TREADMILL EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treadmill exercise machine (M) of the type employable for physical training or rehabilitation exercises, having a base structure (1) able to support a belt (2) whereon act related motor means (3) able to drive the belt itself along a closed path, in such a way as to define, in correspondence with at least an upper portion of the path, an area (Z) destined for the execution of an exercise, i.e. in such a way as to provide a user with an area (Z) in which the belt (2) is movable according to a speed (V) parallel to the development of two cross elemetns (4) of the structure (1), and a direction (A) determined according to the exercise to be executed; on the base structure (1) is positioned, inferiorly to the area (Z) destined to the execution of an exercise, a platform (5) defining a bearing for the user when the latter is on the area (Z) and movable or disengageable means (6) are present, destined to allow the replacement of the belt (2) with another belt having different reaction and/or yielding characteristics.

Description: Description Treadmill Exercise Device Technical Field The present invention relates to a treadmill exercise device usable, in particular, for physical training and/or rehabilitation exercises. Background Art In the field of physical training and rehabilitation exercise equipment, machines destined to allow the execution of an aerobic exercise which "simulate" determined sports or physical activities have taken on an ever-growing importance, both from the standpoint of the actual muscle training, and from the standpoint of cardiovascular condition improvement and physical well-being in general. For instance, there are machines that allow to execute, in place, exercises substantially comparable to bicycling, climbing stairs, or walking or running. Disclosure of Invention The present invention, in fact, relates to a moving belt device able to allow to walk or run in place, commonly known in the sector by the English word of "treadmill". Machines of the aforesaid kind (bet they referred to the gymnasium environment, or to the residential environment - home fitness) try, with expedients of various kinds, to reproduce as faithfully as possible the actual reaction of the means with which the human body interacts, in order to make the exercise performed on the machine as close as possible to the specific exercise of the activity in question. And, in the simulation of the physical activity, especially in machines of modern design, the attempt has been made to highlight the positive aspects of the exercise itself and to limit potential drawbacks, in order to aim the training or rehabilitation session to the achievement of the benefits deriving from the specific physical activity, while minimising the influence of any negative characteristics which may be inherent in the actual execution of that physical activity. In the case of the example relating to the subject invention, the athletic gesture of walking and of running is simulated thanks to the presence of a belt driven on pulleys and moving with inverse direction relative to the one that would be followed by the user of the machine in the actual execution of the corresponding physical activity. The belt slides while bearing onto an underlying table which reproduces the element reacting to the user's motion. In order more closely to simulate the various exercise conditions, the whole machine can be subjected to inclination movements of the belt which reproduce different degrees of "uphill": all of this can be controlled by an onboard computer able to reproduce training cycles by acting on the different variables mentioned above, such as belt velocity, treadmill inclination, etc. Amongst the non-modifiable walking and, to a greater extent, running characteristics of known treadmills, of particular importance is the nature of the belt which is normally made of elastomeric material and therefore reacts with constant force and uniform distribution throughout its surface area. The reaction provided by the belt is proportional to a constant, invariable value. This means that the response of the machine cannot be varied according to the type of exercise to be executed, substantially obtaining equal responses to equal forces exerted. The above constitutes a negative characteristics because with elements having "fixed" reaction, meaning by this term the impossibility of variation of the elastic constant relating to the response of the machine, it is not possible to set exercises according to important parameters such as those listed below. These parameters, which can be considered extremely variable, can be constituted by the user's physical structure, by the type of pace held, by the ways in which the foot bears down, by the degree of athletic conditioning, by the completion of the warm-up period, by any problems linked to pathologies, by the need for personalised stimulation of the sole of the foot and consequent improvement of blood circulation, etc. The aim of the present invention is, on one hand, to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and, on the other hand, to propose new solutions, not traceable to the embodiments known to date. The present invention therefore proposes a treadmill exercise device in which the sliding belt whereon the athlete bears can be replaced with another belt presenting reaction characteristics that are different from the previous one through simple operations performed by the user him/herself. Description of the Drawings The technical features of the invention, according to the aforesaid aims, can clearly be noted from the content of the claims set out below and its advantages shall become more readily apparent in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent an embodiment provided purely by way of non limiting example, in which: Figure 1 shows a treadmill exercise device, in accordance with the present invention, in a schematic lateral view and with details not in scale; Figures 2 and 3 show a detail of the device of Figure 1, i.e. movable means for the replacement of a belt in two different operative positions, with both figures showing a schematic lateral view in enlarged scale; Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the exercise device of the previous figures in a schematic top plan view; Figure 5 shows a detail in enlarged scale referred to the device of Figure 4 in a top plan view; - Figure 6 shows another detail in enlarged scale referred to the device of Figure 4 in a schematic lateral view; Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the subject exercise device in a schematic top plan view; Figure 8 shows a detail in enlarged scale referred to Figure 7 in a schematic and partially sectioned lateral view; Figure 9 shows another detail referred to Figure 7 in partially sectioned schematic lateral view; Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the subject machine in a schematic top plan view; - Figure 11 shows a detail in enlarged scale referred to Figure 10 in a partially sectioned lateral view. Description of the Illustrative Embodiments As stated in the previous part of the present description, and with particular reference to Figure 1, an exercise device of the treadmill type according to the present invention is of the kind usable for physical training or rehabilitative exercises. The treadmill is globally indicated by the reference M, while the reference 13 indicates (shown in some figures with dashed lines) some of those parts, such as the casing 13a of the device M, the console 13b, the handrail 13c, which do not constitute the subject of the invention. The treadmill M has a base structure 1 able to support a belt 2 enclosed in a loop on end pulleys 7a and 7b whereof one is motorised with related means 16 (such pulleys are shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10) able to drive the belt 2 along a closed path. Superiorly, on the path of the belt 2, is defined an area Z destined to the execution of an exercise. In this area Z, the belt 2 is movable according to a velocity N, parallel to the development of two members 4 of the structure 1, and a direction determined according to the exercise to be executed (see arrow V of Figures 1, 4, 7 and 10). Positioned on the base structure 1, inferiorly to the area Z destined to the execution of an exercise, is present a platform 14 which defines a bearing for the user when the latter is on the belt 2. In other words, the platform 14 supports the user during the exercise. In particular, with reference to the example of Figure 1, the exercise device M can be provided, in a wholly usual manner and in correspondence with the lower surface of the platform 14, with means 15 for locking-supporting the platform 14 itself to the base structure 1 of the device M. With reference to the subject embodiment, the exercise device M is provided with movable or disengageable means 6, 11 which allow for an easy and rapid replacement of the belt 2 with another belt of a different nature, i.e. with different characteristic of reaction to the user. In particular, the different belts 2 can reproduce surfaces of a different nature in such a way as to cause different kinds of stresses and reactions for the user, for instance personalised plantar stimulation and blood circulation improvement. The different belts 2 can therefore reproduce different kinds of surfaces found in nature: gravel (Figure 9), dirt, lawn (Figure 6), sand (Figure 11), but also surfaces such as "opus incertum", "opus selciatum" and the like. In a first embodiment shown in Figure 4, the disengageable means 6 can be constituted simply by a closure 9 of the zipper type developing transversely to the belt 2 in such a way that its opening can allow the disengagement of the belt 2 from the related pulleys 7a, 7b and its replacement with another belt 2 of a different nature. In a second embodiment shown in Figure 7, the disengageable means 6 can be constituted by a plurality of hook elements 10 distributed transversely to the belt 2 and alternated between the two junction ends 2a, 2b of the belt itself 2 to allow balancing the tensioning of the belt 2. Each hook 10 can be coupled in a related seat 10a obtained on the opposite end 2a or 2b of the belt 2 (see in particular Figure 8) in such a way as to define a continuous surface on the belt 2 in order not to impact on the functionality of the belt itself. In a third embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 3, the movable means 11 can be obtained from the means supporting one of the two pulleys 7a and 7b (for instance the non motorised one), preferably the shafts 7c, and such as to allow a relative approach motion of the pulleys 7a and 7b and relative loosening of the belt 2 (which in this case remains of the closed type) with the consequent easy sliding of the same belt 2 laterally to the load- bearing structure 1 (see arrows F and FI of Figures 2 and 3). In this case it will also be necessary to provide for the disassembly of parts of the casing 13a (such as the head or a lateral element of the treadmill). The various types of insertable belts 2 can, as stated previously, have different surface roughness, representing the athlete's treading plane: to achieve this, it is possible to provide for the random distribution of areas associated to the belt of synthetic grass E (Figure 6), gravel G (Figure 9), undulating surfaces defining sand beach Rama (Figure 1), carpeting, mixed terrain, etc. This non-uniform distribution defines belts 2 presenting discontinuities along their bearing area and their thickness. The combination of simple solutions such as means for replacing the belt 2 with belts 2 having different values of surface roughness, thus allows to correlate the structure of the belt 2 to the athlete's current requirements. This is particular advantageous, for example, if the device is to be used for "home fitness", where, clearly, only a single device is present and the use of multiple machines with different characteristics, as could occur in a gymnasium, is inconceivable. All the more so if this problem is seen within a structure or protocol for rehabilitation: the user him/herself (or the trainer) will, in an extremely short time, adapt the exercise "terrain" to the requirements of the moment.

Claims: Claims 1. A treadmill exercise device, of the type usable for physical training or rehabilitative exercise, presenting a base structure (1) able to support a belt (2) whereon act related motor means (3) able to drive the belt itself along a closed path, in such a way as to define, in correspondence with at least an upper portion of said path, an area (Z) destined to the execution of an exercise, i.e. in such a way as to provide a user with an area (Z) in which said belt (2) is movable according to a velocity (V), parallel to the development of two cross members (4) of said structure (1), and a direction (A) determined according to the exercise to be executed; on said base structure (1) being provided, inferiorly to said area (Z) destined to the execution of an exercise, a platform (5) defining a bearing for said user when the latter is on said area (Z); treadmill exercise device characterised in that it is provided with movable or disengageable means (6, 11) destined to allow the replacement of said belt (2) with another belt having different characteristics of reaction and/or yielding. 2. An exercise device with sliding belt closed in a loop on related support and rotation pulleys (7a, 7b) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said means (6, 11) are constituted by disengageable elements (8) applied to said belt (2) in such a way as to allow its opening and respectively closure in a loop around said support and rotation pulleys (7a, 7b). 3. A treadmill exercise device as. claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said disengageable means (6) are constituted by a zipper closure (9) developing along the lesser dimension of said belt (2). 4. A treadmill exercise device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said disengageable means (6) are constituted by a plurality of hook elements (10) distributed along the lesser dimension of said belt (2). 5. An exercise device with sliding belt enclosed in a loop on related support and rotation pulleys (7a, 7b) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said movable means (11) are constituted by means for supporting at least one of said pulleys (7a) and able to actuate the same pulley to approach and, respectively, move away from the remaining pulley (7b), thereby obtaining a loosening of said belt (2) for its replacement with lateral sliding of the pulleys (7a, 7b). 6. A treadmill exercise machine as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said supporting means (11) are connected to means (12) for rapid actuation at least between two extreme tensioning positions, i.e. for the use of said belt (2) and, respectively, for loosening the same belt around said pulleys (7a, 7b). 7. A treadmill exercise machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said belt (2) has discontinuities along its bearing area. 8. A treadmill exercise machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said belt (2) has discontinuities along its thickness. 9. A treadmill exercise machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said belt (2) has discontinuities along its bearing area and along its thickness.

Inventors: ALESSANDRI NERIO, ALESSANDRI, NERIO
Applicants: ALESSANDRI NERIO, TECHNOGYM SRL, ALESSANDRI, NERIO, TECHNOGYM S.R.L.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A63B22
IPC codes: A63B22