Adjustable Angle User Support Frame for Reciprocating Arcing Motion Exercise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exercise machines fail to effectively engage both upper and lower body muscles in a bio-mechanically correct, versatile, and adjustable manner, limiting exercise variety and muscle group engagement, and often require additional components for adjustments that increase cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A machine with an adjustable angle user support frame that allows for concurrent arcing motion exercises, enabling users to control the range of motion and engage multiple muscle groups by adjusting the angle from vertical to horizontal, and optionally incorporating resistance mechanisms for varied workouts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed frame machine is used to create exercise motions in a single plane, then the machine structure is simple, but the exercise variety and muscle groups engaged are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise varietyVSAvoidmachine structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine employs a movable frame that can dynamically change from a fixed position to an inclined position, allowing the exercise plane to be adjusted. This dynamic structural change enables the same machine to provide both single-plane and multi-plane exercise motions, increasing exercise variety without requiring multiple separate machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The machine allows users to change the inclination angle parameter of the frame, transforming it from a fixed 0-degree position to an inclined position. This parameter change enables the exercise motion to transition from a single horizontal plane to multiple planes, engaging different muscle groups while maintaining a relatively simple machine structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a circular crank is incorporated into the mechanical function, then the machine operates smoothly, but all users must follow a fixed pattern of motion that prevents controlling the range of motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion controlVSAvoidrange of motion control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The machine replaces the fixed circular crank mechanism with a dynamic movable frame system that allows the range of motion to be adjusted during operation. Users can control how far the frame inclines, thereby controlling the range of motion of the exercise motion, while the machine still operates smoothly through controlled mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the user is weight bearing in a sitting or standing position, then the machine structure is simplified, but the exercise variety and muscle groups engaged are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle group engagementVSAvoidmachine structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine enables users to transition between sitting and standing positions dynamically during exercise. By inclining the frame, the machine allows users to perform exercises that engage both upper and lower body muscle groups simultaneously, providing more comprehensive muscle engagement while maintaining a relatively simple machine structure that requires only frame inclination capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added for adjustments to fit various size users, then the machine becomes more adaptable, but the cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser size accommodationVSAvoidadjustment components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable frame mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts the exercise plane, controls the range of motion, and accommodates users of different sizes and abilities through a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate adjustment components, maintaining lower complexity while achieving high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11794066B2Upper and lower body reciprocating arcing motion exercise machine with an adjustable angle user support

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 ELLIS JOSEPH K

AI summary

An upper and lower body reciprocating arcing motion exercise machine with an adjustable angle movable user support frame wherein, movable left and right lower body user support assemblies comprising foot platforms and shin support pads mounted on an arcing track, move along a rearward portion of the movable user support frame and movable left and right upper body user support assemblies comprising gripping handles mounted on pivoting levers, pivot about a forward portion of the movable user support frame. A linkage assembly operatively connects and synchronizes the movable upper and lower body user support assemblies. In certain embodiments, an adjustable resistance mechanism is operatively engaged with the movable upper and lower body user support assemblies for providing adjustable resistance to the exercise motion of the movable upper and lower body user support assemblies during an exercise motion.