| 摘要 |
A novel moveable surface conveyor system, especially used as an exercise treadmill is disclosed. The surface is comprised of a plurality of deck members, each pivotally attached to the adjacent deck member, thus creating a continuous loop with an upper run and a lower run. At least the upper run of the loop is supported on a pair of side frames by a support means which is comprised of a series of wheels or bearings. Annular configurations of the support means exist at one or both ends of the treadmill to facilitate the transition of the deck members from the upper run to the lower run and back to the upper run. These configurations include a race that receives the bearings, the bearings being attached to the deck members or the bearings can be mounted on the side frames. Here the bearings receive and thereby support and guide the deck members, thus eliminating the traditional drum pulleys which are prevalent in the art. The deck members are driven, or braked, by a mechanical communication with a star sprocket which is driven by a rotary motor or actuator or in the preferred embodiment, the deck members are driven, or braked, by coils (primary members) and the deck members are the secondary members of what would be considered a linear motor. This system directly drives the continuous loop without the belts, pulleys and separate motors found in the art. The invention reduces the complexity, cost, wear and breakdown potential of current devices.
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