US Patent 9968823 Treadmill with suspended tread belt

A treadmill deck may include a first side rail, a second side rail aligned with the first side rail, a first pulley connected to a first end of the first and second side rails, and a second pulley connected to a second end of the first and second side rails. A tread belt is disposed around the first pulley and the second pulley. Further, a first cover is connected to the first rail that spans at least a first portion of a first mid-region of the first rail and cantilevers over a portion of the tread belt that provides an unstable footing. Also, the tread belt moves with respect to the first cover.