Support Deck for Treadmill

Abstract

A support deck for a treadmill is disposed under an upper stretch of an endless tread belt to support the tread belt and a user thereon. The support deck includes a plurality of indentations on a top surface thereof. Lubricant or lubricating oil is received in the indentations for lubrication between the support deck and the tread belt, thereby reducing friction between the support deck and the tread belt. Thus, the wear of the tread belt decreases, and the life of the tread belt increases. Moreover, the support deck may further include a plurality of ridges on the top surface thereof to offer foot reflexology.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a support deck for a treadmill that supports a tread belt and an exercising user thereon.[0003]2. The Prior Arts[0004]A treadmill is an indoor sporting equipment used to allow for running or walking while staying in one place. The treadmill provides a convenient way to regularly exercise in all weather conditions in the comfort and safety of indoor. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional treadmill includes a support deck 1, a tread belt 2, a driving roller 3 and a driven roller 4. The driving roller 3 and the driven roller 4 are mounted on a tread frame of the treadmill. The tread belt 2, which is made of an elastomeric material of high strength and high toughness, is entrained around driving roller 3 and the driven roller 4. The driving roller 3 is driven by a motor and the tread belt 2 is driven by the driving roller 3. The endless tread belt 2 includes an upper stretch extending l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Friction wears away contact surfaces of moving parts and therefore the friction between a tread belt and a support deck for a treadmill shortens the life of the tread belt. The friction also generates noises while the treadmill is in operation. Moreover, the friction results in energy inefficient problem because a motor of the treadmill needs a larger load capacity to overcome the friction. A conventional support deck for a treadmill has a smooth top surface to reduce the friction between the support deck and the tread belt. However, reduction of the friction by this method is limited. It is hard to further reduce the friction by providing a much smoother surface. A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a support deck for a treadmill that can solve the problems mentioned above.

[0007]The solution of the present invention is to provide a plurality of cavities or grooves on the support deck to receive lubricant or lubricating oil. When the endless tread belt rubs against the support deck, the lubricating oil or lubricant makes a film between them so as to minimize direct contact between them. Thus, the friction and wear of the tread belt decrease. The life of the tread belt increases.

[0008]In addition to providing the cavities and the grooves on the support deck, a top surface of the support deck is provided with a very smooth surface, such as a surface having mirror finish. Thus, lubrication and very smooth surface can further decrease the friction between the support deck and the tread belt.

[0011]The support deck according to the present invention minimizes the wear of the tread belt and the support deck and thus increases the life of the tread belt and the support deck. Also, the support deck reduces the noises while the treadmill is in operation. Because the direct contact between the tread belt and the support deck is minimized, the load capacity of the motor is reduced. Therefore, the treadmill uses less energy, saves money, and helps protect the environment.

Problems solved by technology

Friction wears away contact surfaces of moving parts and therefore the friction between a tread belt and a support deck for a treadmill shortens the life of the tread belt.

Moreover, the friction results in energy inefficient problem because a motor of the treadmill needs a larger load capacity to overcome the friction.

However, reduction of the friction by this method is limited.

Thus, the friction and wear of the tread belt decrease.

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