Treadmill extender

Abstract

Embodiments are described for a treadmill extender for providing a structure for performing upper-body exercises in conjunction with walking or running on a treadmill, comprising a base section configured to be fastened securely against an underside of the treadmill, two or more posts configured to fit securely between the base section and the underside of the treadmill, wherein the posts include feet that are movable up and down to fix immovably fix the base relative to a running platform of the treadmill, attachment means for attaching to or more cords to the base for providing resistance to the user when performing the upper-body exercises, and adjustment means for moving the posts to accommodate a width of the treadmill.

1 . A treadmill extender for providing a structure for performing upper-body exercises in conjunction with walking or running on a treadmill, comprising:
 a base section configured to be fastened securely against an underside of the treadmill;   two or more posts configured to fit securely between the base section and the underside of the treadmill, wherein the posts include feet that are movable up and down to fix immovably fix the base relative to a running platform of the treadmill; and   attachment means for attaching to or more cords to the base for providing resistance to the user when performing the upper-body exercises.   
     
     
         2 . The treadmill extender of  claim 1  further comprising adjustment means for moving the posts to accommodate a width of the treadmill. 
     
     
         3 . The treadmill extender of  claim 2  wherein the adjustment means comprises a series of holes selectable for attaching the posts at different relative widths along the base. 
     
     
         4 . The treadmill extender of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means comprise two or more hooks or rings connected to each edge of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The treadmill extender of  claim 4  wherein the cords are selected from a group consisting of: elastic cords, rubber bands, rubber hoses, hemp, and rope. 
     
     
         6 . The treadmill extender of  claim 5  further comprising a handle coupled to the end of each of the cords and graspable by the user for performing the upper body exercises. 
     
     
         7 . The treadmill extender of  claim 6  wherein the handle comprises a kettlebell shaped handle having a controller installed thereon to adjust a looseness or tightness of a respective cord. 
     
     
         8 . The treadmill extender of  claim 1  wherein the base section is disposed along the underside of the treadmill in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the running platform. 
     
     
         9 . The treadmill extender of  claim 1  wherein the feet comprise hard rubber support structures configured to distribute the load of the treadmill to the posts. 
     
     
         10 . A clamp-on treadmill extender assembly for providing a structure for performing upper-body exercises in conjunction with walking or running on a treadmill, comprising:
 a pair of adjustable height clamp-on assemblies configured to be mounted on either side of a treadmill platform, each assembly comprising:
 an upper portion slidably coupled to a lower portion, 
 a clamping element installed through one of the upper or lower portion to clamp the assembly against the treadmill platform, 
 attachment means for attaching to or more cords to the assembly for providing resistance to the user when performing the upper-body exercises. 
   
     
     
         11 . The extender assembly of  claim 10  wherein the clamping element comprises a screw fastener exerting pressure on a top clamp arm of the clamp assembly downward relative to a bottom clamp arm to fix the clamp assembly firmly to an edge of the treadmill platform. 
     
     
         12 . The extender assembly of  claim 10  wherein the upper and lower portions are coupled through a hole and pin arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The extender assembly of  claim 10  wherein the pair of adjustable height clamp on assemblies comprises a right side assembly configured to be mounted on a right side of the treadmill platform and a left side assembly configured to be mounted on a left side of the treadmill platform. 
     
     
         14 . The extender assembly of  claim 13  wherein the right and left sides are configured to be fixably mounted to the treadmill platform without interfering with a belt rotating on the treadmill platform. 
     
     
         15 . The extender assembly of  claim 10  wherein the attachment means comprises one or more hooks or rings connected to either of the upper portion or lower portion. 
     
     
         16 . The extender assembly of  claim 15  wherein the cords are selected from a group consisting of: elastic cords, rubber bands, rubber hoses, hemp, and rope. 
     
     
         17 . The extender assembly of  claim 10  wherein the upper portion is slidably coupled to a lower portion through a parallel rail assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The extender assembly of  claim 17  wherein the rails are rectangular or circular in cross section. 
     
     
         19 . A treadmill extender for providing a structure for performing upper-body exercises in conjunction with walking or running on a treadmill having a base section and a belt rotating over the base section, the extender comprising: a series of levers rotatably coupled to each side wall of the base section, wherein each lever comprises a rigid shaft coupled to a loop for attaching to a cord, and wherein each lever can be oriented in an up position to allow for an attached cord to be grasped by a user, and a down position to allow the lever to be stowed against the side wall of the base section.