Surface-modified exercise belt for a treadmill

Abstract

An exercise belt for a treadmill is provided having a modified surface that simulates natural ground terrain for the purpose of strengthening the muscles of the exerciser's ankles. The modified surface is produced by regions of variable effective thickness which may be protrusions or attached pads of varied shape, thickness, hardness and spacing. In another aspect, a kit is provided having a large number of pads of varied shape, thickness and hardness adhesively attachable to the belt.

1 ) A continuous resilient exercise belt for a treadmill machine, said belt having an exterior surface and opposed flat interior surface, said belt incorporating regions of variable effective thickness associated with said exterior surface in a manner to simulate natural ground terrain. 
     
     
         2 ) The belt of  claim 1  wherein said regions of variable effective thickness are comprised of a series of protrusions disposed upon said exterior surface. 
     
     
         3 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein the size and spacing of said protrusions are such as to cause flexion of the ankles of the exerciser in a manner to simulate running or walking upon natural outdoor terrain. 
     
     
         4 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions are of varied hardness within said series. 
     
     
         5 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions are bounded by a perimeter which defines the specific lateral shape of the protrusion. 
     
     
         6 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said exterior surface has attached thereto a continuous layer of a substrate softer than said belt, and said protrusions are outwardly directed from said layer. 
     
     
         7 ) The belt of  claim 5  wherein the upper surface of each protrusion has a region of maximum elevation which is downwardly tapered toward said perimeter, causing said protrusion to have a hill-shaped profile that minimizes impact upon the soles of the exerciser's feet. 
     
     
         8 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions are pads separately adhered to said exterior surface. 
     
     
         9 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein the height and firmness of said protrusions are adjustable by virtue of applied pneumatic pressure. 
     
     
         10 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions are continuous integral extensions of said belt. 
     
     
         11 ) A kit comprised of resilient pads, each pad having a flat bottom surface and thickness in the range of 0.1 to 1.50 inch, and adhesive means for securing said pads by way of said flat surfaces to the exterior surface of a belt of an exercise treadmill. 
     
     
         12 ) The kit of  claim 11  wherein said adhesive means comprises a layer of contact adhesive disposed upon said bottom surfaces, and a sheet of protective release paper disposed upon said layer of contact adhesive. 
     
     
         13 ) The kit of  claim 12  comprised of 25 to 100 pads of varied size, shape and hardness. 
     
     
         14 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions are randomly distributed and have varied lateral shapes. 
     
     
         15 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions are uniformly distributed. 
     
     
         16 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions have varied height. 
     
     
         17 ) The belt of  claim 2  wherein said protrusions are of uniform height. 
     
     
         18 ) The belt of  claim 8  wherein said pads are of foam construction. 
     
     
         19 ) The kit of  claim 11  further comprised of instructions for the placement of said pads in a manner causing said exterior surface to simulate natural ground terrain.