An excercise device

Abstract

An exercise device comprising a frame adapted to be placed on the ground, the frame providing two foot receiving treads 7 comprising foot securement means 8, each tread arranged to move on a reciproca

Description

The present invention relates to an exercise device, in particular a device for providing exercise to a person working; more particularly but not exclusively at a desk. Background In many societies across the world it is increasingly common to lead a sedentary lifestyle, for example when working at a desk. Many people choose to use standing desks for this purpose, providing a length of time during which at least they are standing. Leaving a mainly sedentary lifestyle can also be imposed on some people, through injury. It is however important, whenever possible, for such people to have exercise, even if that means simply moving their legs. Prior Art TWI 272 955 (ZHANG et al) discloses an exercise equipment comprising a frame having a left pedal and a right pedal which can move forward and backward along the leading tracks, two gyration points which is relative and can move along an enclosed track. Each gyration point is connected to one of the pedals via a connecting rod unit to allow the left and the right pedals reciprocating. The two gyration points are connected to a flywheel for linkage movement to gain the inertial movement when the pedals are sliding. By this way, the user can carry out smooth and floating leg reciprocating exercise. This invention provides left and right handles which is linked to the left and the right pedals respectively to conduct whole body balancing exercise WO 9 419 068 (GORDON) discloses an aerobic exercise device comprising: a pair of generally parallel tracks; a platform mounted on each of the tracks, each platform being independently reciprocable along the track to which the platform is mounted, each of the platforms having a home position on the tracks, the platforms being moved in a first direction by a user away from the home positions, the platforms being engaged and disengaged by the user during operation of the aerobic exercise device for orbital type user foot motion; and elastic means for independently moving each of the platforms in at least a second direction when the platform is disengaged by the user, the second direction being opposite the first direction whereby the platform is momentarily returned beyond the home position after the user moves the platform and then disengages the platform. US 4 804 178 (FRIEDEBACH) discloses an exercise device including: (a) a base frame having front and rear ends and at least three spaced, parallel elongated rails extending longitudinally between said ends; (b) a pair of footplates, each movably mounted on a certain pair of the rails for reciprocating movement along said rail pairs; (c) belt means extending along the rails and connected to each of the footplates for moving the footplates in unison in opposite directions along the rails; (d) means for providing resistance to the movement of the belt means and footplates; (e) a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the base frame adjacent the front end thereof, each of the levers having an extended end extending toward each other generally along the front end of said base frame. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an exercise device comprising a frame adapted to be placed on the ground, the frame providing two foot receiving treads comprising foot securement means, each tread arranged to move on a reciprocating track, the track having a resistance adjustment mechanism. In this way the device provides as a treadmill alternative at a standing desk by mimicking walking as closely as possible without actually walking, and which may be manual in operation unlike electronic treadmills. The device may provide a low-profile exercise device, which may be placed in use below a desk or standing desk, for example, allowing the feet of a user to move back and forth and thereby providing exercise to legs. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises the track comprises a continuous belt, wherein one or both of the treads is connected to the track. It may be envisaged that both treads may be connected to the track such that one tread moves in one direction and the other tread moves in the opposite direction. In other potential embodiments it may be envisaged that the track may be powered or comprise a drive mechanism, which may provide a resistance adjustment mechanism as well as driving the track or treads independently. In some embodiments of the device the treads comprise wheels, which wheels may be envisaged to run on the frame or a part thereof, so as to allow movement of the treads to be smooth and controlled and facilitated. In some embodiments of the device such wheels are arranged to roll on central spine, which spine may be envisaged to comprise the belt in addition. The wheels may also run on outer frame side members, so as to further aid in smooth movements. In some embodiments of the device the securement means comprises a strap, which strap may be secured over the user’s foot, thereby enabling easy horizontal movement to be effective in moving the treads. In some embodiments of the device the securement means comprises a raised and lowered surface in addition or the alternative, which surface may provide high friction and prevent the foot sliding off the tread in use. In some embodiments of the device the resistance adjustment mechanism comprises a resiliently deformable portion providing resistance, for example on the belt, or against the treads’ movement. In some embodiments of the device for example the resistance adjustment mechanism comprises a resilient track and a displaceable roller, whereby the displaceable roller is displaced into the belt for example, thereby increasing friction or mechanical resistance against turning of the belt, and movement of the treads on a track. Such displacement may be controlled by a threaded dial, so as to allow progressive resistance control or adjustment. In some embodiments of the device the frame comprises a single, self-contained or monolithic unit, which may in turn comprise a carry handle for easy portability, so as to allow the device’s easy deployment and storage according to preference during work, wherein the handle may be located at an end of the frame, and / or the frame may comprise wheels to allow users with physical limitations to move the device into position. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric detail view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, from below; Figure 6 shows an isometric sectional detail view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, from an end; Figure 7 shows isometric sectional detail view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with the treads in a second position; and Figure 9 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of an exercise device 99 comprising a frame 2,3,16 adapted to be placed on the ground, the frame providing two foot receiving treads 7 comprising foot securement means 8,9, each tread arranged to move in a track, the track having a resistance adjustment mechanism. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a rectangular footprint frame. The frame is formed by two elongated side members 2, joined at a first end by a first end section 16, and at a second end by a second end section 3. The first end section comprises a handle 6 so as to aid in carrying the device to a work area. The second end section comprises two end wheels 4, such that the device may be wheeled along using the handle 6. Extending between the end sections is a spine 1, parallel the side members 2. The treads 7 travel in the open portions to either side of the spine, that is extending laterally between the spine 1 and the side members 2 and longitudinally. The treads comprise an oblong plate 9, with a raised and lowered grip texture upper face, which comprises lateral ridges. The tread further comprises a raised sidewall surround 10, which has a raised rear sidewall so as to maintain the foot on the plate, thereby horizontally providing a part of the securement means. Such raised and lowered sections, features or surface parts may thereby create grip or prevent slippage. The end sections in the pictured embodiment have curved ends to the open portions, which curved ends are arranged to receive the curvature of the treads’ ends. The lower face of the frame may have high friction rubber or silicone pads 12 at corners. The tread further comprises two discontinuous straps 8, which comprise hook and loop material, such as Velcro (RTM), allowing the straps to be passed over the foot and secured to one another to prevent the foot moving vertically, to provide another part of the securement means. The tread is supported beneath by a stainless-steel bracket 17, which bracket comprises a horizontal tread support and vertically depending sides, each side supporting two wheels 14 with lateral axles passing through the sides. The wheels on the side member sides are outside the bracket and the wheels on the spine sides are on the inside of the bracket, running in a channel on an internal face of the spine. Internally the spine also provides a belt 11, which belt is a continuous loop, passing from end to end of the frame, wherein the tread brackets are each connected to the belt, at a buckle 13 with lateral slots. The top part of the belt is thereby connected through the slots to the left of the treads and the lower part of the belt is connected through the slots to the right of the treads. The second end of the frame provides a resistance adjustment mechanism 5 comprised by dial and threaded peg, which threaded peg is passes through a threaded hole in a bracket 19 holding an adjustment spindle 81, which extends orthogonal the belt 11. In contrast to magnetic flywheels which, due to their shape and weight, can be inconvenient and prone to catching on stray objects, the device of the present invention utilizes polyamide rollers that are low friction, self-lubricating, easily adjusted to press, via handle and sheet metal mounts, into a rubber belt to create resistance. The bracket is trapped and arranged to move up and down in the spine 1 as the dial is turned and the peg moves the bracket such that the adjustment spindle 81 is pushed against the belt 11. The adjustment spindle 81 is located between two belt spindles 82,83 at the second end, such that the belt passes around the belt spindles, and adjustment is provided by the adjustment spindle pushing against the belt and providing resistance between the spindles 18. The first end further provides an end spindle for the belt, which spindles 18 all comprise enlarged outers and a lowered belt face, which enlarged outers are adapted to be in contact, and which comprise rubber wheels. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising a frame adapted to be placed on the ground, the frame providing two foot receiving treads comprising foot securement means, each tread arranged to move on a reciprocating track, the track having a resistance adjustment mechanism.

2. An exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the track comprises a continuous belt.

3. An exercise device according to claim 2 wherein each tread is connected to the belt.

4. An exercise device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the treads comprise wheels.

5. An exercise device according to claim 4 wherein the wheels are arranged to roll on central spine.

6. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the securement means comprises a strap.

7. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the securement means comprises a raised and lowered surface.

8. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the resistance adjustment mechanism comprises a resiliently deformable portion providing resistance.

9. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the resistance adjustment mechanism comprises a resilient track and a displaceable roller.

10. An exercise device according to claim 9 wherein the displaceable roller is displaced by a threaded dial.

11. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the frame comprises a monolithic unit.

12. An exercise device according to any preceding claim 11 wherein the frame comprises a carry handle.

13. An exercise device according to any preceding claim 12 wherein the handle is 5 located at an end of the frame.

14. An exercise device according to any preceding claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein the frame comprises wheels.IntellectualPropertyOfficeApplication GB2417091.2Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977Date search completed: 25 June 2025Claims searched: 1-14International classificationSubclass and subgroup Valid from A63B22 / 20 01 / 01 / 2006 A63B69 / 18 01 / 01 / 2006Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC:A63BDatabases used in the preparation of this search report:SEARCH-PATENTDocuments considered to be relevantPatent literatureCategory Relevant claims Document of relevance X 1-3, 6 and 7 US 5299996 A (CHI), See whole document especially column 2, lines 35-42 and figures 1 and 4.Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk / ipoX 1 and 6-8 CN 112337050 A (HANGZHOU FIRST PEOPLES HOSPITAL), See whole document especially figures 1 and 2. X 1-4 and 6 US 5145481 A (FRIEDEBACH), See whole document especially column 2, lines 34-45. X 1, 4, 6 and 7 US 2013 / 0237393 A1 (KERDJOUDJ), See whole document especially figures 4 and 26. X 1, 6 and 8 US 2014 / 0031175 A1 (PERALO), See whole document especially paragraph [0016] and figure 1. X 1 and 6 US 2016 / 0296791 A1 (BAILAR), See whole document especially figure 1.CategoriesLetter or symbol Description X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with another document of the same category. & Member of the same patent family. A Document indicating technological background. P Document published on or after the priority date but before the fling date of the present application. E Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.

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