Adjustable Four-Bar Linkage for Multi-Exercise Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines with four-bar linkage assemblies are limited to creating a single exercise motion per station, which restricts versatility and requires multiple machines for varied workouts, increasing costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable four-bar linkage assembly that allows the location of stationary pivots to be reconfigured, enabling the creation of multiple exercise motions from a single user engagement feature by adjusting the geometric shape of the linkage assembly through a linkage bar connected to a stationary adjustment pivot, allowing for various exercise configurations such as reconfiguring a chest press to a shoulder press or back rowing to a back pulldown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed four-bar linkage assembly is used, then the exercise motion is stable and reliable, but the exercise station can only perform a single exercise motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the stationary pivot location adjustable rather than fixed. The adjustable stationary pivot allows the four-bar linkage assembly to change its geometric configuration dynamically, enabling multiple exercise motions (chest press, shoulder press, back rowing, back pulldown) from a single station while maintaining structural stability during each exercise mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single exercise station with an adjustable four-bar linkage assembly that can perform multiple exercise motions. The adjustable stationary pivot enables the same linkage assembly to be reconfigured for different exercises, making one machine serve multiple functions and replacing the need for multiple separate exercise machines.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple exercise machines are used to provide varied workouts, then exercise versatility is improved, but costs and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional exercise station where a single machine can perform multiple exercise motions through the adjustable four-bar linkage assembly. This eliminates the need for multiple separate exercise machines, thereby reducing space requirements while maintaining workout variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple exercise functions into a single exercise station by integrating an adjustable four-bar linkage assembly that can be reconfigured for different exercises. This consolidation of multiple exercise capabilities into one machine reduces both space requirements and equipment costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stationary pivot location is made adjustable, then exercise motion versatility is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed stationary pivot to an adjustable stationary pivot that can be repositioned to different locations. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the four-bar linkage assembly to create various exercise motions while the adjustment mechanism itself remains relatively simple, enabling versatility without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A four-bar linkage assembly exercise station that can be adjusted to various configurations to create various exercise motions having at least one adjustable operational pivot that is movable prior to operation of the machine and stationary during operation of the machine and at least one stationary adjustment pivot operatively connected to the at least one adjustable operational pivot. The stationary adjustment pivot is also operatively connected to an adjusting and latching component or assembly that can be engaged by a user prior to operation of the machine to adjust the four-bar linkage assembly exercise station to a desired configuration to create a unique exercise motion and secure the desired configuration of the adjustable four-bar linkage assembly.