Precor Incorporated

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Janine Whan-tong

Peter Pasero

Paul D. Barker

Paul D Barker

Janine Whan-Tong

Peter A Pasero

James S Birrell

Peter J Arnold

Gregory T Wing

David T Littrell

Paul Stevens

A motorized treadmill () having an auxiliary cooling fan () electronically controlled to provide additional cooling for both the motor () and the motor electronic control system (). The auxiliary fan () is located such that the air circulated by the fan will flow over the motor and electronic control system. The auxiliary fan, powered independently of the output shaft of the motor, provides additional cooling to help maintain a constant belt speed while the treadmill is being operated at low speeds.

Treadmill motor cooling system

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flatter inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Crosstraining exercise device

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links ( ). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported to travel back and forth on rollers and . The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flatter inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Cross training exercise device

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links ( ). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis ( ), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide ( ). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the user's feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The position of the rearward ends of the foot link vis-&agrave;-vis the pivot axis may be selectively altered to vary the stride length of the stepping motion experienced by the user.

A motorized treadmill ( ) having an auxiliary cooling fan ( ) electronically controlled to provide additional cooling for both the motor ( ) and the motor electronic control system ( ). The auxiliary fan ( ) is located such that the air circulated by the fan will flow over the motor and electronic control system. The auxiliary fan, powered independently of the output shaft of the motor, provides additional cooling to help maintain a constant belt speed while the treadmill is being operated at low speeds.

A treadmill (,) includes a frame (,) on which are mounted transverse forward and rearward roller assemblies (,). An endless belt (,) is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies. A deck (,) is positioned between the upper run of the belt and the frame. The rearward portion of the deck (,) is hinged to the frame by pivot brackets (,) mounted to the frame to allow pivoting of a deck about an axis extending transversely to the length of the deck. Preferably, the pivot bracket (,) is of unitary construction, but of sufficient flexibility to allow the relatively free pivoting of the rear portion of the deck in relationship to the frame. Elastomeric cushions or springs are supported by the forward portion of the frame to underlie and support the forward portion of the deck and to absorb impact loads imparted on the deck by the user. A pivot wall (,) extends downwardly from the rear portion of the frame (,) to support the rear of the deck and also to raise and lower the rear of the treadmill deck relative to the forward end of the treadmill deck, thereby to provide an adjustable incline for the deck.

Suspension system for exercise apparatus

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for arcuate motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links travel back and forth along a guide (36). The combination of these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination of the foot links may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At flater inclinations of the foot links, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively greater angles of inclination of the foot links, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing.

Exercise treadmill

Cross training exerciser

An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links (30a, 30b). The rearward ends of the foot links are supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis (26), and the forward ends of the foot links reciprocate back and forth along a guide (36). The combination to these two foot link motions permits the users feet to travel along an elliptical path of travel. The inclination and/or elevation of the guide (36) may be selectively altered to vary the nature of the stepping motion experienced by the user. At lower inclinations/elevations of the guide, the stepping motion may resemble cross country skiing. At progressively higher angles of inclination or elevations of the guide (36), the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running and climbing. The connection of the foot links to the pivot axis allow motion in a direction orthogonal to the rotational motion, thus compensating for alignment inconsistencies of the device.

Growing community of inventors

Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Paul D Barker