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Exercise equipmentRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Treadmill For Foot TravelExercise equipment description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060035757, Exercise equipment. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a non-provisional utility application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/602,263 titled "Exercise Equipment" filed Aug. 16, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS [0002] Aspects of the present invention involve exercise equipment, and more particularly involve exercise equipment, such as a treadmill, with a four wheel combination elevation and transport assembly, a dual power plug arrangement, an arm support upright assembly providing structural and aesthetic flexibility, and a diagnostic light arrangement, alone or in combinations. BACKGROUND [0003] The health benefits of regular exercise are well known. Many different types of exercise equipment have been developed over time to facilitate exercise as well as medical rehabilitation. One example of a successful type of exercise equipment is the treadmill. Conventionally, a treadmill provides a moving surface, typically a belt arranged between rollers, that moves at a specified rate. The user walks or runs on the moving surface. Besides having well developed moving surface mechanics to provide a great user experience, it is important to also present a treadmill that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to move about a home, health club, rehabilitation facility or the like, and able to be arranged in a home or other area as a user desires. [0004] Conventional treadmills typically include a pair of front wheels that allow a user to pick up the back of the treadmill and roll the treadmill to a desired location. Treadmills that incorporate only the pair of front wheels force the user to support a substantial amount of the weight of the treadmill making movement of the treadmill strenuous. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a treadmill that allows for efficient and reliable movement of the treadmill. [0005] To drive the tread belt or other moving surface, typical conventional treadmills include a motor and drive electronics. Most conventional treadmills also include other electronics, such as to provide a customized workout or for selecting from existing preprogrammed workout routines. Conventional treadmills typically provide one power outlet where a power cord is connected and may be plugged into a conventional wall outlet. The power outlet is typically provided at the front or rear of the treadmill. Many spaces are not tailored for placement of a treadmill, and wall plugs are inconveniently located in relation to the desired placement of a treadmill. In these situations, it is often necessary to add extension cords in order to reach a wall outlet. Oftentimes, the treadmill power outlet will be on a side of the treadmill away from the desired outlet; thus, causing the cord to be stretched around the treadmill to reach the outlet. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide for alternative or additional power outlets on the treadmill to provide for alternative power cord location. [0006] As with any electromechanical equipment, exercise equipment, whether a treadmill or other form of exercise equipment, requires periodic maintenance and sometimes malfunctions. In an effort to remind users of maintenance and expedite diagnosis of malfunctions, diagnostic light arrangements have been developed. The lights are illuminated in various combinations to identify various issues. However, conventional treadmills typically arrange the lights adjacent or on the various internal electronics, which are placed under covers. As such, the cover must be removed to view the lights. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide for diagnostic lights that viewable without removal of covers or otherwise easily viewed by a user. [0007] Various aspects of the present invention discussed in detail below address these and other concerns with conventional treadmills. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS [0008] One aspect of the invention involves an exercise apparatus, such as a treadmill, elliptical, exercise bicycle, etc., where the exercise apparatus includes a frame with at least one first wheel operably coupled with the frame. An elevation support frame defines a first portion and a second portion where the first portion is pivotally supported on the frame and the second portion operably supports at least one second wheel. A motor is coupled with the elevation support frame and the motor is adapted to pivot the elevation support frame and extend the at least one second wheel away from the frame. As such, the elevation support may lift the front of the exercise device to provide some degree of grade to the exercise apparatus. Further, the elevation support may extend from the frame to provide a wheeled arrangement for transporting the exercise device. [0009] Another aspect of the invention involves an exercise apparatus, such as a treadmill, elliptical, exercise bicycle, stair stepper, etc., the exercise apparatus includes a frame supporting an exercise device having at least one motor and associated motor control electronics. At least one console defines user inputs in communication with the control electronics. A shroud assembly is coupled with the frame and the shroud assembly covers at least the at least one motor. At least one status light is supported on the shroud and visible from a position external the exercise device. The at least one status light is adapted to receive illumination signals from at least one of the control board, the at least one motor and/or the console. The diagnostic lights are not necessarily supported on the panel, but may be arranged on some other portion of the exercise apparatus so that they are visible without having to remove the shroud. It is also possible to arrange the diagnostic lights in such a manner that they are only visible from some angles. For example, the diagnostic lights might be mounted on a panel located under below a shroud, but visible from the side of the device as they are arranged below a lower edge of the shroud. [0010] Another aspect of the invention involves an exercise apparatus, such as a treadmill, elliptical, exercise bicycle, stair stepper, etc., the exercise apparatus includes a frame defining a first region and a second region. The exercise apparatus further includes at least one power plug selection switch operably supported on the frame. A first power plug is operably supported on the first region of the frame where the first power plug is in electrical communication with the at least one power plug selection switch. A second power plug is operably supported on the second region of the frame where the second power is plug in electrical communication with the at least one power plug selection switch. [0011] Another aspect of the invention involves an exercise apparatus, such as a treadmill, elliptical, exercise bicycle, stair stepper, etc., the exercise apparatus includes a frame with at least one upright coupled with the frame. The at least one upright supports an arm member. The at least one upright includes an inner upright frame member coupled with the frame, the inner upright frame member defining a first side and a second side. Further, the at least one upright includes a first outer shroud member adapted to shroud the first side of the inner upright frame member, and a second outer shroud member adapted to shroud the second side of the inner upright and further adapted to engage the first outer shroud member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The detailed description will refer to the following drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: [0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a treadmill, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the treadmill shown in FIG. 1 with some of the shrouding removed to illustrate the various components of the treadmill; [0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the treadmill shown in FIG. 2; [0016] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the treadmill shown in FIG. 2; [0017] FIG. 5 is a front view of the treadmill shown in FIG. 2; [0018] FIG. 6 is a top view of the treadmill shown in FIG. 2; [0019] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the treadmill shown in FIG. 2; Continue reading about Exercise equipment... Full patent description for Exercise equipment Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exercise equipment patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Exercise equipment or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Twist pedals for stepping exercisers Next Patent Application: Crank weights Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Exercise equipment patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.34991 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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