running deck to pivot to create the lateral tilt angle.

The actuator may create the lateral tilt angle while the motor drives the tread belt.

The treadmill may include a processor and memory. The memory may include instructions executable by the processor to elevate the first side or the second side to create the lateral tilt angle.

The instructions may be executable by the processor to simulate a real world route on the treadmill.

The instructions may be executable by the processor to create the lateral tilt angle while elevating the front portion of the running deck.

The instructions may be executable by the processor to create the lateral tilt angle or while changing an elevation of the rear portion of the running deck.

The chassis may include a central axle being connected to the chassis.

The actuator may create the lateral tilt angle by rotating the chassis about the central axle.

In one embodiment, a treadmill includes a running deck. The running deck includes a front portion, a rear portion connected to the front portion by a first side and a second side, a tread belt surrounding the front portion and the rear portion, a motor to drive movement of the tread belt, an actuator that cause the running deck to tilt laterally towards either the first side or the second side to form a lateral tilt angle in response to a tilt command. The treadmill also includes a chassis that supports the running deck, a central axle being connected to chassis, and a base that support the chassis. The actuator is connected to both the chassis and the base causes the running deck to pivot to create the lateral tilt angle by rotating the chassis about the central axle. The treadmill also includes a processor and memory. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to elevate the first side or the second side to create the lateral tilt angle, simulate a real world route on the treadmill, and create the lateral tilt angle while elevating the front portion of the running deck or while elevating the rear portion of the running deck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles described herein include a treadmill that has the ability to mimic real world terrain. One type of feature that allows the treadmill to mimic the real world terrain includes an ability to incline the treadmill's running deck, decline the treadmill's running deck, and laterally tilt the running deck on either side.

Particularly, with reference to the figures,FIG. 1Adepicts a treadmill150that includes a running deck152. The running deck includes a front portion158, a rear portion160connected to the front portion158by a first side162and a second side164, a tread belt156surrounding the front portion158and the rear portion160, a motor154arranged to drive movement of the tread belt156, and an actuator166that cause the running deck to tilt laterally towards either the first side or the second side to form a lateral tilt angle in response to a tilt command.

FIGS. 1B-6depict a treadmill100. The treadmill100includes a running deck102that can support the weight of a user and that is attached to a frame104. The running deck102incorporates a tread belt106that extends from a first pulley at a first location108to a second pulley at a second location110. The underside of the tread belt's mid-section is supported by a low friction surface that allows the tread belt's underside to move along the mid-section's length without creating significant drag. The tread belt106is moved by a motor that is connected to the first pulley and is disposed within a housing112in a front portion114of the running deck102. As the tread belt106moves, a user positioned on the tread belt106can walk or run in place by keeping up with the tread belt's speed.

A control console116is also supported by the frame104. In the example ofFIG. 1B, a first frame post118positions a first hand hold120near the control console116, and a second frame post122positions a second hand hold124near the control console116so that a user can support himself or herself during exercise. The control console116allows the user to perform a predetermined task while simultaneously operating an exercise mechanism of the treadmill100such as control parameters of the running deck102. For example, the control console may include controls to adjust the speed of the tread belt106, adjust a volume of a speaker integrated into the treadmill100, adjust an incline angle of the running deck102, adjust a decline of the running deck102, adjust a lateral tilt of the running deck102, select an exercise setting, control a timer, change a view on a display126of the control console116, monitor the user's heart rate or other physiological parameters during the workout, perform other tasks, or combinations thereof. Buttons, levers, touch screens, voice commands, or other mechanisms may be incorporated into the control console116incorporated into the treadmill100and can be used to control the capabilities mentioned above. Information relating to these functions may be presented to the user through the display126. For example, a calorie count, a timer, a distance, a selected program, an incline angle, a decline angle, a lateral tilt angle, another type of information, or combinations thereof may be presented to the user through the display126.

The treadmill100may include preprogrammed workouts that simulate an outdoor route. In other examples, the treadmill has the capability of depicting a real world route. For example, the user may input instructions through the control console116, a mobile device, another type of device, or combinations thereof to select a course from a map. This map may be a map of real world roads, mountain sides, hiking trails, beaches, golf courses, scenic destinations, other types of locations with real world routes, or combinations thereof. In response to the user's selection, the display126of the control console may visually depict the beginning of the selected route. The user may observe details about the location, such as the route's terrain and scenery. In some examples, the display presents a video or a still frame taken of the selected area that represents how the route looked when the video was taken. In other examples, the video or still frame is modified in the display126to account for changes to the route's location, such as real time weather, recent construction, and so forth. Further, the display126may also add simulated features to the display, such as simulated vehicular traffic, simulated flora, simulated fauna, simulated spectators, simulated competitors, or other types of simulated features. While the various types of routes have been described as being presented through the display126of the control console116, the route may be presented through another type of display, such as a home entertainment system, a nearby television, a mobile device, another type of display, or combinations thereof.

In addition to simulating the route through a visual presentation of a display, the treadmill may also modify the orientation of the running deck102to match the inclines and slopes of the route. For example, if the beginning of the simulated route is on an uphill slope, the running deck102may be caused to alter its orientation to raise the front portion114of the running deck102. Likewise, if the beginning of the simulate route is on a downward slope, the rear portion128of the running deck102may be caused to elevate to simulate the decline in the route. Also, if the route has a lateral tilt angle, the running deck102may be tilted laterally to the appropriate side of the running deck102to mimic the lateral tilt angle.

As the user begins to walk or run on the running deck, the display may change the scenery to mimic what the user would see if the user were actually at the real world location of the selected route. For example, a tree or another object located along the route that appears to be in the distance when the user is simulated to be at the beginning of the route may appear progressively closer as the user walks or runs on the running deck102based on the speed at which the user is simulated to be traveling. Additionally, as the inclines and slopes of the simulated route change as the user progresses along the simulated route, the running deck can adjust to account for these terrain changes. For example, if the steepness of an uphill incline increases in the route, the running deck can likewise increase the incline of the running deck to mimic the change in steepness. Further, if the lateral angle of the route changes, the running deck can tilt laterally to one side to mimic the route's lateral angle.

The running deck102may be laterally tilted with any appropriate tilting mechanism. In the illustrated figures, the running deck102is supported on a chassis130that is pivotally connected to a base132along a central axle134of the chassis130. A first linear actuator200is connected to a first side138of the chassis130, and a second linear actuator202is connected to a second side142of the chassis130. As the first linear actuator200extends, the first side138of the running deck102rises causing the lateral tilt angle201to change. Likewise, as the second linear actuator202extends, the second side142of the running deck102rises causing the lateral tilt angle201to change. Retracting either the first or second linear actuators200,202also causes the lateral tilt angle201to change. In some examples, either the first or the second linear actuator200,202extends while other linear actuator is simultaneously retracted to create the desired lateral tilt angle201. In other examples, the linear actuators200,202are controlled to adjust the elevation of just one side of the running deck102at a time.

Any appropriate type of linear actuator may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. For example, a non-exhaustive list of linear actuators that may be used as the first or second linear actuator includes screw actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, solenoids, magnetic actuators, cams, electro-mechanical actuators, telescoping actuators, other types of linear actuators, or combinations thereof. Further, the linear actuators200,202may be powered with a motor, compressed gas, electricity, magnetic fields, other types power sources, or combinations thereof. Further, the linear actuators200,202may also have the ability to laterally tilt the running deck102to any appropriate angle formed between a running surface203of the running deck102and the surface upon which the treadmill100rests. For example, the range of the lateral tilt angle may span from negative 55 degrees to positive 55 degrees measured from either the first side or the second side138,142or any range there between.

In some examples, a chassis end204of the linear actuators200,202is connected to the chassis130, and a base end206of the linear actuators200,202is connected to the base132. Each actuator connection may include a pivot208so that the orientation of the linear actuators200,202may move as the running deck changes orientations. But, any appropriate type of actuator connection to the base and/or the running deck102, may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. Further, while the example illustrated inFIGS. 1B-6depict a single linear actuator on each of the first side138and second side142, any appropriate number of linear actuators on each side may be used to cause the running deck102to tilt. For example, multiple linear actuators may be evenly distributed along the length of either or both of the first side138and second side142to support the weight of the running deck102. In others examples, an additional linear actuator is positioned at a location along the length of either or both of the first and second side138,142to correspond where the user's weight is likely to be loaded to the running deck102. In some examples, the linear actuators may be attached to tracks of the chassis130and of the base132so that the linear actuators can slide along the lengths of the first and/or second sides138,142to appropriate position the linear actuators at those locations along the first and second sides138,142based on where the user's weight is actually being loaded to the running deck102. Further, the treadmill100may incorporate at least one stand upon which the running deck102can rest. In this example, the linear actuators can lift the appropriate side of the running deck102to the appropriate height, and the stands can help hold the weight of the running deck102in place while the lateral tilt angle201is being maintained.

The chassis130may include any appropriate type of structure shape. For example, the chassis130may form a rectangular perimeter on which the running deck102can be secured. In some examples, a central axle134may bifurcate or otherwise divide the rectangular perimeter. In this example, the central axle134may be pivotally connected to the base132so that when either the first or the second linear actuator200,202changes their height to change the lateral tilt angle201of the running deck102that the chassis130, and therefore the running deck102, pivot about the central axle134. In other examples, the chassis130has a front beam and a rear beam that are pivotally attached to the base132. The structure of the chassis130may also include a solid structure, multiple trusses, other types of supports, other types of structures, or combinations thereof.

In the illustrated example, the base132is part of the treadmill's frame104and is integrally connected to the frame posts118,122that support the control console116. But, in other examples, the base132may be independent of the treadmill's frame104.

The running deck102may also have the capability of adjusting the height of both its front portion114and rear portion128. For example, a motor may be positioned in the front portion114of the running deck102that can adjust the height of the front portion114to cause the running deck102to be sloped at an incline. Further, another motor may be positioned at the rear portion128to adjust the height of the rear portion128to cause the running deck102to be sloped at a decline. While this example has been described with reference to independent mechanisms for independently lowering and raising the front portion114and the rear portion128, these height adjustments may be executed with a single mechanism. For example, a height adjustment mechanism positioned in the front portion114of the running deck102may include a height adjustment range sufficient to lower the front portion114so that the running deck is brought into a declining orientation. Continuing with the same example, the same height adjustment mechanism may also raise the front portion114high enough to orient the running deck102in an incline.

Regardless of the type of inclining and/or declining mechanisms incorporated into treadmill100, these height adjustment mechanisms may incline or decline the running deck at any appropriate slope. For example, the range of the running deck's lengthwise slope may range from negative 60 degree to positive 60 degrees or any range there between.

While the above described examples have been described with reference to a treadmill100with a running deck that can change its lengthwise slope and lateral tilt angle in response to instructions from a workout program simulating a route, the lengthwise slope and lateral tilt angle may be adjusted in response to any appropriate source of instructions. For example, the control console116may include input mechanisms for the user to instruct the treadmill to change the lengthwise slope or the lateral tilt angle at the user's request independent of a simulation program.

FIG. 7illustrates a top view of an example of a chassis130and base132in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the chassis130forms a rectangular perimeter with a front beam700, a rear beam702, a first side beam704, and a second side beam706. The central axle134runs through the middle of the chassis130intersecting the front beam700and the rear beam702. Further, a front end708of the central axle134extends beyond the front beam700, and a rear end710of the central axle134extends beyond the rear beam702. The front end708and the rear end710are connected to the base132. The connection may allow for rotational movement between the central axle134and the base132. As a result, the chassis130can rotate or pivot about the central axle134as the linear actuators200,220move the first and second sides138,142of the chassis130up and down. An example of a rotary connection between the base132and the central axle134may include that the front end708and the rear end710are inserted into openings formed in the base132. These openings may include an appropriate width and an appropriate shape to allow the central axle134to rotate. But, any appropriate type of rotary or pivot connection between the central axle134and the base132may be used in accordance with the principles described in the present disclosure.

Additionally, cross bars712,714,716connect the first and second side beams704,706to the central axle134to distribute the forces from the weight of the running deck102and the movement of the linear actuators200,202throughout the chassis. A first pair718of connection plates are attached to the first side beam704, and a second pair720of connection plates are attached to the second side beam706. These pairs718,720of connection plates are shaped to receive a pivot rod (not shown) which can connect with both plates of the pair. The chassis end204of the linear actuators200,202can also attach to the pivot rods. Thus, the pivot rods can link the chassis130and the linear actuators200,202together.

In the example ofFIG. 7, the base132has a front section722that connects to the front end708of the central axle134and a rear section724that connects to the rear end of the central axle134. The base132may connect to the chassis130or to central axle in any appropriate manner. For example, the base132may connect to a mid-section726of the central axle134. In this example, the chassis130may include a longer length than the base132. In yet other examples, the base132may include multiple independent components that collectively support the chassis130in this manner that the chassis130can incline, decline, and laterally tilt to appropriate position the running deck102as desired.

In some examples, a linear actuator is attached to the front section722of the base132. This linear actuator may move the base132to create an incline. Likewise, a linear actuator is attached to the rear section724of the base132. This linear actuator may move the base132to create a decline. In some examples, just a portion of the front section722or the rear section724of the base132is movable to be elevated to incline and/or decline the chassis130and therefore the running deck102.

FIG. 8illustrates a block diagram of an example of an elevation control system800in accordance with the present disclosure. The elevation control system800may include a combination of hardware and program instructions for executing the functions of the elevation control system800. In this example, the elevation control system800includes processing resources802that are in communication with memory resources804. Processing resources802include at least one processor and other resources used to process programmed instructions. The memory resources804represent generally any memory capable of storing data such as programmed instructions or data structures used by the elevation control system800. The programmed instructions shown stored in the memory resources804include a route selector808, a route simulator812, a right actuator controller814, a left actuator controller816, a front actuator controller818, and a rear actuator controller820. Further, the data structures stored in the memory resources804include a route library806and a route attribute table810.

The memory resources804include a computer readable storage medium that contains computer readable program code to cause tasks to be executed by the processing resources802. The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible and/or non-transitory storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be any appropriate storage medium that is not a transmission storage medium. A non-exhaustive list of computer readable storage medium types includes non-volatile memory, volatile memory, random access memory, write only memory, flash memory, electrically erasable program read only memory, magnetic based memory, other types of memory, or combinations thereof.

The route selector808represents programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources802to select a route based on user input. In some examples, the route is selected from a route library806. But, in other examples, the route is constructed based on the user's instructions. In this example, the constructed route may be added to the route library806. The route simulator812represents programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources802to simulate the selected route. When the route is constructed, meta data representing attributes of the route may be generated and stored in the route attribute table810. The route simulator812may draw upon the route attribute table810to determine characteristics of the selected route. These attributes may include the appropriate inclines, declines, and lateral tilts that are associated with each portion of the route. Additionally, the route simulator may send instructions to the actuator controllers to change the orientation of the running deck to mimic the terrain's slope and tilt angle.

The right actuator controller814represents programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources802to control the height of the running deck102supported by the right linear actuator, and thereby modify the lateral tilt angle of the running deck102. The left actuator controller816represents programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources802to control the height of the running deck102supported by the left linear actuator, and thereby modify the lateral tilt angle of the running deck102. The front actuator controller818represents programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources802to control the height of the running deck102supported by a front actuator, and thereby modify the lengthwise slope of the running deck102. The rear actuator controller820represents programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources802to control the height of the running deck102supported by a rear actuator, and thereby modify the lengthwise slope of the running deck102.

Further, the memory resources804may be part of an installation package. In response to installing the installation package, the programmed instructions of the memory resources804may be downloaded from the installation package's source, such as a portable medium, a server, a remote network location, another location, or combinations thereof. Portable memory media that are compatible with the principles described herein include DVDs, CDs, flash memory, portable disks, magnetic disks, optical disks, other forms of portable memory, or combinations thereof. In other examples, the program instructions are already installed. Here, the memory resources804can include integrated memory such as a hard drive, a solid state hard drive, or the like.

In some examples, the processing resources802and the memory resources804are located within the treadmill100. The memory resources804may be part of the treadmill's main memory, caches, registers, non-volatile memory, or elsewhere in the treadmill's memory hierarchy. Alternatively, the memory resources804may be in communication with the processing resources802over a network. Further, the data structures, such as the libraries, may be accessed from a remote location over a network connection while the programmed instructions are located locally. Thus, the elevation control system800may be implemented on the treadmill100, a mobile device, the fitness tracking device, a remote route simulation device, an electronic tablet, a wearable computing device, a head mounted device, a server, a collection of servers, a networked device, a watch, or combinations thereof. This implementation may occur through input mechanisms, such as push buttons, touch screen buttons, voice commands, dials, levers, other types of input mechanisms, or combinations thereof.

The elevation control system800ofFIG. 8may be part of a general purpose computer. But, in alternative examples, the elevation control system800is part of an application specific integrated circuit.

While the examples above have been described with reference to changing the lateral tilt angle with linear actuators, any appropriate type of actuator may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. For example, other types of actuators, other than linear actuators, may be used in accordance with the principles described in the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In general, the invention disclosed herein may provide users with a treadmill that can adjust the lateral tilt angle of the treadmill's running deck. Further, the running deck may be capable of having its front portion raised and lowered as well as its rear portion raised and lowered to control the lengthwise slope of the running deck. With these elevation controls, the orientation of the running deck can be adjusted as desired by the user. In those examples where the treadmill is involved with simulating a route that involves changes in elevation, the running deck can be oriented to mimic the elevation changes in the route.

The lateral tilt angle of the running deck can be controlled with one or more actuators, often linear actuators, positioned on both sides of the running deck. These actuators can be connected to a chassis supporting the weight of the running deck and a stationary base. Thus, in response to determining that the running deck's orientation should change, a signal can be sent to the actuators to appropriately move to achieve the desired orientation.

The running deck may be strong enough to support the running deck and also provide locations to attach the actuators. But, in other situations, the actuators may be attached directly to the running deck at locations that are sufficiently strong to carry the load of both the running deck as well as the weight of the user. The chassis also provide a central pivot about which the running deck can rotate as the actuators change their heights and/or lengths. As a result, the running deck can smoothly changes its lateral tilt. A smooth transition from one lateral tilt angle to anther provides the user with a more natural feel as the user runs along the simulated route. Further, the principles described in the present disclosure can work simultaneously with the operation of the motor that drives the tread belt. Thus, the user does not have to dismount from the treadmill so that the lateral tilt angle can be changed. Also, the principles described herein can also allow the lateral tilt angle to be changed while the front portion of the running deck is being elevated or lowered as well as raising or lowering the rear portion of the running deck.

The connection between the central axle and the base can further include a bearing surface that further promotes the smooth transition from one lateral tilt angle to another lateral tilt angle. This bearing surface may include a smooth metal or ceramic surface. In other examples, the connection between the central axle and the base is lubricated to further promote the smooth transition. Another benefit to the principles described in the present disclosure include that the mechanisms for changing the lateral tilt angle is robust without delicate parts. As a result, little or no maintenance for the components dedicated to changing the lateral tilt of the running deck may be necessary.

The treadmill may include a running deck that can support the weight of a user and that is attached to a frame. The running deck incorporates a tread belt that extends from a first pulley at a first location to a second pulley at a second location. The underside of the tread belt's mid-section is supported by a low friction surface that allows the tread belt's underside to move along the mid-section's length without creating significant drag. The tread belt is moved by a motor that is connected to the first pulley and is disposed within a housing in a front portion of the running deck. As the tread belt moves, a user positioned on the tread belt can walk or run in place by keeping up with the tread belt's speed.

A control console may be supported by the frame. For example, a first frame post may position a first hand hold near the control console, and a second frame post positions a second hand hold near the control console so that a user can support himself or herself during exercise. The control console allows the user to perform a predetermined task while simultaneously operating an exercise mechanism of the treadmill such as control parameters of the running deck. For example, the control console may include controls to adjust the speed of the tread belt, adjust a volume of a speaker integrated into the treadmill, adjust an incline angle of the running deck, adjust a decline of the running deck, adjust a lateral tilt of the running deck, select an exercise setting, control a timer, change a view on a display of the control console, monitor the user's heart rate or other physiological parameters during the workout, perform other tasks, or combinations thereof. Buttons, levers, touch screens, voice commands, or other mechanisms may be incorporated into the control console incorporated into the treadmill and can be used to control the capabilities mentioned above. Information relating to these functions may be presented to the user through the display. For example, a calorie count, a timer, a distance, a selected program, an incline angle, a decline angle, a lateral tilt angle, another type of information, or combinations thereof may be presented to the user through the display.

The treadmill may include preprogrammed workouts that simulate an outdoor route. In other examples, the treadmill has the capability of depicting a real world route. For example, the user may input instructions through the control console, a mobile device, another type of device, or combinations thereof to select a course from a map. This map may be a map of real world roads, mountain sides, hiking trails, beaches, golf courses, scenic destinations, other types of locations with real world routes, or combinations thereof. In response to the user's selection, the display of the control console may visually depict the beginning of the selected route. The user may observe details about the location, such as the route's terrain and scenery. In some examples, the display presents a video or a still frame taken of the selected area that represents how the route looked when the video was taken. In other examples, the video or still frame is modified in the display to account for changes to the route's location, such as real time weather, recent construction, and so forth. Further, the display may also add simulated features to the display, such as simulated vehicular traffic, simulated flora, simulated fauna, simulated spectators, simulated competitors, or other types of simulated features. While the various types of routes have been described as being presented through the display of the control console, the route may be presented through another type of display, such as a home entertainment system, a nearby television, a mobile device, another type of display, or combinations thereof.

In addition to simulating the route through a visual presentation of a display, the treadmill may also modify the orientation of the running deck to match the inclines and slopes of the route. For example, if the beginning of the simulated route is on an uphill slope, the running deck may be caused to alter its orientation to raise the front portion of the running deck. Likewise, if the beginning of the simulate route is on a downward slope, the rear portion of the running deck may be caused to elevate to simulate the decline in the route. Also, if the route has a lateral tilt angle, the running deck may be tilted laterally to the appropriate side of the running deck to mimic the lateral tilt angle.

As the user begins to walk or run on the running deck, the display may change the scenery to mimic what the user would see if the user were actually at the real world location of the selected route. For example, a tree or another object located along the route that appears to be in the distance when the user is simulated to be at the beginning of the route may appear progressively closer as the user walks or runs on the running deck based on the speed at which the user is simulated to be traveling. Additionally, as the inclines and slopes of the simulated route change as the user progresses along the simulated route, the running deck can adjust to account for these terrain changes. For example, if the steepness of an uphill incline increases in the route, the running deck can likewise increase the incline of the running deck to mimic the change in steepness. Further, if the lateral angle of the route changes, the running deck can tilt laterally to one side to mimic the route's lateral angle.

The running deck may be laterally tilted with any appropriate tilting mechanism. In the illustrated figures, the running deck is supported on a chassis that is pivotally connected to a base along a central axle of the chassis. A first linear actuator is connected to a first side of the chassis, and a second linear actuator is connected to a second side of the chassis. As the first linear actuator extends, the first side of the running deck rises causing the lateral tilt angle to change. Likewise, as the second linear actuator extends, the second side of the running deck rises causing the lateral tilt angle to change. Retracting either the first or second linear actuators also causes the lateral tilt angle to change. In some examples, either the first or the second linear actuator extends while other linear actuator simultaneously retracts to create the desired lateral tilt angle. In other examples, the linear actuators are controlled to adjust the elevation of just one side of the running deck at a time.

Any appropriate type of linear actuator may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. For example, a non-exhaustive list of linear actuators that may be used as the first or second linear actuator includes screw actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, solenoids, magnetic actuators, cams, electro-mechanical actuators, telescoping actuators, other types of linear actuators, or combinations thereof. Further, the linear actuators may be powered with a motor, compressed gas, electricity, magnetic fields, other types power sources, or combinations thereof. Further, the linear actuators may also have the ability to laterally tilt the running deck to any appropriate angle formed between a running surface of the running deck and the surface upon which the treadmill rests. For example, the range of the lateral tilt angle may span from negative 55 degrees to positive 55 degrees measured from either the first side or the second side or any range there between.

In some examples, a chassis end of the linear actuators is connected to the chassis, and a base end of the linear actuators is connected to the base. Each actuator connection may include a pivot so that the orientation of the linear actuators may move as the running deck changes orientations. But, any appropriate type of actuator connection to the base and/or the running deck, may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. Any appropriate number of linear actuators on each side may be used to cause the running deck to tilt. For example, multiple linear actuators may be evenly distributed along the length of either or both of the first side and second side to support the weight of the running deck. In others examples, an additional linear actuator is positioned at a location along the length of either or both of the first and second side to correspond where the user's weight is likely to be loaded to the running deck. In some examples, the linear actuators may be attached to tracks of the chassis and of the base so that the linear actuators can slide along the lengths of the first and/or second sides to appropriate position the linear actuators at those locations along the first and second sides based on where the user's weight is actually being loaded to the running deck. Further, the treadmill may incorporate at least one stand upon which the running deck can rest. In this example, the linear actuators can lift the appropriate side of the running deck to the appropriate height, and the stands can help hold the weight of the running deck in place while the lateral tilt angle is being maintained.

The chassis may include any appropriate type of structure shape. For example, the chassis may form a rectangular perimeter on which the running deck can be secured. In some examples, a central axle may bifurcate or otherwise divide the rectangular perimeter. In this example, the central axle may be pivotally connected to the base so that when either the first or the second linear actuator changes their height to change the lateral tilt angle of the running deck that the chassis, and therefore the running deck, pivot about the central axle. In other examples, the chassis has a front beam and a rear beam that are pivotally attached to the base. The structure of the chassis may also include a solid structure, multiple trusses, other types of supports, other types of structures, or combinations thereof.

In some cases, the chassis is inclined by raising or lowering the front portion of the central axle. In these situations, the central axle is still free to rotate. Thus, the chassis can be moved to cause the deck to change the front elevation of the deck and tilt angle simultaneously. Likewise, the elevation of the deck's rear portion can also be changed by changing the elevation of the rear portion of the central axle. With the rear portion of the central axle lowered, the central axle is still free to rotate. Thus, the deck's rear portion can have a change in its incline angle and tilt angle at the same time.

In some examples, the base is part of the treadmill's frame and is integrally connected to the frame posts that support the control console. But, in other examples, the base may be independent of the treadmill's frame.

The running deck may also have the capability of adjusting the height of both its front portion and rear portion. For example, a motor may be positioned in the front portion of the running deck that can adjust the height of the front portion to cause the running deck to be sloped at an incline. Further, another motor may be positioned at the rear portion to adjust the height of the rear portion to cause the running deck to be sloped at a decline. While this example has been described with reference to independent mechanisms for independently lowering and raising the front portion and the rear portion, these height adjustments may be executed with a single mechanism. For example, a height adjustment mechanism positioned in the front portion of the running deck may include a height adjustment range sufficient to lower the front portion so that the running deck is brought into a declining orientation. Continuing with the same example, the same height adjustment mechanism may also raise the front portion high enough to orient the running deck in an incline.

Regardless of the type of inclining and/or declining mechanisms incorporated into treadmill, these height adjustment mechanisms may incline or decline the running deck at any appropriate slope. For example, the range of the running deck's lengthwise slope may range from negative 60 degree to positive 60 degrees or any range there between.

While the above described examples have been described with reference to a treadmill with a running deck that can change its lengthwise slope and lateral tilt angle in response to instructions from a workout program simulating a route, the lengthwise slope and lateral tilt angle may be adjusted in response to any appropriate source of instructions. For example, the control console may include input mechanisms for the user to instruct the treadmill to change the lengthwise slope or the lateral tilt angle at the user's request independent of a simulation program.