Abstract:
Exercise treadmill chair platform that resides horizontally over a treadmill when it is not in use to stabilize an office chair while it resides beneath the desk. The platform has a top and bottom flat plate, aligned, square or rectangular shaped, and of a low profile, that slides over the treadmill to cover the belt when the treadmill is not in use, thus enabling the user to safely sit at the desk without having to store away the treadmill. The platform may further comprise a right and left side wall; and, four corner wheels to assist the user in moving the platform, and two bumpers to protect the wheels from entanglements. The top flat plate further comprises oval shaped grooves arranged in a circle, designed to house the wheels of a variety of types of swivel chairs in order to keep the chair from rolling off of the platform.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This utility patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/007,549 filed on Jun. 4, 2014. The entire disclosure of the aforementioned patent application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to office equipment, and more particularly to a platform, and/or a desk assembly, for use with an exercise treadmill and a swivel office chair resting upon a platform that is covering the treadmill when the treadmill belt is not rotating. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Office desks for use with treadmills are well known in the art. Often the desk is height adjustable to allow the user to raise the desk to a standing position while in use with the treadmill, and then to lower the desk to a sitting position after removing and storing the treadmill. 
         [0004]    For example, US Patent Application 20120174833 by Early teaches a treadmill for use with a desk that requires the user to sit in a high draftsman chair or remain standing after the treadmill is removed. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,991 by Fox discloses a treadmill with side bars wherein the treadmill is encircled on three sides by a cubicle desk. It would be very difficult for the treadmill to be moved backwards away from the desk in order to replace it with an office desk chair. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,780,578 by Packham discloses a treadmill that folds up under a height adjustable desk when not in use. Unfortunately, the folded treadmill reduces the amount of leg space that the user is permitted when they are sitting beneath the desk. 
         [0007]    US Patent Application 20060247107 by Powell discloses a treadmill beneath a desk and a chair affixed to bars that rotate the chair over the treadmill when the treadmill is not in use. Unfortunately, the user is only able to use the chair that is affixed to the bars, versus their own preferred chair, and the chair requires extra space when rotated outside of the desk while the treadmill is in use. 
         [0008]    The prior art also discloses a variety of small workstations able to hold a computer that comprises a base slid under a treadmill, such as US Patent Application 20120088633 by Crafton. Unfortunately, the workstations are not full size office desks with flat desktop surfaces that can hold all of the user&#39;s computing equipment, files, personal items, etc. The user is therefore required to use the workstations only when exercising, and then switch back to their normal desk when they are sitting or standing and not exercising, which may require moving their computer. 
         [0009]    If the user wanted to the save time and energy required in moving and storing the treadmill, they could merely place their office chair astride the treadmill and lower the desk. Unfortunately, this is not a particularly safe option in the event that the treadmill and/or chair starts rolling. Additionally, many office chair legs are too wide to be placed on a level surface on the treadmill so as to not have rocking of the chair. And there is the potential for the chair damaging the treadmill belt by leaving permanent indentations in the rubber that would prevent the belt from rotating smoothly. 
         [0010]    The prior art does not teach a safe method of using the desk with the chair sitting astride the treadmill. Therefore, there is a need within the office furniture industry for a platform and/or desk assembly suitable for use with an exercise treadmill that permits that safe use of a desk chair when the treadmill is not in use, and that does not require having to move or store the treadmill. There is also a need for a “universal” platform that is of suitable dimensions for use with a wide variety of exercise treadmills, and with a wide variety of office desk chair types and sizes, whether they are wheeled chairs or not, four legged, six legged, etc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Chair Platforms and Desk Treadmill Assemblies 
       [0011]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise an exercise treadmill chair platform to support and stabilize a standard office desk chair, such as a swivel-wheeled office chair while a user is sitting at an office desk. The platform resides over an exercise treadmill when the treadmill is not in use. Therefore, when using a chair platform of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the treadmill does not have to be moved or stored when not in use in order for the user to have access to their full size desktop, nor are they required to move their computer to another workstation when exercising. 
         [0012]    Various embodiments may further comprise one or more desk treadmill assemblies comprising the chair platform with one or more of: an office desk, an office desk chair, and/or an exercise treadmill, wherein the desk is: 1) height adjustable; and/or, 2) is a standard desk without the ability to move up and down, but still tall enough to accommodate the height of the treadmill. The desk may be height adjustable to accommodate the user while exercising in a standing position, such as walking, and then lowering the desk for sitting on an office chair that is residing upon the chair platform that temporarily covers the treadmill belt. The user is thus not required to move the treadmill in order to sit at their desk, or to lift the chair or platform. They merely roll the platform with the chair over the treadmill when they wish to sit at their desk, and roll the platform with the chair off of the treadmill when they wish to walk and work. 
         [0013]    Alternatively, the desk may be a standard desk (not height adjustable) and fixed at a height that accommodates its use both with the treadmill and with the chair on a platform astride the treadmill (i.e. the desktop is a few inches higher than the standard desktop). This embodiment may further comprise a height adjustable computer monitor and keyboard residing on the desktop. When the user is exercising on the treadmill, the monitor and keyboard are raised; and then they are lowered when the user slides the platform over the treadmill and sits in the chair. 
         [0014]    It is noted that the various embodiments disclosed herein can be used with a wide variety of types of exercise treadmills. In the various embodiments, the treadmill may comprise only the bottom rotating belt and structure or frame, while lacking a waist high side or front assembly housing the user controls. The treadmill may also lack safety side bars so that the treadmill may easily reside under an office desk. For example, the user mechanism for controlling the operation of the treadmill may co-reside on the desktop with the mechanism for raising or lowering the height adjustable desk, and/or it may be located on the rear or side of the treadmill bottom outer structure that houses the treadmill belt, and/or it may be remotely controlled (e.g. via a wireless control unit). 
         [0015]    The chair platform of the various embodiments of the present disclosure in an embodiment comprise a top flat plate and a size matched bottom plate of the same width and length as the top flat plate. Both plates are either square or rectangular shaped and are of sufficient width to fit over the entire width of a standard indoor treadmill (right side-to-left side,  FIG. 1 ). They are also of sufficient width and length to fit the legs of a standard swivel office chair without the leg ends (e.g. chair wheels) residing too near the edge of the platform. The platform is also of sufficient height to easily slide over the top of a standard indoor exercise treadmill and rest above the treadmill without touching it. 
         [0016]    The chair platform of another embodiment may comprise one plate in lieu of the top and bottom plate, and with the mechanical strength to support the weight of a chair and user, while comprising all of the structural features of the top and bottom flat plate embodiment. References to the top plate disclosed herein may be interpreted to refer to the top surface of the one plate embodiment. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, the top and bottom flat plate each comprise four aligned corners, an upper side and underside, and two opposing side edges align-able on the outside of the exercise treadmill right and left sides. The top plate rests directly upon the bottom plate (i.e. the underside of the top plate is touching the upper side of the bottom plate). 
         [0018]    The platform may further comprise two opposing side walls that cover the right and left sides of the treadmill, as well as wheels of the platform. The two opposing side walls are affixed perpendicularly to the top and/or bottom plates opposing side edges (i.e. right and left side of platform) and extend vertically downward to the floor while not directly touching the floor. The two opposing side walls also comprise a vertical front edge and a vertical back edge. A corner, or junction, is created where an opposing side wall vertical edge is joined to a horizontal top and/or bottom plate. In an embodiment, the opposing side walls are fabricated with the top and/or bottom plate as one unit. 
         [0019]    The platforms may further comprise bottom wheels to the user in rolling the platform over and off of the treadmill. Non-wheeled platforms are light enough in weight for the user to easily lift and lower the platform. Both wheeled and non-wheeled embodiments may further comprise handles, or other mechanisms, affixed to the top plate or outer surface of the opposing side walls to assist the user in grasping, lifting, and moving the platform. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the treadmill desk assembly platform further comprises four wheels affixed to the underside of the bottom plate. A front and a back wheel are located near, and aligned with both opposing side walls interior surface. The wheels are also not viewable from outside of the platform two opposing sides walls. 
         [0021]    The platforms may further comprise a bumper member covering the wheels to protect against objects getting caught in the wheels. In one exemplified embodiment, one bumper member each (i.e. two total for each platform) extends along the length of the right and left side of the platform, covering the front of the front wheel to the back of the back wheel, and on the inner side of the wheels (e.g. opposite of the side walls). In an embodiment, each bumper member extends from the platform opposing side wall front edge to the back edge and around the front and back wheel inner side. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, the platforms may comprise grooves in the top flat plate of the platform that are shaped to fit the wheels of a variety of sizes of standard swivel office chairs. In one or more embodiments, office chairs suitable for use with the treadmill chair platform are swivel chairs with four to six wheels configured in a circle, one wheel each attached to a leg residing substantially parallel to the ground and extending from a chair central vertical axle to each wheel. The grooves are arranged in a circular pattern to match the arrangement of the wheels of the chair. The platform grooves may be of an elongated oval shape to accommodate wheels of different sizes (e.g. widths and lengths) and are of sufficient depth to prevent the wheels from easily dislodging from the grooves when the chair and/or platform are moved. The platform may further comprise a round shaped groove in the center of the circular pattern of grooves that fits the central vertical axle of the chair. 
       Desk Treadmill Assemblies 
       [0023]    In an embodiment, the present disclosure comprises an exercise treadmill desk assembly comprising an office desk chair platform and an office desk, wherein the desk is a height adjustable comprising: a flat desktop, a plurality of height adjustable legs, and wherein a user is able to position an exercise treadmill beneath the desk for the user to use the desktop while walking and otherwise exercising on the treadmill. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the assembly comprises an office desk chair platform and an office desk comprising a standard desk without the ability to move up and down, but still tall enough to accommodate the height of the treadmill (e.g. height adjustable computer monitor and keyboard). 
         [0025]    For either desk treadmill assembly, the assembly may further comprise an exercise treadmill wherein the treadmill comprises a rectangular frame housing with a rigid outer surface and an inner surface comprising a rotatable belt and motors. In an embodiment, the treadmill does not comprise front or side rails or waist high controls. Instead operational controls for the treadmill are located on the desktop, such as co-located or incorporated into the controls for a height adjustable desk; or they are located on the side or backend of the treadmill rectangular frame. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the assembly further comprises an office desk chair platform, an office desk, and an office desk chair that is configurable to rest in a fixed position astride the platform. The chair comprises a plurality of legs (e.g. four straight, six swivel, etc.) with a chair wheel affixed or not to the end of each leg. When the chair is wheeled, then the platform further comprises the top flat plate with a plurality of grooves, each groove configured to fit one of the chair wheels and able to prevent the chair from rolling off of the platform. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the treadmill desk assembly chair is a swivel chair with a plurality of substantially horizontal legs configured in a circle and around a central vertical axel, and the groove for each chair wheel is oval shaped and of sufficient length and width to accommodate a variety of sizes of chair wheels and chair horizontal leg lengths. The top platform plate may further comprise a circular groove sufficient to house a bottom end of the chair central vertical axel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0029]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate one embodiment of the platform for use with a chair comprising five wheels; 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the desk treadmill assembly comprising a height adjustable desk, an exercise treadmill beneath the desk, a five wheeled swivel office chair, and a platform atop the treadmill supporting the chair and locking it in position so that it may not roll off the platform; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of one embodiment of the chair platform for use with a five wheeled, swivel office chair, comprising five oval grooves for the wheels and one center circular groove for the center axel; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the chair platform; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exploded top perspective view of the chair platform of  FIGS. 2 and 3  showing the three main components of one embodiment of the chair platform: a top plate with two opposing side walls and wheel grooves; a bottom plate with two opposing side walls of substantially the same dimensions as the top plate; and, four wheels with a means of attachment to the corners of the bottom plate underside; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an exploded bottom perspective view of the chair platform components in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; and, 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the chair platform with two bumper members covering the platform wheels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    The following description should not be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which includes by way of illustration, multiple various example embodiments. As will be realized, the disclosure is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. It should therefore be understood that the inventors contemplate a variety of embodiments that are not explicitly disclosed herein. 
       Desk Treadmill Assembly 
       [0037]    Height Adjustable Desk:  FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of the desk treadmill assembly  100  comprising the chair platform  130  alone and/or with one or more of the components of: an office desk  110 ; and/or an exercise treadmill  120 ; and/or an office chair  140 . In the exemplified embodiment, the desk  110  is a height adjustable using the movable legs  150 . Height adjustable desks are well known in the art. In one embodiment, the height adjustable desk  110  may comprise a NextDesk™ height adjustable desk with dual 18-volt direct current motors housed within the desk legs  150  to raise and lower the desktop of desk  110  via a user switch  160  mounted on the desktop surface. In an embodiment, the treadmill controls are co-located with the switch  160 . 
         [0038]    Fixed Height Desk: Alternatively, the desk treadmill assembly  100  may also be used with an office desk that is fixed in height at a level sufficient to allow the user easy access to the desktop surface when the chair platform  130  is in place atop the treadmill  120 . This desk height would accommodate the height of the treadmill  120  and the platform  130  (e.g. about 5-8 inches), and thus a fixed height desk  110  for use with the assembly  100  may have a desktop that is slightly higher than a standard office desk. 
         [0039]    A fixed height desk  110  may further comprise a means to elevate a computer system monitor and keyboard residing on the desktop surface, such as a computer monitor and keyboard that is height adjustable but that does not require lifting the entire desktop as per a height adjustable desk. Therefore, with a fixed height desk  110  and a height adjustable computer monitor and keyboard, a user can still work while walking on the treadmill. Then when the treadmill is not in operation, the user lowers the computer monitor and keyboard, and slides the chair platform  130  back over the treadmill  120  to sit and work at the desk. 
       Exercise Treadmill 
       [0040]    Exercise treadmills appropriate for use in the various embodiments of the present disclosure are well known in the art, and general comprise external components of a rectangular frame with a rotating belt that is motorized or otherwise electrically powered. In one embodiment, the treadmill  120  is designed for the user to walk at a pace of about 0.4 to 4 miles per hour for long periods of time (e.g. over an hour) without the treadmill motor overheating. 
         [0041]    The treadmills for use in the desk assembly  100  may further lack a front assembly with operational controls, and/or safety side rails that are normally associated with an exercise treadmill. In lieu of the front assembly, the operational controls for the treadmill (e.g. power on/off, speed, incline, etc.) may be incorporated with the desk height adjustable controls  160  on or near the desktop, or otherwise mounted within easy reach of the user when the treadmill  120  is in operation; and/or the controls may be located on the side or back of the treadmill frame; and/or the treadmill may be operated with a remote control device. 
       Chair Platform 
       [0042]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , the various embodiments of the present disclosure further comprise chair platforms  130  that may be used with a wide variety of types of office chairs and exercise treadmills. 
         [0043]    In one or more embodiments, the chair platform  130  comprises a top flat surface or plate  200  with two opposing side walls  210  (see FIG.  2 —right and left side), and a bottom plate  300  with two opposing side walls  310  (see  FIG. 3 ). The two opposing side walls  210 ,  310  are also perpendicular to the top and bottom flat plates, and extending vertically downward from the plates&#39; opposing side edges ( 200 L) to the floor. In alternative embodiments, the platform  130  may comprise no side walls, or have side walls on either the top plate  200  or bottom plate  300 , but not both plates. 
         [0044]    The top flat plate  200  and the bottom plate  300  are of a square or rectangular shape. The plates are also of sufficient width  200 W to fit over the entire width of a standard exercise treadmill (side-to-side) so that the platform inside surface (i.e. underside of the bottom plate  300  and the inner side of the opposing side walls  210 ), and the platform wheels  220 , reside near but not touching the outer side surface of the treadmill frame. The platform  130  is also of sufficient height  200 H to easily slide over the top of a standard exercise treadmill—i.e. the height of the platform  130  slightly exceeds the height of the treadmill. The top flat plate  200  and bottom plate  300  are also of sufficient width  200 W and length  200 L to fit the legs of a standard office chair without the leg ends (e.g. chair wheels) residing too near the edge of the platform  130  for safety reasons. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , by way of a non-limiting example, the side walls  210 ,  310  are about 7.5 inches in height ( 200 H); and the top plate  200  and the bottom plate  300  are about 32 inches in length ( 200 L measured front to back) and about 39 inches in width ( 200 W measured side-to-side). 
         [0046]    The top flat plate  200  and/or the opposing side walls  210  may also be made of a material that enhances the aesthetic appearance of the platform  130 , such as a material that matches the material of the desktop. In one embodiment, the material of the platform top surface  200  is made from a bamboo, or a bamboo blend, or a composite thereof. 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , the top flat plate  200  covers a bottom plate  300  of about the same dimensions (e.g. width, length, and height) as the top flat plate  200 . In alternative embodiments, the bottom plate  300  may lack side walls  310  or be slightly smaller in dimensions than the top plate  200 . The bottom plate may also comprise material to support the weight of the chair  140  and the user, such as a metal steel plate. In another embodiment, the platform may comprise one plate combining the features of the top and bottom plate on its upper and under surface. 
         [0048]    The top flat plate  200  and the bottom flat plate  300  are both rectangular or square shaped and further comprise: four aligned corners, an upper side, an underside, and two vertical opposing sides align-able with an exercise treadmill outer frame&#39;s right and left sides. The top flat plate  200  also rests directly upon the bottom flat plate  300  so that the underside of the top plate  200  is indirect contact with the bottom plate upper side. 
         [0049]    The platform  130  further comprises a plurality of fixation mechanisms  320  for affixing the bottom plate  300  to the underside of the top plate  200 . Fixation means are well known in the art, such as screws, bolts, industrial glue, etc. By way of a non-limiting examples, fixation mechanisms  320  may comprise a hollow, cylindrical wood tapping insert about 0.70-1.0 inches long fitted with a hex button head screw 0.70-1.0 inches long. 
         [0050]    In the exemplified embodiment, the chair platform further comprises a mechanism to easily move the platform  130  on and off of the treadmill  120 , such as via platform wheels  220 , comprising one wheel on or near each of the four corners of a square or rectangular shaped platform. The wheels assist the user in rolling the platform over the treadmill, but other mechanisms of assisting the user to move the platform are well known in the art. For example, the opposing side walls  210  or upper side of the top plate  200  may comprise handles on the exterior surface for the user to grasp, move and lift the platform  130 . 
         [0051]    And the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , chair platform  130  comprises wheels  220  that are affixed to the bottom plate  300  via the fixation means  400  or other similar mechanisms known in the art. Fixation means  400 , such as the exemplified small rectangular top plates with fixation pins, must be able to support the weight of the platform&#39;s bottom plate  300  and the top plate  200 , as well as the weight of the user and the chair  140 . 
       Platform Grooves 
       [0052]    A wide variety of office desk chairs  140  are suitable for use with the present disclosure, including those with wheels and those without wheels. In an embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4A , platform  130  may comprise grooves  230  or indentations in the top flat plate  200  of the platform that are shaped to fit the wheels of a variety of types of standard swivel office chairs. And, the office chair is a swivel chair with wheels, such as four or five or six wheels connected to four or five or six arms, respectively, and radially and horizontally projecting out from a central vertical axle beneath the chair. The grooves  230  are of sufficient width and length to house the chair wheels and prevent them from sliding or rolling out of the grooves, such as when the platform is moved, or the user shifts. The platform  130  may further comprise a groove  240  to snuggly fit the chair central vertical axle. By way of a non-limiting example, the grooves  230  may be oval shaped and about 5-8 inches in length (e.g. 6 inches) and 2-3 inches in width (e.g. 2.5 inches), about 1.5 inches deep, and they may or may not extend through the thickness of the top plate  200 ; and, the center groove  240  is cylindrical and about 2.5-3.5 inches in diameter (e.g. 3 inches) and about 1.5 inches deep. As a result of the use of the grooves  230 ,  240 , wheeled office chairs may be safely used with the various embodiments of the present disclosure without concern for the chairs rolling off of the platform and injuring the user. 
         [0053]    In alternative embodiments, non-wheeled or wheel-less chairs may be used that comprise, for example, two-legged chairs with substantially vertical rectangular leg members running the length of the chair (front-to-back, or side-to-side); and/or, the chair may be four-legged with four vertically mounted members with square or circular feet. In the various embodiments, the chair  140  may reside safely on the platform  130  without the user being concerned that the chair will slide off of the platform. Therefore, a platform intended solely for use with wheel-less office chairs does not necessarily require grooves carved into the platform top plate  200  to prevent the chair from rolling off of the platform. In lieu of the grooves, the platform  200  may have low ledges (e.g. about 1 to 2 inches in height) running around the perimeter of the platform top surface that stop the wheel-less chair from sliding off of the platform  200 . 
       Platform Bumper 
       [0054]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the chair platform  130  may further comprise two bumper members  500  to cover the platform wheels  220  to protect against an object getting caught within the wheels. As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , both side walls  310  comprise a front and back vertical edge ( 312 ,  314 ) on the opposing side walls  310 . A corner, or junction, is created where an opposing side wall vertical edge  312 ,  314  is joined to the horizontal top  200  and/or bottom plate  300 . A front and a back wheel  220  are in close proximity to the  312 ,  314  edge, wherein each wheel comprises an inner side (away from the side wall  310 ) and an outer side (near the side wall  310 ). A bumper member  500  on each side of the platform (i.e. two total per platform) may be attached to the platform  130  extending from or near to the opposing side wall front edge  312  to the back edge  314  and around the inner side of the front and back wheel. 
         [0055]    By way of a non-limiting example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each bumper member  500  may comprise a substantially rectangular straight bar with curved ends that attach to the front and back edges  312 ,  314  of the side walls  310  of the platform  130 . 
         [0056]    And in another embodiment, the bottom plate does not comprise opposing side walls  310 , and the bumper members  500  are instead attached to the top plate opposing side walls  210  inner surface. 
         [0057]    Although the present disclosure has been fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanied figures-drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present disclosure, then they should be construed as being included within the various embodiments.