Treadmill with a tensioning mechanism for a slatted tread belt

A treadmill, comprising:

• an exercise deck;
• a tread belt comprising multiple slats disposed on the exercise deck;
• a tensioning mechanism attached to the exercise deck;
• the tensioning mechanism comprising a selectively movable structure movable with respect to the exercise deck to push outward against an inward surface of the tread belt;
• the movable structure comprising a pivot end that allows the movable structure to pivot outward to apply tension on the tread belt;
• at least one slat of the multiple slats comprising an axle with a first end and a second end;
• a first track defined in a first side of the exercise deck and a second track defined in a second side of the exercise deck;
• and
• wherein the first track receives and guides the first end of the at least one slat, and the second track receives and guides the second end of the at least one slat.

A treadmill, comprising:

• an exercise deck;
• a tread belt comprising multiple slats disposed on the exercise deck;
• a tensioning mechanism attached to the exercise deck;
• the tensioning mechanism comprising a selectively movable structure movable with respect to the exercise deck to push outward against an inward surface of the tread belt;
• the movable structure comprising a pivot end that allows the movable structure to pivot outward to apply tension on the tread belt;
• at least one slat of the multiple slats comprising an axle with a first end and a second end;
• a first track defined in a first side of the exercise deck and a second track defined in a second side of the exercise deck;
• wherein the first track receives and guides the first end of the at least one slat, and the second track receives and guides the second end of the at least one slat;
• the first track forms a first partial loop in the first side of the exercise deck, and the second track forms a second partial loop in the second side of the exercise deck;
• the first partial loop comprises a first track entrance and a first track exit where the tread belt hangs between the first track entrance and the first track exit and the second partial loop comprises a second track entrance and a second track exit where the tread belt hangs between the second track entrance and the second track exit;
• the movable structure is arranged to apply the tension to the inside of the tread belt outside of the first and second tracks between the first and second track entrances and the first and second track exits;
• and
• the first track and the second track comprise a curved section spanning between a front section and a rear section of the exercise deck.