The Patent
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The Exercise Treadmill patent # US 10,328,303 B2 and its Continuation Patent # 11,000,728 issued May 11, 2021 offer at least eight independent claims which represent at least three platform revolutions for the treadmill industry. Continuation Patent # 11,951,351issued April 9, 2024 adds breadth to the Resistance based, Motor-Less approach. Patent Pending #20250050165 further refines the Motor-Less approach.
Patent # US 12,157,031 builds out patent claims around Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality scenarios where sensors detect location and treadmill responds to location and user input.
Canada granted patent CA 3010980 in May 2023 and granted continuation patent CA 3,193,860 in October 2023. CA 3193918 is in the Pre-Grant stage as of Spring 2025.
In Europe, EP 3374041 was approved as of Summer 2025.
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Six Independent Claims
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1. OPEN FRONT: Everyone knows that running form differs on a treadmill vs. outdoors. Everyone knows treadmills just feel miserable. The problem is the front console. Removing or pushing out the front console, just beyond reach while running, restores natural running form. The difference is remarkable. Free from obstruction, the runner can relax their shoulders, swing their arms, rotate their hips, and stride as they would outdoors. This opens up the opportunity to use home media system without obstruction or allows for a large typical TV or even a MIRROR type screen to be mounted at the far end of the treadmill. Watch the Demo!
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2. AUTO-PILOT: Step on and go! The runner can mindlessly vary their speed, just like they would outdoors. Other auto-pilot methods have been patented, BUT this method works and it works well. Additional claims on Auto-Pilot provide for driving the belt speed based on target heart rate, but within runner capability, and using Auto-Pilot in combination with Motor-Less operation (see next point). Watch the Demo!
3. MOTOR-LESS: Target a speed and rely on a variable resistance based drive train, rather than (or in addition to) a motor, to achieve and maintain that speed. Additionally, programs can be implemented for additional features such as Parachute mode or Sled Mode. This allows for the elimination of the motor, reducing noise for the runner and reducing cost for the manufacturer - as well as service headaches down the road.
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4. HEART DRIVEN: Use a physiological variable, like heart rate, to drive the treadmill speed, but slow down if the runner can't keep up with the program. If the runner is drifting towards the back, the treadmill slows down to let them recover, then speeds up when they return to the center or forward section of the belt.
5. RUMBLE STRIP: Put bumps or impressions into the forward, rear and/or sides of the treadmill deck. The runner will feel the gradations with their feet and adjust their position accordingly to move towards the center or intended "sweet spot" for the runner
6. VISUAL & AUDIO FEEDBACK: Based on a detected user position on the deck, the Treadmill can send visual audio feedback, directly or via a Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality system, to alert the user about their position on the deck.
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The RUNWAY represents the future of treadmill running. The open front design will become the standard structure. The motor-less approach of tomorrow will make today's motorized treadmills look like yesterday's trash. Auto-pilot is just a better way to run, while it and the rumble strip and some of the other claims come together to support Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality use cases that aren't possible otherwise.
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Contact us to talk further about how this patent solves the biggest problems that are baked into traditional treadmill formats, and how it can provide a platform strategy that will put your company in a leadership position for the next decade.
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The RUNWAY (tm) Treadmill, LLC
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