Self-lubricating structure for use in an exerciser

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-lubricating structure, particularly for use in a treadmill. The structure is provided with reservoirs formed in the front and rear rollers which actuate a running endless belt, in which the reservoirs are filled with lubricant, such as silicon oil. A porous nozzle is formed in an opening on a top of each of the reservoirs, such that the silicon oil in the reservoirs is dripped from the nozzle, by means of the eccentric force generated by rotation of the rollers, to lubricate the running endless belt in order to facilitate the operation of the treadmill.

1 . A self-lubricating structure for use in an exerciser, the exerciser including at least one rolling unit and an endless belt, the at least one rolling unit having a periphery surface, the endless belt has an inner surface, the inner surface of the endless belt proceeding to an endless movement along the periphery surface of the at least one rolling unit; the self-lubricating structure having at least one reservoir, disposed on at least one portion of the periphery surface of the at least one rolling unit, wherein the at least one reservoir has at least one pore which is filled with a liquid lubricant, and the liquid lubricant is adapted to flow out onto the inner surface of the endless belt through the at least one pore by means of an eccentric force resulting from rotation of the at least one rolling unit.  
     
     
         2 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the exerciser is a treadmill.  
     
     
         3 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the treadmill has a front end, a rear end and two rolling units, the rolling units are rollers which are disposed at the front end and the rear end of the treadmill, respectively, the endless belt is adapted to disposed over the periphery surfaces of the rollers such that the inner surface of the endless belt is in contact with the periphery surfaces of the rollers and proceeds to an endless movement driven by the two rollers.  
     
     
         4 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each of the rollers is provided with two symmetric annular reservoirs, each of which is radially and inwardly formed along the periphery of the roller.  
     
     
         5 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each of the reservoir has a top wall, a bottom wall and two opposing side walls, in which the top wall, bottom and side walls define a receiving chamber to receive the liquid lubricant.  
     
     
         6 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each of the reservoirs further comprises an oil cup disposed along the two sidewalls and the bottom wall, and the liquid lubricant is received in the oil cup.  
     
     
         7 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the oil cup is made of aluminum material.  
     
     
         8 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the liquid lubricant is silicon oil.  
     
     
         9 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the top wall of the each of the reservoirs is continuously defined by the periphery surface of each of the rollers, and the at least one pore is formed on the periphery surface of each of the rollers.  
     
     
         10 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each of the reservoirs includes at least one oil dripping nozzle and a plurality of pores, in which the at least one nozzle is made of porous material in order to define the plurality of the pores; and wherein each of the reservoirs is provided with at least one opening formed on top wall thereof, and the at least one oil dripping nozzle is sealed over the at least one opening, thereby when each of the rollers rotates, the liquid lubricant received in each of the reservoirs is able to flow out through the plurality of the pores of the at least one oil dripping nozzle by means of the eccentric force.  
     
     
         11 . The self-lubricating structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one oil dripping nozzle is a copper metallurgical nozzle.