# US 9,039,579 B1 · Convertible acupressure treadmill belt and treadmill

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- Number: US 9,039,579 B1
- Document ID: US9039579B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/869,261
- Filed: 2013-04-24
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-04-24
- Applicants: Joshua Osime
- Inventors: Joshua Osime
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039579B1

## CPC

- A63B 22/14: Platforms for reciprocating rotating motion about a vertical axis {, e.g. axis through the middle of the platform}
- A61H 39/04: Devices for pressing such points, e.g. Shiatsu {or Acupressure}(Massage or pressure on general areas A61H9/00 - A61H23/00)
- A63B 22/0285: {Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia}
- A61H 2201/1284: using own weight
- A61H 2201/1695: Enhanced pressure effect, e.g. substantially sharp projections, needles or pyramids
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)

## Abstract

A convertible treadmill belt apparatus in which base belt (10) is transformable both into an endless belt with prickly acupressure massaging surface by releasable attachment of at least one acupressure patch (20), and into a regular smooth surfaced treadmill belt, also by releasable attachment of at least one bald treadmill patch (50). Unique patches (20) and (50) can also be assembled to create different sized acupressure mats. These are used for massages in a variety of ways including on the floor, in a chair, and suspended on a wall.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An exercise equipment, comprising:
a. a treadmill apparatus with a base treadmill belt traveling around a pulley having releasable attachment means on an outer surface for receiving at least one suitably dimensioned flexible sheet of material or patch,
b. said at least one suitably dimensioned flexible sheet of material or patch, having complementary releasable attachment means underneath and a smooth and/or prickly top surface, whereby upon releasable attachment of at least one said suitably dimensioned flexible sheet or patch, said treadmill belt's surface is transformed to and from a regular smooth running surface to a partial or full prickly surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The exercise equipment of apparatus of claim 1 wherein said patches are made of mesh reinforced plastic.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The exercise equipment of claim 1 wherein said prickly surfaced patches have varied spikes formed in or attached to their upper surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The exercise equipment of claim 1 wherein said releasable attachment means is loops and hooks recloseable fastener combination.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The exercise equipment of claim 1 wherein said releasable attachment means is a zip recloseable fastener combination.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The exercise equipment of claim 1 wherein said releasable attachment means is a snap button recloseable fastener combination.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The exercise equipment of claim 1 wherein said patches have the same releasable attachment means situate on said base treadmill belt replicated on the fore portion of said patch's top surface, said fore portion leading in the direction of travel of said base treadmill belt.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The exercise equipment of claim 7 wherein a smooth and/or prickly surface is created by releaseably and overlappingly attaching the necessary patches to said base treadmill belt such that said fore portion of patches top surface receive atop of each, substantially equivalent stern portions of another patch, the stern being the trailing portion of the patch when moving in the direction of travel of the base treadmill belt.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The exercise equipment of claim 8, wherein said patches are overlappingly and releaseably attached to form an exercise mat for use without attachment to said treadmill belt.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The exercise equipment of claim 1 wherein varied spikes are formed in or attached to said base treadmill belt outer surface and interlaced with said releasable attachment means.

### Claim 11

A method of reversibly changing the surface texture of a treadmill belt, comprising
a. providing a base treadmill belt travelling around a pulley and having releasable attachment means on an outer surface for receiving at least one suitably dimensioned flexible sheet of material or patch,
b. providing said at least one suitably dimensioned flexible sheet of material or patch, having complementary releasable attachment means underneath and a smooth and/or prickly top surface,
c. reversibly changing the surface texture of said base treadmill belt by releaseably attaching said suitably dimensioned flexible sheets onto said base treadmill belt, whereby upon releasable attachment of at least one said suitably dimensioned flexible sheet or patch, said treadmill belt's surface is transformed to and from a regular smooth running surface to a partial or full prickly surface.