TREADMILL DECK AND KIT

Abstract

There is provided a treadmill deck (10) for supporting at least part of a treadmill belt, the deck (10) including a foot strike area (12) disposed towards one end of the deck, and a foot take-off area (14) disposed towards another end of the deck, an upper surface of one of the areas including: a lateral inward or outward slope, which provides a lateral gradient across at least part of the area (12, 14), and an upper surface of the other of the areas (14, 12) including one of: a laterally horizontal surface or a lateral inward or outward slope, which provides a lateral gradient across at least part of that other area (14, 12).

Claims

1-33. (canceled)

34. A treadmill deck for supporting at least part of a treadmill belt, the treadmill deck comprising a foot strike area disposed towards one end of the treadmill deck, and a foot take-off area disposed towards another end of the treadmill deck, a first upper surface of one of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area including: a first lateral inward slope or a first lateral outward slope, which provides a first lateral gradient across at least part of the one of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area, and a second upper surface of the other of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area including one of: a laterally horizontal surface or a second lateral inward slope or a second lateral outward slope, in which where one of the second lateral inward slope or the second lateral outward slope provides a second lateral gradient across at least part of the other of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area, in which the treadmill deck comprises one or both of: only one of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area includes the first or second lateral inward slope, or only one of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area includes the first or second lateral outward slope; and the foot strike area is connected to the foot take-off area by a substantially horizontal region or inflection of the treadmill deck.

35. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the treadmill deck has a fixed upper surface, wherein the first upper surface is provided by a first portion of the fixed upper surface, and the second upper surface is provided by a second portion of the fixed upper surface.

36. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the treadmill deck includes a base comprising a grippy or tacky surface for engaging a treadmill surface to maintain the treadmill deck in position under the treadmill belt during use.

37. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which one or both of the first and second upper surfaces includes a longitudinal slope which provides a longitudinal gradient along at least part of the one or both of the foot strike area and foot take-off area.

38. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the treadmill deck comprises one or both of: a first magnitude of the lateral gradient of the foot strike area decreases from a near end of the treadmill deck towards the foot take-off area, and a second magnitude of the lateral gradient of the foot take-off area decreases from a near end of the treadmill deck towards the foot strike area.

39. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the treadmill deck is in the form of a unitary body.

40. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which, when the horizontal area or inflection is provided, the foot strike area transitions into the horizontal area or inflection in a region disposed in a front half of the treadmill deck.

41. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the foot strike area includes the first lateral inward slope, and the foot take-off area includes the laterally horizontal surface or the second lateral outward slope.

42. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the foot strike area includes the first lateral outward slope, and the foot take-off area includes the laterally horizontal surface or the second lateral inward slope.

43. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the foot strike area includes the laterally horizontal surface, and the foot take-off area includes the first lateral inward slope or the first lateral outward slope.

44. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which one or both of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area provide a twisted surface along the treadmill deck for walking or running on.

45. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, in which the treadmill deck includes a left half for a left foot and a right half for a right foot, and one or both of: the foot strike area includes a first left portion and a first right portion in the respective halves and the foot take-off area includes a second left portion and a second right portion in the respective halves, wherein the treadmill deck comprises one or both of: the first left portion and first right portion of the foot strike area have opposing lateral gradients, and the second left portion and second right portion of the foot take-off area have opposing lateral gradients.

46. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 45, in which the left portion and the right portion of one of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area together provide a substantially convex or inverted V-shaped surface.

47. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 45, in which the left portion and the right portion of one of the foot take-off area and the foot strike area together provide a substantially concave or V-shaped surface.

48. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 45, in which one or both of the foot strike area and the foot take-off area provide twisted surfaces along each of the left half of the treadmill deck and the right half of the treadmill deck.

49. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 34, fitted to a treadmill or provided as part of a kit for fitting to a treadmill.

50. A treadmill deck for supporting at least part of a treadmill belt, the treadmill deck having a fixed upper surface comprising a foot strike area or a foot take-off area disposed at or towards one end of the treadmill deck, the foot strike area or the foot take-off area transitioning into a laterally horizontal surface in a direction away from the end of the treadmill deck, the foot strike area or the foot take-off area including a left region for a left foot and a right region for a right foot, in which the treadmill deck comprises one or both of: a first upper surface of the left region is provided by a first portion of the fixed upper surface and includes a first lateral inward slope or a first lateral outward slope which provides a first lateral gradient across at least part of the left region, and a second upper surface of the right region is provided by a second portion of the fixed upper surface and includes a second lateral inward slope or a second lateral outward slope which provides a second lateral gradient across at least part of the right region.

51. A treadmill deck as claimed in claim 50, fitted to a treadmill.

52. A kit for replacing or modifying an existing treadmill deck in a treadmill, the kit comprising a retrofittable treadmill deck for installation on or in place of the existing treadmill deck to support at least part of a treadmill belt, the retrofittable treadmill deck having a fixed upper surface comprising a foot strike area or a foot take-off area disposed at or towards one end of the retrofittable treadmill deck, the foot strike area or the foot take-off area transitioning into a laterally horizontal surface in a direction away from the end of the retrofittable treadmill deck, the foot strike area or the foot take-off area including a left region for a left foot and a right region for a right foot, in which the retrofittable treadmill deck comprises one or both of: a first upper surface of the left region is provided by a first portion of the fixed upper surface and includes a first lateral inward slope or a first lateral outward slope which provides a first lateral gradient across at least part of the left region, and a second upper surface of the right region is provided by a second portion of the fixed upper surface and includes a second lateral inward slope or a second lateral outward slope which provides a second lateral gradient across at least part of the right region.

53. A kit as claimed claim 52, retrofitted to a treadmill.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0106] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0107] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a first embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0108] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a second embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0109] FIGS. 1C to 1G show cross-sectional views through the treadmill deck or board of FIG. 1B, at positions respectively corresponding to the front end; partway between the front end and the middle of the device; the middle of the device; partway between middle of the device and the rear end; and at the rear end;

[0110] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a third embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0111] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a fourth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0112] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a fifth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0113] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a sixth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0114] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a seventh embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0115] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of an eighth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0116] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a ninth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0117] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a tenth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0118] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of an eleventh embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0119] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a twelfth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0120] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a thirteenth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention;

[0121] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a wireframe of a fourteenth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention; and

[0122] FIG. 14 a perspective view of a wireframe of a fifteenth embodiment of a treadmill deck or board according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0123] Referring firstly to FIG. 1A, a treadmill deck (or board) is indicated generally at 10. The deck 10 is adapted to fit under a treadmill belt (not shown). The deck 10 can constructed of any suitable material. For example, the deck may be made of MDF or preferably plyboard, or a dense foam-based material (particularly for running) such as high density foam, or another material, such as a composite material, that may for example be moulded into shape. Using a foam-based material reduces heating of the treadmill belt during use. In this embodiment, the deck 10 may have a length and width corresponding to the length and width of the upper surface of a treadmill belt. In some other embodiments, the deck may be about 400 mm wide. Most treadmill belts are about 500 mm wide, so this provides 50 mm on either side as space for retrofitting and may contribute to belt stability when passing over the deck 10.

[0124] In this embodiment, the deck 10 is substantially symmetric about a central vertical longitudinal plane bisecting the deck 10. The deck 10 includes a substantially flat or planar base.

[0125] The deck 10 includes an elongate body 11. An upper surface of the deck 10 includes a foot strike area 12. The foot strike area 12 is provided in the front half of the deck 10. The foot strike area includes a left strike area or quadrant 12a and a right strike area or quadrant 12b. Each of the left and right strike areas 12a, 12b includes an outward lateral slope, providing a lateral gradient across each area. The foot strike area 12 is an inverted V-shape or convex as a result.

[0126] In this embodiment, each of the left and right strike areas 12a, 12b also includes a longitudinal slope, providing a longitudinal gradient along each area. This means that each foot strike area 12a, 12b generally decreases in height from the front end F of the deck 10 towards the middle of the deck 10.

[0127] Overall, the left strike area 12a includes a curved slope. The curved slope leads from the middle of the front end of the deck to the left side of the middle of the deck 10. Similarly, the right strike area 12b includes a curved slope. That curved slope leads from the middle of the front end of the deck to the right side of the middle of the deck 10. The outward slopes meet at a watershed 18 in the middle of the front end.

[0128] The deck 10 also includes a foot take-off area 14, provided in the rear half of the deck 10. The foot take-off area includes a left take-off area or quadrant 14a and a right take-off area or quadrant 14b. Each of the left and right take-off areas 14a, 14b includes an inward lateral slope, providing a lateral gradient across each area. The foot take-off area 14 is V-shaped or concave as a result.

[0129] The left take-off area 14a is disposed in-line behind the left strike area 12a. The right take-off area 14b is disposed in-line behind the right strike area 12b.

[0130] In this embodiment, each of the left and right take-off areas 12a, 12b also includes a longitudinal slope, providing a longitudinal gradient along each area. This means that each foot take-off area 14a, 14b generally decreases in height from the rear end R of the deck 10 towards the middle of the deck 10.

[0131] Overall, the left take-off area 14a includes a curved longitudinal slope (but not curved laterally—the lateral gradient is constant). The curved slope leads from the rear end of the deck to the middle of the upper surface of the deck. Similarly, the right take-off area 14b includes a curved longitudinal slope (but not curved laterally—the lateral gradient is constant). That curved slope leads from the rear end of the deck to the middle of the upper surface of the deck 10. The inward slopes meet at a valley 20 in the middle of the rear end.

[0132] The strike and/or take-off areas of the deck are substantially rigid, although there may be some flex when stood on, walked on or run on during use.

[0133] FIG. 10 illustrates the outward lateral slopes at the front end. FIG. 1D illustrates the outward lateral slopes at a section inward of the front end. The vertical height of the slopes (from the highest point to the lowest point) varies by 25 mm in FIG. 10, and by 5 mm in FIG. 1D. The slope angle α is about 7 degrees in FIG. 10, and the slope angle β is about 1 degree in FIG. 1D.

[0134] Similarly, FIG. 1G illustrates the inward lateral slopes at the rear end. FIG. 1F illustrates the inward lateral slopes at a section inward of the rear end. The vertical height of the slopes (from the highest point to the lowest point) varies by 25 mm in FIG. 1G, and by 5 mm in FIG. 1F. The slope angle α is about 7 degrees in FIG. 1G, and the slope angle β is about 1 degree in FIG. 1F.

[0135] It will be appreciated that for a wider deck, with the same vertical height difference, the angles will be correspondingly lower. However, the vertical height difference in the lateral slope and the width of the deck can be selected to provide customised lateral slope angles in any embodiment.

[0136] In this embodiment, the difference in deck height between the highest and lowest points in any individual quadrant is 25 mm. It will be appreciated that the curved nature of the combined lateral and longitudinal gradients means that the change in lateral or longitudinal gradient may not be constant when considering either type of gradient individually.

[0137] The upper surface of the deck 10 includes a laterally horizontal region 16. FIG. 1E illustrates the laterally horizontal region 16. The laterally horizontal region 16 is equidistant from the front and rear ends of the deck 10 in this embodiment. The laterally horizontal region 16 delineates a boundary between the foot strike areas 12a, 12b from the respective foot take-off areas 14a, 14b. In this embodiment, the laterally horizontal region 16 constitutes an inflection where the outward slope of the strike area transitions into the inward slope of the take-off area.

[0138] Together, the left strike and take-off areas 12a, 14a provide a twisted surface for use by a left foot of a walker. Together, the right strike and take-off areas 12b, 14b provide a twisted surface for use by a right foot of a walker. The surfaces have opposing twists, or, put another way, the surfaces have opposite senses of rotation.

[0139] In this embodiment, the twisted surfaces have the same rate of change of slope angle along the deck 10. That is, the twisted surfaces substantially mirror each other about a vertical central longitudinal plane between the left- and right-hand sides of the deck 10.

[0140] It will be appreciated that the foot strike areas are regions in which a person's foot may land when using a treadmill which includes the deck 10. However, there will be variations in where the foot will land. It is much more likely that the user's foot will land in or near the middle of the relevant area than at the sides or at the front end itself.

[0141] Similarly, it will be appreciated that the foot take-off areas are regions in which a person's foot may propel from when using a treadmill which includes the deck 10. There will be variations in where the foot propels from. However, it is much more likely that the user's foot will propel from near the middle of the relevant area than from the sides or from the rear end itself.

[0142] The slope angles in the middle of the strike and take-off regions (away from the periphery of the deck 10) are therefore considered to be of greater importance, for the purposes of correcting posture when walking, than slopes angles at the periphery of the upper surface.

[0143] The deck 10 can be considered as an exercise board, if used independently of a treadmill. The exercise board 10 includes a flat base (not visible) and can be placed on a relatively flat level surface. An athlete can then stand on the front end area (or the rear end area). They can perform warm-up exercises, such as jumping or skipping, on that area. This can help to prepare particular muscles for more intense exercise or competition.

[0144] FIGS. 1A and 1C to 1G represent one embodiment of the deck 10. Various different embodiments of the deck are contemplated for different purposes, such as use in correcting different postural imbalances. Selected embodiments are discussed below with respect to FIGS. 2 to 11. Like reference numerals are used for like features.

[0145] Note that certain features of the foot strike or take-off areas may be the same as, or similar to, the equivalent areas already described with respect to FIG. 1A et al. Therefore, the description of relevant features has mainly been focused on discussion of new features, but it will be appreciated that features shown and described for FIG. 1A may also be applicable to some of the following figures, even if not replicated verbatim for brevity. For example, FIGS. 2 to 6 all include longitudinal gradients in the respective strike and take-off areas.

[0146] The orientation of the boards in FIGS. 2 to 10 is the same as in FIG. 1A, so the front end of the board is in the upper left and the rear end of the board is in the lower right of each figure as viewed on the page. It will also be apparent from viewing the Figures that the increase in slope angle, whether lateral or longitudinal, is gradual and tends to begin increasing more significantly for a given strike or take-off area around halfway between the middle of the deck and the respective deck end.

[0147] FIG. 1B illustrates a deck 100 like that of FIG. 1A. However, the deck 100 is in this case a running deck, rather than a walking deck 10. In other words, the deck 100 can be run on, as part of a treadmill, without the risk of injury that would be associated with running on the deck 10 of FIG. 1A. The lateral and longitudinal slopes (and gradients) in each strike and take-off area 112a, 112b, 114a, 114b are all shallower than the corresponding slopes than the deck 10 in FIG. 1A. The vertical height difference between maxima and minima in each quadrant is around half that of the difference in FIG. 1A.

[0148] In FIG. 1B, a laterally horizontal region 116 is provided near the front end of the deck 10′. Providing the laterally horizontal region or inflection in a forward position shortens the sloped length of the foot strike area 112, making it more suitable for jogging or running on. The foot take-off area 114 is correspondingly longer, to join up with the foot strike area 112. It will be appreciated that the region 116 could be lengthened to provide an area that is laterally horizontal, prior to transitioning into the sloped foot take-off area 114.

[0149] FIG. 2 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 200. In this embodiment, the left and right strike areas 212a, 212b include inward lateral slopes, and the left and right take-off areas 214a, 214b include outward lateral slopes.

[0150] Longitudinal gradients are provided in each slope, such that the slopes all have a slope component which is angled towards a lateral centreline of the deck 200. The strike area slopes lead from respective left and right corners of the front end of the deck to the middle of the upper surface of the deck. Similarly, the take-off area slopes lead from the middle of the rear end of the deck to respective sides at the middle of the deck 200.

[0151] It will be appreciated that this deck 200 is equivalent to a 180 degree rotation of the deck 10 in FIG. 1A about a central vertical axis.

[0152] FIG. 3 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 300. The foot take-off area 314 towards the rear end of the deck 300 is the same as that of the deck 200 in FIG. 2, providing lateral outward slopes for propelling off. However, the foot strike area 312 does not include sloped left and right areas. A laterally horizontal surface 312 is instead provided for foot strikes. The surface 312 transitions into the foot take-off area 314 towards the rear end.

[0153] FIG. 6 shows a similar treadmill deck (or exercise board) 600 to the deck 300 of FIG. 3, except that the foot take-off area 614 includes a laterally horizontal surface, and the foot strike area 612 includes lateral outward slopes. It will be appreciated that this deck 600 is equivalent to a 180 degree rotation of the deck 300 in FIG. 3 about a central vertical axis.

[0154] FIG. 13 shows a similar treadmill deck (or exercise board) 1300 to the deck 600 of FIG. 6, except that the foot strike and take-off areas both include outward slopes. The magnitude of the lateral gradient is lower in the take-off area compared to the strike area. There is a lateral gradient across the deck at substantially any position along the length of the deck on the right or left portions. It will be appreciated that the deck could be turned around so that the more highly sloped sections are in the take-off area, and the shallower lateral gradient sections are in the strike area. FIG. 4 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 400. The foot take-off area 414 towards the rear end of the deck 300 is the same as that of the deck 10 in FIG. 1A, providing lateral inward slopes for propelling off. However, the foot strike area 412 does not include sloped left and right areas. A laterally horizontal surface 412 is instead provided for foot strikes. The surface 412 transitions into the foot take-off area 414 towards the rear end.

[0155] FIG. 5 shows a similar treadmill deck (or exercise board) 500 to the deck 400 of FIG. 4, except that the foot take-off area 514 includes a laterally horizontal surface, and the foot strike area 512 includes lateral inward slopes. It will be appreciated that this deck 500 is equivalent to a 180 degree rotation of the deck 400 in FIG. 4 about a central vertical axis.

[0156] FIG. 12 shows a similar treadmill deck (or exercise board) 1200 to the deck 500 of FIG. 5, except that the foot strike and take-off areas both include inward slopes. The magnitude of the lateral gradient is lower in the take-off area compared to the strike area. There is a lateral gradient across the deck at substantially any position along the length of the deck on the right or left portions. It will be appreciated that the deck could be turned around so that the more highly sloped sections are in the take-off area, and the shallower lateral gradient sections are in the strike area.

[0157] FIG. 7 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 700. In this embodiment both of the strike and take-off areas 712, 714 have lateral inward slopes.

[0158] Whilst the slope angle (and rate of change of slope angle) is the same in both strike and take-off areas, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may include differing slope angles (and rates of change of slope angle) between the left and right sides, and/or between the strike and take-off areas. The same caveat applies for any embodiment of the treadmill deck.

[0159] FIG. 8 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 800. In this embodiment both of the strike and take-off areas 812, 814 have lateral outward slopes. The centre of the upper surface of the deck may be a saddle point in some embodiments according to variations of this configuration of slopes.

[0160] FIG. 9 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 900. In this embodiment, the left foot strike and take-off areas 912a, 914a include a lateral inward slope provided by a single planar surface, without a longitudinal slope component. The same applies to the right strike and take-off areas 912b, 914b.

[0161] FIG. 10 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 1000. In this embodiment, the left foot strike and take-off areas 1012a, 1014a include a lateral outward slope provided by a single planar surface, without a longitudinal slope component. The same applies to the right strike and take-off areas 1012b, 1014b.

[0162] FIG. 11 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 1100. The deck 1100 is similar to the deck in FIG. 1A. A foot strike area 1112 with lateral outward slopes is provided at the front end F, and a foot take-off area 1114 with lateral inward slopes is provided at the rear end R. It can be seen that the deck 1100 has rounded front and rear ends 1100a, 1100b for minimising treadmill belt wear during use. A central ridge 1100c between the left and right hand sides is rounded too.

[0163] FIG. 14 shows another treadmill deck (or exercise board), indicated generally at 1400. The deck 1100 is similar to the deck in FIG. 1A. However, in this case, one of the foot take-off quadrants is provided with a laterally horizontal surface, whilst the other foot take-off quadrant is sloped. Other embodiments may provide one, two or three quadrants of the strike and take-off areas with laterally horizontal surfaces, whilst three, two or one of the remaining quadrants of the strike and take-off areas include inward and/or outward slopes.

[0164] In some embodiments, the treadmill deck can be installed as part of a treadmill. This can be done during initial manufacture of a treadmill, or the deck can be retrofitted to a treadmill. The treadmill belt runs over the upper surface of the deck during use. When a person walks (or runs) on the belt and deck, their foot is (or feet are) modulated in at least a lateral direction during the strike and/or propulsion phases of the gait cycle, or when striking or taking off from a stationary position (e.g. on an exercise board). This rolling of the foot contributes to improved posture after even short periods of use of the treadmill. Comparable benefits may be obtained by using the deck alone as a surface on which to jump or stand whilst doing other exercises.

[0165] It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are examples only and that many other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claims. For example, the foot strike area and/or the foot take-off area may be less than half the length of the deck. The remaining area between those areas may include a horizontal surface (when the deck is provided on a flat and level surface), which could be part of the deck or could be provided by another item (such as a deck already installed in a treadmill).

[0166] The embodiments of the deck shown are generally suitable for supporting all of the upper portion of a treadmill belt, that is the portion which is available to be walked or run on at a given time during use. However, the length or width of the deck may be less than that of the treadmill belt, and so only support part of the belt, if suitable support for the rest of the belt is provided by another suitable body arranged next to the deck. This may be appropriate where the deck only comprising a foot strike area, or only comprises a foot take-off area, or only comprises left strike and take-off areas, or only comprises right strike and take-off areas, for example.

[0167] The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.