Cushioned treadmill belts and methods of manufacture
AssigneeICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
InventorsWilliam T. Dalebout, David J. Watterson, Greg W. Law
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A treadmill belt is provided having a base layer of synthetic fabric over which a stabilizing layer of polyvinylchloride is deposited. The combined base layer and stabilizing layer are formed into a continuous belt over which a compressible cushion layer is deposited. The opposing ends of the cushion layer are stitched together at a select angle relative to a transverse axis extending across the treadmill belt.
Claims32
A continuous treadmill belt for supporting an operator during use of a treadmill, the treadmill belt comprising:
- a continuous engagement belt comprising a base layer of woven fabric and a stabilizing means for so stiffening the base layer as to substantially preclude localized shear displacement of the base layer in the plane thereof when the treadmill belt is engaged by the operator on the treadmill, the engagement belt having a top surface extending between opposing edges;
- a resiliently, compressible cushion layer positioned over the top surface of the engagement belt, a continuous integral portion of the cushion layer transversely extending between the opposing edges of the engagement belt;
- and
- attachment means for securing the cushion layer to the engagement belt.
A continuous treadmill belt comprising:
- (a) a base layer of woven synthetic fabric;
- (b) a stabilizing layer of polyvinylchloride deposited over the base layer;
- (c) a resiliently, compressible cushion layer secured on top of the stabilizing layer;
- and
- (d) a cover layer of fabric material positioned on top of the cushion layer, the base layer, stabilizing layer, cushion layer, and cover layer each being secured together so as to preclude independent slipping of one layer relative to another layer.
A method for manufacturing a treadmill belt that supports an operator during use of a treadmill, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a base layer of woven fabric having a first end and an opposing second end;
- (b) applying a stabilizing material to the base layer, the stabilizing material substantially precluding localized shear displacement of the base layer in the plane thereof when the treadmill belt is engaged by the operator on the treadmill;
- (c) securing together the first end and the opposing second end of the base layer having the stabilizing material thereon to form a continuous engagement belt;
- and
- (d) compressing a cushion layer against the engagement belt using pinching rollers, the cushion layer having an adhesive on one side thereof that secures the cushion layer to the engagement belt.
A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising fashioning the second end of the cushion layer so that the second end is oriented at an angle complementary to the first end.
A continuous treadmill belt for supporting an operator during use of a treadmill, the treadmill belt comprising:
- (a) a continuous engagement belt comprising a base layer of woven fabric and a stabilizing means for so stiffening the base layer as to substantially preclude localized shear displacement of the base layer in the plane thereof when the treadmill belt is engaged by the operator on the treadmill;
- (b) a cover layer of fabric material;
- (c) a resiliently, compressible cushion layer positioned between the engagement belt and the cover layer, the cushion layer being secured to the engagement belt so as to substantially preclude any portion of the cushion layer disposed between the engagement belt and the cover layer from sliding relative to the engagement belt.
A method for manufacturing a treadmill belt that supports an operator during use of a treadmill, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a base layer of woven fabric having a first end with fingers formed thereat and an opposing second end with fingers formed thereat;
- (b) applying a stabilizing material to the base layer, the stabilizing material substantially precluding localized shear displacement of the base layer in the plane thereof when the treadmill belt is engaged by the operator on the treadmill;
- (c) interlocking the fingers at the first and second end of the base layer having the stabilizing material thereon;
- (d) heating the interlocking fingers so that the interlocking fingers are melted together, thereby forming a continuous engagement belt;
- and
- (e) attaching a resiliently compressible cushion layer to the engagement belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.