Apparatus, system, and method for a flexible treadmill deck

Abstract

A treadmill including a frame, a suspension connector, a flexible deck, and a belt. The suspension connector is connected to the frame. The flexible deck is connected to the suspension connector. The flexible deck includes a metal panel extending substantially an entire width and length of the flexible deck. The belt is disposed on the flexible deck.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A treadmill comprising:
 a frame;   a suspension connector connected to the frame;   a flexible deck connected to the suspension connector, the flexible deck comprising a metal panel extending a width and a length of the frame; and   a belt disposed on the flexible deck.   
     
     
         2 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible deck comprises a heat transfer surface configured to transfer heat from the belt to the metal panel. 
     
     
         3 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the metal panel comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         4 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein a low friction coating is applied to the metal panel. 
     
     
         5 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein a phenolic sheet is disposed between the metal panel and the belt. 
     
     
         6 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible deck further comprises a wear surface coupled to the metal panel, the wear surface configured to reduce the wear of the flexible deck. 
     
     
         7 . The treadmill of  claim 6 , wherein the wear surface is disposed between the metal panel and the belt. 
     
     
         8 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the flexible deck is supported by the suspension connector and connected to the suspension connector via one or more deck fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate support disposed between the frame and the flexible deck. 
     
     
         10 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension connector provides at least one of rotation or translation of at least a portion of the flexible deck relative to the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension connector comprises a suspension pivot, the suspension pivot connected to the frame, wherein a portion the flexible deck pivots around the suspension pivot in response to an applied force on the flexible deck. 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing a treadmill, the method comprising:
 providing a frame;   connecting a suspension connector to the frame;   connecting a flexible deck to the suspension connector, the flexible deck comprising a metal panel extending a width and a length of the frame; and   disposing a belt on the flexible deck.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible deck comprises a heat transfer surface configured to transfer heat from the belt to the metal panel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising applying a low friction coating to the metal panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising disposing a phenolic sheet between the metal panel and the belt. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a wear surface and coupling the wear surface to the metal panel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising disposing the wear surface between the metal panel and the belt. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing one or more intermediate supports and disposing the one or more intermediate supports between the frame and the flexible deck. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising adjusting a stiffness of the intermediate supports based on a weight of a user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 connecting the flexible deck to the suspension connector via one or more deck fasteners, wherein the suspension connector is configured to support the flexible deck.