Tread-Based Machine with Configurable Support Surface

Abstract

A tread-based machine includes a frame. The frame includes a front roller, a back roller, and a support surface positioned between the front roller and the back roller. The support surface is flat during a first operation mode for the tread-based machine, and the support surface is curved during a second operation mode for the tread-based machine. The tread-based machine also includes a belt wrapped around at least a portion of the front roller and at least a portion of the back roller such that movement of the belt causes rotation of the front roller and the back roller.

1 . A tread-based machine comprising:
 a frame comprising:
 a front roller; 
 a back roller; and 
 a support surface positioned between the front roller and the back roller, wherein the support surface is flat during a first operation mode for the tread-based machine, and wherein the support surface is curved during a second operation mode for the tread-based machine; and 
   a belt wrapped around at least a portion of the front roller and at least a portion of the back roller such that movement of the belt causes rotation of the front roller and the back roller.   
     
     
         2 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a lever coupled to the frame, wherein the lever is configured to transition the tread-based machine between the first operation mode and the second operation mode. 
     
     
         3 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , wherein there is a first height difference between the front roller and the back roller during the first operation mode, and wherein there is a second height difference, greater than the first height difference, between the front roller and the back roller during the second operation mode. 
     
     
         4 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a sled post coupled to a front side of the frame, wherein the front roller is proximate to the front side of the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The tread-based machine of  claim 4 , wherein a distance between the sled post and at least one portion of the frame is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The tread-based machine of  claim 4 , further comprising a foot pedal coupled to the front side of the frame, wherein depression of the foot pedal moves the sled post closer to the front side of the frame or farther from the front side of the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The tread-based machine of  claim 4 , further comprising a sled pull attachment hook coupled to the sled post. 
     
     
         8 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a resistance controller that is configured to adjust an amount of resistance associated with the movement of the belt. 
     
     
         9 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , wherein the belt comprises anti-slip treads. 
     
     
         10 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a back pole coupled to a bottom side of the frame and proximate to the back roller; and   a front pole coupled to the bottom side of the frame and proximate to the front roller, wherein the front pole has a first height during the first operation mode and a second height, that is greater than the first height, during the second operation mode.   
     
     
         11 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a performance monitor coupled to the frame, wherein the performance monitor is configured to display one or more metrics associated with a workout. 
     
     
         12 . The tread-based machine of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more metrics indicate one or more of the following: (i) number of calories burned; (ii) a simulated distance travelled; (iii) a simulated weight applied to belt; (iv) power output; and (v) acceleration. 
     
     
         13 . The tread-based machine of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more monitor buttons integrated into the performance monitor and configured to control which metrics of the one or more metrics are displayed on the performance monitor. 
     
     
         14 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a left guard rail coupled to a left side of the frame; and   a right guard rail coupled to a right side of the frame.   
     
     
         15 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a third operation mode, wherein the support surface is inclined during the third operation mode for the tread-based machine. 
     
     
         16 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the frame is flexible. 
     
     
         17 . The tread-based machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the frame is rigid. 
     
     
         18 . A method of building a tread-based machine, the method comprising:
 building a frame of the tread-based machine, wherein the frame comprises a front roller, a back roller, and a support surface positioned between the front roller and the back roller, wherein the support surface is flat during a first operation mode for the tread-based machine, and wherein the support surface is curved during a second operation mode for the tread-based machine; and   placing a belt around at least a portion of the front roller and at least a portion of the back roller such that movement of the belt causes rotation of the front roller and the back roller.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising coupling a sled post to a front side of the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising integrating a resistance controller onto the tread-based machine, wherein the resistance controller is usable to adjust an amount of resistance associated with the movement of the belt.