Treadmill belt article, apparatus, and method

Abstract

A treadmill belt, the belt having a flat inner surface and a cobblestone-shaped or brick-shaped outer surface, is disclosed. A treadmill including the novel belt is useful for improving circulation and balance.

1 . A treadmill belt, the belt having a flat inner surface and a cobblestone-shaped or brick-shaped outer surface.  
   
   
       2 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the cobblestone-shaped outer surface is formed of molded rubber.  
   
   
       3 . A treadmill having a support frame having a first end and a second end, a first roller supported on a first shaft at the first end and a second roller supported on the second shaft at the second end, the treadmill belt of  claim 1  encircling around the first roller and the second roller, and a motor having a shaft operable connected to the first roller and/or the second roller.  
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 3  further including a motor controller for controlling the motor speed and/or duration of operation.  
   
   
       5 . The treadmill of  claim 3  further including a system for generating a sound simulating walking on stone cobblestones or bricks.  
   
   
       6 . A method of improving circulation and/or balance comprising providing a treadmill according to  claim 3  and walking or running on the cobblestone-shaped or brick-shaped surface while the belt is being driven by the motor.