Apparatus, system, and method for dual tread treadmill improvements

Abstract

A dual treadle treadmill. The dual treadle treadmill includes a frame, a first treadle, a second treadle, a clutch axle, and a tensioning mechanism. The first treadle and the second treadle are each pivotally coupled with the frame and each have a moving surface. The clutch axle includes an axle, a first driver, and a second driver. The axle is rotatably connected to the frame. The first driver is coupled to the axle by a first clutch. The first clutch transmits torque between the first driver and the axle in response to the first driver rotating in a first direction relative to the axle. The first treadle is connected to the first driver through a first link such that the first driver is rotated in a first direction in response to the first treadle being pivoted in the first direction. The tensioning mechanism maintains a tension on the first link.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual treadle treadmill comprising:
 a frame;   a first treadle having a first moving surface, the first treadle pivotally coupled with the frame;   a second treadle having a second moving surface, the second treadle pivotally coupled with the frame;   a clutch axle comprising:
 an axle rotatably connected to the frame; 
 a first driver coupled to the axle by a first clutch, the first clutch to transmit torque between the first driver and the axle in response to the first driver rotating in a first direction relative to the axle; 
 wherein the first treadle is connected to the first driver through a first link such that the first driver is rotated in a first direction in response to the first treadle being pivoted in the first direction; 
   a tensioning mechanism to maintain a tension on the first link.   
     
     
         2 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the first link is selected from the group consisting of a chain, a toothed belt, a belt, and a cable. 
     
     
         3 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the driver is selected from the group consisting of a toothed pulley, a sprocket, and a pulley. 
     
     
         4 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the clutch axle further comprises a second driver coupled to the axle by a second clutch, the second clutch to transmit torque between the second driver and the axle in response to the second driver rotating in the first direction relative to the axle;   the second treadle is connected to the second driver through a second link such that the second driver is rotated in the first direction in response to the second treadle being pivoted in the first direction; and   the second link is tensioned by the tensioning mechanism.   
     
     
         5 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 4 , wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises:
 a tensioning pulley rotatably connected to the frame;   a flexible linkage connected to the first link and the second link;   wherein the flexible linkage is routed around a portion of the tensioning pulley such that tension is applied by the flexible linkage to the first link and the second link in substantially parallel directions.   
     
     
         6 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 5 , wherein the tensioning mechanism further comprises:
 a second tensioning pulley rotatably connected to the frame;   wherein the flexible linkage is routed around a portion of the tensioning pulley and the second tensioning pulley such that tension is applied by the flexible linkage to the first link and the second link in substantially parallel directions.   
     
     
         7 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible linkage is selected from the group consisting of a cable, a rope, a chain, and a belt. 
     
     
         8 . A dual treadle treadmill comprising:
 a frame;   a first treadle having a first moving surface, the first treadle pivotally coupled with the frame;   a second treadle having a second moving surface, the second treadle pivotally coupled with the frame;   a clutch axle comprising:
 an axle rotatably connected to the frame; 
 a first driver coupled to the axle by a first clutch, the first clutch to transmit torque between the first driver and the axle in response to the first driver being rotated in a first direction relative to the axle; 
 wherein the first treadle is connected to the first driver through a first link such that the first driver is rotated in a first direction in response to the first treadle being pivoted in the first direction; 
   a transmission to transmit torque between the axle and a generator.   
     
     
         9 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 8 , wherein the transmission comprises one or more smoothing clutches to decouple the axle from the generator in response to a clutch component more closely connected to the generator rotating faster than a clutch component more closely connected to the axle. 
     
     
         10 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 9 , wherein the smoothing clutch is of a type selected from the group consisting of a one-way clutch, a clutch bearing, a one-way needle, a sprag clutch, a ratchet, a freewheel, and a slipper clutch. 
     
     
         11 . A dual treadle treadmill comprising:
 a frame;   a first treadle having a first moving surface, the first treadle pivotally coupled with the frame;   a second treadle having a second moving surface, the second treadle pivotally coupled with the frame;   a generator operably associated with the first treadle such that the generator is driven in response to the first treadle pivoting relative to the frame;   a rocker in mechanical communication with the first treadle and the second treadle, the rocker to synchronize the first treadle and the second treadle such that when the first treadle is at its highest position, the second treadle is at its lowest position; and   a sensor to sense the position of the first treadle relative to the second treadle.   
     
     
         12 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is connected to the frame and positioned to read an encoder on the rocker. 
     
     
         13 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 12 , wherein the encoder comprises a flange attached to the rocker, the flange to interact with the sensor when the rocker is within a range of rotation. 
     
     
         14 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 11 , further comprising a tail roller disposed at a treadle axis about which the first treadle and the second treadle pivot, wherein:
 the tail roller is driven by a motor to cause the first moving surface and the second moving surface to move;   the tail roller is rotatably connected to the frame at a first connection near a first end of the tail roller and a second connection near a second end of the tail roller;   the first moving surface and the second moving surface interface with the tail roller between the first connection and the second connection.   
     
     
         16 . The dual treadle treadmill of  claim 15 , wherein the tail roller is unsupported by the frame between the first connection and the second connection.