Folding mechanism for treadmills

Abstract

A folding mechanism for a treadmill, including a first support frame with two protruding portions mounted respectively at opposite ends of one side; a second support frame with two connector interfaces mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames, each of the connector interfaces corresponding respectively to the protruding portions; a pair of sliding bars having at least one sliding element at one end of each of the pair of sliding bars; a pair of stationary bars; and a pair of guide tracks mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of the first support frame, allowing the sliding elements to move along the guide tracks.

1 . A folding mechanism for a treadmill comprising:
 a first support frame with two protruding portions mounted respectively at an opposite ends of one side, each of said protruding portions having a first pivot point;   a second support frame with two connector interfaces mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames, each of said connector interfaces corresponding respectively to said protruding portions, each of said connector interfaces having a second pivot point and a third pivot point;   a pair of sliding bars having at least one sliding element at one end of each of said pair of sliding bars and a fourth pivot point at the opposite end of each of said pair of sliding bars, said forth pivot points connecting pivotably to said third pivot points positioned at said connector interfaces;   a pair of stationary bars, each of which having two fifth pivot points positioned respectively at each of its two ends for connecting pivotably one end to the first pivot point at said protruding portion and the other end to the second pivot point at said connector interface; and   a pair of guide tracks mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of said first support frame, allowing said sliding elements to move along said guide tracks.   
   
   
       2 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein said treadmill includes a base with symmetrical handgrips on both sides and a control device mounted above the base; and a treadmill body mounted on the base, with a rotating device consisting of a rolling belt and a set of cylinders. 
   
   
       3 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 2 , wherein said first support frame is used to frame the base, and said second support frame is used to frame the treadmill body. 
   
   
       4 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 3 , further comprising a locking device for locking said treadmill body when the treadmill is folded. 
   
   
       5 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein the end of said sliding bar that has the sliding element further includes a roller, and said sliding element and said roller are connected to said sliding bar through a rod. 
   
   
       6 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein a roller is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame, and a pad is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame. 
   
   
       7 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein a pad is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame, and a roller is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame. 
   
   
       8 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein a roller is mounted respectively at both the front and rear ends of each of the two side walls of said first support frame. 
   
   
       9 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein a transverse bar is mounted between said pair of sliding bars, and a lifting motor is mounted between said transverse bar and said second support frame serving as a fixed linkage between said second support frame and said sliding bars. 
   
   
       10 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide track assumes an angular shape with one section at the higher level than the other. 
   
   
       11 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide track takes a straight form. 
   
   
       12 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 10 , wherein said sliding element contains rolling members. 
   
   
       13 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 11 , wherein said sliding element contains rolling members. 
   
   
       14 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of said guide track is either H-shaped or U-shaped, and at least one groove is formed in said H-shaped or U-shaped guide track so as to allow said sliding element to move along said guide track. 
   
   
       15 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 14 , wherein said sliding element contains rolling members. 
   
   
       16 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of said guide track is either round-shaped or square-shaped. 
   
   
       17 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third, fourth and fifth pivot points all take the form of holes and jointly lock to each other through a fastening element. 
   
   
       18 . A folding mechanism for a treadmill comprising:
 a first support frame with two protruding portions mounted respectively at opposite ends of one side, each of said protruding portions having a first pivot point;   a second support frame with two connector interfaces mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames, each of which corresponding respectively to said protruding portions, each of said connector interfaces having a second pivot point and a third pivot point;   a pair of sliding bars having at least one sliding element mounted on one side of one end of each of said pair of sliding bars and a roller mounted on the other side of said end, said sliding element and said roller connecting to said sliding bar through a rod, a fourth pivot point positioned at the other end of said sliding bar, said forth pivot points connecting pivotably to said third pivot points positioned at said connector interfaces;   a pair of stationary bars, each of which having two fifth pivot points positioned respectively at each of its two ends for connecting pivotably one end to the first pivot point at said protruding portion and the other end to the second pivot point at said connector interface;   a pair of guide tracks mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of said first support frame, allowing said sliding elements to move along said guide tracks; and   a locking device mounted on one side of said first support frame, corresponding to said rod and connecting pivotably to said fifth pivot point positioned on said stationary bar.   
   
   
       19 . The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to  claim 18 , wherein said locking device has a hook and a foot pedal, said hook being used to fasten said rod when said second support frame is folded to the upright position so as to prevent said sliding bar from moving because of said roller; and said foot pedal is used to disengage said rod when intending to use said treadmill.