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EP-4739406-A2 - MANUAL TREADMILL WITH CONSISTENT PUSH FORCE ON USER'S ABDOMEN

EP4739406A2EP 4739406 A2EP4739406 A2EP 4739406A2EP-4739406-A2

Abstract

The present invention introduces a human-powered treadmill designed to provide a consistent push force on the user's abdomen, facilitating the movement of the treadmill belt through the user's feet. The treadmill features an ab-drive object, such as a flexible object (ab-band or ab-belt) and a solid object (ab-pad or ab-roller), positioned at the front of the treadmill frame. When the user leans forward during exercise, their abdomen pushes against this object, creating a backward thrust on their feet that propels the treadmill belt. This design allows for high-intensity workouts with/without the need for high speeds or inclines, addressing safety and usability issues associated with traditional motorized and non-motorized treadmills. The ab-drive object is adjustable to accommodate different user sizes and includes options for resistance/braking systems to vary workout intensity.

Inventors

  • YAN, HUI

Assignees

  • Yan, Hui

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240705

Claims (11)

  1. 1. A human-powered treadmill comprising: - a frame structure including a base; - a front roller and a rear roller, supported by said frame structure; - a tread belt mounted on said front roller and rear roller; - a driving device coupled to the frame, the driving device being an ab-drive object connected directly to the front part of the treadmill's frame, positioned in the front and middle part of the user's body at a height or position suitable for user engagement, wherein when a user leans forward during walking or running on the treadmill's tread belt, the user's abdomen pushes against the ab-drive object, creating a backward thrust on the user's feet, thereby causing the user's feet to push back on the tread belt; - means for adjusting the position or height of the ab-push object to fit users of different sizes.
  2. 2. The human-powered treadmill of claim 1, wherein the ab-drive object is ba nd(s)/belt(s), a pad with a smooth and soft surface, or a rotatable cylinder (roller) with a smooth and soft surface.
  3. 3. The human-powered treadmill of claim 1, wherein the position of the ab-drive object can be adjusted vertically via an cantilever to accommodate different user heights and body types.
  4. 4. The human-powered treadmill of claim 1, wherein the treadmill includes a resista nce/bra king system to increase the resistance to move the treadmill belt and safely stop the tread belt or slat belt when the user stops engaging with the ab-push object.
  5. 5. The human-powered treadmill of claim 1, wherein the treadmill is designed for hands-free operation, with the user propelling the belt through abdominal pressure without the need for hand-push motion.
  6. 6. The human-powered treadmill of claim 1, further comprising means for generating and regulating resistance to the movement of the tread belt or slat belt to simulate different workout intensities.
  7. 7. A human-powered treadmill comprising: - a frame structure including a base; - a front roller and a rear roller, supported by said frame structure; - a tread belt mounted on said front roller and rear roller; - at least one ab-drive object connected to the frame structure at a height or position suitable for user engagement; - means for adjusting the position or height of the ab-drive object to fit users of different sizes; - at least a resista nce/bra ke system on the front or rear roller to change the resistance to move the tread belt or slat belt, wherein when a user leans forward during walking or running on the treadmill's tread belt, the user's abdomen pushes against the ab-push object, creating a backward thrust on the user's feet, thereby causing the user's feet to push back on the tread belt and move it backward.
  8. 8. The human-powered treadmill of claim 7, wherein the ab-drive object is a pad with a smooth and soft surface or a rotatable cylinder with a smooth and soft surface.
  9. 9. The human-powered treadmill of claim 7, wherein the position of the ab-drive object is connected to a cantilever and can be adjusted vertically to accommodate different user heights and body types.
  10. 10. The human-powered treadmill of claim 7, further comprising means for generating and regulating resistance to the movement of the tread belt or slat belt to simulate different workout intensities. Friction or magnetic means can be used to generate the resistance to increase the resistance to move the treadmill belt and safely stop the tread belt or slat belt when the user stops engaging with the ab-drive object.
  11. 11. The human-powered treadmill of claim 7, wherein the treadmill is designed for hands-free operation, with the user propelling the belt through abdominal pressure without the need for hand-push motion.

Description

IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE Utility Patent Application TITLE: MANUAL TREADMILL WITH CONSISTENT PUSH FORCE ON USER'S ABDOMEN INVENTOR: Hui Yan CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provision Patent Application No. 63525167, filed on July 6th, 2023, entitled "MANUAL TREADMILL WITH CONSISTENT PUSH FORCE ON USER'S ABDOMEN", which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to treadmills used for walking and running exercises. Specifically, it introduces a human-powered treadmill designed to apply a consistent push force on the user's abdomen (ab), which is then transferred to the treadmill belt via the user's feet. BACKGROUND [0003] Treadmills can be either motorized or non-motorized (manual/human-powered). Motorized treadmills allow users to adjust speed and incline for desired workout intensity, but they pose safety risks and may impact the user's knees hard. Non-motorized treadmills rely on the user overcoming frictional resistance, making it hard to achieve high speeds without significant incline, which reduces user control and limits usability. [0004] A significant challenge in the treadmill industry is to generate additional drive force for high-intensity workouts without high speed or incline, also without hand pushing. Despite extensive research, no significant progress has been made in this area. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] This invention presents a human-powered treadmill featuring an ab-drive object positioned in front of the user for the user's abdomen to push against. The object is attached or supported by the treadmill frame, which includes a base, legs, and handlebars. The ab-drive object can be an ab-band, ab-belt, ab-bar, ab-pad, or ab-roller. As the user leans forward while walking or running, the user's abdomen pushes against the ab-drive object, creating a backward thrust on the user's feet. This interaction propels the treadmill's running belt backward, matching the user's speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The accompanying drawings illustrate five groups of embodiments of the invention: - Figures 1 and 2: Perspective view of the ab-roller (attached to a cantilever) ab-drive treadmill - Figures 3 and 4: Perspective view of the ab-pad ab-drive treadmill - Figures 5 and 6: Perspective view of the ab-band or ab-belt ab-drive treadmill - Figures 7 and 8: Perspective view of the ab-roller (positioned between two handlebars) ab- drive treadmill - Figures 9 and 10: Perspective view of the ab-roller (positioned between two handlebars), with adjustable height of handlebar's ends. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0007] The treadmill can be either a regular belt treadmill or a slat belt treadmill. The ab-push object may be solid (pad or roller) or flexible (bands or belts). The following descriptions provide examples and should not limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown. [0008] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a treadmill with an ab-roller 68 connected to a telescopic pole 67, which is attached to the treadmill frame via a cantilever 65 and adaptor 61. The roller's height can be adjusted, and it can rotate around the shaft for smooth operation. The user's abdomen pushes against the roller, generating driving force on user's feet to push backward on treadmill belt. Ab-pad can replace ab-roller 68 in this case. [0009] Figures 3 and 4 show a treadmill with an ab-pad 45 connected to the frame handlebar 11 via a cantilever 44. The ab-pad's elevation can be adjusted to fit the user. The ab-pad can be soft or elastic, and the cantilever may include a spring for additional damping. The user's abdomen pushes against the ab-pad to move the treadmill belt. [0010] Figures 5 and 6 depict a treadmill with a basic structure, including a base 1, footboard frame 2, and treadmill belt 9. The ab-band 24 is connected to the ends of the handlebar 11 and can be adjusted vertically to fit different users. The number of ab-bands can vary, and they may be elastic or non-elastic. The user generates driving force by pushing against the ab-bands while walking or running. [0011] Figures 7 and 8 depict a treadmill with an ab-roller 86 connected to the handlebars 11 via a shaft 85. The elevation of the ab-roller can be adjusted, and the ab-roller 85 can rotate around shaft 85 for smooth running. The user generates force by pushing against the ab-roller for feet to push backward on treadmill belt. Ab-pad can replace ab-roller 85 in this case. [0012] Figures 9 and 10 show a treadmill with an adjustable-height ab-roller 103 connected to the handlebars 11 via a shaft 102. The user pushes against the ab-roller to generate force, moving the treadmill belt. Ab-pad can replace ab-roller 103 in this case.