Ambulation simulation systems, terrain simulation systems, treadmill systems, and related systems and methods

Abstract

In particular embodiments, a treadmill may comprise one or more lifting mechanisms configured to lift and lower a treadmill belt (e.g., adjust an angle of the treadmill belt relative to a support surface) by adjusting a height of the front and rear of the treadmill about a pivot point. In particular embodiments, the pivot point may be positioned somewhat centered along a length of the belt. In particular embodiments, a seesaw arrangement may provide a central pivot point, providing a moment arm to the motor while decreasing a moment arm caused by the load (e.g., a runner). In this way, an apparent load on a motor providing incline and decline to the running surface may be reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A exercise platform comprising:
 a front end;   a read end;   an exercise surface that extends substantially between the front end and the rear end;   one or more lifting mechanisms configured to adjust an orientation of the exercise surface about a pivot point positioned between the front end and the rear end, wherein the one or more lifting mechanisms comprise:
 a first motor; 
 a first connector operatively connecting the first motor to a first portion of the exercise platform adjacent the front end; 
 a second motor; and 
 a second connector operatively connecting the second motor to a second portion of the exercise platform adjacent the rear end; and 
   computing hardware configured to control each of the first motor and the second motor to adjust a length of the first connector and the second connector to adjust the orientation of the exercise surface about the pivot point.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise platform of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot point is disposed in a central position between the front end and the rear end. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector operatively connects the first motor to the first portion of the exercise platform via at least one rotating connector. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise platform of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one rotating connector comprises at least one of a sprocket or a pulley. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise platform of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first connector and the second connector comprise at least one of a chain or a cable. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise platform of  claim 1 , wherein the computing hardware is further configured to automatically adjust the orientation of the exercise surface about the pivot point in response to a particular stimulus. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first motor and the second motor are disposed below the belt. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a gearbox configured to apply holding torque to the first connector. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise platform of  claim 1 , wherein the computing hardware is further configured to receive incline data and automatically adjust the orientation of the exercise surface about the pivot point based on the incline data. 
     
     
         10 . A exercise platform comprising:
 a front end;   a read end;   an exercise surface that extends substantially between the front end and the rear end;   one or more lifting mechanisms configured to adjust an orientation of the exercise surface about a pivot point positioned centrally between the front end and the rear end; and   computing hardware configured to control the one or more lifting mechanisms to adjust an incline level of the running surface about the pivot point.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise platform of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more lifting mechanisms comprise at least one lifting bag disposed beneath the exercise platform configured to expand and contract through to adjust the incline level of the exercise surface. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise platform of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more lifting mechanisms comprise a Stewart platform. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise platform of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the one or more lifting mechanisms comprise:
 a first motor; and 
 a first connector operatively connecting the first motor to a first portion of the treadmill adjacent the front end; and 
   the computing hardware is configured to control first motor to adjust a length of the first connector to adjust the incline of the exercise surface about the pivot point.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise platform of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the one or more lifting mechanisms comprise:
 a second motor; and 
 a second connector operatively connecting the second motor to a second portion of the exercise platform adjacent the rear end; and 
   the computing hardware is configured to control each of the first motor and the second motor to adjust a length of the first connector and the second connector to adjust the orientation of the exercise surface about the pivot point.   
     
     
         15 . An exercise platform comprising:
 a front end;   a read end;   an exercise surface that extends substantially between the front end and the rear end;   one or more lifting mechanisms configured to adjust an orientation of the exercise surface about a pivot point positioned between the front end and the rear end, wherein the one or more lifting mechanisms comprise:
 a first motor; 
 a first connector operatively connecting the first motor to a first portion of the exercise platform adjacent the front end; 
 a second motor; and 
 a second connector operatively connecting the second motor to a second portion of the exercise platform adjacent the rear end; and 
   computing hardware configured to control each of the first motor and the second motor to adjust a length of the first connector and the second connector to adjust the orientation of the exercise surface about the pivot point.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise platform of  claim 15 , wherein the pivot point is disposed in a position comprising at least one of centrally along a length defined by the exercise platform; one third along the length, or two-thirds along the length. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise platform of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first connector operatively connects the first motor to the first portion of the treadmill via at least one rotating connector;   the at least one rotating connector comprises at least one of a sprocket or a pulley.   
     
     
         18 . The exercise platform of  claim 15 , wherein:
 each of the first connector and the second connector comprise at least one of a chain or a cable.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise platform of  claim 15 , wherein the exercise platform comprises at least one of a rowing machine, a treadmill, a bicycle, a Jacob's ladder, or a climbing wall. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise platform of  claim 15 , wherein the computing hardware is further configured to automatically adjust the orientation of the running surface about the pivot point in response to a particular stimulus.