Cushioned pivoting deck

#The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to exercise treadmills, and still more particularly to suspension systems for supporting the deck of the exercise treadmill above an underlying frame structure.

#Exercise treadmills are widely used in spas, exercise clubs and also in individual residences to enable users to walk, jog or run indoors. This is especially useful during inclement weather and also at night or at other times when exercisers do not desire to run outdoors. Most exercise treadmills include first and second roller assemblies that are transversely mounted at the ends of a frame. An endless belt is trained about the roller assemblies. The upper run of the belt is supported by an underlying deck positioned between the belt and the frame.

#Efforts have been made to reduce the impact on the user's limbs and joints when jogging or running on a treadmill. One method of reducing the impact on an exerciser's body is disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,974,831 and 4,984,810. In the treadmills disclosed by these patents, the rear end of the deck is pivotally mounted to the frame, with the forward end of the deck supported by a suspension system. In the '831 patent, the suspension system consists of a fairly complicated lever arm assembly and cooperating shock absorbers. Striding on a deck results in pivoting of the lever arms and extension of the shock absorbers, thereby to dampen the impact of the user's feet. A drawback of this shock absorption system is its complex nature, rendering it costly to manufacture.

#The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an exercise treadmill constructed in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded pictorial view of the frame, deck, pivot connection and elastomeric springs of the exercise treadmill of FIG. 1;

#Initially referring to FIG. 1, a treadmill 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a frame 12 on which is mounted a forward roller assembly 14 and a rearward roller assembly 16 are transversely mounted to the frame. For purposes of the present application, including the claims therein, the designation “forward end” refers to the direction in which the exerciser faces when using the treadmill. The terms “rear” and “forward” refer to opposite directions. An endless belt 18 is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies 14 and 16. A deck 20 is positioned between the upper run of the belt 18 and the frame 12. Referring additionally to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the rearward portion of the deck 20 is pivotally mounted to the frame by a pivot connection 24 to allow the rearward portion of the deck to pivot transversely to the frame about an axis extending relative to the length of the deck. Elongate, deformable springs 26 are mounted on the frame to underlie side margins of the deck to support the deck in conjunction with the pivot connection 24.

#Describing the foregoing aspects of the present invention in greater detail, the frame 12 includes a pair of longitudinal, formed side rails 30A and 30B that are disposed in laterally spaced apart, parallel relationship to each other by a rearward cross member 32, an intermediate cross member 34 and a forward cross member 36. Ideally, the cross members are formed from hollow metal extrusions so as to provide a high strength to weight ratio. Brackets 38 are positioned on the frame side rails 30A and 30B to engage the ends of the roller assemblies 14 and 16; see FIGS. 2 and 3.

#The frame 12 also includes a pair of planar mounting plates 40A and 40B that extend upwardly from a position between the intermediate and forward cross members 34 and 36 to support an upwardly extending post 40. The post 40 extends upwardly and forwardly from the forward end of the frame 12 to support the transverse section 42 of railing 44. The railing 44 extends rearwardly and slightly downwardly from transverse section 42 and thereafter extends primarily downwardly to terminate at lower ends that are secured to the frame by attachment brackets 46. The railing is manually graspable by the exerciser during walking, jogging or running on the treadmill 10.