Gymnastic machine

Abstract

Gymnastic machine (1) for performing walking or running exercises along a given direction (D) includes a frame (10) and an endless belt (20) wound in a loop on a pair of rollers (30) carried by the frame (10) transversely to the given direction (D), with a tensioning device (40) provided in association with at least a first of the rollers (30) to maintain the belt (20) longitudinally tensioned in a uniform manner and with a centering device (60) provided to maintain the belt (20) disposed substantially equidistant from first lateral end portions (32) of each roller (30).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a gymnastic machine for performing fast walking and / or running exercises. In particular, the present invention relates to a gymnastic machine for performing fast walking and / or running exercises provided with a belt. In more detail, the present invention relates to a gymnastic machine for performing fast walking and / or running exercises provided with an endless belt wound in a loop on a pair of rollers and comprising a device for adjusting the position of the belt on said rollers. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] There are well-known machines for performing fast walking and / or running exercises, which are provided with an endless belt wound in a loop on two rollers carried by a frame and which can be actuated by an electric motor interacting with one of the two rollers, or be carried idle and actuated through the friction produced between the internal surface of the belt...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to construct an endless belt for a gymnastic machine for performing fast walking and / or running exercises able to minimise maintenance on said gymnastic machine and to increase distribution thereof and the economic yield of the respective production chain.

Problems solved by technology

Conversely, again during fast running, the presence of deviatoric components that are not null and / or variable in terms of direction can considerably disturb movement of a user on the belt, and compromise balance by transmitting stresses of different degrees and levels to the foot.

It must be noted that this solution of the technical problem proposed above has some drawbacks, such as rapid wear due to the belt rubbing on the rollers or at the lateral sections of increased dimension, which causes premature wear on the edges of the endless belt, given that it is shaped to withstand frictional stresses acting on the inner face due to rolling contact with the rollers and due to contact with a deck below a feed branch of the endless belt produced by periodic beating of the foot that travels and pushes on the belt while the latter is moved backward.

Nonetheless, the implementation of this solution is difficult in the sector of endless belts for gymnastic machines, given that the upper surface of the endless belt can be globally perceived as being substantially hump-backed, and can therefore cause disorders affecting the articulations of the lower limbs of users.

Therefore, the surface on which users run is no longer flat and consequently becomes potentially dangerous.

Moreover, besides lowering the level of safety of the gymnastic machine in its entirety, the presence of these undulations also causes premature wear of the endless belt.

With regard to the description above, which mirrors the current situation, the problem of maintaining the endless belt centred on the rollers is currently unsolved, and represents an interesting challenge for the applicant for the purpose of improving operation of treadmills and comfort of the users who use them, but also of minimising maintenance operations on these types of gymnastic machines and of increasing distribution and economic yield of the respective production chain.

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