ACUPRESSURE WALKING MACHINE APPLYING PRESSURE TO FOOT REFLEX ZONES

Abstract

An acupressure walking machine for applying pressure to foot reflex zones is disclosed. The present invention relates to an acupressure walking machine for applying pressure to foot reflex zones, the walking machine additionally providing an embossing belt, which is made from an elastic material and circulating in a caterpillar form, to the lower side of a running belt circulating in a caterpillar form so as to restrain acupressure stones from rapidly gathering at a curved turning section, such that the uniform dispersion of the acupressure stones is induced, thereby uniformly distributing the acupressure stones placed on the running belt.

Claims

1. A treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, the treadmill comprising: front and rear rollers mounted in a body at front and rear sides; a running belt supported by the front and rear rollers to rotate in an infinite orbit; and acupressure stones rotating in an orbit together with the running belt, the treadmill further comprising: first and second rollers mounted at sides of the front and rear rollers; and an embossed belt supported by the first and second rollers to rotate in an infinite orbit, provided under the running belt to closely contact the running belt on a top surface thereof, comprising a plurality of recesses for accommodating the acupressure stones therein, and made of an intumescent material having elasticity.

2. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein one of the front and rear rollers and one of the first and second rollers are connected to and driven by a driving motor to rotate the running belt and the embossed belt in opposite directions.

3. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein third and fourth rollers are rotatably mounted in the body at upper sides of the front and rear rollers, respectively, and wherein the embossed belt has front and rear ends rotatably supported by the third and fourth rollers via the first and second rollers, and is made of an intumescent synthetic resin having elastic restoring force and comprising protrusions and recesses having a triangular wave shape, a hemispherical shape, or a polygonal shape.

4. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of anti-sag rollers provided in a width direction and rotatably mounted between top and bottom surfaces of the embossed belt with respect to the first and second rollers to prevent sagging of the top surface of the embossed belt.

5. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the acupressure stones comprise one or more selected from natural pebbles, red clay, germanium, elvan, natural jade, and charcoal.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a partially-cutaway perspective view for describing the internal configuration of the treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view for describing the configurations of a running belt and an embossed belt of the treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a top view of the embossed belt of the treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a magnified cross-sectional view of a part of the embossed belt of the treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 8 is a magnified perspective view of a part of the embossed belt of the treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS DESIGNATING THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] 1: Treadmill for stimulating foot reflex zones [0037] 10: Body [0038] 25,26: Front and rear rollers [0039] 30: Running belt [0040] 35,36,37,38: First, second, third, and fourth rollers [0041] 50: Embossed belt [0042] 31: Protrusions [0043] 33: Recesses [0044] 53: Anti-sag rollers [0045] 55: Support brackets [0046] m: Driving motor [0047] v: Belt pulleys

MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0048] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention unclear.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, the treadmill 1 includes a body for forming an outer appearance and providing a treading space on a top surface thereof to allow a user to walk or run thereon, a running belt 30 provided on the treading space of the body 10 to rotate in an infinite orbit, and including a plurality of acupressure stones 3 provided on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and an embossed belt 50 provided in the body 10 under the running belt 30 to rotate in an infinite orbit by a driving source and to carry the acupressure stones 3.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a partially-cutaway perspective view for describing the internal configuration of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the treadmill 1 includes the body 10 including a base frame 11 for forming an outer appearance and providing a treading space, the running belt 30 exposed on a top surface of the base frame 11 of the body 10, the embossed belt 50 provided under the running belt 30, anti-sag rollers 53 provided in a width direction to prevent sagging of the embossed belt 50, and support brackets 55 provided under the embossed belt 50 to support the embossed belt 50.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the treadmill 1 includes a front roller 25 and a rear roller 26 rotatably mounted in the base frame 11 of the body 10, wherein at least one thereof is connected to and driven by a driving source (not shown) to rotate and the other cooperatively rotates in an idle mode, the running belt 30 rotatably supported by the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 to rotate in an infinite orbit, a first roller 35 and a second roller 36 provided below the front and rear rollers 25 and 26, respectively, a third roller 37 and a fourth roller 38 provided above and spaced apart from the front and rear rollers 25 and 26, respectively, the embossed belt 50 rotatably supported by the first to fourth rollers 35 to 38 to rotate in an infinite orbit, and provided to contact front and rear side surfaces and a bottom surface of the running belt 30 rather than a top surface of the running belt 30, and the anti-sag rollers 53 provided between top and bottom surfaces of the embossed belt 50 in a width direction to prevent sagging of the top surface of the embossed belt 50.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a side view for describing the configurations of the running belt 30 and the embossed belt 50 of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 5, the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 are provided at left and right sides, respectively, and the running belt 30 is rotatably supported by the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 to rotate in an infinite orbit. The embossed belt 50 is provided to surround the front and rear side surfaces and the bottom surface of the running belt 30. In this case, the embossed belt 50 is rotatably supported by the third and first rollers 37 and 35 provided above and below the front roller 25 and spaced from each other, and the fourth and second rollers 38 and 36 provided above and below the rear roller 26 and spaced from each other.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a top view of the embossed belt 50 of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, the front roller 25 of the running belt 30 and the first roller 35 of the embossed belt 50 are connected via belt pulleys v to a driving motor m for receiving electricity from outside and providing driving force. In this case, the running belt 30 and the embossed belt 50 are driven to rotate in opposite directions.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a magnified cross-sectional view of a part of the embossed belt 50 of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 7, the embossed belt 50 includes protrusions 31 protruding in a triangular wave shape, and recesses 33 connected to the protrusions 31 and sunken in a triangular wave shape to accommodate the acupressure stones 3 therein.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a magnified perspective view of a part of the embossed belt 50 of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, the embossed belt 50 has an uneven structure including a plurality of protrusions 31 protruding in a convex shape, and a plurality of recesses sunken in a concave shape between the protrusions 31. The present invention proposes that the embossed belt 50 is made of an intumescent synthetic resin having elasticity.

[0063] The configuration of the treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention, will now be described with reference to the above-described drawings.

[0064] The treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention, broadly includes the body 10 for forming an outer appearance, the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 rotatably mounted in the body 10 at front and rear sides, the running belt 30 provided to surround the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 and to rotate in an infinite orbit, and the embossed belt 50 provided under the running belt 30 to rotate in a direction opposite to the running belt 30 and to carry the acupressure stones 3 together with the running belt 30.

[0065] The body 10 includes the base frame 11 having a rectangular shape and providing a treading space to allow a user to walk or run thereon, a pair of vertical frames vertically provided at two front sides of the base frame 11, and a manipulation panel 15 provided on top of the vertical frames 13 to be manipulated by the user or to display an operational status of the treadmill 1.

[0066] The base frame 11 is provided in a rectangular shape having a size sufficient to allow the user to walk or run thereon. A top surface of the base frame 11 is open. Although not shown in the drawings, a plurality of height-adjustable feet or wheels for smooth movement may be provided on a bottom surface of the base frame 11.

[0067] The vertical frames 13 are lengthwise elements almost vertically provided at two front sides of the base frame 11, and the manipulation panel 15 to be described below is mounted on the vertical frames 13. Although not shown in the drawings, handles to be held by the hands of the user may be provided on the vertical frames 13.

[0068] The manipulation panel 15 may be configured as a keypad including buttons or switches to allow the user to adjust a driving speed or a pitch of the running belt 30, or a display for displaying an operational status of the treadmill 1.

[0069] The above-described body 10 may also operate similarly to a well-known treadmill, and thus a detailed description thereof is not provided herein.

[0070] In the body 10 according to the present invention, the anti-sag rollers 53 are rotatably mounted in a width direction between top and bottom surfaces of the embossed belt 50 to be described below with respect to the first and second rollers 35 and 36 to be described below to prevent sagging of the top surface of the embossed belt 50. The above-described anti-sag rollers 53 are provided in plural number at intervals along a length direction of the embossed belt 50.

[0071] The front and rear rollers 25 and 26 are rotatably mounted in the base frame 11 at front and rear sides, respectively. That is, the front roller 25 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) at a front side with respect to the vertical frames 13 of the body 10, and the rear roller 26 is spaced apart from the front roller 25 and is also rotatably mounted by a bearing at a rear side of the front roller 25.

[0072] The above-described front and rear rollers 25 and 26 may be rotated by a driving source. In the present invention, the front roller 25 may be connected to and rotated by the driving motor m for receiving electricity and generating rotational driving force, and the rear roller 26 may be freely rotated. The driving motor m and the front roller 25 may be interconnected using chains, belts, or gears. In the present invention, for example, the driving motor m and the front roller 25 are interconnected using the belt pulleys v.

[0073] The above-described structure for driving the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 may also be implemented using well-known technology, and the type, number, and locations of rollers may be variously changed as long as the rollers rotate the running belt 30 to be described below.

[0074] The running belt 30 is an element capable of providing a treading space to the user and carrying the acupressure stones 3, and is rotatably supported by the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 to rotate in an infinite orbit. The above-described running belt 30 may use a running belt applied to a well-known treadmill, and thus a detailed description thereof is not provided herein.

[0075] The acupressure stones 3 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the running belt 30 have a size and a hardness level sufficient to stimulate the soles of the feet of the user when the user treads thereon, and may use not only natural pebbles but also artificial pebbles including red clay, germanium, elvan, natural jade, or charcoal components, or ceramic balls.

[0076] The embossed belt 50 has main technical features of the present invention, and is an element provided under the running belt 30 and closely contacting the running belt 30 on a top surface thereof to carry the acupressure stones 3.

[0077] The above-described embossed belt 50 is an element having an embossed structure including the recesses 33 for accommodating the acupressure stones 3 therein. As illustrated in the drawings, the protrusions 31 and the recesses 33 are regularly repeated. Although the present invention proposes the protrusions 31 and the recesses 33 having a triangular wave shape, the protrusions 31 and the recesses 33 may have a hemispherical or polygonal convex/concave shape.

[0078] In addition, the embossed belt 50 is made of an intumescent synthetic resin having buffering properties and elastic restoring force in order to suppress breakage or noise due to friction between the acupressure stones 3 when the acupressure stones 3 are carried.

[0079] The embossed belt 50 has a structure supported by a plurality of rollers to rotate in an infinite orbit. To this end, the present invention proposes the first to fourth rollers 35 to 38. That is, the first and second rollers 35 and 36 are rotatably mounted in the body 10 at lower sides of the front and rear rollers 25 and 26, respectively, which rotatably support the running belt 30, and the third and fourth rollers 37 and 38 are rotatably mounted in the body 10 at upper sides of the front and rear rollers 25 and 26, respectively.

[0080] Herein, one of the first to fourth rollers 35 to 38 serves as a driving roller connected to the driving motor m to receive rotational driving force. In the present invention, for example, the first roller 35 is connected via the belt pulleys v to and driven by the driving motor m to rotate. That is, any one of the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 and any one of the first and second rollers 35 and 36 are connected to the driving motor m to rotate the running belt 30 and the embossed belt 50 in opposite directions. The present invention proposes that the front roller 25 and the first roller 35 are connected via the belt pulleys v to the driving motor m to rotate in opposite directions.

[0081] The embossed belt 50 is supported by the support brackets 55 fixed to two lower side edges of front and rear ends of the body 10. The above-described support brackets 55 serve as supporters for ultimately preventing sagging of the embossed belt 50 and the running belt 30 located on the embossed belt 50.

[0082] Operation of the above-described treadmill 1 for stimulating foot reflex zones, according to the present invention, will now be described.

[0083] When the user applies electricity to the driving motor m by manipulating a switch provided on the manipulation panel 15, the front roller 25 and the first roller 35 connected to the driving motor m are driven to rotate in opposite directions, and thus the running belt 30 provided to surround the front and rear rollers 25 and 26 rotates in an infinite orbit.

[0084] Due to rotation of the first roller 35, the embossed belt 50 provided to surround the second to fourth rollers 36 to 38 also rotates in an infinite orbit.

[0085] In this case, since the acupressure stones 3 having various sizes and shapes are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the running belt 30, the user may naturally walk or run at a low speed on the acupressure stones 3 as the running belt 30 moves.

[0086] The acupressure stones 3 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the running belt 30 are moved from the front roller 25 toward the rear roller 26 and then between a rear end of the running belt 30 and a rear end of the embossed belt 50 provided to partially surround the rear end of the running belt 30.

[0087] In this case, since the embossed belt 50 includes the protrusions 31 and the recesses 33, the acupressure stones are naturally accommodated and carried in the recesses of the embossed belt 50. In this process, the acupressure stones 3 partially overlapping each other when trod on by the user are uniformly distributed when inserted into the recesses 33 of the embossed belt 50. That is, the acupressure stones 3 located between a bottom surface of the running belt 30 and a top surface of the embossed belt 50 are moved while being accommodated in the recesses 33 of the embossed belt 50, and ultimately rotate toward an upper front side of the running belt 30.

[0088] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.