An exercise and performance evaluation apparatus includes a revolving belt on which a subject can perform bipedal locomotion, a harness for securing the subject at a fixed position relative to the apparatus, a means for measuring the force applied by the subject to the belt, and a means for monitoring and controlling the velocity of the belt. The harnessing of the subject allows monitoring of the velocity as a function of time. An overhead harness may be used to alter the effective mass of the subject. The velocity of the belt may be controlled by a motor and brake system, where the motor may be uni-directional or bi-directional. A digital processor may be used to control the motor and/or brake as a function of the applied forces to simulate real-world or virtual world environments, allowing the operation of the device in modes such as constant-force modes, constant-load modes, constant velocity modes, sprint simulation mode, bob sled simulation mode, terminal velocity determination mode, isokinetic overspeed mode, and isotonic overspeed mode. Processing of the velocity and force as a function of time allows for the recording and analysis of data such as the maximal exertion force-velocity curve, left leg/right leg performance, force as a function of stride, etc.

Bipedal locomotion training and performance evaluation device and method

A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.

Stationary exercise equipment

A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill produced that allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards. A closed loop treadmill belt is formed with a low friction running surface of transverse wooden, plastic or rubber slats attached to each other in a resilient fashion.

Leg-powered treadmill

Exercise device and method for simulating physical activity

A treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee is provided The treadmill includes a base including a belt, a motor interconnected with the belt, and a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base The motor causes the belt to rotate in a first direction The walking rehabilitation device includes a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's extremities The walking rehabilitation device further includes a transmission interconnecting the motor and the user engagement structure, the transmission transferring motion from the motor to the rehabilitee via the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt

Treadmill with integrated walking rehabilitation device

The present invention refers to a toothed-belt and V-belt for treadmills, comprising an endless belt, which is provided with a plurality of tread lamellae and which is guided around two deflection pulleys. At least one of the deflection pulleys comprises a sliding disk member and a toothed-disk member in juxtaposition, and the belt comprises, in juxtaposition, a toothed-belt area associated with the toothed-disk member of the deflection pulley and a V-belt area abutting on the sliding disk member of the deflection pulley. The main force for driving the belt is transmitted via the sliding disk member and the V-belt area. The toothed-disk member of the deflection pulley preferably has toothed areas and toothless areas, which are alternately and equidistantly arranged throughout the circumferential surface thereof.

Toothed-belt, V-belt, and pulley assembly

Toothed-belt and v-belt means for treadmills

Zahn-und Keilriemeneinrichtung für Laufbänder

of EP0601279The invention relates to a toothed belt and V-belt apparatus for moving walkways, comprising an endless belt (4, 5) which has a multiplicity of tread plates (9) and is guided around two deflection rollers. At least one of the deflection rollers has, arranged next to each other, a sliding disc section (2) and a toothed disc section (3), and the belt (4, 5) has, arranged next to each other, a toothed belt region (5) assigned to the toothed disc section (3) of the deflection roller and a V-belt region (4) which bears against the sliding disc section (2) of the deflection roller. The main force for driving the belt (4, 5) is transmitted via the sliding disc section (2) and the V-belt region (4). The toothed disc region (3) of the deflection roller preferably has toothing regions and toothless regions arranged alternately over its peripheral surface at equal intervals.

Schoenenberger Willi

Papers

Toothed-belt, V-belt, and pulley assembly

Toothed-belt and v-belt means for treadmills

Zahn-und Keilriemeneinrichtung für Laufbänder

Toothed belt and V-belt apparatus for conveyors