Treadmill belt safety mechanism
OwnerPatrick Hald, Gerald Nelsoninventors
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Abstract
An improved lift apparatus for use in an exercise device having a support base and a moveable element is disclosed. The moveable element can be selectively raised and lowered relative to the support base by the user during operation of the exercise device. The improved lift apparatus includes: (i) a first lift motor; (ii) a second lift motor; and (iii) a synchronization mechanism for synchronizing the first and second lift motors. A belt safety mechanism for controlling unanticipated movement of the endless belt is also disclosed.
Claims22
An improved belt safety mechanism for use in an exercise device having a support frame, first and second rollers mounted on the support frame and an endless belt mounted on the first and second rollers wherein a drive system selectively moves the endless belt on the first and second rollers, the improved safety mechanism comprising:
- a motion detector configured to detect movement of the endless belt;
- and
- means for regulating movement of the endless belt when movement of the endless belt is unanticipated.
An improved belt safety mechanism for use in an exercise device having a support frame, first and second rollers mounted on the support frame and an endless belt mounted on the first and second rollers wherein the endless belt moves in response to one of:
- (i) a force exerted by the drive system;
- or (ii) a force independent of the drive system, the improved safety mechanism comprising:
- a motion detector configured to detect movement of the endless belt;
- and
- a means for regulating movement of the endless belt such that the drive system is actuated when movement of the endless belt results from a force independent from the drive system.
An improved belt safety mechanism for use in an exercise device having a support frame, first and second rollers mounted on the support frame and an endless belt mounted on the first and second rollers wherein the endless belt moves in response to one of:
- (i) a force exerted by the drive system;
- or (ii) a force independent of the drive system, the improved safety mechanism comprising:
- a motion detector wherein the movement of the endless belt is detected;
- and
- a belt movement regulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.