Treadmill with adjustable cushioning members

A treadmill comprising:

• a frame;
• an endless belt, said belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section;
• a deck disposed between said exercise section of said belt and said frame;
• and
• an impact absorbing mechanism coupled between the deck and the frame and configured to cushion an impact upon the exercise section of said endless belt, said impact absorbing mechanism enabling movement of said deck more than about 1.25 inches upon application of 600 lbs of force to said deck.

A treadmill comprising:

• a frame comprising a lower portion;
• a platform linked to said lower portion and extending therefrom;
• an endless belt, said belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section;
• a deck disposed between said exercise section of said belt and said frame;
• and
• an impact absorbing mechanism linked to said platform and said deck, said impact absorbing mechanism being configured to cushion an impact upon said deck, said impact absorbing mechanism enabling movement of said deck more than about 1 inch.

An exercise device having a movable member, the exercise device comprising:

• a frame adapted to at least partially support a movable member, said frame having a lower portion;
• a platform linked to said lower portion of said frame;
• and
• means for cushioning impact upon said movable member, said means for cushioning being linked to said platform.

A treadmill comprising:

• a frame having a lower portion;
• a platform rigidly coupled to said lower portion;
• an endless belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section;
• a deck disposed between said exercise section of said belt and said frame;
• and
• an impact absorbing mechanism coupled between said deck and said platform and configured to cushion impact upon said deck, said impact absorbing mechanism comprising a cushioning member cooperating with said deck and said platform, wherein adjustment of said cushioning member is achieved by exchanging said cushioning member for another cushioning member having differing impact absorbing properties from said cushioning member.

A treadmill comprising:

• a frame;
• an endless belt, said belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section;
• a deck disposed between said exercise section of said belt and said frame;
• a first cup linked to said deck;
• and
• a second cup linked to said frame;
• wherein said first cup and said second cup are adapted to receive a cushioning member therebetween, said cushioning member aiding to cushion impact upon said deck.

A treadmill comprising:

• a frame;
• an endless belt, said belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section;
• a deck disposed between said exercise section of said belt and said frame;
• and
• an impact absorbing mechanism coupled between the deck and the frame and configured to cushion impact upon said deck, said impact absorbing mechanism enabling movement of said deck in accordance with at least one of a first relation y=350x for a first range of downward movement and a second relation y=640x−145, where x represents the amount of downward movement in inches and y represents the impact force in pounds.

A treadmill comprising:

• a frame comprising a lower portion;
• a platform linked to said lower portion and extending therefrom;
• an endless belt, said belt having an upwardly exposed exercise section;
• a deck disposed between said exercise section of said belt and said frame;
• and
• an impact absorbing mechanism linked to said platform and said deck, said impact absorbing mechanism being configured to cushion an impact upon said deck, said impact absorbing mechanism enabling movement of said deck in accordance with a first relation y=648x−23, where x represents the amount of movement in inches and y represents the impact force in pounds.