Patent Description:
A treadmill, also called a running machine, is an exercise machine that may provide an exercise effect of walking or running in a narrow space by using a belt that rotates on a caterpillar. Because treadmills may enable walking or running exercise indoors at moderate temperatures regardless of weather, the demand thereof has rapidly increased day by day.

Such a treadmill may further include an inclination adjustment apparatus capable of adjusting the inclination of a track unit in order to maximize the exercise effect or provide various exercise environments.

Incidentally, such inclination adjustment apparatuses may be classified into a single-type inclination adjustment apparatus for adjusting the inclination by one length adjustment member and a dual-type inclination adjustment apparatus for adjusting the inclination by two length adjustment members. Document <CIT> discloses a treadmill with dual-type inclination adjustment apparatus according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, claim <NUM> and claim <NUM>.

The single-type inclination adjustment apparatus may have the advantage that its structure is simple but may have the disadvantage that the stability of the track unit is low.

On the other hand, compared to the single-type inclination adjustment apparatus, the dual-type inclination adjustment apparatus may have the advantage that the track unit is stable but may have the disadvantage that a structure for simultaneously operating two length adjustment members is complex and its size is large.

One or more embodiments include a length adjustment module, an inclination adjustment apparatus, and a treadmill including the same, which may have a simple structure and may minimize a size increase thereof while securing the stability of a track unit.

According to one or more embodiments, a treadmill includes:.

In an embodiment, the first length adjustment member may include: a driving screw rotatably driven by the driving motor; a driving pulley arranged at an end portion of the driving screw and around which the connection belt is partially wound; and a first movement unit moving in a lengthwise direction thereof and having a driving female screw unit formed at an inner circumferential surface thereof and engaging with a thread of the driving screw, and the second length adjustment member may include: a driven screw arranged in parallel to the driving screw; a driven pulley arranged at an end portion of the driven screw and around which the connection belt is partially wound; and a second movement unit moving in a lengthwise direction thereof and having a driven female screw unit formed at an inner circumferential surface thereof and engaging with a thread of the driven screw.

In an embodiment, a distance between the first linear section and the second linear section of the connection belt may correspond to a diameter of the driving pulley or a diameter of the driven pulley.

In an embodiment, the treadmill may further include a module box for storing the driving pulley, the driven pulley, and the connection belt.

In an embodiment, a width of the module box may be larger than the diameter of the driving pulley and may be less than about <NUM> % of the diameter of the driving pulley.

In an embodiment, the treadmill may further include a support pole for supporting the module box to be pivotable around a virtual line connecting a rotation axis of the driving pulley to a rotation axis of the driven pulley.

In an embodiment, a height of the support pole may be less than or equal to about <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the treadmill may further include a track driving unit arranged in front of the track unit to rotatably drive the track unit, wherein the track driving unit may include: a front housing; and a track driving motor stored in the front housing to rotatably drive the track unit.

In an embodiment, the support pole may be arranged in the front housing, and a maximum height of the front housing with respect to the track unit may be less than or equal to about <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the track driving motor may be heavier than the driving motor, and the track driving motor may be arranged to be closer to a center of the front housing than the driving motor.

In an embodiment, the treadmill may further include a tension applying structure configured to press the second length adjustment member away from the first length adjustment member.

According to one or more embodiments, an inclination adjustment apparatus includes a length adjustment module of which a length is adjustable to adjust an inclination of a track unit,.

According to one or more embodiments, a length adjustment module of which a length is adjustable includes:.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, the appended claims, and the detailed description of the disclosure.

These general and particular embodiments may be implemented by using a system, a method, a computer program, or a combination of the system, the method, and the computer program.

According to the length adjustment module, the inclination adjustment apparatus, and the treadmill including the same according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the stability of the track unit may be improved while simplifying the structure thereof and minimizing the size increase thereof.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a treadmill <NUM> according to embodiments, and <FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of the treadmill <NUM> according to embodiments. <FIG> is a partial perspective view of the treadmill <NUM> according to embodiments, which is viewed at another angle, and <FIG> is a diagram for describing an operation of an inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the illustration of a support unit <NUM> is omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the treadmill <NUM> according to embodiments may include a track unit <NUM>, a support apparatus <NUM> rotatably supporting the track unit <NUM>, a track driving unit <NUM> arranged in front of the track unit <NUM> to rotatably drive the track unit <NUM>, and an inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> configured to adjust the inclination of the track unit <NUM>.

The treadmill <NUM> may further include a support unit <NUM>. The support unit <NUM> may include a support <NUM>, a handle <NUM> attached to the other end of the support <NUM>, and a control panel <NUM> installed to allow the user to enter an exercise program and view exercise information.

The track unit <NUM> may include a track belt <NUM> of a caterpillar type. However, the configuration of the track unit <NUM> is not limited thereto and may be variously modified. For example, although not illustrated in the drawings, the track unit <NUM> may include a plurality of slats arranged along the rotation direction thereof, instead of the track belt <NUM>.

The track driving unit <NUM> may include a track driving motor <NUM> for rotating the track unit <NUM>, a rotation belt <NUM> connected to the track driving motor <NUM>, and a front housing <NUM> configured such that the track driving motor <NUM> and the rotation belt <NUM> may not be exposed outside. However, the track driving unit <NUM> may be an optional configuration and the track driving unit <NUM> may be omitted in a manual treadmill <NUM> in which the track unit <NUM> is rotated by the user.

The front housing <NUM> may include a lower cover <NUM> and an upper cover <NUM> detachable from the lower cover <NUM>.

The support apparatus <NUM> may include a driving roller <NUM> arranged at a front side thereof, a driven roller <NUM> arranged at a rear side thereof, a deck <NUM> arranged between the driving roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM> and arranged inside the track belt <NUM>, and a support frame <NUM> configured to support both side portions of the deck <NUM>. The driving roller <NUM> may be connected to the track driving motor <NUM> by the rotation belt <NUM>.

Between the support frame <NUM> and the deck <NUM>, dampers <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged to absorb the impact applied to the deck <NUM>. The dampers <NUM> and <NUM> may include a damper <NUM> for absorbing the force applied vertically to the deck <NUM> and a damper <NUM> for absorbing the force applied horizontally to the deck <NUM>.

The inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> may be arranged under a front portion of the treadmill <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> may include an inclination support unit <NUM> pivotably connected to the support apparatus <NUM> and a length adjustment module <NUM> connected to the inclination support unit <NUM> and adjustable in length.

The inclination support unit <NUM> may include a pair of support members <NUM> and a connection member <NUM> connecting the pair of support members <NUM>. One end portion of each of the pair of support members <NUM> may be pivotably connected to the support frame <NUM> and the other end portion thereof may contact a floor F. A rotation member <NUM> rotating while contacting the floor F may be arranged at the other end portion of the support member <NUM>.

A portion of the length adjustment module <NUM> may be exposed outside the front housing <NUM> of the treadmill <NUM> and another portion thereof may be arranged inside the front housing <NUM>. The exposed portion of the length adjustment module <NUM> may be pivotably connected to the inclination support unit <NUM>.

As the length of the length adjustment module <NUM> is adjusted, an angle θ1 between the length adjustment module <NUM> and the inclination support unit <NUM> may vary and an angle θ2 between the inclination support unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> may vary. As the angle θ2 of the inclination support unit <NUM> varies, an angle θ3 of the track unit <NUM> and the angle of the support apparatus <NUM> with respect to the floor F may vary.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which the upper cover <NUM> is removed from the treadmill <NUM> according to embodiments, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the length adjustment module <NUM> of <FIG> at another angle. <FIG> is a plan view of the length adjustment module <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view of the length adjustment module <NUM> of <FIG> with a module box <NUM> omitted therefrom, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the length adjustment module <NUM> of <FIG> taken along a line AB.

Referring to <FIG>, the length adjustment module <NUM> may include a driving motor <NUM>, first and second length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM> adjustable in length by the driving motor <NUM>, and a connection belt <NUM> connecting the first and second length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first length adjustment member <NUM> may be arranged in parallel to the second length adjustment member <NUM>. The first length adjustment member <NUM> and the second length adjustment member <NUM> may be simultaneously adjustable in length.

The first length adjustment member <NUM> may be integrally formed with the driving motor <NUM>. The first length adjustment member <NUM> may be directly driven by the driving motor <NUM>.

As the driving motor <NUM> is driven, a length L1 of the first length adjustment member <NUM> connected to the driving motor <NUM> may be adjusted. Through the first length adjustment member <NUM> and the connection belt <NUM>, the driving force of the driving motor <NUM> may be transmitted to the second length adjustment member <NUM>, and in this process, a length L2 of the second length adjustment member <NUM> may be adjusted.

As such, because the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> has a structure in which the inclination thereof is adjusted as the length thereof is adjusted by two length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM>, the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> may prevent the horizontal shaking of the track unit <NUM>.

The first length adjustment member <NUM> may include a driving screw <NUM> rotatably driven by the driving motor <NUM>, a driving pulley <NUM> arranged at an end portion of the driving screw <NUM> and partially wound by the connection belt <NUM>, and a first movement unit <NUM> having a driving female screw unit <NUM> formed at an inner circumferential surface thereof and engaging with a thread of the driving screw <NUM>.

The driving screw <NUM> may be rotated by the driving motor <NUM> and the first movement unit <NUM> may be moved in the lengthwise direction thereof by the rotation of the driving screw <NUM>. For example, as the driving screw <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction, the first movement unit <NUM> may move in the direction toward the driving screw <NUM> and accordingly the length L1 of the first length adjustment member <NUM> may decrease. For example, as the driving screw <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the first movement unit <NUM> may move in the direction away from the driving screw <NUM> and accordingly the length L1 of the first length adjustment member <NUM> may increase.

The second length adjustment member <NUM> may include a driven screw <NUM> arranged in parallel to the driving screw <NUM>, a driven pulley <NUM> arranged at an end portion of the driven screw <NUM> and partially wound by the connection belt <NUM>, and a second movement unit <NUM> having a driven female screw unit <NUM> formed at an inner circumferential surface thereof and engaging with a thread of the driven screw <NUM>.

As the driving pulley <NUM> is rotated, the driven pulley <NUM> connected by the connection belt <NUM> may be rotated. The driven screw <NUM> may be rotated by the rotation of the driven pulley <NUM> and accordingly the second movement unit <NUM> may be moved in the lengthwise direction thereof. For example, as the driven screw <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction, the second movement unit <NUM> may move in the direction toward the driven screw <NUM> and accordingly the length L2 of the second length adjustment member <NUM> may decrease. For example, as the driven screw <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the second movement unit <NUM> may move in the direction away from the driven screw <NUM> and accordingly the length L2 of the second length adjustment member <NUM> may increase.

The connection belt <NUM> may be configured to connect the driving pulley <NUM> to the driven pulley <NUM> to transmit the driving force from the driving pulley <NUM> to the driven pulley <NUM>.

As the configuration of connecting the driving pulley <NUM> to the driven pulley <NUM>, a plurality of connection gears may be considered instead of the connection belt <NUM>. However, the plurality of connection gears may not only increase weight and cost but also generate noise that may cause inconvenience to the user. In contrast, compared to the plurality of connection gears, the connection belt <NUM> may not only reduce the weight and cost but also minimize the noise.

The connection belt <NUM> may include a first curved section <NUM> wound around the first length adjustment member <NUM>, a second curved section <NUM> wound around the second length adjustment member <NUM>, a first linear section <NUM> connecting one end portion of the first curved section <NUM> to one end portion of the second curved section <NUM>, and a second linear section <NUM> connecting the other end portion of the first curved section <NUM> to the other end portion of the second curved section <NUM> and corresponding to the first linear section <NUM>.

The first linear section <NUM> may extend from the first curved section <NUM>, the second curved section <NUM> may extend from the first linear section <NUM>, the second linear section <NUM> may extend from the second curved section <NUM>, and the first curved section <NUM> may extend from the second linear section <NUM>.

As an example where the second linear section <NUM> corresponds to the first linear section <NUM>, the length of the second linear section <NUM> may be equal to the length of the first linear section <NUM> and the second linear section <NUM> may be parallel to the first linear section <NUM>.

Although not illustrated, as an example where the second linear section <NUM> corresponds to the first linear section <NUM>, when the diameter of the driving pulley <NUM> is different from the diameter of the driven pulley <NUM>, the length of the second linear section <NUM> may be equal to the length of the first linear section <NUM> and the second linear section <NUM> may not be parallel to the first linear section <NUM>.

The connection belt <NUM> may include a material that is elastically deformed. For example, the connection belt <NUM> may include rubber.

The length adjustment module <NUM> may further include a module box <NUM> in which the driving pulley <NUM>, the driven pulley <NUM>, and the connection belt <NUM> are stored. The module box <NUM> may be arranged inside the track driving unit <NUM>. The module box <NUM> may be arranged in front of the track driving motor <NUM>.

The length adjustment module <NUM> may further include a tension applying structure <NUM> for pressing the second length adjustment member <NUM> away from the first length adjustment member <NUM>.

When the second length adjustment member <NUM> is pressed away from the first length adjustment member <NUM> by the tension applying structure <NUM>, the connection belt <NUM> may be elastically deformed and in this process, the connection belt <NUM> may closely contact the first and second length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM>.

The tension applying structure <NUM> may include a pressing member <NUM> installed at the module box <NUM> to press the second length adjustment member <NUM> and a plurality of slot holes <NUM> arranged at the module box <NUM> and extending in the pressing direction of the pressing member <NUM>. A fixing member <NUM> for fixing the second length adjustment member <NUM> to the module box <NUM> may be inserted into the plurality of slot holes <NUM>.

In an assembly process, the fixing member <NUM> may be fixed to the plurality of slot holes <NUM> in a state where the second length adjustment member <NUM> is pressed away from the first length adjustment member <NUM> by the pressing member <NUM>. Accordingly, the connection belt <NUM> wound around the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulley <NUM> may be elastically pressed and the connection belt <NUM> may closely contact the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulley <NUM>. The first curved section <NUM> may contact the driving pulley <NUM> and the second curved section <NUM> may contact the driven pulley <NUM>.

Lengths L31 and L32 of the first linear section <NUM> and the second linear section <NUM> may be equal to each other. A distance G between the first linear section <NUM> and the second linear section <NUM> may correspond to the diameter of the driving pulley <NUM> or the diameter of the driven pulley <NUM>.

As the distance G between the first linear section <NUM> and the second linear section <NUM> decreases to correspond to the diameter of the driving pulley <NUM> or the driven pulley <NUM>, a width W of the module box <NUM> may be designed to be small.

For example, the width W of the module box <NUM> may be less than about <NUM> % of the diameter of the driving pulley <NUM>. For example, the width W of the module box <NUM> may be less than or equal to about <NUM>. In this case, the width W of the module box <NUM> may be larger than the diameter of the driving pulley <NUM>.

At both side portions of the module box <NUM>, a support pole <NUM> may be arranged to pivotably support the module box <NUM>. A pivot shaft <NUM> of the module box <NUM> may be pivotably supported by the support pole <NUM>.

The module box <NUM> may pivot around a virtual line VL connecting a rotation axis A1 of the driving pulley <NUM> to a rotation axis A2 of the driven pulley <NUM>.

By reducing the size of the module box <NUM>, the rotation radius of the module box <NUM> may be reduced. Accordingly, a height h1 of the support pole <NUM> supporting the module box <NUM> may be lowered. For example, the height h1 of the support pole <NUM> may be less than or equal to about <NUM>. Here, the height of the support pole <NUM> may be defined as the height h1 from the upper surface of the track belt <NUM>.

As the height h1 of the support pole <NUM> is lowered, the height of the front housing <NUM> may be designed to be low. The height of the upper cover <NUM> may be designed to be low. For example, a maximum height h2 of the front housing <NUM> with respect to the track unit <NUM> may be less than or equal to about <NUM>.

As described above, because the driving motor <NUM> may be driven to adjust the length L1 of the first length adjustment member <NUM> and the second length adjustment member <NUM> may be driven by the first length adjustment member <NUM> through the connection belt <NUM> to adjust the length L2 of the second length adjustment member <NUM>, it may be advantageous in various aspects.

First, as described above, because the first length adjustment member <NUM> and the second length adjustment member <NUM> spaced apart from each other are connected by the connection belt <NUM>, the space occupied by the connection belt <NUM> may be reduced. Accordingly, the rotation radius of the module box <NUM> storing the connection belt <NUM> may be reduced and the height of the track driving unit <NUM> may be lowered. This may achieve the effect of improving the design of the treadmill <NUM>.

Next, the left and right weights of the treadmill <NUM> may be designed in a balanced manner. In general, the track driving motor <NUM> may be heavier than the driving motor <NUM> of the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM>. For example, the weight of the track driving motor <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>, whereas the weight of the driving motor <NUM> of the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In the process of designing the driving motor <NUM> to be connected to the first length adjustment member <NUM>, the relatively heavy track driving motor <NUM> may be arranged to be relatively close to the center between the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulley <NUM> and the relatively light driving motor <NUM> may be arranged to be relatively far from the center between the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulley <NUM>.

For example, a distance G1 from the center of the track driving motor <NUM> to the center between the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulley <NUM> in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the track belt <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> and a distance G2 from the center of the driving motor <NUM> to the center between the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulley <NUM> in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the track belt <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

As such, by arranging the track driving motor <NUM> and the driving motor <NUM> in consideration of their respective weights, the horizontal shaking of the treadmill <NUM> may be minimized. Here, the center between the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulley <NUM> may coincide with the center of the front housing <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in the above embodiments, an example where the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> is used in the treadmill <NUM> has been mainly described. However, the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> according to embodiments is not limited thereto and may be variously applied to any other apparatuses requiring inclination adjustment.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an inclination adjustment apparatus 40a applied to an exercise machine <NUM> according to other embodiments. Referring to <FIG>, the exercise machine <NUM> according to embodiments may include a track unit <NUM>, a support apparatus <NUM> rotatably supporting the track unit <NUM>, a track driving unit <NUM> rotatably driving the track unit <NUM>, and the inclination adjustment apparatus 40a adjusting the inclination of the track unit <NUM>. The support apparatus <NUM> may be pivotably supported with respect to a base unit <NUM>.

The inclination adjustment apparatus 40a may be arranged under the track unit <NUM>. The inclination adjustment apparatus 40a may include a driving motor <NUM>, first and second length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM> adjustable in length by the driving motor <NUM>, and a connection belt <NUM> (see <FIG>) connecting the first and second length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM>.

One end portion of the first and second length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM> may be pivotably connected to a connection unit <NUM> of the support apparatus <NUM>. In a module box <NUM>, a driving pulley <NUM> (see <FIG>), a driven pulley <NUM> (see <FIG>), and a connection belt <NUM> connecting them may be stored. The module box <NUM> may be pivotably supported by a support pole <NUM> of the base unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in the above embodiments, an example where the length adjustment module <NUM> including the pair of length adjustment members <NUM> and <NUM> is applied to the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> has been mainly described. However, the application of the length adjustment module <NUM> is not limited to the inclination adjustment apparatus <NUM> and it may be applied to various apparatuses.

Claim 1:
A treadmill (<NUM>) comprising:
a track unit (<NUM>);
a support apparatus (<NUM>) rotatably supporting the track unit; and
an inclination adjustment apparatus (<NUM>) configured to adjust an inclination of the track unit,
wherein the inclination adjustment apparatus includes a length adjustment module (<NUM>) of which a length is adjustable and is configured to vary an inclination angle of the track unit with respect to a floor as the length thereof is adjusted,
the length adjustment module includes:
a driving motor (<NUM>)
a first length adjustment member (<NUM>) of which a length is adjustable by a driving force of the driving motor;
a connection belt (<NUM>) partially wound around the first length adjustment member and
a second length adjustment member (<NUM>) arranged in parallel to the first length adjustment member, connected to the first length adjustment member by the connection belt, and having a length that is adjustable by the driving force received from the driving motor through the first length adjustment member and the connection belt, characterized in that
the connection belt includes:
a first curved section (<NUM>) wound around the first length adjustment member; a second curved section (<NUM>) wound around the second length adjustment member; a first linear section (<NUM>) connecting one end portion of the first curved section to one end portion of the second curved section; and a second linear section (<NUM>) connecting another end portion of the first curved section to another end portion of the second curved section and corresponding to the first linear section.