Deckless treadmill system

Abstract

A deckless treadmill system comprising a cogged-belt in combination with elongated and complementary cogged drive rollers and a series of aligned and cooperatively interactive cogged support rollers disposed proximate to and in cooperative engagement with the peripheral underside edges of the cogged belt. Accordingly, the structural configuration and mechanical componentry of the present invention effectively functions to significantly reduce slip between the elongated cogged drive rollers and the cogged belt, and to further provide the requisite support for the opposing peripheral edges of the cogged belt; thereby, providing a truly deckless treadmill system and overall stable running platform with improved shock absorption and dispersion characteristics. The cogged belt of the present invention is preferably of integral formation or construction and, as such, avoids the structural and mechanical disadvantages and maintenance requirements associated with multilayer or multi-compbnent construction of conventional tread lamellae-and-belt arrangements.

1 . A deckless treadmill system, comprising: 
 a first roller comprising at least a partially cogged surface;    a second roller;    a plurality of support rollers, each comprising at least a partially cogged surface; and    an endless belt comprising a first and second peripheral edge, and at least a partially cogged surface.    
   
   
       2 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 1 , wherein said second roller comprises at least a partially cogged surface.  
   
   
       3 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least a partially cogged surface of said endless belt is cooperatively and interactively engaged with said at least a partially cogged surface of at least one of said first roller, said second roller, and said plurality of support rollers.  
   
   
       4 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second rollers are elongated.  
   
   
       5 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of support rollers are disk-like.  
   
   
       6 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of support rollers are disposed proximate to opposing said first and second peripheral edges of said endless belt.  
   
   
       7 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 1 , wherein said endless belt comprises a plurality of support slats.  
   
   
       8 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 7 , wherein each said support slat extends at least partially through a respective cog of said cogged surface of said endless belt.  
   
   
       9 . A deckless treadmill system, comprising: 
 an endless belt comprising a plurality of elongated support slats; and,    a plurality of cogged rollers around which said endless belt is engaged.    
   
   
       10 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 9 , wherein each said elongated support slat comprises a T-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       11 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 9 , wherein-each said elongated support slat extends at least partially through a respective cog of a plurality of cogs formed on an underside of said endless belt.  
   
   
       12 . A deckless treadmill system, comprising: 
 an endless cogged belt in cooperative engagement with a plurality of elongated and complementary cogged drive rollers.    
   
   
       13 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 12 , further comprising a series of cogged support rollers.  
   
   
       14 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 13 , wherein said series of cogged support rollers are disposed proximate to and in cooperative engagement with opposing first and second peripheral edges of said cogged belt, said cogged support rollers collectively providing support for at least said opposing first and second peripheral edges of said endless cogged belt.  
   
   
       15 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 12 , wherein said endless cogged belt comprises a plurality of elongated support slats.  
   
   
       16 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 15 , wherein each said elongated support slat comprises a T-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       17 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 15 , wherein each said elongated support slat extends at least partially through a respective cog of said endless cogged belt.  
   
   
       18 . A deckless treadmill system, comprising: 
 an endless cogged belt in cooperative engagement with a plurality of elongated and complementary cogged drive rollers;    a first and a second endless cogged support chain disposed so as to provide support for opposing peripheral edges of said endless cogged belt.    
   
   
       19 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second endless cogged support chains are interactively engaged around cogged plates.  
   
   
       20 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 18 , wherein each of said first and second endless cogged support chains comprise cogs pivotally engaged together via hinges.  
   
   
       21 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 18 , wherein each of said first and second endless cogged support chains comprise cogs pivotally engaged together via hinges, said hinges comprising an angularly limited range of motion.  
   
   
       22 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 19 , wherein downward force applied over each of said first and second endless cogged support chains causes said cogs to lockingly contact or abut against each contacting said hinge, thereby resisting inward depression of same and thus creating a temporarily rigid area or length along each of said first and second endless cogged support chains.  
   
   
       23 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 22 , wherein said temporarily rigid area or length along each of said first and second endless cogged support chains provides support for at least said opposing peripheral edges of said endless cogged belt.  
   
   
       24 . The deckless treadmill system of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second endless cogged support chains are cooperatively engaged with said endless cogged belt.