Inclining tread apparatus

An improved lift apparatus for use in an exercise device having a support base and a movable element, wherein the movable element can be selectively raised and lowered relative to the support base by the user during operation of the exercise device, wherein each of the support base and the moveable element have opposing first and second sides, the improved lift apparatus comprising:

• a first lift motor coupled between the support base and the moveable element;
• a second lift motor coupled between the support base and the moveable element wherein the first and second lift motors comprise lead-screw type lift motors;
• and means for synchronizing the first and second motors, wherein the synchronizing means comprises a control module for monitoring the rotation of the first and second lift motors and maintaining the first and second lift motors within a predefined rotational parameter relative to one another;
• and wherein the control module comprises:
• a first sensor and a first counter associated with the first lift motor, wherein the first sensor detects rotation of the first lift motor, increments the first counter each time the first lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in a first rotational direction, and decrements the first counter each time the first lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in a second rotational direction;
• a second sensor and a second counter associated with the second lift motor, wherein the second sensor detects rotation of the second lift motor, increments the second counter each time the second lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in the first rotational direction, and decrements the second counter each time the second lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in the second rotational direction;
• and
• logic means, coupled to the first and second counters and to the first and second lift motors, for automatically controlling the operation of the first and second lift motors such that the difference between the first and second counters does not exceed a predefined value.

An improved lift apparatus for use in an exercise device having a support base and a movable element, wherein the movable element can be selectively raised and lowered relative to the support base by the user during operation of the exercise device, wherein each of the support base and the moveable element have opposing first and second sides, the improved lift apparatus comprising:

• first lift motor coupled between the support base and the movable element;
• a second lift motor coupled between the support base and the moveable element;
• wherein the first and second lift motors comprise lead-screw type lift motors;
• and means for synchronizing the first and second motors, wherein the synchronizing means comprises a control module for monitoring the rotation of the first and second lift motors and maintaining the first and second lift motors within a predefined rotational parameter relative to one another;
• and wherein the control module comprises:
• a first sensor and a first counter associated with the first lift motor, wherein the first sensor detects rotation of the first lift motor, increments the first counter each time the first lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in a first rotational direction, and decrements the first counter each time the first lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in a second rotational direction;
• a second sensor and a second counter associated with the second lift motor, wherein the second sensor detects rotation of the second lift motor, increments the second counter each time the second lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in the first rotational direction, and decrements the second counter each time the second lift motor rotates through a predefined rotational angle in the second rotational direction;
• and
• a control circuit, coupled to the first and second counters and to the first and second lift motors, for automatically controlling the operation of the first and second lift motors such that the difference between the first and second counters does not exceed a predefined value.

An improved lift apparatus for use in an exercise device having a support base and a moveable element, wherein the moveable element can be selectively raised and lowered relative to the support base by the user during operation of the exercise device, and wherein each of the support base and the moveable element has opposing first and second sides, the improved lift apparatus comprising:

• a first lift motor coupled between the support base and the moveable element;
• a second lift motor coupled between the support base and the moveable element;
• and
• a synchronization mechanism configured to synchronize the first and second lift motors, the synchronization mechanism comprising a sway bar, the sway bar having a longitudinal axis, wherein the sway bar pivots about an axis other than said longitudinal axis.

An improved lift apparatus for use in an exercise device having a support base and a moveable element, wherein the moveable element can be selectively raised and lowered relative to the support base by the user during operation of the exercise device, and wherein each of the support base and the moveable element has opposing first and second sides, the improved lift apparatus comprising:

• a first lift motor coupled between the support base and the moveable element proximate the first side;
• a second lift motor coupled between the support base and the moveable element proximate the second side;
• and
• a mechanical linkage, interposed between the first and second lift motors and the support base, that compensates for variation between the first and second lift motors, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises a sway bar pivotally coupled to each of the first and second lift motors;
• and
• a control module for monitoring the first and second lift motors and maintaining the first and second lift motors within a predefined parameter relative to one another, the sway bar having a longitudinal axis, wherein the sway bar pivots about an axis other than said longitudinal axis.