Treadmill with consistent push force on user's abdomen

Abstract

The present invention introduces a human-powered treadmill designed to provide a consistent push force on the user's abdomen, facilitating the movement of the treadmill belt through the user's feet. The treadmill features an ab-drive object, such as an flexible object (ab-band or ab-belt) and a solid object (ab-pad or ab-roller), positioned at the front of the treadmill frame. When the user leans forward during exercise, their abdomen pushes against this object, creating a backward thrust on their feet that propels the treadmill belt. This design allows for high-intensity workouts with/without the need for high speeds or inclines, addressing safety and usability issues associated with traditional motorized and non-motorized treadmills. The ab-drive object is adjustable to accommodate different user sizes and includes options for resistance/braking systems to vary workout intensity.

1 . A human-powered treadmill comprising:
 a frame structure including a base;   a front roller and a rear roller, supported by said frame structure;   a tread belt mounted on said front roller and rear roller;   a driving device coupled to the frame, the driving device being an ab-drive object connected directly to the front part of the treadmill's frame, positioned in the front and middle part of the user's body at a height or position suitable for user engagement, wherein when a user leans forward during walking or running on the treadmill's tread belt, the user's abdomen pushes against the ab-drive object, creating a backward thrust on the user's feet, thereby causing the user's feet to push back on the tread belt;   means for adjusting the position or height of the ab-push object to fit users of different sizes.   
     
     
         2 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the ab-drive object is band(s)/belt(s), a pad with a smooth and soft surface, or a rotatable cylinder (roller) with a smooth and soft surface. 
     
     
         3 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the position of the ab-drive object can be adjusted vertically via an cantilever to accommodate different user heights and body types. 
     
     
         4 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the treadmill includes a resistance/braking system to increase the resistance to move the treadmill belt and safely stop the tread belt or slat belt when the user stops engaging with the ab-push object. 
     
     
         5 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein the treadmill is designed for hands-free operation, with the user propelling the belt through abdominal pressure without the need for hand-push motion. 
     
     
         6 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 1 , further comprising means for generating and regulating resistance to the movement of the tread belt or slat belt to simulate different workout intensities. 
     
     
         7 . A human-powered treadmill comprising:
 a frame structure including a base;   a front roller and a rear roller, supported by said frame structure;   a tread belt mounted on said front roller and rear roller;   at least one ab-drive object connected to the frame structure at a height or position suitable for user engagement;   means for adjusting the position or height of the ab-drive object to fit users of different sizes;   at least a resistance/brake system on the front or rear roller to change the resistance to move the tread belt or slat belt, wherein when a user leans forward during walking or running on the treadmill's tread belt, the user's abdomen pushes against the ab-push object, creating a backward thrust on the user's feet, thereby causing the user's feet to push back on the tread belt and move it backward.   
     
     
         8 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 7 , wherein the ab-drive object is a pad with a smooth and soft surface or a rotatable cylinder with a smooth and soft surface. 
     
     
         9 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 7 , wherein the position of the ab-drive object is connected to a cantilever and can be adjusted vertically to accommodate different user heights and body types. 
     
     
         10 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 7 , further comprising means for generating and regulating resistance to the movement of the tread belt or slat belt to simulate different workout intensities. Friction or magnetic means can be used to generate the resistance to increase the resistance to move the treadmill belt and safely stop the tread belt or slat belt when the user stops engaging with the ab-drive object. 
     
     
         11 . The human-powered treadmill of  claim 7 , wherein the treadmill is designed for hands-free operation, with the user propelling the belt through abdominal pressure without the need for hand-push motion.