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TreadmillRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Treadmill For Foot TravelTreadmill description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060058162, Treadmill. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a treadmill comprising a frame structure as well as roller parts supported against the frame structure, a belt part, and means for rotating at least one of the roller parts, whereby the belt part is arranged to rotate as an endless loop around the roller parts. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Treadmills are very popular devices today, being used for instance at gyms and at home for training within both keep-fit activities and world-class sports. An advantage of treadmills is that running exercises can be done indoors, whereby one is not dependent on weather conditions or large halls. Further, in keep-fit activities, an advantage of treadmills is the possibility to combine the exercises with some other activity, for example watching TV. [0005] Over the years, various types of treadmills have been manufactured, from simple basic devices to diversified devices intended for test use. Devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,855,537, 5,899,834, 5,921,893, 6,273,843, 6,325,745, 6,461,275 and 6,475,121 as well as in U.S. application publication 2002/0183169 can be mentioned as examples of known treadmill solutions. [0006] In known solutions, the structure comprises a tread base that is attached to the load-bearing metal frame of the treadmill with either rigid or elastic bolt or screw joints, for instance with rubber bushings or steel springs. [0007] A disadvantage of prior art solutions has been a complex and often large-size structure. The complexity also means a large number of components, which increases the costs related to acquiring, storing and assembling the components. Also, the weight of the devices according to known solutions is often considerably high, which makes the moving of the device more difficult. Corresponding problems are also caused by the large size of the device; for instance, a high-positioned tread surface is not regarded as user-friendly. In some cases, the weight and large size of the construction also cause problems when the device is to be transported to the customer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] An object of the invention is to provide a treadmill by means of which disadvantages of prior art can be eliminated. This has been achieved with the solution of the invention. The treadmill according to the invention is characterized in that the frame structure is made of a self-supporting structure functioning as a tread base and formed as an integrated glued structure. [0009] An advantage of the invention is that the number of components in the structure is essentially smaller than in prior art solutions, whereby the costs are reduced in this respect, compared with prior art solutions. The treadmill according to the invention is also significantly lighter than a conventional one, because the elements used in the integrated glued structure, such as honeycomb plates and aluminum profiles, may be very light. The invention also enables an extremely low structure in which the tread surface is close to the floor surface. Such a feature is considered very advantageous today. Owing to the small number of components of the treadmill according to the invention, assembling the treadmill is quicker than with conventional treadmills. Yet another advantage is that the invention can utilize materials, such as aluminum, that do not require pre-treatment or surface treatment, as did the steel structures of prior art solutions. Owing to its lightness and small size, the treadmill of the invention is also easily moveable and can be packed and stored as a small-size unit, which is advantageous with regard to the production, logistic chain and user's training premises. [0010] Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: [0012] The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the example illustrated by the attached drawing, of which [0013] FIG. 1 shows a principled side view of a treadmill structure according to the invention; [0014] FIG. 2 shows a structure according to FIG. 1, seen in direction A; and [0015] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the structure according to FIGS. 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] The figures show the treadmill according to the invention as a principled manner. Reference numeral 1 indicates the frame structure of the treadmill, while reference numerals 2 and 3 designate roller parts arranged to be supported against the frame structure. Reference numeral 4 indicates a belt part arranged to rotate as an endless loop around the roller parts 2, 3. The above aspects represent completely conventional technology known to a person skilled in the art, and therefore they are not described in more detail here. [0017] The treadmill further comprises means for rotating at least one roller part. In the example of the figures, the above means comprise a roller motor, but it is clear that they may also comprise a separate motor unit, gear means etc. The treadmill further comprises a handle part, which is provided with means for controlling the use of the treadmill. Further, the treadmill may be provided with means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the treadmill, etc. Also these aspects represent completely conventional technology known to a person skilled in the art, so that they are not described in more detail here. In this context, reference is made to the above-mentioned publications relating to prior art. [0018] In accordance with an essential idea of the invention, the frame structure 1 of the treadmill is comprised of a self-supporting structure 5 formed as an integrated glued structure functioning as a tread base. As seen from the figures, the integrated glued structure constitutes the load-bearing lower part and the tread base; in other words it thus replaces a separate tread base, a separate frame structure, different support structures, dampers and all mechanical connecting peaces, such as screws, bolts, plates and the like elements used in known treadmills. [0019] The structural solution according to the invention has essentially fewer components than conventional treadmill solutions, in which the base is formed by, for example, a tread base plate damped by rubber bushings, and a steel frame structure below it. [0020] The invention thus comprises a self-supporting structure 5 which functions as a tread base and may be formed of a light and torsionally stiff plate. A honeycomb plate, for instance, can be used as such a plate, the raw material of the honeycomb cells being for instance aluminum or plastic. The thickness of the plate may be 20 to 30 mm, but also thinner or thicker plates are feasible as far as the total strength of the plate is guaranteed. The upper and lower surfaces of the plate cell can be provided, by gluing, with thin surface plate parts 6, 7 that give the structure the actual stiffness. The plate part 6 of the upper surface must be of a material with low friction and very good abrasion resistance, because the belt part 4 is, during use, against the plate part 6 and rubbing against it the whole time. The above-mentioned plate parts may be relatively thin, for instance 0.5 to 2 mm. The plate part 6 of the upper surface must endure enough point-like loading that may be generated in some cases, for instance sharp shoe heels. The plate part 7 of the lower surface does not have the same kind of requirements for abrasion resistance and endurance of point loading as the plate part 6 of the upper surface. Continue reading about Treadmill... Full patent description for Treadmill Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Treadmill 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 Treadmill or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Foldable treadmill Next Patent Application: Training apparatus Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Treadmill patent info. 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