Running machine

A running machine, comprising:

• a flat lower plate member having a rectangular contour;
• an upper plate member disposed in spaced vertical relationship with said lower plate member;
• a plurality of laterally extending roller shafts rotatively coupled to said upper plate member in spaced parallel relationship;
• an endless belt disposed around said plurality of roller shafts;
• a motor disposed adjacent a front portion of said upper plate member and drivingly coupled to at least one of said plurality of roller shafts for providing displacement of said endless belt thereon;
• means for displacing said upper plate member relative to said lower plate member, said displacement means including four electrically operated lifts disposed between said upper plate member and said lower plate member, each of said lifts having a first end coupled to said lower plate member adjacent a respective corner thereof and having an opposing second end coupled to said upper plate member;
• a bellows having one end encompassing a perimeter portion of said upper plate member and an opposing other end encompassing a perimeter portion of said lower plate member;
• a computer electrically coupled to said motor and each of said four electrically operated lifts for controlling a speed of said motor and displacement of each of said lifts responsive to predetermined program;
• and,
• a visual-acoustic mask electrically coupled to said computer for providing visual and acoustic stimuli to a user, said visual-acoustic mask including a display screen for displaying images thereon and a pair of speakers for providing sounds associated with said images, wherein said computer coordinates changes in said lifts and motor with said images and said sounds to simulate a predetermined running environment.