Exercise treadmill

Abstract

A new and improved exercise treadmill may include a frame having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is parallel to the first end. Two side rails interconnect the first and second end. The treadmill may further comprise a motor in order to drive a belt, which is trained over a front roller and a rear roller. A deck is positioned underneath the belt in order to support the user. At the first end of the treadmill, first and second arms extend upwardly and terminate in the protective shroud. The shroud may further comprise a console which contains push buttons for operating various programs while using the treadmill. The treadmill may further comprise two handles, which extend parallel to the deck. The treadmill may comprise a console that may have programs which may be started by pushing one button. It may also comprise a belt tensioning device, which provides a visual indicator so that the rear roller may be moved on each end in equal distance relative to the front roller. Another feature of the invention is a slot between the side rails and the frame so that an extended member can be inserted therein to lubricate the belt.

1 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a frame having a front end and a rear end, and first and second side rails extending longitudinally between said first end and said second ends;    a deck operatively connected to said frame;    a front roller and a rear roller operatively connected to said frame; and,    a belt trained about said front and rear rollers, wherein said first side rail has a first space defined therein, said first space adapted to provide access for maintenance.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a wiper assembly operatively connected to said deck, said wiper assembly selectively positionable between a first contact position where a wiper blade contacts an inner surface of said belt and a second no-contact position where said wiper blade does not contact said inner surface of said belt.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein an associated elongated strip is inserted into said first space and then between said deck and said belt so as to spread an associated lubricant between said deck and said belt.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein said second side rail has a second space defined therein.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , wherein an associated elongated strip is adapted to be inserted into said second space and then between said deck and said belt so as to spread a lubricant between said deck and said belt.  
   
   
       6 . A system for maintaining a treadmill, comprising: 
 a frame having a front end and a rear end, and first and second side rails extending longitudinally between said front end and said rear end; a deck operatively connected to said frame; a front roller and a rear roller operatively connected to said frame; and a belt trained about said front and rear rollers, wherein said first side rail has a space defined therein; and    an elongated strip adapted to be inserted into said space and then between said deck and said belt so that to spread a lubricant between said deck and said belt.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said elongated strip has a length greater than or equal to said width of said belt.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said system further comprises a motor operatively connected to said frame, said motor adapted to move said belt, wherein said elongated strip is adapted to remain in said space and between said deck and said belt while said belt is rotating about said rollers.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a wiper assembly operatively connected to said frame, said wiper assembly adapted to move relative to said belt such that a wiper selectively contacts an inner surface of said belt.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said space has a width sized to receive said elongated strip so that said strip can only move in a transverse direction.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said space has a width sized to received said elongated strip so that said strip can move in transverse and longitudinal directions.  
   
   
       12 . A method for lubricating a treadmill belt, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a frame having a front end and a rear end, and first and second side rails extending longitudinally between said front end and said rear end; a deck operatively connected to said frame; a front roller and a rear roller operatively connected to said frame; a belt trained about said front and rear rollers, wherein said first side rail has a space defined therein; and an elongated strip;    inserting said elongated strip into said space;    positioning said strip between said deck and said belt; and    distributing lubricant.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said belt has an outer surface, an inner surface, a top run, and a bottom run.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of positioning said strip between said deck and said belt further comprises the step of: 
 positioning said strip between said inner surface of said top run of said belt and said deck.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of positioning said strip between said deck and said belt further comprises the step of: 
 positioning said strip between said inner surface of said bottom run of said belt and said deck.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of distributing lubricant further comprises the step of: 
 moving said elongated strip in a transverse direction.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of distributing lubricant further comprises the step of: 
 moving said elongated strip in a longitudinal direction.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said treadmill further comprises a motor operatively connected to said frame to rotate one of said rollers so as to rotate said belt, wherein said step of distributing lubricant further comprises the step of: 
 distributing lubricant by rotating said belt while said motor is operating.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a wiper assembly operatively connected to said deck, said wiper assembly comprising a wiper blade operatively connected to an elongated member and a handle operatively connected to said elongated member.  
   
   
       20 . The method further of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of: 
 pivoting said handle,    pivoting said elongated member; and    pivoting said wiper blade such that said wiper blade selectively contacts an underside of said belt; and    removing debris from said underside of said belt.