Treadmill with vertically displaceable platform
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey A. Beyer, Stacy E. Stamm, Jay T. Worobets, Brian R. Brothers, Andrew James Lewis, Thomas J. Sawarynski, Jr., Edward F. Wettlaufer, Jr.
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Abstract
A treadmill has a base with a vertically displaceable platform. A mechanism is provided that resists the downward movement of the platform in response to a load applied to the platform. The mechanism also rebounds the platform upwardly with a force applied to the platform in response to a decrease of a load on the platform. A support structure enables stable vertical positioning of the platform with respect to the base.
Claims13
A displacement apparatus for a treadmill, comprising:
- a base;
- a platform;
- an actuator coupled between the base and the platform;
- wherein the actuator is configured to rebound the platform upward with a force applied in response to a control signal indicating a decrease in a load applied to the platform;
- and
- a resistance/rebound mechanism,
- wherein the actuator comprises one of a plurality of actuators of the resistance/rebound mechanism, each of the plurality of actuators being coupled between the base and the platform.
A method of operating a treadmill comprising a base, a platform movably coupled to the base, and an actuator, the method comprising:
- resisting, using the actuator, downward movement of the platform in response to a first control signal indicating that a load is applied to the platform;
- and
- rebounding, using the actuator, the platform upward with a force applied in response to a second control signal indicating a decrease in a load applied to the platform.
A displacement-based lighting system for a treadmill having a movable platform, the displacement-based lighting system comprising:
- a linear encoder configured to:
- detect a displacement of the platform, and
- send a signal based on the displacement of the platform;
- and
- a light source configured to:
- receive the signal from the linear encoder, and
- emit light based on the signal received from the linear encoder, wherein the linear encoder comprises a linear displaceable measurement piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.