Cantilevered Exercise Machine Support System with Variable Incline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Pilates apparatuses are cumbersome and pose injury risks due to their large size, requiring users to step over perimeter structures for mounting and dismounting, and lack versatility in exercise intensity adjustment, as they cannot incline or decline.
Innovation Solution
A cantilevered exercise machine design with a variable angle of incline or decline, featuring a base and support system that allows the exercise machine to pivot, reducing perimeter dimensions and relocating carriage bias members outside the rails for improved accessibility and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional rectangular perimeter structure is used to support the exercise machine, then structural stability is achieved, but the overall length and width increase making the machine cumbersome and requiring users to step over the perimeter to mount and dismount
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into a base supporting one end of the exercise machine and separate supports for the other end, eliminating the need for a continuous perimeter structure. This allows users to access the machine from the sides without stepping over a complete perimeter, reducing injury risk while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system transitions from a two-dimensional perimeter structure to a three-dimensional configuration with a base and vertical supports. This dimensional change reduces the machine's footprint on the floor while providing adequate support, allowing more machines to be installed in a given space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the exercise machine is designed with a fixed horizontal position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but exercise versatility is limited as inclination and declination cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates adjustable supports that can be positioned at different heights and angles, transforming the fixed horizontal machine into a dynamic system capable of inclination and declination. This allows a variety of exercises to be performed while maintaining relatively simple base and support components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable support system serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling inclination for different exercise intensities, and allowing declination for varied exercise routines. This multi-functionality increases exercise versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If carriage bias members are located within the parallel rails, then the traditional design is maintained, but the overall width increases and accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage bias members are extracted from their traditional position within the parallel rails and relocated to an external position. This extraction reduces the overall width of the machine and improves accessibility, allowing users to approach and use the machine more easily while maintaining the functional integrity of the bias members.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces the risk of injury, allows for more machines to be installed in a given space, and enhances exercise variety by enabling inclination and declination, thus increasing the number of exercises that can be performed.
Implementation Method 1
The upper end of the support is connected to the exercise machine by a pivot such that the exercise machine rotates about the support
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise machine support system for providing increased versatility including inclination or declination of an exercise surface, a reduction in the overall length and width of the exercise machine, and an enhanced user interface which reduces the risk of injury. The exercise machine support system generally includes a cantilevered exercise machine which is adapted to have a variable angle of incline or decline with respect to a horizontal ground surface. The exercise machine will generally include a base and a support which extends between the base and the exercise machine. The upper end of the support is connected to the exercise machine by a first pivot such that the exercise machine pivots about the support. An adjustment device may be utilized to pivot the exercise machine and thus adjust its angle of incline. Various types of adjustment devices are disclosed, including an actuator, ratchet-and-pawl, gears, and cam.