Slatted treadmills having inner and outer belt loops

Abstract

A treadmill has a pair of outer belt loops, an inner belt loop located laterally between the pair of outer belt loops, front and rear shaft assemblies supporting rotation the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop, and a plurality of slats supported on the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop, the plurality of slats providing a movable surface for supporting a user of the treadmill as the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop are rotated about the front and rear shaft assemblies. Methods of assembling and disassembling the treadmill are provided.

Description

SLATTED TREADMILLS HAVING INNER AND OUTER BELT LOOPSCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present utility application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63 / 637,958, filed April 24, 2024, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD AND BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to personal exercise equipment, and in particular- to treadmills.SUMMARY

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts which are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a treadmill longitudinally extends from front to rear and laterally extends from side to opposite side. The treadmill comprises a pair of outer belt loops, an inner belt loop located laterally between the pair of outer belt loops, front and rear shaft assemblies supporting rotation the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop, and a plurality of slats supported on the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop. The plurality of slats provides a movable surface for supporting a user of the treadmill as the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop are rotated about the front and rear shaft assemblies.

[0005] In independent aspects, the inner belt loop may be one of a plurality of inner belt loops located laterally between the pair of outer belt loops and the plurality of slats may be supported on the plurality of inner belt loops. Opposing sets of roller bearings may be located between the front and rear shaft assemblies and support rotation of the pair of outer belt loops and the plurality of slats. An inner set of roller bearings may be located between the opposing sets of roller bearings, the inner set of roller bearings supporting rotation of the inner belt loop and the plurality of slats. Optionally, at least one of the opposing sets of roller bearings and inner set of roller bearings may be offset relative to another one of the opposing sets of roller bearings and inner set of roller bearings. The inner belt loop may be one of a pair of inner belt loops located between the pair ofouter belts, and the inner set of roller bearings may be one of a pair of inner sets roller of bearings that support rotation of the pair of inner belts and the plurality of slats.

[0006] In independent aspects, the pair of outer belts and the inner belt loop may each have an inner surface that frictionally engages with the front and real- shaft assemblies as the pair of outer belts and the inner belt loop are rotated about the front and real’ shaft assemblies. Optionally, the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop may be rotatably coupled to the front and rear shaft assemblies entirely by a frictional engagement. The frictional engagement may be between smooth, cylindrical surfaces of the front and real’ shaft assemblies and the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop, respectively.

[0007] In independent aspects, each slat in the plurality of slats is ribless. Optionally each slat in the plurality of slats has a planar top surface facing a user of the treadmill and a planar bottom surface facing the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop. Each slat in the plurality of slats may have opposing ends and a planar bottom surface extending between the opposing ends, wherein the planar bottom surface is entirely planar.

[0008] In independent aspects, each slat in the plurality of slats is fastened to the pair of outer belt loops and to the inner belt loop.

[0009] In independent aspects, each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop is an incomplete loop. Each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop may be an elongated belt having opposite ends that are separated at a seam. The seam in at least one of the pair of outer belt loops may be longitudinally offset from the seam in the inner belt loop. The seams in each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop may be longitudinally offset from each other.

[0010] In independent aspects, each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop is an elongated belt having opposite ends that are coupled via a connection between longitudinally adjacent slats in the plurality of slats. The longitudinally adjacent slats may include a first slat coupled to a first one of the opposite ends of the elongated belt and a second slat coupled to a second one of the opposite ends of the elongated belt. A joining member may be provided for coupling the longitudinally adjacent slats. The joining member may be located laterally between a respective one of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop.

[0011] In independent aspects, the opposite ends may be coupled in a connection zone in which joining members that are located laterally between the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop, respectively, couple longitudinally adjacent slats in the plurality of slats. The opposite endsof each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop may be separated by a seam and the scam in each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop may be longitudinally offset from each other.

[0012] According to non-limiting embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of disassembling the treadmill comprising disconnecting the joining members from a respective one of the adjacent slats and then removing at least one of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop from the front and rear shaft assemblies.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Non-limiting embodiments are described with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout to reference like features and components.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treadmill according to the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a belt assembly of the treadmill.

[0016] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the belt assembly.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a view of section 4-4, taken in FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a view of section 5-5, taken in FIG. 3.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a view of section 6-6, taken in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a view of section 7-7, taken in FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the elongated belts, slats, and joining members of a belt assembly.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the elongated belts, slats, and joining members of a belt assembly.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and “longitudinal” features and / or relative motion, e.g., movement “up” and “down,” is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments.Additionally or alternatively, embodiments may be arranged in a different orientation such that “top” and “bottom” features arc arranged horizontally relative to each other, for example in a “left- to-right” orientation. Additionally, use of the words “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. is not intended to connote priority, importance, etc., but merely to distinguish one of several similar elements from another.

[0024] During research and development, the present inventor determined that traditional continuous-belt treadmills may suffer from performance issues as the weight of a user is applied on the moving belt against the stationary deck, thereby generating high sliding friction and heat. The power consumed to operate a traditional continuous-belt treadmill at high speeds can exceed the capacity of available supply when the user is relatively heavy, which can result in motor overheating and the forced slowdown or stoppage of the treadmill. Existing slatted treadmills include a plurality of slats that are successively arranged to form an endless slatted belt and travel across rolling supports, resulting in less friction than traditional continuous-belt treadmills. However, the slats of current slatted treadmills typically require reinforcing features, such as ribs, formed along the bottom of each slat to overcome the high bending stresses and deformation which could otherwise result due to the weight of a user. Current slatted treadmills often require the use of timing belts to ensure proper movement of the slats during operation of the treadmill. The use of timing belts often creates undesirable noise and vibrations that may negatively affect a user’s experience on the treadmill. The volume of the noise may be increased due to the additional weight from the reinforcing features on each slat. Furthermore, timing belts are designed with specific dimensions that, in turn, limit the dimensions of slatted treadmills. For example, timing belts can have a standard pitch length between adjacent teeth or grooves that define a specific diameter of the driving pulley around which the timing belt is wound. Thus, the dimensions of typical slatted treadmills with timing belts cannot be easily adjusted and / or optimized for different applications. Furthermore, existing slatted belts with timing belts are normally formed as a complete loop without any connections. As such, the heavy timing-belt driven slatted belt must be assembled and serviced as a whole loop, which is very difficult and time consuming. For example, replacing or servicing the timing belt may involve removing other components of the treadmill, such as uprights, and may require multiple technicians for several hours. The present inventors thus have realized a need in the art to provide a treadmill with an improved slatted belt assembly which islightweight to reduce unwanted noise, and which can be quickly and easily serviced without requiring the disassembly of the treadmill. The present disclosure is a result of these efforts.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a personal exercise machine configured as a treadmill 20. The treadmill 20 extends from a front end 22 to a back end 24 in a longitudinal direction L, from a top 26 to a bottom 28 in a vertical direction V, and from a first side 30 to an opposite second side 32 in a lateral or horizontal direction H. The treadmill 20 is generally symmetrical in the horizontal direction H, so that most components on one side of the treadmill 20 are the same as or are minor images of the components on the opposite side of the treadmill 20. The descriptions provided below regarding components on one side of the treadmill 20 equally apply to the components on the opposite side of the treadmill 20.

[0026] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated treadmill has a frame 40 which supports a novel belt system 100 providing a movable surface for supporting a user of the treadmill 20 and a drive system 50 for actuating a belt assembly 101 of the belt system 100. The frame 40 includes opposing longitudinal frame members 42, 44 extending along the opposing first and second sides 30, 32 from the front end 22 to the back end 24 and lateral frame members 46, 48 extending horizontally between the longitudinal frame members 42, 44 proximate the front and back ends 22, 24 of the treadmill 20. The illustrated frame 40 is supported on the ground (or another surface below the frame 40) by one or more rollers 34 and one or more foot members 36. Upright brackets 38 extend generally upward from the frame 40 proximate the front end 22 and are configured for securing an upright bridge (not shown), which may include user controls and / or display devices, to the frame 40.

[0027] Optionally the drive system 50 may be communicatively connected to a control system 200 (FIG. 1) configured to control the drive system 50 according to a plurality of different modes for operating the treadmill. The control system 200 may include a computer controller that is programmable and includes a computer processor, software, memory (i.e., computer storage) and an associated input / output (interface) device. The processor loads and executes software, which can be stored in the memory. Executing the software controls the control system to operate as described herein in further detail below. The processor can include a microprocessor and / or other circuitry that receives and executes software. The software can be implemented with a single device, but can also be distributed across multiple processing devices and / or subsystems that cooperate in executing program instructions. Examples include general purpose central processingunits, application specific processors, and logic devices, as well as other processing devices, combination of the processing devices, and / or variations thereof. The control system 200 can be located anywhere with respect to the drive system 50 and may be connected thereto via wired and / or wireless links. The control system 200 can have a controller with one or more microprocessors that are located together or remotely from each other in the control system or remotely from the control system. The control system 200 may further include a memory which can be any storage media that is readable by the processor and capable of storing software. For example, the memory can include volatile and / or nonvolatile removable and / or non-removable media implemented in any media or technology for storage of information. As discussed in further detail below, the according to a plurality of different modes for operating the treadmill in which the drive system 50 can actuates movement of the belt assembly 101 and / or provide resistance to movement of the belt assembly 101.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, among other things the belt system 100 includes a front shaft assembly 102 and a rear shaft assembly 104 that together support the rotation of a belt assembly 101. The belt assembly 101 includes a plurality of belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 that extend longitudinally between the front and rear shaft assemblies 102, 104 and a plurality of slats 108 supported thereon. Each belt loop 110, 112, 114, 116 includes a flexible elongated belt member 106 with an outward facing surface 162 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 6) that supports the plurality of slats 108 providing a movable surface for supporting a user of the treadmill as the outer belt loops 110, 112 and the inner belt loops 114, 116 are rotated about the front and rear shaft assemblies 102, 104. The illustrated embodiment includes a pair of two opposing outer belt loops 110, 112 supported on the laterally outer ends of the shaft assemblies 102, 104 proximate the lateral sides 30, 32 of the treadmill 20 and a pair of two inner belt loops 114, 116 supported on the shaft assemblies 102, 104 between the opposing outer belt loops 110, 112. However, some embodiments of a treadmill 20 may include one or more additional belt loops from what is shown, while some embodiments may include fewer than four belt loops, for example three belt loops.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the front shaft assembly 102 (FIG. 4) and the rear shaft assembly 104 (FIG. 5) each include an internal shaft 140 that extends laterally between the opposing longitudinal frame members 42, 44 of the frame 40. Mounting brackets 60 (FIG. 1) support the ends of the front and rear shaft assemblies 102, 104 on the frame 40 proximate the front and rear ends 22, 24 of the treadmill 20. A rotating drum 142 is rotatably supported on theinternal shaft 140 by bearings 144 such that the rotating drum 142 can rotate about the internal shaft 140, which may be rigidly coupled to the frame 40 by the mounting brackets 60. Four pulley wheels 146 are axially mounted on the rotating drum 142 such that the pulleys 146 rotate about the internal shaft 140 with the rotating drum 142. Each pulley 146 supports an end of one of the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 on the front or real' shaft assembly 104, 102. Thus, the elongated belt 106 of each outer belt loop 110, 112 and each inner belt loop 114, 116 is rotatably supported on the front and rear shaft assembly 102, 104 by a corresponding pulley 146.

[0030] With continued reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, each elongated belt 106 has an inner surface that is coupled to the front shaft assembly 102 and the rear shaft assembly 104 via a frictional engagement. In particular, an inner surface of each elongated belt 106 is frictionally engaged with a smooth, cylindrical radially outer surface of a corresponding pulley 146. An annular groove 148 is formed around the radially outer surface of each pulley 146 and is configured to receive a rib 150 formed longitudinally along an inward facing surface of a planar- portion 152 of each elongated belt 106. This may be useful, for example, to retain the elongated belts 106 on the pulleys 146. The ribs 150 and the annular' grooves 148 shown in the drawings have a generally rectangular cross-section. Some embodiments, however, may have a different shape. For example, a rib 150 and the annular grooves 148 of the corresponding pulleys 146 may be configured with a generally V-shaped cross-section, a generally U-shaped cross- section, and or any other complementary cross-sectional shapes of the ribs 150 and annular grooves 148 for retaining the elongated belts 106 on the pulleys 146.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the front shaft assembly 102 is operatively connected to the drive system 50 such that the drive system 50 is operable to rotate the rotating drum 142 of the front shaft assembly 102. The drive system 50 includes a motor 52 that connected to a driven wheel 56 on by a drive belt 54 such that rotation of an output shaft of the motor 52 drives the rotation of the rotating drum 142. Due to the frictional engagement between the elongated belts 106 and the pulleys 146 on the first shaft assembly 102, rotation of the rotating drum 142 drives the rotation of the outer belt loop 110, 112 and each inner belt loop 114, 116, as well as the rear shaft assembly 104 supporting the back end of the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116. Advantageously, the frictional engagement between the pulley wheels of the shaft assemblies 102, 104 and the inner surface of the elongated belts 106 allows the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 to rotate in synchrony with each other without the use of a timing belt.

[0032] In non-limiting examples, as further described herein below, the drive system 50 may also or alternately operable to provide resistance against the user during use of the treadmill 20.

[0033] To support the outer and inner belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 and the slats 108 secured thereto as they rotate on the front and rear shaft assemblies 102, 104, the treadmill 20 includes multiple roller bearing sets 120, 122, 124, 126 extending longitudinally between the front shaft assembly 102 and the rear shaft assembly 104. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated treadmill 20 includes four sets 120, 122, 124, 126 of roller bearings 130, 132, each set corresponding to one of the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116. Two opposing outer sets 120, 122 of roller bearings 130 correspond to the two outer belt loops 110, 112, and two inner sets 124, 126 of roller bearings 130, 132 correspond to the pair of inner belt loops 114, 116. Each bearing set 120, 122, 124, 126 includes a plurality of roller bearings 130, 132 that are mounted on a corresponding longitudinally extending support beams 118. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a horizontal panel 174 of each support beam 118 is supported on the frame 40 by lateral crossmembers 62 (FIG. 1). A vertical panel 172 projects upwardly from the horizontal panels 174 and includes a plurality of openings configured to support a roller bearing 130, 132 spaced along the length of the support beam 118.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the roller bearings 130, 132 are configured to support the elongated belt 106 of the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 as they are rotated on the front and rear shaft assemblies 102, 104. In particular, each roller bearing supports the generally flat lower surface of the rib 150 formed longitudinally along each belt 106. Such that the belts 106 can roll along the top of the roller bearings 130, 132. At least some of the roller bearings 132 are configured as guide bearings 132 that help to retain the elongated belts 106 in alignment with the roller bearing set 120, 122, 124, 126. The radially outer surface of each guide bearing 132 includes a channel 166 formed between annular walls 168 on each lateral side of the channel 166. The rib 150 on the lower surface of the elongated belts 106 are configured to be received in the channels 166 to limit lateral drift of the elongated belts 106 as they are rotated.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiments, the outer bearing sets 120, 122 and the inner bearing sets 124, 126 are configured with different arrangements of roller bearings 130, 132 on the corresponding support beams 118. Referring to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the opposing outer bearing sets 120, 122 include a plurality of standard roller bearings 130 spaced longitudinally along the outer support beams 118. The inner bearing sets 124, 126 are positioned between the outer bearing sets 120, 122 and each include a plurality of standard roller bearings 130 with guide bearings 132interspaced between sets of standard roller bearings 130. Tn the illustrated embodiment, the outer bearing sets 120, 122 include fewer roller bearings 130 than the inner bearing sets 124, 126. This may be useful, for example, to reduce the overall weight of the treadmill 20 while still providing sufficient support for the slats 108 near the lateral center of the belt system 100 where most of the force from a user will be imparted onto the treadmill 20. The tight spacing of the bearings 130, 132 of the inner bearing sets 124, 126 also provide a relatively smooth surface on which the belts 106 can travel across, thereby reducing noise and vibration caused by the elongated belts 106 and the slats 108 traveling along the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiments, the bearings 130 of the opposing outer bearing sets 120, 122 are configured such that they are generally aligned with each other. That is, each bearing 130 in the first outer bearing set 120 is in longitudinal alignment with a bearing 130 on the opposite second outer bearing set 122. Similarly, each bearing 130, 132 in the first inner bearing set 124 is generally in longitudinal alignment with a standard bearing 130 or a guide bearing 132 on the second inner bearing set 126. However, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the guide bearings 132 in each inner bearing set 124, 126 are longitudinally offset relative to the guide bearings 132 in the opposing inner bearing set 124, 126. Some embodiments, however, may be differently configured. For example, a treadmill 20 may be configured such that at least one of the inner or outer bearing sets 120, 122, 124, 126 is offset relative to another one of the bearing sets 120, 122, 124, 126.

[0037] As previously mentioned, the belt assembly 101 of the treadmill 20 includes a plurality of slats 108 that are supported on the inner and outer belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 and are configured to provide a moving surface for supporting a user as the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 are rotated on the shaft assemblies 102, 104 by the drive system 50 and / or the user. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, each slat is generally flat and includes a planar top surface 158 (FIG. 8) and a planar bottom surface 160 (FIG. 9) that extend between opposing lateral ends 178 thereof. The planar bottom surfaces 160 face the generally flat outward facing surfaces 162 of the elongated belts 106, and the planar top surfaces 158 face upward towards the user and form the moving surface which supports the user on the treadmill 20. Each slat 108 extends laterally across the belt assembly 101 and the inner belt loops 114, 116 between the outer belt loops 110, 112. Because the slats 108 are supported at their opposing ends 178 by the outer belt loops 110, 112 and the outer bearing sets 120, 122 and between the opposing ends 178 by the inner belt loops 114, 116 and the inner bearing sets 124, 126, the slats 108 can support a user of the treadmill 20 without any ribs and / or otherstructural features. Furthermore, supporting the belt assembly 101 with both outer bearing sets 120, 122 and inner bearing sets 124, 126 enables the use of slats 108 which arc formed of lighter weight material(s) as compared to the slats of conventional slatted treadmills. For example, the slats 108 of the illustrated belt assembly 101 may be formed with polymer(s), composite material(s), aluminum, and other lightweight materials that may otherwise be insufficient to support a user without the inner support provided by the inner bearing sets 124, 126. This may be useful, for example, to reduce the weight of the belt assembly 101, and to simplify the manufacturing and assembly of the treadmill 20. Additionally, the use of lighter weight materials in the illustrated slats 108 requires less force from the drive system 50 to actuate the belt assembly 101, thereby reducing motor 52 power consumption. Some embodiments, however, may be configured with at least one slat that is not entirely planar and includes a rib and / or other structural or alignment feature(s).

[0038] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9, the inner and outer belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 of the belt assembly 101 are each configured as incomplete loops formed by elongated belts 106 that extend between opposing ends 188 (FIG. 9). Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the opposite ends 188 of each elongated belt 106 are linked to each other in a connection zone 190 by a joining member 180, and via a connection formed by longitudinally adjacent joining slats 192. Each joining slat 192 includes a plurality of slat holes 156 spaced between the opposing lateral ends 178 such that the slat holes 156 are aligned with corresponding belt holes 154 formed through the planar portions 152 of the elongated belts 106. The belt holes 154 are formed along the length of each elongated belt 106 such that each joining slat 192 is fastened to both of the outer belt loops 110, 112 and both of the inner belt loops 114, 116.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the seam 186 between the opposing ends 188 of the elongated belts 106 of the opposing outer belt loops 110, 112 are longitudinally offset from each other. Similarly, the seams 186 between the opposing ends 188 of the elongated belts 106 of the inner belt loops 114, 116 are longitudinally offset from each other. At each seam 186, the opposite ends 188 of the elongated belts 106 are connected to two longitudinally adjacent joining slat 192 that extend laterally across the belt assembly 101 within the connection zone 190. Due to offset between the seams 186, the longitudinally adjacent joining slat 192 connected to the opposing ends 188 of the belts 106 are fixed relative to each other via the connection between the two longitudinally adjacent joining slat 192 and a laterally adjacent one of the belt loops 110, 112, 114,116. Advantageously, the offset between the seams 186 may provide smoother movement of the slats across the bearing sets 120, 122, 124, 126, thereby reducing the noise and vibrations produced by the treadmill 20.

[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 9, a plurality of longitudinally adjacent joining slats 192 are connected to the opposing ends 188 of the elongated belts 106 are also coupled to each other by a joining member 180. In the illustrated embodiments, a joining member 180 is positioned laterally between each of the belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 and extends longitudinally across a plurality of longitudinally adjacent joining slats 192. A plurality of openings 182 are formed in each joining member 180 and is engaged by fasteners to couple said slats 108 to each other. Thus, the ends 188 of each elongated belt 106 are held together by the connection between longitudinally adjacent joining slat 192 formed by the joining members 180 and the connection of said longitudinally adjacent joining slat 192 to laterally adjacent belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116. The joining members 180 advantageously provide a redundant connection between the longitudinally adjacent joining slats 192. That is, even when the joining members 180 are removed from the belt assembly 101, the ends 188 of the elongated belts 106 are held together by the connection between the joining slats 192 and the elongated belts 106 of each belt loop 110, 112, 114, 116 because the seams 186 of the belt loop 110, 112, 114, 116 are offset.

[0041] Advantageously, the use of joining members 180 and the connections to longitudinally adjacent joining slats 192 to form the inner and outer belt loops 110, 112, 114, 116 allows the belt assembly 101 to be installed and / or removed on the front and rear shaft assemblies 102, 104 to assemble or disassemble the treadmill 20 without disassembling the frame 40. For example, the belt assembly 101 can be disassembled and removed from the treadmill 20 by disconnecting the joining members 180 from one of the adjacent slats 108 and then removing at least one of the outer belt loops 110, 112 and / or at least one of the inner belt loops 114, 116 from the front and rear shaft assemblies 102, 104. This may be useful, for example, to provide a simple, efficient method for disassembling the belt system 100 to perform maintenance on the treadmill 20.

[0042] As previously mentioned, the control system 200 (FIG. 1) is configured to operate the treadmill in a plurality of different modes by adjusting the operating mode of the drive system 50. The drive system 50 can be operated to rotate the belt assembly 101 and / or to provide resistance against movement of the belt assembly 101 by a user. For example, the control system 200 can control the drive system 50 to operate the treadmill a motor-driven mode, a user-driven mode, anda resistance mode (z'.e., sled mode) based on a user input and / or a workout program selection. Additionally or alternatively, the drive system 50 can be operated such that the motor 52 functions as a motor-generator. This may be useful, for example, so that the motor 52 can function as a generator to power the treadmill console and / or other systems when the treadmill is in a user- driven mode in which the user is manually actuating the movement of the belt assembly 101.

[0043] According to the non-limiting embodiments described herein above, the inner surfaces of all of the elongated belts 106 are frictionally engaged with a smooth, cylindrical radially outer surface of a corresponding pulley 146. However, this is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments, only some of the elongated belts 106 are frictionally engaged with a respective pulley via the noted smooth, cylindrical radially outer surface; whereas one or more of the other elongated belts 106 are configured as a conventional timing belt that is engaged with the corresponding pulley via a toothed connection. For example, in non-limiting embodiments, the inner belt loops (e.g., 1114, 116) are engaged with the respective pulleys 146 via the smooth, cylindrical radially outer surface and the outer belt loops 110, 112 are configured as conventional timing belts that are engaged with the respective pulleys 146 via a toothed connection. The inventors found that such an embodiment may advantageously prevent skewing of the belts relative to the longitudinal axis of the treadmill, which may otherwise occur. Of course, other combinations of inner and outer smooth and toothed timing belts are possible. In addition, in those examples having one or more belts configured as timing belts, the inventors determined that the toothed connections of those timing belts may be relatively loosely wound on the respective pulleys, as compared to prior art timing belts. This advantageously may reduce the level of noise that normally emanates from the toothed connections in conventional timing belt configurations.

[0044] In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A treadmill that longitudinally extends from front to rear and laterally extends from side to opposite side, the treadmill comprising: a pair of outer belt loops; an inner belt loop located laterally between the pair of outer belt loops; front and real' shaft assemblies supporting rotation the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop; and a plurality of slats supported on the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop, the plurality of slats providing a movable surface for supporting a user of the treadmill as the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop are rotated about the front and rear shaft assemblies.

2. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the inner belt loop is one of a plurality of inner belt loops located laterally between the pair of outer belt loops and wherein the plurality of slats is supported on the plurality of inner belt loops.

3. The treadmill according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of inner belt loops consists of a pair of inner belt loops.

4. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising opposing sets of roller bearings located between the front and rear shaft assemblies and supporting rotation of the pair of outer belt loops and the plurality of slats.

5. The treadmill according to claim 4, further comprising an inner set of roller bearings located between the opposing sets of roller bearings, the inner set of roller bearings supporting rotation of the inner belt loop and the plurality of slats.

6. The treadmill according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the opposing sets of roller bearings and inner set of roller bearings is offset relative to another one of the opposing sets of roller bearings and inner set of roller bearings.

7. The treadmill according to claim 5, wherein the inner belt loop is one of a pair of inner belt loops located between the pair of outer belts, and wherein the inner set of roller bearings is one of a pair of inner sets roller of bearings that support rotation of the pair of inner belts and the plurality of slats.

8. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the pair of outer belts and the inner belt loops each have an inner surface that frictionally engages with the front and real' shaft assemblies as the pair of outer belts and the inner belt loop are rotated about the front and rear shaft assemblies.

9. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein at least one belt of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop is rotatably coupled to the front and rear shaft assemblies entirely by a frictional engagement.

10. The treadmill according to claim 9, wherein the frictional engagement is between smooth surfaces of the front and rear shaft assemblies and the at least one belt.

11. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein each slat in the plurality of slats is ribless.

12. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein each slat in the plurality of slats has a planar top surface facing a user of the treadmill and a planar bottom surface facing the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop.

13. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein each slat in the plurality of slats has opposing ends and a planar bottom surface extending between the opposing ends.

14. The treadmill according to claim 13, wherein the planar bottom surface is entirely planar'.

15. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein each slat in the plurality of slats is fastened to the pair of outer belt loops and to the inner belt loop.

16. The treadmill according to claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop is an incomplete loop.

17. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop is an elongated belt having opposite ends that are separated at a seam.

18. The treadmill according to claim 17, wherein the seam in at least one of the pair of outer belt loops is longitudinally offset from the seam in the inner belt loop.

19. The treadmill according to claim 18, wherein the seams in each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop are longitudinally offset from each other.

20. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop is an elongated belt having opposite ends that are coupled via a connection between longitudinally adjacent slats in the plurality of slats.

21. The treadmill according to claim 20, wherein the longitudinally adjacent slats include a first slat coupled to a first one of the opposite ends of the elongated belt and a second slat coupled to a second one of the opposite ends of the elongated belt.

22. The treadmill according to claim 20, further comprising a joining member coupling the longitudinally adjacent slats.

23. The treadmill according to claim 22, wherein the joining member is located laterally between a respective one of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop.

24. The treadmill according to claim 20, wherein the opposite ends are coupled in a connection zone in which joining members that are located laterally between the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop, respectively, couple longitudinally adjacent slats in the plurality of slats.

25. The treadmill according to claim 24, wherein the opposite ends of each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop arc separated by a scam and wherein the scam in each of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop are longitudinally offset from each other.

26. A method of disassembling the treadmill according to claim 24, comprising disconnecting the joining members from a respective one of the adjacent slats and then removing at least one of the pair of outer belt loops and the inner belt loop from the front and rear shaft assemblies.

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