Patent Publication Number: US-2013237383-A1

Title: Treadmill

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to treadmills and more particularly, to such a treadmill, which is safe in use, and can be erected and steadily positioned on the ground in a standing position when not in use, or easily moved on the ground by means of directional rollers and swivel casters. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Treadmill is an exercising apparatus popularly seen in households and sport gyms. To facilitate delivery, a treadmill may be equipped with two directional rollers at the front side of the tread platform. When the rear side of the tread platform is lifted and set in an inclined or erected standing position, the directional rollers are attached to the ground, allowing the treadmill to be moved on the ground to a particular place. However, since the direction rollers can only be rotated forwards and backwards in one direction, the user must employ much effort to lift or rotate the treadmill when it is needed to change the moving direction during movement of the treadmill. This manner is inconvenient and takes tremendous strength. 
     To solve the aforesaid problem, some manufacturers have directional rollers and swivel casters be installed in a treadmill. By means of the all-direction steering characteristic of swivel casters, the treadmill can easily be changed to a different direction during movement. However, a conventional treadmill equipped with directional rollers and swivel casters has the drawbacks of complicated mechanical design and low level of safety. For example, Taiwan Utility Application No. 093221199 discloses a treadmill with universal casters. According to this design, two directional pulleys are provided at a front floor tube at a tread platform support, and a collapsible swivel caster set is provided at a rear floor tube at the tread platform support. However, when going to shift the swivel caster set from a collapsed condition away from the ground to an operative condition in contact with the ground, the user must lift the rear floor tube from the ground. At this time, the whole treadmill is kept in an inclined condition with the directional pulleys attached to the ground. Under this condition, the treadmill may fall to the ground accidentally. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a treadmill, which is safe in use, and can be erected and steadily positioned on the ground in a standing position when not in use, or easily moved on the ground by means of directional rollers and swivel casters. 
     To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a treadmill comprises a tread platform and a tread platform support with a foot rail pivotally connected to the tread platform and selectively set between a first position and a second position to support the tread platform in a standing posture. When the tread platform support is set in the first position, a strut device of the tread platform and swivel casters of the tread platform support are stopped at the ground to hold the treadmill vertically and positively on the ground. When the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters are attached to the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction. 
     Thus, when the rack frame of the tread platform support is biased relative to the base frame and positioned in the first position, the strut device is stopped against the ground, and therefore the treadmill stands steadily on the ground. When the rack frame of the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters support the treadmill on the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction. 
     Further, when shifting the tread platform support between the first position and the second position, the user can step one leg on the foot rail of the tread platform support, enabling the position of the tread platform support to be shifted steadily and safely and preventing treadmill falling risk as see in the prior art design during adjustment of the position of swivel casters. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support comprises two swivel casters. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support comprises one single swivel caster. In other words, either of the aforesaid two arrangements can achieve the effects of the present invention. Further, the number of the swivel caster is not limited to 1 or 2. 
     Preferably, the base frame of the tread platform comprises at least one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch. The rack frame of the tread platform support comprises at least one coupling end portion. The tread platform support further comprises at least one pivot bolt inserted through the at least one pivot holder and the at least one coupling end portion of the rack frame to pivotally connect the rack frame to the tread platform, and at least one lock pin affixed to the at least one coupling end portion of the rack frame and selectively engaged into one of the first locating notch and the second locating notch of the at least one pivot holder to lock the rack frame to the tread platform in one of a first position and a second position. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the base frame of the tread platform comprises two pivot holders each defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; the rack frame of the tread platform support comprises two coupling end portions, two pivot bolts and two lock pins. In another embodiment of the present invention, the base frame of the tread platform comprises one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; the rack frame of the tread platform support comprises one coupling end portion, one pivot bolt and one lock pin. In other words, either of the aforesaid two arrangements can achieve the effects of the present invention, and the number of each related component is not limited to 1 or 2. 
     Preferably, the coupling end portion of the rack frame comprises an elongated slot; the pivot bolt is inserted through the pivot holder and the elongated slot of the coupling end portion to pivotally connect the rack frame to the tread platform for enabling the tread platform support be moved axially along the elongated slot relative to the pivot holder of the base frame. 
     Preferably, the treat platform support further comprises a spring member connected to the lock pin and adapted for imparting a pressure to the lock pin toward the pivot holder to force the lock pin into one of the first locating notch and the second locating notch. 
     Preferably, the rack frame comprises a transverse rod forming the foot rail. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the strut device comprises two strut rods. Each strut rod has a fixed end connected to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, and a free end for stopping against the ground. The treadmill further comprises a handrail frame. The strut device is not limited to the design of the two strut rods. For example, the strut device can be formed of a block member or rod member directly affixed to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, or a protrusion formed integral with and protruded from the front end portion of the base frame. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the handrail frame comprises two pivot portions pivotally connected to the front end portion of the base frame and affixed with the fixed ends of the strut rods. Thus, the strut rods of the strut device are indirectly connected to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform by means of the pivot portions of the handrail frame. Alternatively, the strut device can also be directly affixed to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, achieving the same effects, i.e., the connection between the strut device and the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform is not limited to the disclosed indirection connection design. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at the front end portion of the base frame, and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of the base frame. The front foot members and the rear foot members protrude over a bottom side of the base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of the strut rods and the directional rollers be kept away from the ground when the tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of the base frame face toward the ground. Thus, when the treadmill is set in a horizontal condition for use, the tread platform can be steadily supported on the ground. 
     Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a treadmill in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1  but illustrating the handrail frame collapsed. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a standing status of the treadmill. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the lower part of the treadmill shown in  FIG. 3  when viewed from another angle. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the lower part of the treadmill shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a vertical side view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the tread platform support set in the first position. 
         FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 6  but illustrating the tread platform support set in the second position. 
         FIG. 8  is a vertical side view of a treadmill in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At first, it must be noted that, in the whole detailed description and claims of the invention, the description of “one component connected to, pivoted to, or mounted at another component” means that the component is connected to, pivoted to or mounted at another component directly, or directly through other means. Further, for a further understanding of the objects, features and advantages of the present invention, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings and specification. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a treadmill  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a handrail frame  20 , a tread platform  30 , and a tread platform support  40 . 
     The handrail frame  20  comprises two upright bars  22 , and a treadmill console  24  pivotally mounted at the top side of the upright bars  22 . Each upright bar  22  comprises a pivot portion  22   a  located on the bottom end thereof and pivotally connected to the tread platform  30  in such a manner that the upright bar  22  can be selectively set between an extended operative position shown in  FIG. 1  and a received non-operative position shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, the treadmill console  24  provides two grips  24   a . The user can hold the grips  24   a  with the hands when running on the tread platform  30 , enhancing running stability. The console panel  24  can also be selectively set relative to the upright bars  22  between the extended operative position shown in  FIG. 1  and the received non-operative position shown in  FIG. 2 . As the structure of the handrail frame  20  is not within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, any conventional design of handrail frame can be used with the tread platform  30 , and therefore, no further detailed description in this regard is necessary. 
     Further, the tread platform  30  comprises a base frame  32 , two front foot members  33 , two rear foot members  34 , a strut device  35 , and two directional rollers  36 . 
     The base frame  32  comprises opposing front end portion  32   a  and rear end portion  32   b . The front foot members  33  and the rear foot members  34  are respectively mounted at the front end portion  32   a  and rear end portion  32   b , and protruding over a bottom side  32   c  of the base frame  32 . When the tread platform  30  is set in horizontal, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the front foot members  33  and the rear foot members  34  are stopped at the ground G to support the treadmill  10  steadily on the ground for enabling the user to use it. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base frame  32  comprises two pivot holders  32   d  bilaterally located on the bottom side  32   c . Each pivot holder  32   d  defines a through hole  32   e , and a first locating notch  32   f  and a second locating notch  32   g  located on an arched edge thereof, wherein the location of the first locating notch  32   f  is relatively closer to a front end portion  32   a  of the base frame  32  than the second locating notch  32   g.    
     In this embodiment, the strut device  35  is formed of two strut rods  35   a . However, in actual application, the strut device  35  can be formed of other components, for example, one or two block members. Each strut rod  35   a  has a fixed end  35   b  pivotally connected to the pivot portion  22   a  of one upright bar  22  of the handrail frame  20 , and a free end  35   c  for stopping against the ground. Thus, the two strut rods  35   a  are indirectly coupled to the front end portion  32   a  of the base frame  32  of the tread platform  30  by means of the pivot portions  22   a  of the upright bars  22  of the handrail frame  20 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 1 , when the handrail frame  20  is set in the extended operative position, the strut rods  35   a  are kept in an obliquely downwardly extended condition with the free ends  35   c  thereof suspending above the ground in a lower front side relative to the front end portion  32   a  of the base frame  32  of the tread platform  30 . However, when biased the handrail frame  20  from the extended operative position to the received non-operative position shown in  FIG. 2 , the strut rods  35   a  are kept in an obliquely upwardly extended condition with the free ends  35   c  thereof suspending in an upper front side relative to the front end portion  32   a  of the base frame  32  of the tread platform  30 . Further, it is to be noted that the strut device  35 , i.e., the two strut rods  35   a  can be directly affixed to the front end portion  32   a  of the base frame  32  of the tread platform  30  instead of the indirect connection design disclosed in this embodiment. 
     Further, the two directional rollers  36  are respectively bilaterally mounted at the bottom side of the front end portion  32   a  of the base frame  32  of the tread platform  30 . The so-called “directional rollers” means that the rollers can only be rotated forwards and backwards in one particular direction, for example, the two directional rollers  36  can simply be rotated in direction toward the front side or back side of the treadmill  10 . 
     Further, the tread platform support  40  comprises a rack frame  42 , two swivel casters  43 , two pivot bolts  44 , two lock pins  45 , two spring members  46 , and two screw nuts  47 . 
     The rack frame  42  of the tread platform support  40  comprises two support rods  42   a , and two transverse rods  42   b  and  42   c  connected between the two support rods  42   a  at different elevations. Each support rod  42   a  comprises a coupling end portion  42   d  disposed at the top side thereof, an elongated slot  42   e  longitudinally formed in the coupling end portion  42   d , and a through hole  42   f  transversely formed in the coupling end portion  42   d  below the elongated slot  42   e . Further, the transverse rod  42   c  that is disposed relatively closer to the ground has a certain length and works as a foot rail. 
     Further, the swivel casters  43  are respectively mounted at the bottom ends of the support rods  42   a . The so-called “swivel caster” means the caster is rotatable in any direction, i.e., the swivel casters  43  can be turned about a first axis line S 1  as well as a second axis line S 2 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     When assembling the tread platform support  40 , tightly and respectively press-fit the two lock pins  45  into the through holes  42   f  of the coupling end portions  42   d  of the respective two support rods  42   a , and then respectively insert the coupling end portions  42   d  of the two support rods  42   a  of the two pivot holders  32   d  of the base frame  32 , and then respectively insert the pivot bolts  44  into the through holes  32   e  of the pivot holders  32   d  and the elongated slots  42   e  of the coupling end portions  42   d  of the two support rods  42   a , and then thread the two screw nuts  47  onto the pivot bolts  44 . Thus, the rack frame  42  is pivotally connected to the tread platform  30 , and the tread platform support  40  can be moved axially along the elongated slots  42   e  of the coupling end portions  42   d  of the two support rods  42   a  relative to the two pivot holders  32   d  of the base frame  32 . 
     Thus, when the rack frame  42  is biased relative to the pivot holders  32   d  of the base frame  32 , the lock pins  45  can be selectively engaged into the first locating notches  32   f  or second locating notches  32   g  of the pivot holders  32   d  of the base frame  32  to lock the rack frame  42  to the base frame  32  in a first position P 1  shown in  FIG. 6 , or a second position P 2  shown in  FIG. 7 . Further, in this embodiment, the spring members  46  are tensile springs, having opposing ends thereof respectively fastened to the pivot bolts  44  and the lock pins  45 . Thus, the elastic return force of the spring members  46  can force the lock pins  45  to position in the first locating notches  32   f  or second locating notches  32   g  of the pivot holders  32   d  of the base frame  32 , enhancing positioning stability of the tread platform support  40  in the first position P 1  or second position P 2 . It is to be noted that the type and mounting location of the spring members  46  are not limited to what is disclosed. Any other type of spring members capable of providing an elastic return force to for the lock pins  45  toward the pivot holders  32   d  of the base frame  32  can be used. 
     After explanation of the structural features of the component parts of the treadmill  10  and their connection relationship, the operation of the treadmill  10  will be described hereinafter. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the user is going to use the treadmill, the tread platform  30  is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side  32   c  of the base frame  32  face toward the ground G. At this time, the front foot members  33  and rear foot members  34  of the tread platform  30  are stopped at the ground G, the free ends  35   c  of the strut rods  35   a  and the directional rollers  36  are kept above the ground G, and the tread platform support  40  is kept in the position where the swivel casters  43  are disposed adjacent to the rear end portion  32   b  of the base frame  32 . 
     When the user is going to erect the treadmill  10  or to move the treadmill  10  to another place, turn the handrail frame  20  from the extended operative position shown in  FIG. 1  to the received non-operative position shown in  FIG. 2 . At this time, the user can lift the rear end portion  32   b  of the base frame  32 . When lifting the base frame  32 , the free ends  35   c  of the strut rods  35   a  are stopped at the ground G and work as a fulcrum to support the treadmill  10  on the ground G, enabling the treadmill  10  to be stably lifted to an erected condition. During this operation, the user can step one leg on the foot rail, i.e., the transverse rod  42   c  of the rack frame  42  of the tread platform support  40 , or the user can apply a pressure through the hand to the tread platform support  40  to bias the rack frame  42  relative to the base frame  32 , enabling the lock pins  45  to be engaged into the respective first locating notches  32   f  or second locating notches  32   g  to lock the tread platform support  40  in the first position P 1  shown in  FIG. 6 , or the second position P 2  shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the tread platform  30  is held in a vertical standing posture (see  FIG. 6 ) or a slightly inclined standing posture (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the tread platform support  40  is in the first position P 1 , the strut device  35  of the tread platform  30  and the swivel casters  43  of the tread platform support  40  are kept attached to the ground, and the directional rollers  36  are spaced above the ground, and therefore, the treadmill  10  is positively positioned on the ground. 
     Further, if the user wishes to move the treadmill  10  under this condition, the user can step one leg on the transverse rod  42   c  of the rack frame  42  of the tread platform support  40  and push the base frame  32  with the hands to force the lock pins  45  away from the respective first locating notches  32   f  against the spring force of the spring members  46 , and then slightly tilt the base frame  32  to let the tread platform support  40  bias relative to the base frame  32 , enabling the lock pins  45  to be respectively engaged into the second locating notches  32   g , and therefore the tread platform support  40  is locked in the second position P 2  (see  FIG. 7 ). At this time, the direction rollers  36  of the tread platform  30  and the swivel casters  43  of the tread platform support  40  are attached to the ground, and the strut device  35  is kept away from the ground, and therefore, the treadmill  10  can be moved toward any direction easily. Further, after the treadmill  10  is moved to the desired location, the user can one leg on the transverse rod  42   c  of the rack frame  42  of the tread platform support  40  to bias the tread platform support  40  from the second position P 2  to the first position P 1 , enabling the tread platform  30  to be received in vertical to save storage space. 
     As stated above, when the treadmill  10  is not in use, it can be held in a vertical standing posture (see  FIG. 6 ), or a slightly inclined standing posture convenient for movement on the ground in any direction subject to matching of the directional rollers  36  and the swivel casters  43 . Further, when adjusting the tread platform support  40  between the first position P 1  and the second position P 2 , the user can step one leg on the transverse rod  42   c  of the rack frame  42  of the tread platform support  40 , stabilizing transition of the posture of the treadmill  10  and avoiding falling of the treadmill  10  during posture transition. 
     In the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support  40  is equipped with two swivel casters  43 , however, this arrangement is not a limitation.  FIG. 8  illustrates a treadmill in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this second embodiment, the tread platform support  40  simply provides one transverse rod  42   c  workable as a foot rail, one swivel caster  43 , one pivot bolt  44 , one lock pin  45 , and one spring member  46 ; the base frame  32  simply provides one pivot holder  32   d . This arrangement achieves the safe effects as the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention. Further, in the aforesaid first and second embodiments, the rack frame  42  of the tread platform support  40  uses one transverse rod  42   c  as a foot rail. However, this design is not a limitation. The rack frame  42  can be configured to provide any structure close to the ground for stepping by the user. 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.