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  Treadmill with uneven nonuniform surfaceUSPTO Application #: 20070060451Title: Treadmill with uneven nonuniform surface Abstract: The present invention discloses a dynamic massaging device coupled to an exercise apparatus. This unique system allows users to increase the amount of physical activity in their daily lives while simultaneously stimulating the natural ability of the body to heal itself through induced relaxation and decreased stress. The device provides for an adjustable walking surface. The walking surface contains a belt or mat which in turn support a variety of small protruding elements from the surface. Both the belt and protruding elements on the belt are adjustable to provide different walking environments. The purpose of the belt and various mechanisms located on the belt are ultimately to change the location of the protruding elements over time. The purpose of the protruding elements are to cause a depression in some part of the body, particularly the feet. These elements are adjustable in that they can be changed between sessions of use or during sessions of use to provide varied sensations. (end of abstract) Agent: Oc Patent, P.c Attn: Matt Mushet, Esq - Huntington Beach, CA, US Inventor: Scott Lucas USPTO Applicaton #: 20070060451 - Class: 482054000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Treadmill For Foot Travel The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070060451. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 111(b) and the filing date of provisional application 60/1716, 263, entitled TREADMILL FOR WALKING WITH SIMULATED COBBLESTONE TREADMILL BELT, filed Sep. 12, 2005. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of health care. More specifically, the invention relates to the technical field of reflexology and massaging induced by ambulatory movement. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. [0004] The growing segment of the aging Baby Boomer generation will likely develop an increased number of health problems relating to declining physical function and stability. Many of these problems can be prevented or eased by participation in regular physical activity; however, impediments in our busy daily lives can prohibit this activity from occurring. Unfortunately, optimal exercise prescriptions and tools for aging adults are not yet well established. Many conventional exercise programs such as aerobics or weight training also become overly physically challenging, costly and inconvenient. Thus, there remains a need to develop simple and readily accessible exercise tools and programs that will reduce chronic health problems and diseases associated with aging by simply increasing the amount of physical movement people experience. [0005] Mounting research suggests that regular physical activity or exercise by aging adults is associated with numerous health benefits including improved muscle function, improved balance, improved joint mobility and a reduction in blood pressure and stress. Increased research is being directed at new alternative forms of low impact exercise that appear to have very promising results. One of these forms of exercise is cobblestone walking. Tremendously popular in China and other Asian countries, cobblestone walking has been associated with greater health benefits for centuries. The individual benefits of walking combined with the accupressural stimulation of the feet and the strengthening of the small support muscles of the foot by walking on uneven surfaces all coincide to contribute to this achieved improvement in overall health. [0006] Although, it has only been recently that medical research has begun to quantitatively prove the health benefits of cobblestone walking. In a landmark paper from the Oregon Research Institute, Drs. Lee, Fisher, and Harmer concluded, "Cobblestone mat walking improved physical function and reduced blood pressure to a greater extent than conventional walking in older adults. Additional benefits of this walking program included improved health related quality of life. This new physical activity may provide a therapeutic and health enhancing exercise alternatives for older adults." (Journal of American Geriatric Society, 2005). [0007] As the benefits of cobblestone walking are becoming more clear, there is one problem that confronts older adults who wish to pursue this type of low-impact exercise program. There are very few cobblestone walking paths available in western-cultured societies. While widespread in Asia, these paths are rare in Europe and virtually nonexistent in the United States. Cobblestone mats, such as those used in the O.R.I. study, provide limited access, but are also too short in length to provide any sustained, continuous exercise program. [0008] One idea that has been disclosed, which suffers from one or more obvious drawbacks, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,859 to Yeh ("'859"). '859 discloses a treadmill having a massaging device underneath it. The drawback is that the massaging device in '859 is composed of a static system of knobs that are attached to an immobile structural support. This causes any user with a particular length stride to come in contact with the same knobs on the same part of the foot with every step. Thus, '859 completely denies the benefits associated with cobblestone walking and explained by reflexology theory. [0009] Another idea stemming from Patent Application No. 2005/0059912 to Ishiguro et al. ("'912") suggests a massaging device for the feet. It contains many elements capable of massaging both top and bottom of the foot to improve blood circulation. However, '912 fails to provide a simple apparatus by necessitating the use of various drive shafts and drive mechanisms. Utilizing these mechanisms also destroys one benefit of the presently disclosed invention which is allowing the user to provide the power to the system while simultaneously increasing strength and cardiovascular health. [0010] The solution to this problem of decreased physical activity, which is the subject matter of the present application, is simply to provide more access to a continuous and continuously changing ambulatory device. The following disclosure having the benefit of those skilled in the art achieves such a desired result while providing the additional benefits associated with cobblestone walking. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present disclosure provides for a dynamic massaging device coupled to an exercise apparatus. This unique system allows users to increase the amount of physical activity in their daily lives while simultaneously stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself through induced relaxation and decreased stress. [0012] More specifically, the present disclosure provides for an adjustable walking surface. The walking surface contains a belt or mat which in turn contains a variety of small protruding elements from the surface. Similar to a treadmill, the walking surface can be elevated to produce an angled platform. Both the belt and protruding elements on the belt can be adjustable or completely removable to provide different walking environments for the user. The purpose of the belt and various mechanisms located on the belt are ultimately to change the location of the protruding elements over time while the purpose of the protruding elements are to cause a depression in some part of a body, particularly the feet. These elements are adjustable in that they can be changed between sessions of use or during sessions of use, due to swelling or inflation to provide varied sensations. The various methods of altering the protruding elements will be more clearly explained in the following disclosure. All parts to the disclosed device may optionally be individually powered. [0013] These and other objectives of the claimed invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a treadmill of the prior art. [0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a treadmill of the prior art. [0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a cobblestone walking mat of the prior art. [0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the outer surface of the belt of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of another embodiment of the outer surface of the belt of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Treadmill with uneven nonuniform surface Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Treadmill with uneven nonuniform surface 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 with uneven nonuniform surface or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Foldable elliptical fitness machine Next Patent Application: Swim training apparatus Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Treadmill with uneven nonuniform surface patent info. 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