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A manually operated treadmill and methods of using the same are provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame

A manually operated treadmill and methods of using the same are provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end, a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end, and a running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run. The running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft. The treadmill is configured to control the speed of the running belt to facilitate the maintenance of the contour of the curved running surface.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A manually operated treadmill comprising: a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end;a front pulley coupled to the front shaft;a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear

1. A manually operated treadmill comprising: a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end;a front pulley coupled to the front shaft;a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end;a rear pulley coupled to the rear shaft;a running belt contacting the front and rear pulleys and including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that a first force generated by a user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft;a synchronizing system coupled to both the front and rear shafts, the synchronizing system comprising a synchronizing belt coupled between the front and rear shafts, wherein tension in the synchronizing belt provides a second force which acts to resist differential rotation of the front and rear shafts; andwherein the treadmill is configured to control the speed of the running belt to facilitate the maintenance of the contour of the curved running surface. 2. The manually operated treadmill of claim 1, wherein the front shaft is configured such that the speed of the running belt at the front shaft is greater than the speed of the running belt at the rear shaft. 3. The manually operated treadmill of claim 2, wherein the running belt is supported by and contacts the front and rear pulleys, wherein the radius of the front pulley is greater than the radius of the rear pulley. 4. The manually operated treadmill of claim 3, wherein the difference between the radius of the front pulley and the radius of the rear pulley is less than approximately 0.1 inches. 5. The manually operated treadmill of claim 3, wherein the difference between the radius of the front pulley and the radius of the rear pulley is between approximately 0.005 and 0.035 inches. 6. The manually operated treadmill of claim 2, further comprising a braking system configured to slow rotation of the rear shaft resulting in the greater speed of the running belt at the front shaft. 7. The manually operated treadmill of claim 1, wherein the synchronizing system further comprises a front synchronizing pulley coupled to the front shaft and a rear synchronizing pulley coupled to the rear shaft, the synchronizing belt coupled between the front and rear synchronizing pulleys. 8. The manually operated treadmill of claim 1, wherein the treadmill is configured to prevent movement of the running surface of the running belt in a direction from the rear shaft toward the front shaft. 9. The manually operated treadmill of claim 1, further comprising a one-way bearing assembly coupled to at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft, wherein the one-way bearing assembly prevents rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in one direction and permits rotation of at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in the opposite direction to restrict rotation of the running belt in a single direction. 10. The manually operated treadmill of claim 1, further comprising a manual elevation adjustment system configured to elevate the front end of the running belt, the manual elevation adjustment system comprising a hand crank that is rotated to raise and lower the front end of the running belt. 11. The manually operated treadmill of claim 1, wherein the curved running surface comprising at least a convex curved section and a concave curved section, wherein the concave curved section is located between the front shaft and the convex curved section. 12. A manually operated treadmill comprising: a treadmill frame;a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame;a front support member coupled to the front shaft;a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame;a rear support member coupled to the rear shaft;a running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is supported by the front support member and the rear support member, wherein a first force generated by a user causes rotation of the front support member and the rear support member and also causes the running belt to rotate relative to the treadmill frame; anda synchronizing system configured to cause the front support member and the rear support member to rotate at substantially the same speeds, the synchronizing system comprising a synchronizing belt coupled between the front and rear shafts, wherein tension in the synchronizing belt provides a second force which acts to resist the front and rear shafts from rotating at different speeds. 13. The manually operated treadmill of claim 12, wherein the synchronizing system further comprises a front synchronizing pulley coupled to the front shaft and a rear synchronizing pulley coupled to the rear shaft, the synchronizing belt coupled between the front and rear synchronizing pulleys. 14. The manually operated treadmill of claim 12, wherein the front support member is configured such that the speed of the running belt at the front support member is greater than the speed of the running belt at the rear support member. 15. The manually operated treadmill of claim 14, wherein the front support member comprises a front pulley and the rear support member comprises a rear pulley, wherein the running belt is disposed around and contacts the front and rear pulleys, wherein the radius of the front pulley is greater than the radius of the rear pulley resulting in the greater speed of the running belt at the front support. 16. A manually operated treadmill comprising: a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end;a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end; anda running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that a first force generated by a user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft;a synchronizing system configured to provide a second force that acts to resist differential rotation of the front and rear shafts, wherein the synchronizing system is coupled to both the front and rear shafts and comprises a synchronizing shaft having: a front portion interconnected with the front shaft; anda rear portion interconnected with the rear shaft;wherein the front portion and the front shaft, and the rear portion and the rear shaft, are simultaneously interconnected to provide the second force that acts to resist differential rotation of the front and rear shafts; andwherein the treadmill is configured to control the speed of the running belt to facilitate the maintenance of the contour of the curved running surface. 17. The manually operated treadmill of claim 16, wherein the synchronizing system further comprises: a first gear including a toothed surface, the first gear coupled to the front shaft;a second gear including a toothed surface, the second gear coupled to the rear shaft;a first threaded surface disposed on the front portion of the synchronizing shaft, the first threaded surface engages the toothed surface of the first gear;a second threaded surface disposed on the rear portion of the synchronizing shaft, the second threaded surface engages the toothed surface of the second gear; andwherein the engagement of the first and second threaded surfaces with the toothed surfaces of the first and second gears are simultaneously engaged to provide the second force which acts to resist differential rotation of the front and rear shafts. 18. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 16, comprising a pair of side covers provided on and enclosing the right and left sides of the frame. 19. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 16, wherein the treadmill is provided without a handrail. 20. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 16, comprising a handrail. 21. A manually operated treadmill comprising: a treadmill frame;a front support member rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame;a rear support member rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame;a running belt including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the running belt is supported by the front support member and the rear support member, wherein a first force generated by a user causes rotation of the front support member and the rear support member and also causes the running belt to rotate relative to the treadmill frame; anda synchronizing system configured to cause the front support member and the rear support member to rotate at substantially the same speeds, wherein the synchronizing system comprises a synchronizing shaft having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion interconnects with the front support member and the rear portion interconnects with the rear support member, and further wherein the front and rear portions and the front and rear support members are simultaneously interconnected to provide a second force which acts to resist the front and rear support members from rotating at different speed. 22. The manually operated treadmill of claim 21, wherein the synchronizing system comprises: a first gear including a toothed surface, the first gear coupled to the front support member;a second gear including a toothed surface, the second gear coupled to the rear support member;a first threaded surface disposed on the front portion of the synchronizing shaft, the first threaded surface engages the toothed surface of the first gear;a second threaded surface disposed on the rear portion of the synchronizing shaft, the second threaded surface engages the toothed surface of the second gear; andwherein the engagement of the first and second threaded surfaces with the toothed surfaces are simultaneously engaged and provide the force which acts to resist the front and rear support members from rotating at different speeds. 23. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 21, wherein the frame comprises a left-hand side member, a right-hand side member, and one or more lateral or cross-members extending between and structurally connecting the side members, thereby providing a rectangular frame. 24. A motor-less, leg-powered treadmill comprising: a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end;a front pulley coupled to the front shaft;a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end;a rear pulley coupled to the rear shaft;a continuous-loop running belt at least partially supported by the front and rear pulleys and including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the curved running surface comprises a concave curved section, wherein a length of the running belt greater than the distance between the front shaft and the rear shaft is located along a top of the treadmill such that the belt may assume the concave curve, and wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that a first force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft;the running belt comprising a plurality of parallel slats having a major axis extending laterally between a plurality of resilient endless belts and minor axis extending perpendicular to the major axis, wherein the minor axis extends perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the running belt;a synchronizing system configured to ensure that the running belt follows the curve of the running surface and to inhibit an excess length of the running belt from hanging below the front and rear pulleys, the synchronizing system coupled to both the front and rear shafts and comprising a synchronizing belt coupled between the front and rear shafts, wherein tension in the synchronizing belt provides a second force that acts to resist differential rotation of the front and rear shafts, wherein the synchronizing system further comprises a front synchronizing pulley coupled to the front shaft and a rear synchronizing pulley coupled to the rear shaft, the synchronizing belt coupled between the front and rear synchronizing pulleys; anda tensioning assembly comprising a timing belt idler and configured to move portions of the synchronizing running belt to keep the belt within the profile of the frame; andwherein the synchronizing system is configured to balance an excess of running belt coming off of the front pulley against the slippage allowed on the rear pulley to cause the running belt to follow the concave curve of the running surface and to inhibit an excess length of the running belt from hanging below the front and rear pulleys, and wherein the treadmill is configured to control the speed of the running belt to facilitate the maintenance of the contour of the curved running surface. 25. A motor-less, leg-powered treadmill comprising: a treadmill frame having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;a front shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the front end;a front pulley coupled to the front shaft;a rear shaft rotatably coupled to the treadmill frame at the rear end;a rear pulley coupled to the rear shaft;a continuous-loop running belt at least partially supported by the front and rear pulleys and including a curved running surface upon which a user of the treadmill may run, wherein the curved running surface comprises a concave curved section, wherein a length of the running belt greater than the distance between the front shaft and the rear shaft is located along a top of the treadmill such that the belt may assume the concave curve, and wherein the running belt is disposed about the front and rear shafts such that a first force generated by the user causes rotation of the front shaft and the rear shaft and also causes the running surface of the running belt to move from the front shaft toward the rear shaft;the running belt comprising a plurality of parallel slats having a major axis extending laterally between a plurality of resilient endless belts and minor axis extending perpendicular to the major axis, wherein the minor axis extends perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the running belt, and wherein each slat is formed of a sturdy material of sufficient weight to at least partially cause the running belt to follow concave upper profiles of a pair of laterally-opposed bearing rails, each comprising a plurality of bearings;a synchronizing system configured to ensure that the running belt follows the curve of the running surface and to inhibit an excess length of the running belt from hanging below the front and rear pulleys, the synchronizing system coupled to both the front and rear shafts and comprising a synchronizing belt coupled between the front and rear shafts, wherein tension in the synchronizing belt provides a second force that acts to resist differential rotation of the front and rear shafts; andwherein the treadmill is configured to control the speed of the running belt to facilitate the maintenance of the contour of the curved running surface. 26. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 25, wherein each slat comprises a portion extending inwardly from an interior surface of the slat. 27. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 26, wherein the pair of laterally-opposed bearing rails comprises a first bearing rail coupled to a left-hand side member of the frame and a second bearing rail coupled to a right-hand side member of the frame, the first and second bearing rails permitting the inwardly extending portions of the slats to pass therebetween. 28. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 25, wherein the plurality of slats are made of wood, plastic, or metal. 29. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 16, wherein the rear shaft is supported by a bracket mounted to the frame, and wherein the location at which the bracket is mounted to the frame can be adjusted to provide a desired tension in the running belt. 30. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 16, comprising an incline adjustment system comprising one or more blocks extending down from the frame and configured to adjust the incline of the treadmill relative to the ground. 31. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 30, wherein the weight of the running belt helps the running belt follow the contour of the bearing rails. 32. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of the claim 25, wherein the running belt comprise the plurality of endless belts, each of which comprising a v-shaped cross-section and an inner portion, and wherein the inner portion is in contact with an exterior surface of the corresponding front and rear pulleys. 33. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 32, wherein: each of the plurality of endless belts comprises a first portion and a second portion;one or more fasteners couple the second portion and an end of a respective slat; andeach of the pair of laterally-opposed bearing rails support a respective lateral end of the running belt. 34. The motor-less, leg-powered treadmill of claim 32, wherein at least one of the bearings of at least one of the pair of bearing rails is configured to receive the v-shaped cross-section of the respective endless belt and thereby inhibit lateral movement of the running belt.