| US5688209A | 1997-11-18 | |||
| US20030027690A1 | 2003-02-06 | |||
| US6893382B1 | 2005-05-17 | |||
| US20040162191A1 | 2004-08-19 | |||
| US5665031A | 1997-09-09 | |||
| US20060068978A1 | 2006-03-30 |
| CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A hand powered treadmill having a frame and an endless tread belt mounted within the Frame, comprising: manual drive means for driving the endless tread belt to provide a moving exercise surface; means for receiving power from user's hands; means for transferring the power from user's hands to a single direction rotary power output; wherein said manual drive means comprises first and second handles, a drive train receiving manual power from said first and second handles and transferring said manual power to rotational output power and further moving said endless tread belt. 2. A hand powered treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said first and second handles engaged in reciprocal movement, said first handle moving in one direction causes said second handle to move in opposite direction. 3. A hand powered treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said drive train further comprises at least one overrunning clutch or freewheel to transport said rotary output power to move said endless tread belt. 4. A hand powered treadmill comprising: a frame; an endless tread belt mounted within the said frame; first and second handles coupled in reciprocal fixed range movement; and a drive train to transfer power from said first and second handles to the said endless tread belt. 5. A hand powered treadmill with claim 4, wherein said drive train comprising: at least one overrunning clutch or freewheel to transport power to said endless tread belt; and a coupling device to couple said first and the second handles together in reciprocal fixed range movement, reversing the movement direction of said first and second handles only can be done after said first and second handles passing the point of maximum movement range, matching the rearmost and frontmost point of said first and second handles, normally the dead spots of the handles. 6. A hand powered treadmill with claim 5, wherein said device for said first and second handles to achieve said reciprocal fixed range movement comprising a pair of opposing rotary coupling cranks on two opposite ends of first shaft to make said first and said second handles moving oppositely and with fixed range cycle. 7. A hand powered treadmill with claim 4, wherein said drive train further comprising: a spring enforced cam; rotation arm with a wheel on each end engaging with said cam to help said first and second handles passing dead spots by spring energy stored from said cam movement, said rotation arm fixed on said first shaft; and at least one overrunning clutch or freewheel on the said first shaft to realize single direction rotation. 8. A hand powered treadmill comprising: a frame; an endless tread belt mounted within the said frame; first and second handles coupled in reciprocal free-range movement; and a drive train to transfer power from said first and second handles to move the said endless tread belt. 9. A hand powered treadmill with claim 8, wherein said drive train comprising: at least one overrunning clutch or freewheel to transport power to move said endless tread belt; a coupling device to couple said first and the second handles together in reciprocal free- range movement, coupling the said first and second handles to move in opposite direction and reversing moving directions of said first and second handles whenever the input power force direction on said first and second handles reversed. 10. A hand powered treadmill with claim 9, wherein said drive train for said handles to achieve said reciprocal free-range movement comprising a pair of opposing rotary coupling gears to make said first and said second handles moving oppositely and the movement direction of said first and second handles can be changed whenever the force direction on said first and second handles reversed. 11. A hand powered treadmill with claim 10, wherein said gear train further comprising at least one overrunning clutch or freewheel on power input shaft of each said first and second handles to convert the movement of said first and second handles to single direction rotary movement. 12. A hand powered treadmill having a frame and an endless tread belt mounted within the frame, comprising: first and second handles mounted on the said frame rotationally; a drive train mounted on said frame to transfer the power from said first and second handles to said endless tread belt, said drive train com prising: first shaft with first crank on one end and second crank on the other end of said first shaft, said first crank connected to said first handle and said cecond crank connected to said second handle, coupling said handles moving reciprocally and opposingly to each other; a transmission to transfer said first shaft's rotation to desired rotation speed to move said endless trad belt in a right speed range to match user's walk or running pace; and at least one overrunning clutch or freewheel to transport the power to said endless belt; 13. A hand powered treadmill with claim 12, wherein an overrunning clutch or freewheel on said first shaft to prevent said first shaft to rotate in one direction. 14. A hand powered treadmill with claim 12, wherein said drive train further comprising: a spring secured cam for storing energy to help handles pass the dead spots; rotation arm with wheels engaged with said spring secured cam; an overrunning clutch or freewheel on said first shaft; and an overrunning clutch or freewheel on one shaft of said endless tread belt. 15. A hand powered treadmill having a frame and an endless tread belt mounted within the frame, comprising: first and second handles, said first handle connected on first handle shaft and said second handle connected on the second handle shaft, two said handle shafts coupled by a pair of gears on said first and second handle shafts, said first handle pivoted around said first handle shaft and said second handle pivoted around said second handle shaft, spring or rubber cushioning and energy storing material used to limit handles maximum movement range; a drive train mounted on said frame to transfer the power from said first and second handles to said endless tread belt, said drive train comprising: first and second handle shafts coupled each other by a pair of gears on said first and second handle shafts, one end of said first handle shaft connected to the lower end of said first handle and one end of said second handle shaft connected to the lower end of said second handle, first chainwheel or belt-wheel on said first handle shaft engaged with first freewheel on co-input shaft and second chainwheel or belt-wheel on said second handle shaft engaged with second freewheel on co-input shaft. a transmission to transfer said co-input shaft's rotation to desired rotation speed to move said endless tread belt in a right speed range to match user's walk or running pace; and at least one overrunning clutch or freewheel to transport the power to said endless tread belt. 16. A hand powered treadmill with claim 15, wherein said first and second freewheels on co-input shaft have the same freewheeling direction, first and second chainwheels or belt- wheels on said first and second handle shafts engaged with first and second freewheels on co- input shaft by chains or belts. |
Utility Patent Application (Nonprovisional)
TITLE: HAND POWERED MANUAL TREADMILL
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provision Patent Application No. 62638176, filed on March 4 th , 2018, entitled "Hand-Powered Manual Treadmill", which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to fitness equipment, more specifically, relates to treadmills used for walking and running exercise. The invention relates to a new concept treadmill with hand-powered system to help move tread belt to make manual treadmill fit all needs for running and walking exercise safely.
BACKGROUND [0003] Current treadmills can be divided into two categories: motorized and non- motorized treadmill or called manual treadmill. For motorized treadmill, user needs to adjust treadmill's speed to walk or run at the desired speed. User must walk or run fast or increase the incline of tread base to gain more intensive exercise. For many users, increasing the speed or incline may hurt their knees and even jeopardize users' safety. More than 50 people were killed by treadmill accidents in USA for the last 20 years. There are 24,000 treadmill accidents sent to emergency room in USA each year. Treadmill injure consistent of 40% total indoor fitness equipment injures sent to emergency room.
[0004] As for the regular manual/non-motorized treadmill, because the frictional resistance between the tread belt and the foot board's upper surface needs to be overcome by user, it's difficult to reach the desired speed without significantly increasing the incline of the tread base. In most case, increasing the incline of the tread base is the only option for higher intensity workout. It's very difficult to reach the anticipated running speed for current non- motorized treadmills, therefore significantly limited the usage of the non-motorized treadmills. To make the non-motorized treadmill reaching desired workout intensity and well controlling speed by user at the same time is the biggest challenge. Numerous researches have been done since the treadmills became most popular fitness equipment, but no significant breakthrough has been made so far.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a novel treadmill with hand-powered system generally comprising of two handles connected to the drive train with at least one freewheel or overrunning clutch in the drive train to transfer the power from handles to the tread belt. In order to generate a smooth and constant drive force, both freewheel/overrunning clutch and reciprocal handle coupling system are used in the drive train to drive the tread belt to fit the user's pace. Also, the hand-powered system transfer power to the tread belt or the tread belt shaft by at least one freewheel or overrunning clutch. Handles will be moved by force directly applied on each or both of handles. However, tread belt's movement will not drive the handles. The reciprocal handle movement system includes fixed range movement and free-range movement of both handles via different coupling system between two handles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Two groups of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as examples and are not limited by the figures of accompanying drawing.
[0006] Figs. 1-5 is one aspect of the treadmill with reciprocal fixed range movement handles.
[0007] Fig. 6 is the simplified handles setting illustration of another aspect of reciprocal fixed range movement handles.
[0008] Figs. 7-9 is one aspect of the treadmill with reciprocal free-range movement handles.
[0009] Figs. 10-14 is another aspect of the treadmill with free range movement handles.
[00010] The Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the treadmill with reciprocal fixed range
movement handles.
[00011] Fig. 2 is an enlargement of perspective view of the drive train of the Fig. 1.
[00012] Fig. 3 is a rear view of the Fig. 1, View B.
[00013] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the Fig. 1, View C.
[00014] Fig. 5 is a left side view of the Fig. 1, View D. [00015] Fig. 6 is a simplified illustration of the coupling mechanism of another reciprocal fixed range movement handles. [00016] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the treadmill with reciprocal free-range movement handles and two spots power output.
[00017] Fig. 8 is a side view of the Fig. 7. [00018] Fig. 9 is a bird's eye view of the Fig. 7. [00019] Fig. 10 is perspective view of the treadmill with reciprocal free-range movement handles and one spot power output.
[00020] Fig. 11 is an enlargement of perspective view of the drive train of the Fig. 10.
[00021] Fig. 12 is a bird's eye view of the Fig. 10.
[00022] Fig. 13 is a right side view of the Fig. 10. [00023] Fig. 14 is a left side view of the Fig. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00024] The present disclosure is to be considered as two groups of embodiments of the handle movement in present invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. The reciprocal handle movement system includes reciprocal fixed range movement and reciprocal free-range movement of both handles via different coupling system between two handles.
[00025] I n Figs. 1-5, the manual treadmill with basic structure such as base 40, foot board frame 41, front tread belt shaft 31, rear tread belt shaft 39, flywheels 24 and 32, and endless tread belt 30. The hand-powered system includes upper handles 1, 36, lower handles 4, 33, cranks 2, 34, crank connectors 3, 35, the first shaft 13, dead spot overcoming flywheel 11, the first chainwheel 12, the first chain 15, the first tension wheel 14, rotation arm 9 with wheels 8, 43 at each end, the cam 7 on its axle 6 pushed by the torsion spring 5, the second chainwheel 16 on the second shaft 17, gear 19 on the second shaft 17, gear 20 on the third shaft 18, universal joint 21, connector 22, the forth shaft 23, the third chainwheel 25, the second chain 26, the second tension wheel 27, freewheel chainwheel 29 on the front tread belt shaft 31. The coupling system for two handles and the transmission system between handles and the tread belt shaft can be called drive train here. Also, the treadmill frame comprises treadmill foot board frame and the treadmill base.
[00026] The lower handles 4 and 33 are connected to the upper handles 1 and 36 respectively. Drive train frame 37 in mounted on the foot board frame 41. The lower ends of lower handles 4 and 33 are connected to the drive train frame 47 via hinges 37 and 38
respectively. Bea rings or other rotational joints can also be used to replace hinges here. The user pushes and pulls each handle 1 and handle 36 alternatively, drives the first shaft 13 that with overrunning clutch 42 on it to allow the first shaft 13 to rotate only in one direction.
Cranks 2, 34 and crank connectors 3, 35 are used to connect lower handles 4, 33 to each end of the first shaft 13. The first chain 15 links the first chainwheel 12 to the second chainwheel 16, and further rotates the second shaft 17 to make the third shaft 18 to rotate reversely via the gear 19 and gear 20. The universal joint 21 is used to connect the third shaft 18 to the connector 22 and forth shaft 23. The third chainwheel 25 is connected to the forth shaft 23. The second chain 26 connects the third chainwheel 25 together with the freewheel chainwheel 29. The second tension wheel 27 and spring 28 are used to adjust the tightness of the second chain 26. The front tread belt shaft 31 is rotated by the second chain 26 via the freewheel chainwheel 29. User's hands power the treadmill's tread belt only if the freewheel chainwheel 29 rotates fast than the front tread belt shaft 31. Therefore, the tread belt can coast without the power from the handles. The power from user's hands help the tread belt to move at the desired speed . Freewheel and overrunning clutch can be replaced by each other, also chainwheel and chain can be replaced by belt wheel and belt here. [00027] Figs. 1- 5 show the hand powered treadmill with reciprocal fixed range handle movement. Each cycle of the handle movement is fixed. That means user needs to push or pull each handle to the maximum range before user can change the movement direction of the handle. User's left hand push handle 1 forwards will move the handle 36 backwards, vice versa. Therefore, one hand pushes and the other hand pulls at the same time and then switch the direction after passing each dead spot can generate consistent drive force. Overrunning clutch 42 can prevent the first shaft 13 rotate in the wrong direction. When the first shaft 13 rotates, the rotation arm 9 with wheels 8 and 43 at both ends will rotate and push against the cam 7 in terms. The cam 7 is assembled on axle 6 with a torsion spring 5 to push it against the wheels 8 and 43. When the rotation arm 9 rotates, the wheel 8 or 43 reaches the upper portion of cam 7 and pushes the cam 7 away until reaches the balance point where the clam 7 starts to move back towards the first shaft 13. Before the balance point, the torsion spring 5 stores energy from the movement of cam 7. After the balance point, the cam 7 starts to move backwards as the rotation arm 9 keeps rotating, and the torsion spring 5 releases its stored energy to push the cam 7 backwards and move the rotation arm 9 to help the handle pass the dead spot. At dead spots, the handle driving force is zero. In most setting, the dead sports are where handles 1 and 36 reaches their rearmost or foremost positions, or the points each handle starts to change its movement direction. An auto or manual speed transmission system can also be used in the drive train to change the gear ratio for different running/walking pace and speed.
[00028] Fig. 6 is a simplified illustration of another reciprocal fixed range movement handles setting. Handle 101 has a slot opening 102, and handle 105 has a slot opening 106. Handle 101 and handle 105 are rotatably connected to shaft 121. Wheel 109 connects to shaft 115 by overrunning clutch 116. Shaft 116 is connected to supporters 111, 112 rotatably. A pair of opposing cranks 104, 108, each crank having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end of each crank fixedly attached to one end of shaft 115. The outer end of crank 104 has a wheel 103 and can rotatably slide inside slot opening 102, while the out end of crank 108 has a wheel 107 and can rotatably slide inside slot opening 106. Handle 101 and handle 105 are connected rotatably on shaft 121, while supporters 111 and 112 are connected to shaft 121 fixedly. When handle 101 is pushed forwards, handle 105 will go backwards; when handle 101 is pulled backwards, handle 105 will go forwards. Therefore, two handles 101 and 105 are coupled in reciprocal fixed range movement. Since there is an overrunning clutch 116 between shaft 115 and wheel 116, the wheel 116 will be rotated only in one direction. Wheel 116 can be chainwheel or belt wheel to transport power from handles 101 and 105 to rest of drive train. This kind of handle setting can also be used in handle powered treadmill with reciprocal fixed range handle movement.
[00029] Figs. 7-9 show one aspect of hand-powered treadmill with free-range handle movement. Each cycle of the handle movement is flexible. Thant means user doesn't need to push or pull each handle to the maximum range before changing the movement direction of the handle. User can change the handles' reciprocal movement anytime. As for the non- motorized treadmills, to walk or run more intensively and comfortably, you need some additional force to pull tread belt backwards when you step your foot on the treadmill track. The most efficient way to achieve this is to add a hand-powered system with two handles having a coupling system between them to make the two handles moving reciprocally (one moves forwards and the other moves backwards). A drive train to transfer this power from hands to the endless tread belt by at least one freewheel or overrunning clutch.
[00030] One embodiment of the present invention comprises base 240, foot board frame 241, endless tread belt 230, front tread belt shaft 251, and rear tread belt shaft 252. These parts are similar to traditional treadmills. Lower handles 204 and 233 are connected to handle 201 and 236 respectively. Shaft 265 and shaft 268 are fixedly connected to lower handle 204 and lower handle 233 respectively. Gear 266 and chainwheel 263 are fixedly connected to each end of shaft 265; gear 269 and chainwheel 273 are fixedly connected to each end of shaft 268. Freewheel 271 on shaft 251 engages with chainwheel 273 by chain 272. Freewheel 271 can't rotates shaft 251 forward, therefore free wheel 271 only can drive tread belt 230 backwards. Freewheel 261 on shaft 251 engages with chainwheel 263 by chain 262. Freewheel 261 can't rotates shaft 251 forward, therefore free wheel 261 only can drive tread belt 230 backwards. Flywheels 224 and 232 are on shaft 251. When the right handle 236 is pushed forwards, the wheel 273 rotates and causes freewheel 271 to rotate freely without engaging with shaft 251, while the shaft 268 and gear 269 will rotate and engaging with gear 266 to rotate shaft 265, wheel 263, and freewheel 161 to rotate oppositely to drive tread belt 230 backwards and rotate handle 201 backwards. When the right handle 236 is pulled backwards, the wheel 273 rotates and pull the chain 272 to rotate freewheel 271 and shaft 251 to make tread belt 230 moving backwards and rotate handle 201 forwards. Gear 266 and gear 268 are engaged to move handles 201 and 236 in reciprocal movement. With freewheels or overrunning clutches 261 and 271 at each end or shaft 251, reciprocally push or pull handles 201 and 236 will move tread belt 230 backwards. Within certain degree, the pivotal range of handles 201 and 236 can be flexible. Therefore, each strike of the handles 201 and 236 in different range can drive the tread belt 230 backwards in different distance. In Fig. 9, the handles coupling system with two gears 266 and 269 in gear box 267 can also be replaced by gears 275, 276, 277, 278, and 279 inside gear box 274 (view "R" in Fig. 9), and the two shafts can be in the same axil in this way. Also, to limit the maximum movement range of the handles, spring or rubber this kind of cushioning and energy storing material is used.
[00031] Figs. 10-14 show another embodiment of hand-powered treadmill with free- range handle movement. The major differences compared with the previous one (Fig. 7-9) are handles and the drive train. A loop structure on each handle to minimize handlebar slop changing, and one-point power output to the shaft of tread belt. The treadmill comprises frame 343, tread belt 330, and drive train rack 301. Right handle is composed by handlebar 347, lower lever 348, and upper lever 346. Left handle is composed by handlebar 349, lower lever 351, and upper lever 350. The degree changes on handlebar 349 or 347 will be less than degree changes on lower lever 351 or 348, therefore, more comfortable for user to hold on the handlebars 349 and 347. Pulling the right handlebar 347 moves lower lever 348 back backwards and rotates shaft 334, chainwheel 339, and gear 318. In gear box 337, gear 318 further rotates gear 336, shat 315, chainwheel 313 in opposite direction. Therefore, moves left lower lever 351,
handlebar 349 and upper lever 350 forwards. The right and left handles are coupled in reciprocal free-range movement. Pulling the right handlebar 347 rotates chainwheel 339, and further rotate freewheel 342 by chain 341; pulling the right handlebar 347 or/and pushing the left handlebar 349 rotates chainwheel 313 and further rotates freewheel 308 by chain 309.
Tension wheels 340 and 312 are used to tight chain 341 and chain 309 respectively. Freewheels 342 and 308 engage with co-input shaft 307 in same freewheeling direction to drive tread belt 330 backwards. [00032] Pushing or pulling handlebars 347, 349 in reciprocal way drives shaft 307 in single rotation direction. In gear box 324, gear 321 and gear 328 are on same shaft, while gear 320 and gear 333 are on shaft 322; gear 323 engages with gear 321, gear 328 engages with gear 333, and gear 320 engages with ger 332. Gear 323 drives gear 321 in opposite rotation direction, rotates shaft 329 and gear 328. Gear 328 engages with gear 333 to rotate gear 320, and further rotate gear 332. Both gear 332 and wheel 302 are on the same shaft 311. Belt 303 connects wheel 302 and freewheel 304 together. Freewheel 304 is on shaft 305. Roller 345 and shaft 305 are on same axis. Flywheels 306 and 344 are on roller 345. Force on handlebar 347 or 349 rotates roller 345 and further moves tread belt 380 backwards. The back and forth movement of handlebars 347 and 349 drives tread belt 330 backwards. User can control each strike range of the handlebars 347 and 349 to control the tread belt's moving distance within each strike. To limit the maximum movement range of the handles, spring or rubber is used as cushioning and energy storing material to stop lower levers 351 and 348. An auto or manual speed transmission system can also be used in the drive train to change the gear ratio for different running/walking pace and speed. The treadmill also comprises a manual or motorized treadmill footboard incline adjustment device, meter and screen for control and display.
[00033] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effective without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It will be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
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