Patent Description:
More specifically, the invention relates to a sliding-belt gymnastic machine, also known as treadmill, usually used for running, walking and the like workouts, which presents particular compactness features.

More specifically, the invention relates to a gymnastic machine of the above type, studied and realized in particular to allow the installation of an electric motor in an optimal way, whose solutions can be used for any machine, in particular gymnastic machines, in which it is necessary to keep compact the dimensions.

As is well known, there are currently sliding-belt gymnastic machines comprising electric motors, which rotate the walking belt.

This type of machines is traditionally installed in gyms. In recent times, however, these types of gymnastic machines are always more intended also to a domestic use, in which the savings in the management of space has become a central design aspect. In addition, the possibility of having a structurally small size layout, is also necessary, to enable the realization of appropriate design.

In these machines, an electric motor is required for actuating the sliding-belt. Generally, this component turns out to be rather bulky. The type of electric motors currently installed and used on sliding-belt type gymnastic machines of the prior art comprises kinematic chains for the transmission of motion, which entail large dimensions and wear of the parts.

The above also implies that the overall dimensions of the machines are proportionally high.

More specifically, for housing the electric motors that are currently installed in the above machines, the machines provide housings, with a relative lid, generally arranged at the front of the sliding-belt. This considerably increases the surface occupied by the gymnastic machine.

The relevant prior art also includes patent applications <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

In light of the above, it is therefore an object of the present invention providing a sliding-belt gymnastic machine having smaller overall dimensions.

It is also an object of the present invention providing a sliding-belt gymnastic machine, which has a simpler and more compact mechanical structure and arrangement of components and parts, so that less maintenance may also be required.

These and other results are obtained according to the invention by means of an appropriate arrangement of the electric motor and of the motion transmission members with respect to the frame and the sliding-belt.

The present invention is directed to a gymnastic machine according to claim <NUM>. Additional features and embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

It is therefore specific object of the present invention a gymnastic machine comprising a frame having a base, wherein said base comprises a first and a second longitudinal member, a closed-circuit sliding-belt associated with said base, arranged between said first and said second longitudinal member, on which a user can execute a gymnastic exercise, and a transmission assembly having an electric motor, configured to move said sliding-belt, wherein said gymnastic machine is characterized in that said electric motor is arranged below said sliding-belt.

Said machine comprises at least one dragging roller configured to drag said sliding-belt in a sliding direction, and said transmission assembly comprises motion transfer members for transferring the motion of said electric motor to said dragging roller.

Still according to the invention, said dragging roller comprises a coupling portion, said electric motor may comprise a pinion connected to the driving shaft, and said motion transfer members may comprise a driving belt, engaged with said coupling portion of said dragging roller and with said pinion of said electric motor.

Advantageously according to the invention, said motion transfer members may comprise at least one snub pulley of said driving belt, wherein said at least one snub pulley is rotatably coupled with said first longitudinal member.

Further according to the invention, said machine comprises a flywheel, cinematically connected to said dragging roller.

Still according to the invention, said electric motor may have a rotation axis and said dragging roller may have a rotation axis said rotation axis of the electric motor, and said rotation axis of the dragging roller are parallel and said rotation axis of the electric motor is arranged below said rotation axis of the dragging roller.

Still according to the invention, said electric motor may have a rotation axis and said flywheel may have a rotation axis, said rotation axis of the electric motor and said rotation axis of the flywheel may be parallel and said rotation axis of the electric motor may be is arranged below said rotation axis of the flywheel.

Advantageously according to the invention, said machine comprises a flywheel device comprising said flywheel, and a shaft, keyed on one first end with said flywheel, which has a toothing, obtained on the second free end, wherein said shaft is arranged in such a way that said toothing is aligned with said coupling portion of said dragging roller.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said first longitudinal member may have a housing and an opening obtained in correspondence of said housing, said flywheel is housed in said housing of said first longitudinal member, and said shaft may be arranged through said opening of said first longitudinal member.

Always according to the invention, said flywheel device may comprise a flange for fastening to said first longitudinal member.

Still according to the invention, said dragging roller may be arranged in the front part or in the rear part of said gymnastic machine.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said frame comprises at least one horizontal support perpendicularly arranged, and coupled with said first and second side member, wherein said electric motor may be fastened to said at least one horizontal support.

It is also disclosed a manufacturing method of a gymnastic machine wherein said gymnastic machine comprises a frame having a base, wherein said base comprises a first and a second longitudinal member, a closed-circuit sliding-belt associated with said base, arranged between said first and second longitudinal member, on which a user can execute a gymnastic exercise, and a transmission assembly having an electric motor, configured for moving said sliding-belt, wherein said electric motor is arranged below of said sliding-belt.

In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numbers.

The gymnastic machine according to the present description provides a structure of the transmission members for the movement of at least one of the dragging rollers of the sliding-belt, so as to allow an optimal integration in the frame of the machine and in particular in the longitudinal members, which delimit and support the sliding-belt.

With reference to <FIG>, a sliding-belt gymnastic machine according to the present description can be seen, indicated as a whole with the reference number <NUM>.

The gymnastic machine <NUM> essentially comprises a frame <NUM>, the sliding-belt <NUM>, sliding with respect to said frame <NUM>, a viewer or screen <NUM>, on which the user can run or walk during gymnastic exercises, and a motion transmission assembly <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> constituted by a first <NUM> and a second <NUM> lateral longitudinal member, arranged parallel to each other.

Said longitudinal members <NUM> and <NUM> can be profiles.

Below, said lateral members <NUM> and <NUM> comprise feet <NUM>, on which the gymnastic machine <NUM> rests and wheels <NUM>, connected to the base by means of a suitable kinematic mechanism for varying the inclination of the belt.

Said first lateral member <NUM> has in the rear portion a housing <NUM>', in correspondence with which an opening <NUM>" is obtained, whose function will be better described below.

Said frame <NUM> also comprises two supports <NUM>, arranged substantially vertically, slightly inclined, each one of which comprises a grip or a support portion <NUM>, on which the user can lean with his hands during the performance of the gymnastic exercises.

Said two supports <NUM> are connected by a crosspiece <NUM>, which the viewer <NUM> is installed on.

Conventionally it identifies as the front of the gymnastic machine <NUM>, the one in which said two supports <NUM>, the crosspiece <NUM> and the viewer <NUM> are arranged. The rear, free, is of course opposite to said front part.

The sliding-belt <NUM>, as mentioned, is in a closed circuit and runs between two dragging rollers parallel arranged, but perpendicular to said first <NUM> and second <NUM> lateral longitudinal member. In the present embodiment, the dragging rollers are rotatably arranged, one in correspondence with the front part of said gymnastic machine <NUM> and the other in correspondence with the rear part.

With reference to <FIG>, only the dragging roller arranged in the rear part of said gymnastic machine <NUM>, indicated with reference <NUM>, can be seen.

As can be seen, said dragging roller <NUM> is rotatably coupled to an axis, which has its ends fixed on said first <NUM> and second <NUM> lateral member.

Furthermore, said dragging roller <NUM> also comprises a coupling portion <NUM>, which in the present embodiment comprises a circumferential toothing, which in the case at issue is arranged close to said first lateral member <NUM>, whose function will be better described in following.

The dragging rollers are rotatably coupled to the base <NUM>, so as to slide the sliding-belt <NUM> along the direction indicated by the arrow A. In particular, as can be seen with reference to <FIG>, the dragging roller <NUM> is rotated, as better explained below, along the direction of the arrow indicated by the letter B.

Always referring to <FIG>, it is seen that the transmission assembly <NUM> comprises an electric motor <NUM>, having an output motor shaft provided with a suitable pinion <NUM>.

Said electric motor <NUM> can be of any type, and in particular it can be radial or axial and brushless, asynchronous, direct current, inductance type.

Said electric motor <NUM> is arranged below the sliding-belt <NUM>, as can be seen in particular in <FIG>. This allows to obtain a considerable saving in terms of room, and in particular to avoid installing the motor in a specific compartment generally arranged, in the machines according to the prior art, in the rear part or in the front part of the base of the frame, adjacent to the front end, or at the rear end of the base itself, with a consequent increase in the support surface of the gymnastic machine <NUM>.

It should also be considered that the sliding-belt <NUM>, being a closed-circuit, has a first portion <NUM>, on the surface of which the user can walk when performing the exercise, and a second portion <NUM> which returns, arranged below said first portion <NUM>. As can be seen in particular in <FIG>, the motor <NUM> is arranged below the second portion <NUM> of the sliding-belt <NUM>.

The base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> of said gymnastic machine <NUM> also comprises two horizontal supports <NUM>, arranged perpendicularly, and coupled to said first <NUM> and second <NUM> lateral longitudinal member, to which the electric motor <NUM> can be fixed, by means of suitable fastening members such as screws, nuts, rivets and the like.

The transmission assembly <NUM> also includes a flywheel device <NUM>, in its turn comprising a flywheel <NUM>, whose function will be better explained in the following, a shaft <NUM>, keyed at a first end with said flywheel <NUM>, which comprises a toothing <NUM>, obtained on the second free end.

The flywheel device <NUM> also comprises a flange <NUM> for coupling to said first lateral member <NUM>. Said shaft <NUM> is rotatably coupled to said flange <NUM> by means of a bearing <NUM>.

Said flywheel device <NUM> is arranged in the housing <NUM>' of said first lateral member <NUM>, so that the toothing <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> can pass through said opening <NUM>", so as to protrude towards the inside of said first side member <NUM>, in such a position that the circumferential toothing <NUM> on the dragging roller <NUM> is aligned with the toothing <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>.

The transmission assembly <NUM> further comprises motion transmission members, which, particularly in the present embodiment, include a driving belt <NUM>, for example of the Poly-V type, and a snub pulley <NUM>, rotatably pivoted about said first lateral member <NUM>.

The driving belt <NUM> is engaged with the pinion <NUM> of said motor <NUM>, with the coupling portion <NUM> of said dragging roller <NUM> (or, in the embodiment at issue, with the circumferential toothing <NUM>) with said flywheel <NUM>, by means of the toothing <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, on which it is keyed, and with the snub pulley <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, said driving belt <NUM> is coupled to the snub pulley <NUM> with the non-toothed portion, while it is coupled to all the other elements of the transmission assembly <NUM> by the toothed portion.

The snub pulley <NUM> is positioned in such a way as to maximize the winding angle on the pinion <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and on the toothing <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. In this way, the transmission belt engages for a greater section, in particular with the toothing <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> keyed on the flywheel <NUM>, and with the pinion <NUM> of the electric motor <NUM>.

As can be seen, the motion transmission assembly <NUM> has a particularly compact arrangement of the components, which allows the motion to be transmitted from the electric motor <NUM>, arranged entirely below the sliding-belt <NUM>, to one of the dragging rollers <NUM>.

In this case the electric motor <NUM> transmits the motion to the dragging roller installed at the rear of the gymnastic machine <NUM>. However, in a similar way, said electric motor <NUM> may be arranged and installed so as to transmit the motion to the dragging roller installed in the front of the gymnastic machine <NUM>.

The operation of the gymnastic machine <NUM> described above is as follows.

When the gymnastic machine <NUM> is activated by a user, generally acting on the viewer or display <NUM>, which is generally of touch screen type, the electric motor <NUM> is activated and rotates the dragging roller <NUM> by means of the driving belt <NUM>. At the same time, the flywheel <NUM> of said flywheel device <NUM> is also moved.

The function of the flywheel <NUM> is both attenuating any speed variations of the electric motor <NUM> and, when an exercise is terminated and the gymnastic machine <NUM> is switched off and the power supply of the electric motor <NUM> interrupted, allowing, by means of the inertia of the flywheel <NUM> of the flywheel device <NUM>, a gradual slowing down of the sliding-belt <NUM>, so as to prevent the user from falling if the sliding-belt <NUM> suddenly stops.

As can be seen, the electric motor <NUM> has an arrangement under the sliding-belt <NUM> and it is not arranged in the rear or the front part of the gymnastic machine <NUM>, thus reducing the overall surface occupied by the same.

The transmission assembly <NUM> allows, owing to its arrangement and to the functional connection with the dragging roller <NUM>, an optimal arrangement of components and thus an overall reduction of the surface occupied by the base <NUM>.

Finally, as can be seen, while the electric motor <NUM> is advantageously arranged under the sliding-belt <NUM>, the flywheel <NUM> is arranged above, again with respect to said electric motor <NUM>, taking advantage of a space in any case occupied by the lateral member <NUM>, without requiring additional space.

Thus, the axis arrangement of the flywheel <NUM> in an upper position with respect to the axis of the electric motor <NUM> carries a further advantage in terms of the encumbrance.

Indeed, if the flywheel were coupled directly to the motor (as usually happens in the machines according to the prior art), to obtain the required transmission ratio, the bulk of the diameter of the flywheel would have made it necessary to arrange the belt further raised, with apparent increase in the height of the sliding-belt, making it more difficult for the user to access the gymnastic machine.

More specifically, with reference to <FIG>, the electric motor <NUM> has a rotation axis AM, said dragging roller <NUM> has a rotation axis AR, and the flywheel <NUM> has a rotation axis AV.

As can be seen, the axis AM of the electric motor <NUM> and the rotation axis AR of the dragging roller <NUM> are parallel. Furthermore, the axis of rotation AM of the electric motor <NUM> is arranged below the rotation axis AR of the dragging roller <NUM>.

In addition, the rotation axis AM of the electric motor and the rotation axis AV of the flywheel <NUM> are parallel. Furthermore, the rotation axis AM of the electric motor <NUM> is arranged below the rotation axis AV of the flywheel <NUM>.

An advantage of the present solution is that of allowing the realization of a very compact base of the frame of the gymnastic machine, with limited overall dimensions, without the need to include a front or rear hood for housing the motor/transmission/flywheel assembly.

It is also an advantage of the solution according to the invention the fact that the electric motor for the dragging of the sliding-belt is arranged below the belt, and only the snub pulley, the belt are arranged close the lateral longitudinal member of the frame of the gymnastic machine. In this way, the electric motor occupies a lowered position with respect to the dragging roller, which moves the belt.

Claim 1:
Gymnastic machine (<NUM>) comprising
a frame (<NUM>) having a base (<NUM>), wherein said base comprises a first (<NUM>) and a second (<NUM>) longitudinal member,
a closed-circuit sliding-belt (<NUM>) associated with said base (<NUM>), arranged between said first (<NUM>) and said second (<NUM>) longitudinal member, on which a user can execute a gymnastic exercise,
at least one dragging roller (<NUM>) configured to drag said sliding-belt (<NUM>) in a sliding direction (A), wherein said dragging roller (<NUM>) comprises a coupling portion (<NUM>),
and
a transmission assembly (<NUM>) having an electric motor (<NUM>), configured to move said sliding-belt (<NUM>), said transmission assembly (<NUM>) comprising motion transfer members (<NUM>, <NUM>) for transferring the motion of said electric motor (<NUM>) to said dragging roller (<NUM>), wherein
said electric motor (<NUM>) is arranged below said sliding-belt (<NUM>), and
said frame (<NUM>) comprises at least one horizontal support (<NUM>) perpendicularly arranged, and coupled with said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) side member, wherein said electric motor (<NUM>) is fastened to said at least one horizontal support (<NUM>),
wherein said gymnastic machine (<NUM>) is characterized in that
the transmission assembly (<NUM>) includes a flywheel device (<NUM>) comprising a flywheel (<NUM>) and a shaft (<NUM>), keyed at a first end with said flywheel (<NUM>), which comprises a toothing (<NUM>), obtained on the second free end, wherein said shaft is arranged in such a way that said toothing (<NUM>) is aligned with said coupling portion of said dragging roller.