Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill

Abstract

A cushioning system for an exercise device such as a treadmill, and particularly a slat treadmill, that utilizes a springboard effect in mounting the tread deck to provide cushioning to the running surface.

1 . A running deck for a treadmill comprising:
 a support structure having a first belt roller disposed toward a first end thereof and a second belt roller disposed toward a second opposing end thereof;   a roller frame including a plurality of roller bearings and disposed between said first belt roller and said second belt roller;   a continuous belt disposed around said first belt roller and said second belt roller and rolling on said roller bearings;   a hinge support disposed toward said first end of said support structure and rotationally coupling said roller frame to said support structure; and   a compression support disposed toward said second end of said support structure;   wherein, when a force is applied to said continuous belt rolling on said roller bearings, said roller frame rotates at said hinge support compressing said compression support.   
     
     
         2 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said support structure comprises sidewalls. 
     
     
         3 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said continuous belt comprises a plurality of connected slats. 
     
     
         4 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said continuous belt comprises a fabric belt. 
     
     
         5 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said first belt roller comprises a toothed cog. 
     
     
         6 . The running deck of  claim 5  wherein said second belt roller comprises a toothed cog. 
     
     
         7 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said compression support comprises a mechanical spring. 
     
     
         8 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said compression support comprises an electromagnet. 
     
     
         9 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said first end comprises a front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The running deck of  claim 1  wherein said second end comprises a front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon. 
     
     
         11 . A treadmill comprising:
 a running deck comprising:
 a first belt roller and a second belt roller disposed toward opposing ends of said running deck; 
 a roller frame including a plurality of roller bearings and disposed between said first belt roller and said second belt roller; 
 a continuous belt disposed around said first belt roller and said second belt roller and rolling on said roller bearings; 
 a hinge support disposed toward said first end of said support structure and rotationally coupling said roller frame to said support structure; and 
 a compression support disposed toward said second end of said support structure; 
   a support frame; and   a control panel;
 wherein, when a force is applied to said continuous belt rolling on said roller bearings, said roller frame rotates at said hinge support relative to said support frame and compresses said compression support; 
   
     
     
         12 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said support structure comprises sidewalls. 
     
     
         13 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said continuous belt comprises a plurality of connected slats. 
     
     
         14 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said continuous belt comprises a fabric belt. 
     
     
         15 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said first belt roller comprises a toothed cog. 
     
     
         16 . The treadmill of  claim 15  wherein said second belt roller comprises a toothed cog. 
     
     
         17 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said compression support comprises a mechanical spring. 
     
     
         18 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said compression support comprises an electromagnet. 
     
     
         19 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said first end comprises a front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon. 
     
     
         20 . The treadmill of  claim 11  wherein said second end comprises a front end of said treadmill relative to a user walking thereon.