Treadmill Multipurpose Safety System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety system for treadmills. The safety system includes at least one load/weight sensor and a small switch disposed within the base of the treadmill. The system also includes a comparator for comparing the weight of a user standing on the treadmill, and an input weight of the user displayed on a dashboard of the treadmill. The safety system allows the treadmill to activate only when the weight of the user is equal or more than the selected weight on the dashboard. The system can be integrated into a treadmill during manufacturing or can be retrofitted to existing treadmills. The system also controls various variables such as speed, duration and inclination of the treadmill.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety system for a treadmill, the safety system comprising:
 a load sensor disposed on a base of the treadmill, wherein said load sensor measures a weight on said base of said treadmill;   a predeterminable input weight control value inputted into a controller of said treadmill;   a comparator for comparing said weight on said base of said treadmill to said input weight control value, wherein said comparator determining if said weight on said base is greater than said input weight control value; and   a switch for activating a running surface of said treadmill if said weight on said base is greater than said input weight control value.   
     
     
         2 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 1 , wherein said running surface is a treadmill belt. 
     
     
         3 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said switch deactivates said running surface of said treadmill if said weight on said base is less than said input weight control value. 
     
     
         4 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said switch prohibits said running surface of said treadmill if said weight on said base is less than said input weight control value. 
     
     
         5 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 4 , wherein said input weight control value is a minimum value and said minimum value is 60 lbs. 
     
     
         6 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said activating said running surface includes a running time, a speed, and an inclination. 
     
     
         7 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said load sensor is a strain gauge. 
     
     
         8 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said load sensor is load transducer. 
     
     
         9 . A method for activating a treadmill with a safety system, the method comprising the steps of:
 inputting an input weight control value in a dashboard controller of said treadmill;   measuring a weight of a user on said treadmill by a load sensor;   comparing said input weight control value to said weight of said user;   determining if said input weight control value is more or less than said weight of said user;   activating a running surface of said treadmill if said weight of said user is more than said input weight control value; and   prohibiting said running surface of said treadmill if said weight of said user is less than said input weight control value.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising a step of deactivating said running surface of said treadmill when said weight of said user on said running surface becomes less than said input weight control value. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said load sensor is a strain gauge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said load sensor is load transducer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said activating said running surface includes rotating said running surface. 
     
     
         14 . A safety system for a treadmill, the safety system comprising:
 a load sensor disposed on a base of the treadmill, wherein said load sensor measures a weight on said base of said treadmill;   a predeterminable input weight control value inputted into a controller of said treadmill;   a comparator for comparing said weight on said base of said treadmill to said input weight control value, wherein said comparator determining if said weight on said base is greater than said input weight control value; and   a switch for activating a running surface of said treadmill if said weight on said base is greater than said input weight control value, wherein said switch deactivates said running surface of said treadmill when said weight on said base becomes less than said input weight control value.   
     
     
         15 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 14 , wherein said running surface is a treadmill belt. 
     
     
         16 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 15 , wherein said switch prohibits said running surface of said treadmill if said weight on said base is less than said input weight control value. 
     
     
         17 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 16 , wherein said input weight control value is at least 40 lbs. 
     
     
         18 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 17 , wherein said activating said running surface includes a running time, a speed, and an inclination. 
     
     
         19 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 14 , wherein said load sensor is a strain gauge. 
     
     
         20 . The safety system for a treadmill of  claim 14 , wherein said treadmill is a stair climber.