Angled Pedal Exercise Device for Reduced Lateral Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices that provide lateral resistance for abductor and adductor muscles require a certain threshold fitness level, making it difficult for individuals without initial strength or endurance in these muscle groups to benefit from the exercise, as they necessitate sustained lateral motion.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the orientation of the pedal motion plane to include counter-rotating circular motion at an angle greater than 0° to the vertical, allowing for reduced intensity lateral effort by recruiting muscles involved in forward and backward motion, such as the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and hip extensors, through adjustable or fixed tilt and attachment angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If pedals are mounted perpendicular to a vertically positioned frame to provide lateral resistance, then abductor and adductor muscles are exercised, but users require a high threshold fitness level to maintain the exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent tilts the pedal assembly from a perpendicular mounting (90° to horizontal) to an angled mounting (30-60° to horizontal), adding a vertical dimension to the previously purely lateral motion. This dimensional change allows gravity to assist the exercise by providing downward force during the pedal stroke, reducing the threshold fitness level required while maintaining lateral resistance effectiveness
2Force
If pedals move in a circular path parallel to the frame plane, then lateral exercise is provided, but forward and backward motion of feet and legs is almost non-existent
Solution Approach 1:
By tilting the pedal assembly at 30-60° to the horizontal, the patent transforms the motion plane from purely lateral to a three-dimensional path that incorporates forward-backward movement. This allows engagement of additional muscle groups including quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, while preserving the lateral resistance component through the angled configuration
3Adaptability or versatility
If the plane of circular motion of pedals is tilted at an angle greater than 0° to the vertical, then muscles involved in forward and backward motion are recruited, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of lateral resistance exercise and forward-backward motion exercise into a single tilted pedal assembly. By combining these two exercise modes into one unified mechanism at a 30-60° angle, the patent achieves multi-muscle group engagement without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural tilt serves both exercise objectives simultaneously
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved exercise device includes pedals configured to move in counter-rotating circles in a plane inclined to - ward the horizontal from the vertical at an angle greater than O and less than or equal to 90. The device includes a supporting frame, a pedal mounting assembly attached to the supporting frame at an angle from the vertical, two pedal supports attached to the pedal mounting assembly, each via a pedal crank assembly, at an angle to the vertical, and two pedals, one pedal supported by each pedal support.