RUNNING BELT, TREADMILL DEVICE, RUNNING BELT SLAT AND METHOD OF PRODUCING A RUNNING BELT

Abstract

The invention relates to a running belt for a treadmill device, comprising a tread portion having a running surface for a user to tread upon, a support portion, and a connecting portion between the tread portion and the support portion, wherein the tread portion is connected to the support portion by the connecting portion, and wherein the connecting portion comprises a lattice structure having a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells of the lattice structure. Moreover, the invention relates to a treadmill device, a running belt slat, and a method of producing a running belt.

Claims

1. A running belt for a treadmill device, comprising a tread portion having a running surface for a user to tread upon, a support portion, and a connecting portion between the tread portion and the support portion, wherein the tread portion is connected to the support portion by the connecting portion, and wherein the connecting portion comprises a lattice structure having a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells of the lattice structure.

2. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells includes first cells and second cells, wherein the first cells are arranged between the running surface and the second cells.

3. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the lattice structure is formed as a three-dimensional lattice structure and/or is formed by additive manufacturing.

4. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the lattice structure is more flexible than the support portion and/or the tread portion.

5. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells includes third cells and fourth cells, wherein the third cells are more flexible than the fourth cells.

6. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the lattice structure comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region and the second region each extend transversely to the running surface from the support portion to the tread portion, and wherein the lattice structure is more flexible in the first region than in the second region.

7. The running belt according to claim 6, wherein the lattice structure in the first region differs from the lattice structure in the second region by at least one of the following parameters: a geometry of the lattice structure, a length of the struts, a cross-section of the struts, a material of the struts, and a size of the cells.

8. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the lattice structure comprises first lattice points and second lattice points, wherein the first lattice points define a first lattice plane and the second lattice points define a second lattice plane, wherein the second lattice plane preferably extends parallel to the first lattice plane.

9. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the running belt is designed as a slatted running belt having a plurality of slats, wherein preferably at least one of the slats comprises the tread portion, the support portion and the connecting portion.

10. The running belt according to claim 1, wherein the tread portion is mechanically coupled to the support portion exclusively by means of the connecting portion and/or by means of the lattice structure and/or wherein the support portion is connected to the connecting portion by a non-destructively detachable connection or by a positive material connection, and/or wherein the support portion has a reinforcement device preferably on its rear side opposite to the connecting portion.

11. A treadmill device, comprising a running belt according to claim 1, and a frame upon which the running belt is revolvingly supported.

12. A slat for a running belt, comprising a tread portion having a running surface for a user to tread on, a support portion, and a connecting portion between the tread portion and the support portion, wherein the tread portion is connected to the support portion by the connecting portion, and wherein the connecting portion comprises a lattice structure having a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells of the lattice structure.

13. A method of producing a running belt, comprising the steps of: providing a support portion; forming a connecting portion on the support portion such that the connecting portion includes a lattice structure having a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells of the lattice structure; and providing a tread portion on the connecting portion so that the tread portion is connected to the support portion by means of the connecting portion.

Description

[0045] Preferred embodiments of a running belt, a treadmill device and a manufacturing method for the running belt are now explained in more detail with reference to the attached schematic drawings not true to scale, wherein

[0046] FIG. 1 shows part of a first variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a perspective overall view;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the part of the running belt of FIG. 1 in a detailed view;

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the part of the running belt of FIG. 1 in a front view;

[0049] FIG. 4 shows the part of the running belt of FIG. 1 in a side view;

[0050] FIG. 5 shows the part of the running belt of FIG. 1 in an enlarged front view;

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a part of a second variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a front view;

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a part of a third variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a front view;

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a part of a fourth variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a front view, wherein the belt is regionally of different stiffness;

[0054] FIG. 9 shows a first part of a fifth variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a front view;

[0055] FIG. 10 shows a second part of the running belt of FIG. 9 in a front view;

[0056] FIG. 11 shows a third part of the running belt of FIG. 9 in a front view;

[0057] FIG. 12 shows a sixth variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a top view;

[0058] FIG. 13 shows a seventh variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a top view;

[0059] FIG. 14 shows an eighth variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a top view;

[0060] FIG. 15 shows a ninth variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a top view;

[0061] FIG. 16 shows a tenth variant of a running belt for a treadmill device in a top view;

[0062] FIG. 17 shows a first variant of a treadmill device having the running belt according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from the side;

[0063] FIG. 18 shows a second variant of a treadmill device having the running belt according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from the side;

[0064] FIG. 19 shows the treadmill device of FIG. 18 in a detailed view; and

[0065] FIG. 20 shows a method of producing a running belt according to one of FIGS. 1 to 16.

[0066] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a part of a running belt 10 for a treadmill device 100 (cf. FIG. 17). This running belt 10 is a slatted running belt having a plurality of slats 70 (lamellae); accordingly, the part of the running belt 10 herein is one of the slats 70. The upper-side running surface of the running belt 10 is curved when viewed in longitudinal section, wherein a front end of the running belt 10 is preferably positioned higher than the center of the running belt 10 in the longitudinal direction. FIGS. 1 through 5 show one of the slats 70 to demonstrate the invention, whereby the description applies not only to the slat 70 or slatted running belt, respectively, but correspondingly also to a continuous (band-like) elastic running belt 10. The treadmill device 100 is preferably a manual treadmill in the present case, although the disclosure applies correspondingly to motorized treadmill devices.

[0067] The running belt 10 comprises a tread portion 20, a support portion 30, and a connecting portion 40 between the tread portion 20 and the support portion 30. The tread portion, the connecting portion and the support portion 20, 40, 30 are preferably configured in a substantially layered form as shown in the figures. Each of the slats 70 may comprise the tread portion 20, the support portion 30 and the connecting portion 40. In this variant, all slats 70 are exemplarily configured substantially the same, such that the slat 70 shown in FIG. 1 is representative. Thus, what is stated below for the slat 70 applies correspondingly to all remaining slats of the running belt 10.

[0068] The tread portion 20 comprises a running surface 22 that is provided for a user to tread/step on. The running surfaces 22 of all slats 70 together form the running area of the treadmill device 100 when they are located at the top of the running belt 10. In other words, the running surface 22 at least partially forms an upper end surface of the running belt 10. In particular, the running surface 22 may be designed with a profile to increase slip resistance. The support portion 30 is mechanically coupled to the tread portion 20 (preferably exclusively) by means of the connecting portion 40 or by means of the lattice structure 42, so that a force exerted by the user upon the running surface 22 in a direction opposite to the user's running direction is transmitted by the connecting portion 40 to the support portion 30. The support portion 30 is attached at its longitudinal ends 24, 26 preferably to lateral guide belts (also referred to as guide bands, not shown). The entirety of slats 70 and the guide belts together form the running belt 10. At the longitudinal ends of the treadmill device 100, the guide belts are revolvingly mounted by means of deflection rollers.

[0069] The connecting portion 40 in the present case comprises a three-dimensional lattice structure 42 having a plurality of struts 44. While the support portion 30 imparts the necessary stiffness to the running belt 10 and the slat 70, the tread portion 20 is more flexible/yielding than the support portion 30 and the connecting portion 40, in particular the lattice structure 42, is more flexible/yielding than the support portion 30 and/or the tread portion 20, in order to increase walking comfort. The struts 44 define a plurality of cells (unit cells) of the lattice structure 42. For the sake of clarity, only a few of the struts 44 and only the first cells 50, second cells 52, third cells 54 and fourth cells 56 of the plurality of cells are provided with reference signs.

[0070] The lattice structure 42 is additively manufactured. The connecting portion 40 may comprise a base 43 defining a lower (i.e., facing the supporting portion 30) end of the lattice structure 42. Further, the connecting portion 40 may include a deck portion 45 defining an upper (i.e., facing the running surface 22) end of the lattice structure 42. Preferably, the base 43 and the deck portion 45 limit the lattice structure 42 as end surfaces. In particular, the deck portion 45 may be integrated into the tread portion 20, wherein the deck portion may be bordered on the upper side by the preferably elastic material of the tread portion 20. The connecting portion 40 may be connected to the support portion 30 and/or the tread portion 20 by a positive material connection (in a materially integral manner). Preferably, the lattice structure 42 is formed directly on the support portion 30 or on the base 43 (support/substrate layer) in layers by means of additive manufacturing. The connecting portion 40 may be additively manufactured as a whole. On a rear side/underside of the slat 70 opposite the connecting portion 40, the support portion 30 comprises a reinforcement device 80. The reinforcement device 80 is designed here as a stiffening rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the slat 70. The stiffening rib is thicker in the center than at its ends to allow increased stability and construction space efficiency at reduced weight.

[0071] In the present running belt 10, the entire lattice structure 42 is preferably made of the same material. The lattice structure 42 is further preferably configured as a regular lattice and is configured to be elastically compressed when treaded upon by the user. Thus, the connecting portion 40 acts as a damper integrated into the running belt 10, so that the user's joints may be relieved, especially when she/he walk or runs barefoot on the running belt 10. The cells of the lattice structure 42 are arranged to form (in the unloaded state) layers between the tread portion 20 and the support portion 30. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first cells 50 are arranged between the running surface 22 and the second cells 52. This layered structure allows for designing the running belt 10 to be comparatively lightweight, stable, and yet responsive, in order to provide a high level of comfort for the user. Preferably, at least two, at least three, at least five, or at least seven such layers are formed by means of the struts.

[0072] In general, all cells of the lattice structure 42 may be essentially equally elastic/flexible, such that the user may feel that the running belt is equally soft everywhere. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the running belt, in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the running belt, is layer-wise differently flexible. That is, third cells 54 forming a first one of the layers S1 of the lattice structure 42 and fourth cells 56 forming a second one of the layers S2 of the lattice structure 42 may be differently yielding (see FIG. 4, in which, for the sake of clarity, a minority of the third and fourth cells 54, 56 are provided with reference signs). In the present variant, the third cells 54 are more flexible than the fourth cells 56. Thus, the user may be better stabilized with deeper penetration of his foot on the running belt.

[0073] The differences in stiffnesses (load-deflection-curves) between the layers S1 and S2 may be realized, for example, by struts of different stiffnesses (in particular, struts having different thicknesses), which are not illustrated separately. Furthermore, it is conceivable that, instead of or in addition to the different stiffnesses of the struts in the stiffer layer S2, additional stiffening struts are provided which traverse the respective (unit) cells. The lattice structure 42 comprises first lattice points 55, 57, 59 and second lattice points 60, 62, 64 (see FIG. 4). The first lattice points 55, 57, 59 define a first lattice plane E1 and the second lattice points 60, 62, 64 define a second lattice plane E2. The second lattice plane E2 preferably extends parallel to the first lattice plane E1.

[0074] FIG. 6 shows a slat 70 of a further running belt 10. This running belt 10 differs from the running belt 10 of FIG. 1 in that the connecting portion 40 can be detachably fastened to the support portion 80 in a region (shown on the right in the figure); at least in this region there is no positive material connection between the support portion 80 and the connecting portion 40. In the state of FIG. 6, this connecting portion 40 (as part of a first component of the running belt 10, which is not shown) has been detached from the support portion 80, after which another, second component 41 has been attached to the support portion 80. The second component 41 may, for example, be made of a solid material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)). For connecting with the support portion 80, the second component is provided on the underside with a connecting device not shown separately. This connecting device may correspond with a further connecting device formed on the upper side of the support portion 80. Furthermore, the running belt 10 according to FIG. 6 comprises all the features of the running belt 10 according to FIG. 1.

[0075] A further running belt 10, the slat 70 of which is shown in FIG. 7, differs from the running belt 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the lattice structure 42 comprises a smaller number of struts 44 and thus also fewer lattice points at which the struts 44 are connected to one another. With all other parameters (in particular the shape and material of the struts) being the same, the slat 70 according to FIG. 7 thus has a lower stiffness than the slat 70 according to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0076] When a running belt 10 is provided with slats 70 according to FIGS. 1 to 5 as well as with slats 70 according to FIG. 7, these different slats may alternate periodically or non-periodically on the running belt to form a more natural running area for the user (see FIG. 12). In the variant of FIG. 12, the running belt 10 comprises a plurality of slat groups 72. Each slat group comprises a slat 70 according to FIGS. 1 to 5, a slat 70 according to FIG. 7, and a further slat which, analogous to the slat 70 according to FIG. 7, is more flexible than the slat 70 according to FIG. 5 and the slat 70 according to FIG. 7. The slat groups 72 may together form the entirety of slats of the running belt 10. In addition, the running belts according to FIGS. 7 and 12 comprise all the features of the running belt 10 according to FIG. 1.

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a section of a further running belt 10, which differs from the running belts 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 in that the former running belt 10 has at least one first region 46 and at least one second region 48. The first region 46 and the second region 48 may be provided on the same slat 70 and/or each extend transversely to the running surface 22 from the support portion 30 to the tread portion 20. In the transverse direction of the running belt 10, the first region 46 and the second region 48 may be arranged next to each other. When considering the entirety of the slats 70 of the running belt 10, the first regions 46 and second regions 48 may define a predetermined pattern.

[0078] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the running belt 10 comprises at least one third region 47, optionally at least one fourth region 49 and/or optionally at least one fifth region 51, wherein these regions may extend analogously to the first region 46 (see FIG. 13). The lattice structure 42 is more flexible in the first region 46 than in the second region 48. If present, the lattice structure 42 may be more flexible in the third region 47 than in the second region 48, more flexible in the fourth region 49 than in the third region 47 and/or more compliant in the fifth region 51 than in the fourth region 49. The first to fifth regions (as far as present) may together form at least one two-dimensional, regular or irregular pattern of regions of different stiffnesses (i.e. spring characteristics) when looking at the running surface from above. This at least one pattern may be present per slat 70 and/or may be formed across slats (over a plurality of slats 70). This is advantageous for providing the user with an even more versatile walking experience.

[0079] While the at least one pattern in FIG. 13 is a regular pattern, in which each of the first to fifth regions appears periodically in the longitudinal direction of the running belt 10, the variant according to FIG. 14 provides for an irregular arrangement of these regions. Furthermore, the first to fifth regions according to the at least one pattern may be longitudinally offset relative to one another (see variant from FIG. 15). In addition, the running belts 10 according to FIGS. 8, 13, 14 and 15 comprise all the features of the running belt 10 according to FIG. 7.

[0080] In order to realize different rigidities (different spring characteristics), a geometry of the lattice structure 42, a length of the struts 44, a cross-section of the struts 44, a material of the struts 44 and/or a size of the cells 50, 52, 54, 56 may vary in all the variants described herein. For example, the lattice structure 42 in the first region 46 may differ from the lattice structure 42 in the second region 48 by at least one of these parameters. This applies analogously for the remaining regions 47, 49, 51. FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate exemplary lattice structures 42, which may be differently configured in particular in the first, second and third regions 46, 48, 47 in order to provide different stiffnesses (spring characteristics).

[0081] A further running belt 10 according to FIG. 16 differs from the above-described running belts 10 in that the tread portion 20 is uneven at its running surface 22 (opposite the support portion 30). This may be realized in a particularly advantageous way by varying the height (thickness) of the lattice structure 42 (in the view from FIG. 16 over the sheet plane). A three-dimensional height profile formed in this way, some of the height lines of which are provided with the reference sign 74 in FIG. 16, may include an elevation 76 (local maximum) and a depression 78 (local minimum). This height profile defines a three-dimensional surface which may be essentially continuous at transitions between adjacent slats 70. The height and/or the number of cells/layers located on top of one another may vary spatially (optionally also from slat 70 to slat 70) to form the three-dimensional height profile. Furthermore, the running belt 10 according to FIG. 16 may include all the features of the running belts 10 described above according to FIGS. 1 to 15.

[0082] FIG. 17 shows the treadmill device 100, including the running belt 10 and a frame 82 on which the running belt 10 is revolvingly mounted. The frame 82 preferably includes a plurality of pulleys (not shown) by means of which the guide belts of the running belt 10 are supported on the frame 82. In addition, a backrest 84 is attached to a (with respect to the longitudinal direction of the running belt 10) lateral frame 86 of the frame 82. Furthermore, the treadmill device 100 includes a desk 88 that is also attached to the lateral frame 86 of the frame 82. The treadmill device 100 thus forms a workstation arrangement. It stands on casters arranged on the underside.

[0083] A treadmill device 100 according to FIGS. 18 and 19 differs from the treadmill device 100 according to FIG. 17 in that the frame 82 has a plurality of (here: fixedly mounted) legs 90, 92 on which the frame 82 stands. One or more of the legs 90, 92 may be designed as tubes. A leg 85 of the backrest 84 is insertable into the leg 92. Optionally, a leg of the desk, which is not shown, may be inserted into the leg 92. The treadmill device 100 is thus characterized by a space-efficient, stable design. In addition, the treadmill device 100 according to FIGS. 18 and 19 comprises all the features of the running belt 10 according to FIG. 17.

[0084] In the method 200 for producing/manufacturing the running belt 10 according to any of FIGS. 1 to 16, shown in FIG. 20, the support portion 30 is provided in a step 202. Then, step 204 provides for forming the connecting portion 40 on the support portion 30, so that the connecting portion 40 comprises a lattice structure 42 with a plurality of struts 44 defining a plurality of cells 50, 52, 54, 56 of the lattice structure. Preferably, the connecting portion 40 is directly deposited to the supporting portion 30 by means of an additive manufacturing process. In step 206, the tread portion 20 is then formed on the connecting portion so that the tread portion 20 is connected to the supporting portion 30 by means of the connecting portion 40.

[0085] The terms comprising, having, with and the like used in this disclosure are to be understood as non-limiting. In particular, the term comprising a in this context means comprising at least one, i.e. comprising a does not exclude the possibility of further corresponding elements being present. At least one means one or more in the present context. For readability, the term at least is eventually omitted in this disclosure. Whenever a feature of the present disclosure is described in the singular or in an indefinite manner, its plural form is also meant to be disclosed. At least in sections/parts is to be understood as in sections/parts or completely.

[0086] Some embodiments of the present invention may be summarized according to the following numbered paragraphs.

[0087] Numbered Paragraph 1. A running belt (10) for a treadmill device (100), comprising [0088] a tread portion (20) having a running surface (22) for a user to tread upon, [0089] a support portion (30), and [0090] a connecting portion (40) between the tread portion (20) and the support portion (30), [0091] wherein the tread portion (20) is connected to the support portion (30) by the connecting portion (40), and [0092] wherein the connecting portion (40) comprises a lattice structure (42) having a plurality of struts (44) defining a plurality of cells (50, 52, 54, 56) of the lattice structure.

[0093] Numbered Paragraph 2. The running belt (10) according to numbered paragraph 1, [0094] wherein the plurality of cells (50, 52, 54, 56) includes first cells (50) and second cells (52), [0095] wherein the first cells (50) are arranged between the running surface (22) and the second cells (52).

[0096] Numbered Paragraph 3. The running belt (10) according to numbered paragraph 1 or 2, [0097] wherein the lattice structure (42) is formed as a three-dimensional lattice structure and/or is formed by additive manufacturing.

[0098] Numbered Paragraph 4. The running belt (10) according to one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, [0099] wherein the lattice structure (42) is more flexible than the support portion (30) and/or the tread portion (20).

[0100] Numbered Paragraph 5. The running belt (10) according to one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, [0101] wherein the plurality of cells (50, 52, 54, 56) includes third cells (54) and fourth cells (56), [0102] wherein the third cells (54) are more flexible than the fourth cells (56).

[0103] Numbered Paragraph 6. The running belt (10) according to one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, [0104] wherein the lattice structure (42) comprises a first region (46) and a second region (48), [0105] wherein the first region (46) and the second region (48) each extend transversely to the running surface (22) from the support portion (30) to the tread portion (20), and [0106] wherein the lattice structure (42) is more flexible in the first region (46) than in the second region (48).

[0107] Numbered Paragraph 7. The running belt (10) according to numbered paragraph 6, [0108] wherein the lattice structure (42) in the first region (46) differs from the lattice structure (42) in the second region (48) by at least one of the following parameters: [0109] a geometry of the lattice structure (42), a length of the struts (44), a cross-section of the struts (44), a material of the struts (44), and a size of the cells (50, 52, 54, 56).

[0110] Numbered Paragraph 8. The running belt (10) according to one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, [0111] wherein the lattice structure (42) comprises first lattice points (55, 57, 59) and second lattice points (60, 62, 64), [0112] wherein the first lattice points (55, 57, 59) define a first lattice plane (E1) and the second lattice points (60, 62, 64) define a second lattice plane (E2), [0113] wherein the second lattice plane (E2) preferably extends parallel to the first lattice plane (E1).

[0114] Numbered Paragraph 9. The running belt (10) according to one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, [0115] wherein the running belt (10) is designed as a slatted running belt having a plurality of slats (70), [0116] wherein preferably at least one of the slats (70) comprises the tread portion (20), the support portion (30) and the connecting portion (40).

[0117] Numbered Paragraph 10. The running belt (10) according to one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, [0118] wherein the tread portion (20) is mechanically coupled to the support portion (30) exclusively by means of the connecting portion (40) and/or by means of the lattice structure (42) [0119] and/or wherein the support portion (30) is connected to the connecting portion (40) by a non-destructively detachable connection or by a positive material connection, [0120] and/or wherein the support portion (30) has a reinforcement device (80) preferably on its rear side opposite to the connecting portion (40).

[0121] Numbered Paragraph 11. A treadmill device (100), comprising [0122] a running belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, and [0123] a frame (82) upon which the running belt (10) is revolvingly supported.

[0124] Numbered Paragraph 12. A slat (70) for a running belt (10), comprising [0125] a tread portion (20) having a running surface (22) for a user to tread on, [0126] a support portion (30), and [0127] a connecting portion (40) between the tread portion (20) and the support portion (30), [0128] wherein the tread portion (20) is connected to the support portion (30) by the connecting portion (40), and [0129] wherein the connecting portion (40) comprises a lattice structure (42) having a plurality of struts (44) defining a plurality of cells (50, 52, 54, 56) of the lattice structure.

[0130] Numbered Paragraph 13. A method (200) of producing a running belt (10), comprising the steps of: [0131] providing (202) a support portion (30); [0132] forming (204) a connecting portion (40) on the support portion (30) such that the connecting portion (40) includes a lattice structure (42) having a plurality of struts (44) defining a plurality of cells (50, 52, 54, 56) of the lattice structure; and [0133] providing (206) a tread portion (20) on the connecting portion so that the tread portion (20) is connected to the support portion (30) by means of the connecting portion (40).